Chapter 4: Bell hunting season is officially open.
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Iruka kept working til late hours trying to sort out how to devide the 27 Gennin who passed the exams into well balanced teams. While normally that wouldn't be so problematic as it is in this case, Iruka couldn't use some of the guidelines that were available. While tradition dictates that the graduates with the highest and lowest scores be placed on the same team with one other person, whose scores were somewhere in the first half of the grades from best to worst, he was unable to use this combination since that would mean placeing Sasuke Uchiha with Nara Shikamaru, who even though lazy as hell strikes Iruka as a genius when it comes to strategy, and one other person. This is the place where things get tricky since the heads of the Akimichi, Nara and Yamanaka clans made it clear that they want their children placed on the same team: after all since the Ino-Shika-Cho combination worked in the past why bother change it, espetially when their fighting styles complement eachother so well. 'Well there goes that idea out the window' thought the Chuunin.
Than there is the problem with forming a reconnesance team. The best results would be achived by placeing Aburame Shino, Hyuuga Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba in one team. Shino is the best chioce for the position of the teams' captain and strategist, something Iruka learned during the years he spent as his sensei. Inuzuka Kiba, while loud and brash, is a perfect candidate for the teams muscle and tracker: the things that his clan is best kown for. Then there is Hinata, whose Byakugan complements the scouting abilities of the two boys. She could grow into a strong kunoichi if she gets over her confidence problem, however being placed on a team with Shino and Kiba might help her with that since both boys are quite friendly towards her.
That leaves Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto as his last problems. Sakura, while being undoubtably the smartest person in the class when it comes to written tests, isn't as good in the practical aspects of academy training as the other students. In fact he would have to be forced to agree if somenone told him that she's the weakest of the students that graduated. Than there's Naruto who has average scores when it comes to written tests, though Iruka observed that he got there just barely and that 'written stuff just isn't him'. Howevar, Naruto did score the highest in taijutsu and is on even grounds with Sasuke in the ninjutsu department, though Sasuke only uses Katon jutsu, while Naruto has a little of each, but doesn't seem to favour Raiton jutsu. The same could be said for weaponds use, as the boys are clearly tied in the use of shuriken and kunai. Now Iruka has to decide what to do with them. Sakura needs to be placed with stronger teammates to compensate for her weker physical abilities. Naruto, because of his heavy usage of taijutsu and ninjutsu is best suited for an assault team.
Iruka has gotten quite close to Naruto over the years, ever since he bumped into Naruto at the ramen stand. At first he wasn't fond of the boy since he lost his parents to the beast that is now sealed in the boy, however once the frequency of their meatings at Ichiraku's increased Iruka managed to talk to the boy a bit. Iruka learned that they are both alike in many ways: they both lost their familys in the Kyuubi attack, both love ramen, and pranks. Iruka grew to view Naruto as something close to a little brother that he never had, and got to learn some of the less known things about the boy, like his love of gardening, his relationship with the Hokage and loose friendship with some of Konoha's elite shinobi like Maito Gai and Copy-nin Kakashi. Therefore it was a hard decision for Iruka to make, what team to put Naruto in. As he was thinking about Naruto an idea entered his mind. 'Of course, how could i forget about something like that'. Instantly most of his problems seamed to go away.
'There are 27 graduates to separate into 9 teams of three, but usualy only a third of the teams pass the final test given to them by their Jounin-sensei. Instead of placeing them into teams that all have nearly equal chances of passing, I shold place the Gennin in teams that will have the highest chances of passing.' Thought Iruka. 'The Ino-Shika-Cho team will most likely pass, the same can be said about the scout team consisting of Hinata, Shino and Kiba, so that leaves an assault team.'
'Since Sasuke will most likely fit best in this team and is an Uchiha, the most probable sensei for his team will be Copy-nin Kakashi, the villages only other Sharingan weilder. Since Kakashi will be the sensei than placeing Naruto with someone who he knows is the best option. That only leaves the third member of the team. It has to be someone who will be a balance for Narutos' and Sasukes' heavy Ninjutsu usage. I need someone who is a Genjutsu type and the only best option for that spot is Sakura.'
