"It's hotter than usual," Anko said with a grin.
Kakashi stood across from her at the training grounds just outside the village, the early morning sun shining down.
"That's not the sun. That's your chakra," he replied.
"Then let's test how spicy it's become!" Anko laughed and held up a single-hand seal.
She inhaled, her chest expanding as golden-orange chakra shimmered around her like a mirage. Then-
"Scorching Fang Barrage!"
From her mouth, burning orbs shot out like glowing serpents. Each orb spiraled mid-air, trailing waves of heat behind it.
Kakashi moved with ease, sidestepping two and using a wind-style palm to push the third away. It exploded mid-air with a violent burst, heat rippling through the trees.
"Nice control," Kakashi said, landing beside her. "The spiraling adds instability. It makes dodging them harder."
"Not just flash, huh?" Anko smirked.
"And the chakra output, your reserve's definitely at Kage level now." Kakashi nodded.
She took a deep breath, then activated her second jutsu. Heat shimmered across her skin, her body blurring.
"Heat Mirage Body."
Even Kakashi had to blink. Her outline twisted like a heatwave over a road. As he stepped closer, sweat beaded down his neck. "Tch… even being near you saps energy."
"You sure it's not because I'm so hot?" Anko winked.
"Maybe both." Kakashi chuckled.
They continued for another hour, refining aim, controlling chakra burn, and perfecting transition between jutsu. When they finished, Anko gave a light bow and walked off toward the stream nearby.
"Next," Kakashi said softly, turning.
Kurenai stood by the edge of the field. Her eyes shimmered faintly with anticipation… and a little nervousness.
"Ready?" Kakashi asked.
"I am." She nodded.
To test her genjutsu, they needed targets that could resist at least a little. That's where the death row prisoners came in, dangerous rogue ninjas bound in heavy chains and watched by a trusted ANBU hidden in the trees.
"Begin." Kurenai closed her eyes.
Her chakra bloomed like flower petals, red and soft, flowing from her body.
"Crimson World."
In an instant, the prisoners went still. Their bodies slumped but didn't fall. Kakashi stepped forward to check. Their faces were blank, and sweat poured down their temples.
"They're trapped," he said. "What do they see?"
"A world of endless red flowers," Kurenai said softly. "The petals wrap around their mind, drain their will, and suppress chakra."
Kakashi nodded. "That'll break down weak enemies before the fight even begins."
One of the prisoners twitched, and Kakashi moved. He snapped his fingers in front of the man's face.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and he turned toward Kurenai.
She met his gaze calmly.
"Blood Mirror Sight."
There was a pulse. Then the rogue's expression twisted in horror. He fell back screaming, eyes wide, before collapsing into unconsciousness.
"You good?" Kurenai swayed slightly, but Kakashi caught her arm.
"It only reflects genjutsu… but it takes a toll." She nodded.
"Still," he said, smiling, "very useful."
"Let's try the last one," she whispered.
Kakashi stepped back.
Kurenai pressed her hand to the ground.
"Blood Pulse Link."
Faint waves of chakra spread out. In the shadows, even the ANBU stirred.
"I can feel them all," Kurenai said, eyes glowing softly. "Iron… in their blood. I can trap many now. Even if they hide."
"You've become dangerous." Kakashi looked impressed.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you." Kurenai smiled, breathing slowly and steadily.
She stepped forward and kissed his cheek gently before heading back toward the edge of the field, nodding to the ANBU to take the prisoners away.
Then came Mei.
"You ready for beauty and destruction?" She wore a confident look, her arms crossed and hair tied back.
"Always." Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
Mei walked forward, her chakra already sparkling faintly, glinting like glass. As she stood in the center of the field, she raised both hands.
"Crystal Flower Cage!"
With a crackling shimmer, a dome of crystal petals erupted from the ground around her, sharp and precise. Each petal glowed faintly pink, and the edges shimmered with danger.
"Solid defense and deadly trap. It forms fast, too." Kakashi analyzed it.
"Try breaking it." Mei smiled.
Kakashi fired a wind blast, but the petals absorbed it.
"Now this."
"Mirror Lotus Field!"
Reflective lotuses sprouted in a wide circle, catching light and refracting it beautifully. As Kakashi tried to move forward, his vision bent. It was hard to lock onto Mei.
"Disrupts targeting," Kakashi said. "Perfect for counterattacks."
Mei twirled her fingers.
"Glass Bloom Detonation!"
Shards burst from her palm, glittering like stars, then exploded mid-air into a pink mist.
"Boil and Crystal," Kakashi muttered. "Corrosive gas and shrapnel."
"Only I could make something so deadly look that pretty." She looked smug.
"You've mastered it well." Kakashi smiled.
"And for my reward…" Mei walked up to him, a playful glint in her eyes.
She leaned in to kiss his cheek.
But Kakashi moved.
Just like yesterday, their lips met, and Mei blinked in surprise.
"…Hmph," she muttered, rolling her eyes but smiling anyway.
"Couldn't resist." He chuckled.
"Neither could I." She ran her fingers down his chest as she walked off.
…
A few days later, their training sessions finally ended. The sun was setting, and Kakashi stood with all three of them near the main road.
"Barbecue?" Anko asked, licking her lips.
"I'm starving," Mei said. "Training burns through chakra and calories."
"We should invite Tsunade," Kurenai said.
Kakashi nodded. "She said she's swamped at the hospital, but we can bring her sake."
The four walked into the Akimichi-run barbecue shop and were greeted warmly.
"Ah, Kakashi-sama!" the plump chef said. "Private room for you and the ladies?"
"Please," Kakashi replied with a smile.
As they walked past the main room, Kakashi's eyes caught a familiar sight.
Jiraiya.
And Asuma.
Drinking together.
Again.
He stifled a laugh.
The two spotted him walking with Anko, Kurenai, and Mei, all of them radiant and relaxed.
Kakashi gave a polite nod and continued to the private room.
Inside, the air was warm, the grill already heating. Anko instantly grabbed the tongs, tossing meat on the plate.
"You saw them, didn't you?" Mei asked, sipping sake.
Kakashi smiled. "Last time I saw them like that… was at the tavern. When we had that… very nice date."
"Ah, yes. The one with the kiss I still remember." Mei gave a soft giggle and joked.
Outside, in the main room…
"What's so great about Kakashi?" Asuma muttered into his drink.
"Handsome. Strong. Rich," Jiraiya replied grumpily. "Ugh."
"You're literally listing all the reasons why he's great," Ino said, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, sore losers," she added, chewing her food.
Asuma sighed deeply.
Across the table, Choji stared at his plate in horror.
"Hey! That was mine!" he whined as Ino grabbed meat off his dish.
"You already ate twenty pieces! Let someone else eat!" Ino growled.
Shikamaru, now wearing a fresh chunin vest, sighed long and deep.
"So troublesome…"
—
Back in the private room, Kakashi raised a glass.
"To growth," he said. "You three have achieved something incredible. Your power is real, refined, and uniquely yours."
"And we've got you to thank." Anko clinked her glass with his.
"This isn't the end. It's just the beginning." Kurenai smiled.
"To the next challenge." Mei raised her cup.
They all drank.
Kakashi leaned back, relaxed.
Three women, each stronger than ever.
All of them are close to him in ways deeper than battle or bonds.
He smiled.
The future looked bright.
Even if Jiraiya and Asuma kept drinking in jealousy.