"Is that so?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brows as he read the report in his hand. After thinking for a moment, he looked up at Kakashi, who had just returned from his mission.
"So you weren't able to locate the mysterious 'Dirt-Eating Beast,' and there haven't been any new incidents of dug-up land recently either? You're saying you suspect the creature may have already left the Land of Fire?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded calmly. They'd been out on this mission for over a month, and not only had they failed to find the beast, they hadn't even discovered a trace—no footprints, no fur, nothing. The only intel on the "Dirt-Eating Beast" came from a few local villagers.
"Multiple legs, enormous body, insatiable appetite." That was it.
They were basically chasing shadows.
"Even with assistance from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, we still found nothing."
So the current consensus was that the creature had either found a remote place to hibernate for the winter, or had already left the Land of Fire entirely.
Moreover, since no casualties had occurred during any of the incidents, it was likely a herbivorous and relatively gentle creature.
"That's why," Kakashi continued, "everyone agreed that winter isn't the best time to continue the search. Before leaving, we instructed the nearby villagers to report immediately if anything like this happens again in the spring."
"I see..." Hiruzen took his pipe from his mouth and smiled. "Since you've already made all the necessary arrangements, then this mission will be temporarily suspended. You may go and rest for now."
Now that the business talk was finished, the old man's expression softened into a kind smile.
"Naruto's been making a fuss about wanting to see you. Guy's still out of the village, so I'm hoping you can continue training him. He wants to sign up for the next Four-Wheel Drive Tournament. Of course... the tournament's not the real issue. I know you understand his situation."
Hiruzen sighed.
"Give him proper guidance. Compared to the other kids, Naruto's already far behind—he has no one else."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen watched Kakashi lazily stretch and walk off with his hands in his pockets, still as aloof as ever. He chuckled.
"Some things never change… Let's just hope Kakashi's wallet can survive this."
...
"Naruto, haven't you had enough? You said one ride per person, and now you're hogging it and sneaking in extra coins!"
"Yeah! That's cheating! If you do that again, we won't play with you!"
"Well, how about we ride together? We could both fit, and that way we'd still have a coin left! I'll even treat you next time!"
"But yesterday when Shikamaru and Choji rode together, the kiddie car moved suuuper slow. I don't wanna do that…"
"I'm different!"
"..."
Naruto grinned as he glanced at the group of kids watching him ride the kiddie car. He was feeling really good today.
As long as there was no one around to play with, he'd wake up early and come here to claim the kiddie car for himself. Just keep sitting, and eventually, someone would show up to play.
Of course...
If he was unlucky, some annoyed adult might throw a rock to drive him away. That had happened just a few days ago. People shouted at him, saying stuff like, "What's a monster like you doing here?!"
But these past two days, those adults just snorted coldly and pulled their children away without saying anything else.
He didn't really understand what had changed—but whatever it was, he felt... happy.
At that moment, he spotted someone.
Naruto blinked, then lit up with excitement. He jumped off the kiddie car and grabbed the hand of the white-eyed girl who had been watching from a distance, shy and hesitant to approach.
"Here, you sit. I'm leaving now."
He recognized this girl—he'd walked her home a few days ago.
Her house was huge, and there were a ton of people in it. But... she was really timid. He had no idea what she was so afraid of. She always just hovered nearby, not daring to get close.
"Th-thank you, Naruto-kun…"
But Naruto didn't even hear her. He was already sprinting off toward a familiar figure—hands in his pockets, slouched posture, same lazy expression as always.
"Kakashi-sensei! You're finally back!"
"..."
Kakashi glanced at the excited Naruto approaching him, then nodded listlessly. He'd already noticed Naruto earlier, playing on the kiddie car and surrounded by a bunch of other kids—including the little Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
That sight…
It warmed his heart a little. At least while he'd been away, it seemed Naruto had finally made some friends.
Originally, he'd planned to just go home, get some rest, and catch up on some reading. It had been a while since he'd last opened a book, and he was itching to study again. As for Naruto…
He could wait until later.
The kid wasn't even academy age yet. There wasn't much training he could actually do anyway.
Honestly, the Third's request had already been tossed to the back of his mind beneath his strong desire to study.
And yet—
He hadn't expected Naruto, even while playing with his friends, to spot him so quickly.
"Uhh, Naruto… I've got something to take care of. How about I come find you tomorrow instead?"
"Nope! You're lying!"
Naruto pouted, clearly unconvinced.
"Ji-chan said you'd be back around now, and that you wouldn't be busy for the next few days. She also said you'd take me training—and… and you'd treat me to a meal!"
"..."
A meal?
When did I ever say that?
Kakashi sighed and rubbed his temple. He looked down at the familiar mop of blond hair beneath him and felt a pang of nostalgia—memories of Minato-sensei taking him, Obito, and Rin out to eat after missions.
He let out a long sigh and nodded reluctantly.
"Ramen?"
"Nope. Had that yesterday. Not today."
"Barbecue?"
Compared to ramen, that was a bit pricier—but still, one adult and one kid wouldn't break the bank.
However…
"Barbecue? Ji-chan treated me to that the day before yesterday. I told her I wanted to go somewhere else, but she wouldn't let me."
Naruto mumbled, then looked up at him with a bright, innocent smile.
"Not barbecue either."
"…Then what do you want to eat?"
Cup noodles?
Wait—don't tell me he wants me to cook?
Kakashi eyed Naruto suspiciously. He really didn't have the time today—he still needed to catch up on Make-Out Paradise. He hadn't had a single chance to read it while away on missions. His fingers were itching to flip pages.
Maybe next time I'll just carry the book with me and sneak a read whenever I get the chance.
But… better be careful. If it gets damaged or stained, that'd be a tragedy.
He was, after all, a ninja who deeply valued education.
"I'll take you to a really good place," Naruto said with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "Kakashi-sensei, you'll definitely love it! They've got all kinds of delicious stuff!"
"…Where?"
Did some new place open while I was gone?
"Over here, over here! Come with me!"
"..."
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then looked at the small, eager figure pulling him along. He sighed and finally nodded, slouching along with his hands in his pockets.
"Fine... I'll eat first. Then I'll leave."