The forest clearing still haunted me. The rogue shinobi's mocking grin, the clash of steel, the suffocating pressure of death—all of it lingered in the back of my mind like smoke after a fire.
Back at the academy, though, life seemed deceptively normal. Students trained. Teachers lectured. But for us—for Kakashi, Rin, Obito, and me—nothing felt the same.
The system buzzed softly in my vision.
[Daily Quest Updated]
Objective: Reflect and recover from mission stress.
Reward: +10 Willpower, +1 Bond Point with teammates.
The Classroom
When we entered, heads turned. Whispers rippled through the students.
"Those are the ones who fought the rogue…"
"Is it true ANBU had to save them?"
"I heard they lasted ten minutes!"
Obito puffed his chest, grinning nervously. "Ten minutes? Hah, more like fifteen! We had him cornered!"
Rin sighed but smiled gently. "We were lucky, Obito. Let's not exaggerate."
Kakashi ignored the chatter completely, slipping into his seat as if nothing had happened. But his eye was different—colder, sharper, carrying the weight of something none of us could ignore.
I slid into my seat beside him. For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Then, quietly, he muttered:
"You didn't freeze up."
I blinked. "What?"
"In the clearing," Kakashi continued, his gaze fixed on the chalkboard. "Most students would've panicked. You didn't."
It wasn't praise exactly, but coming from Kakashi, it might as well have been.
[Bond Update: Kakashi +2]
Lunch Break – Rooftop Bonds
We found ourselves eating lunch together on the academy rooftop. The air was cool, the village stretching out in the distance.
Obito flopped onto his back dramatically. "Ugh, I thought we were done for. I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes."
"You only tripped three times," I teased. "That's not so bad for you."
Rin giggled, covering her mouth. Kakashi almost smirked but hid it quickly.
Obito sat up, glaring at me half-playfully. "Hey! I did my best, okay?"
"You did," Rin said warmly. "Your fire jutsu bought us time. Without that, it would've been worse."
Obito froze, then flushed, scratching his head awkwardly. "Y-yeah… I guess."
The silence that followed was comfortable this time. Shared danger had bound us together in a way no classroom exercise ever could.
The system buzzed again.
[Optional Bond Mission Complete: Shared Meal and Reflection]
Rewards: +1 Bond (Obito, Rin, Kakashi), +15 EXP.
Meeting with the Hokage
That afternoon, we were summoned. Standing in the Hokage's office made my pulse race. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, looked down at us with his calm yet piercing gaze.
"You four showed courage in the face of true danger," he said slowly. "It was reckless, but it bought time for ANBU to intervene. That time may have saved lives."
Obito fidgeted nervously. Rin bowed respectfully. Kakashi stood tall, unreadable.
When the Hokage's gaze fell on me, my chest tightened.
"You," he said softly, "acted with instincts beyond your years. Keep training. In this world, courage and caution must walk hand in hand."
[System Notice: Recognition Earned – Konoha Reputation +15]
Passive Buff Unlocked: +2% EXP Gain within Hidden Leaf Village
Evening – Kakashi's Quiet Words
That night, I found Kakashi alone on the academy training field, practicing shuriken throws in the fading light. His movements were precise, each strike hitting dead center.
"You never rest, do you?" I asked.
He didn't look at me. "You shouldn't either. If we're going to survive, we can't stay weak."
For a moment, the weight in his voice felt heavier than his small frame should have carried. The absence of his father—Sakumo—hung unspoken between us.
I stepped closer. "You don't have to carry everything alone, you know. We're a team."
His hand paused mid-throw. Slowly, he lowered the shuriken and finally looked at me. His single visible eye was unreadable, but not cold.
"…Maybe," he said at last.
[Bond Update: Kakashi +3]
Passive Bond Skill Unlocked: "Silent Understanding" – Minor coordination bonus when fighting alongside Kakashi.
System Reflection
As I returned to my dorm, the system chimed one final time.
[Daily Summary]
Bonds: Kakashi +5, Obito +2, Rin +2
Reputation: +15 (Konoha Academy, Hokage Recognition)
New Passive: Silent Understanding (Kakashi)
Willpower +10
I lay awake staring at the ceiling, the sounds of the village outside faint and distant.
This world was brutal, but bonds—fragile, precious bonds—were what gave it meaning. If I couldn't change the past, then I would protect the future, one choice at a time.
And with Kakashi beside me, maybe I wouldn't have to walk that path alone.
Author's Note (Chapter 7)
Hey everyone! 👋
Chapter 7 is all about the aftermath of the rogue shinobi encounter. The action is over for now, but the emotional and relational impact is just beginning. 💫
Highlights of this chapter:
Character growth: The MC's bravery in Chapter 6 is starting to change how Kakashi, Obito, and Rin see them.
Bonding moments: Rooftop chats, shared meals, and quiet conversations show how trust and teamwork develop after shared danger.
Recognition: Even the Hokage noticed the MC's courage, adding weight to their role in the village.
💬 I'd love to hear from you!
How do you feel about the MC's bond with Kakashi now?
Which moment was your favorite—Obito's awkward pride, Rin's warmth, or Kakashi's quiet acknowledgment?
Thanks for reading! Remember, not all growth comes from battle—sometimes it comes from the connections we build and the trust we earn.