At night, Kakashi sat by the campfire with them, offering rare advice and stories from his previous missions.

He spoke quietly about the strength of a shinobi and how it wasn't just about power, but about protecting what matters.

"You fight for your loved ones and also for people you cherish," Kakashi said, gazing at the stars. "That's true strength."

Naruto listened wide-eyed, Sakura leaned closer, and Sasuke, though quiet, took the words deeply into his heart.

Even Jiraiya, who stuck around lazily to "supervise," found himself impressed.

'The brat… he's growing up faster than I thought.' Jiraiya thought.

…..

One evening, as Team 7 slept exhausted under the trees, Kakashi and Jiraiya sat apart, sharing a quiet drink.

"You're doing a good job with them," Jiraiya admitted.

Kakashi gave a rare, serious look.

"They're the future," he said simply.

Jiraiya sipped his sake, then glanced at Kakashi's face again.

"No Sharingan anymore?"

"I still have it i just sealed it with a seal made by Kushina-san." Kakashi said as he touched his left eye.

"Now, I'm faster, sharper. My chakra also lasts longer."

Jiraiya nodded slowly, understanding.

The Sharingan was powerful but a burden too, for a non-Uchiha. No wonder he's even stronger now.

"And the snake contracts?" Jiraiya asked. Still finding it strange that Kakashi went to Ryuichi Cave.

Kakashi smiled beneath the moonlight.

"They're not like Orochimaru's snakes. These snakes… respect strength and trust."

He paused. "Naruto chose on his own. I simply gave him the choice."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Typical Kakashi… letting the kid choose his own path."

The Toad Sage looked up at the night sky.

'Maybe Naruto didn't need me as much as I thought,' He realized, strangely proud and a little wistful.

…..

As days passed, Team 7 grew stronger.

Naruto perfected his Rasengan until it spun with a terrifying whirr. His chakra control still wasn't perfect, but his raw determination and endless energy made up for it.

Sasuke's speed increased dramatically, and his Chidori cut clean through massive stone pillars during training.

Sakura mastered basic water techniques like Water Dragon Bullet and even developed sharper genjutsu counter skills, surprising Kakashi and Kurenai.

Kakashi pushed them harder, tougher each day, but also praised them honestly, something rare from the usually aloof Jonin.

The bond between them, already strong, solidified into something unbreakable.

….

The training ground shook as Naruto skidded backward, his sandals kicking up dust. Across from him, Sasuke stood still, one hand crackling with electricity, the other ready to draw a kunai at a moment's notice.

"You're getting slower, Naruto," Sasuke said, his voice cool.

"Ha! You wish, teme!" Naruto shot back, grinning even as he panted. "I'm just warming up!"

Up in the trees, Kakashi leaned casually against a branch, Kurenai sitting beside him with a soft smile. They were watching and supervising today's "special training."

"Did Garaga agree?" Kurenai asked.

"He did agree and he is here too," Kakashi answered, his uncovered face calm. "Today, they meet their summons."

Kurenai looked around but couldn't find him.

Naruto and Sasuke didn't know yet, but today was different.

Kakashi clapped his hands once. "Alright, you two. Stop bickering. Summoning practice, now!"

Naruto's face lit up. "Summons? But we already know how to do it?" He immediately started forming hand signs at lightning speed.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, feeling the shift in Kakashi's chakra. This wasn't normal summoning training. Something special was coming.

Kakashi tossed each of them a small scroll black and gold, with a winged serpent emblem coiled in the center.

"You just need to put your name in this special scroll in blood just like the scroll before, they will immediately recognize your chakra," Kakashi said, "then focus most of your chakra. You'll call something from Garaga's lineage."

"And they will be your main summonings, I specifically chose them for you two. They are very strong!" Kakashi said

"And these Snakes also choose you," Kakashi said.

Naruto's and Sasuke's eyes lit up when they heard it. They knew Kakashi wouldn't choose weak summons for them.

They bit their thumbs, blood welling up. Then, together, they slammed their hands onto the scrolls.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" they shouted in unison.

For a second, the ground trembled.

Two pillars of smoke burst from the ground, spiraling high into the sky. Naruto coughed, waving the smoke away, and squinted through the haze.

And then he saw them.

Two massive serpents coiled in front of them, opposite as night and day.

The first was black as a starless sky, was coiled loosely, his head raised, golden eyes gleaming with cold intelligence. His scales absorbed the sunlight, making him almost blend into the shadows.

The second was a radiant silver-white that sparkled under the sun, her body rippling with light. Blue lightning patterns danced across her scales, and her deep blue eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Whoa… these guys are HUGE!" Naruto took a step back.

The black serpent, Yamihibi turned to Sasuke and inclined his head ever so slightly.

"…Sasuke Uchiha," he said, voice like a cold breeze. "I am Yamihibi. I recognize your strength. And I accept this contract."

Sasuke gave a rare, small nod of respect. He could feel the pressure from the snake.

"Good." He definitely liked this snake.

The white serpent Hikaribi meanwhile practically beamed at Naruto.

"Yosh! You must be Naruto Uzumaki! You smell like chaos I like it!" she said, her voice lively and full of energy. She coiled once around him, making Naruto yelp. "We're gonna have so much fun!"

"Heck yeah! Let's do it, Hikaribi!" Naruto grinned widely.

Up in the trees, Kakashi chuckled. "Looks like a perfect match."

"They're like reflections of them." Kurenai laughed softly.