Seeing Kakashi vanish without a single word of explanation, the other three didn't react much, but Sakura's inner world practically imploded.
Can he seriously do that?!
What do you mean, "last mission"? Kakashi-sensei, explain yourself before you leave!
Sakura felt an indescribable knot of frustration in her heart, bordering on a minor mental breakdown. She really hadn't expected her Jōnin sensei to be so unreliable. Was Team 7's future really okay? Or was it destined to be bleak?
"Big Brother Kakashi, that jerk!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, clearly annoyed.
However, he was long used to Kakashi's personality. Trying to get him to act serious was harder than reaching the heavens.
So, the question now was: Did they really have to be at Training Ground 2 by 5 AM? Based on Naruto's knowledge of Kakashi, the guy was guaranteed to be hours late for most things!
Of course, when it came to important matters like missions or summons from the Hokage, he was never sloppy. Looking at it from that perspective...
"Tomorrow should be fine, right?" Naruto muttered.
"Eh? Naruto-kun, what did you just say?" Sakura turned her head, looking at him with confusion.
"I mean, Big Brother Kakashi is a habitual latecomer. Just like today. I'm wondering if he's going to make us wait a long time again tomorrow!" Naruto said with a conflicted expression.
"Eh? Really?!" Sakura's eyes widened instantly upon hearing Naruto's words.
Sasuke, who had already stood up, furrowed his brows in sync.
"Regardless, we have to gather at 5 AM, don't we? After all, it's a direct order from a superior. Don't forget, we aren't Academy students anymore; we are official ninja," Menma interjected calmly.
Menma knew this part of the original story all too well. Kakashi wasn't actually late these two times; he arrived early and hid nearby to observe them. This was Kakashi's first real test for Team 7.
So, whether Kakashi was late or not didn't concern Menma. As for breakfast, there was no need to listen to Kakashi. Eat what needs to be eaten, drink what needs to be drunk. He wasn't going to starve himself just to play along!
Hearing Menma's words, Sasuke and Naruto paused for a moment before nodding slowly. Only Sakura was half a beat slower, nodding along as if she understood but didn't fully grasp the situation.
"Well, tomorrow is important after all, so Big Brother Kakashi probably won't be late!" Naruto said with a chuckle. "So, the time is just right. How about it? Shall the four of us go grab a meal together? To celebrate the formation of Team 7?"
He shifted his gaze to Sasuke and Menma as he asked.
Sakura's eyes lit up visibly, and she looked at Menma and Sasuke with hope, her gaze lingering especially on the latter.
"No. I'm not going. I have other things to do."
Sasuke kept a straight face and refused decisively.
Whoosh!
Immediately after, he leaped off the roof and sped away across the eaves.
"Well, there will be plenty of time in the future. Let's call it a day for now. I'll be taking my leave too, Naruto, Sakura."
Menma smiled and shook his head, bowing slightly.
With a flicker of movement, he didn't give Naruto a chance to say a second word before disappearing, heading back toward his home.
"Hey..."
Watching Menma and Sasuke vanish one after the other, Naruto put his hands on his hips and looked helpless. But this scene wasn't exactly new.
Didn't Menma and Sasuke skip the graduation dinner too?
"Those two are so antisocial! Saying 'there's plenty of time'... Sheesh!" Naruto puffed out his cheeks.
"Guess it can't be helped, Sakura-chan. If the two of us go when they aren't going, it'd feel a bit weird. Let's do it next time, Sakura-chan!" Naruto turned to Sakura.
"Yeah, I'm fine with whatever!"
Although Sakura felt deeply regretful—her inner self screaming in disappointment—she maintained her lady-like expression and nodded.
"See you tomorrow then!"
Naruto waved at Sakura with a smile.
Whoosh!
He leaped off the roof and sped off in a different direction.
Watching Naruto's retreating back, Sakura's face instantly slumped.
This was supposed to be a happy, blissful day!
So why did she feel so empty right now?!
No, Sakura Haruno! You have to pull yourself together! This is only the first day. You are a capable girl! Yes! Do your best!
Sakura patted her cheeks firmly to psych herself up.
Finally, she took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and pumped it a few times before leaving the Academy.
The plot continued to unfold without any major ripples. Whether that was good or bad remained to be seen, but for Menma, the lack of surprises was the best possible outcome!
The real countdown begins now, Menma thought silently.
---
The next day, 4:20 AM.
Menma rolled out of bed right on time. After a quick wash and eating a hearty breakfast, he set off for Training Ground 2.
When Menma arrived, there were still a few minutes before the appointed time. However, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura had all arrived even earlier than him. Sasuke looked normal, but Naruto and Sakura looked visibly groggy.
"Oh! Menma, good morning!"
Seeing Menma, Naruto mustered his energy and shouted a greeting at top volume.
"Morning, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke," Menma smiled faintly and replied softly.
"Good morning, Menma-kun!"
Sakura seemed to snap out of her drowsiness, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she responded.
Leaning against a tree trunk, Sasuke simply nodded indifferently as his response.