"He's way too late! It'll be dark soon. What kind of person is he, anyway?"
"Do you think something happened to our Jonin teacher?"
"We're inside the village, so probably not."
"Surely he didn't get lost?"
Naruto, who had been lounging against a desk and chair while complaining with Sasuke and Hinata, suddenly jolted and turned his gaze toward the door.
He's already noticed me? What terrifying sensory abilities.
Outside the door, Kakashi paused. He had rarely returned to the village over the past few years, and Guy had pulled him aside for a chat earlier, so he had spent a little longer at the Memorial Stone.
Only then had he used the Body Flicker Technique to hurry over.
Yet the moment Kakashi landed, he had almost immediately felt Naruto's gaze on him.
Sliding the door open, Kakashi surveyed the classroom. The spacious room held only Sasuke Uchiha, sitting in his seat and eyeing him coldly; Hinata Hyuga, politely nodding in greeting; and Naruto Uzumaki, staring at him with a thoughtful frown.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm late," Kakashi said. "Still, you're more patient than I expected. Let's go somewhere else to talk."
With that, Kakashi headed out first.
Noticing Naruto's strange expression, Hinata asked curiously, "Is something wrong, Naruto-kun?"
"I don't know. This teacher looks kind of familiar... I feel like I've met him somewhere before." Naruto racked his brains, but he couldn't remember where he had seen this white-haired Jonin. The man's appearance was pretty distinctive, after all. If Naruto really had seen him before, he shouldn't have forgotten.
"Let's go." Sasuke had already risen to follow.
They soon arrived on a spacious rooftop.
"...We'll be teammates from now on, carrying out missions together. Anyway, let's start with some simple introductions," Kakashi began casually as he looked at the three