xii. Team Kakashi

Naruto was not surprised to find Kakashi's scent still masking the place when he woke up. Though the said new Hokage is obviously not around, probably already on his Hokage office, the warmth in Naruto's bed just showed that the man stayed with him the whole night.

Naruto could not believe how he slept all through the night since the moment he passed out. He obviously certainly exhausted himself so badly that fifty Sage mode shadow clones could knock him off that easily. Counting the week long SS-level mission he joined with the Suna shinobis, and the current occurrences, there shouldn't be more wondering why his body gave out.

Maybe he just needed a long rest. Now that he did, he felt refreshed and was able to finally clear his mind.

He pushed himself out of the bed and went straight to the shower. He lets the water run all over his body and feels it easing his strained muscles even more.

He opt to visit Sai in the hospital soon enough. He knows that Sai might still be unconscious after yesterday but maybe visiting the ex-anbu would help him think of possibilities of what they are dealing now.

The moment he turned the shower off, his eyes widened upon the quick appearance of a thin chakra in the air he came to know well enough. It was not that strong but for the likes of Naruto, there's no denying that it was there. It didn't last for a minute but he's quite sure it existed.

So, Naruto instantly called out his Sage Mode and closed his eyes, heighten his senses to find where the strong chakra is coming from. As quick as it appeared, it was gone without a trace.

Naruto's heart raced as he jumped out of his shower basin, grabbed a towel and covered his body. He went straight towards his windows and looked around. He couldn't see and feel anything strange… he must have been just hallucinating.

There is no way a dead man's chakra could appear so strong like this. Definitely hallucinating.

Convincing himself that he should really keep going and visit Sai in Konoha hospital, he turned around and went to get a pair of something to wear.

"You're awake, I see…"

Naruto looked back towards the window and saw the new Hokage jumping inside through the window on his Hokage hat and coat. He glared at the man, "Where's your decency to use the door, old man? And you call yourself the Rokudaime…"

"Ah, sorry, sorry." Kakashi realized this and gave the jinchuriki his infamous eye-smile. Man, he actually called me an old man…

Naruto watched Kakashi and couldn't help but to admire the man. Due to Kakashi being the Hokage while wearing his hat and coat, Kakashi does not need his forehead protector so both his eyes were for everybody to see.

If only he does not insist wearing his mask, he would have looked even more stunning.

"Why are you not in your office?"

Kakashi sighs problematically, "It bores the hell out of me…" He walked closer to the younger male and stared straight to man's eyes, "Hurry up and grow up, Naruto… become the Hokage now…"

Naruto eyed the Hokage judgingly. "Are you for real even…" He turned around and picked the first shirt he saw. "I'm sure you don't mean that…you might be lazy as fuck, sensei but you are not stupid as to entrust the whole village to a knucklehead that is me." He slipped into his shirt.

"Ah…" Kakashi exasperatedly sighs, "You've really grown." He muttered.

"Really, why are you here?" Naruto asked again, slipping on his trousers as well. He took his towel and dried his spiky hair with it, "Sensei…"

"I'm just checking if you're awake or not…"

"Not because you're bored as fuck reading all the reports…?"

Kakashi clicked his tongue against his teeth, half caught. But it wasn't all that. Honestly, it was the chakra in the air that brought him checking on Naruto. He just hopes that the young blond didn't sense it. At the moment, the said chakra is completely gone as if it didn't appear at all. Maybe he was just hallucinating once again. "Where are you off to today?"

"Visiting Sai in the hospital."

Kakashi nodded and caught Naruto's towel and continued the action himself, drying to smooth blond hair. "Be careful."

Naruto confusedly eyed the Rokudaime, "Don't be such a mother… I'm just going to the Hospital. It's not as if I'm going to a battle…"

Kakashi grinned, "Well…Naruto…" He tilted the man's face towards him as he leaned down himself, pulled down his own mask and gave the young man a long peck on the lips, "You can't blame me. Knowing you, I won't know what you end up doing."