"I just hope Naruto can work with them. I know how he dislikes Sasukes attitude, and Sakura clearly likes Sasuke but dislikes Naruto because he doesn't like Sasuke. As Shikamaru would say 'Troublesome', but I know that they will pass somehow. "
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The next morning Iruka delivered the list of teams to the Sandaime
"Thank you Iruka. I take it it was a very difficult matter to solve."
"Hai Hokage-sama, I had to spend a few hours trying to sort out this mess. It wasn't easy given that I had to make the Ino-Shika-Cho team and a reconnesance team, as well as the overall scores of the graduates."
"Yet you were able to devide the children into good teams, though please explain why you placed Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura in one team? It makes this team much stronger than the others."
"You see Hokage-sama normaly Sasuke and shikamaru would be on one team but the Ino-Shika-Cho team destroys that concept entirely. Sakura is the weakest Gennin but shows promise in Genjutsu and has excelent chakra control. Naruto is preaty much the strongest Gennin overall bur scored average in the exams due to his written test. It helped me greately that Naruto and I have gotten close over the years and that he told me about his acuaintence with Kakashi-san. I figured that since Sasuke will be o a team whose sensei will most likely be Kakashi, who is our only other Sharingan user, it would be best to place Naruto with someone who he knows. Since both Sasuke and Naruto are strong Gennin hopefuls who use Ninjutsu mostly, I decided to place Sakura on their team due to the fact that she will most likely be their teams Genjutsu user."
"I can understand your reasoning Iruka-kun but don't you think that you're being a bit unfair towards the rest of the students?"
"I understand Hokage-sama but I made the teams in such a way, that the other six teams still have high chances of passing. The three teams that seem more in favour will most likely pass, though their have slightly bigger chances than the rest. Either way we will have three teams and, though I hate to say it, having those 3 teams is better for the village, but that doesn't mean I liked making that decision."
"I have to agree with you Iruka, we don't like it that we are favouring those three teams more than others, but those nine children are some of the most gifted Gennin we have seen in a few years. There is one more rhing I must tell you. Mizuki won't be joining you in the academy any more. He tried to steal the Forbidden scroll, but unfortunetly for him I returned earlyer than expected and apprehended him before he could make his escape. Currently he is being interrogated by Ibiki-san in ANBU HQ."
"Who would have thought that Mizuki would be capable of doeing something like that. I will be going now, good day Hokage-sama."
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Day of gennin placements
Naruto arrived at the academy a bit early so he dacided to wait in the class. When he got there he noticed that Shikamaru and Shino were there already. Shino he could undeerstand since the stoic Aburame was known to come early, but for Shikamaru it would be too troublesome.
"Hey Shino, Shikamaru boy you guys are early."
"Good day Naruto-san."
"Triublesome, my mother woke me up earlyer than usual that's why I'm here half an hour early, Troublesome woman."
"Sooo, who do you think will be on your teams?"
"My troublesome father said something about trying to place me with Chouji and Ino as the second Ino-Shika-Cho team. I don't mind being with Chouji bit I just know Ino will be more troublesome than usualy."
"I will most likely be placed on a reconnesance team though I can not be certain."
"Well at least you guys know something. I just hope I'm not placed with Sasuke. Kami knows I'll go crazy if were on one team."
Time passed by and more kids entered the class, with the highligt being Ino and Sakura entering the room screaching like banshees, untill it was 10.00 and Iruka entered the class.
"Ok graduates, it's time to assign you to teams and Jounin-senseis. Team 1 will consist of…..". At this point naruto decided to tune out everytning and wait for his name to be called out. "Team 7 will consist of Uzumaki Naruto…" Naruto lifted his head. "…Haruno Sakura…" Naruto groaned. "… and Uchiha Sasuke."
"Yeah!" yelled Sakura.
"No!!" yelled Ino.
"Fuck!!!" Naruto slammed his head into the desk.
"Your sensei will be Hatake Kakashi."
"Team 8: Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata and Aburame Shino. Your sensei will be Yuhi Kurenai."
'I'm not with Naruto-kun.' thought Hinata sadly.
