The days that followed the Wave Country mission were filled with the usual monotony. Kakashi didn't expect any grand changes, and the truth was, he didn't need them. The village was as busy as ever, and Team 7 was assigned D-rank missions to fill the gap before their next big assignment.
For Kakashi, these days felt like a break of sorts—a time to regroup, to plan ahead, and to solidify his foundation. The money from Wave was slowly adding up, and his plans were beginning to take form. He had to be patient for a while longer. The toll system in Wave was just the beginning, and the foundation of his organization would soon expand. But for now, he stayed in the shadows, letting his team think that everything was normal. They didn't need to know everything yet.
Team 7's Daily Routine:
The mornings were quiet and filled with basic training exercises—target practice, kunai throwing, sparring. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Naruto, ever the energetic one, was constantly trying to prove himself, his boisterous attitude cutting through the calm mornings. "Watch me! I'm gonna beat you this time, Sasuke!" he would shout, throwing punches with reckless abandon.
Sasuke, always composed, merely sidestepped Naruto's attacks. His movements were swift and precise, like a practiced dancer, never losing his cool. Sakura, on the other hand, focused on her form, her concentration unwavering as she tried to improve her own skills.
Kakashi would occasionally offer a word of advice or a correction, but for the most part, he let his team figure things out themselves. This period of peace, however mundane, gave them all a chance to refine their skills, to prepare for whatever mission would come next.
One Afternoon, After Training:
Kakashi sat on the roof of the Hokage's office, his back against the warm tiles as he gazed out at the village. It was a peaceful sight, but Kakashi didn't care much for peace. He'd seen enough of it to know it was often fleeting. No, what interested him more was the future, the plans he had carefully laid out in the shadows.
"Ahh, so peaceful..." he murmured to himself, letting his mind wander. The constant chatter of the village felt like a distant hum, nothing more than background noise to the larger game he was playing. His team was doing well, improving day by day, and they would be ready when the time came.
But for now, he would play the role of the lazy, indifferent teacher. "D-rank missions," he muttered, the words bitter on his tongue. He had little patience for these trivial tasks, but they served a purpose. They kept his team busy and out of trouble, and they gave him the time he needed to solidify his future plans.
The D-Rank Missions:
The team went from mission to mission, running errands, delivering packages, and helping with small tasks around the village. Nothing that required real ninja skills, nothing that would stretch them to their limits. But it was what they needed—time to train and improve.
One afternoon, they were tasked with helping an old woman clean her garden, and it was here that Kakashi's thoughts drifted again. The missions were inconsequential, but they served as a perfect cover for his larger plans.
As the hours ticked by, Kakashi watched his team from the corner of his eye, noting their progress. Naruto was improving his chakra control, Sasuke's speed and strength were becoming even more lethal, and Sakura, though still behind in some areas, was steadily catching up. She had more potential than she realized.
Kakashi's thoughts then turned to the future. The Akatsuki organization was still a looming threat on the horizon, but he couldn't let that distract him. He had a long way to go before he was ready to face them directly. He needed more allies, more power, and a deeper network of influence.
The toll system in Wave, while small, was just the first step. It would serve as the model for something much bigger. He could already see the outlines of a new world forming around him, a world where he held the strings, where he could control the flow of power.
Later that Night:
After dinner, Kakashi gathered Team 7 in their usual training area. His expression was unreadable, his eyes hidden behind his usual mask and Sharingan. "Tomorrow, we'll start something new," he said, his voice steady. "You've been doing well with your basic skills, but now it's time to step it up."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "New training? Are we going on another mission?" he asked, bouncing on his feet in excitement.
Kakashi shook his head, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Not a mission. But we'll be focusing on combat training—real combat. It's time you learned how to work together as a team. You won't be relying just on your individual strength. You need to think of each other as partners, not just teammates."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "We already know how to fight together."
"You think so?" Kakashi replied, his tone teasing. "We'll see tomorrow."
Sakura, ever diligent, nodded in agreement. "We won't let you down, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi observed them for a moment longer before turning and walking away, the weight of his thoughts pressing on him. The training, the missions—it was all just preparation. In the end, it would all come together, and his plan would unfold.
The quiet days of D-rank missions were soon to be over. And when the time came, Team 7 would be ready. But so would he.