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"The hiding place has been changed. That's indeed a wise judgment," Shiratori Satoru mused as he sat on a stone, observing Uzumaki Naruto and the others moving quickly in the distance with his Six Eyes. After their head-to-head confrontation, they had recognized the vast gap in strength and decided to shift their hiding spot to focus on a sneak attack and devise a new battle plan.
Good judgment, indeed.
Satoru suspected it was Uchiha Sasuke who had made this call. "The seventh class, formed with admiration as the core, can effectively promote growth," he thought, pulling out a lollipop, unwrapping it, and popping it into his mouth.
Naruto had feelings for Sakura, while Sakura admired Sasuke. In this tangled web of youthful emotions, Naruto sought Sakura's approval, and she in turn aimed for Sasuke's recognition. As Naruto grew stronger, Sasuke would inevitably sense a challenge and strive to improve himself. This dynamic was the heartbeat of Class 7.
"Unfortunately," Satoru continued, stretching his arms above his head and reclining against the stone with a bored expression, "without teamwork, everyone just wants to show off."
The assessment he had devised—merely getting him to move one step back—might seem simple at first glance, but it was deceptively difficult. In a world filled with powerful shinobi, only a handful could even hope to make him budge.
"Seems like they're doing well," he thought with a hint of satisfaction. "I can carry out my task with peace of mind."
Just then, a flat voice broke through the air, laced with a lazy tone. "It appears to be going smoothly."
A man materialized out of thin air—short gray hair framed his face, and he wore a black mask that concealed half of it. His forehead protector covered one eye, and he donned a green Jōnin vest over a black jacket, exuding an aura of relaxed indifference. It was Hatake Kakashi, the legendary Copy Ninja of Konoha.
Shiratori Satoru smiled at him. "Is it going well? My assessment is quite challenging. If these kids keep this up, they'll end up back at the ninja school."
Kakashi leaned against a tree trunk and flipped through the pages of Intimate Paradise, his trademark book. "I didn't expect someone of your caliber to take the initiative to teach Class 7," he said casually.
Satoru chuckled lightly. He knew Kakashi regarded him as one of the strongest shinobi in the village—someone who had faced formidable foes like the Fourth Raikage and Fifth Mizukage without suffering defeat. Rumor had it that even the Fourth Raikage's punches couldn't touch him!
However, Satoru had lost once—in a match against Tsunade—but everyone knew that loss was intentional... he had done so to preserve her dignity.
"Do you think I enjoy teaching these troublesome brats? I'm just trying to save face for her," Satoru sighed dramatically as he pulled out another lollipop. "Want one?"
"If you put it another way, I might consider it," Kakashi replied dryly with amusement.
Shiratori Satoru raised an eyebrow playfully. Two grown men discussing candy?
Still, Kakashi couldn't deny that Satoru's lollipops were renowned delicacies from Konoha Village—delicious enough to tempt anyone.
"Don't be shy!" Satoru urged with a grin.
Kakashi shifted topics, pulling out two bells from his pocket and shaking them lightly. "Using bells for an assessment would be less troublesome than this."
"That's too old-fashioned," Satoru waved dismissively. "I know what you're worried about; don't fret."
"I'll make sure these brats learn to be self-reliant quickly. Once I complete my task, I'll head off to enjoy some time with her." He wore a frivolous smile as he spoke.
"Oh? A little escapade with Shizune?" Kakashi teased lightly as he closed his book and turned to face Satoru.
Kakashi respected Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage—his mentor—and understood that protecting Naruto was crucial for Minato's legacy.
"Has the fox kid ever tapped into the power of the Nine Tails?" Satoru asked suddenly.
"Once," Kakashi recalled thoughtfully. "Naruto was enveloped in blood-red chakra but was quickly stopped by his seal. That must have been the Nine Tails' power."
"Exactly what the Hokage is worried about—the fear of Naruto losing control," Shiratori Satoru said as he gazed into the distance through his Six Eyes. He could see several Anbu ninjas lurking nearby; there was no doubt they were from Danzo's faction, monitoring Naruto closely.
"Danzo is both power-hungry and fearful of it...it's amusing," Satoru remarked with an edge of disdain in his voice.
"I hate being watched, I can't imagine what it's like for someone being scrutinized all day long—are they comparing lollipops or something?"
He raised his hand in a gun gesture aimed at the hidden Anbu operatives.
"Bang."
A dark substance emerged from his fingertips like smoke swirling in the air before shooting off at breakneck speed. It left behind a massive crack in its wake as it tore through the forest.
The explosion echoed loudly as trees splintered and debris flew in all directions—the once lush greenery transformed into barren wasteland.
This was one of Shiratori Satoru's most common attack methods: an attraction-based technique centered around 'Bang', capable of producing effects akin to creating a black hole.
"Oi Satoru! Don't tell me..." Kakashi gasped slightly as he watched the devastation unfold before him, cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Did one get away?" Satoru mused aloud as he squinted toward the billowing black smoke in the distance. "Sorry about that! I mistook them for enemies from another village since they've been spying on us all day."
"They're just three ordinary Genin after all," he added coolly.
Kakashi sighed helplessly; there was no need for concern now that Satoru was on watch duty—Naruto would be safe under his protection. Even if Danzo tried anything sneaky, he wouldn't dare act openly against Shiratori Satoru!
"I still have tasks to attend to; I'll be leaving first." Kakashi raised two fingers as if preparing to vanish in an instant.
"Wait! Let me borrow that book for a while; I'll return it once I finish reading!" Satoru called out as he gestured toward Kakashi's beloved book.
"You still haven't returned what you borrowed last time!" Kakashi replied incredulously.
"Did I? I completely forgot!" Satoru feigned innocence while smirking internally; Tsunade had torn up those books after discovering their content was too explicit for his taste!
"Fine! Just take it; consider it a gift." Kakashi relented with an exasperated smile as he handed over the book. "Congratulations on becoming Class 7's teacher."
"Thanks! Here's some candy for you." Shiratori Satoru didn't hesitate to toss him another piece before putting away the book with a satisfied grin.
He and Kakashi shared a long-standing friendship—a bond forged through mutual respect and camaraderie within Konoha's ranks.
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