'This is bull.' thought Naruto.
'What a drag.' thought Shikamaru.
"Team 10: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji, Yamanako Ino. Your sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi." Iruka said.
"Oh come on Iruka-sensei. The order of these teams are way off." shouted Naruto
"Naruto that's enough. These teams were approved by the Hokage."
"Somebody is going to die!!!"
Iruka just knew that he'll have a headache soon. "O.k go out to lunch and be here at noon for yoyr senseis to pick you up."
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Shikamaru sighed at his predicament. He laid against the railing as Ino kept going on and on. She just wouldn't shut up. He noticed Naruto hedding their way.
"So Naruto how's your team?"
"This sucks, I'm stuck with the Uchiha and his pet. Talk about troublesome."
"That's my line get your own."
"Funny, so where's your third teammate ?" Ino shoved her teammates out of the way and glared hard at Naruto.
"Hey Uzumaki, me and my team are talking so get lost." she barked at him. He looked at her for a while before turning his attention back to Chouji.
"So Chouji, ramen race at Ichiraku's?" he asked
"Hey, did you hear what I just said?" shouted Ino
"You're on." Chouji said
"I'm talking here."
"Shikamaru you'll referee o.k?" Naruto asked
"Don't ignore me."
"Do I have a choice?" Naruto and Chouji nodded no and Shikamaru sighed. He agreed.
"Hey!" Ino yelled as the boys went away.
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Hatake Kakashi walked toward the classroom. He could never understand why he continued to do this. He had not passed any genin team in his career as a jounin instructor. None of the teamsdisplayed the qualities he was looking for. So here he was again ready to fail another genin team. When he entered, he was surprised at what he saw. He already knew Uchiha Saskues' history with the fact that his clan was wiped out so that didn't surprise him. Haruno Sakura he only knew about because he read her file. She was quite smart and had a talent for genjutsu but other than that she wasn't as much as a surprise. He cught sight of a certain blond he knew sleaping on the desk.
"My first impression of you guys . . . is that you're a bunch of idiots. Meat me on the roof in 5 minutes." And with that he poofed away. Team 7 looked at where he stood and blinked a few times before going to the roof.
On the roof of the academy, team seven sat in front of their sensei, who was reading a book.
"All right now, let's introduce ourselves." He said.
"Uh, what do you mean sensei?" asked Sakura
"I mean your likes, dislikes, dreams, hobbies stuff like that."
"Why don't you go first sensei?" said Sakura.
"Well, my name is Hatake Kakashi. I have a lot of likes and a lot of dislikes, but I have no desire to tell you. My dreams are… I have a lot of hobbies."
'All we got was his name.' thought Sakura.
"Well, now it's your turn. You first pinky."
"Oh, my name is Haruno Sakura. The person I like is… my hobby is… my dream for the future is…" she said while blushing. Naruto bent over the railing making gagging noises. "And I hate Ino-pig and Naruto-baka."
'Oh, great a fan-girl.' "Ok, next."
"My name is Uchiha Saskue. I have a lot of dislikes but not a lot of likes. I don't want to use the word dream, more like an ambition is to resurrect my clan and… to kill a certain man." Saskue said.
'Cool.' Sakura thought.
'I thought so.' Kakashi thought. "Ok, you next."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. My likes are ramen, training and an occasional prank or two. My dislike is the three minutes it takes to make ramen, crazy fan girls and arrogant pricks." Sakura and Saskue sent him dirty looks. "I only really have one dream and that is to become the greatest hokage there was.
'Well I have an avenger, a fan girl and Naruto. This should be interesting.' "Well, now that done, we can begin doing our duties but there is one thing we need to do before that."
"What is it?" asked Sakura
"Survival training." Kakashi said
"But sensei, we've done survival training." Kakashi chuckled at her question.
"What's so funny?" asked Sakura.
"Well for one, I'll be your opponent in the survival training." He said
"But that not everything is it?" asked Naruto.
'He's sharp.' "You're right about that. Out of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will be genins. The rest will be sent back to the academy. This training is a super difficult exam with a sixty-six percent failure rate." Naruto and Sakura gave shock expressions while Saskue gave a glare.
