Shindai had expected Naruto to make some small actions, so he deliberately held Kakashi back to give Naruto time to prepare.
Sure enough, Naruto didn't disappoint Shindai by pulling off a prank.
Unfortunately though, this prank was just so-so.
Sakura heard Naruto calling Kakashi "Kakashi-niisan" and noticed how close Shindai was with Naruto, so she curiously asked, "Naruto, are these two your older brothers?"
Naruto nodded happily, "Yep! Shindai-niisan and Kakashi-niisan grew up together with me!"
Shindai gave Naruto's head a light flick on the forehead, "Grow up together with you? If you don't know how to speak properly, then better not speak at all! It should be 'we were there for you while you were growing up!'"
Then Shindai smiled cheerfully toward a Sasuke frozen in place, "Sasuke, isn't what I said correct?"
Sasuke started trembling slightly, his face twisted in sheer horror.
"I absolutely refuse… I refuse to believe it's actually you!"
When Sasuke saw Shindai, he froze completely. From childhood until now, the shadow Shindai cast over him had been too great.
If Shindai became his team leader, it would be pure despair!
Sakura looked puzzled at Sasuke, not understanding why he was getting so worked up.
Naruto asked Sasuke in confusion, "But Sasuke, weren't you always admiring Shindai-niisan?"
Sasuke glared at Naruto in disbelief, "Are you seriously saying I ever admired him?"
Scratching his head, Naruto replied, "Didn't you always say Shindai-niisan is super strong and that you wanted to train hard to defeat him in the future to prove yourself?"
Shindai exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? So you've secretly been looking up to me all along~"
Sasuke's face turned bright red with anger, "That's not admiration, you idiot! That's hatred!"
Naruto argued back, "What hatred? Sasuke, you're being too harsh! Shindai-niisan has always been so good to us!"
Sasuke snapped angrily, "Of course you'd side with him, you bastard! Have you forgotten how I've been harassed by you guys since childhood? How could I possibly like any of you?"
In an instant, Shindai appeared beside Sasuke and put an arm around his neck, "Don't be such a short-fuse guy. Naruto and I really like you, right Naruto?"
Naruto immediately chimed in, "Exactly!"
Sasuke glared furiously, "So this is your idea of showing affection? Oh thank you so damn much! If you're going to be my team leader, I'd rather spend another year at the ninja academy!"
Hearing Sasuke's words, Sakura felt her heart sink.
If Sasuke went back to the ninja academy, how could she continue pursuing him then?
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's stop chatting here." Kakashi stopped Shindai from continuing to tease Sasuke, "Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, your team leader is me. Shindai's student is Hinata. You three come with me."
Hearing that Kakashi would be their team leader, Sasuke immediately felt relieved. Phew… Almost had it... For a second there, life looked pretty bleak.
Shindai waved at Hinata. "Hinata, come along with me too. I'll take you to the Scientific Research Division."
Obediently walking over to Shindai's side, Hinata replied, "Okay, Shindai-niisan."
Shindai corrected her, "Starting today, call me Teacher."
"Yes, Teacher!"
Nodding in satisfaction, Shindai took Hinata and left.
Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the rooftop terrace.
Sakura curiously asked, "Teacher Kakashi, have you already known Naruto and Sasuke for a long time?"
Kakashi answered, "Yes. I was Naruto's father's apprentice. As for knowing Sasuke, it's because one of my good friends was also an Uchiha clansman. Plus, Shindai always brought Sasuke along when he played outside, so naturally we met. Anyway, now it's time for all of you to introduce yourselves."
Naruto frowned in confusion, "Self-introduction? Kakashi-niisan, seriously? We already know each other so well."
"Of course," Kakashi reminded them. "And from now on, call me Teacher, because right now, I'm your superior, and you're my subordinates."
Naruto's eyes lit up excitedly, "This actually sounds fun! Five-Five Teacher!"
Leaning against the railing, Kakashi almost fell off. He stared at Naruto with his signature dead-fish gaze, asking, "Who told you to call me Five-Five?"
"It was Shindai-niisan! He once told me that if I ever called Teacher Kakashi 'Five-Five,' then I should call you Five-Five, because according to Shindai-niisan, you can beat anyone fair and square. Five-Five Teacher, can we go head-to-head someday?"
Naruto's innocent words visibly annoyed Kakashi.
No doubt about it—this must've been Shindai again. Back in the day, Shindai had called him Five-Five more than once.
Suddenly, Kakashi vanished from sight. In the next moment, he appeared behind Naruto, placing a hand firmly on his head. "What do you think?" he asked darkly.
"Uh..." Naruto awkwardly scratched his head under Kakashi's grip. "Maybe not quite fair and square..."
Kakashi emphasized sternly, "Call me Teacher Kakashi. No more Five-Five. Alright, go ahead and introduce yourselves—what you like, what you dislike, your hobbies, basically stuff like that."
Eagerly volunteering first, Naruto introduced himself, "I'm the future hero of Konoha, the seventh Hokage, and the strongest ninja in the entire ninja world! My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I love barbecue and ramen, but even more than that, I love how Shindai-niisan always takes me around to mooch free meals!
As for dislikes... Well, I hate how whenever Shindai-niisan does something bad, he always blames me instead!
My hobby? Hoping Shindai-niisan will make some special ninja cards just for me and playing with all sorts of cool new ninja tools he invents. And my dream? To become a real hero, Hokage, and the strongest ninja in the world!"
Naruto's introduction left Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura completely stunned.
Sakura pressed her lips together and asked, "I can understand calling someone a hero or the strongest, but why the seventh Hokage? Isn't the Fourth Hokage the current one? If you aim to become Hokage, wouldn't you be the Fifth?"
Naruto tilted his head. "I don't know either. Shindai told me I'd become the seventh Hokage."
Kakashi twitched his lip. "Most of what Shindai says is nonsense. Don't take it too seriously. Next!"
Sakura introduced herself, "My name is Sakura Haruno! What I like is... Well, the person I like is..."
Her eyes unconsciously glanced toward Sasuke, who was sitting with his arms crossed, acting cool.
"And my hobbies are... As for my future dream..."
She looked at Sasuke again and let out an awkward 'ya.'
Naruto looked between Sakura and Sasuke, and realization dawned on him. "Oh~ So you like Sasuke, Sakura!"
Caught off guard, Sakura's face flushed bright red, and she stuttered nervously, "No... Not really... Maybe..."
Finally, she lowered her head, steam practically rising from her head, too embarrassed to look at Sasuke anymore.
Kakashi sighed. Love was more complicated than ninjutsu.
Meanwhile, Sasuke coldly muttered, "This is so boring."
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