Returning Home!
The night in the Land of Waves was quiet, save for the distant rush of waves lapping against the shore. The village was still, flickering lanterns casting faint golden glows against the worn wooden structures. Most of the villagers had retired for the night, exhausted from another day of rebuilding their homes. Within Tazuna’s house, Team 7 rested—exhausted, battered, but alive.
Except for Harry and Sasuke.
Harry sat outside on the small wooden porch, his back leaning against one of the support beams. His body still ached from the battle, and while Sakura’s medical skills and Naruto’s chakra transfer had done wonders, he still felt the phantom pain of the senbon needles that had nearly ended him. He absentmindedly adjusted his glasses, remembering the dried blood clinging to his sleeves.
Sasuke stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his expression unreadable in the dim moonlight. His shadow stretched long against the ground, dark against the pale glow of the night. He had been standing there for a while now, silent, rigid, but unmistakably present.
Harry exhaled slowly. “Can’t sleep?”
Sasuke’s eyes flickered to him before looking away. “You should be resting.”
Harry huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s rich coming from you.” He patted the space beside him, but Sasuke didn’t move. His gaze remained distant, locked onto something only he could see.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The night stretched between them, filled only by the distant sound of crickets and rustling leaves. Then, finally, Sasuke broke the silence.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
Harry glanced up, tilting his head. “Done what?”
Sasuke’s hands curled into fists. “You know what.” His voice was quieter than usual, lacking its usual sharp edge. “You jumped in front of me. Took the hit. You could’ve died.”
Harry sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I could say the same to you. We were all trying to survive in there.”
“That’s different.” Sasuke’s voice was tight. “I—” He stopped himself, his jaw clenching as if the words refused to leave his throat.
Harry studied him for a moment before speaking softly, “Sasuke… I know why this bothers you.”
Sasuke tensed. “You don’t know anything.”
“You lost your family,” Harry said plainly. “And now you almost lost me too.”
Sasuke’s breath hitched ever so slightly, but he said nothing. His expression was blank, but his fingers twitched—small, barely noticeable, but there. Harry had been around him long enough to recognize the little signs, the way Sasuke's body spoke even when his words didn’t.
Harry leaned back against the post, staring up at the night sky. “I get it, you know. Losing people. Having no choice but to keep going.” His fingers curled slightly. “It never stops hurting. But I made a choice back there. I don’t regret it.”
Sasuke let out a quiet scoff. “Idiot.”
Harry grinned. “Takes one to know one.”
Silence stretched again, but it was different this time. Less suffocating. Sasuke finally moved, stepping forward before sitting down beside Harry, though he didn’t look at him. His eyes were on the stars above, dark and unreadable, but no longer distant.
After a long moment, he spoke again. “…You’re not allowed to die before me.”
Harry blinked before snorting. “Is that an order, Uchiha?”
Sasuke didn’t answer immediately. But then, his voice was quieter. “It’s a promise.”
Harry turned his head, studying him, before nodding. “Alright. I promise.”
They sat in silence after that, the night continuing its steady, peaceful rhythm around them. And for the first time in a long while, Sasuke didn’t feel so alone.
The two days passed in a blur. The Land of Waves, once suffocating under the weight of fear and oppression, now breathed with new life. The people—once hesitant, once hopeless—had begun to smile again. Homes were being rebuilt, markets were reopening, and the air no longer carried the scent of despair.
And now, it was time to leave.
Team 7 stood at the edge of the village, bags packed, gear secured, and the weight of their mission still lingering on their shoulders. Before them stood Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari.
Tsunami wiped at her eyes, offering them all a warm, grateful smile. “I don’t think there’s anything I can say to thank you enough. You saved our home… our family.”
“You all better come back someday!” Inari said, pouting, though his watery eyes betrayed him. “We still gotta show you around properly. No bad guys ruining things next time!”
Naruto grinned, ruffling the kid’s hair. “Yeah, yeah, don’t go getting soft on us now, crybaby.”
“I’m not crying, idiot!”
Tazuna chuckled at their antics, then turned his gaze toward Kakashi, offering a nod of respect. “I don’t know if you shinobi understand just how much you’ve done for us. It ain’t just about Gato being gone—it’s about hope. People here can finally look toward tomorrow without fear. That’s thanks to all of you.”
