Get Moving (Let's See the World Together)

by Gueeest

Summary:

Mizuki tricks Naruto into stealing the scroll. Iruka is not the one to save him; it's Sakura. Her parents had, in anger, forbidden her from going, as she must stay ladylike. Sakura stumbles on Mizuki's monologue and overhears the vile things he's saying to poor Naruto.
Also, she didn't graduate like him. Sasuke didn’t go because he was just so tired and lonely. He was nearby, brooding, and caught wind of this.
So, with Sasuke and Sakura's help (now they know why everyone fucking hates Naruto), they take a copy of the Scroll of Sealing in silent agreement.
They decide to ditch the village and train while traveling the world.
So when the village finally realizes that the last Uchiha, the Jinchuriki, and a civilian girl are missing after a whole month, it’s very confusing.
Now, Kakashi Hatake is tasked with tracking them, but he has no fucking clue where they went. How the fuck did non-genin, fresh off the academy kids who have never seen war and live in peacetime, manage to slip by this quickly and undetected?

Or
Team Seven goes rogue. Kakashi is slowly losing his shit as his descent into madness has fucking begun.

Notes:

• Inspired by [Restricted Work] by GrimmoftheQueen (Log in to access.)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Let's Go

Sakura was hungry. Starving, even. She felt her hollow cheeks as she shoved a raw mushroom into her mouth. She made sure the bandages around her arms and legs were steady. She could heal later—once she had enough chakra. The night was cold, and it was late. She had missed the most important event of her life: the graduation exam. All thanks to her shitty parents. They had locked her in the iron maiden for a week and told the academy she was sick. No one cared. No one looked. No one asked. It hurt. It felt a lot like how everyone treated Naruto, in a way.

She reached for some lemongrass and ate it, then leaned over to the river, lapping up water like a cat. She wiped her mouth and felt a little better. The growling sound of her stomach had stopped. It had been doing the mating call of a whale for the last three days. Her parents always called her fat (but she wasn’t—just muscle weight, and besides, she was so thin). The moon was pale. She could try graduating next year.

Sakura walked deeper into the forest, grabbing any edible plants she could find, even tree bark. She was still hungry, though her stomach had been satisfied for the moment. Damn it, she was still hungry. Then she heard Mizuki-sensei’s voice… Mizuki-sensei? She reduced her chakra and got closer. She saw his back, towering over a scared Naruto, who was crying.

Mizuki cracked a sinister smile. "You see, Naruto, there’s a secret everyone in this village knows but you: why everyone hates you."

Sakura had no clue why everyone treated Naruto like shit. Her parents forbade her from playing or talking to the sweet boy that was Naruto. She listened as Mizuki laughed. Naruto shook in fear.

"What do you mean, Mizuki-sensei? I thought if I studied a jutsu in the Scroll of Sealing, I’d graduate?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling.

Mizuki laughed. "You fool. It's a trick. I used you to get this scroll so I can defect and go to Orochimaru to gain power. I’ve been using you all this time because the Hokage would never expect you to do something clever. Anyway, 12 years ago, the Nine-Tails attacked, and it was sealed into a boy."

Sakura frowned. That couldn’t be right. The academy had taught them that the Fourth Hokage killed the Nine-Tails.

Mizuki, still unaware that Sakura was there, continued laughing. "It was sealed inside you! YOU’RE THE FOX DEMON!"

As he laughed, Naruto cried. Mizuki approached him with an evil glint in his eyes and a kunai in hand. Oh no. Sakura was pissed.

She snuck up on Mizuki with a perfect chakra shot and paralyzed his nervous system. Mizuki collapsed, crushing Naruto beneath him. Naruto, teary-eyed, looked up at her. She pulled him out from under the disgusting traitor’s body.

Sakura huffed. "Listen to me, you’re not the fox! If the Fourth Hokage sealed it, you’re more of a container than the fox. Trust me, I know a bit of fuinjutsu!"

The blonde-haired boy looked at her, still crying. "Really? I’m not a monster?"

"Yep!" she said firmly.

"But why does everyone hate me so much?" Naruto cried.

Sakura leaped up and hugged him. "The village doesn’t deserve you."

Suddenly, she was kicked away, the air leaving her lungs. She looked up—it was Mizuki. He was angry.

But then a flurry of shuriken and kunai descended, pinning the Chunin to the ground, dead.

Sakura breathed out, looking at Naruto. Then, he looked back at her.

"Who…?"

"Are you alright?" Sasuke stepped into the clearing. The moonlight made his raven hair shine.

Naruto and Sakura sighed in relief.

They buried Mizuki.

They didn’t say anything. The night was chaotic, but they copied the Sealing Scroll and put the original back in place.

No one noticed.

How did the village not see Naruto in his bright outfit?

They sat in Sasuke’s house, looking at each other. He had dragged them to his place since Naruto was still in a catatonic state, and Sakura would shake if he told her to go home. Considering the bandages on her arms and legs, he figured he better bring her to his place—her parents must be abusing her.

Sasuke had also not graduated. He told them he was too depressed to go. (No wonder he was the last of his clan.)

The floodgates opened, and they talked until the next morning about their lives and what they wanted to do. Naruto wanted to be stronger now—maybe he’d become Hokage, but for now, he didn’t care about the village. He just wanted to be with people who cared for him. Sakura wanted to be a strong kunoichi and be loved. Sasuke wanted people in his life.

They paused and looked at each other. Naruto grinned like a fool. Sasuke smirked, and Sakura giggled gleefully.

They had each other!

They cuddled in a bedroll together, sleeping all day to recuperate their strength. It was nice and warm. For the first time in his life, Sasuke felt so happy.

By night, they sat down and brainstormed what to do.

Go back to the academy? Maybe they could do that—or maybe do something else.

They thought.

They spotted an old travel guide in the corner of Sasuke's living room.

An idea. Without saying a word, they agreed.

They left.

They went rogue.

They weren’t even officially ninjas, so the village couldn’t fucking hunt them down.

So, the three of them were civilians traveling.

The village didn’t care about Naruto’s well-being. Sasuke was done, and Sakura had shitty parents.

They packed their bags, and with a heavy heart, walked out the front gate in a henge just to be sure.

---

A month later, Kakashi is called to the Hokage’s office, and he’s shocked.

"THE JINCHURIKI AND THE UCHIHA ARE GONE FOR A MONTH. HOW DID NO ONE NOTICE, HOKAGE-SAMA?"

Hiruzen sighed and looked away, ashamed. "I sadly have no idea."

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Free

Sakura was an expert on all plant life, from the Land of Fire to the Land of Snow. She knew every conceivable plant and edible food. Sasuke was an expert at making campfires, and Naruto was skilled in trap making.

Of course, they didn’t just walk off.

