247. Three Photos on Kakashi’s Desk
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Naruto paused for a few seconds before tentatively asking Shizune, "Shizune-nee, if we roast Tonton now, does that count as the bad omen being fulfilled?"
"Stop thinking about Tonton!" Shizune snapped at Naruto. She quickly calmed herself, then turned to Minato with a polite bow. "My apologies. Please proceed with caution."
After Shizune left, Naruto stared at the mission request in his hand. It felt heavier than before.
Minato asked, "Even with everything that's happened, are you still going?"
Naruto nodded. "Of course. Last time, nothing bad really happened. It's just that Old Man Third got a little banged up. With my stamina, I can take a hit or two and be fine."
"Alright. Just make sure to prepare properly and stay alert on the road." Minato didn't believe much in luck, but Tsunade's track record with gambling was so bizarre that it had momentarily thrown him off.
"I'm off!" Naruto said, leaping out of the window.
"Take the door next time!" Minato called after him, shaking his head. With a sigh, he began organizing the mess of documents Naruto had left on his desk before returning to his work.
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Knock, knock.
Naruto didn't bother with the front door. He peered through Kakashi's bedroom window, catching sight of the man lying on his bed reading.
Kakashi's eyes shifted slightly to the window but returned to his book. Only after turning the page did he lazily reach over and slide the window open. "Where did you pick up this habit of entering through windows?"
"From you," Naruto replied, stepping inside.
Naruto glanced around Kakashi's room. It was neat and minimalist, almost boring. The only notable decorations were three picture frames on his bedside table.
As the saying goes, Kakashi's frames contain three photos:
1. A team photo from his time with Minato, Rin, and Obito.
2. A photo of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi when they first formed Team 7.
3. A more recent photo of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura commemorating their promotion to Special Jōnin.
Naruto had similar photos at home, proudly displayed in the living room.
"I don't remember ever using the window at your house," Kakashi said casually, shutting his book.
"Sure you did! When I was a baby, you always climbed in through the window."
'That doesn't count' Kakashi thought. Back then, he'd been dragged into babysitting duty against his will. Changing the subject, he asked, "What brings you here?"
Naruto pulled out the mission scroll. "We've got a mission. We're heading to the Fire Temple."
Kakashi sat up, tossing off his blanket. Fully dressed except for his headband and vest, he quickly began gathering his gear.
Naruto's nose twitched slightly. No odd smells at least Kakashi hadn't been slacking off entirely.
"What is it?" Kakashi asked as he noticed Naruto staring.
Naruto waved it off. "Nothing. Just surprised you're not off burning youth with Gai-sensei today."
"I like to rest occasionally. Besides…" Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "I feel like you were just thinking something rude about me."
Naruto quickly denied it. "Don't project your own scheming mind onto me, Kakashi-sensei!"
"Sure, sure." Kakashi tied his headband into place and tightened his pack. "Let's go."
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On the way, Naruto winced and rubbed his chest. A Shadow Clone had just been dispelled.
Naruto had sent his clones to notify the others to save time. Clone 001, tasked with informing Sakura, had been hit squarely in the chest by one of Sakura's infamous punches after a poorly timed comment about her figure.
Meanwhile, the clone sent to Sasuke had volunteered to test a new Chidori Sharp Spear and was promptly pierced through the chest.
'Guess I just unlocked new ways to die' Naruto thought grimly as the memories flowed back.
After the team had assembled, Naruto immediately noticed Sakura glaring at him. "Just so we're clear, Sakura-chan, what my clones do has nothing to do with me!"
Sakura smirked, feigning anger. "Aren't clones supposed to act on behalf of their original?"
"That's other people's clones! Mine have a mind of their own. I swear I don't even know what 'washboard' or 'runway' means!" Naruto blurted before realizing his mistake.
"You still mentioned it!" Sakura's temper flared, a visible tick mark appearing on her forehead.
Naruto: "…Oops."
Thankfully, Kakashi stepped in to defuse the situation. "Alright, settle down. Naruto, explain the mission."
Naruto handed out the mission scroll and added additional details. "Our task is to investigate a series of grave robberies near the Fire Temple. We're also supposed to check for any signs of Akatsuki activity in the area."
"Grave robbing?" Sasuke asked, frowning. It seemed like an odd assignment for their team.
"They're not ordinary grave robbers," Naruto clarified. "According to the monks, some graves were opened, but neither the bodies nor the valuables were touched. That means their targets are four hidden tombs."
Kakashi added, "Those tombs belong to former members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, right?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. It's said those four could combine their Lightning Release Jutsu (Raiton) to destroy an entire village in one strike. The monks suspect someone might use a technique like Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei) to revive them and cause trouble."
Sasuke's ears perked up. 'A lightning jutsu capable of destroying a village? That sounded more powerful than his Kirin technique.'
"Wait," Sasuke asked. "How strong were these Guardian Ninjas?"
"Pretty strong," Naruto said. "Asuma-sensei used to be one of them, and I think the others were on his level."
Naruto mentally added, And their bounty must've been sky-high. Kakuzu probably couldn't resist if he knew.
Sasuke's interest was piqued. Asuma was a well-known elite among Konoha's Jōnin. If these opponents were at his level, this mission might be more challenging than it seemed.
"Got it. Let's head out," Kakashi said. He noticed Sakura deep in thought and asked, "Something on your mind, Sakura?"
She shook her head with a smile. "It's nothing. It's just… it feels strange hearing Naruto explain mission details instead of you, Kakashi-sensei."
"Well, you're all grown up now. In a few years, you might be leading Genin teams of your own," Kakashi said, his voice filled with pride.
Back when he first took on Team 7, they had been a group of unruly kids. Now they were capable young ninja taking on advanced missions.
Time flies… a little too fast, honestly. I barely adjusted to teaching, and now my students could be teaching.
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