Naruto entered the training ground, a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. He was as enthusiastic and as cheerful as ever. The sight of his goal coming closer by the second made him happier. He was going to pass the test. He already made his researches about it. He just has to set the final pieces in place.
The test was going to be a piece of cake.
So when, his teammates were having a varying degrees of stress and nerve. He was extremely calm.
They looked at him surprised as soon as he entered. Only an idiot would be so calm about such an important test. A career turning point. A test that decided wether they'll be successful or be a bunch of nobodies.
... that description fitted Naruto well in their minds anyway. So they didn't question it.
So they ignored his attitude. But they didn't ignore him when he spoke.
''Hello, guys! Amazing morning, isn't it ?'' He breathed in a deep breath. ''A perfect time to practise our fire of youth against our sensei.'' He smirked. A unique a smirk they couldn't comprehend. The joke he made flew over their heads
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him while Sakura glared at him.
''This is no time for your idiocy, Naruto.''
Naruto turned his head to her and smiled.
''I'm being perfectly serious here, Sakura. We have a test in our hands. And it is important to head into it as calm and prepared as possible.''
Sakura sighed and turned away. Sasuke stayed silent.
Naruto paced through the training ground before sitting under a shadowy tree.
''And isn't this the perfect time for a test like that ?'' He continued.
Sasuke snorted.
''Get to the point already. What are you getting off ?''
Naruto grinned.
''Quite the impatient type as always Sasuke.''
''Hm.''
Naruto grin expanded even further.
''You know we are a team now, right ? That means we are expected to watch each others back. You know, I'm glad to have you two as my teammates. I wouldn't choose any others over you guys.''
Sakura looked at him surprised.
''Wow Naruto...''
''No matters what happens this test, we stick together okay ? We are a team and we should work as such. No one is left behind. No one is ignored. There was a reason we were made a team. It's not just some random selection.''
He didn't even flinch when they looked at him suspiciously.
''I know my words sound weird. I know those words are the last things you expect from me. But I've given it some thought. We are a team and we can't change that. We will work together as a team and we will pass this test. Can I trust you guys ?'' He looked at the sky, a smile on his face, for added dramatic effect.
Sakura looked at him like he'd grown a second head but she nodded her head firmly. A new found respect for Naruto grew in her heart.
He was so .. inspirational. But since when ?
''I'm not sure how what is making you tell us that stupid speech.'' Sasuke finally decided to say. '' I don't think the dope would same something like this..''
Even Sakura glared at him, why was he being such a dick for ? Naruto was being nice to them.
Naruto didn't even flinch.
''But I suppose you must know something I don't. Something that makes you want to work with us.'' Sasuke smirked as he noticed the grin on Naruto's face shrink for a second.
Before he gave a light chuckle.
''I shouldn't underestimate you, Sasuke.'' He stated. ''I've done my research.'' He simply said.
''Very well, I should should follow your lead this time, then. But only this time.'' Sasuke drawled, his tone uncaring.
The conversation was lost on Sakura and she just blinked at both of them.
Naruto nodded at Sasuke. Before he said :
''That doesn't change the fact that all of my words are true and we have to work together. Andy words in turn doesn't change the fact that I still think you're a giant bastard. Teme, denying me like that and disbelieving my words even despite them being from the heart. What a bastard.''
The raven haired was surprised for a second.
''Like anyone can believe your dramatic lies. It would be the day of my death when you would be able to trick me, dope. What a lying idiot. ''
''Say that again, you bastard.'' Naruto growled.
''You're a lying bastard, didn't hear that the first time ? Are u as deaf as you are stupid ?'' Sasuke smirked.
''You asshole. I'll kill you.''
''Naruto-Baka, don't talk to Sasuke-kun like that.'' Sakura shouted at the blond.
Kakashi reached to find his students sitting next to each other, what they were doing before he came, he had no idea. But they were planning something. He knew it.
''Well, hello team.'' He eye-smiled. ''Well, you see, a black ca-''
''It's okay sensei, we're glad you are okay.'' Naruto stated and kakashi blinked at that.
''We were worried about you.'' Sakura said. ''I'm glad you're okay.''
Kakashi sweat-dropped, that's not what was supposed to happen.
''Hmm, okay. So, let's.. ugh.. start with the test.''
''But are you okay sensei ? Shouldn't you be resting ?''
Kakashi ignored that last statement, this was weird. And he was excited to see how they would react to his excuse. It wasn't easy to come up with such a convincing excuse. It took him a whole minute.
He sighed and took out two bells out of his pocket before holding them up in front of his student.
