Summer wind drifted lazily through the trees. Cicadas clung to the branches, shrieking without pause.
Kakashi stood beneath a large tree, eye curved into a crescent as he looked at Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin.
"Morning, everyone. You all seem full of energy today."
"…"
The three of them stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
Full of energy?
They were barely alive.
A month had passed since they'd begun training under Kakashi. A full month of what could only be described as suffering.
This version of Kakashi was different. Perhaps because he already knew Obito had fallen into darkness, many of his old habits had changed.
Late?
Never.
The Kakashi forged by ANBU discipline did not arrive late.
Training?
Oh, he trained them—by drowning them in missions.
Weeding fields.
Picking up trash.
Catching runaway cats and dogs.
Day after day.
It shattered their expectations of what being a shinobi meant.
If they had to summarize their current state—
Up earlier than chickens.
Working harder than oxen.
Sleeping later than stray dogs.
Even Sasuke, who had grown accustomed to "4 a.m. Konoha," was reaching his limit.
Kakashi, however, seemed perfectly content. He flipped open a book and chuckled softly.
"Since you're all so spirited, let's begin today's effort. Remember your introductions? One wants to be Hokage. One seeks power for revenge. One wants to become a kunoichi like Lady Tsunade. Without hard work, how can you succeed? Now smile, and—"
"Wait, Captain Kakashi!"
Karin finally snapped.
"These missions have no meaning! When Ren-niisan was our age, he was already handling high-level operations. We don't need to match him—but we can't keep doing D-rank chores forever!"
She bit her lip.
"And you were his teammate. Is this really how you want to train us?"
She hated invoking Ren's name.
Her entire household was stacked with rising legends—Tsunade soon-to-be Fifth Hokage, Ren newly appointed Hokage Advisor, Yugao leading ANBU squads, Hikari commanding Root's guard.
And she?
A genin.
Practically a repeat student.
It was humiliating.
"Ren, huh…"
Kakashi stiffened slightly at the name.
Naruto jumped in immediately.
"Yeah! We're ready for something real!"
Sasuke didn't speak—but his eyes burned.
Kakashi exhaled.
"You're not him. Shinobi life isn't a game. Recklessness gets you killed."
Better that than collecting trash forever, Karin thought bitterly.
"I believe we're ready," she pressed. "And Ren-niisan wouldn't want us wasting time like this."
Kakashi's grip on his book tightened slightly.
"Captain… you wouldn't want Ren-niisan disappointed in our entire squad, would you?"
That did it.
The phrasing was unmistakable.
So very Ren.
"…Fine," Kakashi sighed. "Timing's about right anyway."
Inside the Hokage's office—
"The Mist shinobi are nearly here," Hiruzen said.
Ren sat casually in the chair, thoughtful.
"I've already sent someone ahead. If Akatsuki makes a move, I'll know instantly. But shouldn't Kakashi's team have departed by now?"
"They're likely finishing discipline training," Hiruzen replied.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Then let them go."
After a brief pause, Hiruzen glanced sideways with a familiar grin.
"You should also put in more effort."
Ren froze.
"…With?"
"A child."
Ren pressed his temples.
"You promised not to bring that up."
"I promised nothing. Wood Release bloodline must continue."
"…Hokage-sama."
"And Tsunade can use Wood Release now thanks to you, correct?"
Ren inhaled sharply.
"…That's not quite how it works."
"It can work."
Ren stared at him.
He finally understood the difference between himself and the Third Hokage.
He was cautious.
The old man?
A fearless warrior.
"Captain Kakashi has arrived," an ANBU reported.
Ren seized the opportunity and left.
Outside, Hikari waited.
"How did the conversation go?"
"…We're heading out soon."
She slipped her arm around his.
"You weren't this shy in your office."
"…This is the Hokage Building."
"And?"
Ren sighed.
Ever since Hikari had taken the initiative, she had been astonishingly bold.
Cold-faced.
Fire-hearted.
Perhaps that was the Uchiha way.
Outside Konoha—
"Finally! A real mission!"
Naruto practically leaped into the air.
Sasuke scoffed, though his pulse had quickened.
Karin exhaled in relief.
Dazuna, however, looked uneasy.
"These kids… are you sure?"