Naruto pouted, a flush on his cheeks, "Stop just kissing me like that." He huffed, "You're the Hokage now and you should watch out for your image… and the likes…"

Kakashi chuckles to that as he ignored Naruto and kisses the blond again who only was able to sigh and responded to the kiss anyway. Tongue and lips devouring each other and seemingly don't want to let go. Yet before any of them fall even deeper, Kakashi ended the kiss and mutters, "We have to talk about us soon enough, Naruto, okay?"

Naruto tried to look at the man through his still dazed eyes, his heart racing. Though this sudden seriousness in the Hokage's voice sent Naruto anxious, he nodded. "Alright."

"I need to go now." Kakashi gave him another quick peck before exiting through the man's window again. Him being an ex-anbu does gave him this habit and Naruto is becoming not a fan of it as the latter screams after him to friggin use the door the next time and that he's the Hokage now, he should behave himself as one.

Naruto opened the door with a big basket of fruits in his hand who Shikamaru had told him it would just rot when Sai is expected to not wake up any time soon. But Naruto has always been so stubborn so he proceeded with it. He was just partly glad that Shikamaru had to leave him alone and went straight to the Academy.

"I'm here…!" He announced.

"Naruto…"

Naruto watched the pink haired Kunoichi, Sakura, sitting beside Sai's bed and where the black haired guy Sai unconscious just as expected. "Goodmorning, Sakura-chan…"

Sakura smiled back, "You are visiting Sai?"

Naruto nodded but his eyes instantly darted back behind him as he caught the chakra of nobody else but Sasuke. "Teme—"

With a crutched up nose, the said Uchiha stood up from leaning at the wall, "You stench of Kakashi…"

"That's all you gotta say after years of— ah ah… what do you mean?" Naruto realized as he tried to sniff himself but he couldn't smell what the brunette just said. He does not smell like Kakashi right? And even if he does, it can't be that obvious.

"I thought I would have to use genjutsu on you to realize Kakashi." Sasuke shrugs, "You're not as dense as I would have known you for…"

Naruto eyed Sasuke but he still couldn't get what the brooding brunette was talking about. No wonder, he always couldn't understand what the genius is saying anyway –from day one. "Whatever you say teme…"

"Idiot."

Naruto glared at Sasuke and the latter just ignored the blond but his brow twitching anyway. Sakura as usual has to jump in just to get the two not jump into a death battle that losing an arm is not enough. She doesn't want to see any more battle between these two. "Naruto… Sasuke…"

Sasuke huffed.

Naruto crossed his arms before his chest, unamused. Yet, he smiled a tiny bit, "Why are you here teme…"

"I didn't know I'm forbidden to return." The Uchiha said.

Naruto gritted his teeth. Sarcastic as usual for the Uchiha to say that. "Depends on what returning means to you."

Sasuke scoffed, "I'm merely just paying a visit." He honestly said.

Naruto watched the pain crosses on their other teammate's face. "Is that all?"

Sasuke didn't say anything and just went towards the door, "I've been summoned to the Hokage's presence. That is all."

Naruto gritted his teeth and was about to grab on the man's shirt to make him stay. Sasuke has to let go of his walls and accept possibilities again.

Yet, Sakura caught his arms and allowed Sasuke to leave the hospital.

"Sakura-chan…"

Sakura smiled timidly and said, "He invited me to dinner later on."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, slowly and completely shocked. He could slightly see that the woman is deeply happy about it so he finally relaxed and gave the woman a cheer, "Well, he finally gotten to his senses."

"And he says the same to you." Sakura dead-panned. "You two are idiots." She grimaced but smiled daintily to the thought.

Finally, team 7 is moving forward to a graceful future.

"So, where are you two going tonight? Tell me, tell me…" Naruto excitedly said.

"I can't let you ruin it by telling you, idiot." Sakura muttered.

Naruto scoffed, "So mean."

