"Lord Hokage, Kakashi and the others have come out."
"Hmm, looks like they made it just in time."
The Third Hokage nodded solemnly. Iruka stood just behind him, his face filled with exhaustion. The two of them were hidden in a corner outside the school gate. They waited until Kakashi and the three Genin of Team 7 walked off in separate directions before stepping out.
"Lord Hokage, do you think Kakashi will follow your instructions? After they left the academy, they looked like strangers. If Kakashi sends Naruto and the others back to school like before..."
Iruka stared in the direction Kakashi had gone, his gaze full of worry.
"Don't worry. I've already spoken with Kakashi," the Third Hokage said calmly. "He's officially accepted his first mission with his team."
"That's a relief!"
Iruka sighed, then shook his head. "Lord Hokage, I'm really worried. Naruto wasn't joking when he submitted that application to repeat a year."
The Third Hokage furrowed his brows. He hadn't expected Naruto to go that far. Still, the responsibility lay with Kakashi. After thinking for a moment, he said, "You've done enough for today. Go home and rest. I should get back to my office as well."
"Ha! That mop-headed guy just got chewed out by the Third Hokage."
Naruto had just turned onto the path home when he heard Kurama's amused voice in his mind.
"Yeah, if he'd arrived two minutes later, Naruto might've actually pulled off staying back a grade," added Isobu sarcastically.
"That was never going to happen," Matatabi said elegantly, flicking her five white tails inside the sealed space. "The old man had it all planned out. There's no way he'd let his scheme be ruined."
She glanced at Naruto. "You had this all planned, didn't you? Why else would you wait until just before the school day ended to hand in the application? I think I know what you're up to."
Kurama's eyes lit up, and he immediately moved closer. "What's he planning?"
Isobu also looked at Matatabi with curiosity.
"Is that so?"
A smirk tugged at Naruto's lips. He paused mid-step, his consciousness descending into the seal space. "Go on, Matatabi. Tell me what I'm thinking."
Matatabi backed away from Kurama's giant maw before raising her head proudly. "We all know Kakashi always shows up late to his team meetings. And then he does that survival training to purposely fail the students assigned to him."
Naruto nodded. "Go on."
Matatabi circled him before continuing, "But after you submitted the repeat application, the Third Hokage directly ordered Kakashi to accept Team 7 immediately — and to cancel that survival exercise."
"At the time, Kakashi insisted on sticking to his methods, even arguing outside the bookstore. But the old man warned him that you might purposely fail the survival test — and while I don't know if you'd really be eliminated, there's no way the Third Hokage would allow you and Sasuke to be sent back. You were totally going to do it, weren't you? Otherwise, why would you confront Kakashi about it in the classroom?"
"To be honest, I don't get it," Matatabi added. "You know all about Kakashi. Passing the test would've been easy for you. You're always rational, and you knew you couldn't really repeat a grade. So why go through all this?"
Naruto chuckled. "Even rational people have impulses. Can't I act out of character once in a while?"
Kurama's ears twitched. "You were worried he'd notice something about you?"
Isobu chimed in, "Or maybe Naruto was afraid Sasuke would show too much strength during the survival exercise."
Matatabi lowered her head. "You're both wrong. Like I said, Naruto could easily fool Kakashi. And Sasuke would've played his part perfectly with just a heads-up."
"Heh." Kurama grinned slyly. "That Uchiha brat has gotten pretty interesting these past six months."
Isobu smirked. "Training with Itachi for half a year really changed him. He's learned to keep his emotions in check — no more shouting or threatening his brother. Too bad Naruto still wants to push him into evolving his Sharingan."
Matatabi grew impatient and stomped lightly. "Naruto, just tell us already. What were you really thinking?"
Naruto smiled. "It's not that complicated. I just want Kakashi-senpai to stick to his principles."
The three Tailed Beasts blinked in surprise. "What principles?"
"You've seen all his memories, haven't you?" Naruto said with a hint of disbelief. "Kakashi has two rules. First, never break the ninja code. Second, always value your comrades."
