Kakashi deflated at that, shoulders sagging a little under the harsh coldness of Tenzou's tone.

"Ah, Tenzou, you didn't have to be mean about it..." he almost sulked, not far off looking like a kicked puppy as he flopped his head forward. Earlier he'd been quietly brimming with pride over how far his meek little kouhai had come, but now he was seeing the repercussions in full force. Did he not respect him anymore? Had Kakashi grown so disillusioned that people saw him as soft and old? Would he have to face an enforced retirement soon? He slumped. It was a dark, dark day indeed when even Tenzou lost respect for you.