Chapter 41: Team Assignments
Don't underestimate Konoha's intelligence network.
A shinobi battle is, in the early-to-mid stages at least, an intelligence battle. As the Hidden Leaf was the strongest violent organization in the ninja world, the quality of its intel went without saying.
Even Sakura had to grudgingly admit that bastard Danzō Shimura ran a pretty tight underground operation. He was called the Darkness of the Shinobi for a reason. He might not have been able to pin down Orochimaru himself, but picking up on stray ripples? Child's play. Anything less and he wouldn't have deserved the title.
"Got it."
Sakura's voice carried a faint edge.
Seeing her take it seriously, Kakashi didn't push further. What was done was done. Neither of them was thrilled with the arrangement, but the rice was already cooked — no point complaining about the menu.
"They're finishing up team assignments down there. Want to come watch?"
Kakashi's senses drifted toward the classroom below, and one eyebrow ticked up.
"Naruto's going to be over the moon when he sees you."
"..."
Sakura had been wrestling with the whole Naruto situation already, and Kakashi just had to pick at the scab.
"Forget it. You go. Don't keep me waiting too long."
She waved him off, a little wistful.
Kakashi gave her a long look before he left, then sighed inwardly.
He understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's other angle in setting this up perfectly well. But it wasn't going to pan out. Sakura didn't look the slightest bit smitten with Naruto — he could tell. The way she fussed over the kid was strictly the way an older sister fusses over a little brother. Nothing more.
Not long after Kakashi vanished, Sakura heard a voice float up from the classroom below: "Team Seven, with me."
Because of Sakura, Kakashi hadn't had time to drift over to the Konoha cemetery to mourn his dead youth. So with Kurenai Yūhi and Asuma Sarutobi yet to collect Teams Eight and Ten, he was — for once — the first jōnin-sensei to show.
Footsteps clattered up the stairwell to the rooftop.
"Sensei, who's our last teammate? Iruka-sensei was being all mysterious about it. It's weird."
"It's not gonna be some violence-junkie, is it?"
Sakura heard Naruto before she saw him — that chirpy, motormouth voice. He hadn't even just met Kakashi and was already chattering at him without an ounce of awkwardness. A textbook social steamroller.
"Naruto, I'm definitely not a violence-junkie."
Sakura stood up and gave him a little wave.
The instant Naruto spotted her, his face cycled through three full expressions: blank confusion, dawning recognition, and then pure, unfiltered euphoria.
"SAKURA-CHAN!"
He came barreling toward her at a full sprint, arms wide, ready to crash into her with a hug to end all hugs.
But —
A single pale finger pressed against his forehead protector and stopped him cold. Not one inch further.
Not that this so much as dented his enthusiasm. He bounced around her in tight little orbits, practically vibrating.
"I can't believe Sakura-chan is on my team!"
"YESSS!"
"Ino's gonna be sick with jealousy!"
"Bahahahaha!"
Watching him spin around her like an overcaffeinated satellite, Sakura just pressed a hand to her forehead.
Then she turned to Sasuke, who was standing next to Kakashi, staring at her with open challenge in his eyes. She extended a hand and said, quietly:
"Long time no see, Sasuke."
Sasuke clasped her hand, gaze burning.
"It has been a while."
"Care for a match later?"
A small smile played at the corner of Sakura's mouth.
"Sorry. I'm busy."
His face went a touch stiff at the flat refusal.
"Alright, alright — old classmates' reunion ends here."
Kakashi cut in, giving Sasuke a graceful exit.
"Tch..."
Sasuke didn't argue. He just dropped down onto the steps in moody silence.
Sakura took that as her cue and sat back down too.
"Right. This is technically the first time we've all met as a group, so let's go around and introduce ourselves."
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled into a happy little arc.
"Introduce ourselves?"
Naruto looked at him, baffled.
"Sure. Name, hobbies, favorite foods, dreams — whatever you want."
Kakashi held up one finger and smiled. As he spoke, he stole a glance at Sakura, who was propping her cheek on her hand and watching him perform like he was the night's entertainment. A bead of cold sweat traced down his temple.
A bit of pressure here...
"Tell you what, I'll go first. As a demonstration."
"Kakashi Hatake. Twenty-seven years old. Hobbies — I have plenty. Foods I like — also plenty. Dreams... I have a few of those too~"
"There. Done."
Naruto blinked at him.
"Hold on. All we actually learned was your name?"
"Don't sweat the small stuff."
Kakashi waved him off and turned his expectant gaze toward Sakura.
Throw me a bone here, Little Aunt-Master!
"Ahem."
As if reading his mind, Sakura cleared her throat.
"Sakura Haruno. Twelve years old. Hobby is sampling good food. Favorite food is dumplings. As for dreams — I think I've already accomplished mine."
Kakashi's mind flickered at that.
Already accomplished?
Was that a brush-off in the same flavor as his own, or was she actually saying something?
"Eh? Sakura-chan likes good food?"
"Then I'll work super hard at learning to cook!"
Naruto was instantly fired up.
Sakura: ...
Really, really not necessary.
She didn't need her main brain for this one — her pinky finger was enough to figure out the kid's actual motive had nothing to do with culinary growth.
"Me me me, my turn!"
Naruto sprang up, beaming.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Twelve years old!"
"My hobby is eating Ichiraku ramen — and now ALSO cooking!"
Sakura's expression did not move.
"My dream is to become the Hokage!"
"I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage ever — better than every Hokage who came before me!"
Kakashi smiled at him.
"That's a fine dream. Becoming Hokage isn't easy, you know. But I hope you get there."
Although your biggest competitor is sitting right next to you.
He gestured Naruto back down and turned to the last one — Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke spoke flatly.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"No hobbies. No favorite foods."
"My only dream..."
"...is to kill a certain man."
Kakashi's expression sobered as he studied the Uchiha boy in front of him. Compared to Sakura and Naruto, this was the real problem child.
Then again, having walked a not-dissimilar road himself, he understood the feeling all too well.
"Alright. Introductions are over."
Kakashi stood up and looked between Naruto and Sasuke.
"Tomorrow I'll be running a special evaluation just for you two. Fail it, and you go straight back to the Academy."
The pivot was so abrupt that both boys were caught flat-footed.
"Wait — what about Sakura-chan?"
Naruto blurted it out without thinking.
"Sakura has spent the last four years proving she's a fully qualified shinobi. So the only ones being tested are you two."
"Get yourselves ready. And — don't eat breakfast."