It was a bright, sunny afternoon in Konoha. The Academy had just finished its afternoon lesson, and six-year-old Guest was walking out with the other students. As she passed by the Academy entrance, she suddenly noticed someone familiar.

Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi was carrying his sword as he headed toward the training grounds. Guest immediately recognized him and hurried over.

"Kakashi!" she called, catching up to him. "Where are you going?"

Kakashi looked down at her, his expression calm and serious.

"Training."

Guest's eyes immediately lit up.

"Training? I wanna come too!"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

"You? Aren't you supposed to go home after the Academy?"

Guest quickly grabbed his sleeve.

"Please! Please let me come with you!"

Kakashi sighed quietly.

"Minato would probably tell you to go home."

Guest immediately put a finger against her lips.

"Then don't tell my brother! Please, please, please!"

She clasped her hands together and looked up at Kakashi pleadingly.

"I promise I won't bother you! I'll just watch. I won't make any noise!"

Kakashi stared at her for a few seconds before finally sighing.

"...Fine. But you stay out of the way."

Guest's face instantly brightened.

"Really?! Thank you!"

She happily followed him toward the training grounds.

---

After a while, the two of them had reached the training grounds. Kakashi held his sword firmly in his hand, looking around while keeping his guard up. Guest, however, had apparently decided that simply watching wasn't enough. She was secretly following him around.

"I know you're nearby." Kakashi said calmly.

Everything was silent.

Then—

Crack!

The sound of a small branch breaking came from behind him. Kakashi immediately looked up and raised his sword slightly. He was certain it was Guest.

"I can hear you."

He slowly approached the bushes, narrowing his eyes as he searched the area.

"Got you."

Kakashi quickly stepped behind the bush.

...Nobody was there.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

"...Huh?"

Guest wasn't there.

Kakashi looked around. He was absolutely certain he had heard her.

"Where did she..."

Suddenly, another faint sound came from behind him.

Kakashi slowly turned around.

"...Guest?"

He tightened his grip on his sword and carefully scanned the training grounds, realizing that the little girl had somehow turned their training session into a game of hide-and-seek.