Kakashi watched from the shadows, one visible eye narrowing as Naruto vanished in a streak of gold."…That's the Flying Thunder God Technique…" he muttered, the disbelief threading into a quiet chuckle.
He'd heard from the Third Hokage that Naruto once peeked into the Scroll of Seals, but seeing him use the Fourth's signature jutsu this casually—well, that was another story.
"It suits him, honestly," Kakashi said to himself, brushing a hand through his hair. "He's reckless enough to make teleportation look like child's play."
Truth was, very few in the Hidden Leaf could even attempt that jutsu. The Fourth Hokage, a few members of the old guard—most of them barely managed one jump before collapsing from chakra exhaustion.
Naruto, though? He was flashing around the field like it was recess.
"…I'd better talk to the Third," Kakashi sighed, vanishing in his own quiet flicker of light.
A golden flare lit up inside Naruto's small apartment. He appeared beneath the ceiling, grinning up at a massive kunai etched with intricate seals—the mark of the Flying Thunder God.
"Guess I don't need to chase after you anymore, huh?" Naruto smirked at the kunai. "Dad's legacy… turns out it's already mine."
He could feel it now—every kunai his father had ever tagged across Konoha, even some scattered through old battlefields. Each one hummed faintly in his Spirit Reserves like a pulse waiting to be answered.
"So this is what it feels like to touch the Rikudō Shingon," he murmured, half in awe, half teasing himself.
He reached up and spun the huge kunai by the ring, watching the light flicker over its blade. "Looks good hanging there, anyway."
Then his grin deepened. "Heh… I guess my Kyōmetsu state's paying off. With the Flying Thunder God technique as cover, I don't even need to hide my Shinra no Jutsu anymore. Let them think I'm just a showoff."
He glanced toward his desk, where a single, unused kunai gleamed faintly. "Maybe I'll give one of these to Hinata," he said, smiling. "Mark it with my seal so she's always within reach."
The golden light flashed again. And just like that, the boy was gone.
The Next Morning
Somewhere near the No. 3 Training Grounds. Ten o'clock.
Sakura's patience had long since collapsed. "We were supposed to meet at five in the morning!" she yelled, stomping the ground. "It's been five hours! Where's Kakashi-sensei?!"
Her stomach growled loud enough to answer for her. "And where's Naruto? Don't tell me he's late again! He's supposed to be the top of the class—he can't even compare to Sasuke-kun!"
Her tone was sharp, but her eyes—those kept flicking toward Sasuke with all the subtlety of a sparkler. Ninety percent annoyance, ten percent blush, and maybe half a percent actual logic.
Sasuke, sitting on a fallen log, rested his chin on his hand. "Naruto said Kakashi's never on time," he muttered. "Guess he was right."
He glanced around the quiet grove. "Still… even Naruto's late this time."
"Yo."
The voice came from behind them. Naruto leaned lazily against a tree, chewing a toothpick, a half-smile playing at his lips.
"Maa maa, Sakura, Sasuke—you're both here already? Sorry, a black cat crossed my path this morning, and I got… lost on the road of life."
Sakura's fists trembled. "YOU'RE FIVE HOURS LATE!" she shrieked. "And that excuse—six years at the academy wasn't enough for you to retire it?!"
"Relax," Naruto said, pointing at her. "Sasuke's watching."
She froze, turned pink, then stood perfectly still like a porcelain doll. Naruto couldn't resist the jab. He leaned closer to Sasuke and whispered, "Impressive. You've got her trained."
Then, under his breath: "Also, for the record, Kakashi's been late for decades. I'm still an amateur."
Sasuke frowned. "You're still half an hour late."
Naruto raised a brow. "And you're still uptight."
"Meaning?"
"Nothing~."
Sakura suddenly gasped, eyes wide. "Naruto—you ate breakfast!"
Naruto blinked. "Yeah. Hinata packed me some snacks. What, you jealous?"
"Kakashi-sensei said no breakfast before training!"
"He said it was advice, not a rule." Naruto shrugged. "Pretty sure I even told you two to eat something."
"You didn't!"
"Guess I did, but not loud enough for the Inner Shadow in your stomach to hear."
Before Sakura could explode again, another voice drifted in.
"Maa, maa… everyone's lively today."
Kakashi strolled in with his usual lazy wave. "Sorry I'm late. A black cat crossed my path this morning, and I got lost on the road of life."
Sakura stared. "That's—Naruto's excuse! You two—!"
"Oh?" Kakashi tilted his head. "Naruto used it too? That's no good. I'll have to come up with something original next time."
Naruto grinned. "Pretty sure originality's the one thing you're never on time for, sensei."