"The Third Hokage assigned him to be a Jonin instructor. That's a mission — a duty under the ninja code. And students under his command are his comrades during the mission. Whether he likes it or not, he has to value them."
"You've seen it yourselves — he really does care about his subordinates. Every time he does that survival test, he leaves clues to help them pass. But it also brings back painful memories."
"I'm just being kind. I don't want him torturing himself. Besides, he's my teacher now. And he was seriously late — you know I hate wasting time."
Kurama narrowed his eyes. "Is that really it?"
Isobu and Matatabi also looked skeptical. Naruto's explanation made sense, but something still felt off.
Naruto just laughed. "That's all there is to it."
"I don't believe you!" Kurama said, crouching down with a paw extended. "Link minds with me. I'll see what you're really thinking."
Naruto shook his head. "No time. I need to get home. The Third Hokage's waiting to teach me an A-rank jutsu. You three might as well go check out what Kakashi's thinking in the mirror world."
Matatabi's eyes lit up and she froze in place, quickly followed by Isobu.
Kurama grinned. "Naruto, I think that mop-head was right about you back then — you really don't like him, do you?"
Naruto only smiled and exited the seal space.
Back at home, Naruto stood on his second-floor balcony, gazing toward the Hokage Monument. He didn't move for a long time.
Eventually, Yamato, who had been hiding in the shadows, sank into the ground using Earth Release and left.
At sunset, Yamato returned — this time walking openly beside the Third Hokage.
"Lord Hokage! Yamato-senpai! You both came in person?"
Naruto jumped down to greet them, sounding excited.
Yamato gave him a nod but said nothing, only eyeing him with curiosity. Clearly, Kakashi had met his match this time.
The Third Hokage smiled gently. "Heh, Naruto, that application to repeat a year really gave Iruka a scare."
"I couldn't help it," Naruto said, shrugging. "I really thought our team had been abandoned by its teacher. I didn't expect our instructor to be Kakashi-senpai. But he was so late…"
"He won't be late again."
The Third Hokage handed him a scroll. "This is the jutsu I promised you yesterday."
Naruto took it with both hands, his expression solemn. "Lord Hokage, will you be teaching me personally?"
The Hokage shook his head. "I wish I could, Naruto. But the village's affairs keep me busy. Now that you have a teacher, you can ask Kakashi for guidance."
Naruto frowned immediately. "But this is an A-rank jutsu!"
The Hokage smiled. "Naruto, your teacher Kakashi is not only an elite ninja — he's a master of S-rank techniques. He's one of the most renowned shinobi in the village."
Yamato added, "Kakashi-senpai is also Konoha's number one technician."
Naruto hesitated. "Still… I get the feeling he's not reliable. Honestly, if I hadn't read about his heroics in the Konoha records, I wouldn't have believed someone like him could be a punctual person. I used to have a pretty good impression of him."
"It seems Kakashi's image has taken a hit in Naruto's eyes," the Hokage thought to himself.
"Trust me, Naruto. Today was an exception. I personally chose him to be your teacher — his skills are beyond question."
Yamato nodded seriously. "Yeah, Naruto. I've worked under Kakashi-senpai before. He really does care about his subordinates."
"…Alright."
Naruto slowly nodded, then suddenly added, "But if possible, can I switch teachers? Yamato-senpai seems much friendlier than Kakashi-sensei."
"Er…"
Yamato froze, then gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.
The Third Hokage found it ridiculous. A Wood Release user, considered the ultimate anti-Tailed Beast specialist, being called "friendly" by the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki?
Could it be because Yamato once gave Naruto that "gift" long ago?
"Sorry, Naruto," the Hokage said kindly. "Teachers assigned by the village can't be changed easily. Just focus on learning from Kakashi."
Naruto blinked. "You're leaving already? I didn't even get to invite you in for tea."
"Heh, next time," the Hokage chuckled. "And remember — build a good relationship with your teammates. Sasuke and that girl Sakura are just as talented as you."
Naruto nodded. Only after the two of them disappeared did he go back inside.
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