Sakura only gave a warm smile. "This is good, Naruto-kun. I'm very happy. Finally…"

"I know you are…" Naruto replied. After all, if it wasn't for Sakura, he wouldn't have ever wondered if Kakashi does feel something for him too.

Sunagakure: Four days before the Rokudaime's coronation

"Sakura…this mess is stretching unexpectedly, it's delaying us. If this goes on, we'll miss Kakashi sensei's coronation." Naruto muttered, eyes focusing on the bonfire outside their camp.

"Naruto. Maybe you can head back to Konoha now. I'll stay behind with Konohamaru here." Sakura offered, eyeing the other Suna shinobi with them, "I think we can handle the rest."

Naruto shook his head, "I'll finish this up. You two go ahead with Gaara. I'm sure the Kazegake will attend the coronation as well."

Sakura groaned, "You don't understand, Naruto. You have to be there."

"Sakura…you as well as I am a student of Kakashi sensei. It'll be lame that both of us can't make it. I won't count for Sasuke that bastard to attend at all."

"Exactly my point, Naruto. You above all of us, should be there."

"What's the difference… Sakura, you have to be there instead."

"It's not me, Naruto." Sakura was now glaring at Naruto. "Remember you promised you'll make it. You promised to Kakashi sensei."

"He will understand." Naruto smiled, "He wouldn't want me abandoning such an important mission just to attend his coronation anyway. So, I suggest, you Sakura-chan, should attend for Team 7's sake."

"Naruto…." Sakura sat closer to Naruto, tried to catch the man's eyes, "I know something has happened between you and sensei. But you should be aware about Kakashi sense's feelings for you, right?"

Naruto blinked his eyes several times, unable to fully understand what Sakura meant but sure, she was right by saying something has happened between them.

"You've always been an idiot anyway," Sakura huffed, "You can't even see the things Kakashi sensei had done all for you."

"…I know…" Naruto replied, "He's a very good sensei… I'm very happy he's my sensei. I would have done the same for his sake. But Sakura-chan… It's not the same."

"What do you mean, Naruto?"

"I like him… I like Kakashi sensei."

Sakura subtly scoffed as she formed a smile, "I'm sure you do." She replied, "I've seen the same in sensei's eyes."

"Sakura-chan…"

"Don't waste it…the opportunity, Naruto." Sakura rested her chin on her knees as she played with the grass in front of her, "I have loved only one man and it never changed… after all that has happened, it seems like it will never be reciprocated. You're lucky yours not much of an illusion."

"Sakura-chan…"

"Love should be unconditional. I know you might have been thinking everything you feel for sensei is wrong… I would initially think so but I've seen it in his eyes for years now. I've began to see it differently. It's the same as how I see myself looking out for Sasuke. So, Naruto, whatever is holding you up, forget it."

Naruto didn't say anything. There's something rushing in his chest that he couldn't decipher. Hope, openness or some sort. It's just something massive that he couldn't think straight.

"Attend the crowning and tell him how you feel."

Naruto was quiet for a whole two minutes and Sakura didn't say anything just allowing the blond to think it over by himself. She did her part here.

Truthfully, she had long since knew about how much their sensei felt for their dense jinchuriki. Being young, Sakura had once mistake it as being sensei to student affection. Though Sakura believes Kakashi does love her all the same, it was always different towards Naruto. The fleeting glance of longing in Kakashie's eyes whenever he watches Naruto at the side does convince her at the end that yes, the sensei love Naruto more than just his student or subordinate.

She had witness this and it pained her that their sensei might think of himself as a scum…having this sinful love is worse than being a scum. Just like how Sakura felt for herself when she found out that the love of her life, Sasuke, has turned his back on Konoha. She knew she should no longer forsake herself into loving him but just like what she said, love is unconditional, she could not fight against.

The same goes for Kakashi. No matter what the odds is, love is there and it can never be undone –even if it's the right thing to do.

There was never right or wrong when it comes to love.

