Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"Understood. Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

The famous Copy Ninja, whose name shook the entire shinobi world, stood obediently before Jiraiya like a freshly graduated academy student.

Removing his Konoha forehead protector, Kakashi stood straight and still.

"Reverse Sealing Method... Release!"

Jiraiya gathered chakra at his fingertips and pressed them firmly against Kakashi's forehead.

"Hngh!"

Kakashi immediately felt a sharp pressure swelling inside his head.

The world spun around him.

A moment later, he sensed something gradually unraveling from within his body.

"Done."

Jiraiya withdrew his hand.

"I've received all the intelligence you brought."

"Here's what we'll do."

"You can stop searching for Tsunade."

"I'll find her myself and ask whether she's willing to return..."

He clicked his tongue.

"...Though don't get your hopes up."

Jiraiya stood and dusted off his hands.

Looking at the now-recovered Kakashi, he waved casually.

"And after that, I'll return to Konoha."

"I want to meet Naruto."

"That's all from me. See you around!"

At the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire.

"Take care, everyone!"

Temari's subordinate, Maki—known to most simply as Pakura's former student, Scroll—enthusiastically waved goodbye.

"It's been great meeting you, Big Sister Maki!"

"If you ever visit Konoha, come find us!"

Naruto waved back energetically.

Then he glanced toward the direction of Konoha and sighed.

"So Kakashi-sensei really never made it to the Land of Wind."

"That is a bit unfortunate."

Mei Terumi smiled softly.

"The scenery and culture there aren't something you get to see every day."

"His mission was probably urgent."

Hinata immediately defended their teacher.

"Kakashi-sensei always seems busy."

Sasuke said nothing.

Though every so often, he glanced toward Naruto with a thoughtful expression.

"Well then."

"Let's head home."

Once they had moved a safe distance away from the border, Naruto placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

The next moment—

They vanished.

"Do you still need help refining that technique, Sasuke?"

Mei asked curiously.

"No."

Sasuke shook his head.

"I already have an idea."

"Give me three months."

"I'll complete it."

"Oh?"

Mei raised an eyebrow.

Throughout their journey in the Land of Wind, she had taught Sasuke many things about ninjutsu theory and chakra application.

But the technique Sasuke was trying to create was incredibly difficult.

She had honestly expected it to take at least six months.

Even for a genius.

"That's impressive."

A moment later, Naruto appeared beside them again.

With a grin, he transported Mei away.

Then returned for Sasuke.

Flying Thunder God.

Still the ultimate method of getting home.

Convenient as ever.

Konoha.

"I'm finally back!"

"First stop—Ichiraku Ramen!"

Naruto burst out of his house excitedly.

Only to be immediately stopped by Mei.

"Naruto."

"Don't forget that you're the team leader this time."

"The first thing you should do after returning is submit the mission report."

As an experienced shinobi, Mei quickly caught him before he disappeared.

Naruto froze.

"...Right."

"I almost forgot."

"Usually Kakashi-sensei handles that."

"You're a chūnin now."

"You'll need to get used to these things."

Mei smiled.

[At this rate, you'll probably become a jōnin before long.]

"Got it, Big Sister Mei."

Naruto nodded seriously.

Although he could be carefree and impulsive at times, he always took missions seriously.

After all, Kakashi had repeatedly told him:

If he wanted to become Hokage, responsibilities like these were unavoidable.

Soon afterward, Naruto led Sasuke and Hinata toward the Hokage Building.

Mei chose not to accompany them.

Even as a Konoha advisor, she preferred to avoid sensitive mission reports whenever possible.

"Eh?"

"Kakashi-sensei?"

To their surprise, they found Kakashi already waiting outside.

"What a coincidence."

Kakashi greeted them lazily.

"What coincidence?"

Naruto rolled his eyes.

"So you were in the village all along!"

"You didn't even come meet us."

"That's just being lazy."

"Well..."

Kakashi scratched his cheek.

"I only got back last night."

"I was exhausted."

"I planned on finding you all today."

"But then I figured you'd be returning soon anyway."

"If we missed each other, it'd just be troublesome."

"So I waited here instead."

His visible eye curved into a smile.

Then he turned toward Hinata.

"Hinata."

"Does that sound lazy to you?"

"...Naruto-kun..."

Hinata hesitated.

"Kakashi-sensei does have a point..."

"Hinata!"

Naruto cried dramatically.

"You're too nice!"

"He's taking advantage of your kindness!"

"You can't help him make excuses!"

"I-Is that what's happening?"

"Absolutely!"

"People who exploit kindness are the worst!"

Kakashi immediately countered.

"Oh?"

"And isn't the written mission report you're supposed to submit something Hinata kindly wrote for you?"

Naruto froze.

"...How did you know about that?"

"Did you really think I'd believe you wrote it yourself?"

The reunited Team Seven immediately fell back into their familiar rhythm.

Laughing.

Arguing.

Teasing.

Even in front of the Hokage Building.

The guards nearby simply pretended not to notice.

After all, everyone knew that Hatake Kakashi was one of the Third Hokage's most trusted subordinates.

There was no reason to ruin a happy moment.

Besides—

Konoha had no rules against chatting in front of the Hokage's office.

"The intelligence regarding Akatsuki..."

"The captured prisoners..."

"And the individuals successfully located..."

Inside the mission office, only the Third Hokage personally received the report due to the classified nature of the mission.

After reading through everything, he slowly set down the documents.

"...Team Seven has successfully completed its one-year investigation mission."

"Overall mission rank: A."

"Performance evaluation: Outstanding."

A pleased smile appeared on the old Hokage's face.

"You've all worked hard."

"Your rewards will be distributed after final calculations."

"As for now, before your next mission, you may take some well-deserved res—"

Suddenly.

Rapid footsteps echoed from outside.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Emergency!"

Everyone's expressions changed instantly.

The Third Hokage's face hardened.

"Enter."

Naruto and the others turned toward the door.

It swung open.

Kotetsu Hagane rushed inside.

Supporting someone in his arms.

A pink-haired girl.

And she was covered in wounds.

Everyone immediately noticed the numerous cuts covering her body.

Shuriken wounds.

Blade wounds.

Hinata recognized her first.

[That's...]

[Haruno Sakura.]

[One year below us at the Academy.]

Only then did Naruto and the others realize something.

During their year-long absence, a new class of shinobi had already graduated.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Hurry!"

"Please save them!"

Ignoring her own injuries, Sakura shouted desperately the moment she saw the Third Hokage.

"They... they..."

"Calm down."

The Third Hokage's voice remained steady.

"Tell us what happened."

Hinata had already rushed forward.

Producing medical bandages from her pouch, she began treating Sakura's wounds.

Her voice was gentle.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage frowned.

"Your team was assigned an escort mission to the Land of Waves."

"Did something go wrong?"

"N-Not an escort..."

Sakura's face filled with terror as memories resurfaced.

"There are too many ninja in the Land of Waves!"

"This wasn't a C-rank mission at all!"

"And there was someone..."

"Someone Kurenai-sensei said was extremely dangerous..."

"He was called..."

"Called Demon of the Mist Zabuza!"

Her voice trembled.

"Kurenai-sensei stayed behind alone to hold them off!"

"Shino stayed to help her!"

"Kiba drew away the pursuers so I could escape!"

Tears streamed down her face.

"Please!"

"Please save them!"

Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> [email protected]/AiraTales7 (replace @ with a)