ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛ | ᴛᴇɴᴛᴇɴ ꜰꜰ|

Chapter 56

"This was the place of your very first training lesson, wasn't it?" Kakashi's voice, calm and measured as always, broke the silence.

"It was Team Seven," Ugetsu added, his voice reflecting the bond they had forged in these very grounds. "The four of us together."

"That's right, we had Sasuke with us back then," Kakashi said, his words hanging in the air like a poignant reminder of the absence that now loomed over their once unbreakable team.

"Alright!" Kakashi's voice shifted to one of determination as he produced three bells from his pocket. "Show me how far you've come. After all, you haven't given up on Sasuke, have you?"

"Not a chance," Sakura replied firmly, her resolve unwavering as she met Kakashi's gaze head-on.

"What the heck do you think I put myself through all this training for?" Naruto's voice was filled with conviction, a silent promise of his unwavering loyalty to his friend.

Kakashi observed them for a moment, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Then let's see if that determination translates into action. Remember, this isn't just about strength; it's about teamwork and trust."

With a nod, Ugetsu stepped forward, his heart racing with anticipation. He could feel the familiar adrenaline coursing through his veins, igniting a sense of purpose. "We can do this," he said, glancing at Sakura and Naruto, his confidence bolstering theirs.

Sakura returned his gaze, her eyes shining with determination. "Together."

Naruto pumped his fist in the air, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah! Team Seven is back!"

As Ugetsu stood amidst the familiar landscape of the training grounds, a surge of determination coursed through him. He knew that Kakashi, their enigmatic sensei, was nearby, concealed from their sight.

With a subtle release of chakra, he extended his senses, probing the earth beneath them for any sign of Kakashi's presence. "He's hiding underground," Ugetsu said quietly.

Sakura clenched her fist, her features filled with fierce determination. With a powerful blow to the ground, the earth quaked and fissured beneath her strength, sending rocks flying in all directions. Naruto and Ugetsu, caught off guard by her display of power, stumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on their backsides.

A triumphant smirk spread across Sakura's lips as she turned her gaze toward the ground. "Kakashi-sensei, I finally found you, didn't I?"

Ugetsu and Naruto dusted themselves off and got to their feet, Naruto's eyes fixed on Sakura with a mixture of admiration and apprehension. "I really should stop acting like such an idiot around Sakura. If I don't, she's gonna kill me," he muttered under his breath, his tone a blend of self-deprecation and fondness.

"I'm afraid too," Ugetsu said with a chuckle, exchanging a look with Naruto in agreement.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training ground, the three shinobi remained hidden, their positions concealed from Kakashi's sharp perception. Unbeknownst to their sensei, they observed his movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Naruto, seizing the opportunity, hurled three kunai toward Kakashi, each blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Startled by the sudden attack, Kakashi emerged from his hiding spot, his gaze scanning the surrounding area for any sign of his elusive students. Before he could react, however, Ugetsu, Sakura, and Naruto stepped forward, standing resolute before him.

"I'm going to teach you something," Kakashi announced, his voice calm and composed. "Shinobi Tactical Knowledge Number One: Taijutsu."

With practiced speed and agility, Kakashi lunged toward Ugetsu.