"That's what I'm saying, Sakura-chan." Naruto finally spoke, "You go ahead while I finish up things here. I can't be selfish and leave things behind here for my own gain. It doesn't make me comfortable…"

"Don't be stubborn… it's not as if we can't do this ourselves. You've done the most here already."

"I need time," Naruto sighs, "Call me coward but I need time to understand what I feel. The next time I face him, I should be able to look at him in the eyes and tell him I like him."

"Is two days not enough?"

Naruto grinned, "Do me a favour and go on attend the crowning, Sakura-chan."

"Naruto!"

"Besides, I can send a shadow clone. It is as good as the real me in there. You will be able to come, you and Konohamaru and my shadow clone. Everybody's there, everybody's happy."

Sakura managed to land a punch on the stubborn jinchuriki's head, "DO YOU REALLY THINK KAKASHI SENSEI WON'T KNOW YOU'RE MERELY A SHADOW CLONE THERE?"

"Ouch…" Naruto pouted but muttered under her breath, "I'm working on something to give him. It will take a bit longer for it to be done. I need time, Sakura-chan. I beg of you… Bring my Shadow Clone, attend the crowning. I'll make sure I'll be there before the night ends."

Sakura clicked her tongue, completely annoyed but looking at the blond's determined eyes, she relented with a sigh, her fists relaxing. "Alright. But make sure you'll make it for the night at least."

Naruto nodded. "I promise."

"But, are you sure you won't tell me where Sasuke going to bring you for dinner?"

"Hell no!" Sakura looked away.

"He better not take you to Ichiraku ramen, that cheapskate!"

Sakura laughs, "I'm sure he's not like you, Naruto."

Naruto eyed Sakura, frowning, "What do you mean by that Sakura-chan. If I had a chance, I would have taken you to some nice dinner."

Sakura only laughed hard, "Save it for Kakashi sensei. He's the Hokage now so he might have a high standard with his dinner."

"No way in hell I'll bring him for a dinner. He's the epitome of a real cheapskate. He never once did buy us meals. I'll have to trick him into it just to get as much as I can off him. I can't believe such a man like that is our Hokage."

"Enough, enough of this love professing. I heard enough." Sakura eyed the blond cheekily.

"Since when did I profess my love—"

"Naruto…you're an idiot…" Sakura chuckled as she went towards the door, "Right, I have something to discuss with Tsunade-sama. So, I'll be off now."

Naruto eyed her, "Something important?"

Sakura stopped and thought it'll be nice to put some color on Naruto's face, "Now that our great Hero turned out to be gay, as a medical ninja, I have to make sure you can still pass on your legacy. This is a very serious matter."

"…eh?" Naruto scratched his nape, unable to understand, "Just what do you mean…?"

"I have to make sure that any of you, Naruto and Kakashi sensei, can get babies to make sure both of your legacies live on." Sakura smiled and stepped outside the door and peeked in as she heard nothing coming from Naruto, "See how serious of a matter this is. Now, bye bye!"

Once the door finally shut closed, Naruto was able to move and went for the door, his face heated red both in confusion and shock. Denial comes right after. "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT SAKURA-CHAN!"

Sakura's laugh echoed at the long corridor.

"I'm sure, she's just joking, Naruto-kun." Shizune showed up outside the door in the middle of her regular check-ups as a part of a high level medical shinobi. "There was no known jutsu that can do that. Unfortunately."

Naruto sighs, blood finally starting to slowly circulate normally on his head. "She should worry more about helping on carrying the Uchiha's blood line than wasting her time teasing me like that." He muttered as he returned inside and stayed beside Sai for a few more minutes before deciding to visit Iruka later in the academy.

Naruto, Kakashi and Yamato walked towards the Hospital to pay Sai a visit. They've heard from Shizune that the ex-anbu have gotten a lot better and it wouldn't take long for the young man to wake up.

By luck, they've seen Ino rushing pass them and relaying that Sai has finally woken up. They hurried off towards the designated room and found Sai's genin team crying in happiness to see their sensei waking up. Ino by their side.

