Kakashi CC, the Past Is the Past! The Present Is the Present!

"Hah—"

"I'm fine..."

"Just give me a moment..."

Kakashi had his head pressed against the ground, making it impossible to see his expression.

Still, Naruto felt like he might have hit a little too hard...

"Kakashi Sensei, I analyzed your intel properly this time, didn't I?"

Naruto stood with his hands on his hips, speaking smugly.

Thinking about how Kakashi had pinned him to the ground when he was six, then looking at Kakashi now, Naruto felt refreshed from head to toe.

He felt like he could scarf down three huge bowls of food tonight.

Naruto comfortingly patted Kakashi's shoulder, then very naturally removed the Bells from his waist.

Kakashi knelt on the ground, not wanting to deal with this kid at all right now.

Why the hell had this brat hit so hard?!

Wasn't he at least someone this kid knew?

If he hadn't reacted in time and used his hand to block Naruto's punch just now...

He had no doubt that punch might have killed him.

Kakashi glanced at his right hand. He figured it would probably take several months of rest before it healed.

He was exhausted...

Whoever wanted to lead Team 7 could lead them!

He was going back to slack off with the Third Hokage.

After resting for a while, Kakashi braced himself on one knee and struggled to stand. With a dead-fish expression, he said, "You all pass."

"Dismissed."

After making the announcement, Kakashi held his arm. His body was slightly hunched as he limped away.

Naruto couldn't bear to watch the white-haired Zhong Deng look so miserable. After all, Kakashi had watched him grow up...

And Kakashi had been the one to teach him how to use the Space Gate.

Today, Naruto had failed to hold back and nearly sent Kakashi off on the spot.

He felt he had gone a little too far.

With that in mind, Naruto took out a bottle of Life Potion and hurried after him. Tugging on his sleeve, he said, "Kakashi Sensei."

"Take this."

The moment he said that, Naruto noticed Kakashi's body trembling.

"Naruto!"

"Don't pull my arm!!"

Kakashi was truly despairing. Not only had he been injured by the genin under his command, but this kid had grabbed his broken arm...

Right now, he really wanted to hit Naruto with a Chidori.

"Ah!"

"Sorry!"

Realizing he had grabbed the wrong spot, Naruto awkwardly scratched his head and smiled.

Heaven knew he hadn't meant to grab Kakashi Sensei's broken hand.

Naruto then held the Life Potion out before him.

Kakashi glanced at it, unable to figure out what this kid was up to again.

"This is a potion that can heal injuries..."

"Kakashi Sensei just needs to drink it when you get back."

Seeming to notice the doubt in his eyes, Naruto thoughtfully explained how to use it.

Kakashi's expression turned slightly strange after hearing that.

What kind of joke was this...

He had a pretty good idea of how badly he was hurt.

Based on experience, his entire arm was probably fractured and dislocated.

If it was serious, there might even be cracks in the bone.

No matter how miraculous this medicine was, could it really compare to a Medical Ninja's ninjutsu?

And besides...

Even if it worked, shouldn't it at least be applied externally?

This kid sounded completely unreliable.

But considering Naruto's good intentions, as well as his own guilt, Kakashi decided to accept the potion anyway.

"Got it."

"I'll take it."

"Remember to go back and take a full-body photo."

"I'm leaving."

Kakashi still looked like a dead fish. After giving his instructions, he carried the Life Potion and limped away from the scene.

For some reason, Naruto saw the same loneliness he felt in Kakashi.

"This is different from what I imagined..."

Naruto murmured softly as he watched Kakashi's departing figure disappear.

Although he had defeated Kakashi, he was not as happy as he had imagined he would be.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Sasuke appeared beside Naruto at some point. He was covered in mud, and an occasionally choking earthy smell wafted from him.

Anyone unaware of the situation would have thought he had rolled around in a mud pit.

He looked utterly bedraggled.

Sakura stood nearby as well, her head lowered as she did not dare look at Naruto or Sasuke.

She was not even swooning over Sasuke despite him standing right beside her.

It couldn't be helped. During the battle just now, the girl had been battered black and blue by those two cheaters.

She had wanted to prove her own strength...

Who could have known that when the battle began, she would not only freeze in place, but also hold Naruto and Sasuke back...

Sakura lowered her head, gripping the corners of her clothes tightly with both hands. Her body occasionally trembled.

With tears in her voice, she said to them, "Sorry... I really didn't mean to do that just now..."

"I'm really sorry..."

When Naruto saw the wet patch by Sakura's feet, then glanced at her trembling shoulders, he understood what was happening.

He bumped Sasuke with his elbow and kept giving him meaningful looks, as if saying...

Bro, hurry up and comfort your wife.

If you stay single, our families won't be able to become in-laws later.

But Naruto's actions only looked extremely strange to Sasuke.

"Boring."

Sasuke replied indifferently. It was impossible to tell whether he truly did not understand or was pretending not to.

In the end, Naruto was the one who spoke up to comfort her.