Three years later.
Inside the Hokage building.
Jiraiya, along with Naruto and Sakura, stood in front of Tsunade.
The Akatsuki group had been quiet for a while, except for Sasuke, who had mysteriously appeared in the village before.
Basically, no one really understood the movements of those rogue ninja wearing black cloaks with red clouds.
However, Jiraiya, who had been tracking Orochimaru and learned about Akatsuki, noticed that the Akatsuki group's activities had recently become more frequent again.
They had said they wanted to catch the tailed beasts back then, but maybe they weren't fully prepared with information and manpower.
So, after investigating the tailed beasts and Jinchuriki for a while, they disappeared.
They've only recently started moving again, but this time.
They're probably getting ready to officially capture the tailed beasts.
Jiraiya, who had been training Naruto outside the village, also brought Naruto back.
"Well, it's been a while, you two."
"Your training should have produced some results, right?"
Tsunade sat at the Hokage desk, resting her chin on her hands, and said to the two people in front of her.
"Do you think we would come back without any results?"
Jiraiya said, pursing his lips.
"It's very effective!"
Naruto stood in front of the desk with his hands on his hips, looking cheerful and energetic.
"Then let me see the results of your training quickly."
"To test you, that guy has been off duty for several days, preparing himself!"
Tsunade nodded at Naruto with satisfaction, speaking with a lot of power.
Naruto's personality hasn't changed much, but judging by his energy and appearance, he's probably grown quite a bit.
"Huh…?"
Just as Naruto was confused, there was a knock on the door.
"Knock knock."
"Come in."
Shikamaru and Temari walked in together, Shikamaru carrying a stack of documents.
They were both working to prepare for the Chunin Exams, representing Sunagakure and Konoha.
"Ah, Shikamaru! Look who's back?"
Sakura smiled brightly, pointing to Naruto, who turned to look at the two of them.
"Ah… it's Naruto."
"How should I say this, you seem less silly, like you've changed a lot."
Shikamaru, whose face looked tired from being overworked, glanced over casually, then his eyes widened, and he looked happily at Naruto.
Looks like he's been worn down by the grind, Shikamaru.
Temari also looked at the smiling Naruto with surprise, not expecting that shorty to have grown so much.
He totally looks like a young man now, not like the kid he used to be.
She remembers Naruto pretty well, since he fought Gaara when he was a tailed beast.
Gaara wasn't that tall back then either, but Temari, being a little older than them, still thought Naruto was shorter.
"Not at all, he's still the same guy."
Sakura quickly waved her hand, dispelling Shikamaru's brief illusion that Naruto had grown up.
"I knew it."
Shikamaru laughed, not too surprised, after all, it's Naruto.
"Heyyyy!"
Naruto couldn't help but shout at them, annoyed. What's going on? He just got back, so why is everyone picking on him?
"But if that's the case, then my opponent is Shikamaru?"
"Huh? What? I'm just here to deliver documents."
Shikamaru picked up the documents in his hand and waved them, revealing the white sheets inside.
Naruto then turned his attention to Temari, but after thinking for a moment, he couldn't remember who she was.
Who is this...?
"Naruto, your opponent isn't over there, he's over here."
Tsunade pointed to the window behind her, and Naruto ran over and opened it.
"Yo, you've grown quite a bit, Naruto."
Kakashi was as usual, with most of his face hidden behind his mask, looking tired with his dead fish eyes.
He was holding a little yellow book in one hand and waving to Naruto with the other.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Teacher hasn't changed at all."
Whether it's the way he reads or the way he talks, even though I've grown, Kakashi seems to be frozen in time.
"Oh yeah... I have a gift for Kakashi-sensei!"
As soon as Naruto saw Kakashi's face, he seemed to remember something and rummaged around in his ninja tool pouch.
Then he took out a book and handed it to Kakashi. ....
"This… this is…!"
When Kakashi saw the cover of the book, his eyes widened, and he looked at Naruto and the book in surprise.
"This is the latest edition of the Make-Out series, after three long years!"
"I think it's super boring... but you like this, right?"
Kakashi accepted the book as if it were a treasure, and Naruto grinned. Judging by Kakashi's reaction, this gift must be a big surprise.
Then Naruto looked around. Actually, he felt like something was missing as soon as he entered the village.
After giving the gift to Kakashi, Naruto realized what was wrong.
If that person was in the village, he would have come out already.
"Ah... but only Kakashi-sensei is here? Where's Satoru-nii?"
Kakashi eagerly opened a page of the book, and a holy light shone, instantly covering his face in white light.
He really wanted to read the book, but he'll have time later.
"Ah, that's right, now that you mention it, you missed him."
"On the day you and Jiraiya-sama left for training, Satoru was invited away by the people of Sunagakure."
As Kakashi spoke, the image of Hatake Satoru appeared in his mind.
Anyway, his brother rarely stays in the village obediently, but that's probably because he's different from him.
Hatake Satoru is always free, but now that he thinks about it, he hasn't seen him in years.
Kakashi is busy with missions every day. He didn't notice until he thought about it, but it's been a long time.
...
At the same time, Sunagakure Village.
"Lord Hatake, the Kazekage-sama and the meeting group have asked you to personally attend a meeting to discuss matters. Please go as soon as possible."
Inside a circular building, Hatake Satoru was sitting at a desk, staring thoughtfully at a lifelike human head in front of him.
"A meeting?"
Hatake Satoru leaned back in his chair, wearing sunglasses.
The black sunglasses covered his eyes, and his smooth, short hair fell neatly on his forehead, making him look quite well-behaved.
Hatake Satoru had a piece of candy in his mouth, and one side of his cheek puffed out slightly.
"That's rare, they actually want me to go in person."
"Could it be that something big is happening~?"
---
Read 30 advanced chapters on my patreon
patreon.com/GustinaKamiya
---