Sorry for such a late update however I just finished my junior year and as most of you know it is the most important year. I had APs SATs ACTs projects and tests and grades are my top priority right now. Again I am sorry and thank you all for your patience and without further delay let's start Ch 30!
It's been days since the major fight between the world and Akatsuki reached its close. Zetsu hasn't been found yet ,however, the Kages were all sending out search parties. And to everyone's pleasure, a festival was being held in the Lighting Country to celebrate the new trinity treaty between the Leaf, Lightning and Sand, the three countries that destroyed the notorious Akatsuki.
Naruto was sitting in front of the memorial stone staring at the names of the people who died fighting the Akatsuki. Out of all of them he only knew Asuma sensei on a personal level and for that he was thankful.
"Naruto! What are you doing here?" A voice laced with surprise asked as he approached
"You're not the only one who prays for the dead, Kakashi sensei" Naruto retorted calmly
"That's not what I meant," Kakashi chuckled as he sat down too "You alright?"
"It's just that…" Naruto began "Many people died to protect me in some sense and… Ero senein already told me Akatsuki were dangerous to everybody and this war would have been fought eventually… but still…"
"Naruto you are a Konoha Shinobi and regardless of what you think the villagers and other ninjas think of you, you are still part of this village and we all protect each other." Kakashi answered "Besides, I've seen the progression as to how people treat and see you and let me tell you they worry about you and recognize your achievements."
"Really?" Naruto asked astonished
Kakashi smiled and ruffled his hair "Do I ever lie?"
"Practically every day when you're late" Naruto smirked
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously.
"Sensei, there's been something I've always wondered about" Naruto turned to face him "Who do you come to pray for everyday? They're obviously very important to you if you stand in front 'of here for hours a day. I know its personal and you don't have to answer, but…"
"My team when I myself was young" Kakashi whispered "Uchiha Obito, Yahshuki Rin and Minato sensei."
"Uchiha?" Naruto exclaimed "Then… you're sharingan…?"
Kakashi simply nodded. Naruto grew quiet again, he didn't know what he'd do if Sakura chan, Sasuke teme and Kakashi were all dead, although Sasuke is on a revenge rampage.
"I will bring Sasuke back" Naruto said voice full of determination as he looked up at the sky "Then we'll all be a team again"
Kakashi smiled "I don't doubt that for a minute"
"Well then, I'm going to go have some ramen and then train, sensei" Naruto said as he stood up "Thank you for everything" and with that he ran towards the village
"He's very interesting" Akio noted as approached Kakashi
"Unlike you" Kakashi replied calmly as he stood up as well
Akio glared at Kakashi who was pretending to be interested in the clouds above
"Stop cloud gazing and let's go" Akio growled
"Go where?" Kakashi asked as he fell in step with Akio "Under haven?"
"No" Akio responded yet gave no further response
Kakashi sighed at his master's attitude, he hates not knowing. Maybe next time he'll wait till he knows what Akio wants then jab at him
"Have you been training?" Akio asked
"With what exactly?" Kakashi replied as they started entered a training ground
"Anything at all" Akio said
"Well… kinda" Kakashi answered feebly
Akio's eye twitched in frustration at his pupil yet calmed down and inquired further
"Well I practiced gathering nature chakra while sparring with Gai and that highly trained my muscles and improved my taijutsu skills" he answered
"How many times did you spar?" Akio halted and stared into Kakashi's eyes electing a mental gulp in said person's mind
"Once" Kakashi replied weakly making sure not rub his neck. "I wanted to relax a bit is that a crime?" Kakashi asked once he sense fireworks beginning to explode
"YOU IDIOT!" Akio yelled hitting him hard on the head "OF ALL THE LAZY THINGS YOU ARE BY FAR MOST THE WORST EVER! EVEN A SLOUTH IS MORE ACTIVE!"
Kakashi who was now rubbing his sore head winced at the sheer magnitude and anger in Akio's voice
"IF YOU HAVEN'T REALIZED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOU BECOMING A DRAGON RIDER AND DON'T ACT UPON YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN CONTINUING MY LEGACY THEN QUIT NOW. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE!"
Kakashi simply retreated a step back and avoided Akio's gaze
"THIS ISN'T A GAME! IF YOU WANT A BREAK FINE GO AND ENJOY YOURSELF I LOST MY INTRREST IN TRAINNG YOU TODAY!" Akio screamed
Not knowing what to say, Kakashi simply stood in front of him keeping his mouth shout waiting for Akio to finish his rant
Akio did not accepting his silent "Well?" he asked after calming down a bit
Kakashi bit his lip while attempting to find the proper reply, "I do understand… I'm sorry for not training as you had hoped and I assure I'll work twice as hard."
"You need to decide now whether you want to train under me just because Jiraya called for it so you can have a higher chance of fighting the Akatsuki or whether you really want me as your master. Jiraya told me you were hesitant in the beginning yet I thought you were committed. We'll meet back here tomorrow and if you are willing to accept the fact that I am your master and you want to carry on the dragon rider legacy, then come. Otherwise, don't bother" and with that Akio disappeared
Kakashi sighed loudly and sat under a tree. Akio really took that the wrong way. Kakashi really did want to train and was committed, he just wanted to relax a bit. So maybe he wasn't a work alcoholic doesn't mean he is not willing.
Yet now he knows that this will only work if he's going to train till his feet bled and adopt Akio's way of the ninja as they say. Kakashi really does have a connection with Akio and he believes that he can trust him implicitly. Now to make Akio see that.
_
It was morning of the next day and Kakashi arrived early waiting for Akio to come. He was surprised to find himself scared that Akio would not show up and that he blew his chance. However, Akio did show up and was not entirely happy from what Kakashi could tell.
Akio quickly jumped to the chase not even bothering with greetings "Your decision?"
"I'm going to inherit your legacy, both in relation to the under haven and your way of the ninja. You are my master and I will follow you anywhere" Kakashi stated. Although short, it had its effect, besides Kakashi was a man of few words in such occasions.
Akio smiled "Well then, if you're going to become my pupil, better make you into a ninja that wouldn't embarrass me"
"Can't you go for one day without harassing me?" Kakashi asked in disbelief although he was actually very relieved and full of joy
A SEQUEL WILL BE COMING UP CALLED "A Legend in the Making" SO STAY TUNED!