Kakashi realized his team was far from ordinary.
Of course, most teachers believed their students were destined for great things. For all his logic and calmness, Minato-Sensei claimed that his team would be the next Sannin. He trained Rin to follow in the footsteps of Tsunade, while Obito seemed destined to become like Jiraiya. Kakashi was to become like Orochimaru, always serious and focused on the mission. None of them knew of the evils committed by the Snake Sannin at that time. Yet, despite the big dream, Team Minato ended in a broken dream and a broken man.
His initial observations of Team Seven reminded him of Team Minato, blinding him to each of his students' unique situations. On the surface, Naruto seemed like another Obito caught up in a rivalry with Sasuke, destined to become follow in Kakashi's footsteps. Sakura needed to overcome her obsession with Sasuke but had the heart to become the bond Naruto and Sasuke needed to grow together. He cursed himself for projecting his own personal failures onto the three genin. Luckily, with the help of some of his friends, things were beginning to change for the better and just in time for the rapidly approaching Chūnin Exams.
Sakura's obsession with Sasuke died after a mere three days of training under Anko Mitarashi. He did not know what the crazed Snake Mistress did, but the results were noticeable. She no longer pined over the last Uchiha, seemingly more interested in listening to whatever Kakashi had to teach or eager to find 'Anko-Sensei' for more 'special' training. Her parents were displeased since Sakura suddenly decided to adopt five snakes. Some of him worried that Anko's influence was a little too much.
Naruto's improvement skyrocketed after the initial lunch with Sasuke. He still was the same knucklehead from before, but his passion seemed tempered with an extra layer of confidence. The bond between Naruto and Sasuke had evolved beyond a rivalry into something different. Whatever it was, the results spoke for themselves. Naruto excelled in taijutsu thanks to some lessons from Gai and decided to learn fūinjutsu by himself. Kakashi found himself at a loss for words when the blond showed up with a book of essential seals, burning through the entire thing in a single afternoon. The Third Hokage's plan for Naruto ultimately meant an apprenticeship under Jiraiya after the Chūnin Exams. Recent events, however, made the Third recall the Toad Sage sooner to prepare the last Uzumaki for the exams.
Sasuke remained the brooding mystery like always but showed the most remarkable change. He engaged with both Sakura and Naruto far more often, seeming to tolerate the pink-haired girl's company and vigorously craving alone time with Naruto. Kakashi welcomed the shift in personality but grew worried at the clinginess the last Uchiha subtly showed towards Naruto. It reminded him of how Itachi described Sasuke as a child in many ways. Naruto slowly was replacing Itachi in Sasuke's heart. As touching and romantic as that was, Kakashi worried about what would happen if something was to happen to Naruto on a mission or the exam.
With three weeks to the exams, he needed to prepare the team to dominate the competition. Anko and Jiraiya would train Sakura and Naruto, leaving him to assess Sasuke's readiness. The boy's talent was without a doubt, but did he have the edge required to stand above all others?
"Another bowl of the Sasuke Special coming right up," Teuchi laughed as his daughter prepared a third bowl for Naruto. "You want a second one, Sakura?"
Sakura Haruno beamed at the atmosphere of the place. She loved how everyone seemed simply happy to be there. This was the first time that Naruto and Sasuke invited her out to eat since they started going daily. For the first time in many years, it felt nice to enjoy time with friends. While her crush on Sasuke still lingered, it wouldn't do anyone good for her to dwell on it. Anko-sensei told her about what dark places a fanatical loyalty could lead to, using her life as an example.
"Yes, please!" Sakura smiled and adjusted the boa constructor lazily hanging around her neck, uncaring of the stares received. While her parents were far from thrilled about her new 'friends,' Anko reassured them that the snakes given to her were meant to teach her how to be responsible. The serpents required a special enclosure that needed to be cleaned weekly. Feeding schedules had to be maintained at all costs, and Sakura needed to handle each of them daily to build a 'bond.' Jade eyes drifted over to Sasuke, who was watching Teuchi fill the unique red bowl (reserved for Sasuke only) with tomato ramen. "What type of training are you going to do this weekend?"
Sasuke glanced over to his teammate. While he did not enjoy her presence at what was usually an exclusive event between him and Naruto, her attitude of late did not bother him too much. If she kept it up, he might enjoy spending more time with her.
"Kakashi wanted me to practice chakra control," he glanced as Teuchi made a fresh batch of the 'Sasuke Special.' "I have high reserves but need to learn how to manage it better before moving on to more complex Jutsu."
Naruto, face dripping ramen, peered over with a goofy grin. "He's cooking for me this weekend!"
Sakura raised an eyebrow and glanced at Sasuke with a slight smirk. She felt jealous but also found the whole situation cute. Who would have thought that Sasuke, of all people, would want to cook for someone? "That's adorable! Just make sure you don't let Ino-pig know about it. She'll be out for your head, Naruto."
"Why would Ino be mad?"
"Dope." Sasuke rolled his eyes and resumed his brooding position. He tried not to think about the special night he had planned with Naruto. Of course, she desired to show herself, but he grew nervous at the blond's reaction.
Naruto tilted his head, looking to Ayame for help. "Come on! Why would Ino be made that Sasuke is cooking me dinner?"
"You're so innocent and sweet. Never grow up." Ayame placed another bowl of ramen in front of Naruto. "Remember to wear something nice if Sasuke is making you something special. No orange!"
"Why no orange? Orange is like…the best color ever!" Naruto spoke with his mouth full, sending noodles and meat bits flying everywhere.
Ayame's eyebrow began to twitch. "Naruto Uzumaki! It is time for us to discuss table manners. I assure you that Sasuke will not appreciate you sending food everywhere because you cannot keep your mouth close."
