Chapter 34: Kakashi, CC – The Past is the Past! The Present is the Present!

"Haa—"

"I'm fine… just give me a moment…"

Kakashi's head was pressed against the ground, his expression hidden from view. But Naruto had a feeling he might've gone a bit too hard this time.

"Kakashi-sensei, did I analyze your moves well this time?"

Hands on his hips, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Memories of being pinned down by Kakashi when he was just six flashed in his mind, and now, seeing Kakashi like this, Naruto felt an immense satisfaction.

He felt like he could easily finish three bowls of rice tonight.

Naruto patted Kakashi on the shoulder in what was meant to be a comforting gesture, before casually snatching the bells from his waist.

Kakashi, still kneeling on the ground, had no interest in responding to the kid right now.

Why did this brat have to hit so hard?!

After all, wasn't he supposed to be someone this kid knew well?

If it weren't for Kakashi's quick reflexes, using his hand to block Naruto's punch just in time…

He had no doubt he would've been seriously injured—maybe even fatally.

Glancing at his right hand, Kakashi realized he'd probably need a few months to recover fully.

Sigh... His heart felt so tired.

Whoever wants to lead Team 7 can have it! He was ready to head back to the Third Hokage and throw in the towel.

After a moment of catching his breath, Kakashi planted his knee on the ground and struggled to his feet. His whole demeanor screamed of exhaustion.

"Fine. You all pass."

"Dismissed."

Kakashi announced, supporting his injured arm as he limped away, his body slightly hunched over.

Naruto watched Kakashi's pitiful figure as he walked off, feeling a twinge of guilt. After all, this was the man who had watched him grow up…

Not to mention, Kakashi was the one who had taught him how to use the space-time ninjutsu.

He hadn't meant to hit so hard today. Naruto felt like he had gone too far.

With that in mind, he quickly pulled out a bottle of healing potion, caught up with Kakashi, and tugged on his sleeve.

"Kakashi-sensei."

"Here, take this."

As soon as Naruto said that, he noticed Kakashi's body trembling.

"Naruto!"

"Don't pull on my hand!!"

Kakashi was truly in despair now. Not only had he been injured by his own student, but now this kid was yanking on his broken arm…

Right now, Kakashi really wanted to hit Naruto with a Chidori.

"Ah!"

"Sorry!"

Realizing his mistake, Naruto awkwardly scratched his head and gave a sheepish grin.

Heaven knows, he didn't mean to grab Kakashi-sensei's injured arm!

Naruto quickly handed the healing potion to Kakashi, who shot him a puzzled look.

"It's a potion that heals injuries…"

"Just drink it when you get home, Kakashi-sensei."

Seeing the doubt in Kakashi's eyes, Naruto kindly explained how to use it.

Kakashi's expression turned even more peculiar.

You've got to be kidding me…

He knew his own body pretty well. Judging by the pain, his entire arm was probably fractured and dislocated. In the worst case, there could even be a bone crack.

No potion, no matter how magical, could compare to the medical ninjutsu performed by a trained medical-nin, right?

And even if it did work… shouldn't this be applied externally?

Naruto's explanation sounded anything but reliable.

Still, Kakashi, feeling a bit guilty and touched by Naruto's sincerity, decided to accept the potion.

"Got it."

"I'll take it with me."

"Don't forget to take a full-body photo when you get home."

With that, Kakashi, still looking as worn out as ever, limped away, clutching the potion.

For some reason, as Naruto watched Kakashi's retreating figure, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of loneliness—one that was oddly similar to his own.

"This didn't go how I expected…"

Naruto muttered to himself, his voice low as he watched Kakashi disappear from sight. Even though he had won, he didn't feel the joy he had imagined.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

At some point, Sasuke had appeared next to Naruto. Covered in mud and emitting a strange, earthy smell, Sasuke looked like he'd just rolled through a mud pit.

To say he looked disheveled would be an understatement.

Sakura stood off to the side, her head lowered, unable to look either of them in the eye. She didn't even have the energy to fawn over Sasuke anymore.

There was no helping it. During the battle, she had been completely outmatched by these two.

She had wanted to prove her worth…

But the moment the fight began, she had frozen in place. Worse yet, she had ended up holding Naruto and Sasuke back.

Sakura's head hung low, her hands gripping the hem of her shirt tightly, her body occasionally trembling.

With tears in her voice, she apologized softly, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to mess up…"

"I'm really sorry…"

Naruto glanced at her feet, which were wet from her tears, and noticed her shoulders trembling.

He nudged Sasuke with his elbow, giving him meaningful glances as if to say…

"Hey, bro, comfort your girl already. If you keep this up, we'll never be in-laws."

But to Sasuke, Naruto's gestures just looked weird.

"Pointless."

Sasuke replied indifferently. Whether he truly didn't get it or was just pretending not to, who could tell?

In the end, Naruto had to speak up.

"Sakura, don't be upset."

"Normal people don't stand a chance against Kakashi-sensei."

Sakura: ?

Tear-streaked, Sakura glanced between the two of them, her mind starting to race.

Wait… so… you two aren't normal?

Naruto then turned to Sasuke, his tone filled with disdain and mockery.

"Hey, Sasuke, you were really off your game earlier."

"I dodged Kakashi-sensei's Earth Style: Head Hunter Jutsu for you once, but you still got caught!"

"Where was your Fire Style?"

"What about your shuriken skills?!"

"You only used them once the whole time?"

"And your taijutsu…"

…

Naruto's mouth just kept going, rattling off complaints like he was scolding a teammate after losing a game.

If Sasuke still had family left, Naruto might've thrown in a few remarks about his clan by now.

To be honest, even though Naruto's words were harsh, Sasuke couldn't deny that his performance had been terrible this time.

He hadn't been able to showcase his usual skills at all.

Sasuke scowled, remaining silent. He was just as frustrated with himself as Naruto was.

In that entire fight, not a single one of his attacks had landed on Kakashi.

By Naruto's standards…

Sasuke's total damage output in that battle hadn't even matched the force of one of Naruto's punches.

Once Naruto finally stopped ranting, Sasuke muttered quietly, "It won't happen again."

Hearing this, Naruto's expression softened slightly.

But seriously...

I've been talking non-stop and all you can say is one sentence??

Sakura, watching the way her two teammates interacted, suddenly felt the pressure rise within her.

Deep down, she knew…

Naruto's earlier comforting words were just him being polite because they weren't that close.

If she were better acquainted with him...

She'd definitely be getting roasted by Naruto just as hard right now.

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