Sasuke was loaded—he was the last Uchiha, after all. They brought a bunch of cash and cards with them. Thanks to Sakura, they also took some of the Uchiha clan's jutsu scrolls inside storage scrolls she had made. They had tents, camping gear—everything they needed to survive in the wilderness.

They had changed their appearance a bit, and when they were around people, they called Naruto "Menma" and Sasuke "Izuna" to avoid anything that could trace them back to the village. As for Sakura, she could stay the same. She was just a civilian, and according to her, her parents would never search for her if she vanished. It hurt Sasuke's heart—how could parents hate their child like that?

Anyway, they were long gone, out of the Land of Fire, now in the Land of Water.

They had also slowly pored over the copy of the Scroll of Sealing.

Naruto could do Shadow Clones—a forbidden technique.

"Naruto! This is awesome! You can scout places with this and check if it's safe! If a clone disappears, you get their memories! How can you make so many? This usually kills people!" Sakura looked at him in awe. They sat in their makeshift camp near the border of Nami no Kuni.

Sasuke was also amazed. "I didn't know you knew Fuinjutsu. You also know medical ninjutsu?"

"I had to… when… my parents' punishment went too far. They would never get a medic but forced me to heal myself with my chakra so the barbaric shinobi wouldn't find out," Sakura explained. "My grandmother is an immigrant from Uzushigakure... so, partially Uzumaki!" Sakura stumbled over her words, blushing slightly.

Naruto frowned. "Uzumigakure? What’s that? Does that mean we're related? My last name is Uzumaki… Wait, I thought I was a civilian orphaned."

Sakura and Sasuke shared a look of horror.

Naruto didn’t know about his heritage.

So, Sakura and Sasuke took turns explaining to the blonde about his clan. As he listened, tears welled up in his eyes. "I didn’t know! No one fucking told me!"

Their next step was the ruins of Uzushigakure.

---

Back in Konoha

Kakashi, in his ANBU gear, was pacing back and forth in Naruto’s apartment.

No.

Fucking.

Trace.

An academy student who isn't a genin, and he can't catch a single scent.

He went to Sasuke’s apartment and found Naruto’s scent there… but there was a third scent.

Who?

He searched and searched, but the trail ended at the gate.

It didn’t help that it had been rainy this month.

Sasuke and Naruto must be together, he deduced.

Even if they both didn’t graduate, they had ninja training, and he assumed the third person had ninja training too.

Fuck.

He needed to start leaving and tracking them properly.

Notes:

kakashi is going to lsoe his shit down the line don't worry and go john wick on the village coruption

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Investigations

They managed to reach the Land of Waves, which was the beginning border of the Uzushio ruins, in six days.

They were shocked. Nami was poor. Dirt poor.

They spotted a half-built bridge.

Apparently, some corrupt bastard was bleeding the place dry.

So, the trio decided to help out.

Naruto's Shadow Clones could assist with building the bridge. Sakura gave free medical treatment with her limited knowledge—she still had a lot to learn. With Naruto's clones helping, they also ran a soup kitchen and fixed things around the area.

In exchange, they got a room at a small, humble family house. The nobles here were fucking poor.

Sasuke took down bandits one by one, gathering intel on Gato.

They didn’t neglect their training. Sakura made chakra weights, which they wore day and night. Sasuke came up with a muscle workout, and Naruto used his clones to spar with them to work on their taijutsu.

Lucky for them, within the scrolls they brought along, they found some chakra control exercises. With that, they made massive progress in chakra control. Sakura was the best at it, while Sasuke and Naruto struggled, but they were progressing.

It all went great—until the man with cow pants and a large buster sword arrived with a masked, sassy kid trying to cut up the bridge builder.

---

Back in Konoha

Kakashi had sent his dogs out to scout outside the village.

He had spent the last few days running around the Land of Fire and couldn't find shit.

His dogs went into other countries, disguised.

Kakashi returned to Konoha, panicking.

He looked at the missing reports and found a disturbing number of fucking children had gone missing.

Maybe Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki never left. Maybe it had something to do with the missing children.

Then, his mind went back to Sasuke’s apartment.

There was a third scent.

He looked at the academy records and found out that there was another person in Sasuke and Naruto's class who hadn’t graduated. She was a civilian-born girl. Her name was Sakura.

After going to her home and discovering she had been missing (her fucking parents didn't report it—shit), he filed Sakura as a missing person.

Kakashi sighed. He missed the Uchiha clan—since their deaths, the crime rate had spiked, and things had gotten harder to solve. (Fuck Itachi.) It was all so complicated. Since the massacre, everything related to crime had been relegated to chūnin, desk-job kinds of guys who didn’t take shit seriously, unlike the Uchihas.

As Kakashi scanned through the missing reports, he noticed a pattern.

The majority of the missing kids were orphans. Some rarely came from clans.

He had a feeling he was about to descend into something very dangerous.

Notes:

kakashi rn: everybody and my homies hate Itachi

That will change don't worry

zabuza lets gooooooooo

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Hunting for Clues

The more Kakashi flipped through the missing reports, the angrier he became.

HOW DID THEY NOT SEE THE SIGNS?!

Children were disappearing from Konoha at an alarming rate. Between the ages of six to thirteen, over the last year—since the Uchiha clan massacre. He was ANBU, yes, and mostly assigned to assassination and guard duty, but still…

His breath echoed in the dimly lit room as he angrily flipped through the reports.

Those useless desk chūnin!

He sat in his ANBU Captain’s chair, deep in the underground base of Squad Two.

His team—ANBU Squad Ro—had once been strong. He had carefully put it together. Now, only he, Yugao, Hayate, and Yamato remained. Genma had left ANBU after Itachi slaughtered his clan (fuck Itachi again for that), and so had Raidō.

He kept flipping through statements from desperate parents, begging for help—only for their cases to be marked unsolved.

Something was taking children in his village. But what?!

He blanched, then stood up with determination in his mismatched eyes.

Summoning his hounds back to him, he made a decision.

He was going to hunt down whoever was responsible for this.

---

In Nami no Kuni

Our dear trio of protagonists were facing a swordsman and his masked apprentice.

The masked apprentice was sassy.

Sasuke clashed with the kid, but his opponent was faster, stronger.

Zabuza, meanwhile, was swatting away Naruto’s clones like flies.

Sakura stood firm in front of Tazuna and the panicked workers, shielding them from the overwhelming killing intent flooding the bridge. She was thinking. Strategizing.

Sasuke fired one fireball after another, locked in fierce combat with the masked boy. Meanwhile, Naruto threw everything he had at Zabuza.

The Demon of the Mist didn’t even bother using his sword.

He was mocking them.

Sakura’s eyes narrowed.

An idea struck.

