Kakashi finally arrived, the door creaking as he slowly pushed it open. He peeked inside, his posture slouched, one hand casually in his pocket, the other lazily scratching the back of his head. His single visible eye scanned the room with mild amusement.
Ah… youth. So full of energy… So unaware of the cruelty that awaits them in the real world.
His gaze lingered on each of his new students, evaluating them.
First, there was Sasuke Uchiha. Arms crossed, face set in a deep scowl, eyes filled with barely hidden irritation. Kakashi could already hear the boy's internal monologue—This guy is a disgrace. Is this really my sensei? He doesn't even look competent.
Yep, definitely an Uchiha. Kakashi sighed internally. So much pride. So much brooding. This one's going to be exhausting.
Then, there was Sakura Haruno. At first glance, she looked composed, prim and proper, trying to maintain a sense of dignity. But Kakashi didn't miss the way her eyes flickered with doubt. Is this really our teacher? her expression screamed. Why does he look like he just crawled out of bed?
Hmmm… she seems skeptical. Maybe a bit of a perfectionist? This could be fun.
And then… there was Naruto Uzumaki.
The blonde sat with his legs kicked up on the desk, completely relaxed, arms behind his head, radiating confidence. But the moment his sharp blue eyes locked onto Kakashi, all amusement vanished. His easygoing expression twisted into something that could only be described as an exasperated disappointment.
Kakashi blinked. Huh?
Before he could even open his mouth, Naruto leaned forward, placing both hands on the desk with a heavy sigh.
"Tch. You're so late," he grumbled, his voice carrying the weight of someone truly offended by such a disgraceful display of tardiness.
Kakashi tilted his head, about to make a lazy excuse but Naruto cut him off.
"How can you inherit Obito's bad habits and not his good ones?"
Silence.
Kakashi froze. His breath hitched for just a fraction of a second. His heart nearly stopped.
Sasuke and Sakura blinked, completely unaware of the absolute devastation hidden behind Kakashi's mask.
Naruto, however, wasn't done. He leaned back, crossing his arms with a smirk so smug it could put even the cockiest Uchiha to shame.
"I swear, I'm telling Kaa-san about this."
Kakashi paled instantly.
The tension in the room shifted.
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, noticing how quickly Kakashi's relaxed demeanor crumbled. He had never seen someone rattle a jonin so effortlessly. What the hell?
Sakura, too, was stunned. She had never seen their easygoing, perpetually late sensei react so dramatically before.
Kakashi, for the first time in years, broke out in a cold sweat. His mind conjured a terrifying image—Kushina Uzumaki, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently, red hair swaying like an ominous storm.
Oh no…
He held up both hands in surrender. "W-Wait, let's not be hasty now, Naruto—"
Naruto's smirk widened. "Too late. I already decided."
"No, no, no, let's talk about this," Kakashi pleaded, taking a step forward as if he could physically stop Naruto from speaking his doom into existence.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, trying to understand. Since when does a jonin grovel?
Sakura, meanwhile, covered her mouth, barely suppressing her giggles.
Naruto stretched his arms lazily, enjoying the sheer distress on Kakashi's face. "It's funny, really. My dear sensei hasn't even trained us yet, and he's already given me the ultimate weapon against him."
Kakashi sighed in defeat, shoulders slumping. This brat… I'm doomed.
He coughed into his hand, trying to regain his composure. "Ahem. Anyway, come with me."
He led them to the rooftop of the academy, where they sat down in a semi-circle.
"Alright," Kakashi said, his voice smooth and nonchalant, as if he hadn't just been thoroughly humiliated minutes ago. "We'll start with introductions. I'll go first."
He paused for dramatic effect, looking over the three of them with an unreadable expression before lazily continuing,
"My name is Kakashi Hatake. I like things. I dislike things. And my dreams… well, I never really thought about it."
A heavy silence followed.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his irritation palpable. "That's barely an introduction," he deadpanned.
Kakashi simply waved him off. "Alright, next."
Naruto scoffed, shaking his head at Kakashi's half-hearted attempt. Leaning back on his arms, he smirked, his confidence practically radiating off him.
"Name's Naruto Uzumaki," He started, voice smooth yet playful. "I like strong people, good food, and beautiful women." His eyes twinkled mischievously as he glanced at Sakura, who instantly turned red. "I don't like cowards or those who betray their comrades."
His smirk deepened, but there was a sharpness to his next words, a weight behind them. "My dream? I don't care about being Hokage. I just want to live freely, become the strongest, and protect the people I care about."
Sakura's heart pounded in her chest. The way he spoke—so sure, so unwavering—made her stomach flutter. He wasn't just saying empty words. He meant every single one of them.
Sasuke, who had been listening with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue but couldn't deny that Naruto's confidence was… frustratingly solid. Tch. Annoying.
Taking a step forward, he finally spoke. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha," his voice was calm, but there was an underlying intensity to it. "I like training, pushing my limits, and proving my strength. I don't like weakness or wasting time."
His black eyes glowed with fierce determination. "My goal is simple—surpass my brother and become the strongest Uchiha."
Unlike in another world, where hatred and revenge would have defined him, this Sasuke was fueled by something different—pride, competition, and the sheer desire to be better than anyone else.
Kakashi blinked. Huh. This team is… something else.
"Well," he drawled, stuffing his hands back in his pockets. "Aren't you all just brimming with ambition?"
Naruto smirked. "Gotta aim high, sensei."
Sasuke scoffed. "As long as you don't slow me down."
Sakura, still recovering from the intensity of their introductions, took a deep breath. This team… it's going to be interesting.
Sakura clasped her hands together and smiled. "My name is Sakura Haruno! I like learning new things, training to improve, and spending time with people I care about. My goal is to grow stronger and prove myself."
But deep in her heart, there was another goal—one she wouldn't say aloud. She wanted to stand beside Naruto, serve him, and remain by his side forever.
Kakashi nodded as he listened, then clapped his hands together. "Alright, that's enough for introductions. Now, onto the real topic—your test."
"Test?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.
"You didn't think you'd become genin just because you graduated, did you?" Kakashi said with a teasing tone. "Tomorrow morning, meet me at Training Ground Three. You'll have one final test, and if you fail… well, let's just say you'll be sent back to the Academy."
Sakura gulped. Sasuke frowned. Naruto just smirked in amusement.
Kakashi stood up and stretched. "Oh, and one more thing—don't eat breakfast. You'll regret it if you do."
With that, he disappeared in a swirl of leaves, leaving the three of them alone on the rooftop.
Sasuke scoffed. "Hmph. This test better not be a waste of time."
Sakura clenched her fists. "I won't lose. I'll prove myself."
Naruto simply chuckled, standing up and placing his hands in his pockets. "Well, tomorrow's gonna be fun."
And with that, their first true challenge as a team awaited them.
¶¶¶
The titles of the next three chapters! (🔥Spoiler🔥)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chapter 98: Needy Medic
Chapter 99: Needy Medic (2)
Chapter 100: Needy Medic (3)
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