"You two little brats, I've got a mission and will be away for a while. Take good care of yourselves, and don't let me come back to find either of you in the hospital again."
On the first day of school, Kakashi said his goodbyes to Sasuke and Naruto.
Over the past few years, even when he took missions, they were always near the village. But this time, he was going far away—and it would be at least a few months before he returned.
Though he suspected that the Third Hokage had deliberately arranged for him to be sent away, he had no power to refuse.
"Got it. We'll take care of ourselves!"
Sasuke waved dismissively, making it clear that there was no need to worry.
Kakashi had worked hard over the past few years. This mission was clearly part of some underhanded scheme by Konoha's leadership.
But even if someone wanted to pull strings behind the scenes, there was no way they'd let something happen to Kakashi. After all, there weren't many elite jōnin left in the village.
And Kakashi was a big name in the shinobi world—who didn't know the Copy Ninja, Kakashi?
"Naruto, take care of Sasuke. Now that he can't spar with Neji at school, he might shift his focus elsewhere."
Kakashi still wasn't completely at ease, but all he could do was hope these two kids had enough sense.
"No worries, no worries! Don't worry, Kakashi-senpai! If he doesn't have anyone to spar with, I'll step in!"
Naruto remembered the time Sasuke asked to spar with him. Though he sounded enthusiastic, the way he unconsciously took a step back and his nervous expression clearly showed his reluctance.
He was totally fine with being Sasuke's post-Neji replacement—cooking, cleaning, even helping him train—but getting kicked in the face? That was a firm no!
"Alright, get to school. Before I come back, don't forget to pick up groceries after class."
Kakashi was still confident in the bond between these two kids.
After sending them off to school, he went back home, packed a few things, and then headed to the Hokage's office to join his mission team.
This time, Kakashi wasn't going on the mission alone—he would be working with a few Anbu members.
Among them were some familiar faces, including former teammates and the ever-stiff Yamato.
He wasn't hoping to return early; he just hoped that Sasuke and Naruto wouldn't get into any trouble while he was gone.
---
"Iruka-sensei! I missed you so much!"
When Naruto arrived at the school gates and saw Iruka-sensei standing there, he immediately tried to leap forward and hug him.
But just as he lunged, Sasuke grabbed him by the back of his collar and held him in place.
"Sasuke, let me go! We haven't seen Iruka-sensei in so long—what's wrong with just saying hi?"
Naruto pouted pitifully, but the moment he saw Sasuke's expression, he instantly backed down.
"Iruka-sensei, I'll take him to be properly educated—there won't be a next time."
Sasuke nodded to Iruka, then turned and dragged Naruto toward the classroom.
This idiot... did he really think no one saw what he was holding in his hands?
A prank again. And this time way too obvious. Idiot.
"Nooo! Sasuke, you're bullying me! I didn't even do anything yet! Iruka-sensei, help me!"
Naruto protested loudly, not wanting to go. But Iruka just smiled gently and waved goodbye to him.
Only Sasuke could keep this troublemaker in check.
But...
With a partner like Sasuke watching over him, Naruto had grown more and more likable over the past two years.
In the end, they were still just kids. As for that whole "demon fox" thing...
If only the villagers could see it for themselves—how could the Nine-Tails possibly be such a lovable boy?