She rummaged through her pockets, pulled out a sealing paper, and quickly scribbled a kanji onto it. After a moment, she signaled Naruto and Sasuke.

The boys immediately disengaged as she threw the paper.

Hand signs were weaved in rapid succession.

"Binding Light Restriction Jutsu!"

The seal exploded. Black kanji tendrils shot out, wrapping tightly around Zabuza and his sassy masked apprentice.

"Wow, Sakura! You gotta teach me that!" Naruto gasped in awe.

And she would.

She would also strong-arm Sasuke to learn it.

Sasuke turned to Tazuna, already thinking ahead. "Do you have a place where we can stuff these two?"

---

The Aftermath

After that terrifying battle, the trio trained harder.

They mastered tree climbing and water walking thanks to their fight against Zabuza and Haku.

Sasuke’s Sharingan awakened.

They quickly tracked down Gato’s hideout and drove his bandits out.

With the funds they found in Gato’s vault, they rebuilt Nami no Kuni.

Zabuza and his sassy apprentice—Haku—stuck around.

The swordsman even taught Naruto a few of his jutsu—mostly because he thought the blond kid looked funny. And because Naruto could handle an absurd amount of chakra, which made their sparring sessions entertaining for Zabuza.

("Meanie," Naruto grumbled after being kicked into the water for the hundredth time.)

After a few weeks, the bridge was finally complete.

Zabuza and Haku went on their way.

The bridge was named Hope.

Because the three of them brought hope to Nami.

Then, they marched onward—to the ruins of Uzushiogakure.

---

Back in Konoha

Kakashi stared down at the map of Konoha, marking every single place the missing children had last been seen.

Then he found something.

Underground tunnels.

Dozens of them.

It was possible. Maybe… Sasuke and Naruto were still in the village. Maybe they were being held captive by someone.

Something about this felt deeply, fundamentally wrong.

Kakashi didn’t hesitate. He descended into the tunnels, embracing the horrors ahead.

The walls were strange. Uneven.

Then… smooth.

He ran along them with his chakra, sinking deeper and deeper underground.

500 feet down.

Maybe more.

He had no idea how deep these tunnels went.

But he would find out.

And he had a sinking feeling...

He wasn’t going to like what he found.

Notes:

kakshi about to John Wick/

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Heritage and Roots

Ruins of Uzushiogakure

The entrance to Uzushiogakure was underwater.

That made things… complicated.

Sakura spent days researching a way for them to breathe underwater. Luckily, within a book Sasuke had taken from his clan’s archives, she found a technique—a Water Breathing Jutsu.

It took them an entire month to master.

The jutsu was originally from Kirigakure. Some Uchiha had copied it during the war after witnessing a Kiri-nin use it. Now, it belonged to them.

With their new ability, they could swim and stay submerged indefinitely.

During their training:

• Sasuke taught Sakura an Earth Release technique he found in the scrolls.
• Naruto and Sasuke both learned Binding Light Restriction Jutsu from Sakura.

Finally, the time had come.

Taking a deep breath, the trio dived into the swirling tides of Uzushiogakure’s gates.

They emerged within the ruined village.

It was wet. Broken. Ghostly remnants of a once-great civilization.

And now… it was theirs to explore.

---

Back in Konoha

Kakashi stepped through the tunnel.

It was dark.

He could barely see a thing, forcing him to rely on his heightened senses.

Then, ahead— torches.

And behind those torches…

Children.

Dozens of them.

Caged like animals.

Trapped behind barbed-wire fences.

Some were in rags, starved to the bone. Others were covered in bruises.

Something inside Kakashi snapped.

If only the Uchiha Clan were still here.

They would have uncovered this horror long ago.

The children looked at him in terror, as if expecting more pain.

Kakashi raised his hands in a calming gesture. "I’m not here to hurt you."

Then—movement.

A masked ANBU operative stepped from the shadows.

Their mask was… wrong.

Not Konoha ANBU.

Root.

Kakashi’s blood boiled.

The Sandaime had forbidden Danzo from continuing Root after the war.

So how the hell was this still happening?

They fought.

The Root agent was skilled. But Kakashi was better.

He won.

Without wasting time, he summoned his ninken—his ninja hounds and wolves.

"Free them."

With sharp fangs and claws, his summons tore apart the cages and dragged down one Root operative after another.

Kakashi moved quickly.

He stormed through the underground base, following the twisted maze of tunnels…

Until he arrived at Danzo’s office.

---

Danzo & Hiruzen

The war hawk sat in his chair, talking to Hiruzen.

Casually.

As if this underground hellhole was normal.

Both men turned at the sound of Kakashi’s furious steps.

His blood-soaked presence filled the room like a storm.

Danzo… looked unamused.

Hiruzen… looked apologetic.

Fuck Hiruzen and his softness.

Kakashi’s lone eye burned with rage as he growled,

"Explain. NOW."

Because if Naruto—his sensei’s son—was here…

If they had planned to turn him into a weapon…

Then Kakashi wouldn’t hesitate to carve up his own Hokage.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Will of Fire

Kakashi listened to Hiruzen talk for thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes of excuses.

Thirty minutes of justifications.

Thirty minutes of bullshit.

But in the end, there was one thing that made him feel a small sense of relief—Naruto and Sasuke weren’t here.

Still.

This wasn’t excusable.

Kakashi stepped back.

And laughed.

It started as a chuckle.

Then turned into a full, hysterical laugh.

The two older men looked at him warily. Kakashi didn’t care.

Hiruzen was a soft fool, letting himself get trampled by his so-called "teammate" like a bitch.

Kakashi yanked his porcelain ANBU mask down.

His Sharingan blazed to life—warping and twisting—until it evolved into the Mangekyō.

Danzo and Hiruzen barely had time to react before they were sucked into the void of his Kamui.

Gone.

Out of sight. Out of mind.

Kakashi reached forward, plucked Hiruzen’s hat off his desk, and walked out of the tunnels.

---

The Birth of the Godaime

The villagers stared.

Stunned.

Because Kakashi Hatake emerged from the underground, drenched in blood, carrying the Hokage’s hat.

And then…

He declared himself Godaime Hokage.

No one questioned it.

Because no one dared.

Not when he was fuming, covered in blood, and radiating sheer fury.

The first thing he did?

Summon every available Jōnin and ANBU.

They combed through the tunnels beneath Konoha, rescuing every last child, teenager, and adult they could find.

• The Yamanaka Clan was put to work, cleansing brainwashing and healing minds.
• Root operatives who had already been conditioned into loyal Konoha shinobi? They were absorbed into official ANBU.
• The rescued civilians? Given proper housing and care.

Then, Kakashi sat in the Hokage’s chair for the first time.

And froze.

Holy shit.

There was so much to fix.

