"Ahaha? Is that so? I totally forgot!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, looking a bit awkward as he laughed it off.
Sasuke glanced at him with a look of disdain.
Only Menma found this perfectly normal. If Naruto weren't like this, he wouldn't be Naruto. In this life, his status and circumstances were different, so he hadn't pulled the same pranks as in the original story, but fundamentally, Naruto hadn't changed.
He was still that optimistic, husky-like existence.
"You really need to remember these things, Naruto. Just as Sakura said, the five ninja villages we mentioned are recognized as the Five Great Nations of the ninja world. That doesn't mean only the Five Great Nations have formal ninja. In fact, other countries in the ninja world have villages like the Hidden Grass, Hidden Waterfall, Hidden Rain, and Hidden Hot Water. Ninja from these villages are also considered formal ninja. However, compared to the Five Great Nations, including our Leaf, the gap is massive. Only the leaders of the Five Great Nations can bear the title of 'Kage.' In the Leaf, it's the Hokage. The other four are the Mizukage, Raikage, Tsuchikage, and Kazekage!"
Kakashi patted Naruto's head lightly, neither too hard nor too soft.
"Ohhh! So that's how it is!"
Naruto looked enlightened.
"So, 'Hokage' is a very great title, Naruto. If you say you want to inherit it, or even surpass previous Hokage like your father, the Fourth, then you can't just talk about it. You have to put in even more effort!"
Kakashi looked at Naruto, his tone turning slightly serious.
"I know that, Big Brother Kakashi! Just trust me! When it comes to hard work, I won't lose to anyone!"
Naruto tilted his head back and declared firmly.
As he spoke, he glanced significantly at Menma and Sasuke. After all, in the Academy, the three of them were consistently the top three in practical skills.
Competing with each other was only natural.
However, while Naruto and Sasuke traded wins and losses, Menma had always suppressed both of them, firmly holding the number one spot.
Sasuke and Menma both noticed Naruto's gaze. Menma maintained his calm expression, while Sasuke snorted lightly and instinctively glanced at Menma as well.
Walking silently at the back, Tazuna couldn't help but take another look at Naruto.
The old man really hadn't expected this seemingly dim-witted blonde kid to be the son of the Leaf's hero, the Fourth Hokage.
That identity...
In the ninja world, it was incredibly prestigious!
But because of this, Tazuna's confidence in this trip grew even stronger. After accepting the mission, he had learned of Kakashi's Jōnin status. Now, knowing Naruto was the son of the Fourth...
Then this ninja named Kakashi Hatake must be one of the top elites even among Jōnin!
Otherwise, how could he be qualified to lead the son of the Fourth Hokage?!
My bridge... this time, it will definitely be built!
Tazuna thought silently to himself.
Team 7 gradually moved further away from the village.
Even with an ordinary person like Tazuna slowing them down, after two or three hours, the group had completely left the sphere of influence of the Hidden Leaf Village and was steadily heading toward the southeastern border of the Land of Fire.
Just as they entered a straight path flanked by towering trees on both sides...
Kakashi, walking on the far right, narrowed his eye slightly.
A second later.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Suddenly.
From behind the bushes on both sides of the road.
Two burly figures sprang out, closing in rapidly. before most people on the scene could react...
In moments, they were upon Kakashi, flanking him from left and right.
Clatter!
Thick, black chains emerged.
Clang!
In a flash.
They looped perfectly around Kakashi.
Then, with a violent pull in opposite directions...
Splurt!
Rip!
The dull sound of flesh being pierced by metal and torn apart echoed.
Kakashi's "body" was instantly shredded.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
"Kakashi-sensei?!"
To the side.
Sakura, Sasuke, and Tazuna's pupils shrank violently. Sakura couldn't suppress a scream!
As young Leaf ninja raised like flowers in a greenhouse, they had never witnessed the cruel reality of blood and fire in the ninja world. Watching their Jōnin sensei die so violently and brutally right before their eyes naturally shocked Sakura's mind!
"One down!"
The attackers.
After "killing" Kakashi.
Their eyes, filled with killing intent, turned toward Menma, Naruto, and the others.
Boom!
Exploding chakra beneath their feet.
They sped toward the group.
Sakura was clearly traumatized by the scene, frozen in place, dumbstruck.
But she was the only one with such poor psychological resilience. The others—including Naruto, who froze in the original story—snapped out of their initial shock immediately!
However, Menma and Sasuke's reactions were clearly a step faster than Naruto's.
Their experiences weren't something Naruto could compare to. Both had witnessed the brutal deaths of their parents with their own eyes. A small scene like this couldn't shake their resolve.
Therefore, they didn't hesitate for even a second!
Almost the instant the two ambushers turned and charged toward them, Menma and Sasuke moved.
They intercepted the attackers.
Clear division of labor.
Alternating cover.
Bam!
Clang!
They easily blocked the attackers' assault.
"?!"
This unexpected response made the two attackers' pupils shrink. These were clearly rookie Genin who had just graduated, yet they had such fast reactions and strength?!
The moment the two attackers exchanged glances...
A premonition of danger rose in their hearts.
They tried to pull back immediately.
"Hmph!"
In front of them.
Menma snorted lightly.
Whoosh!
An even greater surge of chakra erupted.
Bam!
He pressed down with overwhelming force.
"Bad move!"
The attacker in front of him sank under the pressure.
Feeling the powerful suppression...
The attacker's face changed drastically.
Unable to escape the clash, Menma swung his right arm violently, breaking through the attacker's guard with fierce momentum.