They climbed the stairs of the Hokage Tower and pushed open the large wooden doors leading into Tsunade's office. Papers were stacked in piles, windows open to let the morning breeze in, and Tsunade stood behind her desk with her arms crossed.
Shizune was already on her way out. She gave them both a polite nod, though her eyes lingered on Naruto for a moment — likely checking if he was still in one piece after whatever chaos he normally caused.
As soon as she left, Tsunade's attention sharpened like a kunai.
"Now, Naruto," she said, her tone firm but not unkind, "has Sakura filled you in on the information she received from the Akatsuki member she fought during your mission?"
Naruto shook his head. "No."
Tsunade looked at Sakura. "Then please tell him."
Sakura stepped forward, hands clasped in front of her. "After defeating Sasori, in his final moments… he revealed that he was set to meet with Orochimaru in a few days."
Naruto's posture tightened slightly. A flicker of something cold passed through his eyes.
Tsunade walked around her desk, leaning back against the edge with her arms folded. The morning light framed her like she was carved from iron.
"Yes. Because of that information, we plan on deploying your team to intercept Orochimaru." Her gaze zeroed in on Naruto. "With the hope that you'll get a lead on Sasuke."
She paused, watching him closely.
Naruto didn't look away. "Nice. But, uh… isn't Kakashi-sensei out of commission? He couldn't even stand up yesterday."
"Correct," Tsunade sighed. "Which is why I've assigned you a temporary squad leader."
Without warning, a sharp flash of chakra filled the room — and Yamato appeared silently behind them.
Naruto nearly jumped. Sakura stiffened.
"This is Yamato," Tsunade said, gesturing toward him. "He'll be your new squad leader until Kakashi recovers. You'll get to know each other on the road."
Yamato gave them both a polite nod, face calm, expression unreadable.
"For now, get your gear and prepare to depart immediately." Tsunade added.
Sakura and Yamato both turned to leave, but before Naruto could follow, Tsunade lifted a hand.
"Not you. Stay for a moment."
Naruto paused and walked back toward her desk as the others left.
Tsunade took a deep breath, her golden eyes studying him with a mix of authority and concern. "Naruto… I've heard about your new jutsu. The one you used during the mission."
Naruto blinked. "Already? Man, news travels fast."
Tsunade crossed her arms again. "Would you mind telling me how you developed it?"
He shrugged. "Well, it was pretty easy. I'll tell you when I get back though. Peace."
Before she could even scold him, Naruto had already jogged out the door.
Tsunade exhaled heavily, rubbing her temples.
"Why does he always—ugh… whatever."
But when she lowered her hands, there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
'At least I won't have to worry about him as much anymore,' she thought, relief mixing with fondness.
---
Naruto walked through the busy streets back to his apartment, the wind carrying the murmurs of villagers, the clang of shopkeepers opening their doors, and the faint smell of dumplings being steamed nearby.
Once he stepped inside, he closed the door behind him and let out a long sigh.
"…Man."
He dropped onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
'I was supposed to meet Hinata and Ino today…'
His fingers tapped his stomach slowly.
'Guess not anymore.'
He inhaled deeply, letting the frustration melt into determination.
'Sorry, girls… duty calls.'
He sat up and began gathering his gear, tightening his weights and adjusting his equipment.
He got his bag ready and strapped on his weights, tightening them around his ankles until he felt that familiar drag against his legs. Just enough tension to remind him they were there, but not enough to slow him down too much. He rolled his shoulders, grabbed a quick drink of water, and stepped out, locking the door behind him.
The village was already waking up—vendors pulling open their stalls, shinobi heading out on early patrols, and the faint smell of breakfast drifting through the air.
Naruto breathed it in as he walked, stretching his arms behind his head. His muscles still ached from last night's training, especially his core and shoulders, but the soreness felt…good. Reminding him he was growing.
He arrived at the rendezvous point to find Sakura already waiting. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, shifting slightly on her feet, the faint morning breeze brushing her pink hair aside.
"Hey," she said with a small smile.
"Yo," Naruto replied as he stepped up beside her. He dropped his bag down with a soft thud. "So… you think the new guy's strong?"
Sakura shrugged, glancing ahead at the empty road where Yamato was supposed to appear. "Well, he seems capable. I mean, he's ANBU—former ANBU at least. But I'm not sure how he compares to Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto snorted. "Kakashi-sensei might genuinely be a fraud now that I think about it."
