"I… I understand… even so… I still want to try again. Maybe… maybe there's still a chance to catch up with them, Kakashi-sensei, don't you think so?"
Sakura closed her eyes as she spoke. On the surface she was asking Kakashi, but in reality she was talking to herself more than anyone else.
Becoming stronger was the only thing she had clearly decided on since graduation. If even that belief disappeared, she honestly didn't know what she would do next.
Kakashi stayed silent for a moment.
Dreams were always bright at the beginning, but the ninja world never rewarded effort alone. Bloodline, talent, inheritance… all of it mattered. He had seen it too many times.
But then his thoughts drifted briefly to his own teacher, Minato Namikaze the Fourth Hokage. A genius who came from nothing, someone who proved that exceptions did exist.
"…There's always a possibility," Kakashi finally said, scratching his head.
It wasn't a promise. It wasn't encouragement either. Just a small opening.
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
Why does this feel less like evaluating genin… and more like I'm evaluating whether I deserve to be their sensei?
He shook the thought away.
"Alright! Since we've officially become a team, I'll treat you all. Barbecue?"
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged one glance almost immediately.
Barbecue again?
Naruto scratched his head.
"Huh? Isn't barbecue just… meat and more meat?"
Sasuke clicked his tongue.
"Too slow."
Almost at the same time
"Ramen!" Naruto blurted.
Sasuke paused, then nodded once.
"Agreed."
Kakashi shrugged.
"Cheaper anyway. Fine, ramen it is."
Naruto immediately raised his hand.
"I'll lead the way!"
Ichiraku Ramen wasn't far. To the outside world it was just a small street stall, but to Naruto it was already a second home.
He lifted the curtain.
"Uncle Ichiraku!"
The shopkeeper looked up immediately, smiling warmly.
"Oh! Naruto!"
"Yeah! Three bowls of ramen "
Naruto froze mid-sentence.
"…Sister?"
Chinatsu was already inside, calmly eating her ramen like she had been there the entire time.
Without even turning her head, she replied flatly.
"What? I can't eat here?"
Naruto instantly brightened.
"No, I didn't mean that!"
Sasuke walked in behind him and sighed lightly, as if this was completely normal.
Kakashi followed last.
Then Sakura.
And just like that, the booth seating filled up naturally.
Naruto and Sasuke immediately sat on both sides of Chinatsu like it was instinct.
Sakura and Kakashi had no choice but to take the remaining seats.
Kakashi glanced sideways at Chinatsu.
Even though she was only two seats away, it somehow felt like she was in a completely different world.
"…So far," he muttered.
Chinatsu didn't react.
Kakashi originally wanted to start a conversation, but the distance and timing made it impossible.
"Alright, eat first," he said instead.
Bowls arrived quickly.
Naruto's eating speed immediately activated.
"Another bowl!"
"Another!"
"Next!"
Kakashi's hand holding his wallet slowly began to tremble.
Sakura leaned slightly.
"Sensei… are you okay?"
Kakashi smiled.
"I'm fine."
Naruto kept going.
"Another bowl!!"
Kakashi's fingers twitched.
Sakura blinked.
"…Maybe Kakashi-sensei is sick?"
After a while
"Thank you for your patronage. Total is 10,000 yen."
Kakashi froze completely.
"…Ten thousand?"
His soul left his body for a second.
Naruto looked satisfied.
"Full!"
Sasuke stood up calmly.
"Not bad."
Sakura smiled weakly.
"Thank you for the meal…"
Kakashi paid with visible regret. His wallet had just experienced a jutsu more terrifying than any Fire Release.
Outside Ichiraku, it was already mid-afternoon.
3 PM.
The group stepped out together.
Kakashi's gaze drifted and landed on Chinatsu, who had just finished her bowl as well.
He hesitated for a moment.
"Chinatsu. I need to talk to you."
"Sure."
She didn't refuse.
She lightly tapped Naruto and Sasuke on the shoulder.
"Go home first."
"Got it, sister!"
Naruto waved.
Sasuke followed casually.
"Don't take too long."
Kakashi and Chinatsu walked toward a quieter street.
After a short silence, Kakashi spoke seriously.
" Chinatsu… be careful lately."
Chinatsu glanced at him.
Kakashi continued.
"Shimura Danzo has been watching you. Knowing him, the fact that he hasn't acted yet means he's waiting for the right moment. The moment where he gains the most."
His tone was rare serious, almost warning.
"That man doesn't do things without calculation. His Root is always hidden in the dark. You should stay alert."
He meant it sincerely.
He didn't want her getting caught in Danzo's schemes.
Then
Chinatsu suddenly laughed.
Not a small smile. A genuine laugh.
"…Danzo Shimura?"
Kakashi paused.
"Yes. Danzo. What's funny?"
He frowned slightly.
In his mind, she should have been cautious. Or at least serious.
Instead, she looked amused.
Kakashi didn't understand.
And honestly, he couldn't.
Because in Chinatsu's mind
That conversation was already pointless.
Danzo Shimura was already dead.
But she didn't say that.
Instead, she smiled lightly.
"Don't worry, Kakashi. I'll be careful."
She even patted his shoulder casually.
Kakashi blinked.
"…?"
Three question marks practically appeared in his mind.
What exactly is going on with her?
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