Kurallara uygun şekilde; anlatımdaki (narration) tüm ekleri temizledim, diyalogları karakterlerin kişiliklerine ve rütbelerine göre düzenledim ve metnin İngilizce akışını daha doğal hale getirdim.
Konohagakure Academy, Rooftop.
The three members of Team 7 sat side-by-side on the steps. Opposite them, leaning against the railing with a lazy expression, was Kakashi.
"Since this is our first meeting, let's go through the formalities."
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes were half-closed as he spoke casually.
"Introduce yourselves. Tell me your names, what you like, what you hate... what your dreams are, and things like that."
"Dreams?" Sakura asked curiously. "Sensei, why don't you give us a demonstration first?"
"Me?" Kakashi pointed at himself and shrugged.
"My name is Kakashi Hatake. As for things I like and hate... I don't feel like telling you. As for dreams... I don't really have anything special. But as for hobbies, I have quite a few."
The three were speechless—he hadn't said anything except his name!
"Alright, next it's your turn." Kakashi pointed at Sasuke on the far left. "Starting with you."
Sasuke had a cold face, resting his chin on his hands with an unapproachable air.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are many things I hate, and not much I like. As for dreams, those are just empty words; I'm not interested in them."
"I have my own ambition! I will restore the Uchiha Clan, and... kill that man."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Sakura looked at Sasuke with concern, and Kakashi's eyes flickered slightly.
As I thought... Kakashi sighed inwardly. To carry such a burden at this age is indeed hard on him.
"Alright, your turn." Kakashi pointed to the girl in the middle.
Sakura immediately put on a shy expression.
"My name is Sakura Haruno. What I like... well... rather, the person I like..."
She first stole a glance at Sasuke, then peeked at Naruto, who was quietly reading a book, her face turning red.
"As for my dream... should I say it..."
"Kyaa—!"
Finally, she let out a scream of indeterminate meaning.
Kakashi was sweating bullets. Are girls these days all so precocious?
Finally, he turned his gaze toward the blonde boy on the far right. Kakashi had high expectations for this top student whom even the Sandaime Hokage praised.
"Lastly, you."
Uzumaki Naruto closed the book in his hand and said calmly:
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. What I like is studying, training, and... making thorough preparations. What I hate are 'accidents' and 'variables'."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow slightly. Those were quite unique preferences.
"So, what about your dream?"
Naruto was silent for a moment.
"My dream... I suppose it's to build a world without 'accidents'."
"Without accidents?" Kakashi was taken aback.
"Yes." Naruto looked into Kakashi's eyes.
"I want everyone to be able to sleep soundly at night. Without worrying about an uncertain tomorrow, without worrying about war suddenly descending, and without worrying about being betrayed by comrades."
"I want to eliminate the uncertainty of this world, so that everyone can live in peace until they die of old age."
The rooftop suddenly fell into silence.
Sasuke turned his head, looking at Naruto in surprise. He thought Naruto would shout slogans like "becoming Hokage" as usual. He didn't expect such a... heavy and grand wish.
Although Sakura didn't quite understand everything, she felt that as Naruto spoke these words, his whole being seemed to glow.
As for Kakashi, his one visible dead-fish eye fully opened for the first time. His pupils constricted slightly.
What Naruto said didn't sound at all like the dream a twelve-year-old boy should have. It sounded more like the dream of a battle-hardened leader.
A world without accidents...
Kakashi looked deeply at Naruto, suppressing his shock and returning to his lazy tone.
"Well, that's quite a unique idea. Alright, introductions are over. Tomorrow morning at five, meet at Training Ground Three for a survival exercise. Remember not to eat breakfast, or you'll throw up."
After saying that, Kakashi waved his hand and vanished with a Shunshin no Jutsu.
Leaving the three to look at each other, the rooftop fell into a brief silence.
Sasuke suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of complexity: "A world without accidents? Naive thinking."
Naruto leaned against the railing, looking into the distance. "It's precisely because it's naive that it's all the more beautiful and worth striving for, isn't it?"
Sakura looked at the two of them in confusion, only half-understanding.
...
After the team disbanded, Naruto didn't go home, but instead went to Konoha Hospital.
Although several days had passed since the Mizuki incident, Inuzuka Kiba was still under observation.
Just as he reached the door of the ward, Naruto heard shouting coming from inside.
"Akamaru! Bring that apple over here!"
"Damn, Mizuki really hit hard, my ribs haven't healed yet..."
Naruto knocked on the door and walked in.
"Kiba-kun, you seem to be in good spirits."
"Na-Naruto?"
Seeing Naruto enter, Inuzuka Kiba, who was lying on the bed, almost jumped up. As a result, he aggravated his wound and winced in pain.
"What are you doing here?" Inuzuka Kiba was a bit embarrassed.
"Just seeing if you're dead yet." Naruto placed a fruit basket on the bedside table and gave a slight smile. "Also, I have good news for you. Your application for a make-up exam has been approved."
"Really?!"
Kiba's eyes lit up at first, then his expression dimmed. "But... I don't have the face to take a make-up exam. You're the one who saved me, and I almost..."
"Stop saying stupid things."
Naruto patted his shoulder, interrupting his self-reproach.
"In that situation, the fact that you charged in to protect me has already proven yourself. In the future, just use your brain more so you don't get used as a weapon again."
"Use my brain more..."
Inuzuka Kiba seemed to think of something, his brow furrowed as if he were in the middle of a mental struggle.
After a moment, he suddenly looked up.
"I've decided! I'm going to give up thinking!"
"?"
Kiba's erratic train of thought left Naruto stunned.
"Everything I think of is wrong anyway. In that case, it's better to just listen to a smart person!"
Kiba looked at Naruto with burning eyes.
"Naruto, from now on, you're my boss! I'll do whatever you say! That way, I won't be easily deceived by others! It's like taking a direct shortcut!"
A flash of "wise foolishness" gleamed in Inuzuka Kiba's eyes.
"...Aren't you afraid I'll deceive you?" Looking at Kiba, Naruto asked curiously.
"Then it's because I was blind, and I'll accept that! Don't worry, Boss. Even if you go blow up the Hokage Building, I'll... keep watch for you!"
Naruto's mouth twitched slightly.
Blowing up the Hokage Building wasn't necessary... but a straightforward subordinate like this was indeed more useful.
Just then, the ward door opened.
"Inuzuka Kiba-kun, it's time to change your bandages."
A gentle voice sounded.
Naruto turned his head, his pupils constricting slightly.
Entering was a young man with round-rimmed glasses and a silver ponytail. He was wearing a white lab coat, with his signature harmless smile on his face.
Yakushi Kabuto.