She blinked, then laughed. "What makes you say that?"
"Well think about it," Naruto said, waving his hands as he warmed up his shoulders. "The guy is rumored to have over a thousand jutsu—one thousand, Sakura. Yet we never see him use them! Ever! He sticks to Chidori, shadow clones—barely—maybe two or three lightning and water techniques and… that's it! That's his whole arsenal!"
Sakura covered her mouth, laughing harder. "Well… you're not wrong."
"And!" Naruto added, pointing a finger in the air. "He doesn't even have the chakra reserves to be throwing around that many jutsu. There's no way. It's suspicious if you ask me."
Sakura nodded, trying to hold in her giggles. "Honestly… you might have a point. He talks more than he shows."
Naruto smirked proudly. ' I'm bringing Agenda Piece to Naruto ' he thought.
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha Hospital…
Kakashi sneezed under his mask, jolting slightly. He paused mid–page-turn in his beloved Icha Icha, his lone visible eye narrowing.
'Naruto is saying something about me.' He stroked his chin thoughtfully. 'Better be something good… or at least mildly respectful.'
He turned another page of his book.
A second sneeze.
'…It's definitely not respectful.'
After some time, Yamato finally arrived. He moved with controlled, disciplined steps, his frame tall and steady.
The wooden, armor-like plating of his ANBU-style vest caught the morning light, giving him an unmistakable presence—a calm authority that didn't need to be announced.
His expression was neutral, almost unreadable, yet something about him radiated an experienced, composed confidence.
"It's nice to meet you all," he said in a level tone, hands resting behind his back. "My name is Yamato. There's no need to introduce yourselves—I already know who you are. From today onward, I'll be taking Kakashi's place until he recovers."
"Cool," Naruto said with a casual nod.
"Nice to meet you," Sakura added, bowing respectfully.
Before Naruto could say anything else, a faint sound of steps behind them made him twitch. Someone was creeping up—or at least trying to. He turned, annoyed already.
Sai approached with that painfully forced smile stretched across his face, the kind that looked drawn on with a crayon. His cropped vest showed off his midriff despite the chill in the air, making Naruto's eye twitch.
'Man, I hate this crop-top-wearing dude,' Naruto thought.
Yamato gestured toward him. "Ah, yes. Before we continue—you all have a new teammate. Since it's come to this, let's do introductions properly."
Naruto stepped forward, folding his arms. "Uzumaki Naruto."
Sakura followed with a polite dip of her head. "Haruno Sakura."
Sai's smile tightened like it might crack. "My name is Sai. I look forward to working with you."
'No you don't,' Naruto mentally snapped.
Yamato nodded. "Good. Now that we're somewhat familiar with each other, let's move on to the mission details."
His tone shifted immediately—firmer, more commanding.
"From here, the five of us will proceed to the Tenchi Bridge. Once there, we will intercept the spy the Akatsuki planted inside Orochimaru's organization and bring them back to the village. This is our best chance to obtain information about Orochimaru… and Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto flinched slightly at the name, but kept quiet.
Yamato continued, "If we succeed, we may be able to form a strategy to eliminate Orochimaru and retrieve Sasuke. This mission is critical. Stay focused and do not underestimate the enemy."
Both Sakura and Naruto nodded, more serious now.
"We meet at the front gate in one hour," Yamato instructed. "Check your gear, make sure you're fully prepared. Once we gather, we depart immediately."
---
One hour later…
The village gate stood tall behind them, sunlight breaking through the clouds as travelers and patrol units moved in and out. Naruto adjusted the straps of his gear—kunai pouch, scrolls, ration packs—making sure everything sat comfortably. His weighted ankles felt heavier today, probably because the mission ahead wasn't an easy one.
He glanced at his team. Sakura tightened her gloves, her eyes sharp and full of purpose. Sai stood silently, blank expression as always, staring off like he was trying to understand emotions from a textbook. Yamato looked composed, watching all of them with a quiet, almost parental awareness.
Naruto exhaled slowly.
'Wonder how I'll deal with Orochimaru… I'm not nearly strong enough to take that snake on right now. But… we'll see.'
He clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles with determination.
"Alright! Time to go!"
Sakura stepped forward. "Let's do this."
Sai gave the faintest nod of acknowledgment.
And Yamato, with a calm authority that settled the entire group, said, "Team Kakashi—move out."
TO BE CONTINUED
[A/N: We'll see Hinata and Ino after this arc.]