Kakashi
One Month Later
Naruto had completely adapted to his new routine: skipping classes using shadow clones, dedicating himself to relentless training, and occasionally sending a shadow clone to visit Shisui, who remained imprisoned at the base.
Additionally, he noticed that the ANBU operatives who had been monitoring him were replaced.
Originally, his surveillance was handled by Toketsu—Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Yugao—but now, they had been substituted with an elite Jōnin: Hatake Kakashi, who escorted him to the "Heaven of Indulgence" every day.
Kakashi's surveillance method was unconventional. Instead of observing from the shadows like typical ANBU, he disguised himself as a mere "passerby."
That conspicuous white hair—was he even trying to hide his identity?
Naruto found this both amusing and frustrating. He chose to ignore Kakashi's presence and continued his fulfilling daily routine, though he exercised far more caution when dispatching shadow clones to the Forest of Death for shift changes.
Kurama, however, was deeply offended by this oversight of his intelligence. From within the sealed space, the Nine-Tails scoffed, "Are you really just going to let him follow you around? Kill him already!"
Of course, attacking an ANBU-level shinobi in broad daylight was possible—he was a Jinchūriki, after all. But the price? A lifetime locked away in a dark cell.
Naruto smirked, knowing that Kurama wasn't actually being serious. The beast was just bored and looking for entertainment, or maybe some leverage to negotiate for snacks.
To silence him, Naruto casually entered a small shop, extracted some chakra with a taste similar to a snack, and tossed it into the sealed space. Kurama's sharp teeth flashed in a grin.
The shopkeeper—a familiar face—eyed Naruto warily. Without hesitation, Naruto placed his money on the counter and left without looking back.
The man sighed softly, staring at both Naruto's retreating figure and the ryo on the table. After a moment of hesitation, he pocketed the money, bracing himself for an inevitable inspection from the Uchiha Police Force.
Six years had passed since the Nine-Tails' attack, but its shadow still loomed over Konoha.
For years, Naruto had been an outlet for the villagers' suppressed resentment. Yet now, the real problem was the Uchiha Police Force.
Strict, unforgiving law enforcement had become the greatest source of stress for civilians. After all, who among them hadn't bent the rules here and there? But the Uchiha? They enforced Konoha's laws with an iron grip, yet were shown leniency themselves.
This hypocrisy had not gone unnoticed.
Naruto felt the negative emotions surging from behind him. At first, he thought they were directed at him, as usual. But to his surprise, the resentment was aimed at the patrolling Uchiha officers.
After Shisui's "suicide," the Uchiha's coup had been delayed—but not stopped. If anything, tensions between the clan and the higher-ups had only escalated.
Now, the Uchiha Police had begun extorting money and hoarding resources in preparation for a future rebellion. Their methods, however, were crude and reckless.
Even Naruto, a mere academy student, could see what was happening. The Third Hokage and the village elders had likely been aware for a long time.
But this worked in his favor.
The more the Uchiha attracted the village's attention, the easier it would be for him to slip away from Konoha unnoticed. However, if they were wiped out completely, that advantage would disappear.
As he wandered through the village, he mentally recorded the faces of passersby, analyzing the situation with cold calculation.
Ichiraku Ramen
By noon, Naruto arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
Ordering a large bowl, he watched as the steaming hot noodles were placed before him. As he ate, his gaze drifted toward a certain seat—the one where Tianfeng had once sat.
That chūnin had been the one to make him truly understand the darkness lurking beneath Konoha's surface. That was the moment Naruto had made up his mind: I will leave. I will escape this prison called a ninja village.
Just then, the entrance curtain lifted.
Kakashi walked in, as nonchalant as ever. He ordered a bowl of ramen and sat down right next to Naruto.
The scent of the older shinobi made Naruto instinctively lean away. He had no intention of getting too close to Kakashi—lest he be cursed to remain forever single.
Kakashi paused, slightly taken aback. He had finally gathered the courage to approach Naruto, only to be met with outright rejection.
Neither spoke as they finished their meals.
When it was time to pay, Kakashi casually told Teuchi, "Put Naruto's meal on my tab. I'll settle it next time."
Naruto blinked in surprise.
Without a word, he placed his own money on the counter and left.
Kakashi and Teuchi exchanged glances, both looking somewhat awkward.
After some hesitation, Kakashi decided to follow Naruto, finding him in a secluded forest practicing shuriken throwing.
Naruto, without turning around, called out, "You don't have to pay for my food. Also, I've never seen someone 'forget their wallet' when they offer to treat someone. You're the first. And it's not like today is the first time you've followed me—by my count, it's been two weeks now."
Kakashi chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't expect you to notice me. Guess I'm not that great at tracking after all."
Naruto scoffed. "When you grow up constantly being targeted for assassination, you learn to be cautious."
Kakashi's expression shifted slightly. He understood what Naruto was referring to—the attack on the Jinchūriki that coincided with a certain mission incident. He had been involved in that mission himself. It was after that event that he had begun to piece together Naruto's true identity.
Naruto suddenly looked him straight in the eye.
"I'm more curious about who you are and why you're trying to approach me. I've seen you before—at the hospital, right?"
Kakashi met his gaze. "And what will you do if you find out my purpose?"
"If you're here to be my friend, I'll consider it. If you're an enemy, I'll go straight to Ojī-san and have you removed."
Kakashi smiled under his mask. "Relax. I'm not your enemy. You and I have... a connection."
"A connection?" Naruto frowned, then his eyes sharpened. "You knew my parents, didn't you?"
Kakashi hesitated. He could tell him—but the Third Hokage had forbidden it. "If you want answers, ask the Third Hokage."
Naruto let out a bitter chuckle. "So I really am the son of some 'big shot' whose identity has to be kept secret, huh?"
His gaze hardened as he looked at Kakashi. "If you're not here to tell me anything useful, why bother? I don't need your pity."
Kakashi sighed, realizing Naruto wouldn't be easy to reach. "It's not pity. I just wanted to see how you were doing—and if you needed help."
Naruto eyed the clearing, then suddenly smirked. "Well, now that you mention it, I do need help. I need a sparring partner. Interested?"
Kakashi blinked.
A pre-genin challenging a Jōnin?
After a moment of consideration, Kakashi nodded. "Alright. I'll restrict myself to genin-level strength. Let's see what you've got."
Naruto's smirk widened.
Without warning, he leaped into the air, forming hand seals.
"Fūton: Daitoppa!" (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!)
The sparring had begun.
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