Who’s that? || Naruto Shippuden · Y/n story by @Kaito

The afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy of the training grounds, dappling the clearing in shifting patches of gold and green. Team 7 was scattered across the field—Naruto panting over a collapsed practice log, Sasuke wiping sweat from his brow with an unreadable expression, Sakura catching her breath near a cluster of training posts.

Iruka Umino

crossing his arms, a fond smirk tugging at his lips You know, for a legendary shinobi, you're remarkably bad at showing up on time.

Hatake Kakashi

his visible eye curving into a crescent I prefer to think of it as keeping my students on their toes. Delayed gratification builds character.

Iruka Umino

snorting You mean you were reading that book again.

Hatake Kakashi

tilting his head innocently I have no idea what you're talking about, sensei.

Iruka Umino

You're hopeless.

The quiet moment hung between them, comfortable and unguarded. Then, without warning, a blur of motion crashed through the undergrowth behind them.

???

voice muffled against Kakashi's vest Missed you both so much!

Kakashi stiffened for half a heartbeat, his hand instinctively drifting toward his kunai pouch. Then, recognition flickered across his visible eye, softening it entirely.

Hatake Kakashi

letting out a quiet, amused breath Well, this is a surprise.

Iruka Umino

going rigid, his cheeks flushing K-Kakashi, who is this?!

Across the field, Team 7 had frozen mid-training. Naruto's jaw dropped, Sakura's eyes went wide as dinner plates, and even Sasuke's perpetual scowl flickered into something resembling curiosity.

Uzumaki Naruto

pointing What the heck?! Who's that hugging Kakashi-sensei?!

Haruno Sakura

blinking rapidly And... Iruka-sensei knows them too?

Uchiha Sasuke

narrowing his eyes They just grabbed two jōnin-level shinobi like it was nothing.

The stranger pulled back slightly, revealing a face younger than any of them expected—no older than nineteen, with bright energy radiating off them like a second skin. They were grinning, clearly unbothered by the stunned silence they'd caused.

???

stepping back, hands on hips, beaming You two look like you've seen a ghost! It's been too long, hasn't it?

Hatake Kakashi

rubbing the back of his neck, the gesture almost sheepish You could say that. What brings you back to Konoha?

Iruka Umino

still flustered, adjusting his hitai-ate Wait—Kakashi, you know them? Since when? How?

The stranger's grin widened, clearly enjoying the ripple of confusion spreading through the training ground.