After returning to the Hokage building…
Team 7 had just completed their mission and stood before the reception desk, waiting to receive their pay. Naruto practically bounced on his heels, clutching his beloved frog-shaped coin purse like a precious relic.
"C'mon, baby… drink up," he whispered dramatically, stuffing ryo bills into it with wide, sparkling eyes.
The poor purse already looked like it was bulging at the seams—if it had a mouth, it might've groaned in protest.
"Heh, soon you'll be fat and happy," Naruto cooed, patting it fondly like it was a pet.
A sudden chill swept through the hallway, catching the damp spots on Naruto's clothes and making him shiver violently. Water dripped from the ends of his sleeves and hair, forming a tiny puddle beneath him.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was deeply invested in the new volume of Icha Icha Paradise, flipping pages with a suspiciously dreamy look on his face.
"You're all dismissed for the day," he said, not even looking up. "Actually… take tomorrow off too. I've got some very important business to attend to."
He tried to sound serious, but the way his fingers lovingly dog-eared a page killed the illusion entirely.
Sakura squinted.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
'Like hell that's important business,' they both thought with synchronized annoyance.
Naruto, however, nodded solemnly with admiration. "Kakashi-sensei! You have to complete this mission with utmost dedication!"
Kakashi looked up slowly, blinking once.
"…"
Sakura facepalmed, groaning into her hand.
Sasuke quietly shook his head, the barest of sighs escaping his lips.
'What an idiot…' they both muttered in their minds.
Kakashi gave Naruto a vague thumbs-up and turned to walk away.
…But just as they began to part ways, Naruto suddenly froze like someone had hit a pause button on him.
His eyes twitched. His smile faded. The gears in his brain slowly began to turn.
Wait… if Kakashi-sensei's not coming tomorrow… that means… no mission…
No mission… means no money…
No money… means no filling up the frog purse…
No filling up the frog purse… means—NO RAMEN?!
The color drained from his face.
"Nooooooooooooo!!"
Before anyone could react, Naruto launched himself like a torpedo and latched onto Kakashi's leg with the desperation of a man clinging to life itself.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI, YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" he wailed, eyes blazing with passion and terror.
Kakashi looked down, dumbfounded.
"(๏ᆺ๏υ)"
He started sweating, trying to peel Naruto off his leg like a very determined barnacle.
"A-Ah… Naruto?"
"Sensei… if we don't do a mission tomorrow…" Naruto looked up, tears welling in his eyes. "I won't get paid…"
He sniffled. "And without money… I can't buy ramen…"
The hallway fell dead silent.
Kakashi blinked, taking in the dramatic seriousness of the boy before him. After a beat, his expression softened. He ruffled Naruto's damp, spiky hair gently.
"…Alright. I'll treat you to ramen tomorrow."
Naruto froze. "…Really?!"
"Really," Kakashi confirmed.
Naruto leapt off his leg and threw his fists in the air like he just won the Chūnin Exams.
"YESSS!! RAMEN!!" He spun in place, his frog purse swinging like a happy partner in crime. "I'm getting ramen tomorrow!"
Sakura rolled her eyes hard. "Honestly… all this for one free meal?"
But her voice was laced more with exasperation than actual malice. If anything, she was mildly amused.
Sasuke, however, glanced at Naruto a bit longer than usual. His eyes narrowed slightly—just a flicker of understanding there. He knew what it was like… growing up alone.
Kakashi stretched lazily and tucked his book away. "Well, since I'm already treating Naruto… how about the whole team? Ichiraku Ramen. Tomorrow evening. After your solo practice."
Sakura blinked in surprise. Her eyes darted toward Sasuke almost instinctively.
"Sasuke-kun… are you going too?" she asked, trying to sound casual but clutching her skirt nervously.
Sasuke shrugged. "Tch. If I feel like it."
It was all the confirmation she needed.
"Then I'm coming too!" she replied quickly, straightening up with a slight blush and sudden confidence.
Naruto gasped like someone had handed him a second Christmas.
"EH?! Sakura-chan is coming too?! This is gonna be the best ramen ever!"
Sakura side-eyed him with mild concern. "Just don't go overboard like you always do, Naruto."
"Wha—?! I never go overboard!"
"You're yelling again," Sasuke muttered, not even turning around.
Kakashi chuckled behind his mask and waved lazily. "See you all tomorrow evening. Don't slack off during practice."
As the team began to walk in separate directions, Naruto continued skipping down the road with giddy energy, repeating the phrase "best day ever" over and over.
Sakura walked a few steps behind Sasuke, stealing occasional glances at him while pretending not to care.
And Sasuke… just walked quietly, hands in pockets, eyes forward—but maybe, just maybe, a little less cold than before.