I made my way to a park bench and sat down, mentally beating myself up.

Why the hell couldn't I say something to him? Am I ever going to gather the courage to say something to him about it? He's bound to find out sooner or later. I'd definitely want to know if I was in his position.

I decided to start reading the book that Jiraiya had given to me just to take my mind off of it.

So far, I was very impressed by the first chapter. I was about to flip the page to chapter 2.

"Enjoying it already, I see,"

I looked up at the voice and saw it was Jiraiya standing in front of me.

"Definitely," I replied, shutting the book. "But I don't want to know what type of research you've been doing to make this,"

He chuckled. "I wouldn't be able to make the chapters as detailed if it weren't for my research,"

I rolled my eyes at that comment.

"Did you need something?" I asked him, noticing his expression turned serious.

"Yeah, I need to talk to both you and Kakashi, so come with me," He said.

I stood up from the park bench and put the book inside my pocket. We started walking, and I looked over at him curiously.

"Is it about the Akatsuki? Do you know anything?" 

"I'll explain when Kakashi's with us," He answered.

I sighed, now thinking about how much stress the Akatsuki was going to cause. I trained even more while Jiraiya and Naruto were gone so I could protect him better. 

We found Kakashi standing against a fence on a rooftop, already reading his copy of the new book. 

"What do you think?" Jiraiya asked him. "Not bad, huh?"

Kakashi looked up at us.

"If you ask me, it's the best one I've ever written," Jiraiya chuckled. "I was just telling Hana that I needed to talk to both of you,"

"Alright," Kakashi said, not even bothering to put the book away.

The three of us jumped down from the rooftop and started walking through the village. Kakashi was still reading his book, of course. I think he's way more invested in it than I am.

"I'm delivering Naruto into your hands as promised," Jiraiya said.

"I can see he's grown alright, but has he grown up?" Kakashi asks.

"You implying I haven't done my job?" Jiraiya quipped. "Oh, go ahead, underestimate him. You'll be sorry,"

"Well, that sounds encouraging," Kakashi replied.

"The ones we've been watching are about to make their move," Jiraiya said, causing Kakashi and I to look over at him.

I couldn't push away the anxiety that was gnawing at my stomach. We stopped at a dango shop to sit down so we could further talk about this.

"I see, they're finally coming out of the woodwork," Kakashi said.

"It's no surprise; it was bound to happen sooner or later," Jiraiya replied.

"The Akatsuki..." I trail off.

"So why do you think they're finally showing their hand? What are they after?" Kakashi asked.

"Their ultimate objective is still unclear, but I know one thing," Jiraiya answered. "They want the fox spirit that Naruto carries within himself. As to why, well, you can be sure they have some evil purpose in mind. That's why I've been going around spreading the word to all of our allies,"

I took a sip of my tea as Jiraiya continued. 

"Something's coming, so they'd better boost their security and keep on their toes."

"I really don't like the sound of that," I sighed. "Do you have an idea of when they'll strike?"

"No," Jiraiya shook his head. "But they could be planning something as we speak, so we need to make sure we're fully prepared."

Kakashi went silent and then looked over at the clock. "It's about time for Naruto and Sakura's training. Are you coming with us, Hana?"

"I would love to," I said. "But I'm kind of caught up with something,"

"Oh, come on," Jiraiya cut in. "I'm sure he'd like having his older sister figure there to see his progress,"

I guess he was right about that. I needed to take a break from what was currently stressing me out anyway. We went to the training ground where Kakashi was supposed to meet Naruto and Sakura, but he was late, of course.

Naruto was pacing around while Sakura looked annoyed.

I joined with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune in the tree above the training ground, and Kakashi poofed to the top of the fence.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kakashi smiled while closing his eyes. "I, uh, ran into this poor old lady who needed help carrying some-"

I chuckled when I realized he was using one of Obito's excuses. 