"So what the hell was all that stuff at the academy for?" yelled Sakura.
"That was just to see if you have the stuff to become genin. We just can't have everyone as a genin now. So be at training ground eleven at six and don't eat any breakfast. You wouldn't want to puke." Kakashi said and he disappeared.
"Well I'm off. See you tomorrow." And with that Naruto poofed away leaving Sakura gapeing and Sasuke fuming.
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The next morning Sakura and Sasuke were wating at the training ground tired and hungry. Five minutes before nine Naruto showed up.
"Where the hell have you been it's almost 9!!!" Yelled Sakura.
"I'm on time. After all Kakashi-sensei was three hours late yesterday. What makes you think he wont be late today." As if on cue Kakashi poofed into the training ground.
"You're late!!!" yelled Sakura. Saskue just glared at the man.
"Sorry, I got lost on the road of life." Kakashi said
"Only you wold get lost on a one-way road with walls on the sides." Grumbled Naruto.
Kakashi took our two bells. "These are your objective." he took out an alarm clock and put it on top of the post next to him.
"O.k the timer is set for noon. You have until then to get one of these bells from me. If you do you pass.
"But there are only two bells sensei." Said Sakura
"Good observation." He joked. Naruto snorted as he tried to hold in a laugh which earned him a glare.
"The one, who doesn't get the bell, goes back to the academy."
Naruto began to realize that something was up. The test made no sense. He was hiding something. That's when it hit him. Kakashi is testing not just their abilities but something else as well.
Sakura was clearly concerned, biting her lip as she eyed the bells. She glanced at Sasuke. There was no way she could get a bell over him. He was the rookie of the year! That left... Naruto. She could beat Naruto. Besides, if it was Naruto that was gone, then she's have Sasuke-kun to herself on the team!
"Well now, time to get started. Come at me with the intent to kill. The test begins… now!" Naruto, Sakura and Saskue disappeared.
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Kakashi had to admit that they were good at hiding. That's when Naruto suddenly appeared.
"You know, compared to the others, you're really weird." He said
"Well, I never cared what the others thought about me. Besides, there is something about this test that seems off. I was hoping you would shed some light on the situation." Naruto said
'He's really sharp.' "That's an interesting theory but why should I tell you anything?" he asked
"I figured you wouldn't so I'll just beat it out of you." Naruto said and charged at Kakashi.
"Lesson One: Taijutsu." He said and he reached for something in pouch. Naruto stopped his charge and pulled out two kunais from the sleves. Kakashi saw this and was impressed. Naruto stood in a guard position with his kunais. What he saw was shocking. He pulled out a book. It was an orange covered book with a man chasing a woman.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm reading to see what's going to happen next. Don't worry, you won't even touch me." Naruto got pissed and charged at him. He threw a punch which hit air. He tried a kick which Kakashi ducked and got behind him.
"You know, you shouldn't let the enemy get behind you." He said while he formed the tora seal.
Sakura saw what Kakashi was about to do and yelled at Naruto. "Get out of there Naruto. He's going to destroy you."
"Too late. Konohagakure Hiden: Taijutsu no Ōgi: Sennen Goroshi (Hidden Leaf Secret: Taijutsu Supreme Technique: A Thousand Years of Death)" Kakashi stuck his index fingers into Naruto butt, only for Naruto to go up in smoke. "Kage bunshin?" Thought Kakashi out loud. Just then four Narutos burst from the ground and attaced him. Kakashi was impressed as the clones were using very complex fighting strategy. He destroyed two clones and was about to destroy another one when the fourth clone came from his right and blocked his punch. The third clone attempted to use a crushing heel kick but it was blocked. That's when he saw four more clones coming at him. Destroying the two remaining clones that attacked him, he readied himself for the others.
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Saskue observed from his hiding spot and was amazed and envious of Naruto. He knew that those were no ordinary bunshins. They were solid and were able to do damage.
'How the hell does he know such a technique?' Suddenly he caught movement from behind. He turned around to see another Naruto. He was moving fast and he was trying to get behind Kakashi. He watched as he stopped and snapped a kunai from his sleeve. He poised himself and waited. After a few seconds, Naruto let the kunai fly.