Sasuke and Sakura watched the ramen waitress turn into an etiquette drill sergeant with a mixture of fear and amusement. Armed with a wooden spoon, Ayame taught Naruto how to sit and eat without looking like a barbarian. Each mistake earned a swift smack with the spoon and a warning not to repeat the error. By the time Team Seven had finished their meal, Naruto had grasped the basics enough to spare a further beating from Ayame. Teuchi stayed out of the lesson, taking pictures and giggling like a madman.
"Now, before you leave, mister…you are to take an oath." Ayame folded her arms. "Repeat after me."
"Repeat after me," Naruto's grin died upon the scowl on his 'big sister's' face.
"I, Naruto Uzumaki, Future Hokage, swear to eat like a civilized man from this point forward," Naruto repeated the promise perfectly, fearing a return of the spoon. "I shall maintain my manners no matter the delicious food Sasuke serves me." Once more, he repeated the line. "If I am found wanting, the spoon shall guide me back to the proper path."
"If I am found wanting, the spoon shall guide me back to the proper path." Naruto flashed one of his foxy grins and stuck his thumb up. "This is going to be the best date ever. BELIEVE IT!"
Sasuke's eyes widened. "Date? I never said this was a date, dope!" She knew it was a date. He needed the blond to be far more careful shouting such things.
"Date?" Sakura took a deep breath, battling down the fangirl and wondering what Anko-Sensei would do at that moment. "So…who's the top?"
Ayame began to choke while Teuchi's eyes widened. Much like the remaining broth in his bowl, Sasuke's face turned a deep crimson at the unexpected quip from his teammate. He almost missed the old Sakura. She scuffed at such a remark…obviously, she wanted her fox to sweep her away like a knight in shining armor.
"What do you mean?" Naruto looked around at everyone with a tilted head, confusion written in beautiful blue eyes.
Everyone, including Sakura and the peeping Toad-Sage, groaned.
"Naruto Uzumaki, huh?" Jiraiya watched the three genin depart from the ramen stand towards the training field through his spyglass. "You're defiantly your father's son. Clueless about anything fun in life yet charming at the same time. Given a few years, you'll be picking up babes from here to Iwa." He focused in on Sasuke Uchiha and frowned deeply. "Mikoto's daughter, huh? What did your clan do to you? What did this village do to you?"
The Toad-Sage remembered Kushina gushing over that her best friend, Mikoto Uchiha, was going to have a daughter. The pair of mothers daydreamed that their children, destined to be best friends, would eventually get married to give them plenty of grandchildren. Fate did not treat either woman kindly but appeared to grant their wish. However, Sasuke's temperament left much to be desired.
Jiraiya followed Team Seven to their training field and watched Kakashi spar with each of them. Naruto's skills had improved since his last visit a few months before, but they still needed refinement. Unlike Minato, Naruto seemed destined to be a blunt and brutal fighter favoring close-quarter combat that played into his near-limitless endurance. Combined with seals, the Fox's chakra, and possibly a weapon, he would be a whirlwind of death to anyone foolish enough to attack. The other two performed as expected, with Sasuke performing best out of the entire team and Sakura struggling to land a solid blow on Kakashi despite the boa constructor trying to help.
"Snakes, huh? Seems Kakashi gave Anko a student." The thought of the Snake summons returning to Konoha brought mixed feelings to him. However, he vouched for Anko's loyalty to the village and knew Sakura was safe.
Satisfied with his research, Jiraiya laid back and watched lazily as Kakashi lectured Team Seven. His initial plan of stalking…shadowing Naruto was put on hold as Sasuke began the long walk toward the Uchiha Compound. He knew that the 'bond' between his future student and the last loyal Uchiha would play a significant role in Naruto's development. It was better that he got all the facts before deciding how to handle it going forward.
The 'boy' entered the haunted streets of the compound before sprinting towards a small house located at the far end. Why did Hiruzen allow 'him' to live alone in such a horrible place after everything happened? It seemed like the village wanted Sasuke to develop mental problems.
Despite being a super pervert, he allowed Sasuke privacy to bathe and change. After a small dinner of rice balls, the 'boy' went to the backyard dressed in a sweatshirt and skirt to play a few songs on a koto. "So, you're aware that there is something different about you? An alter-ego of sorts," Jiraiya frowned at the implications. "Do you even know what you are?"
Sasuke needed serious help, and the Toad-Sage knew that no one in the village could give 'him' that. Who had suffered so much trauma that Sasuke could relate to? It needed to be a woman, because beyond Naruto, he doubted that Sasuke would open up to a man. A single person came to mind, but the idea seemed crazy even by his standard.
"Maybe you'll be good for each other…"
This was a pretty short chapter, but I needed to set the scene for the arrival of Jiraiya, Anko, and this mysterious woman that could help Sasuke.
Sakura has blossomed under the tutelage of Anko. Unlike a lot of people, I do not hate Sakura that much despite her being kind of useless in the first part of the series. In reality, Sakura needed a female role model to look up to. Tsunade served that role in Canon pretty well, but any powerful kunoichi would have been able to influence Sakura. Anko, while brash, will be genuinely care for her student and make her into a strong person earlier than in Canon. Likewise, Naruto being accepted by someone other than Iruka has catapulted his drive to new heights. As for Jiraiya's early arrival, I have a fan-theory that Kakashi was always going to hand Naruto off to Jiraiya at some point.
As for Sasuke...s/he has a lot of issues to work through but has begun the long road of healing. Naruto will meet her in the next chapter (along with Pervy Sage).