Kakashi waved lazily.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
Truthfully, he wasn't too worried.
Because Ren was involved.
And no matter how chaotic Ren appeared—
He delivered.
Always.
Suddenly—
"Ren-niisan!"
Naruto shouted.
Kakashi stiffened instantly.
Ren approached with a group of Root operatives, all clad in dark uniforms and masks.
Three years had passed. Root and ANBU were now clearly separated. Root no longer operated within Konoha itself—only externally, under Hokage oversight.
Ren stopped before them.
He ruffled Naruto's hair mercilessly.
Then turned to Karin.
"No greeting?"
"…Ren-niisan."
She looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.
"Taking your first proper mission, Kakashi?"
Ren smiled casually, one hand resting lightly on Karin's shoulder.
"I was worried she wasn't cut out for it. Still stuck on low-level tasks. Glad to see that's not the case."
Kakashi's smile twitched.
You arranged this.
You absolutely arranged this.
"Her effort paid off," Kakashi replied stiffly.
Ren patted his shoulder.
"Good. Enjoy your first real mission."
As Ren walked away, Dazuna muttered quietly:
"They look more reliable."
Kakashi shot him a look.
"You don't qualify."
"Captain… Ren-niisan is really that strong?"
Naruto asked eagerly.
Kakashi considered.
"He's a true genius. Stronger than you can imagine."
"Stronger than the Hokage?"
"The Third Hokage admitted he's no longer Ren's match."
Naruto's eyes widened.
Sasuke's breathing hitched.
Kakashi continued calmly.
"He defeated the Third Tsuchikage. The Fourth Raikage. Sasuke—you know about Itachi. He couldn't last a single exchange."
Sasuke's heart thundered.
"And Ren will become Hokage one day. That's already decided."
Naruto looked devastated.
"…Then what about me?"
Sasuke snorted.
"Idiot. The village just announced Ren as Hokage Advisor."
Naruto blinked.
"…What's Hokage Advisor?"
"Second only to the Hokage. Successor-in-line."
"Oh."
Naruto processed that slowly.
"So… Fifth Hokage soon?"
"Yes."
"And she's Ren's teacher."
Naruto's brain short-circuited.
Does that mean he'll be Sixth?
Then I'll be Seventh?!
"Why is this so complicated?!"
Karin looked away.
She had no strength left for this conversation.
Meanwhile—
In the forests of the Land of Waves—
Ren met with the Hidden Mist delegation.
Mei Terumī led them.
Zabuza.
Kisame.
Ao.
Old acquaintances.
"Long time no see, Mei."
"…Indeed."
Despite cooperation and mutual benefit in recent years, seeing Ren still made the Mist shinobi twitch slightly.
Memories of a ruined Kirigakure and a collapsed Mizukage tower were difficult to erase.
"You're Hokage Advisor now," Mei said dryly. "And you still personally deploy."
"You came yourself as well."
They cut to business quickly.
"Akatsuki is already moving," Ren informed them calmly. "Obito may appear."
The name alone stiffened the Mist delegation.
Hatred simmered instantly.
"Profit split," Ren continued smoothly. "You handle Gatō. We deal with Akatsuki. Eight-two."
"Three-seven," Mei countered sharply. "We're the ones taking reputational damage."
They negotiated.
Eventually—
"Three-seven," Ren agreed. "With one condition."
He spoke of the upcoming Chūnin Exams.
Of possible unrest.
Of Sand and Rain.
Of alliances.
Mei understood.
Strengthening trade routes with Konoha was not a loss.
"It can be arranged."
They shook hands.
"Pleasure cooperating."
Elsewhere in the mist—
Obito, Itachi, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, and Jūzō moved silently.
"Interesting intel," Obito murmured. "Kakashi's coming. With three subordinates."
He glanced sideways at Itachi.
"And perhaps we test your improved technique, Orochimaru."
"Still incomplete," Orochimaru replied softly. "But… worth attempting."
Obito's gaze sharpened.
"They're here."
Through the fog—
Kakashi and his team approached.
Kakashi froze.
"…Obito."
Beside him—
Sasuke's eyes ignited crimson.
"It's you! Uchiha Itachi!"
The mist thickened.
And the real Land of Waves mission—
Had officially begun.
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