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Sakura watched as a kunai came out of nowhere towards Kakashi, then she realized what it was aiming for. It was the bells. The kunai cut a string that held one of the bells. She saw Naruto moving and he was moving fast.
'He was never this fast in the academy?' Sakura thought. He had the bell in his grasp until a kick sent him flying or it would have if it wasn't a shadow clone. She saw Kakashi's surprise and that is all Naruto needed. He caught the bell and jumped over Kakashi. That's went it suddenly hit her. Naruto actually got a bell. It was short lived though as Kakashi sped up and kicked Naruto in the back, making Naruto drop the bell.
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Kakashi was actually winded. This boy had actually been able to get a bell, if only for a short moment, with a well laid plan. He used his clones as distractions and he went after the target. Taking back the bell, he stared at his most surprising student.
"I have to say, that was an excelent strategy you used against me Naruto."
"Thanks but there is still one thing that keeps bugging me. What are you really aiming for?"
"Now,now, you know I cant tell you."
"All right then. Tell me what I did wrong?"
"Well aside from taking on a jounin by yourself, not much." Naruto growled but suddenly he felt like kicking himself in the ass. He was a Genninnin and he was fighting a Jounin. Their skill levels were miles apart. There was no way he would actually get the bell. There was another part of this test. Naruto gave him a foxy grin which confused Kakashi.
"Thanks again, sensei." And with a poof he was gone. Kakashi heard the rustle of some leaves. He decided to follow but he heard the sound of shuriken coming toward him. Doing a replacement with a log, he would have to wait to see what Naruto coocked up next time.
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Naruto sat on a branch far away from the battle site. He actually had to thank the teme for providing a great distraction. He set some traps just in case. He knew that even though Saskue was rookie of the year he was no match for Kakashi. He sat there trying to remember the words that Kakashi said.
"Well aside from taking on a jounin by yourself…" Naruto replayed in his head.
'Well that's true. There was no way I could to get those bells away from him alone. So if this test isn't about individual skills then what is it?' He thought. He racked his brain for a possible answer. He then remembered something that Kakashi said yesterday.
"Wait a minute. How could only nine actually graduate?" he asked no one. Unknown to him, Kakashi smiled under his mask. He managed to get around Naruto's traps, which would have hurt, and spied on the boy. He was impressed that the boy was starting to get the idea of the test.
'I have to remember to keep an eye on him.' Kakashi disappeared and went in search of his other students. He wondered if the others were as sharp as this one.
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Sadly, Kakashi was greatly disappointed in Sakura. With one simple genjutsu, she was easily defeated. It seems that she was more concerned about Saskue's well-been than her skills. Speaking of the Uchiha, he was currently facing him.
"Shinobi Fighting Number Two: Genjutsu. Sakura fell for it." Kakashi said while reading his book.
"I'm not the same as them." Sasuke said
"Say that after you get the bells… Sasuke-kun. Naruto actualy had one in his hands." Kakashi said as he put his book away and looked at the Uchiha. Sasuke started by throwing shurikens at Kakashi. Kakashi dodged not really impressed until he saw Sasuke throw a kunai at a rope. 'A trap.' He thought as he saw a rain of knives coming at him. He dodged again and quickly blocked a kick from Sasuke. Saskue twisted his body and threw a punch. Kakashi caught the punch and raised his forearm to block another kick. He then noticed Sasuke's smirk and was wide eye as he watch Sasuke actually touch the bells. He broke off contact from him and put some distance between them. He was surprised yet again by his students but he didn't show it.
"That was pretty close. Not as good as Naruto but close enough." He taunted. Sasuke growled at being compared to the dobe. Doing some quick hand seals, Sasuke prepared a jutsu. Kakashi was again surprised. 'There's no way he knows that technique. A genin shouldn't have the chakra for such an advance technique.' Sasuke ended his seals and took a deep breath. ' I guess I was wrong. Why am I underestimating these kids?'
