Miss the Ramen

Tsunade who knew the real reason for the Uchiha massacre decided not to delve too much into this newfound aim that Sasuke had. She noticed the shortsword on Kakashi's back and asked "This looks like the sword Sakumo used to carry around. I thought you had given up on the notion of practicing Kenjutsu."

"I honestly had...but to teach Sasuke more about Kenjutsu, I had to polish my own skills. He wanted to surpass Yami in terms of it." Kakashi said as he subconsciously chuckled.

Tsunade and Shizune both raised their eyebrows as they heard that. "I think that would be setting the bar too high. What do you think?" Shizune asked.

Tsunade also asked "She is right Kakashi. You have seen Yami fight. Do you think the Sasuke now is better than the Yami that put down that monster? Only in terms of Kenjutsu."

"To tell you the truth, he is still far from defeating the Yami I saw 2 and half years ago. But if Sasuke uses all this strength including the jutsus and techniques I have taught him, he can go toe to toe with Yami's sword." Kakashi said with confidence. He had watched Sasuke grow and had molded him into a fine shinobi so he knew how strong Sasuke now was.

"That's great. I have sent a letter to Jiraya as well. I hope he does understand the seriousness of the situation and comes back. In fact, his letter was sent a couple of days before you." Tsunade said as she stood up from her seat.

Shizune stepped forward and said "Lady Tsunade I think it's time we leave now. We have to assign the missions to the genin squads. Iruma will also meet us there."

"Ugh...I really need a break. Why did I listen to that noisy brat and become the Hokage" Tsunade cursed.

"I will also go and have lunch with Sasuke. I miss the taste of Ichiraku ramen. I'll bring him here after lunch." Kakashi said and quickly left through the window. He didn't want Tsunade to dump anything on him after he came back from such a long tiring journey.

"Let's go Shizune before I change my mind." Tsunade said as she left the office with Shizune. As she left she saw that Sakura was sitting on the table just outside the office.

"Sakura what are you doing here?" Tsunade asked seeing her student busy reading some papers instead of practicing in the hospital.

Sakura looked up at Tsunade and said "Huh? Karin told me to sort out these papers. She told me you needed them done today."

Tsunade and Shizune understood that Karin must have done so to have her meet Sasuke when he comes here."This girl" Tsunade muttered as she shook her head.

"Go and get the morning ledgers from the gates and you might end up meeting someone." Tsunade said and continued walking through the corridor.

Sakura was confused for a second when she heard this but since Tsunade had ordered it, she kept the bunch of papers aside and left to collect the morning ledgers from the different entry gates.

As she was walking, she passed by the academy and saw Konohamaru along with his squadmates and sensei enter the academy with a cat in their hand.

"Even he became a genin and some of my classmates are still genin." Sakura said as she was reminded of her squad and the two who were still genins.

As she walked further she came near Ichiraku ramen. As she was passing by she heard a voice she hadn't for a long time.

"Hey Teuchi, I would like to have Miso soup and Eggplant made by you."

Sakura stopped instantly as she heard that. She quickly looked to the side and through the flaps of the shop door, she could see Kakashi's silver hai. She quickly stepped inside the ramen place to confirm the voice she just heard.

"K-Kakashi sensei?" She said as he entered only to see him turn toward her.

"Sakura...I didn't expect that you would also come here for lunch." Kakashi said in his usual playful and casual tone.

"No...I heard your voice which is why I came in..where is..."Before Sakura could complete what she was saying she tilted her head a little and saw Sasuke sitting beside Kakashi looking at the menu.

Sakura quickly stepped closer to Sasuke and asked "Sasuke you are back..when did you come? How have you been?"

She didn't expect Sasuke to answer anything but she kept asking. To her and even Teuchi's surprise, Sasuke looked at her and said "We came not an hour ago. I am good...how are you?"

Sakura's face instantly reddened as she heard this. She had never seen Sasuke answer so casually. Kakashi glanced at Sasuke and then back and Teuchi.

"I-I am fine." Sakura said as she stuttered. She didn't know what to say next. If it was the Sakura from before then she would have instantly sat close to Sasuke and bombarded him with more questions.

An awkward silence swept over the entire place as no one said anything. Kakashi decided to break it and said "Look at you Sakura...you have grown quite well in the past years just like Karin."

Sakura looked confusedly and asked "Huh? Karin? You guys met her?" as she looked at Kakashi and Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded and said "Yes...when we entered the village we met her at the gate and Kakashi sensei did send a letter yesterday saying that we are coming today."

Sakura's eyes suddenly widened as she realized Karin knew about Sasuke's arrival and that's why she gave her work.

"Ohh...I am going to get even with that girl for sure." Sakura harrumphed.

"You looked good Sasuke. You have changed a lot in the past 2 years." Sakura said as she noticed her handsome crush grow more handsome.

"You look good as well Sakura and I can see that you have become stronger as well. We are going to visit Lady Tsunade after lunch." Sasuke said to which Sakura nodded and said "oh yes...Lady Tsunade told me to get the morning ledgers. I better go now. I will see u at Milady's office."

Sakura quickly left hiding her embarrassment. She knew that everyone in the ramen place had seen her behaving and blushing like an idiot.

Kakashi didn't say anything and started eating his order which peacefully and Sasuke did the same. After finishing their food, Kakashi paid and they both left Ichiraku Ramen.

As they were walking toward Kakashi looked at Sasuke and said "Sasuke you don't need to behave fake in front of those who care about you. Although someone like Sakura or Naruto may not realize it but if you face someone like Lady Tsunade you will end up making a bad impression."

Sasuke nodded quietly understanding what Kakashi meant. Sasuke didn't have any kind of ill will toward Sakura but she had never been on his priority list.

As they reached the Hokage building, they walked up to the office. "Hm...Sakura said she would be waiting here for us. Looks like Lady Tsunade gave her quite a big task." Kakashi said as he saw the desk outside Tsunade's office empty.

Kakashi knocked on the door and hearing come in he entered with Sasuke. Inside the office, Tsunade was discussing something with Shikaku.

Tsunade glanced at Kakashi and Sasuke and signaled them to come in. She glanced again but only at Sasuke as she saw the similarities he had with Itachi.

'I wish Itachi were here now to see it. I am sure he would smile slightly.' Tsunade thought as she had always seen Itachi have a neutral expression on his face. Even shocking the guy was difficult. The only time it had happened was when she told him about Yami and his fight with the monster.

Within a few seconds, she finished her discussion with Shikaku and looked at the 2 people in front of her. "You have grown quite well when compared to how you looked 2 years ago. It really is a drastic change."

Sasuke wanted to say something nice and sweet like Kakashi had trained him but he had just been warned by Kakashi not to use such simple tricks in front of the Hokage so Sasuke decided to be his self.

He just bowed a little and said "Thank you Lady Tsunade."

"I assume your training..." Tsunade was speaking when she suddenly heard a shout from the outside.

"I AM HOME EVERY ONE...NARUTO UZUMAKI HAS RETURNED TO THE HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE"

Everyone looked outside as they heard the shout. "So they finally came back huh?" Shikaku said as he saw the saw figure of Naruto standing on top of a pole at a distance.

"Even after these years, he is still shouting like an idiot." Tsunade shook her head.

Sasuke also looked in the direction from where Naruto came. He wanted to see how strong Naruto had gotten. During the invasion, Sasuke saw how strong Naruto was now....but how much stronger has he gotten after training with one of the legendary Sanin?

Only one way to find that out...

(We have our entries of Sasuke and Naruto back and they are ready to test each other's strength. Chapters regarding this are posted in my P@treon)

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Link in the synopsis as well.