Snow still clung to Naruto's shoulders as he stood beside Choji, warmth from Yumiko's hug lingering. Ino had stopped yelling but paced behind them, arms crossed and huffing. The training ground felt thick with unspoken tension.
Then came the lazy tap... tap... of sandals on dirt. A familiar silver-haired figure emerged, nose buried in an orange book.
Hatake Kakashi.
He strolled in casually, as if arriving for tea rather than answering an emergency summons. Lowering his book slightly, he greeted without urgency.
"Hokage-sama." Then to the others, "Yo."
Hiruzen stared at him silently before speaking, his tone sharp. "Kakashi... when did the ANBU messenger arrive?"
"Three hours ago," Kakashi replied disinterestedly.
The silence that followed was deafening.
"Then why are you just showing up now?"
Kakashi flipped a page casually. "There was an old lady trying to cross the street with her groceries. I thought it'd be rude to leave her."
Choji blinked, recognizing the excuse for what it was. Just like those nobles in Goa Kingdom, he thought, his cheerful demeanor hardening. Always excuses when someone needs help.
Naruto frowned, hurt cutting deeper this time. His sensei hadn't even cared he was missing.
Wukong stepped forward, arms crossed, golden mane swaying. "Who are you?"
"Hatake Kakashi. And you?"
Wukong looked toward Hiruzen. "Is this man your superior? Or perhaps... stronger than you?"
"No. Neither."
In a heartbeat, Wukong's presence exploded.
BOOM.
Invisible pressure surged across the field. Everyone staggered—everyone except Choji and Naruto. The grass rippled outward. Even the clouds seemed to retreat.
Kakashi dropped to one knee, breath caught. His book hit the ground.
"W What ..is that power WOW." Raigo whispered, trembling. As Enma's son with a summoning contract to Asuma, he recognized many legendary techniques, but this.
Enma's eyes widened. "Such power..."
Choji laughed, loud and cheerful. "You're scary good at that, Wukong! Shishishi~!"
How is he unaffected? Shikamaru wondered, watching his friend stand tall while a jonin knelt.
Naruto smiled briefly—then looked at Kakashi again. His sensei still hadn't truly cared.
"Wukong. That's enough," Choji said with quiet authority.
The pressure vanished. Kakashi stood shakily, shoulders tense.
Asuma stepped forward. "Dad, you should reconsider Team 7's composition. That team won't work."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Mind your business, Asuma. They're my subordinates now."
"They're children, Kakashi! Fresh from the Academy. Not ANBU trainees." Asuma's voice rose. "When will you stop acting like everyone must live through hell to grow?"
"You don't understand—"
"I understand perfectly," Asuma snapped. "You were raised by Sakumo-sama, trained under Minato-sensei, groomed for greatness. Naruto? He's just a kid who's been alone his entire life, and you left him tied to a post like garbage!"
Hiruzen's staff cracked against the ground. "Enough."
Both jonin silenced immediately.
"Did you read Naruto's file?" Hiruzen asked Kakashi directly.
Kakashi looked away. "Yes."
"Sasuke and Sakura's as well?"
"Yes..."
"Then why did you leave Naruto tied? Knowing he never had proper instruction, family, or kindness?"
Kakashi didn't answer.
"Minato would be ashamed."
Kakashi flinched visibly.
Yuki leaped from Naruto's shoulder, landing between him and Kakashi, white fur bristling.
"You hurt him," she growled. "You didn't even look for him. If he were one of us, we would've fought for him."
Naruto's hand trembled as he touched her head. "It's okay, Yuki..."
Wukong stepped beside her. "Hatake. You may carry grief, but that doesn't excuse neglect. Your team deserves better."
As the founder of the monkey summons and master of Haki, Wukong's words carried ancient authority.
Raigo nodded slowly. "He's right."
Hiruzen exhaled heavily. "Asuma, begin preparing documentation for temporary reassignment."
"Hokage-sama..." Kakashi started.
"You've failed to connect with them. All three. That is the truth. Until you're ready to teach—not command—you will not be a sensei."
Choji stepped beside Naruto, crossing his arms. The movement reminded everyone of a certain rubber-bodied pirate captain. "You're not alone anymore, Naruto."
Nakama, Choji thought, the word carrying all his conviction. In my past life, I sailed for my crew. In this one, I'll face anything for my friends.
Ino, Shikamaru, and Yumiko stepped closer. Even Raigo moved forward in support.
"We'll stand with you," Choji grinned widely. "Always."
Naruto nodded, tears welling. For the first time, he truly believed it.
Not just words.
Family.
As the confrontation settled, Hiruzen stepped forward with the weight of command. "Naruto, you will work with Team 10 for now on a temporary basis. As for your teammates..." He glanced toward where Sasuke and Sakura had been watching from the sidelines. "They will also be placed in different teams temporarily until we can properly reassess the situation."
Naruto felt something warm bloom in his chest. Not just teammates—family. Real family who had come looking for him, who stood up for him, who made him feel like he belonged somewhere.
Wukong approached Choji with respectful dignity. "Choji-dono, I must return to the summon realm now. Please summon me when you need me."
Choji nodded with a grin. "Okay, Wukong!"
GRRRROWWWWL.
His stomach's protest echoed across the training ground, breaking the remaining tension with its comedic timing.
Yumiko giggled softly, her motherly instincts kicking in immediately. "You look hungry. Let's go home and have some food."
"Yes, Mom!" Choji said brightly, the word slipping out naturally.
Shikamaru stretched lazily. "How troublesome... but I guess we're coming too then, Aunty." Despite his words, he fell into step beside them without complaint.
Ino bounced alongside them. "Finally! I've been wanting to cook with you again, Aunty Yumiko!"
Asuma walked over to Hiruzen. "I'll handle the official team arrangement paperwork," he said quietly, and the two adults headed off to take care of the administrative details.
As the group began to move, Choji noticed Naruto hanging back, looking uncertain. He stopped and turned around with that infectious grin.
"What are you waiting for? You're not coming?"
Yumiko also paused, hands on her hips in a mock-stern pose. "Naruto, you didn't come yesterday either! I made food for you too, young man. You are definitely coming with us today."
Naruto's eyes widened, a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming gratitude washing over his face. "You... you made food for me?"
"Of course I did," Yumiko said warmly. "You're family now. You can call me Aunty Yumiko, just like Shikamaru and Ino do."
[Chapter End]
guys quick note I am new to writing don't have any experience I am cs student you can guess how my life is so don't expect much I just write the chapter for whole day don't even get money from this T_T