Guy-sensei and Lee were shedding tears, roaring about going for extra training. Before leaving, Guy suddenly wiped his tears and winked at Kakashi, lowering his voice: "Alright, I'm off, but my old rival, you really need to step up your game!"
Catching his "you know what I mean" expression, Kakashi felt a fleeting sense of pride but also an immense headache. He hadn't even imagined that all three of his adorable subordinates would make it to the third round of the exams. As a teacher, he was indeed a bit proud. However, figuring out how these three students would continue their training gave him a massive headache. Especially Naruto; he truly wanted to fulfill his duties as a teacher, but… alas, he lacked the strength! In less than three days, he'd been completely squeezed dry.
Could it be that I—the renowned Konoha Shinobi, Copy Ninja—Hatake Kakashi, actually have a day where my strength isn't enough? He was disheartened to find that it was indeed true.
"Kakashi-sensei, how's Karin doing?" Naruto suddenly asked, curious about the progress concerning his clan member. Since Kusagakure was destroyed, the Kusa shinobi team had been living in constant fear. The other two wanted to return, but Uchiha Obito didn't even spare dogs, let alone them, scaring them into only daring to stay in Konoha. Karin, unlike the other two, directly applied to join Konoha Village.
"Hmm, the intelligence review process is still ongoing." Kakashi looked at Naruto, his tone steady: "As a Uzumaki descendant, the review should basically be fine. She should return after the Chunin Exams."
At this moment, he suddenly remembered Karin, that classic red-haired Uzumaki. Naruto, on the other hand, had bright golden hair. He hadn't really seen Naruto take such an interest in any girl before. Could it be…?
Swoosh~
An Anbu member instantly appeared, landing precisely in front of the four, silently blocking their path. The newcomer had purple hair and was a female. She glanced at the three youngsters, then explained her purpose to Kakashi, "Kakashi-senpai, the Hokage-sama requests your presence." Her tone carried an undeniable urgency.
"Alright." Kakashi nodded, instructing the three: "You all are dismissed for now. Gather again tomorrow, and I'll arrange your training plan then."
Watching their white-haired sensei leave, Naruto stretched lazily, ready to bolt. Extra training? Absolutely not needed! Did they not understand what a stat monster was? More importantly, his previously established "Ninja World Research Center" had successfully cobbled together a working computer! All he wanted now was to teleport home and quickly take a look!
He turned his head and caught Sakura and Sasuke's unspoken eye contact.
"Hiss~~" His heart sank: Something's off… Did Lee's bizarre antics actually make these two's feelings warm up?
He grinned, very tactfully waving his hand: "Ha! You two definitely have more secrets to share! I'm out, see you later~"
Hearing this, Sakura immediately interrupted: "Wait, Naruto!"
Huh? Naruto stopped again, looking at the two strangely. It was Sakura who spoke; does she still want me to be a third wheel?
The two exchanged glances again, then Sakura very naturally leaned in close to Sasuke's ear, her cherry-pink bangs almost brushing the lower edge of his forehead protector. Sasuke, surprisingly, didn't avoid her, even lowering his head slightly to listen. The two talked quickly in hushed tones, only audible to each other, yet completely unhidden, right under Naruto's nose.
Then, Sakura took a few steps to Naruto's front, her eyes sparkling, with a hint of a mysterious smile: "Hey! Naruto! We found a super awesome place, wanna come?"
Sakura's eager gaze was fixed intently on Naruto. When he glanced behind her, he even caught a rare, but unmistakable, glint of expectation in Sasuke's eyes.
Naruto groaned inwardly—Damn it, they're coming for me!
On the other side.
Watching the distant figures of Team 7, Orochimaru's hidden desires were almost impossible to conceal. He had intended to use the chakra-absorbing Akadō Yoroi to force Uchiha Sasuke to use his Cursed Seal to see its effectiveness, but unexpectedly, it was dismissed with a single genjutsu. He yearned even more to obtain those Sharingan eyes.
As for the seemingly more talented Naruto, he dared not covet him. A Nine-Tails Jinchururiki like that—not to mention whether Konoha would give him a chance—the Akatsuki organization would also not let him go in the future. Once one became a Nine-Tails Jinchururiki, it meant entering a death countdown. He would never forget those Rinnegan eyes, even more terrifying than the Sharingan.
"Zaku, are you alright?" Zaku Abumi of the Sound Ninja team had both his arms broken by Sakura's punch, leaving him almost crippled. Who would have thought that such terrifying monstrous strength could erupt from that pink-haired little girl?
Orochimaru's golden eyes naturally locked onto the two conversing. However, the moment he glimpsed Haruno Sakura, the ethereal image of Tsunade strangely floated into his mind. The same terrifying brute strength… had she also inherited that woman's medical ninjutsu?
Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto… these three faces clearly pointed to the same name—Kakashi's Team 7. Heh, Hatake Kakashi… seems more interesting than the rumors suggest. To be able to teach geniuses like Naruto and Sasuke, and a little genius like Haruno Sakura. He remembered that brat was just a genius ninja back then; is he now transforming into a genius teacher?
The scene shifts.
In the smoky Hokage's office, the Third Hokage was listening to an Anbu report. Kakashi arrived quietly. Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him, tapped his pipe, and nodded, gesturing him to wait.
The Anbu's report was precisely about the bizarre incident with the electronic bulletin board.
"Traces of genjutsu manipulation?" Hiruzen's pipe abruptly stilled between his fingers, his eyes gleaming sharply. Someone actually dared to pull strings right under my nose!
"Have you pinpointed the target?" His voice was as heavy as a dropped stone.
"No leads yet…" The Anbu lowered their head.
"Hmph!" A short, cold snort filled the air with chill. Such a dirty trick, who else could it be? That despicable disciple, Orochimaru, is probably involved!
His thoughts shifted, and another name suddenly surfaced in his mind—Danzō. Is that old friend also seizing the opportunity to stir up trouble? Orochimaru has his eyes on Sasuke; what does that old friend covet about Naruto? The recent report flashed through his mind—Kabuto Yakushi was indeed connected to Root… The conclusion was irrefutable.
The old Hokage slowly exhaled a plume of smoke, a cold glint flashing deep within his cloudy old eyes once more: I must give Danzō one last thunderous warning! Cut off his hands, and make him stay far away from Naruto! After all, a genius like Naruto could absolutely be nurtured to become Hokage. He belonged in the sunlight. His heart was resolute; he absolutely would not allow him to be tainted by Root's shadows!
The Anbu departed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell upon Kakashi. Studying his beloved subordinate, Hiruzen's eyes suddenly filled with admiration, like someone looking at their company's top salesperson. That gaze, a mixture of relief, praise, and expectation, weighed heavily upon Kakashi.
All three matches today were witnessed, and Kakashi's Team 7 had all made it into the final round! The three young genin were anything but mediocre. Even the seemingly weakest, Haruno Sakura, had glimpsed the path of monstrous strength, appearing like a smaller version of Tsunade reborn! Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but lament how truly correct it was to transfer Kakashi out of the Anbu.
"Kakashi," the Third Hokage said earnestly, "the village has decided to give you more responsibility."
Kakashi's only visible right eye flashed with an obvious moment of surprise: "Huh?"