After carefully considering Mizuki's suggestion, Hatake Kakashi said:

"The second situation is to recruit new members for Team 7. This is quite difficult and will ultimately be decided by Lady Tsunade. As for the first situation, recommending Sasuke to become a Chunin, there is no opportunity now. We can only wait for the Chunin Exam in a few months."

"Chūnin Exam? Then we have to go back to the second situation. We have to add temporary members to Team 7."

"That's right. The person chosen will definitely be very careful. Even if we are jonin, we can't do anything about it."

“It’s troublesome…”

"Also, Mizuki, although your position makes it difficult for me to hand Sasuke over to you directly, you still can't get away from Team 7's affairs."

"And my business? Isn't it enough for me to give you some advice?"

"Did you forget?" Kakashi gestured in the direction of Team 7's Genin, "My students aren't just Sasuke and Naruto, there's also Haruno Sakura. Didn't you say I was too partial? This time I've found a way to make up for it. Don't go back on your promise!"

"Haruno Sakura? Oh, right..." Mizuki remembered that before becoming the 8th Team's instructor, Hatake Kakashi had asked Haruno Sakura to become Mizuki's apprentice, and Mizuki agreed with conditions at the time. But after so long, there was no follow-up, and after so many things happened, Mizuki was also responsible for the teaching of the three genin of the 8th Team, so he thought the matter had been forgotten. He didn't expect that Hatake Kakashi would bring it up again today.

"You remember?"

Mizuki smiled bitterly and nodded, "Sakura, have you decided yet?"

"I talked to her twice and told her the details of the situation, and finally asked her to think about it herself."

"And you chose me? Lady Tsunade is one of the 'Three Ninjas' and the Fifth Hokage. I can't think of any advantage I have."

Kakashi patted Mizuki's shoulder and said, "Sakura has asked me about you several times, especially during the last two missions. You really stole the show."

"So what did you say?"

"Of course you are telling the truth?"

"Including my reputation? A little girl isn't afraid?"

"Are you kidding? After all, you and Sakura have been professors for a month. Sakura knows who you are. You can just make fun of that kind of nonsense, but who would believe it if they are familiar with you? Besides, you just got married. You wouldn't do that to a little girl so soon after your wedding."

"Stop talking, Kakashi." Mizuki said with some embarrassment, "So, Sakura is just leaning towards me, but hasn't made the final decision yet?"

"Yes, but in my opinion, you should be prepared, excellent instructor - Mizuki Jonin!"

"You really came out of nowhere! Wouldn't it be good to be the Hokage's disciple? Why would you choose me, a common ninja with a bad reputation?"

"Where is your intelligence? Why is it of no use at this time?"

Kakashi sighed and said, "I think this is very normal, Mizuki."

"normal?"

"Well, it's not just you. I have also carefully inquired about Lady Tsunade, and Lady Tsunade did not refuse."

"You didn't give me a clear promise?"

"Yes, so, after I explain the two situations to Sakura in detail, what choice do you think Sakura will make?"

Following the idea provided by Hatake Kakashi, Mizuki looked at Sakura who happened to be smiling and maneuvering between Sasuke and Naruto not far away, thought for a while, and then replied: "It seems that I have to think carefully about how to teach an apprentice well so as not to delay her. She gave up the opportunity to become the Hokage's apprentice and chose me. It puts a lot of pressure on me, Kakashi."

"Understood?"

"How can you not understand? Did you know that this day would come when I suggested that Sakura make her own choice?"

"How come?" Kakashi smiled and replied, "Then, Sakura is left to you. The Mizukage is calling me over there, we'll talk later..."

Mizuki could only nod and watch Kakashi walk away.

"Ignoring the thoughts of an ordinary little girl, I have an extra responsibility. At least I can't let Sakura fall too far behind what she was taught by Tsunade!"

In fact, Sakura's choice is not difficult to understand after thinking about the key. If Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were asked to choose between Mizuki and the "Three Ninjas" as their teachers, there is no doubt that Mizuki would have no chance at all. One is reckless in order to gain power, while the other is working tirelessly to become a Hokage. If there is a better opportunity, they will definitely not miss it. But Haruno Sakura is not necessarily the same.

A little girl from an ordinary family, apart from a clever mind, a fairly good talent for chakra control and theoretical knowledge, really has no special ninja talents. This civilian ninja who is quite self-aware can be described as pragmatic to put it nicely, or as having low self-esteem to put it bluntly.

Between the familiar Mizuki and the unfamiliar Tsunade, the "Three Ninjas" and "Five-generation Hokage" are both golden signs and great pressure for Haruno Sakura. If you ask an ordinary female ninja with no foundation, if she is given the opportunity to become a disciple of Hokage, will she be excited or uneasy? The possibility of the latter is definitely much greater than the former. This world with deep-rooted concepts of respect and inferiority is not as open-minded as Mizuki's previous life. There are still too few examples of overnight success and black chicken turning into a phoenix. Many relationships in the ninja world are complicated, and the blood bond still plays a role.

In this case, choosing Tsunade is much more unfamiliar than Mizuki, and there is no clear answer yet. There is a high possibility that there will be additional tests, and Tsunade may reject it.

As for Mizuki, Sakura has studied with him for a month and is very familiar with his style. Kakashi also said that he is very strong and has made it clear that he will not refuse. So for Haruno Sakura, who is so ordinary that she has a little inferiority complex, it is almost a foregone conclusion that she will pragmatically choose Mizuki. Without Mizuki, Haruno Sakura might have mustered up the courage to ask Tsunade for help. With Mizuki as a retreat, the situation is completely different. Not surprisingly, this "first disciple" of Mizuki will not be able to escape.

Although I had been mentally prepared for this matter before, I was still a little caught off guard when the time came. I guess I will be even busier when I return from this mission.

…

In the following time, under the gazes full of admiration for ninjas, the Genin of Konoha and the Genin of the Hidden Mist Village had several brief contests. Among them, after Sasuke won his opponent cleanly twice, Kakashi Hatake also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Finally I won. Sasuke can't afford to lose now!"