Kakashi led Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to the rooftop of the Ninja Academy.
Looking at the three in front of him, Kakashi said, "Why don't we start with some introductions?"
Sakura asked hesitantly, "Introductions… What should we say?"
After thinking briefly, Kakashi replied, "Tell us what you like, dislike, your future dreams, hobbies—basically things like that."
Neither Sasuke nor Naruto spoke. Sakura felt extremely awkward.
She still had a crush on Sasuke, and she wasn't sure how she felt about Naruto at all.
The two boys stayed completely silent. Not even a word between them yet. That made Sakura even more nervous about what to say.
Sakura suggested nervously, "Maybe sensei could introduce himself first?"
Kakashi pointed at himself. "Me? My name is Kakashi Hatake. I don't feel like telling you about what I like or dislike. As for my future dream… Well, I have many hobbies. That's all. Now it's your turn."
Sakura nearly broke down. Not only were her teammates weird, but even their team leader was acting off too!
They didn't find out anything except Kakashi Hatake's name from this introduction!
Sakura stole a glance at Sasuke and Naruto.
Sasuke coolly crossed his arms over half his face.
Naruto looked up blankly at the sky.
It seemed neither had any intention of speaking anytime soon.
Sighing, Sakura said, "My name is Sakura Haruno. I like… Well, the person I like is… And my hobby is… Also, my future dream is…"
She stole repeated shy glances toward Sasuke.
Although she couldn't bring herself to say Sasuke's name out loud, anyone could tell who she meant just by looking at her.
Kakashi watched Sakura in mild disbelief. Well, at her age, having a crush was kind of normal.
"Next."
Without changing his posture toward the sky, Naruto casually said, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Don't have anything I like much, plenty of things I hate. My dream is to protect everyone in the village. That's all."
Sakura, even Sasuke stared at Naruto in surprise.
Out of all people, Naruto wanting to protect the whole village? That just didn't seem like him.
Under Kakashi's mask, he wore an unusual expression.
If that was really his dream, shouldn't he sound more excited about it?
Kakashi turned his attention to Sasuke. "How about you then?"
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate many things, and there's little I like. Besides, I don't want to just talk about dreams—I have one. I will revive our clan and personally kill the man who destroyed it!"
When Sasuke mentioned killing that specific man, his entire presence darkened dramatically.
Sakura gazed at Sasuke blankly, finding him incredibly cool.
Naruto Uzumaki glanced sideways at Sasuke Uchiha, then quickly returned to his original posture of looking up at the sky. Not that it mattered to him anyway.
Kakashi raised one eyebrow, silently confirming his suspicions.
"Alright, all three of you have such distinct personalities—it's really interesting. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin missions together. As your team leader, we're going to spend a lot of time working together. Since today is our first meeting, let me give you a welcome gift."
Kakashi pulled out two ninja tool pouches and a ninja sword.
One pouch contained kunai, the other shuriken.
Walking up in front of Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi handed the ninja sword directly to him.
Then he gave the pouch containing kunai to Sasuke Uchiha, and the pouch with shuriken to Sakura Haruno.
"The Uchiha Clan is known for exceptional shuriken throwing techniques, so these shuriken are for you."
"Sakura, I heard you had excellent shuriken throwing skills at the academy, so these are for you."
"As for Naruto, I noticed the calluses on the webbing between your right thumb and index finger—you've probably been practicing some sort of sword technique, right? So the ninja sword is for you."
Naruto's eyes widened as he stared at Kakashi in disbelief.
Calluses on his thumb? His right hand had always stayed in his pocket—how could Kakashi possibly see them?
But by giving him the ninja sword so directly, Kakashi must already know he was training in swordsmanship.
Besides, Naruto currently did lack a decent ninja sword.
Yet nobody should have known about his sword practice—why would Kakashi know?
It seemed like this ninja sword was specially prepared for him, while Sasuke and Sakura were just afterthoughts.
Naruto studied Kakashi carefully. It was their first time meeting—how could Kakashi possibly know he practiced sword techniques?
Had he been discovered?
Even with the Nine-Tails around, whenever Hiruzen Sarutobi tried watching him using his crystal ball, the Nine-Tails had always detected it and warned him in advance. There was no reason for it not to detect Kakashi.
So most likely, Kakashi had known from the beginning.
Naruto had endless questions, but clearly now wasn't the time to ask them. He'd just have to keep them to himself for now.
"Okay, meet here tomorrow morning. We'll start with the simplest D-rank missions. Dismissed."
Kakashi vanished instantly using the Shifting Body Technique.
As soon as Kakashi left, Naruto got up to leave immediately.
Sasuke Uchiha followed soon after, heading off the rooftop.
Sakura opened her mouth to speak. She had wanted to suggest that since they would be teammates from now on, maybe they could celebrate with a meal together.
In the blink of an eye, they were all gone without a trace.
...
Naruto searched desperately for Kakashi, hoping to get some answers.
But there was no sign of Kakashi anywhere.
Just as Naruto was about to give up and wait until their meeting the next day for another chance to question him, he passed a telephone pole where Kakashi stood leaning against its far side.
"I am his disciple. He asked me to look after you. Just continue as you are."
After saying that, Kakashi disappeared once more.
A wide grin spread across Naruto Uzumaki's face after receiving confirmation from Kakashi.
So Kakashi had actually been Chinya's disciple.
Although Chinya and those who left with him had departed from Konoha, he still managed to remain in Kakashi's thoughts.
Learning that Kakashi had been keeping an eye on Chinya made Naruto suddenly feel less alone.
When they met up the next day, Naruto acted just as usual, giving no hint of anything unusual, and began carrying out the lowest-rank D missions together with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno under Kakashi's supervision.
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