It brought memories to Naruto and he sure could relate how that feels. He once dreaded the feeling of seeing his former sensei, Kakashi, bed-ridden after being imprisoned into Itachi's genjutsu.

Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder as if saying that he knows what Naruto is thinking now. He gave the blond an assuring smile.

Naruto nodded back.

Kakashi lets Sai's genin team get some time with their sensei for a several minutes before asking them to leave for now since they have something to talk about. The genin team nodded and exited the room.

Ino helped Sai to sit up and before everybody's eyes, they could just see how the two have managed to understand each other's feelings –there could be something going on between these two that they haven't noticed before.

Sai gave the woman a huge whilst weak smile. He then nodded towards the new Hokage, "Hokage-sama."

Kakashi nodded back. "How are we feeling, Sai?"

"I'm a little dizzy but I'm fine."

"Do you remember anything?" Kakashi asked.

Sai nodded and started with relaying what happened upon encountering the unknown enemies. "They were a four-man cell. One is older and Kiba being a sensory type shinobi says the person is at least a Kage level…The other three are way younger…. One is as good….could be jonin level and the other two are of chunin level…"

"Such cell exists that we don't know of…?" Yamato muttered.

Sai nodded, "They were hooded…their chakras are concealed as well as their identities. Hinata's byakugan is barely of used and when she called out her byakugan, she was snatched right away and it happened all so fast…"

"There has been a lot of villages that are after the Byakugan after all… Byakugan after the Sharingan is the most powerful eye bloodlimit."

"They didn't attack us…" Sai interjected.

"So, where did you get your injuries, Sai?" Naruto asked.

"When Hinata was snatched, Kiba went after the scent and went wild. I never get to catch up and before I knew it, something fast and blinding struck me from my back…something familiar yet very different…"

"Is it one of them…?"

Sai nodded. "Possibly. I barely could think after that. I thought I'm a goner already. Yet, because Kiba made me promise I should head back to Konoha to report what we've found, I tried to stay alive."

Kakashi nodded, assessing. "Indeed. You were the first survivor from the countless cells we sent to counter this enemies." He then asked, "May I see the injury?"

Ino quickly moved when Sai nodded. As a medical shinobi, she unwrapped Sai's bandages and exposed it to Kakashi. She gasped after seeing it herself. This is a very bad injury and she's sure it'll leave a horrible scar.

The new Hokage observed the wound and his eyes widened upon seeing it. Even though it has healed drastically fast (their medical shinobi is so capable, probably Sakura), Kakashi wonders how Sai is still alive after attaining this sort of injury. Kakashi knew well… he should know.

"Have a rest now, Sai. Thank you." Kakashi said and turned towards the door with a grim on his face.

That didn't escape Naruto's eyes but he doesn't know if it's alright to pry in. Kakashi doesn't usually have that kind of face before. It certainly making Naruto even more wary of him.

"I hardly think it's a Reanimation Jutsu."

"Sasuke, how are you sure about this? How are you sure Orochimaru is not behind this?" Tsunade asked the summoned Uchiha.

Sasuke has the annoyance written all over his face, "Well, as I promised I'll keep a close eye on Orochimaru and as far as his resolves could go, he has not been doing anything highly suspicious yet. You have my word when I say this is not of his doing…"

Tsunade gritted her teeth. She wanted to believe Sasuke but Orochimaru has betrayed them once, it was easy to suspect him all over again when this situation just shows he could be capable of doing it all over again.

"If this is indeed a Reanimation Jutsu, someone else is pulling the string."

"Reanimation Jutsu is not as straightforward of a jutsu…not everybody can pull it. Not even I…" Tsunade admitted. "Some heck of a shinobi that would be and besides… if it's a Reanimation jutsu…the only person capable of it is Orochimaru…he's the only one who holds pieces powerful enough to call them back to the living."

"Fine, Orochimaru it is. But I will also not neglect the fact that it might also not be Reanimation jutsu at all." Sasuke said, sending the two Hokages thinking even though the new Hokage barely speaking.