Kakashi gave a small eye-smile. “We were just doing our job.”
Tazuna snorted. “Yeah? Then you got one hell of a job.” His gaze shifted toward Harry, who was standing between Sasuke and Sakura, looking better, though still a bit pale. “And you, kid. You’re one tough bastard, you know that?”
Harry chuckled. “I’ve heard that before.”
“Good. Wear it like a badge of honor.” Tazuna’s expression softened. “Take care of yourself, yeah?”
Harry nodded. “You too.”
A quiet breeze passed through, ruffling their clothes. It was a moment of closure, a moment of peace.
And then, with one last round of farewells, Team 7 turned toward the road home.
Konoha was waiting.
The massive gates of Konoha loomed ahead, standing tall and unwavering, a familiar sight after what felt like an eternity away. The moment Team 7 stepped onto the village’s bustling streets, a collective sigh of relief escaped them. They were home.
Naruto stretched his arms over his head, groaning. “Ahh, finally! A real bed! And food that doesn’t taste like despair and Tazuna’s cheap alcohol breath!”
Sasuke scoffed. “Like you have the taste to tell the difference.”
“I know when something tastes nasty, bastard.”
Harry, walking beside them, chuckled as Sakura rolled her eyes.
Kakashi, bringing up the rear, sighed. “Alright, listen up. I’ll have to go report the mission to the Hokage. In the meantime, you all get a well-deserved break. One week off from training.”
Silence.
Then—
“WHOOHOOO!”
Naruto fist-pumped the air, Harry grinned, and even Sakura looked ready to collapse from happiness. Sasuke, while not outwardly celebrating, had a noticeable ease in his posture.
Kakashi deadpanned at them. “...You shouldn’t be that happy about slacking off.”
Naruto wiped a fake tear. “Sensei, you don’t get it. You work us like slaves! I haven’t had a real nap in weeks!”
Harry nodded sagely. “This is truly a victory for us all.”
Sakura sighed dramatically. “I might actually get to read a book for fun.”
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. “I should be concerned.”
Still, their antics brought a hint of amusement to his otherwise tired expression. But then, he decided to drop the next bomb. “Oh, by the way, the Chunin Exams are coming up.”
Naruto paused mid-celebration. “...Seriously?”
Sasuke frowned. “Already?”
Harry tilted his head. “I know it’s for raising rank, but what’s the actual purpose of the exams?”
Sakura, ever the pragmatic one, answered bluntly, “Entertainment. And money. A lot of money.”
Naruto blinked. “Wait, so this is all a big show?”
Sakura nodded. “Feudal lords, merchants, and important figures from other villages come to watch. Konoha gets a huge payout from hosting it. It’s basically a shinobi tournament for politics and profit.”
Harry whistled. “So, it’s capitalism with extra steps.”
Kakashi gave a pleased eye-smile. “You catch on quick.”
Naruto groaned. “Great. So even in the ninja world, we can’t escape adults using us for money.”
Sakura smirked. “Welcome to reality.”
Their banter carried on as they strolled deeper into the village, their spirits lighter despite the looming event ahead. For now, they had a week of peace—no missions, no training, just time to breathe.
And after everything, they needed it.
The steady tap, tap, tap of Kakashi’s footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridors of the Hokage Tower as he made his way to the Third Hokage’s office. His body ached from battle, his chakra reserves were dangerously low, and the weight of the mission pressed heavily on his shoulders. He had sent a message ahead of time, and he wasn’t surprised to find that Iruka had been called in as well.
Iruka stood near the Hokage’s desk, arms crossed, brow furrowed in concern. The young instructor had a personal attachment to Team 7—particularly to Naruto—and Kakashi knew the news he was about to deliver would not sit well with him.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, his sharp gaze assessing Kakashi the moment he entered. Despite his age, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still as keen as ever, his mind sharp enough to piece together the importance of this debriefing before Kakashi even spoke.
Kakashi took a breath and began.
“The mission was far beyond what we anticipated. We weren’t dealing with simple mercenaries or rogue shinobi.” He paused, his visible eye darkening. “The true threat behind the Land of Waves' instability was the terrorist group Dagger Veil… and I now know who their leader is.”
Iruka’s eyes widened, and even the Hokage’s grip on his pipe tightened slightly.
“It was Zabuza Momochi.”
Silence.