---

The Uchiha Massacre—A Dirty Truth

Hours into sorting through the Root files, Kakashi came across one that made him pause.

Classified.

The title?

"Uchiha Massacre—State Sanctioned."

It was signed by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.

Kakashi’s hand shook.

His eyes widened.

Holy fucking shit.

Itachi.

His poor kohai.

What. The. Fuck.

He had cursed Itachi for so many years—blamed him, hated him—but now?

Now he saw the truth.

Itachi wasn’t a traitor.

He was a victim.

Forced to butcher his own clan.

Forced to live as a double agent for the very village that made him murder his own kin.

Kakashi exhaled, shaking his head.

"Poor Itachi."

He had cursed the man, spat "fuck Itachi" under his breath, but the reality was—it was never Itachi’s fault.

It was Hiruzen.

It was Danzo.

And they would pay.

Soon.

---

Fixing a Broken Village

As the days passed, Kakashi kept digging.

And the more he dug, the angrier he became.

• Konoha’s funds had been drained by Danzo and corrupt council members.
• The Ninja Academy was a laughingstock compared to the civilian schools.
• 60% of students dropped out or never progressed.

No wonder Konoha’s shinobi numbers were declining compared to the other villages.

Even Kiri, in the middle of a civil war, was producing more capable soldiers than Konoha.

It was pathetic.

• Civilian-born shinobi had almost no access to scrolls, resources, or medical attention.
• Kunoichi training focused on flower arrangement and "seduction tactics" instead of actual combat.

Kakashi had seen enough.

• He formed a new Genin division, putting Yamato and Chōza Akimichi in charge of monitoring it.
• He threw Shikaku Nara and Ibiki Morino at the Academy curriculum and told them to fix it.
• He appointed Anko Mitarashi as Headmaster.

Flower arranging wasn’t going to save kunoichi from an enemy.

Kunoichi would be trained as warriors.

---

Losing His Mind… But Gai Saves the Day

Day by day, Kakashi worked.

He used Shadow Clones to keep the village running while he cleaned house.

And as he sat at his desk, staring at his newly carved face on the Hokage Monument, he sighed.

This was insane.

He needed more manpower.

Then—

"KAKASHI!"

A flash of green spandex.

Gai appeared, smiling brightly, holding a lovingly made bento.

"ARE YOU YOUTHFULLY WELL, MY ETERNAL RIVAL?!"

Kakashi sighed, taking the bento.

Uh. No.

He was losing his fucking mind at how horribly his village was run.

But… the bento was nice.

Heavenly, actually.

And in a way, Gai reminded him why he hadn’t gone rogue.

Not yet.

---

Where the Hell Were Those Three?

Between sorting through Root tunnels, fixing the Academy, and restructuring the government, there was one thing bothering him.

Where the hell was Naruto?

Where was the last Uchiha?

And where was Sakura?

Sakura, whose parents didn’t even report her missing.

Sakura, whose scent he found in Sasuke’s apartment.

That meant one thing.

Those three had been together from the start.

But how?

The Academy never reported Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura ever being close.

So how did they become a team?

And where the hell were they now?

Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He’d track them down.

Eventually.

But for now…

He had a village to fix.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Heritage

The trio had been away from Konoha for six months, and now, they stood before the half-broken gates of Uzushiogakure.

They stared in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.

It felt like they were five-year-old children again, exploring a treasure trove of lost history.

They ran around the ruins, excited and carefree, finding scrolls, weapons, and relics from a time long past. It was as if they had stumbled upon a hidden world that was theirs to discover.

Sakura, in particular, was buzzing with excitement. Among the scattered remnants of the village, she uncovered a birth certificate belonging to her grandmother and traces of her family's old house. But it wasn’t just that.

They found something else.

Kushina Uzumaki.

A name that resonated through her, like a missing piece falling into place.

Kushina Uzumaki had once lived here before heading to Konoha, and after looking deeper, they learned something even more astonishing.

Kushina was Naruto’s mother.

The revelation hit them like a tidal wave, and it left Sakura nearly speechless, a beaming smile plastered on her face. This was more than just a piece of history—it was Naruto’s heritage.

Meanwhile, Sasuke couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Though he didn’t voice it, the discovery connected him to Naruto’s past in a way he hadn’t expected.

The group continued their exploration, uncovering Uchiha relics—blades, scrolls, and weapons—just scattered around the place. The Uzumaki clan was, after all, a sister clan to the Uchiha and the Senju.

Sakura, being the nerd she was, was practically vibrating with joy as she poured over the ancient texts and discoveries. But Sasuke, ever the responsible one, had to drag her away from her books more than once. He often had to wrangle her into bed and make sure she ate, since it was clear no one else was going to do it.

Naruto, on the other hand, was everywhere. He climbed over ruins and debris, exploring every nook and cranny of his clan’s home. If there was a corner to be discovered, Naruto was the first to find it.

Sasuke would often find himself shaking his head in exasperation, but there was no denying that he was excited too. Despite trying to act like he was too mature for such things, he couldn’t help but be pulled into the fun.

The ruins were beautifully strange, and there was something about the place that felt alive. Somehow, they had enough fish, and the forest around them was filled with edible plants. It was as though the land had been protected by ancient seals, and it made everything even more intriguing.

The adventure was incredible, a rare chance to explore history and learn secrets that only they could uncover.

After a week, Naruto finally began to tune into the seals. The three of them started learning Fūinjutsu—slowly, but surely. Naruto even created a seal to change his hair into a bright red color, a fun experiment that left them all laughing.

They even found a seal that could hide Sasuke’s features, making him harder to track. And another seal that could boost someone’s chakra and strength, which turned out to be extremely useful for Sakura, who had a smaller chakra pool and was physically weaker than the others.

It was pure childlike joy—running around, experimenting with jutsu, and playing like giddy kids. Sasuke tried his best to act mature, but sometimes, even he couldn’t help but join in on their silly games.

It wasn’t often that he let go of his burdens, but in these moments, when Sakura’s green eyes shone with excitement and Naruto jumped around like a ball of energy, Sasuke found himself laughing and joining in.

Even if he didn’t show it, those moments of training, running on walls, and goofing off were important. It was a rare chance for the three of them to just be kids, without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Take Off

The trio spent a whole year in the ruins of Uzushiogakure, training and honing their skills. They focused on everything: mastering their chakra affinities, improving their stealth techniques, enhancing chakra control, and even learning how to create disguises. They found ancient summoning scrolls, and each of them gained a summon.

Sasuke, ever the emo loner, managed to summon a wolf pack, complete with a pair of long swords. The smug bastard walked around like he was the coolest thing alive, but it was hard not to admire his strength.

