Konoha's rooftops passed beneath him like gentle ripples on still water. Kakashi moved without haste. He wasn't rushing.
He was watching.
He called it training oversight in his report.
But in truth… it was surveillance.
Because something in Team 7 had changed — and not in a way he could chalk up to natural growth.
Sasuke trained longer now. His shuriken patterns were sharper, yes, but it wasn't just technical. There was a coldness to his movements. Like each target was someone. Like every throw was personal.
Sakura had become quiet in a different way. Focused. A little more self-aware. Less distracted by her crush on Sasuke — though it hadn't vanished. But there was weight behind her words now. Like she was afraid to stay behind.
And then…
There was Naruto.
Kakashi had been trailing him for half the day. Not that it was hard. Naruto wasn't exactly a stealth expert.
He finally caught sight of the boy near Ichiraku Ramen, standing behind a crate as the savory scent drifted across the air.
Naruto's head tilted up toward the menu board, eyes practically glowing.
He reached into his jacket.
Unwrapped a tiny coin pouch.
"…Three… four… five-fifty… argh, come on…" Naruto muttered to himself, fingers counting coins like they were rare gems. "Did I spend that much on the chakra scroll?"
He groaned.
His stomach rumbled loud enough Kakashi could hear it from the rooftop above.
The boy sighed and gave the stall one last longing glance before shaking his head.
"Not today... maybe tomorrow. Heh, just gotta eat a bigger lunch next time."
He forced a grin as he turned around and walked away quickly.
Kakashi stayed silent.
But his heart twisted.
A few streets away, Naruto ducked into a narrow alley and leaned against the wall. He glanced around, then pulled a slim scroll from his jacket — a faintly glowing chakra-enhancing scroll from the store.
He unsealed it, letting the chakra energy hum faintly in the air.
Naruto stared at it.
Then muttered under his breath, "That guy Ryuu… he's nuts."
He looked up at the evening sky.
"That shop's crazy, right? Like, it's actually selling real stuff. Not just ninja crap. I mean… if I had the ryo…"
He paused.
"…I could catch up to Sasuke. Maybe even pass him."
The thought clearly startled him.
He frowned. "But… that wouldn't be fair, right? Just buying strength?"
Another beat.
"…Then again, no one's ever been fair to me, have they?"
His fingers curled around the scroll, grip tight.
Kakashi exhaled silently from the rooftop above.
He still talks to himself, Kakashi thought. Still dreams like a child. But that child's starting to realize he's poor. Alone. Undervalued.
The mask covered his mouth, but his eye narrowed.
He shouldn't have to choose between food and strength.
[Later – Training Ground Seven]
Kakashi stood beneath the tree as his students arrived.
Sakura greeted him first, neat and focused, scroll case over her shoulder. She gave him a polite nod.
Sasuke came in silence, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the field.
Naruto was last, a bit breathless from running, a crooked grin on his face. "Sorry, sorry! Lost track of time!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Lost it behind a ramen stall?"
Naruto blinked. "Wha—! Were you spying on me again?! That's super creepy, sensei!"
Sakura smirked. Sasuke barely glanced at them.
Kakashi chuckled. "Creepy? You're late every other day, Naruto. I just consider myself… punctual."
Naruto grumbled and adjusted his headband.
Kakashi's tone shifted slightly.
"Today's drill: two-man formations. Target protection and takedown."
He assigned roles.
Naruto and Sasuke on defense. Sakura on offense.
Sakura blinked. "Alone?"
"You've been analyzing more," Kakashi said. "Let's see how you apply it."
She smiled faintly. "Got it."
The drill began.
To Kakashi's surprise, Naruto worked with Sasuke instead of against him. His clones moved smarter, creating pincer traps. His footing had improved — the chakra scroll clearly gave him real gains.
Naruto even whispered as they dodged, "Left. Sakura's gonna come from the left."
Sasuke didn't respond, but his body shifted slightly — and blocked the strike before it landed.
Kakashi's eye narrowed.
They're syncing.
Then came the moment.
Sakura managed to dispel two of Naruto's clones and reached toward the real one.
That's when Sasuke moved — too quickly for a casual spar.
His hands blurred.
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!"
Tiny fireballs scattered across the field — not enough to burn, but enough to pressure. Sakura stumbled back, panting.
Naruto blinked. "Whoa…"
Sasuke slowly lowered his hands, breath steady.
His eyes… almost seemed to flicker red for half a second.
Almost.
Sakura adjusted her stance. "Since when can you control the spread like that?"
"…Since now," Sasuke said flatly.
"Great," Naruto muttered. "Now I'm even more behind…"
"No one's stopping you," Sasuke said, walking past him. "Buy more."
Naruto flinched. "Easy for you to say…"
Sasuke stopped. He didn't look back.
"I earned mine."
Kakashi watched from a distance, silent, but thoughtful.
[That night – Konoha's rooftops]
Kakashi sat alone, mask tugged down slightly to let him breathe the cool night air.
He looked up at the stars.
"Minato-sensei…"
He rarely spoke the name aloud.
"…Your son is fighting the whole village and doesn't even know it."
He leaned back against the tile.
"And now he's found something outside the system. Something we can't regulate. Can't bribe. Can't threaten."
A breeze passed through the trees.
"I don't know if this shop is saving him… or pulling him into something bigger."
A pause.
"…But either way, I'll be watching."