The air in the room grew heavy. The name carried weight—Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, a man who had attempted a coup in his own village. That he had been behind Dagger Veil was no small revelation.
“…Are you certain?” the Hokage finally asked, his tone grave.
Kakashi nodded. “Without a doubt. He had with him a shinobi named Haku, a boy with a rare Kekkei Genkai. They engaged us in battle, and while Zabuza ultimately escaped, his group did not.”
Iruka exhaled sharply, absorbing the weight of those words. “You’re saying a team of genin—” He cut himself off, shaking his head in disbelief.
Kakashi gave a tired nod. “Yes. My genin. We destroyed Dagger Veil before they could lay waste to the Land of Waves.” His voice was even, but the weight behind his words was undeniable. “They fought. They bled. And they survived.”
Sarutobi leaned back, his expression unreadable, but Kakashi could see the gears turning in his mind. “You’re aware of what this means?”
Kakashi inclined his head. “If Zabuza had succeeded in taking over the Land of Waves, we would have assumed it was Kirigakure’s doing.”
The Third Hokage’s expression hardened. “That territory has always been a political fault line between our villages. If Kiri had been involved, this could have escalated into something much larger… perhaps even war.”
Iruka paled slightly. The gravity of it was impossible to ignore.
“But they weren’t involved,” Kakashi clarified. “Zabuza had gone completely rogue, and his goals were his own. That being said… the instability he caused could have been exploited.”
Hiruzen exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment as if calculating all the ways this could have gone wrong. Then, when he opened them, they were sharp once more. “You’ve done Konoha a great service, Kakashi.”
Kakashi shook his head. “My team did.”
A flicker of something unreadable passed through the old man’s face. “Even so. Stopping a terrorist organization, dismantling their operations, and surviving a battle against one of the Seven Swordsmen… That’s no ordinary feat for a team of genin.”
Iruka still looked tense, but there was something else now—relief. “Are they alright?” he asked, voice quieter.
Kakashi hesitated. He had expected that question.
“They survived. But not without cost.” His gaze lowered slightly. “Harry was nearly killed.”
Iruka inhaled sharply, while the Hokage’s expression darkened.
“He took a blow meant for Sasuke,” Kakashi continued, his tone matter-of-fact but heavy. “Naruto nearly lost himself to his rage. Sasuke unlocked a new level of his Sharingan in battle. Sakura had to perform emergency medical aid.” His hands clenched briefly at his sides. “They grew stronger, but they were pushed to their limits.”
A pause. Then, the Hokage sighed, standing up from his chair and walking toward the large window that overlooked Konoha. The weight of leadership sat heavily on his aging shoulders.
“Kakashi…” The Hokage’s voice was quiet but firm. “You were given a simple C-rank escort mission.”
Kakashi met his gaze. “It was never a C-rank.”
Sarutobi nodded, unsurprised. “…And now, Zabuza is still out there.”
“Most likely regrouping. But without his men, without Haku, and without financial backing… he’s as good as dead. That, or he’ll disappear into obscurity.”
The Hokage took a slow breath before exhaling. “Even so, we must be prepared. Kirigakure may not have been involved this time, but this event will not go unnoticed.” He turned to face Kakashi again. “Dagger Veil’s destruction will shift the power dynamics in ways we cannot yet predict.”
Kakashi knew that was true. The ripples of this mission were far from over.
The Third Hokage met his gaze once more. “Thank you, Kakashi. For stopping what could have been a disaster. For bringing your team home alive.”
Kakashi merely nodded. “It’s my job.”
Hiruzen’s gaze softened. “And your responsibility.”
A heavy silence settled between them. Then, finally, Sarutobi dismissed him.
As Kakashi turned to leave, he caught the worried glance Iruka sent his way, but neither of them said anything. They both knew what this meant.
The world was shifting.
And Team 7 was right in the center of it.
News traveled fast in the village. Too fast.
By the time Kakashi stepped out of the Hokage Tower, he could already hear murmurs in the air—talk of Team 7, of the mission that had spiraled beyond its original scope, of the genin who had somehow survived an encounter with Zabuza Momochi and dismantled Dagger Veil. It wasn’t every day that a genin team altered the course of a potential political crisis.
It was only a matter of time before the other jōnin got wind of it.
He didn’t even make it to the training grounds before he was intercepted.
