Kakashi was starting to seriously question whether the village was letting lunatics become ninja.Because standing next to him right now, labeled as his teammate, was a prime example.
A simple C-rank mission — clearing out a bandit camp near a hot spring town.Three days had passed, and they still hadn't even reached the town.
The culprit?Nara Kazuki.
This lunatic had spent the entire trip relentlessly practicing his Fireball Jutsu.And Kakashi noticed — Kazuki's training was frighteningly methodical.
Mornings were for Fireball Jutsu.Afternoons, for practicing the Nara Clan's secret Shadow Techniques.Evenings, back to Fireball Jutsu.
Any remaining time was split between refining chakra and resting.
The result: their travel speed was painfully slow.
Kakashi had stayed silent for three whole days, grinding his teeth.If Kazuki had even a shred of common sense, he would realize missions had time limits.
But Kazuki lived like clockwork, so consistent it made Kakashi start doubting himself — Am I the one who's being undisciplined?
"You do realize this mission has a time limit, right?"Kakashi finally snapped, arms crossed, staring him down.
Kazuki merely glanced at him.About time you said something.He'd been stacking Qs — Fireball after Fireball — for three straight days, and Kakashi had held it in until now.
That said, Kakashi clearly still cared about the mission — a trait inherited from his legendary father, the White Fang of Konoha.
"You think this mission was really assigned for my sake?"Kazuki answered calmly, walking while weaving rapid hand seals — another Fireball shooting skyward and blooming like a giant fiery flower.
Kakashi's gaze involuntarily followed the Fireball's arc.
What do you think when you see fireworks?
Kakashi found himself recalling old memories — Obito, Rin, and himself during their missions together.How they used to sneak in moments of laughter amidst the bloodshed.How Rin had once looked at him, her feelings obvious even if unsaid.
But all of it...All of it was ash now.
"...Let's just finish this quickly. I want to go back," Kakashi said coldly.
Of course he knew this C-rank mission was a farce.A jonin like him should've been on A-rank missions or higher.
But even knowing Minato's intentions, Kakashi couldn't forgive himself.
A ninja who abandoned his comrades was worse than scum.That belief — once dormant — had now fully taken root, fiercely clashing against the old doctrine of mission above all else.
Kazuki rolled his eyes.Kakashi was hopelessly stubborn right now.
"Fine. Wasting too much time's no good anyway," Kazuki grumbled, taking off at speed.Kakashi silently followed.
Without Kazuki deliberately slowing them down, it didn't take long to reach the hot spring town.
Despite the devastation of the Third Great Ninja War, this little town — a haven of hot springs and vice — was thriving with people.
"Kakashi, wanna check it out?"Kazuki asked eagerly.
Despite its name, this "Hot Spring Town" was less about relaxation and more like a red-light district.
Unlike other hot spring resorts, this town's leadership had embraced indulgence — food, drink, entertainment — transforming it into a magnet for travelers and merchants.
Naturally, a town full of rich drunkards attracted bandits like moths to flame.
The logic was simple:Merchants without ninja bodyguards = easy pickings.
"...,"Kakashi just gave Kazuki the dead-fish-eye stare.
Kazuki's lips twitched.No sense of fun.
And yet, Kazuki mused maliciously, this guy somehow ends up a huge fan of Jiraiya's Icha Icha novels later.Deep down, he must be a closet perv.
As Kazuki plotted how to start scouting for the bandits, something caught his eye down one of the streets.
Kazuki stopped abruptly.
Kakashi, annoyed, frowned.Now what?
"Kakashi," Kazuki pointed, excitement creeping into his voice, "isn't that Jiraiya-sama?"
Kakashi followed his gaze—
And saw Jiraiya of the Sannin in all his disgraceful glory, running from an enraged mob of women, laughing boisterously as they hurled curses and objects at him.
"YOU PERVERT! FOUR BATHS IN THREE DAYS AND YOU SPY ON EVERY ONE!""STOP HIM! BEAT HIS SICK PERVERTED ASS!""KILL! KILL! KILL!"
The shouting women chased Jiraiya straight in their direction.
Kakashi instinctively started backing away.Embarrassment radiated from every pore.
But Kazuki grabbed his arm.
"Kakashi," Kazuki hissed urgently, "Jiraiya-sama is one of the Legendary Sannin. If we can convince him to return to the village..."
He didn't need to finish the thought.Kakashi understood immediately.
Konoha's situation right now wasn't good.
They had survived the Third Great Ninja War — but barely.Hiruzen Sarutobi had been forced into political concessions just to end the fighting.
The so-called "victory" tasted hollow.
And the new generation of elite ninja?Painfully thin.Too few to rebuild what was lost.
Minato Namikaze was holding Konoha together by sheer brilliance and willpower — but once he died...Konoha would plunge into a long, bitter decline.