For a brief moment, Kakashi stood still — that fleeting image of Minato flashing through his mind once again. But he quickly shook it off, the calm, nonchalant demeanor returning to his face as though nothing had happened.
"Hmm? What's with those looks? You all act like you've seen a ghost."
His hands slid casually into his pockets, the lazy smile familiar as ever.
Naruto's eyes bulged. "Y-you're early? Wait, early! Kakashi-sensei, did you take the wrong medicine this morning!? The mission hasn't even started yet and you're not late!?"
Sakura blinked twice and nodded rapidly in agreement. "It's… actually true. You're here before the meeting time."
"You know," Kakashi sighed, patting Naruto's spiky head, "that's a rather rude thing to say to your sensei."
"But that's how you always are!" Naruto protested, still eyeing him suspiciously. Then his expression shifted as realization dawned. "Wait a minute… could you be early because of the Chūnin Exams?!"
Kakashi's visible eye curved slightly. "Oh? Seems like someone's been paying attention."
Naruto grinned. "So, does that mean we're in too, right, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately — which was answer enough. Naruto's grin widened, excitement blazing in his blue eyes.
"You're right, Naruto," Kakashi finally said, his tone turning serious. "As captain of Team 7, I've recommended all four of you to participate in the Chūnin Exams. But whether you take part or not will be entirely your own choice."
He withdrew four folded registration forms and handed them to Naruto, Sasuke, Menma, and Sakura.
"If you choose to join, fill out the form and submit it three days from now at Classroom 301 of the Ninja Academy. However…" Kakashi paused, his gaze shifting from one student to the next. "Since your team has four members instead of the usual three, you'll be subject to special rules. What they are, you'll learn when the time comes."
Naruto scratched his head. "Special rules? What kind of rules, Kakashi-sensei?"
"That," Kakashi replied, his voice light again, "is something I can't tell you right now. You'll find out soon enough."
"Eh~~ that's not fair!" Naruto groaned, stretching his voice exaggeratedly.
"Anyway," Kakashi continued, ignoring his whining, "you have three days to decide. Don't rush. If you feel you're not ready, there's no shame in waiting for the next one."
"I don't need to think about it," Menma said immediately, his voice calm but resolute. "I'm in."
Kakashi's eye softened slightly. Menma's decisiveness wasn't surprising — it was who he was now.
Sasuke raised his head next, his Sharingan-dark eyes glinting faintly. "I'll participate too."
For Sasuke, the Chūnin Exams meant more than promotion. It was a chance to test his strength against the best of other villages — and perhaps, against Menma himself. He hadn't yet found an opening to challenge him directly, but in this setting, he might.
He glanced at Menma briefly, the thought unspoken, before looking away as if nothing had happened.
Naruto, a beat slower, slammed his hands together. "Of course I'm joining! I've been waiting for something like this! I'll fight everyone and show how awesome I've gotten!"
Kakashi's visible eye curved again — amusement mixed with pride.
He had expected nothing less. All three of his male students had grown at an incredible rate over the past half-year. Menma's chakra control, Naruto's stamina, Sasuke's Sharingan — each of them had surpassed the level of ordinary genin.
Haruno Sakura, however…
Kakashi's expression sobered slightly. Her chakra control was exceptional — even comparable to Tsunade's foundation — but she lacked field experience, battle resolve, and emotional stability. If anything, the Chūnin Exams would test not her skill, but her spirit.
Still, Kakashi wouldn't voice those doubts. Part of a jōnin's duty was to let his students face choices that would define their growth.
Sakura stood silent, fingers tightening around the registration form.
Her heart wavered.
She knew she should participate — the rest of her team already had. But fear gnawed at her. She wasn't like them. Every mission so far, she had relied on Kakashi's guidance, on Menma and Sasuke's strength, on Naruto's relentless energy.
The Chūnin Exams weren't another routine mission — they were a test against the elite of every hidden village. She couldn't shake the fear of slowing her teammates down… of being useless.
Naruto noticed her silence and opened his mouth to speak — but Kakashi raised a hand first.
"Alright, that's enough declarations for now," Kakashi said. "Don't be so quick to decide. The participants this year won't be pushovers — every team comes representing their entire village. Think it over seriously. You have three days."
Although he directed the words at all four, his gaze lingered on Sakura just long enough for her to understand the hidden message: The choice has to be yours.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei."
"I understand."
"Yeah, brother Kakashi!"
Sakura exhaled quietly, relieved. At least she didn't have to answer immediately. She could take the time to find the courage she lacked.
"Good." Kakashi nodded once. "Then that's all for today. Think carefully."
With a soft poof, he vanished in a wisp of white smoke, leaving Team 7 standing under the summer sun.
Menma tucked the form into his pocket, his expression unreadable. The faintest smile crossed his lips.
"It's finally here," he thought. "The Chūnin Exams…"
The others departed one by one, each carrying their own mix of anticipation and unease.