Kakashi's words put Naruto at ease.
Of course, what Naruto didn't know was that there was a deeper reason behind his sensei's change of heart.
Immediately after the preliminaries concluded, Kakashi had been summoned to the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, spoke in a low, grave voice. "Kakashi, what do you plan to do?"
"You mean regarding Orochimaru and the cursed seal?"
Hiruzen nodded. "Precisely."
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's ironic that my student is being targeted simply for being outstanding."
"It's not ironic," Hiruzen corrected. "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Geniuses are always destined to face danger. You know this all too well, Kakashi."
"Lord Hokage, what do you want me to do?"
Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, the smoke drifting into the shafts of sunlight streaming through the window. "I'm not overly worried about Naruto. He has no desire to rely on external, dark forces. In fact, he seems to actively reject the Nine-Tails within him, seeking to change his destiny through his own hard work. But Sasuke..." He trailed off. "You saw it too, didn't you? The look in his eyes when he defeated Zaku."
Kakashi remained silent. He had seen it clearly.
Hiruzen sighed. "Because he is driven by the need to kill Itachi, he bears a heavy burden. That obsession could easily lead him astray. And the only person who can guide him, besides Naruto, is you."
"Me?"
"That's right. To keep Sasuke from following Orochimaru, you must show him that he can become strong enough right here in Konoha—staying in Team 7."
Kakashi understood instantly. "You mean the Sharingan."
"Indeed. No one is more suitable for this task than you. Aside from Itachi himself, you are the only one capable of teaching Sasuke to master that power."
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "It seems my decision to pull you from the ANBU to lead a Genin team was the right one. It wasn't just for them; it was for you, too. You've come to see them as family, haven't you?"
"Family..." Kakashi looked out the window, memories of lost friends flashing through his mind before settling on the smiling faces of Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.
***
Kakashi kept his promise. He devised specific training paths for all three of his students, though he inevitably spent more time with Sasuke.
"Naruto, Hinata," Kakashi addressed them at the training ground. "I've given you your training regimens. From now on, you'll have to rely on your own efforts. As for Sasuke, I will be giving him special, one-on-one training."
"What?!" Naruto yelled, pointing an accusing finger. "Kakashi-sensei, that's favoritism!"
Kakashi shook his head. "It's not favoritism, Naruto. It's necessity. Sasuke possesses the Sharingan, same as me, and his chakra nature is similar to mine. I'm the only one who can teach him how to control it. But the programs I gave you two are just as carefully considered."
"Fine, fine," Naruto grumbled. "Go off and have your secret club!"
Sasuke turned to follow Kakashi but paused, looking back at Naruto. "Naruto," he said quietly. "I hope to meet you in the finals. When that time comes, I'll defeat you with my own hands and prove my strength."
Naruto blinked, then grinned, his blood pumping. "Just you wait! I'm not gonna lose to you!"
Sasuke nodded—without his usual sarcasm—and left.
Hinata watched them go, looking thoughtful. "Naruto... don't you think Sasuke has changed a little?"
"Really? He still looks pretty smug to me," Naruto laughed.
"He didn't argue with you," Hinata pointed out. "He seemed... serious."
"Oh, that? It's nothing. We just don't like losing to each other."
Hinata sighed softly. "I'm just afraid that his obsession with power might let the curse mark tempt him again..."
Naruto's smile softened, but his eyes grew fierce. "Don't worry. If that happens, I'll stop him. I'll do whatever it takes."
Seeing his sunny determination, Hinata's worry melted away. "With you here, Naruto, I feel relieved."
Naruto patted her head affectionately. "Let's both start our training right away!"
Hinata froze, her face turning bright red. She staggered back a few steps, heart pounding. "I-I better go home and train! Since Kakashi-sensei isn't here... my father said he would guide me personally!"
Naruto's expression faltered for a second, a flash of loneliness crossing his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "That's great! With your father's help, you'll definitely get stronger!"
"Umm... See you tomorrow, Naruto!" Hinata fled, hiding her burning face.
Naruto watched her go, sighing as the solitude settled in. "Forget it," he muttered, shaking his head. "I don't need anyone to teach me. I can get stronger on my own!"
He quickly pushed aside his loneliness and immersed himself in his training. Kakashi's instructions on countering genjutsu echoed in his mind: *Disrupt your chakra flow. Use pain to break the trance.*
Just as he found a quiet spot near the river to practice, a commotion broke his concentration. He heard splashing water and the voices of girls bathing nearby. Then, a lewd giggle drifted from the bushes.
Naruto looked over to see a burly man with a mane of spiky white hair, giggling as he peered through the leaves.
Naruto saw red. "I absolutely cannot tolerate such shameless behavior! You perverted bastard, stop right now!"
He launched a flying kick at the peeping tom.
"Whoa there!" The man exclaimed, turning effortlessly. With a simple wave of his hand, he blocked Naruto's kick, grabbed his ankle, and hoisted him upside down.
"What?!" Naruto swung helplessly like a wind chime. It was humiliating. "Bastard! Who the hell are you?!"
The man laughed heartily, flipping his long white hair. "Who am I? Kids these days are so ignorant! Fine, I shall tell you!" He dropped Naruto, struck a dramatic pose on his wooden clogs, and declared loudly:
"I am the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku! One of the Legendary Sannin! The handsome devil who silences crying children worldwide! My name is Jiraiya!"
Naruto sat on the ground, staring blankly at the eccentric stranger. "Legendary... Sannin?"