“As expected of you, Kakashi.”
The lazy drawl belonged to Asuma Sarutobi, who stood leaning against a post, cigarette between his fingers. Next to him was Kurenai Yuhi, arms crossed, her red eyes sharp with curiosity. Gai, of course, was there too—standing dramatically with his arms folded, his expression unusually serious.
“You’ve caused quite the stir,” Kurenai noted, tilting her head. “Your team… against one of the Seven Swordsmen? That’s not something that happens every day.”
Asuma exhaled smoke, watching Kakashi carefully. “And now people are wondering… are you going to put them in for the Chunin Exams?”
Kakashi sighed. He had expected this. “Word spreads fast,” he remarked, his voice unreadable.
“Naturally!” Gai boomed, his voice filled with youthful enthusiasm, though there was something thoughtful beneath it. “Your students have faced true adversity! Perhaps they are ready to take the next step!”
Kakashi didn’t respond immediately. He had been thinking about it.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Harry had survived something most genin shouldn’t have. They had been forced into a battle that exceeded their rank by far, and yet, they hadn’t just endured it—they had grown.
Naruto had demonstrated raw power, an instinct for battle that bordered on terrifying when his emotions ran high.
Sasuke had unlocked another level of his Sharingan mid-combat, pushing himself past his limits.
Sakura had shown remarkable presence of mind, applying medical knowledge under pressure, keeping her teammates alive.
And Harry… Harry had nearly died for them. And despite that, Kakashi had no doubt that if put in the same situation again, Harry would make the same choice without hesitation.
The Chunin Exams, by comparison, might be too easy.
Still, Kakashi wasn’t the type to give a straight answer. He glanced lazily at Asuma and Kurenai, his eye crinkling in amusement. “Hmm. Who knows?”
Kurenai narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s not an answer.”
Kakashi shrugged. “It’s the answer you’re getting.”
Gai grinned. “Ah, so you are considering it!”
Kakashi didn’t confirm nor deny it, but internally, he had already made his decision.
His team wasn’t just ready for the Chunin Exams.
They might just break them.
The scent of rich, simmering broth and grilled fish filled the air, mingling with the faintest hint of freshly steamed rice. The warm glow of lanterns bathed the Namikaze estate’s dining room in soft, golden light, casting gentle shadows over the four genin gathered around the low table.
Naruto sat cross-legged with a wide grin, tearing into his meal with all the enthusiasm of someone who hadn’t eaten in days. Across from him, Sasuke was far more composed, but there was a rare sense of ease in his expression as he silently enjoyed the warmth of the moment. Sakura, meanwhile, was taking delicate bites of her food, looking around in quiet amazement.
“I still can’t believe it,” Sakura finally said, breaking the comfortable silence. She set her chopsticks down, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re related to Hayato Namikaze—one of the greatest genjutsu users in history. He didn’t even have a dōjutsu or a kekkei genkai, and he still made a name for himself?”
Sasuke gave a quiet nod, swallowing a bite of his meal before speaking. “I’ve read about him. His techniques were intricate—nearly impossible to break once you were caught in them. And all of that… without the Sharingan.” There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a subtle acknowledgment of just how impressive that truly was.
Harry snorted into his bowl of rice. “Uncle Hayato might be some great legend to you, but honestly, he’s just a big softie.”
Sakura blinked in surprise. “Wait—Uncle Hayato?”
Naruto grinned. “Harry's been around him as long as I have.”
“That explains a lot,” Sasuke muttered, smirking slightly.
As if on cue, the sliding door to the dining room creaked open, and the very man in question walked in. Hayato Namikaze was an older shinobi, his long, graying blond hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck. He had sharp yet kind eyes, his presence exuding both quiet wisdom and warmth. In his hands, he carried two extra bowls, which he set down in front of Sakura and Sasuke without a word.
“You need to eat more,” he told them, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re still growing.”
Sakura opened her mouth to protest, only to be immediately shut down by the sharp look he gave her. “No complaints. Eat.”
Sasuke, who had long since accepted that resisting hospitality in this household was a losing battle, simply took the bowl with a quiet nod of thanks.
Harry grinned knowingly. “See? Absolute softie.”
Hayato gave him a mild look before shaking his head with a sigh. “Brat.”