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)." Sasuke said and blew a large fireball at Kakashi. As his attack died down and the smoke cleared, he saw that Kakashi was not there. Sasuke tried to look for him quickly. 'Where is he? Is he to my right? To the left?' He thought until he felt something grab his leg. 'Shit' was Sasuke's last thought before he was sucked into the ground. He was buried up to his head and was glaring at a smiling Kakashi.
"Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Technique)." Kakashi said. "You right about one thing. You are different from the others but you can't do this alone. Naruto…" Kakashi dodged the three shuriken that where flying at him. He turned to face three Narutos coming out of the bushes. "I was wondering when you would try again." He dodged the first Naruto and had to block the second Naruto's kick. In the corner of his eye he saw two Naruto clones digging Sasuke from the ground. Kakashi smirked and destroyed the two clones and charged at the real Naruto. Naruto stopped the two clones from helping and ordered the two clones to attack. They charged and Naruto had the biggesr grin Kakashi had seen.
'This cant be good' Thought the copy-nin: And he was right. What he saw made his eye go wide. The Naruto clones had five exploding tags inside their jacket - EACH!!! The two clones smiled, and than the clones went Boom!!! Naruto used the cover of the dust cloud and got the Uchiha to safety.
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Kakashi coughed and dusted himself off. Maybe he should check if Naruto isn't wacked in the head. Sure it was a very creative tactic, but when he said to come at him with the intention to kill he didn't expect him to take him seriously. He looked at the damage cause and was glad that he took the clones grins as a warning.
'Remind me to kill Anko after this test is over.' Yes Naruto was exposed to her way too long.
"I don't know what is worse: This or Naruto in green spandex yelling about 'The power of Youth'." Kakashi said to him self. Just thinking about that prank Naruto pulled on him gave him the creeps – And he got Gai in on it too. Kakashi had nightmares for a week.
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Naruto sat with Sasuke and Sakura who woke up just moments ago. Sasuke was not happy about being rescued by Naruto, not one bit.
"I don't have time to talk dobe. I have to get those bells." He said
"Damn it teme, I'll trying to tell you something important. Whydo you think I saved your ass back there." Naruto yelled.
"Don't yell at Sasuke-kun, Naruto." Sakura shouted.
"Shut up and listen, both of you. The bells are not the test. They're a distraction."
"What?" the both asked.
"Think about it. He's a Jounin and we're Gennins. He's way out of our league. There is no way we could get those bells."
"Maybe for you dobe but I will get a bell." Sasuke said.
"Will you forget about the bell? Kakashi wants something else from us and I think we should figure it out before we face him again." Naruto explained.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"I thought back to what he said yesterday. Out of twenty-seven graduates only nine would become genins. Isn't that kind of strange?" Sakura was actually beginning to think about. Sasuke was getting more and more pissed.
"We're standing here doing nothing and it's almost noon. I'm not staying here any longer. I'm going to get those bells and if you stand in my way I'll beat you down." Naruto felt like beating the shit out of the bastard but he needed to stay calm.
"Let's say that you're right Naruto. Even if we work together, we still won't get the bells." Sakura said.
'Work together? Wait a minute. If only nine become genin that would mean that there would only be three teams. Since we're all broken up into teams of three… That's it. That's the meaning behind this test.'
"I finally figured it out. This isn't a test of skill. It's a test of…" He was cut off by the alarm. Suddenly, Naruto was hoisted into the air by Kakashi. He looked at the one eyed jounin.
"Did you realy have to blow me up?" He asked.
"Yup." Naruto replied. Kakashi looked at his team and sighed.
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Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at Sakura's situation. She glared at the blond and tried to break out of the ropes that held her to one of the stumps. Kakashi got the attention of the team.
" I have some good news and some bad news." Kakashi said. All three perked up.
"Good news is that Naruto will be the one who goes back to the academy."
"WHAT!" he roared. The other two smirked at the blond. "How is that a good thing?"
"You'll get a better team next year." He faced the other two. "You two will be bumped from the program, permanently. That's the bad news." He said. Sasuke not liking that decision charged forward only to be placed on the ground with Kakashi stepping on his head.
"Hey, you can't step on Sasuke like that." Shouted Sakura.
