Naruto and Jiraiya walked through the tall village gates, greeted by the guards with warm smiles and respectful nods. The familiar scent of the Hidden Leaf hit Naruto immediately — fresh air mixed with the aroma of grilled dumplings and blooming flowers. The sound of chatter, the laughter of children running through the streets, and the clanging of a blacksmith's hammer filled the air. It was home.
As they entered, Naruto paused for a moment, standing on the main street that led straight toward the Hokage Monument. From where he stood, the carved faces of the past leaders looked down over the village. His eyes lingered on the stone features of the Fourth — his father — before shifting to the empty space beside the Fifth.
'Wonder when I'll get my face on that,' he thought, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Don't daydream too long, kid," Jiraiya said, hands behind his head, his usual grin plastered across his face. "You'll get there someday… maybe."
"Tch, you say that like you don't believe me," Naruto replied, puffing his cheeks slightly as they continued down the road.
Just then, Naruto's chakra sense tingled — a faint yet familiar presence approaching fast. He turned his head just as a figure dropped gracefully from above, landing beside him in a swirl of dust.
There he was — the one and only Copy Ninja.
"Kakashi-sensei! How you been?" Naruto asked, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Kakashi's single visible eye curved into a smile. 'Is this really Naruto? Somehow he hasn't made a lot of noise yet. Plus… he's almost as tall as me now,' Kakashi thought, mildly impressed.
"Yes, it has been a while, Naruto. It's nice to see you back," Kakashi said warmly.
"Oh, by the way — Pervy Sage gave me this for some reason," Naruto said, rummaging through his pouch. "Figured you'd probably enjoy it more than me."
He pulled out a worn copy of the Make-Out Series.
Kakashi's visible eye widened in surprise before he immediately snatched it, hiding the book behind his arm with an awkward cough and a blush creeping across his masked face. "I'll… make great use of it. Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto blinked at him flatly. 'This dude's a total closet gonner. Oh well… not my problem,' he thought.
"So, how's the Leaf been? I'm sure everyone's gotten stronger," Naruto asked, falling into step beside Kakashi as they strolled down the lively street. Vendors called out their daily specials, and the smell of ramen from Ichiraku's stand made his stomach grumble.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, they have. Especially Sakura. I think you'll be surprised when you see her. She's been training under Tsunade and has gotten much stronger. You must be excited to see her after so long."
Before Naruto could answer, Jiraiya chuckled, folding his arms with a teasing smirk. "Oh, that fiery little lady friend of yours, huh? Didn't you say you had a thing for her?"
"Shut up," Naruto muttered, his face red as he quickened his pace, walking a few steps ahead of them.
'Now I gotta pay for the dumb stuff the old Naruto said… thanks a lot, past me,' he thought with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck in mild frustration. The path ahead split into smaller village roads, and the sound of chatter, footsteps, and market vendors blended together — it was comforting, yet oddly new after being away for so long.
Behind him, Kakashi and Jiraiya strolled side by side, their conversation dropping into a lower tone as they watched the blond walk ahead.
"Well, like I promised," Jiraiya said with a lazy grin, hands folded behind his head. "He's all yours now, Kakashi."
Kakashi chuckled softly under his mask. "I'll keep an eye on him, don't worry. He's grown… ." His eye narrowed slightly, turning serious. "By the way, have you heard anything about them?"
Jiraiya's easygoing expression faded, replaced by a more somber one. "No. But I suspect they'll be making their move soon enough. I'm heading out again soon — got to gather more intel before it's too late."
Kakashi nodded silently, his visible eye reflecting the weight of what they both knew.
Meanwhile, Naruto had wandered a bit ahead, his eyes scanning the familiar streets. Kids were running past, laughing and tossing paper shuriken. Shopkeepers called out deals to passing villagers. For a second, he stopped by a small stand selling dumplings, his stomach grumbling before he decided to keep moving.
He turned the corner — and nearly collided with someone.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, stepping back quickly to steady himself.
When he lifted his gaze, his expression softened into a smile. Standing before him, wide-eyed and speechless, was none other than Sakura Haruno — her pink hair swaying slightly in the breeze, her green eyes filled with surprise.
"Na… Naruto? Is that really you?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief — and a faint blush that crept across her cheeks.
"Yeah," Naruto said, smiling brightly. "It's been a minute, huh, Sakura?"
Up close, he noticed just how much she'd changed — her posture was more confident, her arms toned from training, and her expression… calmer.
'Man, the Naruto fandom hated this girl back in the day,' he thought to himself. 'Which I get, especially early on. But in Shippuden? She really rebranded herself — if we forget that confession scene, anyway.'
"So what have you been up to all these years?" Naruto asked casually, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh, you know," Sakura said with a proud smile, "training under Lady Tsunade. She's been tough on me, but it's paid off. I've gotten a lot stronger." Her eyes softened as she looked him over. "But I have to say… you've really changed, Naruto. You've even switched up your clothes."
She couldn't seem to look away from him — taller, leaner, sharper eyes, and a calm confidence she hadn't seen before.
Naruto chuckled lightly. "You think? Well, you've changed too. You've gotten even prettier than the last time I saw you… and you cut your hair. I think it suits you."
Her cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly turned her head away, trying to hide it. "I haven't changed that much," she said, voice slightly flustered.
Naruto grinned. 'That's probably the last time I'll ever compliment her like that. I'm just tryna fix the original's mistakes.'
Sakura glanced at him again, a small smile forming despite herself. 'He really has changed… in a good way, too,' she thought, feeling her heart flutter slightly before she pushed the feeling aside.
Down the street, Kakashi and Jiraiya turned the corner just in time to see the two talking. Jiraiya smirked knowingly, nudging Kakashi with his elbow.
"Well, well. Looks like someone's reunion came faster than expected."
Kakashi sighed. "Let's just hope he doesn't blow it this time."
Suddenly, Naruto turned his head sharply — his senses picking up another familiar chakra signature approaching. The pressure in the air changed, heavy and commanding, yet calm and composed. From the far end of the street, walking with her usual poise and confidence, came none other than Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage herself.
Her golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, tied neatly in twin tails, her green robe flowing behind her as the village crowd instinctively stepped aside. Her sharp brown eyes scanned over Naruto for a moment before softening slightly.
"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto grinned ear to ear, raising a hand in greeting. "Wow, you've gotten even younger since last time. I wonder how…"
A few villagers nearby stifled laughs, while Jiraiya snorted behind him.
Tsunade smirked and folded her arms, her voice carrying that familiar mixture of warmth and authority. "You're still a brat, I see. But at least you've got a good tongue on you now." Her gaze flicked toward Sakura, who was still flustered from earlier. "And Sakura — stop blushing. We have a job to do."
Sakura immediately straightened, coughing into her hand as she composed herself. "Y-Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Kakashi stepped forward then, his expression calm but serious. "Well, now that everyone's here, I'll explain what's going to happen."
Naruto and Sakura turned to him as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "From now on, you two are part of my team again. But unlike before…" He lifted his head slightly, his tone shifting to something firmer. "…we're equals. You don't have to call me sensei anymore."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out something small — two silver bells attached to thin strings. The faint sound of their chime echoed softly in the air as he held them up between his fingers.
"Of course," Kakashi continued, his single visible eye narrowing mischievously, "I'd like to see just how much you've both grown. The rules are the same — attack with the intent to kill… or you'll lose."
A faint breeze rustled the trees around them, and Naruto grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Heh, you're really doing this again, huh? Fine by me."
"Good," Kakashi said, slipping the bells back into his pouch. "Then let's get started."
TO BE CONTINUED