Sakura, on the other hand, embraced her healer nerdiness and dedicated herself to mastering a crossbow, genjutsu, and medical ninjutsu. She also worked on enhancing her physical strength through a special chakra technique. One day, she unlocked a strange seal—called the Byakugo, or Seal of a Hundred. Instead of a rhombus shape on her forehead, she designed it as a petal shape, amplifying both her chakra and physical abilities. She even gained a butterfly summon to match her healing expertise.

Naruto, with his usual fiery spirit, focused on mastering chakra chains and experimenting with chakra blades. He managed to talk to a certain fox—though not Kyūbi, but another one. Its name was Kurama. The fox was grumpy at first, but over time, it warmed up to the trio, offering advice and guidance.

As the year went on, the trio grew stronger and closer. They had found a routine: they trained, explored, and pushed their limits. They had designed new clothes with the Uzushiogakure red swirl pattern stitched into them, marking their time in the ruins as a turning point.

Naruto, using fūinjutsu, permanently changed his hair to red—embracing a new identity. Sakura tied her hair up into a neat bun, while Sasuke, forced by his findings, let his hair grow long, his usual brooding look more intense than ever.

After one final look at the ruins they had called home for the past year, the trio set out on their next adventure, heading for the Land of Wind.

---

Meanwhile, in Konoha...

The Godaime Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, sat across from the bridge builder Tazuna, who was requesting a team of ninja to chase down some bandits in the Land of Waves.

Kakashi, his mind elsewhere, stared at Tazuna, confused. "What did you just say?"

Tazuna repeated himself: "Our village was saved by three kids. They gave us hope. One had pink hair—her name was Sakura. The other was a blonde named Menma, and the last was Izuna. They defeated a swordman and took down Gato!"

Kakashi nearly lost his mind. He grabbed Tazuna’s sake bottle and took a sip (even though he hated alcohol), feeling the frustration build.

"The little shits did what?"

It took a moment for him to piece it together, but with Tazuna's description, Kakashi realized that these kids were none other than Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto—the trio that had been missing for over a year.

How had he not found them sooner?

They weren’t even genin yet, and yet they had already pulled off feats that were far beyond their age. The Academy had failed them—he couldn’t believe it had come to this. He had sent ANBU after them countless times, and no one had found any trace. How had they managed to defeat Zabuza and Gato without being caught?

Kakashi clenched his fists in frustration. He had a lead at last. He needed to go to Nami and hear the full story firsthand.

The Hokage glanced over at the Fourth Hokage’s stone face, a grim reminder of the weight of his position. Being Hokage was no joke.

An idea formed in his mind.

He still had Danzo and Hiruzen trapped in his Kamui dimension. Why not use Edo Tensei to bring back the Uchiha clan, Minato-sensei, and Kushina—all the people Konoha needed most to revive the village? He could sacrifice Danzo and Hiruzen for the greater good.

The more Kakashi thought about it, the clearer it became. He needed to find these missing children, even if they weren’t officially ninja. They were still under Konoha's protection, and he couldn’t let them slip through the cracks.

The Godaime Hokage sighed heavily, feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. He was an elite ninja, now Hokage, and yet he hadn’t even managed to find three missing kids. It was humiliating.

---

Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind…

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were exploring the desert of the Land of Wind, using their chakra to surf on sand. It was hot, and the environment was challenging, but it was another adventure for them.

They stumbled across a red-haired boy radiating killer intent.

Naruto grinned widely, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously. "Hey, do you know any local cuisine that’s good?"

The boy stopped, eyeing them for a moment, before motioning for them to follow him.

"Name’s Gaara. And you?"

"Menma, dattebayo!" Naruto replied, pointing to himself with enthusiasm.

"Sakura!" Sakura added with a grin.

"Izuna," Sasuke muttered, rolling his eyes.

They followed Gaara into Sunagakure, intrigued by their new encounter.

---

Back in Konoha, Kakashi stood before the revived Uchiha clan—along with Minato, Kushina, and other key figures, including Sakumo, the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage.

"I need you all to help run the village while I go out and find these wayward missing children."

The group stared at him, confused.

"Wait… What?!"

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Journey

Gaara was an incredible guide through Sunagakure. The trio spent their days exploring and indulging in the delicious local cuisine—gorging on food they had never experienced before. Everything was going great.

They learned that, like Naruto, Gaara was also a jinchūriki, though his circumstances were much darker. The boy struggled to sleep, consumed by the Shukaku's presence. The trio couldn't stand to see him suffering, so they helped him manage his seal, giving him some peace at last. In return, they explored Sunagakure together, marveling at the sights.

They witnessed the Running Sand Phenomenon, a desert marvel where the sand flowed like water, and they saw towering cacti that stretched toward the sky, as well as incredible sand pyramids. It was like nothing they'd ever seen before. For them, it was heaven.

Before leaving, they promised to keep in touch with Gaara. He had decided to pursue his dream of becoming Kazekage and was planning to open a massive greenhouse to bring more life to his desert village.

Next, they set their sights on the Land of Lightning.

---

Back in Konoha...

Kakashi was busy being interrogated by a now-living Kushina, Minato, and a panicked Mikoto.

"What do you mean, my son is out there?!" Kushina squeaked, her voice high-pitched with worry.

Kakashi pulled his Hokage hat down to shield his face as Kushina's panic intensified.

Mikoto, her eyes red from crying, added, "Sasuke is out there! He's only 13, at best! What can a kid like him do on his own? What if he gets kidnapped? What if he's hurt? HOW DID NO ONE NOTICE THE JINCHŪRIKI AND THE LAST UCHIHA WERE GONE?! WHO'S BEEN RUNNING THIS VILLAGE?!"

Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "No one... until I took over," he muttered, feeling the weight of the village's failings. He turned serious again, looking at Mikoto and Kushina. "If it calms you, I’m sure the three of them are traveling together. I also asked Jiraiya to help us find them, but it's not easy. The trails are hard to follow."

Kushina and Mikoto seemed a bit calmer at the thought of them sticking together. But there was still so much to do.

Kakashi sighed deeply, then gestured for them to get into their positions. "I need a strong police force. And someone to help me with the state fair. Also, I need a new teacher for the Academy. And, please, someone get Iruka in here—I need help running this place."

The Second Hokage, Tobirama, with his albino red eyes glowing with excitement, suddenly dashed out of the room. His long-time dream had been to teach the next generation of ninja, and now, with his revival, he could finally make that dream a reality.

A very confused Hashirama (the First Hokage) followed behind him, unsure of what was happening, while Kakashi shoved Minato into a seat. He popped his Hokage hat onto Minato's head as he began issuing orders and passing new laws to stabilize the village.

Kakashi looked around the room. There was so much to do, and the trio of missing kids was still at the back of his mind. He couldn't leave the village until things were in order.

---

Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning...