Kakashi has never felt so uneasy after the 4th Shinobi war. There has been no reason for him to. It has been peaceful since the war but this recent findings did make him believe that they are facing something huge and they should handle it with utmost caution.

"What do you think, Kakashi?" Tsunade inquired.

"I agree with Sasuke." Kakashi nodded, "If this is a Reanimation, it will all comes back to Orochimaru. If it turns out differently, I honestly don't know what we are dealing here. I have an idea who we might be facing here but I can't wrap my head around it. Why and how, I don't know. As far as I know, I don't want Naruto in this."

Kakashi nodded to the two Anbus making report to him as they finished. One of them, being part of Kakashi's anbu team before and has personally became close to the Rokudaime, murmured, "I think you should call it a night, Hokage-sama."

Kakashi stack the papers at the side and eyed back the said Anbu. "Why do you say so?"

"Your little kitsune has never left the balcony for hours now."

Kakashi closed his eyes and true to that, he could feel the chakra, though supressed, he could still clearly feel it. He sighs and stood up, "Alright. Thank you for today, toad and dog."

The two said Anbu disappeared in a matter of a second, leaving the Hokage pacing towards the balcony and found the said kitsune sitting there playing with his mini-rasenshuriken looking so bored.

"Naruto."

The said blond instantly stood up and went towards Kakashi and sighs heavily, "Man, being Hokage sucks!"

Kakashi chuckled, "Tough, you'll be one soon someday." He said and pulled Naruto closer to him, embracing him as he lets all his stress seeped out of his system just by having the blond within his arms.

Naruto embraced the feeling, the feeling of having to belong to somebody because it just felt so good and he never felt so good this way all his life. "You might have been so stressed."

"Maa, it what comes with the title." Kakashi muttered, tilting the boy's face to him, "What were you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you…" Naruto mumbled, a flush on his cheeks. "You weren't home when you're supposed to. It's really late now, y'know."

Kakashi's heart thudded, happiness bursts all over him. That felt so nice knowing someone is waiting for him, looking forward to be with him and that someone happens to be the person he loves. "You're gonna be the end of me, Naruto." He muttered before letting that tanned fingers pull his mask and allowing him to kiss him.

The palm on the Rokudaime's chin moved on his nape, pulling him down for deeper and heated kiss. It was like the younger male has been looking forward to this the whole day that he wants everything he could get off the busy Hokage.

The Hokage returned it just the same.

So, when Naruto couldn't deal with the uncomfortable feeling devouring him within him to just want to fully feel all of Kakashi, he groaned, "Let's take it to my house." He muttered and place his palm over the chakra-filled pendant he gave Kakashi on the night of his crowning.

Making a quick hand seals, Naruto managed to teleport himself and Kakashi straight to his bed on his house. Naruto sighs heavily, a strain on his face. "Fuck it," He groaned, "It's still an imperfect jutsu but it'll do for now." He explained as he regained the massive chakra loss after using his new transportation jutsu.

"That was impressive though…" Kakashi muttered. It could indeed rival the Flying Thunder God Technique, or close. Yet, seeing it first hand, he knew that for it to work, Naruto has to embed pieces of his chakra on certain places. But it does serve its purpose. As of now, only the Second and Fourth are the only known shinobi naturally fast enough to perfect the Flying Thunder God technique.

"Now, now…where are we, sensei…" The cheeky smile on the blond returned as soon as he recovered all his chakra. He pushed the older man beneath him and claimed that sinfully delicious lips –all for himself.

This is just something Kakashi would look forward every end of a stressful day being a Hokage and all. Having the blond reciprocate his feelings, even though unclear, is enough for him.

Living all through his ordeals from the day he lost his father, has been worth it if he became the person this young blond would live for. After losing a lot of special people, both of them, could start live for each other surrounded by the whole village.

"Hey Kakashi. Don't doze on me now…" The blond eyed him, sulking.

