As far as a ninja's first real combat experience was concerned, Naruto's performance could undoubtedly be described as outstanding.
Calmness in the face of danger, composure under pressure, decisiveness at critical moments, and the ability to seize fleeting opportunities—these were all qualities that an excellent ninja must possess. From Kakashi Hatake's perspective, these traits were already clearly visible in Naruto.
"Well," Kakashi said lazily, "my first impression of you is still pretty good."
"Let's go up to the roof first. We still need to get to know each other properly."
After Kakashi glanced at the three people present, he nodded slightly. The only exposed right eye curved faintly, carrying a lazy smile as he spoke.
As soon as the words fell, without waiting for any response from the three of them, Kakashi turned around and walked straight out of the classroom toward the rooftop.
It was as if he didn't care at all.
Or rather, he was completely certain that the three of them would follow.
Only then did the three realize something rather awkward.
They were already three full hours behind the guide ninjas of the other teams.
This realization instantly made Haruno Sakura, who had been about to speak angrily, choke on her words.
Originally, she had thought that once the instructor arrived, she could finally relax. But she never expected that this seemingly unreliable jōnin would immediately leave her speechless with a single move.
"I finally get assigned a team leader," Sakura complained inwardly, "and he looks unreliable, arrives late, and doesn't even explain why…"
Her heart was full of resentment.
Her teammates already felt abnormal enough.
Now even the ninja leading the team was like this.
Haruno Sakura suddenly felt that her ninja career seemed destined to be dark and bumpy before it had even truly begun.
Still, complaining was one thing.
After seeing Naruto and Sasuke stand up without hesitation, calmly follow Kakashi, and head toward the rooftop, Sakura could only sigh softly to herself and quickly follow behind them.
The four figures soon arrived on the rooftop.
Kakashi leaned casually against the railing behind him, his arms folded across his chest, his posture relaxed as ever.
"Well then," Kakashi said, "for our first meeting, let's start with introductions."
"For the next few years, we'll be carrying out missions together as a three-man team. As teammates, it's better if we understand each other."
After clearing his throat lightly, Kakashi spoke in an easygoing tone.
However—
As soon as his words fell, an awkward scene unfolded.
None of the three students spoke.
Naruto maintained a calm, indifferent smile.
Sasuke's expression remained cold and distant.
Haruno Sakura, on the other hand, simply hadn't reacted yet and stood there blankly.
Kakashi hadn't expected the very first interaction to be met with complete silence.
More importantly—
He noticed a faint trace of vigilance in Naruto's eyes.
And Sasuke's expression clearly carried a hint of impatience.
That made Kakashi feel a brief headache.
"These two are really problem children, aren't they?" Kakashi thought helplessly.
Still, Kakashi felt that Naruto's wariness and Sasuke's impatience were understandable.
Both of them had experienced extraordinary childhoods.
Especially Naruto—growing up in that kind of environment, being cautious toward strangers was completely normal.
As for Sasuke, Kakashi simply saw him as a child who hadn't matured yet.
However, Kakashi's judgment still had a significant deviation.
Naruto's vigilance toward Kakashi wasn't simply due to unfamiliarity.
The real reason was that Naruto knew very well that Kakashi Hatake was one of the Third Hokage's most trusted subordinates—and someone who could even be considered a future Hokage candidate.
Such a person would inevitably have a huge influence on Naruto's future plans.
Moreover, Kakashi was not a foolish ninja.
Facing him required the same caution Naruto used when dealing with the Third Hokage himself.
If he slipped up even slightly, he might expose things that should never be revealed.
There was no need for concrete evidence.
As long as Kakashi began to suspect something, Naruto knew that before he was strong enough to contend with Konoha itself, escape would be his only option.
That was a forbidden scenario.
Because of these thoughts, Naruto subconsciously revealed a trace of vigilance in his gaze.
Fortunately, Naruto's childhood background was miserable enough that any slightly abnormal emotional reaction could be considered reasonable.
Naturally, it did not arouse Kakashi's suspicion.
Because both Naruto and Sasuke remained silent, Sakura was also influenced and failed to speak immediately, causing the atmosphere to become strange once again.
Luckily, Sakura was still a relatively normal person.
Although her reaction speed today was a bit slow, after a brief silence, she finally snapped back to reality.
Even though she was still complaining about Kakashi like crazy in her heart, considering that he was now her team's guiding jōnin, Sakura forced herself to put on a polite and obedient expression.
Since Naruto and Sasuke were clearly not planning to speak first—
She would do it.
After all, now that they had a team leader, this kind of awkwardness shouldn't happen again, right?
"Um… that… sensei?" Sakura said timidly.
She glanced at Sasuke beside her, then slowly raised her right hand and asked in a slightly trembling voice.
"Is this… a self-introduction? What should we say?"
Finally, someone spoke.
Kakashi, who appeared calm on the surface but had been quietly embarrassed inside, finally felt a sense of relief.
Still, his image couldn't collapse.
He straightened slightly, raised his chin, and spoke in a gentle, lazy tone.
"Well, just talk about your name, your dreams, the things you like and dislike, and anything else you want to say."
"It's just a first impression, so don't worry too much."
Seeing that her team leader seemed relatively easygoing, Sakura's courage increased a little.
"Then, sensei," she asked, her voice a bit louder, "can you introduce yourself first?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded casually.
"Me? Sure."
"My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm a jōnin of Konohagakure."
"As for what I like… that's not really something I should tell you right now."
"Things I dislike—nothing in particular."
"My dreams…"
He paused briefly.
"They're secret."
That's it?
Sakura couldn't help complaining inwardly.
So mysterious for no reason.
Still, complaints aside—
Among the three present, excluding Naruto, both Sasuke and Sakura's expressions subtly changed the moment Kakashi revealed his rank.
In this world, almost everyone understood what the title of jōnin represented.
Especially Sasuke and Sakura, who had been born and raised in Konoha.
To become a jōnin was proof of strength, experience, and recognition by the village.
Haruno Sakura finally realized—
This seemingly unreliable man standing before them was actually an elite ninja of the village.
Sasuke's eyes sharpened instantly.
Not a chūnin.
But a jōnin.
In Sasuke's mind, the equation was simple.
Jōnin = strength.
Which meant—
The man in front of him possessed the ability to make him stronger.
For the first time since meeting Kakashi, Sasuke's interest was truly piqued.
And his attention, finally, was fully focused.