Evening descended over Konoha as the setting sun cast ribbons of golden light across the mountain slopes. A gentle breeze swept through the forest, bringing with it a refreshing coolness that signaled the day's end.
From the training grounds in the hills behind the village, two small figures emerged as twilight deepened around them. Both Sasuke and Naruto showed signs of exhaustion, their previously clean clothes now covered in dust and dirt from hours of rigorous practice.
Noticing the darkening sky, they simultaneously leapt upward, landing gracefully atop nearby trees. For a brief moment, their eyes met across the distance—a silent acknowledgment passing between rivals—before they departed in opposite directions toward their respective homes.
When Naruto reached his family's house, he found the front door slightly ajar. He pushed it open and stepped inside, removing his sandals at the entryway before padding toward the living room.
"I'm home!" he called out cheerfully. Despite his physical fatigue, the warm glow of home instantly revitalized his spirits, bringing a broad smile to his face.
"Welcome back," came the immediate response. Minato looked up from the book he'd been reading in the living room, setting it aside as he rose to greet his son with a warm smile.
"Mm," Naruto nodded, glancing around the room. "Where's Chiharu?"
"Where have you been training again, young man? I really don't know what to do with you."
Two hands suddenly came to rest on Naruto's shoulders from behind. He looked up to see his mother, Kushina, her brow slightly furrowed in gentle admonishment.
"Hurry up and get washed. Dinner will be ready soon," she instructed, giving him a gentle push while exchanging a knowing glance with Minato.
Minato nodded in understanding before gesturing for Naruto to follow him to the bathroom. Father and son walked together, their movements synchronized in a manner that spoke of comfortable familiarity.
When they returned freshly cleaned, they found Chiharu placing the final dish on the dining table.
"I helped Mom prepare tonight's meal," she announced proudly, beaming at her brother.
"Oh," Naruto responded with a nod, his eyes widening at the spread before them.
"Try it!" Chiharu urged as the family settled around the table. Without waiting, she picked up her chopsticks and served portions to both Minato and Naruto's bowls.
"Thank you," they replied in unison, each taking a bite of Chiharu's offering.
Chiharu watched them expectantly, eager for their reaction.
After just two chews, both father and son's expressions transformed simultaneously, their eyes widening in poorly concealed alarm. Naruto nearly spit out his food, but Kushina, anticipating his reaction, swiftly patted his back, forcing him to swallow.
Minato, with the composure befitting a Hokage, managed to maintain his dignity and swallowed his portion without incident.
"What's wrong? Does it taste bad?" Chiharu asked, her brow furrowing with concern. From her perspective, the food she'd prepared seemed perfectly acceptable.
"It's... a little unusual," Minato admitted carefully, knowing his daughter was too perceptive to accept an outright lie. "But for a first attempt, it's quite impressive."
Meanwhile, Kushina and Naruto exchanged meaningful glances, silently communicating their shared suffering.
Catching their exchange, Naruto quickly added, "The taste isn't what matters most. What's important is the thought and care you put into making this for us, Chiharu. We really appreciate it."
"I understand," Chiharu responded with determination. "I'll work harder next time."
The lighthearted moment passed as Minato's expression turned serious. "Although you've successfully passed the graduation exam," he said, addressing both children, "if you fail your jōnin instructor's test, you'll have to return to the Academy and start over."
His blue eyes, so similar to Naruto's own, held a firm resolve. "Even as Hokage, there's nothing I can do to circumvent this requirement."
"I know," Naruto nodded firmly. "Don't worry—I'll definitely pass the test."
"I'll do my best," Chiharu added, though with less conviction than her brother. She wasn't as invested in passing; her priorities lay elsewhere.
In the Uchiha compound, Sasuke slid open the door to his family home. "I'm back," he announced.
Footsteps approached from an inner room, and a familiar figure emerged into the hallway.
"Welcome home, little brother."
"Itachi!" Sasuke's expression immediately brightened, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he rushed toward his older brother with undisguised excitement.
"Mm," Itachi responded, reaching out to ruffle Sasuke's hair affectionately. "I heard from Mother and Father that you graduated with the highest score in your class. That's truly impressive."
Sasuke shook his head dismissively. "Compared to what you accomplished at my age, it's nothing special."
A shadow of something—perhaps regret or concern—briefly crossed Itachi's eyes. "Father and Mother are both attending a clan meeting tonight," he said, changing the subject. "They'll be a while. Would you like me to prepare dinner for us?"
"You can cook?" Sasuke asked, unable to hide his surprise.
Itachi smiled gently. "Of course. It's not a problem."
A short while later, Sasuke stared in amazement at the array of dishes Itachi had arranged on the table. "Wow..." he breathed, genuinely impressed.
"Go ahead and eat," Itachi encouraged, setting down the final plate.
"Mm." Sasuke nodded, picking up his chopsticks eagerly.
"How is it?" Itachi asked, watching his brother's reaction carefully.
"It's delicious!" Sasuke exclaimed. Though not typically effusive about such things, he couldn't deny that Itachi's cooking rivaled even their mother Mikoto's considerable skill.
"I'm glad you like it," Itachi smiled, continuously adding more food to Sasuke's bowl as they ate.
"So," Itachi ventured after a comfortable silence, "how did it go today? What did you think of your jōnin instructor?" Though Sasuke hadn't mentioned it, Itachi's position as an ANBU squad captain gave him easy access to such information.
Sasuke paused, his expression darkening slightly. "Not great. I've heard he's powerful, but..." He trailed off, recalling his previous travels with Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, and how Tsunade had pummeled the Toad Sage for writing his adult-oriented novels. The thought that his future teacher shared Jiraiya's questionable literary tastes left Sasuke distinctly unimpressed.
"Ah," Itachi chuckled, a knowing smile playing at his lips. "I see you have some preconceptions about Kakashi-senpai."
Itachi could easily guess the source of Sasuke's displeasure. Kakashi hadn't always been this way, after all.
"Those are minor details," Itachi continued, his tone growing more serious. "As a shinobi, Kakashi is truly exceptional. There's a great deal you can learn from him if you're willing to look past the superficial."
Sasuke nodded obediently, accepting his brother's wisdom without question. Only with Itachi did he show this softer, more receptive side of himself—a version of Sasuke that others rarely glimpsed.
The following morning at Training Ground Seven, Kakashi leaned against a tree trunk, his visible eye turned toward the entrance. As time passed, ghostly figures seemed to materialize in his vision—echoes from the past.
"Obito, you finally made it," Rin's voice drifted through his memory as she greeted their perpetually tardy teammate.
"Sorry! I ran into an elderly woman who needed help crossing the street, so..." Obito's breathless excuse, accompanied by an embarrassed head scratch, before his gaze turned toward where Kakashi stood waiting.
The sound of footsteps drew Kakashi back to the present. A figure appeared before him, dispelling the memories that had momentarily claimed his attention.
Shisui stood watching him, his own eyes scanning the familiar training ground with a knowing expression. When their gazes met, Shisui spoke softly.
"It seems we both chose this place by coincidence," he observed. "This is where they—and you—first came together as a team."