''Your mission is to take a bell. You get a bell you win. You fail to get one in two hours you fail and get sent back to the academy. It is simple. Simple enough that even you can understand it.'' He eye smiled.
''But sensei..!''Exclaimed Sakura in surprise, glancing at Naruto, hesitantly.''There are only two bells, does that mean only two of us can pass ?''
Kakashi looked at her, eye smile still in place, and he replied : ''Indeed, one of you must fail.''
Sakura looked at Naruto, but he was still as calm and as relaxed as before.
That means, he had it under control, right ?
But their sensei said one of them has to fail. What if Naruto was trying to trick them so he could win. He wouldn't do that, right ? He said they would be all passing together.
She didn't dare doubt him anymore the moment she saw the reassuring smile he directed at her.
If Naruto said they'd all pass. Then, they will.
As soon as Kakashi started the test though, she jumped into the trees around the clearing. So did Sasuke,too. They had to think about their next move.
''Hiding and concealing one's presence is one of the most important things that a shinobi has in his arsenal, you however lack any skill in that regard.''
Naruto grinned at him.
''There's no need for me to hide.'' He said. ''We already passed. Why bother ?''He yawned.
''Did you now ?'' Kakashi asked. Holding an orange book in his hand. ''How can you be so sure ?''
Naruto blinked.
''Well, you are right, I can't be so sure. But what's hiding gonna do ? I'd rather just fight you right now.''
Kakashi looked at Naruto lazily.
''And here I thought you were the smart one.'' He said.
''Huh, what makes you think that ? I'm just a dope.'' Naruto grinned.
Kakashi gave him a blank look.
''Don't go hard on me, sensei, okay ?'' Naruto said in a mock tone.
What a student he got in his hands, Kakashi thought with a sigh. Quite an interesting character. Shame, he would fail in the exam like everyone before him.
''Alright, show me what you got.''
Naruto attacked and Kakashi was immediately put on defence. A careless stance that showed no interest in the fight.
But Naruto threw a punch and another and with every passing second, Kakashi felt the unexpected power behind Naruto's punches. His speed while not anything exceptional. It was nothing to scoff at. He deflected a punch and threw one himself that hit Naruto in the chest.
A cloud of smoke followed and Kakashi stared a the smoke blankly. When did the cunning little bastard have time to make a shadow clone ?
Multiple kunais flew at him from nowhere, and Kakashi grabbed one by the handle while the others fluttered to the ground around, deflected or missing their targets.
Suddenly, he felt a dozen of punches hit him like a bull, all at once, knocking the wind out of him. He regained his composure immediately.
The kunais that were on the ground were now shadow clones standing around him. How did that happen ?
''You let your guard down.''One of them said blankly.
''You said to go easy on you, how could I refuse such a request from my dear student ?.''
Naruto chuckled. ''Nice of you to heed my request, but let's change that, ok ? Why don't you go all out, I want to know just how bad I am compared to you, sensei.''
He winked.
Kakashi blinked.
He eye-smiled and Naruto's smile vanished immediately and so did Kakashi an instant after in a burst of speed, catching Naruto by surprise with a hit on the face.
''Shinobi arts lesson 1 : Taijutsu.''
Naruto nursed his cheek and smiled at Kakashi.
In an instant, a dozen clones surrounded him.
''Only taijutsu sensei ? But I'm down to some ninjutsu too.''
The clones all ran through the same handseals before shooting a wind stream that formed a large wind bullet that raced toward Kakashi. It hit only air as Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.
He appeared behind Naruto, his fist clenched and ready to deliver a punch to the blonde's back.
A clone blocked his punch. That was a surprise.
He didn't expect Naruto to see it coming.
The clone dispersed and Naruto jumped away before disappearing into the trees.
''Hmm, that's it ?''Said Kakashi to himself, surprised. It was underwhelming.
He expected Naruto to keep trying to beat him.
Well, it was time test his other students.
.
.
''Sasuke, Sasuke. What did you do to yourself.'' Mocked Naruto as he stumbled upon Sasuke buried to his neck, clearly their sensei doing.
''Shut up you idiot.'' He glared. ''I almost got a bell.''
''That's nice. Good job.'' Naruto drawled offhandely. ''But look at you.''
Sasuke just groaned.
''It's time to set the plan in motion. Let's get Sakura. We'll discuss what we're doing when we meet her.''
Sasuke nodded.
''Let me get you out of there.'' He crouched besides Sasuke.
''I don't need your help, dope.''
''Sure you don't.'' Smirked Naruto. He helped the raven haired out of the hole, who looked away trying to save any poise he had left.
''Sasuke, I have a favor to ask you.''