"WOULD YOU GIVE US A BREAK?!" Naruto and Sakura both shouted in unison.

They sulked before starting the training exercise because Kakashi accidentally brought Sasuke's name up to them. I was surprised when Kakashi actually put his book away for this and moved his headband so he could use his sharingan. 

"Let's go!" Naruto shouted and threw ninja stars at Kakashi. 

Kakashi lowered himself to the ground to dodge and threw ninja stars of his own back toward Naruto. Naruto jumped in the air so he could dodge those as Kakashi threw more at him.

"Shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed, using his clone to move out of the weapon's way.

Naruto's clone transformed into a large shuriken, and he was getting ready to throw it toward Kakashi.

"That'll be enough of that," Kakashi said, using one hand to stop the shuriken and the other to grab the back of Naruto's head. Naruto also had a clone right behind Kakashi with a kunai pointed at his back.

"Huh," Jiraiya smiled in approval.

"Not bad," Tsunade smiled.

"Incredible!" Shizune added.

"You still have a long way to go," Kakashi said to Naruto. "You attacked before I even had a chance to say 'start.'"

I laughed at the similarity. I remember when I tried to attack Uncle Minato right after he told us to start.

Naruto almost had Kakashi, but it was just a clone, and he went underground. I watched curiously when I noticed Sakura seemed to be scanning the ground.

She focused on one spot and pulled back her fist, landing a punch into the ground. The impact caused the ground to shake and crack into large rocks. Tsunade smiled with pride when Kakashi jumped up from the ground, looking shocked.

Jiraiya grimaced, "That quick temper and monster strength. Tsunade turned Sakura into a mirror image of herself,"

I chuckled when Naruto even looked scared.

As time passed, the sun was starting to set and Team Seven appeared to be in hiding. Naruto came out of hiding and had three clones surrounding Kakashi. Kakashi was able to take them down but looked around for the real one.

I raised an eyebrow when Naruto had his fingers in a tiger seal, and Kakashi's eyes were wide with horror. 

I sighed when I realized exactly what Naruto was trying to do. Kakashi was able to jump away by two seconds.

I looked over at Jiraiya with a look.

"What? I didn't teach him that," He shrugged. "I'm just as baffled as you are,"

"I'm sure," I shook my head.

As they continued trying to steal the bells from Kakashi, it was dark, and I was pondering what I should say to Naruto and how I should bring this up. I was slightly annoyed because I had to do this all on my own. I didn't have anyone to help me, and the only three other people who could do it were all deceased.

"Don't overthink it, kid," Jiraiya's voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I looked up at him, and he was still watching the training exercise.

"I know what you're thinking about; you still have plenty of time before you can tell him anything," He said.

Tsunade and Shizune glanced over at me curiously, but I had a feeling they knew exactly what he meant. 

"Fair point," I sighed.

Maybe I could ask him later if he could help. He knows the truth, and he's just as close to Naruto.

I chuckled when Naruto's clone went to grab the bell and got caught in the trap. However, he was still outsmarted by Kakashi because when his real self punched him, it was just a clone of Kakashi. 

"Why don't you ever listen to me, you idiot?!" Sakura shouted at Naruto.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts at getting the bells, they went into hiding. Kakashi was leaning against a tree, lost in his own thoughts. I was curious what the next move was going to be.

Sakura and Naruto didn't even try hiding their presence as they charged straight toward Kakashi. 

"A frontal attack, huh? Getting a little overconfident, aren't you?" Kakashi said. 

"Now, Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Listen to this Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto said loudly, immediately capturing his attention. "I know the final plot twist of Makeout Tactics!"

Kakashi's eyes widened and started to shake a little. I smirked when I noticed that his demeanor completely changed.

"Turns out the hero is none other than-!"

I had to plug my own ears along with Kakashi, so I wouldn't get that part spoiled for me. Kakashi was still in an unfortunate position as he was able to read his lips because of the sharingan, so he shut his eyes tightly. 

