Nothing New Under the Sun

Sasuke stood in the shadows at a street corner, looking somewhat hesitant.

Just as Sasuke was caught in a dilemma, Naruto in the distance suddenly turned his head as if he had sensed something.

"Hmph, so you showed up after all, Sasuke."

Naruto stood on the small bridge at the village entrance where they were to meet, hands on his hips and cheeks puffed out in displeasure.

Thinking about how Sasuke had forced him to remain a bystander last night, even stealing away his chance to reunite with his parents...

When Sasuke approached with a dark expression, Naruto sneered sarcastically, "Didn't you talk a big game before? In the end, you were worse than me. You cried your eyes out in that dream."

Sasuke's face immediately darkened. "You idiot! Stop spouting nonsense! What do you know?!"

Naruto had witnessed every bit of his embarrassment in last night's dream, and the proud Sasuke was instantly angered into humiliation.

Seeing that Sasuke had been struck where it hurt and was furious, Naruto felt even more satisfied.

"I'm spouting nonsense? Hmph, Kakashi-sensei and Sakura saw it too! And you thief! That dream was supposed to be mine!"

"A thief?" Sasuke retorted indignantly. "It wasn't something I could control! Besides..." He gritted his teeth. Thinking of how his parents had still been alive in the dream, his feelings grew complicated. "Besides, that dream... wasn't yours either."

Neither of them would yield. They glared at each other, trading barbs, unwilling to take even half a step back.

The tense atmosphere between them continued to rise as their gritted faces drew closer and closer.

They were just about to press together.

At the critical moment, a clear female voice suddenly rang out beside them. "What are you two doing?!"

When Sakura arrived and saw the scene, she hurriedly squeezed between them, holding one back with each hand and forcibly separating them. "Calm down! What are you trying to do so early in the morning, start a fight?"

"Sakura, don't stop me!" Naruto was pushed back two steps by Sakura and protested stubbornly, still glaring angrily at Sasuke. "Today, I'm definitely teaching this stubborn bastard a lesson!"

"Who are you calling a bastard?" Sasuke was blocked on the other side by Sakura.

"Enough, you two!" Sakura looked utterly speechless. She pressed a hand against each boy's shoulder, forcibly keeping two arm's lengths between them.

She glared at them, panting.

"Naruto, Sasuke, calm down... We're teammates."

But Naruto and Sasuke each turned their heads away, refusing to look at the other. Clearly, neither was willing to be the first to back down.

Seeing them sulk like two children who refused to admit defeat, Sakura could only sigh helplessly to herself.

Why were these two so impossible to handle?

Just as Sakura was caught between them, unable to move forward or back, a lazy voice came from behind the group.

"You three sure are energetic this early in the morning."

Hearing that voice, Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other. Then they both snorted and turned away, ignoring one another again.

Sakura quietly released the hands she had used to restrain them and turned around. Kakashi was standing leisurely a few steps away.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura cried as if she had found a savior. "You finally came! If you hadn't, they would've started fighting!"

Kakashi put away his usual careless expression and waved at the two boys, whose hostility was practically palpable. "All right, all right, don't take things so seriously. What happened?"

"What else could it be? It was last night's dream—"

Naruto muttered, about to complain first, but Sasuke shot him a fierce glare.

Sasuke clearly did not want to mention all the ways he had lost composure in his dream. He snorted and turned away, stopping Naruto from saying any more.

Kakashi was too perceptive not to see what was going on at a glance.

He helplessly rubbed the back of his head and said lazily, "It was only a dream. Don't take it too seriously. All right, stop sulking. We have a mission to carry out today, so focus your energy on that."

Although Naruto and Sasuke were still unconvinced by each other, they could not keep arguing in front of their teacher after he had spoken. They could only each let out a cold snort.

Seeing that they had quieted down for the time being, Sakura finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ahem."

Seeing that the situation was under control, Kakashi was just about to say something else to ease the atmosphere among his team when suddenly—

Whoosh!

A black figure abruptly appeared beside them, moving so fast that they had barely seen him arrive.

The man wore a dark bodysuit beneath a gray-white vest and a cat-shaped mask over his face. He was a member of the Leaf Village ANBU.

Kakashi's expression turned serious as he looked at the ANBU. "What is it?"

The ANBU dropped to one knee and respectfully reported, "Kakashi-senpai, the Hokage wishes to see you."

"What?"

Kakashi froze for a moment, then realized it was likely related to the information about the dream.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he hurriedly confirmed, "Now?"

"Yes. The Hokage is waiting for you in his office." After saying that, the ANBU spoke no more. With a flicker, he vanished without a trace.

After pondering briefly, Kakashi looked at his three subordinates and said apologetically, "Sorry, but today's mission will probably have to be canceled. Go home and rest for now."

"Huh? We're dismissed already?"

Naruto had originally been looking forward to an impressive mission today, and he pouted in disappointment.

"Tch, boring." Sasuke had no objections, merely snorting coldly.

Although Sakura also found it regrettable, she could understand considering the circumstances.

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah. I'll notify you once this is taken care of."

His gaze swept over Naruto and Sasuke before he reminded them, "And you two, don't argue over little things again, understand?"

To his surprise, Naruto and Sasuke turned away at the same time and muttered, "Got it..."

"These two brats..." Kakashi shook his head helplessly.

Watching Sasuke and Naruto walk away one after the other in opposite directions, Sakura hesitated where she stood. In the end, she decided to quickly chase after Sasuke's retreating figure.

After all, under the circumstances, she was more worried about Sasuke leaving alone with that cold expression on his face.

Watching Naruto and Sasuke go their separate ways, Kakashi sighed again. "Those two really are a headache."

Soon.

Outside the Hokage's office.

Kakashi straightened his clothes slightly, then raised his hand and knocked on the door twice.

"Come in." An aged yet authoritative voice came from inside.

Kakashi pushed open the door and entered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, lowering his head as he handled a crystal-clear crystal ball on the tabletop.

His pipe had been set aside. Wisps of smoke curled through the room, filling it with the faint scent of tobacco.

Kakashi recognized that crystal ball.

It was the medium Hiruzen Sarutobi commonly used for the Telescope Technique, allowing its user to observe every corner of Konoha Village through the crystal ball.

"Hokage-sama." Kakashi stepped forward several paces and bowed respectfully.

"Kakashi, you're here." Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head. Upon seeing Kakashi, a kindly smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

Urgency showed in Kakashi's eyes as he asked directly, "Hokage-sama, did you summon me because of that matter..."