Kakashi laughs and managed to flip their position, having the blond underneath him. "You know I wouldn't do such a thing. This sweet ass," He gave the blond's behind a good squeeze, "…is mine tonight."

Naruto is flustered again, "I knew you're a perv…" He murmured but pulled the man to him anyway, giving the man a full kiss on the lips, allowing the busy hips giving him a taste of what was to come. "Hnn Kakashi…"

"Kakashi, would you relax?" Tsunade growled, getting fed up of the new Hokage walking back and forth before them. "You've sent the best team we have."

"I know that."

"There is no other capable team other than your Team 7…team Kakashi…" Tsunade assured the young Hokage.

Once again, recent reports have showed a location of the rogue enemies somewhere not far from the border and in a whim, Kakashi sent Yamato, Sakura and Sasuke (Sasuke had stayed in standby in the village for the few days just for the case). Just like Tsunade has assured him, the three said shinobi as a team is the best cell they could come up with.

But something still doesn't add up. It has been two hours and it still doesn't sink in properly in his guts that he has it under control. This is becoming a nuisance and thinking again and again makes him believe that he has not yet given up to the possibility that they are indeed up against something Kakashi doesn't want to deal with himself.

But he has to.

He watched Gai on his wheelchair who has decided to become one of his advisers. The once beautiful beast of Konoha gave him a nod of approval.

Now, his eyes darted on the previous Hokage and said, "I have to be in there myself."

Tsunade growled but rationally she relented, "If there's somebody that can make sense in this situation, it would be you, Kakashi. I agree, you should deal with this yourself. I'll be right here. After all, I'm still the Godaime."

Kakashi nodded, "Thank you." He bowed and stripped off his coat and hat, showing his combat suit; a 'Rokudaime' character written on the back. "Ja ne…" As he said, he hopped off the balcony, aiming to catch up with his team Kakashi.

"Ba chan!"

Tsunade's lips pursed into a thin line as he found the jinchuriki back from a two-day mission way too sooner. "Naruto… you're back early."

Naruto eyed the Godaime suspiciously, "Why are you here in the Hokage office, ba chan! Where's Kakashi-sensei…"

"You don't have to involve yourself in this one, brat. Just go home, have a rest." Tsunade said and turned around, continuing in reading the documents Kakashi has finished himself. As expected, Kakashi proved himself a very qualified person to become a Hokage. He's doing really well for the position.

"Ba chan!"

"I told you, Naruto… this is none of your business. So, go home." Tsunade just muttered.

Naruto annoyingly groaned, "On my way back here, I felt Sasuke, Sakura, and Captain Yamato's chakra going east ward a few hours ago. I bet they are sent for a mission. It has been a while for Sasuke to actually involve himself with Konoha. Something is big, ba chan! Don't get me started when I felt Kakashi sensei's chakra as well… I thought I got it all wrong… Where are they going…"

"Naruto, I beg you…don't go after them."

"Kakashi sensei is going after them, is he not?"

"Naruto, I warn you…"

Naruto turned, "I can't believe this!" He growled, "Such a case that could involve a Hokage going in the field himself and I don't know a thing! Not only that, as a team Kakashi, I'm left behind… This is unacceptable!"

"Naruto!"

"He calls himself a Hokage and he leaves the village just like that…" Naruto mumbled. Wariness clouding his chest that could easily be mistaken as fear…fear… something he has not felt for so long.

A swift flashback of the emotions he felt during the time Pain destroyed Konoha. The exact moment he returned and found no trace of Kakashi's chakra. To realize soon after that Kakashi actually died there…he could not fathom to think that it could happen again.

"I'm sorry, baa chan… but I'm coming after Team Kakashi."

"Na…ruto…"

It was too late when the jinchuriki vanished without a trace, his chakra disappearing all too suddenly. Tsunade groaned, realizing that there is no stopping him especially that Kakashi mentioned about Naruto's new transportation jutsu.

Only Kami knows what will happen now.

A/N: I know it's confusing but it'll all make sense soon. in the next two chapters I think ;) Alright, ja ne~