.
.
Kakashi leaned against a tree, reading his favorite book, and occasionally glancing at the clock sitting on the training posts.
Time is almost up, yet not a single one of his students showed up.
That was weird and disheartening, to think that a group of genins that he thought so highly of would give up so easily, even if the point of the entire test flew over even the brightest of them.
He closed his his book and stretched his senses intent on gathering them and announcing the end results. He was surprised to feel the the three chakra signatures approaching him together. They didn't give the feel of preparing for a fight.
Interesting...
''Sensei, we give up.'' Said Sakura as soon as they reached the clearing.
''There's no way we will continue this test if one of us is going to fail anyways. We pass together or fail together.''
Huh..
Kakashi blinked. He looked at Sasuke.
''What about you, Sasuke ? Are u going to make the same foolish mistake as them ? are u ready to pass anothr year at the academy ?'' He asked.
Sasuke smirked. He stayed silent.
Kakashi groaned, rubbed his temple and glared at them. ''What a bold decision you guys made. Sacrificing your careers for such a pity reason. You think the world is that easy ?''
He was happy when they didn't waver.
''Well, you asked for it..''He drawled, his expression dark and his tone deep.''You... Pass.''
He looked at them as they smiled at each other.
He let out a sigh. ''But what a way to pass my test. Since you figured the meaning of the test why not use teamwork to try to get the bells ?''
''Bored. I want to go home.'' Said Naruto, letting out a yawn.
They all sweat-dropped.
''Anyway, congratulations. good job naruto, I didn't think you'd figure it out.'' Complimented Kakashi, eye-smiling.
Naruto blinked.
''Huh, what ? Figured what ? Oh, it was Sasuke, actually.''
''Really, Sasuke ?''Sakura looked fondly at the uchiha.''I thought... You're amazing Sasuke.''
Sasuke looked at Naruto, annoyed.
''I wanted to work together but I didn't know how the test is going to be. He surprised me.''
kakashi looked at him suspiciously before eye-smiling at Sasuke.
''Good job Sasuke, you're the first one to figure it out.'' He mentionned them to follow him.
''In the world we live in, those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. Those were the words that my friend had once told me, his name is now carved into this stone.'' the genin looked at the stone memorial located in the training ground.''He is one of the heroes of this village, people that sacrificed themselves for the good of the village and the people that live in it. In this world, sacrifices must be made. But what matters the most are allies that would help you pull through it, allies that wouldn't abandon you.''
'allies, huh ?' Thought Naruto.
''Anyway, You are dismissed. You have one week break. Spend it as you desire. A bit of team bonding is preferable too. See you.'' He vanished in a cloud of smoke.
''Sasuke, want to go out and get something to eat ? You know as team bonding.''Sakura asked him.
He gave her a flat no.
Naruto chuckled at the interaction.''See you later, guys.'' He started walking away before Sasuke called him.
''I need to talk to you.'' He said. ''Alone.''
Naruto looked at Sakura. ''Goodbye, Sakura.'' He smiled at her.
She smiled back before leaving. She didn't feel offended, too happy with passing the test.
''Why did you want me to take credit for finding about the test ?''Sasuke asked.
''Oh. I've already got attention on me. That's troublesome. I don't want that to continue.'' Naruto said. ''But you, you are a genious, no one would wonder how you figured out the test.''
''I thought you wanted recognition. That's the thing that you never shut your mouth about all the time. Becoming Hokage.''
Naruto smiled a grim smile that lasted only a second before saying.
''I don't even know what I want. Becoming a hokage, that was my dream since I was a kid, and it kinda stuck with me. It's just ...''
Sasuke stared at him expectantly.
''It's nothing, forget it... I said too much already.''
Sasuke stared at him.
''Hn.'' He groaned. He made a move to leave then he turned around. ''And don't try to use me again, I'm not your tool.''
Naruto just stared at him leave.
Humans and Shinobi are just tools... They do not matter... what matters is that you win. What matters is that you are the victor. achieving your cause is the end goal.
''Are you really not a tool, Sasuke ?'' He said to himself as he watched Sasuke's back.
.
.
''Team 7 : Passed.''Kakashi said to the Hokage.
Everyone in the room was surprised. Then everyone was dismissed but Kakashi stayed behind.
''Hokage-sama, tell me about Naruto. Tell me everything you know about him.''
''I was wondering when you'd say that.'' Hiruzen sighed, feeling the headache coming.
.
.
''Hello father.'' Greeted Naruto as he sat on his father's head.
He looked at the setting sun and said.
''You know what happened today ?''
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver. Niccolo Machiavelli