Kakashi's Replacement
Why did people say the man who walked in looked somewhat like Shino?
Naturally, both of them wore outfits that covered most of their bodies. The only differences were subtle: Shino didn't wear gloves, and his face was exposed except for the signature dark sunglasses. The newcomer, however, wore gloves and a mask that concealed his upper face.
Within Naruto's consciousness, Fuuko's face appeared puzzled, frowning in thought.
"Aburame Takes Root?" he muttered. "Isn't he one of Root's operatives under Danzo? Why is he here? Could it be… he has feelings for Naruto?"
Kakashi, the teacher who had originally been assigned to lead the team, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Aburame Torune, a Root ninja, appeared in his place. The plot had clearly shifted. Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi lived, Danzo and his Root agents had unexpectedly moved ahead of schedule, asserting their influence.
---
Outside the classroom, the man approached.
"Are you our team leader?" Naruto asked, tilting his head curiously.
Sakura, obediently standing and following the newcomer, immediately gave Naruto a sharp rap on the forehead.
"Idiot! Don't you understand? If he's the teacher, that's how they know we belong in Class 7 and this position!"
"You obnoxious orphan! You can't observe, you lie constantly, and you have zero discipline!"
Sakura's words still carried the sting of her disappointment from noon. She couldn't confide in Sasuke about losing her first kiss, so she vented her frustration at Naruto instead.
Naruto, however, clutched his head, crying out in mild pain while forcing a grin. Compared to the villagers' vicious insults, Sakura's reprimand felt trivial.
But Sasuke's reaction was different.
Sasuke, a now-orphaned Uchiha, felt the sting of the words hit closer to home. Observing Naruto's goofy grin, Sasuke's cold voice cut through the air:
"No one wants to be an orphan. No one wants to grow up without guidance. No one wants to be disliked. You can't understand the loneliness of being completely alone, having no one to tell you right from wrong, yet you casually call him an annoying, ill-mannered orphan for minor mistakes."
Sakura froze, stunned by the intensity of Sasuke's words.
"You… really disgust me," he finished, his words sharp and cutting.
For a moment, Naruto's heart wavered. Sasuke understood the isolation he had always felt, the daily loneliness, the sting of being misunderstood. And strangely, Naruto didn't find him as annoying anymore. He quickly banished the thought from his mind, lest he dwell too long on the strange fascination he felt.
---
"I am your team leader, Aburame Torune," the man announced, stepping fully into the classroom. He had witnessed the awkward triangle unfold, but didn't linger.
"So stop your nonsense and come with me immediately!"
Without giving Naruto or the others a chance to refuse, Torune turned and began walking toward the exit.
Sasuke, frowning slightly at the unexpected impatience of the teacher, followed silently.
Naruto, eyes wide, grabbed Sakura—her expression utterly dejected—and hurried after them.
As they stepped outside, sounds of whooshing and clanging reached them from the surrounding trees and buildings.
"This is a drill," Aburame Torune explained calmly, reading their expressions. "Secret agents train constantly to ensure no enemy infiltrates the village."
Though the combatants were masked and distant, they were clearly Anbu operatives.
"Walk faster so we don't interfere with their exercises," Torune instructed, picking up the pace.
As the streets narrowed and the crowds thinned, the trio approached the Forest of Death.
Naruto's internal warning system flared. Feng Xu's voice echoed in his mind:
"Be careful, Naruto. There's something off about Aburame Torune. Don't enter the Forest of Death."
Naruto's steps froze. He sensed the unease himself, but even he had considered dismissing it as paranoia. Now, with Feng Xu confirming it, hesitation took hold.
"Why did you stop?" Torune's voice was calm but commanding.
Naruto took a cautious step back, keeping a safe distance.
Sakura, too focused on hurrying, didn't notice the tension. Sasuke, however, quickly analyzed the situation.
"On the very first day, they brought us to a dangerous place like the Forest of Death without explanation," he muttered. "We passed several training areas that could have been used for orientation or practice, yet they ignored them. You say Naruto can't observe? I think you lack the qualities of a proper ninja."
Sasuke's words, sharp and merciless, pierced through Sakura's protests.
Seeing that their awareness had been noticed, Torune abandoned the pretense of politeness.
"Two near-genin, plus a Jinchūriki with partial Nine-Tails abilities," he muttered coldly. "I don't need to waste effort."
Torune moved with the precision of an elite Jonin.
"Why are you resisting? Just come obediently. I have no choice but to make you suffer a little," he said, his tone icy.
---
Suddenly, Torune struck. Sasuke, on Naruto's left, was hit in the stomach and sent flying backward, spitting acidic fluid. Sakura received a sharp blow to the forehead and collapsed, unconscious.
He was not Kakashi—the kind, measured teacher of the original story. Torune attacked with the force of a Jonin tasked with removing all threats instantly.
Naruto's eyes bloodshot, fury and killing intent blazing, he shouted:
"You bastard! How dare you hurt them! I'll fight you to the death!"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
A wave of chakra erupted from Naruto as dozens of his clones exploded outward, ready to engage the Root operative head-on.
Visit patreon.com/Favyoris to get 30+ chapters