"Tsk, what a disappointing interruption," Sasuke muttered with obvious frustration, the crackling lightning in his palm dissipating into harmless sparks as his concentration broke.
Kakashi released his grip on Sasuke's arm, though his expression remained stern and watchful.
"We'll settle this properly next time we get the chance," Sasuke declared, directing his words toward Naruto with unmistakable challenge in his voice. Having no interest in remaining for lectures about training safety, he turned and departed without further ceremony.
"Absolutely!" Naruto called after his retreating rival, nodding with enthusiastic agreement as he allowed his own Rasengan to disperse safely.
His attention immediately shifted to Shisui, and his expression brightened with genuine pleasure. "Shisui-sensei! Where have you been all this time? I haven't seen you in ages."
Shisui had returned to his duties as an ANBU squad leader, though the specific nature of his recent assignments remained classified beyond Naruto's clearance level.
January - Several Months Later
In the Hokage's office, winter sunlight filtered through tall windows as Minato reviewed the latest report from Tsunade's research division. The document detailed the ongoing investigation into the cellular material recovered from Nagato's defeated form.
The report confirmed both promising developments and troubling obstacles in their attempts to understand the First Hokage's power.
Tsunade had successfully extracted Hashirama's DNA from the white substance and achieved remarkable success in cellular cultivation. The First Hokage's cells possessed extraordinary vitality that made laboratory reproduction relatively straightforward—a discovery that was both encouraging and deeply concerning.
However, attempts to transplant these cells into living test subjects had yielded catastrophic results. Rather than gaining the legendary life force contained within Hashirama's genetic material, every experimental animal had died horrifically, unable to withstand the overwhelming power that the cells attempted to impose upon their biological systems.
This outcome confirmed one of Minato's most troubling theories: the First Hokage's power couldn't be easily controlled or safely integrated into ordinary organisms. Whatever process had allowed the enemy to create those white creatures remained a mystery that continued to elude even Tsunade's expertise.
Knock, knock!
"Come in," Minato called, rising from his position behind the imposing desk.
The door opened to admit both Team 7 and Team 8, their members filing into the office with the disciplined formation of experienced operatives.
"Lord Hokage," they said in unison, offering respectful bows.
Minato nodded in acknowledgment and picked up a mission assignment scroll from his desk. "The situation is as follows: Fujiwara-san, president of the Fire Country Chamber of Commerce, was ambushed and kidnapped by a bandit group while transporting valuable trade goods to a neighboring territory."
He paused to ensure he had their complete attention before continuing. "Intelligence suggests that at least one ninja is operating with these bandits. They possess considerable combat capabilities and have demonstrated sophisticated counter-surveillance techniques. Therefore, I'm ordering both teams to work together to recover the stolen goods and rescue the hostage in the shortest possible timeframe."
"Joint operation between two squads—mission classification: B-rank."
"Leave it to us, Dad—Lord Hokage!" Naruto declared enthusiastically, catching himself before making the familial address too obvious. "There won't be any problems at all!"
"The primary focus of this mission involves locating the bandits' hidden base," Minato explained with a slight smile at his son's enthusiasm. "Team 8's tracking and detection specialists will take the lead, while Team 7 provides tactical support. Don't get ahead of yourself and try to steal their spotlight."
"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked twice from his perch on Kiba's head, as if asserting his own importance in the upcoming tracking operation.
"For this operation, both squads will function as a unified team under joint command," Minato announced formally. "Kakashi will serve as mission captain, with Kurenai as vice-captain. I'm entrusting this to your combined expertise."
While the mission itself wasn't particularly complex, the client's prominent position in Fire Country's commercial network meant that failure could have significant diplomatic and economic ramifications.
"Yes, sir!" all six young ninja responded simultaneously.
Kakashi accepted the mission scroll from Minato, and the combined team departed the office to begin their preparations.
Several Days Later
After extensive searching through the mountainous regions of Fire Country, the joint efforts of Team 8's tracking specialists had finally pinpointed the bandits' location within a heavily forested mountain range.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
All six team members moved swiftly through the forest canopy before coming to rest at the base of the target mountain. Kakashi turned to address the quiet, dark-haired girl among their number.
"Hinata, if you would," he requested formally.
"Yes, sir!" Hinata responded with quiet determination, forming hand seals as prominent veins appeared around her pale eyes. "Byakugan!"
Her legendary bloodline limit activated, allowing her to see through solid matter and observe chakra patterns across vast distances. Within moments, she had mapped the entire mountain's interior, identifying enemy positions, patrol routes, and the location of both the kidnapped merchant and his stolen goods.
