Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

7

Chapter 6 – A step towards the Future

Kakashi and Sasuke were sitting on the porch of Naruto's house looking at the koi pond while waiting for their blonde haired teammate to get ready for the party the Fire Daimyō and the Hokage were jointly hosting. Sakura had already entered the house to make sure that Naruto did not try to wear something inappropriate.

Sasuke was wearing a formal navy kimono with the Uchiha crest proudly displayed on his back. Around the kimono sleeves, embroideries of golden flames were glowing in the fading light of the sun. Beside him, Kakashi was wearing a formal variant of his Ninja uniform. Over the uniform, he wore a grey haori with the Hatake clan crest embroidered on the back.

"Kakashi may I ask you a question?" Sasuke asked with curiosity. Kakashi stared at his student with his single eye before nodding.

"Sure thing Sasuke, what do you want to know?"

"Did all of you really give it your all, or was it planned to show Naruto as one of the most powerful shinobi of the village?"

Kakashi hummed of a few moments before saying, "Kurenai, Anko, Neko, and Tora underestimated him, so was unable to fully showcase their abilities against him, with Tora showing about seventy percent of their abilities. Only Gai and I gave it our all, well our all that would not have ended up with us dead in the end. Even then, Naruto easily defeated us with ease. I will bet my Icha Icha collection that we did not even phase him. In fact, I doubt that Naruto even showed a quarter of his true abilities. Then there was his speed. It reminded me of Minato-sensei and his Hiraishin, just but without the seals. I cannot even fathom how much more powerful he will become by the time the Chunin Exams come by in six months."

"I see. He really is at a level that is unreachable by most shinobi, isn't he?" Sasuke stated with sadness.

"My summons has said that even in the Summons World, he is an interesting subject. From what Pakkun said, Gamamaru-sama, the Ōgama Sennin said, Naruto is more talented than the Rikudō Sennin was and he is progressing at a level that makes us prodigies look like toddlers. From what I can see, Naruto learns by doing something, not by reading about it like us. Then again, it may have been a ruse to hide his abilities. Remember this Sasuke, while Naruto's strength seems unattainable and to a certain degree, it is, but he reached this height by himself, just as Sakura has. You and I have a lot of hard work to be able to keep up with them. If we do this right, our Team may become the next standard for teams just as the Ino-Shika-Cho formation and the Sannin were before Orochimaru betrayed us."

"I understand what you mean Kakashi. We should not ignore any advice Naruto gives us. Without even trying, he helped me activate the Sharingan in a single training session, then helping me master the Tree Walking Exercise and the Water Walking Exercise in the minimum amount of time. If this keeps up long enough we may have to start calling him Naruto-sensei!" Sasuke said with a small chuckle causing Kakashi to look at the former Avenger in shock.

Before Kakashi could say anything, the duo heard the sound of a shoji door sliding open. They turned around and saw Saukra walking out in her crimson red kimono with sakura petal embroidery done in silver thread. A simple hair clip made of blue crystal held her bangs away from her face. Surprisingly, unlike they expected, Sakura had only minor makeup applied to her face. Her lips painted a pale pink. Following her was Naruto wearing the white kimono he wore when his heritage was revealed.

"Shouldn't you wear something else Naruto? In high society, wearing the same formal clothes does not look good." Kakashi said getting a surprised look from Sasuke.

"First sensei, I was an orphan with no one to teach me that. Second, I do not have any other formal clothing that will fit me. Finally, this was commissioned by my mother, so it has some sentimental value added to it." Naruto stated in matter of fact tone causing Kakashi to nod in realization.