“Our team leader is so slow. Could he have gotten the time wrong? Or maybe he’s not coming at all today?”
Reaching the limits of her patience, Sakura Haruno spoke with a hint of frustration, hoping to break the stiff atmosphere. Sakura had long given up on her dream scenario where she would be the center of attention for both Sasuke and Naruto. Now, she just wanted some basic communication with her two teammates to break the ice.
“We’re teammates, right? We’ve been classmates for six years, right? Can’t we be a little less cold?”
Sakura desperately hoped Sasuke and Naruto would respond to her, making the atmosphere in the classroom a bit warmer and less heavy.
Sakura felt her request wasn’t too much to ask, right? However, she was destined to be disappointed.
Sitting in the front left, Sasuke didn’t move or even show a hint of change in his expression. He didn’t even glance at Sakura. He remained with his hands clasped under his chin, eyes coldly staring ahead, lost in his own thoughts.
Naruto might pique Sasuke’s interest a bit because of his performance at the academy and the treatment he received in the village. As for Sakura?
Sorry.
From Sasuke’s perspective, she was just a buzzing fly.
Would you waste your energy on a fly?
The answer was undoubtedly no.
And if the fly buzzed too much, it might just get swatted.
Sasuke’s cold and indifferent expression only made Sakura’s face more stiff.
Fortunately, Naruto, at least, gave some response. Unlike Sasuke, he wasn’t so cold. He would at least go through the motions, just like at the academy.
“Maybe something came up and delayed him. Since there’s nothing else to do, let’s wait a bit more patiently.”
Naruto smiled faintly and spoke softly.
Of course, this was just a perfunctory response, but it gave Sakura a suitable way out.
Avoiding a more awkward situation.
“Haha, you’re right. Let’s wait a bit longer…”
Sakura forced a polite but somewhat stiff smile, nodding. She bit her lower lip, turned away, and fell silent. Her first attempt had ended in miserable failure. If Naruto hadn’t given some reaction, leaving her to face a double cold shoulder, she would have wanted to dig a hole and bury herself. The thin layer of courtesy remained intact for now, but she knew she had to stay silent.
Sakura lacked the courage to keep talking.
She thought it was better to maintain her well-behaved girl image.
Outwardly, she seemed fine.
But inside.
The naturally irritable Sakura was going crazy.
And the target of her frustration.
It wasn’t Sasuke or Naruto.
The former was her crush, and the latter had helped her out. Besides, over the past six years, Naruto had left a good impression on her.
At this moment, Sakura’s inner complaints were directed at the tardy Kakashi.
From Sakura’s perspective.
If it weren’t for this damn tardy leader, she wouldn’t be in such an awkward situation.
“Tick-tock, tick-tock…”
The classroom clock continued to tick rhythmically.
The slow passing of time.
Just as Naruto had predicted.
Exactly three hours later.
“Squeak…”
The classroom door finally opened again.
Drawing their attention.
A tall, slender figure stepped into Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura’s view.
Wearing the standard Leaf Village ninja uniform, with bright, soft white hair, most of his face covered by a mask, his headband slightly tilted to cover his left eye, and a lazy demeanor.
The person was none other than the elite Leaf Jonin, Kakashi Hatake—someone Naruto knew well from his previous life.
As Kakashi’s figure appeared, the three in the classroom each showed different reactions.
Naruto had a calm expression.
Sasuke frowned slightly, looking at Kakashi with a mixture of scrutiny and doubt. This lazy demeanor made it hard for Sasuke to trust him.
But from Naruto’s perspective, he could sense a hint of danger from Kakashi.
Especially the cold, sharp killing intent.
To Naruto, it was palpable.
This was definitely a ninja who had faced life and death.
Of course, Kakashi had concealed his killing intent, but Naruto could sense a trace due to his recent deadly fight with Mizuki and his first experience of killing.
Sakura, on the other hand, simply felt relieved.
Because she was finally free from the endless silence.
During the past three hours.
Sakura had countless times wanted to flee the classroom.
Fortunately, within her limit of patience.
Their leader finally arrived.
This awkward and heavy atmosphere could finally be broken.
For Sakura, this was the best news.
Seeing the expressions of his future subordinates, Kakashi could almost instantly read their emotions. Casually scanning over them, Kakashi paused on Naruto for an extra half-second.
A brief moment, but Naruto noticed it.
“Maybe it’s because of my identity? As the Fourth Hokage’s orphan and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…”
Naruto thought inwardly, maintaining a calm expression.
But this time, Naruto misjudged Kakashi’s thoughts.
Kakashi’s extra glance at Naruto was due to the fight with Mizuki three days earlier. Kakashi had thought he might need to intervene but was surprised when Naruto managed to turn the tide.
Not just the result but the process.
The initial clumsiness, the overwhelming force, even the trembling body at first—Kakashi saw it all.
Yet, in such a situation.
Naruto found that single gap to turn the tables.
Especially the decisive move to kill Mizuki.
This was why Kakashi paid more attention to Naruto.
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