The Land of Lightning was rocky, with towering mountains and treacherous terrain. It was hard to climb, but every step felt worth it. The fresh air was invigorating, and the lightning storms that rolled across the land were mesmerizing.

Sakura especially loved it when they took shelter in caves during the storms, watching the lightning dance and flicker around them.

Inspired by the powerful lightning storms, Sasuke began trying to invent his own jutsu, one that could harness the force of the storms. Naruto and Sakura cheered him on, their spirits high. They were on this journey together, and they couldn’t be happier. It felt like they were truly becoming a family.

Everything was peaceful, everything was good.

Then, it all changed in an instant.

The trio was suddenly attacked by a group of men in black cloaks with red clouds—the Akatsuki.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Trio vs. Akatsuki

The four figures in black cloaks, adorned with the infamous red clouds, had also taken shelter in the cave from the lightning storm. The tension between the two groups was thick, but they didn't immediately engage. There was no need. These strangers weren't just any ordinary ninja, but one of them—a sensor-type—was able to feel the powerful chakra from Naruto, quickly identifying him as a jinchūriki.

The sensor, named Kakuzu, muttered one word: "Target."

That single word sparked the conflict. The trio’s faces hardened as they realized they were being targeted. Without hesitation, they exploded into action.

Sasori, the notorious puppet master, sneered at them. He wasn’t interested in wasting time, and before they could react, he released his puppet, Hiruko, to fight.

Sakura was the first to act. She instantly locked Sasori in a genjutsu, using the environment to her advantage. As the world around Sasori twisted, she slammed her fist into his puppet, shattering Hiruko with a powerful punch. Sasori's calm demeanor cracked for the first time as his puppet splintered.

Meanwhile, Sasuke was in the middle of an intense exchange with Kakuzu and another Akatsuki member, a man with a wide shark-like grin. Kisame Hoshigaki stood menacingly, his sword Samehada by his side. Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life, his grip tightening around the hilts of his two swords. He demanded, "Why do you want Naruto?"

But before they could get answers, the situation became even more personal for Sasuke.

One of the Akatsuki members, a man wearing a cloak with an ominous, red cloud pattern, stepped forward and removed his hat. Sasuke’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The man who stood before him was the very person who had destroyed his world—Itachi Uchiha.

Sasuke's Sharingan flared, and the Mangekyō Sharingan followed suit. His eyes locked onto Itachi’s, full of anger and sorrow. "I won’t let you take Naruto. Not like you took everything from me."

Itachi stood still, his expression unreadable, staring coldly at his younger brother.

The cave around them seemed to tremble, shaking from the power of their emotions.

The battle erupted into chaos.

---

Naruto, moving with fluidity, summoned his chakra chains to ensnare Kakuzu’s attacks. Kakuzu summoned his five hearts, each one a source of immense power, but Naruto’s chains wrapped around them with precision, pulling and weaving through the attacks. His chakra blades sliced through the air like a hot knife through butter, cutting Kakuzu’s defenses into pieces.

Sakura, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of destruction. Each punch she threw was empowered by her chakra, smashing through rock and debris. The entire cave felt like it was shaking apart from the force of her attacks.

Despite their power, the trio moved together seamlessly—like a well-oiled machine. They had no idea why the Akatsuki were hunting Naruto, but one thing was clear: they wouldn’t let him be taken. Not while they were still breathing.

---

Meanwhile, in Nami no Kuni (Land of Waves)...

Kakashi stared at the monument depicting three kids—the very same kids he had been searching for over a year and a half. He smiled softly to himself.

"If they can survive fighting someone like Zabuza..." Kakashi muttered to himself. There was no way they could be dead. He had faith in them.

As he examined the landscape, a faint trace caught his attention. It was barely detectable, a chakra signature that seemed to lead toward the ruins of Uzushiogakure. Kakashi's heart skipped a beat. How did the kids know about the ruins? Why had they gone there?

His instincts told him that these kids were no longer just missing. They were out there, somewhere, growing stronger. And he would track them down—no matter what.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Victory and the Rapper

The battle had raged on in the cave, but the tide was turning. As the dust and debris began to settle, the two Akatsuki members, Kisame and Itachi, began retreating in a flurry of ravens, vanishing into the shadows. Kisame, with a roar of frustration, followed Itachi, his shark-like grin still visible even in the fading light.

Kakuzu, on the other hand, was no match for Naruto’s chakra blades. With a swift motion, Naruto sliced through Kakuzu's hearts, one by one, severing the last remnants of his formidable defense. Kakuzu collapsed, his five hearts shattered, his body crumpling to the floor.

Sasori, too, had been defeated. His puppet, Hiruko, lay in pieces, scattered around the cave, a pile of shattered wood and broken mechanisms. Sasori himself was left lying in defeat, his calm, emotionless face showing signs of strain as he tried to process what had just happened.

Sakura was bruised, battered, and bleeding, but her determination never faltered. She immediately moved to heal her teammates, her chakra flowing through them to restore them to full strength. With every passing second, their wounds began to close, the pain slowly subsiding as she channeled her medical ninjutsu.

Once they were all healed and the battle was truly over, the trio emerged from the wreckage of the cave. The storm that had once raged outside had finally calmed, and the flashing lightning bolts had ceased. They stood victorious, bloodied but alive, and ready to continue their journey.

They wandered through the Land of Lightning for the next few days, enjoying the sights and experiences it had to offer. They explored villages, sampled local cuisines, and even tried their hands at a bit of gambling. Sakura was particularly enthralled by the different books and scrolls she found at a market, while Naruto seemed more focused on the food and the odd street performances they stumbled upon. Despite everything that had happened, they were content. They were truly having fun, and it felt like a rare, precious moment where nothing else mattered except being together.

Eventually, they made their way to Kumo, the hidden village in the clouds. No sooner had they arrived than Naruto was dragged into an impromptu rap battle by a man who called himself Killer Bee.

Killer Bee, with his funky sunglasses and outrageous swagger, grinned widely as he challenged Naruto to a rap-off. "Yo, yo, yo! You ready to get schooled, kid? You look like you got the spirit, but can you match these rhymes?"

Naruto, ever the eager one, tried to rise to the challenge. He stammered and stumbled through his lines, trying to keep up with Killer Bee’s insane flow. But no matter what he said, Killer Bee was always one step ahead, dropping slick rhymes and making Naruto look like an amateur.

Sasuke just rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle. He crossed his arms, standing in the back as Sakura laughed at the absurdity of it all. The two of them found the situation hilarious, especially watching Naruto get absolutely schooled by Killer Bee.

"Yo, yo, you're good, kid!" Killer Bee said, slapping Naruto on the back with a hearty laugh. "But you ain't got nothing on me yet!"