"You two are just a bunch of brats. Did you even ask yourself why you're put into teams of three or why only nine would actually become genins?" Sakura looked confused and Kakashi sighed. "The point of the exam was…"
"Teamwork." Naruto said.
"Teamwork? So what were the bells for?" Sakura asked.
"They were meant to divide you. This test was to see how well you work as a team. Even if you didn't get the bells, you would have passed if you worked together."Kakashi explained.
"That's why Naruto is getting a second shot and someone else to deal with his crazy ideas." Naruto just grinned.
"Wait, why is only Naruto getting a second shot?" Sasuke asked.
"You each have your weakness. Sasuke, you think that the others will only slow you down. Sakura, you're only concerned with Sasuke and didn't even think of helping Naruto. Naruto, you feel that you need to take on everything by yourself,but unlike you two, Naruto was willing to help you both. He took Sakura to safety and helped you escape. He also shared information even though he didn't have to. Naruto has a grasp of how to work in a team while you two can't free yourselves from your own selfishness." Kakashi explained. The other two looked at Naruto who just shrugged.
Kakashi went on to explain the spot that they were at. The memorial stone that held the names of those that were KIA, killed in action. He then told them that those who abandoned their team are trash. Everyone got depressed so Kakashi decided to raise their spirits.
"Ok I'm going to give you one more chance. Sasuke and Naruto, you two can eat the lunches but don't feed Sakura. You've got ten minutes. Remember my word is law." He said and disappeared. The two sat and began to eat and soon after that they heard Sakura's stomach grumble. Naruto looked at Sasuke, who ignoted the sound completely,and went over to Sakura.
"What are you doeing Naruto trying to get us to fail?" shouted Sakura.
"Here eat this. You'll need your strength if were going to pass. Besides I'm the onlyone who ate breakfast and got enough sleap today."
Sakura started to eat when Kakashi appeared, Storm clouds, lightning and fire burning in the eyes.
"I thought that I've forbidden you to feed her." Bellowed Kakashi.
"And et us to fail again, beause she's too weak to move. Thanks but no thanks." Was Naruto's reply.
"YOU ALL………"
The three Gennin braced themselves for the inevitable.
"…PASS!!!"
"Hugh???"
"I always got some idiots that did everything that I said and let their teammate starve so I had to fail them. You're the first ones to pass."
Naruto grinned, Sakura cheared, Sasuke smirked thinking that they passed because Kakashi didn't want to fail him.
"All right now that we're a team we'll be meating at the bridge at 9.00 from now on." And with that Kakashi poofed away.
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At the Hokages office the Sandaime and the rest of the Jounin-senseis gathered to report on the performance of their teams. After the senseis of the teams that failed gave their reports came the turn of the rest.
"Team 8 consisting of Aburame Shino, Hyuuga Hiata and Inuzuka Kiba passed." Said Kurenai.
"Team 10 consisting of Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino passed." Asuma reported.
"Team 7 consisting of Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke …Passed." Said Kakashi.
"What!!! Kakashi actually passed a team…" Said one Jounin.
"Were all going to die!!!" added Asuma.
"Ohh come on, I'm not that bad." Whined Kakashi.
Authors Note:
Man that's a lot of words. I know I made some mistakes in previous chapters and I will fix them …eventualy. Right now I want to write to the Chuunin exams before I get round to fixing things. For all those who think I overdid it with Naruto I have this to say. He trained for 5 years with the Hokage (learning to controll the jumps) Yamato and Kakashi ninjutsu and how to use weapons and other stuff like that, Taijutsu with Gai (how else did he get the idea to prank Kakashi-unusally cruel I know) And he met Anko (you know what that can cause). Right now he's better at Tai bit that's Gais work so why are you so supprised (he did wonders for Lee) They didn't teach him too many jutsu (that's the Senseis job) And he's a bit slower than Lee without his weights, Gai's work!
So he is still reasonably good but not overly powerful. He's not using the 'Jumps' yet because the Hokage told hm to keep a low profile and try to use them as a last dich effort (and to disguise them somehow so pepolr wont start talking).