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Kakashi Hatake, Elite Jonin, World-Class Napper, and Slightly-Overdue Team Leader, was reading a file with one eye half-open.
Team assignments. Again.
He stood atop the academy's roof, breeze tousling his silver hair, the morning sun rising lazily over Konoha.
"…Team 7," he muttered.
He flipped the page.
Uchiha Sasuke. Broody, top of the class, probably glared at his own reflection for motivation.
Haruno Sakura. Book-smart. Big forehead. Bigger crush.
Uzumaki Naruto. Prankster, loudmouth, possibly allergic to shirts that aren't orange.
Kakashi blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Oh boy."
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Hokage's Office – Later That Day
Third Hokage: pipe, robes, calm.
Kakashi: late, casual, holding a half-eaten dango stick.
"You're late," Hiruzen said flatly.
"There was a duck crossing the road," Kakashi replied.
"…A duck."
"A very… philosophical one."
Sarutobi sighed. "Let's just talk about Team 7."
Kakashi leaned against the window ledge. "Sure. Should I start with the problem child, the lovesick note-taker, or the human thundercloud?"
The Hokage gave him that look.
Kakashi held up his hands in surrender. "Kidding. Sort of."
"Let's hear it."
Kakashi pulled out a small, icy kunai wrapped in cloth and dropped it on the desk with a clink.
"Guess which one of your Genin is now accidentally freezing his sandals to the ceiling."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"…Naruto?"
"Yup."
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe. "Fascinating. Ice affinity is extremely rare."
"Rare and chaotic. He nearly turned Training Ground 7 into a skating rink."
"Did anyone teach him?"
Kakashi gave a thoughtful hum. "Define 'teach.'"
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Flashback Panel:
Naruto, midair, screaming as a spring-loaded trap launches him into a tree.
Off-panel voice (Anko): "Oops. That one was supposed to be a decoy!"
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Kakashi crossed his arms. "Pretty sure Anko's taken a liking to him."
The Third blinked. "…Anko?"
"Yep."
"Is he still alive?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Covered in ink and emotionally confused, but alive."
A pause.
"…She's not being too hard on him, is she?"
"Oh, she's being exactly hard on him," Kakashi said, eye crinkling in amusement. "But he keeps showing up. That counts for something."
Another pause.
Hiruzen's expression softened. "He's changed, hasn't he?"
Kakashi nodded. "He used to run around shouting about becoming Hokage just to get attention."
"Now?"
"Now he trains quietly after class, burns through five pairs of boots a week, and looks like he's plotting how to fight gravity."
"…That sounds about right."
Kakashi gave a small laugh. "Honestly, it's kind of endearing. He's still a disaster. But now he's a disaster with focus."
Hiruzen chuckled. "Just like his father."
Kakashi's face twitched, but he didn't reply.
Instead, he pulled out another item—a photo.
Naruto, half-drenched, one eye closed, grinning wildly at the camera while covered in what looked like snow, mud, and victory.
Hiruzen chuckled. "That's the new Genin photo?"
Kakashi nodded solemnly. "They told him not to pose. He posed harder."
The Third smiled.
Kakashi turned to the window again, letting the breeze lift his hair.
"…He's rough around the edges. But he's got heart."
"And heart," Hiruzen said softly, "is what this village needs most."
Kakashi gave a lazy salute. "Guess I'll be responsible for him now."
"Are you ready?"
Kakashi glanced over his shoulder.
"Ready? No. Mentally prepared? Also no."
"But?"
"…I think it'll be fun."
He disappeared with a swish, leaving only a soft breeze and the echo of an amused sigh from the Third Hokage.
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