To Naruto’s surprise, Killer Bee was also a jinchūriki, like him. The two of them bonded quickly over their shared experience, their mutual understanding of the burdens they carried. Killer Bee showed them around Kumogakure, introducing them to the village’s best food, and even teaching Naruto a few rap tricks.

They spent a few days in the village, taking in the culture, trying out more food, and exploring the land. Naruto had never imagined meeting someone like Killer Bee, and it was a fun and unexpected detour in their journey. But eventually, they had to move on. Their next destination was the Land of Earth.

---

As the trio entered the Land of Earth, they stumbled upon something unexpected—a cinema. The sign outside read "Icha Icha Movie," and the curious trio couldn’t resist investigating.

"Hey, what’s this?" Naruto asked, peering inside. "I’ve never seen anything like this before."

Sakura’s eyes widened in excitement. "We have to check it out!"

Sasuke was more reluctant but ultimately agreed, and the three of them snuck into the cinema, ninja style, making sure no one spotted them. They sat in the darkened theater, the screen flickering with what appeared to be an absurdly dramatic scene.

Sakura couldn't help but giggle. "This is... definitely not what I was expecting."

Sasuke, however, was enthralled. He wasn’t sure if it was the weirdly romantic elements of the film or the sheer absurdity of it all, but there was something captivating about the ridiculousness of the story unfolding before them.

They didn’t know it yet, but there was another figure in the back of the theater, equally captivated by the Icha Icha movie. A silver-haired man, sitting alone, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

It was Kakashi.

Notes:

i think the song

Walking ona dream by empire of the sun fits the entire fanfiction

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Escape Artist

The movie had just ended, and the trio of friends found themselves in an animated discussion. They’d just watched an emotional Icha Icha Paradise film, and it had clearly affected them in different ways.

"I don't get it. Why didn’t Junko chase after him?" Sakura sighed, still confused by the plot. "She was practically begging him on her knees!"

The trio continued to chat about the movie, but Sasuke, always the skeptic, turned to her with a pointed look. "Didn't you see? She was choosing her duty over love—like a real shinobi."

"Boohoo, I feel bad for Daisuke!" Naruto dunked his cola, his red hair swaying as he sipped it. "The guy was bleeding out, saving her, and she still didn’t run after him!"

Nearby, Kakashi couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, watching the trio from a distance. His silver hair gleamed under the dim light, his eye mask barely visible. Despite the chaos, there was a sense of warmth as he observed them.

"It was decent, I guess," Sasuke sighed again. "But I’m not watching another movie with you two. You were crying too much."

"Come on!" Naruto sniffled, wiping away his tears dramatically. "The scene where Daisuke was bleeding out was super emotional! And that part where he and Junko completed the mission? Total heart-throb moment!"

Sakura nodded enthusiastically, her face glowing. "Yes! The whole thing was just so intense! Daisuke’s such a heartthrob!"

Kakashi watched with a proud smile as the three of them continued bantering. They were so different from each other, but there was an undeniable bond that held them together.

Sasuke, looking exasperated, crossed his arms. "I’m never watching another movie with you two again," he grumbled.

But both Naruto and Sakura sang in unison, grinning ear to ear, "You say that, but you always end up going with us!"

Kakashi couldn’t help but chuckle softly as he watched them. It was clear that despite all their differences, these three had forged a strong bond. He had been searching for them for nearly two years, across the entire elemental nations, and now he had finally found them. They had changed, grown taller, and appeared different, but it was undeniable—they were still the same trio, full of life, bickering like always.

As they continued to argue, Kakashi decided it was time to approach them. He slowly walked over to their table where they were gathered, casually talking and laughing.

"Yo, can I join your poker game?" Kakashi said with a grin.

Naruto perked up immediately. "Oh sure! WOW, you're a jonin from the Leaf? How’s Konoha? We haven't been there in ages!" he said, grinning ear to ear.

Sasuke, sitting next to him, slapped Naruto lightly on the back of the head. "Maybe you should have some tact," he muttered, irritated at the sudden attention.

Kakashi couldn’t help but laugh. "The Leaf’s doing well, apparently there’s a new Hokage now," he said, his voice warm and friendly.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A new Hokage, huh?" He mused aloud, pretending not to be interested, but Kakashi could see the curiosity in his eyes.

Kakashi tried not to grin too widely. He couldn’t tell them he was the new Hokage, not yet. Instead, he glanced at their faces, remembering the last time he’d seen them—fresh out of the academy, so full of potential. Now, they were ninjas—grown, mature, but still full of fire.

He glanced at Naruto’s hair. It was red. Not dyed. Not a henge. How was that possible?

"Wow, come in, come in, join us, Jonin-san! Oh, why is your eye covered?" Naruto asked, genuinely curious.

Sasuke leaned back in his seat, nudging Naruto. "Maybe it’s a scar. Have some tact!" he whispered harshly.

Kakashi chuckled. "That’s a secret," he replied cryptically.

As the game went on, Kakashi couldn’t help but observe the dynamics of the trio. It was clear that they had formed a mismatched squad, each with their own strengths and quirks.

Naruto, ever the energetic one, had no problem striking up conversations with anyone. He was loud and unafraid to speak his mind. In fact, he had already struck up a conversation with another gambler, earning some laughs from the table.

Sakura, on the other hand, was quietly focused on her book, reading through it with the same intensity she’d once given to medical scrolls. She was every bit the intelligent, curious ninja she’d always been.

And Sasuke? He was the silent mother hen, ensuring his friends were not only fed and alive but making sure they didn’t overwork themselves. He might not admit it, but he cared deeply for them.

Kakashi couldn’t help but smile at the sight. These kids—these three—had come so far. He could see a future in them, one where they’d be formidable shinobi, perhaps even surpassing him one day.

Then, just as Kakashi was getting lost in the thought, his eyes narrowed as ANBU suddenly appeared, surrounding the trio. His heart clenched. This was it.

"I would love to find out how you three managed to evade me for almost two years," Kakashi’s voice grew cold as he stood up, his usual playful demeanor vanishing.

"You can't arrest us! We’re civilians!" Sakura hissed, her voice sharp as ever. "You guys only found us after two years? Wow."

Kakashi flinched. She was right. It had taken him this long—two years—and it made him livid. He was supposed to be an elite ninja. And yet, he had failed. He had failed to find them sooner.

"But you understand—under my protection as your Hokage, I need to bring you back to Konoha," Kakashi said, his voice becoming softer, almost pleading. "Besides, there’s something important you need to see... Naruto... Sasuke..." He trailed off.

Sasuke scoffed, clearly annoyed by the situation. He glanced at Sakura, a wicked grin forming on his face. "Hey, Sakura, remember the trick you pulled back at the inn a few days ago?"