Sakura and Naruto used this opportunity to grab the bells, and Kakashi waited a minute before opening his eyes.

They stood proudly, holding up the bells. 

"A ninja must see through deception," Naruto grinned.

"Isn't that right, Sensei?" Sakura grinned as well, holding up a peace sign. 

"I deserved that," Kakashi said defeatedly.

They laughed at his reaction, and Naruto explained how he didn't even know the actual ending, causing Kakashi to stutter and sulk. Tsunade and Shizune went to go join them to explain how they would be peers with Kakashi instead of students. Jiraiya smiled with pride.

"So, don't you think my training has paid off?" He said.

I nodded, "Yeah, he's gotten a lot stronger now,"

Everyone left the training ground, and we went to join them. As I walked with Jiraiya, I was going back and forth asking him if he could help me. Maybe now isn't the best time, though, since the focus was his training. As we caught up with Kakashi, he looked like he was sulking.

"He's all yours again; I leave him in your capable hands as agreed," Jiraiya said, standing next to Kakashi. "We need to be prepared. The Akatsuki are beginning to move again; I'm going to head out and see what else I can find out about them."

Kakashi gave him a slow nod. 

"So long."

Jiraiya raised his hands to form the teleportation seal and disappeared.

"What did you think of their training?" Kakashi asked me.

"It was good. I'm glad to see they improved," I replied.

"Sensei!" Naruto and Sakura waved at him.

"Huh?" Kakashi looked up.

"We thought that you should know we decided you'd treat us to ramen!" Naruto shouted.

"Now come on! Let's go, we're starving!" Sakura added.

"Sorry, you guys," Kakashi replied. "I have to compile a new unit dossier for the new team and send it along for filing. So, unfortunately, I'm out."

He raised his hands to form the teleportation seal and looked over at me. "Perhaps you should ask Hana here. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to treat you two!"

With that, he disappeared. 

"That damned Kakashi," I muttered.

'Dossier' my ass, I know he's just going to go finish Makeout Tactics.

"Let's go Hana-Sensei!" They shouted at me. 

I sighed and decided to just go treat them to ramen. The last mission payout was pretty generous anyway.

Sakura changed her mind on the way and wanted to go somewhere else, but said that we could do this another day. Now, it was just me and Naruto.

I wouldn't want to spring this on him right as he just finished training, so telling him the truth could wait.

"Ichiraku hasn't changed a bit," Naruto inhaled the air.

"It's still just as good as it was when I was your age," I replied, my mouth watering at the thought of eating ramen.

We walked inside the tent, and Naruto greeted Teuchi and Ayame, who didn't recognize him at first. They recognized me, though, since I was here three days ago.

Naruto and I sat down on the stools. 

"Still got your appetite?" Teuchi asked.

"You bet! I'm starving!" Naruto replied excitedly.

I grabbed my wallet and started fishing the money out of it, but Teuchi stopped me. 

"It's okay! Today, your food's on the house. Order anything you want," He smiled.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

I didn't want to take advantage, but he insisted.

"Hold it!" Someone interrupted. "Let me get this one,"

The tent opened, and it was Iruka. 

"I had a hunch it would be you, Naruto," He smiled and then looked at me. "Hello, Hana, good to see you,"

I waved at him. He asked about Sakura, so Naruto explained that she had changed her mind because she wanted to go to a teashop nearby. He seemed a bit sad about it, though. 

I ended up insisting that Iruka didn't have to pay for me, so Teuchi still gave me that free bowl he had promised earlier. I could tell Naruto and I were his favorite customers. Iruka, Naruto, and I spent the night just catching up until it was time to go home. 

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Guess who's back lol I'm so sorry about the long wait. I was struggling with writer's block, and college has me busy right now. I was working on my English paper and decided to just publish this chapter as I procrastinate. I'll try to update this more frequently. I haven't given up on this story since Obito is my special guy