Laughter filled the room, a lighthearted contrast to the battles they had fought just days before. For now, there were no enemies, no looming threats—just the warmth of good food, quiet companionship, and the feeling of something that, to each of them, felt an awful lot like family.
The warmth of dinner lingered as the conversation gradually shifted from old legends to more pressing matters. The Chūnin Exams.
“So,” Naruto started, pausing to swallow a mouthful of rice before grinning at the others. “Anyone else curious about this whole exam thing? Kakashi-sensei made it sound like a big deal before he went off to report to the old man.”
Sakura rested her chin in her hand, her chopsticks idly poking at the remains of her meal. “Well, yeah. It is a big deal. It’s not just about ranking up—it’s also a chance to show off our village’s strength to outsiders. The whole thing is set up to make other nations see Konoha’s shinobi as strong. That’s why it’s held in front of everyone, including feudal lords and potential clients.”
Sasuke, arms crossed, leaned back slightly against the wooden pillar behind him. “That’s why the competition is so brutal,” he added, his voice calm but thoughtful. “It’s not just about passing. It’s about proving you’re worth promoting.”
Naruto’s face scrunched up. “So basically, it’s just one big flashy tournament?”
Harry chuckled. “From what I’ve heard? Pretty much.”
Naruto leaned forward, his eyes glinting with excitement. “Awesome! Do you think we’ll get to fight strong people from other villages? I mean, that’s gotta be part of it, right?”
Sakura sighed. “You’re thinking about this way too simply, Naruto.”
“I like simple!”
Harry smirked. “Yeah, we’ve noticed.”
Sasuke, however, looked deep in thought. “If Kakashi mentioned it to us this early, then he’s probably planning something for our training. He wouldn’t bring it up if he didn’t think we should take it seriously.”
That seemed to sober the group slightly. Kakashi wasn’t the type to overhype something unless it really mattered.
Naruto rested his chin on his palm, frowning slightly. “I wonder what he’ll teach us next. We already went through hell in the Land of Waves, and he still thinks we need more training?”
Harry shrugged. “Well, I do still suck at using chakra flow in my katana properly, so I imagine he’ll keep drilling that into my head.”
Sakura straightened up. “Kakashi-sensei will probably want me to work on my genjutsu more. Since our last mission, I think he sees potential in it.”
Sasuke was silent for a moment before speaking. “If I had to guess… he’ll focus on strengthening what we’re already good at.” He glanced at Naruto. “For you, that probably means better chakra control. You burn through it too fast.”
Naruto groaned. “Ugh, not more control training! That tree-walking thing was hard enough.”
Harry smirked. “Yeah, well, imagine doing it while wielding a sword and trying to not set yourself on fire.”
Naruto raised a brow. “You have set yourself on fire before, haven’t you?”
Harry looked away. “...Maybe.”
Sasuke smirked slightly at that before refocusing. “Kakashi will probably also make us work on team coordination. He knows we can hold our own individually, but that won’t mean anything if we don’t function as a team.”
Sakura nodded in agreement. “He did emphasize teamwork a lot during our first test. If we’re going to face other teams in the Chūnin Exams, we’ll have to be able to back each other up no matter what.”
Naruto suddenly grinned. “Then that just means we’re gonna crush this exam! Team 7 is the best, after all!”
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “Let’s just survive whatever hell Kakashi puts us through first, then we’ll talk about crushing anything.”
Sasuke smirked. “Agreed.”
Sakura sighed, but even she couldn’t help the small smile forming on her lips. “This is going to be exhausting.”
Hayato, who had been quietly listening in, let out a low chuckle. “You’re all in for quite the experience,” he mused, taking a sip of his tea. “The Chūnin Exams aren’t just about strength. You’ll be tested on your intelligence, endurance, and adaptability. Kakashi knows that. Whatever he has planned… be prepared. He never trains people just for brute force.”
The room fell silent at that, each genin processing Hayato’s words.
Eventually, Naruto stretched his arms over his head, flopping onto his back with a groan. “Great. More brain work. Just what I love.”
Harry grinned. “You’ll survive.”
Naruto shot him a glare. “That’s debatable.”
Laughter filled the room once more, a much-needed moment of levity after everything they had endured. The future was uncertain, and the Chūnin Exams loomed on the horizon, but for tonight, they allowed themselves to enjoy the simple comfort of food, friendship, and the warmth of home.