Sakura’s eyes widened in surprise as she grinned mischievously. "I’m going to do a Daisuke move," she said with a wink.

The memory of Daisuke, the strong earth-style user from the Icha Icha Paradise series, hit Kakashi like a ton of bricks. He couldn’t believe it. No, this wasn’t happening.

Sakura’s forehead glowed faintly, the flower seal that had replaced her original mark disappearing. Lines of energy shot across her body, and with a smirk, she shattered the chakra chains that Kakashi’s ANBU had used to bind her.

Then, she turned to her friends. "Let’s go," she said with a determined look.

Before anyone could react, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura vanished into thin air.

"GO AFTER THEM, DAMN IT!" Kakashi screamed, his face contorted in frustration.

His heart raced. He couldn’t believe it. After all this time, they had just escaped again—like escape artists. Kakashi cursed loudly, knowing that the chase was only just beginning.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Showdown! And Return

It had only been thirty minutes, but Kakashi was already closing in on the trio. They weren’t going down without a fight, and Kakashi wasn’t surprised. After all, these three never actually graduated from the academy and had been forced to study under the old, brutal curriculum. Kakashi was curious, though. How strong had they become?

The moment he found them, he couldn’t help but be shocked. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were strong—very strong. At the very least, they were high Chunin to mid-Jonin level, maybe even stronger. Kakashi had expected a good fight, but he wasn’t prepared for just how capable they were.

Naruto was the first to act, unleashing chakra chains to hold back the ANBU that surrounded them. With a casual flick, Sakura crushed the ground beneath her feet, sending chunks of earth flying, while Sasuke clashed blow-for-blow with Kakashi’s elite squad, his sword gleaming as he matched each strike.

Kakashi stood there, speechless. This wasn’t just a bunch of kids who had wandered away from home. No wonder they could survive outside of Konoha for so long. They could protect themselves, they were dangerous in their own right.

Sasuke’s Sharingan flared to life as he squared off against Kakashi. With a sharp motion, Sasuke lifted his headband, revealing the red eyes that burned with intensity.

“Wait... you're an Uchiha?” Sasuke gasped, eyes widening in disbelief. “I thought I was the only one left alive?!”

Kakashi chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow. “About that...” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Your whole clan is back. I brought them back to life.”

For a moment, Sasuke was utterly stunned, his eyes blank with shock. Naruto and Sakura stopped mid-move, equally stunned by Kakashi’s words.

“Huh?” Sakura blinked in confusion, her usual confidence faltering.

The fighting stopped, and the three of them stared at Kakashi. There was a brief silence, the air thick with questions, as Kakashi sat down on a nearby rock, gesturing for them to do the same.

"Let me explain." Kakashi’s voice was calm, though there was a weight to it. "When you two left, I... I learned a forbidden technique. A way to bring back the dead. It’s something I’ve been working on for years, but I never thought I’d use it like this."

Sasuke, still stunned, looked between Kakashi and his friends, processing the revelation. It was too much to take in all at once, but the truth was undeniable. His clan was alive again.

Kakashi went on, his voice softer now. “I did this for both of you. For your parents, for your clan. They’re alive, Sasuke. All of them. It was the only way to give you the chance to meet them again, to fix what had happened. It was not your brother's choice to kill your clan. He was forced into it.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened even further. He couldn’t process it all. His mind reeled at the thought. Itachi... his brother, the one he’d hated for so long, had been forced into doing something he didn’t want to. But why?

Naruto blinked, looking just as confused as everyone else. “What? You brought back all their families? Including mine?”

Kakashi gave a single nod. “Yes. Your parents are alive too, Naruto. Your mother, Kushina, she was brought back as well. They’re waiting for you.”

Sakura remained silent, her eyes wide with disbelief. It was a lot to take in. To know that their families were still out there, waiting for them… it felt like a dream. The trio just sat in stunned silence, processing the weight of Kakashi’s words.

Kakashi smiled softly, a quiet, satisfied smile. This was the moment that would change everything. He couldn’t bring back the past completely, but he could offer them something better—a future with those they had lost.

---

A few days later, the trio, now with a newfound sense of clarity, agreed to head back to Konoha, to the Land of Fire. Kakashi guided them back, enjoying their company during the journey. As they traveled, Kakashi learned more about what they had been doing on their own.

They had trained themselves—no formal instruction, no guidance from higher-ups. Just three kids, figuring out how to survive and how to grow stronger, together. It nearly gave Kakashi a heart attack when they casually mentioned that they had been doing it all without a teacher.

“You did all this yourself?” Kakashi asked incredulously, a hand to his forehead as if trying to contain the shock.

Sasuke nodded, grimacing. “We didn’t have much of a choice, did we?”

Naruto grinned, a spark of his usual mischievous energy returning. “We figured it out! We didn’t need anyone. We can do it all ourselves!”

Kakashi just shook his head. He had been worried about them, but he should have known better. These kids were tougher than anyone gave them credit for.

---

By the time they reached Konoha, Sasuke was still reeling from the truth about his clan and the revelation about his brother. He couldn’t bring himself to speak much about it, but there was a change in his eyes, a flicker of hope that hadn’t been there before.

And then, when they reached the gates of Konoha, it happened.

Naruto was dragged into an exuberant hug by a red-haired woman, who squealed, “Naruto! My baby, my baby boy!” She held him tight, burying her face in his hair, the unmistakable love in her voice.

Naruto froze for a second, then grinned, his voice muffled as he spoke. “Mom?”

Sakura watched the scene with a bittersweet feeling, feeling slightly left out, though she didn’t show it. Her family had never been like this—her mother was still distant, cold. The feeling of warmth and love between Naruto and his mother was a stark contrast to what she’d always known.

But just then, Kakashi noticed her gaze. He stepped up to her, giving her a gentle pat on the head, the way he had so many times before.

“You’re part of this too, Sakura. You won’t be alone anymore.” Kakashi said, his voice soft, but filled with genuine warmth. “I won’t let you go back to that home. I’ll take you in. You’ll always have a place with me.”

Sakura looked up at him, her heart swelling with emotion. She hadn’t expected this—this offer of kindness, of family. She’d never had a real family, not the way Naruto and Sasuke did. But now, it seemed like she finally had a chance for a real future.

Kakashi smiled down at her. He had a huge space in his Hatake compound, and he needed an heir—someone to pass on his legacy. Maybe it was time to build a new family, one that could stand together, protect each other, and face the world as one.

And so, the trio of friends, now reunited with their families, returned to Konoha, a new chapter beginning for all of them.

 

the end

Notes:

i wanted to add more badass Kakashi fight scenes were he just takes down Danzo and Hiruzen and other but oh well

let's keep this short

I also wanted to add more traveling the elemnaatl nation scenes with the trio ,but this is fine too