Using this intelligence, Kakashi began formulating their tactical approach, taking into account the need to prioritize rescue and recovery over simple elimination of threats.
During these brief days of cooperation, Naruto had gained new appreciation for abilities he had never fully understood during their Academy years. Team 8's detection and tracking capabilities were genuinely remarkable, utilizing techniques that opened entirely new approaches to problem-solving.
"I'll create a diversion at the main entrance," Kakashi announced after reviewing Hinata's reconnaissance data. "Kurenai, Kiba, and Shino will provide tactical support for the assault. Naruto, your team needs to secure the hostage and protect the recovered goods—under no circumstances can they be damaged or destroyed."
"Super Beast Scroll: Giant Eagle!" Sai declared, unrolling his artistic equipment.
With fluid brushstrokes, he brought to life a massive ink eagle capable of carrying multiple passengers. The creature lifted Naruto, Chiharu, Hinata, and Sai into the air, allowing them to approach their objectives from an unexpected aerial direction.
Through the combined efforts of both teams, the mission proceeded with remarkable efficiency. The bandits, caught between Kakashi's frontal assault and the aerial infiltration team, were quickly overwhelmed and subdued.
Upon Their Return to Konoha
"Finally back!" Naruto exclaimed with relief, stretching his arms above his head as they passed through the village gates.
Kakashi and Kurenai departed immediately to file their mission report with the Hokage, leaving the younger team members to their own devices.
"Does anyone want to go to Ichiraku Ramen?" Naruto offered generously, looking around at his companions. "My treat!"
"I'll pass," Shino replied with his characteristic brevity.
"I need to give Akamaru a bath after all that mountain travel," Kiba added apologetically. "You guys go ahead without us."
"Oh, okay," Naruto said with mild disappointment before turning his attention to the remaining member of their group. "What about you, Hinata?"
"Of course Hinata-san will come with us," Chiharu declared decisively, stepping forward to link arms with the shy girl before she could voice any objections.
At Ichiraku Ramen
"Please sit here, Hinata-san," Chiharu said with obvious mischief, gently but firmly guiding the blushing girl to the seat directly beside Naruto.
"Four bowls of ramen, please!" Naruto called out to Teuchi with familiar enthusiasm.
Within minutes, four steaming bowls of perfectly prepared ramen appeared before them, filling the small restaurant with delicious aromas.
As they ate, Ayame returned from a delivery run, her timing coinciding with Hinata finishing her bowl with obvious satisfaction.
"It's really delicious," Hinata murmured quietly, her appreciation evident despite her typically reserved demeanor.
Noticing Hinata's genuine enjoyment, Naruto smiled with obvious pleasure and gestured toward her empty bowl. "Ayame-san, could we get another bowl for my friend here?"
"Of course!" Ayame responded cheerfully, though her attention seemed focused on studying the interaction between Naruto and Hinata.
After a few moments of observation, she turned to Naruto with a knowing smile. "Your girlfriend is really cute, Naruto."
PFFT!
Naruto immediately choked on his ramen, spraying noodles and broth in an undignified fountain of surprise and embarrassment.
Hinata's face turned such an intense shade of red that she resembled a ripe tomato, her ability to form coherent words completely deserting her.
"Ah? Did I say something wrong?" Ayame asked with innocent confusion, recognizing from their extreme reactions that she had somehow misinterpreted the situation.
Meanwhile, Chiharu observed the entire scene with obvious amusement, calmly continuing to eat her ramen while enjoying the entertainment provided by her brother's romantic awkwardness.
A Few Days Later
After repeated assurances from both Minato and Jiraiya regarding proper supervision and appropriate training methods, Kushina reluctantly agreed to allow the legendary Sannin to resume his role in Naruto's education.
Around the same time, Konoha's reconnaissance teams were once again deployed beyond the village borders for intelligence gathering missions. Sasuke remained assigned to these dangerous operations, his evolved Sharingan making him an increasingly valuable asset.
Time Passage: Six Months Later
After nearly a full year of intensive reconstruction and recovery efforts, Konoha had finally restored both its physical infrastructure and operational capabilities to pre-attack levels. The village's economy had stabilized, diplomatic relationships had been reestablished, and the ninja population had recovered from their losses.
With this restoration complete, the village leadership announced the resumption of the Chunin Examinations—an important step toward normalizing international relations and demonstrating Konoha's full recovery to the other hidden villages.
Naruto found himself assigned to a reformed Team 7 for these examinations, joined by Sai and Sakura, who had temporarily returned from her intensive medical training under Tsunade's direct supervision. This configuration represented both familiar partnerships and new dynamics as they prepared to face the challenges that would determine their advancement to Chunin rank.