Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"Isn't this way too late? At this rate it'll be dark soon. Seriously, what kind of person is this Jōnin teacher?"

"Could something have happened to our instructor?"

"Probably not. We're still inside the village."

"Don't tell me they got lost?"

Naruto, who had been leaning lazily against the desk while complaining together with Sasuke and Hinata, suddenly stiffened slightly.

His gaze shifted directly toward the classroom door.

Already noticed me?

What terrifying sensory abilities.

Outside the classroom, Kakashi froze briefly.

During these past few years, he rarely returned to the village.

And earlier today, Guy dragged him into another endless conversation, so Kakashi spent more time than expected at the Memorial Stone afterward.

That was why he ended up hurrying over using Body Flicker.

Yet the instant he landed outside the classroom—

He immediately sensed Naruto's gaze lock onto him.

Sliding the classroom door open, Kakashi casually surveyed the room.

Within the enormous classroom remained only three students.

Sasuke Uchiha, coldly evaluating him from his seat.

Hinata Hyūga, politely nodding in greeting.

And Naruto Uzumaki, staring at him while frowning thoughtfully as though trying to remember something.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm late."

Kakashi lazily greeted them.

"Though you three are more patient than I expected."

"Let's change locations before talking."

After speaking, Kakashi immediately turned and left first.

Noticing Naruto's strange expression, Hinata curiously asked:

"Naruto-kun, what's wrong?"

"I dunno…"

Naruto scratched his cheek thoughtfully.

"This teacher feels strangely familiar."

"I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"

Yet no matter how hard Naruto thought about it, he couldn't remember where he had met this white-haired Jōnin.

After all, Kakashi's appearance was distinctive enough that Naruto felt he definitely shouldn't forget it if they had met before.

"Let's go."

Sasuke had already stood up and followed after Kakashi.

Soon afterward, the three arrived atop a spacious rooftop.

"... From now on, we'll be teammates carrying out missions together."

Kakashi casually began the introductions.

"So let's start with something simple."

"Tell us your names, things you like and dislike, your dreams—stuff like that."

"What's the point?"

Sasuke suddenly interrupted.

"As shinobi teammates, the most basic information about one another is naturally important."

Kakashi glanced toward Sasuke.

"And while these details might seem ordinary, they can become surprisingly useful when identifying transformation techniques or disguises."

"Even if you think you know each other well already, that doesn't necessarily mean you actually understand those basic details."

"And besides…"

Kakashi pointed lazily toward himself.

"You've also got me here, someone meeting you for the first time."

"Then I'll go first!"

Naruto immediately volunteered enthusiastically.

"My name's Naruto Uzumaki!"

"My favorite thing is Ichiraku Ramen!"

"My absolute favorite is eating Ichiraku Ramen together with friends!"

"As for things I hate…"

Naruto's face darkened slightly.

"Turning into stone."

"Yep."

"Really hate that."

"And my dream…"

Naruto grinned brightly.

"I'm gonna inherit and surpass every Hokage before me!"

"And make everyone in this world understand each other!"

"What an incredible dream."

Kakashi nodded.

Though inwardly, he wondered what exactly Naruto meant by "turning into stone."

"Alright then."

Kakashi shifted his gaze toward Hinata.

"Ladies first."

"Ah, y-yes!"

Hinata immediately sat upright nervously.

"My name is Hinata Hyūga…"

Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Naruto beside her.

Warmness filled her expression.

"The thing I like is… a spirit that never gives up."

"The thing I dislike is cold or expired food."

"And my dream…"

Hinata's voice softened.

"Is to always stand beside a certain person and help him."

Hearing that, Naruto immediately turned toward Hinata and responded with his usual dazzling grin.

Hinata's face instantly turned red, forcing her to shyly avert her eyes.

They really do resemble Minato-sensei and Kushina-sama…

Well, not personality-wise.

Kakashi silently thought to himself.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke calmly continued next.

"There aren't many things I like…"

"If I had to say one, then probably becoming stronger."

"I hate deception and lies."

"As for dreams…"

Sasuke's expression darkened.

"I don't have any."

"I only have a goal."

"I will defeat a certain person."

"And afterward…"

Sasuke looked toward Naruto briefly before continuing coldly:

"I'll personally kill a man and carry his head to honor my clan."

Naruto immediately responded with another bright smile.

Idiot.

Sasuke inwardly complained before finally turning back toward Kakashi.

"Your turn now, teacher."

"My name is Kakashi Hatake."

Kakashi scratched his cheek lazily.

"There aren't many things I like or dislike."

"As for dreams…"

He paused slightly.

"For now, I don't really have any."

"Teacher, that's cheating!"

Naruto immediately complained.

"We learned basically nothing except your name!"

"Well…"

Kakashi rubbed his chin dramatically.

"I am still a Konoha Jōnin."

"Even the simplest information could technically count as classified."

"Can't reveal too much, can't reveal too much."

"Protecting your own information and not casually exposing it…"

Kakashi raised one finger.

"Consider this your first lesson."

"..."

All three stared at him speechlessly.

You're the one who told us to introduce ourselves.

"Relax, relax. I'm joking."

Kakashi waved his hand lazily while his visible eye curved slightly.

"Anyway, let's end things here for today."

"At least now I understand your personalities somewhat."

Then Kakashi stood up and turned away while waving casually behind him.

"You're dismissed."

"Tomorrow morning at five o'clock, gather at the training ground furthest to the right beside the village gate."

"Before we begin missions…"

Kakashi's tone suddenly became more serious.

"There's still a second lesson I need to teach you."

"A lesson?"

Hinata blinked in surprise.

"Shouldn't we immediately begin taking missions?"

"Oh."

Kakashi looked unsurprised.

"You're probably talking about the so-called 'mission exercise' where Jōnin instructors test their Genin squads."

"But for you three…"

"There's not much point."

"Your strengths are already fairly clear to me."

"And you all probably understand the importance of teammates already."

"So compared to childish exercises…"

Kakashi's eye narrowed slightly.

"You need this next lesson far more."

That statement immediately captured both Naruto's and Sasuke's interest.

"As for the lesson itself…"

Kakashi casually pulled a kunai from his pouch and spun it briefly between his fingers.

"You'll find out tomorrow."

Then suddenly—

His voice turned sharp and serious.

"Here's your only warning."

"Bring every tool, weapon, supply, and medicine you can possibly think of."

"Because if you don't give it everything you have…"

Kakashi's eye became dangerously cold.

"This lesson…"

"Might kill you."

All three immediately stopped breathing for a moment.

"Oh?"

Inside Naruto's inner world, Kurama suddenly laughed.

"Minato."

"Just like you guessed."

"Kakashi really did realize Naruto's remaining weakness."

"After all…"

Minato smiled warmly.

"Kakashi is my excellent student."

"I trust him to guide Naruto properly."

"Though…"

Minato's smile deepened slightly.

"I also believe Naruto will give him quite a surprise."

"More like a scare."

Kurama snorted.

Having already sensed the instability hidden deep within Naruto's heart, the Nine-Tails genuinely looked forward to tomorrow.

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