Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

Strolling through the streets of Konoha, Kakashi felt a mix of nostalgia and unfamiliarity. The village hadn't changed much in his absence—lively markets, chattering civilians, and shinobi darting across rooftops—but something about being home felt… strange.

His wandering eventually led him to a library where a crowd of men had gathered outside. A large sign above the entrance read: "Icha Icha Paradise Special Edition Release!"

Kakashi tilted his head, curious. Most of the men in the crowd were chatting excitedly, their voices filled with anticipation.

"Well, all men," Kakashi muttered to himself, observing the exclusively male crowd.

The library doors creaked open, and the gathered men surged inside, eager to get their hands on the special edition. Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then followed, his curiosity piqued.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Stacks of the latest edition of Icha Icha Paradise adorned a display table, the bright, glossy covers promising something extraordinary. Kakashi approached, picking up a copy.

Before he could head to the counter, a stern librarian stepped in his path. She looked at him suspiciously, noting his youthful appearance. "Hey, kid, this isn't for you—" she began but stopped mid-sentence when her eyes fell on the shinobi headband tied around his arm.

She stepped aside with a resigned sigh. "Fine, just don't let me catch you reading it here."

Kakashi paid for the book, slipped it into his pouch, and walked outside.

Finding a quiet bench, he was about to open the book when his stomach growled loudly. He sighed, snapping the book shut. "I should probably eat first. I've missed ramen… I wonder if Ichiraku is still open," he mused, setting off toward the familiar ramen stand.

At Ichiraku Ramen

The savory aroma of freshly made ramen greeted Kakashi as he stepped inside Ichiraku Ramen. Behind the counter, Teuchi was serving a young boy a steaming bowl of ramen.

"Well, well, well," Teuchi said, looking up in surprise. "What a sight for sore eyes! It's been, what, two years since the most enigmatic shinobi in Konoha disappeared without a trace?"

Kakashi offered a sheepish wave. "I was on a training trip. How have you been, Teuchi-san?"

Before Teuchi could respond, the young boy sitting at the counter piped up. "Old man, do you know this guy?"

Kakashi turned toward the boy, his visible eye widening slightly. The child had spiky blond hair, bright blue eyes, and an air of unshakable confidence. He couldn't be more than two or three years old.

"Hey, kid," Kakashi said, his curiosity piqued. "What's your name?"

The boy puffed out his chest, his voice brimming with determination. "I'm not a kid! I'm someone who's going to become the Hokage!"

Kakashi chuckled softly at the declaration. Before he could press further, Teuchi intervened. "This here is Uzumaki Naruto. He's been coming here for a while now—lives nearby."

Teuchi placed a steaming bowl of miso tonkotsu ramen in front of Kakashi. "Here you go. It's been a while—don't tell me your tastes have changed in the last two years."

Kakashi eyed the bowl, his stomach rumbling. "At this point, I'd eat anything that isn't spider meat," he muttered before digging in.

Twenty seconds later, the bowl was empty.

"That hit the spot," Kakashi said, leaning back with a contented sigh.

Naruto, who had been watching with wide eyes, stared in awe. "How'd you eat it so fast?"

Kakashi turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "What? Is there something on my face?"

Naruto shook his head. "You're fast, Uncle."

The word Uncle made Kakashi freeze for a moment. Then, Teuchi burst into laughter. "Naruto, Kakashi here isn't your uncle. He's only 16 or 17 years old. Don't let the gray hair fool you!"

Naruto tilted his head, confused but impressed. Teuchi continued, "Kakashi here is what we call a prodigy. He graduated the Academy at 5, became a chunin at 6, and was a jonin by 12. Of course, that was before he disappeared for two years on this 'training trip.'"

Naruto listened, pretending to be amazed, though it was clear he didn't fully understand terms like chunin or jonin. Still, he was impressed. "So you must be really strong! Are you going to become Hokage?"

Kakashi smiled under his mask. "Nah, that spot's all yours. But you'll have to work hard for it."

As they finished eating, Kakashi paid for both meals and stood. "Alright, Naruto. I should probably report to the Hokage. It was nice meeting you."

Naruto beamed. "Thanks for the ramen, Mister Kakashi! I'll see you around!"

Kakashi watched the boy leave, a small smile on his face.

As Naruto walked away, Kakashi's sharp senses picked up on three figures trailing him. He sighed. "I just got back."

He flickered, disappearing from sight and reappearing behind the three shinobi tailing Naruto. They hadn't even noticed him.

From his vantage point, Kakashi observed them closely. They were fixated on Naruto, who was in a grocery store being shooed out by the shopkeeper.

One of the shinobi muttered, "Why are we wasting time watching the jinchūriki? If Lord Danzo wants him, we should just take him."

"Shut up, newbie," another hissed. "Lord Danzo's orders were to spy on him—nothing more, nothing less. We follow orders to the letter."

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed as he processed their words. His hand twitched toward his kunai pouch, anger simmering beneath the surface. But he held back, deciding to confirm his suspicions with the Hokage first.

He flickered again, this time appearing outside the Hokage's office.

"You may enter," came Hiruzen's calm voice from within.

The Hokage's Office

Kakashi stepped inside, offering a lazy salute. "Kakashi Hatake, reporting in."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his face. "Not too late for your taste, I see."

Kakashi smirked under his mask. "Konoha really should do something about all these black cats outside. They keep crossing my path."

The Hokage chuckled, surprised by Kakashi's uncharacteristic humor. "It seems your time away has changed you. Before, you'd only give half-baked excuses for your lateness."

"Maybe I've matured," Kakashi replied, though the glint in his eye suggested otherwise.

"Care to explain where you've been?" Hiruzen asked, his tone becoming more serious.

Kakashi gave a brief summary of his journey, carefully omitting certain details. "I was summoned to a unique domain. I've been training and… learned the sage arts, more or less."

Hiruzen's expression turned thoughtful, but he nodded. "I see. We'll discuss this further later. For now, I will be waiting for a full report and .... welcome back, Kakashi."

Kakashi hesitated for a moment before adding, "Hokage-sama, there's something else I need to report."

The tone of his voice made Hiruzen frown. "What is it?"

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "It's about Danzo and his interest in Naruto."