Inside a ramen shop, Ichiraku Ramen steamed piping hot as a blond-haired boy sat at the table wolfing it down.
Beside him sat a white-haired older man, sipping sake as he watched the boy with a doting expression.
As if remembering something, he sighed softly. "Naruto, in a couple of days, I plan to take you out for training. A new teacher will accompany you then, so make sure you prepare yourself."
Slurp!
Naruto took a huge gulp of noodle soup and said indistinctly, "Sure, sure. I'll go let Sasuke and Sakura know later."
Sasuke's Cursed Seal of Heaven had now been sealed away, and he stayed at Kakashi's side, receiving his instruction. Though the three were no longer together,
their deep bonds and friendship would not disappear.
A while later, not even a drop of broth remained in Naruto's bowl.
"Hehehe, Pervy Sage, let's go!"
"Honestly, you little brat."
The two lifted the curtain and walked out. Jiraiya glanced sideways, then draped an arm over Naruto's shoulder as they left.
Not far away, Itachi and Kisame, dressed in black cloaks patterned with red clouds, watched Jiraiya and Naruto.
Kisame raised his head slightly, revealing shark-like eyes beneath his conical hat.
"I never expected one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, to be here. That guy's going to be very hard to deal with! Mr. Itachi, what should we do?"
Kisame tossed the question to Itachi beside him. With Jiraiya present, Itachi had the perfect excuse to retreat openly.
So he put on a grave expression and said, "Before someone like him, any title is useless. We can only withdraw for now and report this intelligence to the organization."
"Then we'll do as you say, Itachi-san."
With that, the two headed in the opposite direction. But as they passed through a corridor,