Bwahahaha this is a filler! But, I would recommend you read it anyway because it's important to add dimension and not rush the book. This song is called "Rainy Day", and it's from the Road to Ninja movie.

Naruto smiled, hopping onto the firm bar stool seat of Ichiraku. "I'll have pork ramen, please! I have a mission in a few hours, so I've gotta eat and then pack!" He clapped his hands together and closed his eyes happily, waiting for his order to be served.

His bright grin faded as he heard people outside the booth speaking loudly. "—a genin now. Can you believe that? The Hokage would let that...that thing become a ninja?!"

"Not so loud," he heard a second voice hiss. "You don't know how many loyal shinobi there are around us." Naruto could almost imagine a civilian man looking around nervously as he crept closer to the exit.

"Yeah, yeah, Hisato. You're always paranoid."

He suddenly lifted the curtain of cloth to show no one there but Iruka. Immediately forgetting the conversation he had heard, he beamed and launched himself at the man. "Iruka-sensei!"

"Naruto!" The dark-haired man put both his hands on the boy, surprised. "I told you, you shouldn't call me sensei anymore."

"Yeah," Naruto replied, looking up, with eyes shining with pride and adoration, "but who cares? C'mon, let's eat!" He dragged the man onto the stool next to him and then sat down himself. In that moment, his own bowl was brought to him, lowered on the table, making the boy's eyes glimmer. "I haven't eaten ramen in forever, —ttebayo!"

"You just had some yesterday, Naruto!" Ayame smiled at him before taking Iruka's order.

After he was done, the Academy sensei turned and looked at him expectantly. "I saw you earlier, but we haven't been able to get together for a while, ne? How are you doing?" Iruka smiled, watching Naruto finish slurping up a bite of ramen and begin launching into a most likely exaggerated story. His smile dimmed when he remembered the conversation going on outside before he came in. There are still villagers that resent him. But...I did too, at one point. That was...until I truly understood how he felt. However, the villagers are different. Even if Naruto managed to do something that would prove someone wrong, their hearts have hardened towards him. But—I believe Naruto can do it!

"—and then I kicked Teme's ass, dattebayo! Isn't that cool?"

Iruka grinned, messing up the blonde's hair before replying, "Of course, Naruto! How's Sakura?" You can do it, Naruto.

:::

Sasuke sat quietly on the pier overlooking the lake, pondering over his thoughts carefully. This mission can't end up like the last one. That idiot's getting stronger and stronger, while I'm not going anywhere.

A sudden image of his older brother popped into his head, causing him to snarl and shake his head. I have been blinded for the past few years, and my goals have been ignored. It's all the Dobe's fault.

"It's his fault for making me forget about my family," he muttered to himself, "and he's the one that introduced me to Sakura. And her...how does she have so much chakra stored in her?"

Sasuke scowled, thinking of possible ways his teammates could have both gotten stronger. "Unless..." His eyes widened. "It's possible. They've known each other for longer than I've known them..." He frowned even more, clutching the material of his shorts. "They've been training without me."

Don't assume anything until you know the truth, he told himself, effectively calming him down. Sasuke sighed again, and then leaned back with his two arms backwards, supporting him. A flare of anger made its way to him again, and spent the next hour scowling, the seed of doubt in Sakura and Naruto planted.

Dun dun dun!! Foreshadowing! I'm sorry this is just a filler, guys, but the next chapter will come sooner! Also, did you see my artwork? I'm very proud of it! This is the first time I've colored digitally, so it's pretty exciting!

Anyways, back to the story: What will happen next?

Questions?