~Scroll 3~

The stunned silence was soon broken by a joyful laugh and the muttered apologizes for immature behavior that could not be stopped, and all the while, disgusted eyes observed the whole scene.

So… This is our elite shinobi leader? Sasuke thought, He looks completely worthless!

The silver-haired man shook his head free of the powdery residue from the eraser then cleared his throat; gaining the three teens' attention.

"Based on my first impression, I'd have to say…" The stranger began, "Hmm… How shall I put this?"

"I hate you."

Naruto's back straightened at the remark. It was not the first time that Naruto had heard someone say those exact words to him. However, usually when he heard those words, the person uttering them always meant it; plus, the blonde youth could always hear and feel the hatred when those words were uttered. But with this man, Naruto did not hear nor feel the hatred. What he heard and felt was hope… What could he be hoping for? Naruto wondered as he followed the man outside.

Their Jounin sensei was taller than Iruka-tousan by a couple of centimeters and looked far more muscular than Iruka-tousan as well. The man's silver hair looked as if it had never seen the business end of a hairbrush. The man's face was mostly covered by a facemask, and his hitai-ate covered his left eye; leaving only his right eye visible. At first glance, the man's eye looked black, but Naruto's eyes were far batter than an average human's. The young teen knew that his new sensei's eye was a deep shade of brown; a shade that the teen had seen in the oldest of trees that surrounded the village. And although the older man's eyes was drooped; giving him an aloof appearance, Naruto recognized the look of a haunted man. The teen had seen that look in many veteran shinobi, who survived horrors that would make any sane man insane. However, this was the first time he had seen it in some so young… Well, young in comparison to the veterans. It made Naruto wonder if the hope he sensed from the silver-haired shinobi stemmed from whatever haunted him.

The newly formed Team Seven and their instructor reached the rooftop of the Academy and made themselves comfortable even though an awkward silence hung around them.

"Now," The stranger sighed, "I'd like you all to tell us a little about yourselves."

"Like what?" Sakura asked.

"You know. The usual. Your favorite thing… What you hate most… Dreams, ambitions, hobbies. Things like that." The man waved dismissively as if it were not truly essential to know.

Naruto frowned; not truly understanding the purpose nor his sensei's motivation. There was hope and yet there was great fear. The petite blonde was hearing and sensing this.

"Sensei…" Naruto began.

Surprise. Naruto identified the tune.

"Why don't you start off first?"

"That's right! After all you are a complete stranger to us." Sakura jumped in.

~Eager, is she not, Naruto-dono?~ Ka'a commented.

~More like… Unfocused.~ Naruto replied off-handedly, which caused the great demon to arch an eyebrow.

"Oh… Me?" The man looked thoughtful, "My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm the kind of person who doesn't feel like talking about his likes and dislikes! My dreams for the future are none of your business… But anyway, I have lots of hobbies…"

"He said a lot, but all we really got was his name." Sakura muttered.

Naruto just stared at his sensei. The teen was not really paying attention to the words that Kakashi-sensei was saying, but how they were said.

~Naruto-dono?~ Ka'a called when he noticed how focused his Jailer was on the words. It made the demon wonder. He had met individuals, both human and demon, who seemed to be very keen on words, usually words put to music, but Naruto himself seemed keen on just ordinary words as if he can "see" the true meaning behind the words.

~Naruto-dono?~ The great demon called again.

~Sorry, you said something?~ Naruto replied, pulling back from his trance.

~What do you believe?~ Ka'a asked; uncertain on how to phrase his question.

~Believe?~

~Of your new sensei.~ Ka'a clarified.

~Oh…~ Naruto paused as he looked at his sensei, ~He's afraid of letting people get close to him and yet he's afraid of not letting people get close to him… Does that make sense?~ Naruto asked.

~Yes, yes, it does, especially for a warrior-soldier such as he.~ Ka'a answered, ~I can sense that he is far more powerful than he appears to be. Perhaps he would make a good instructor. We shall have to see.~

Naruto smiled; knowing that Ka'a did not view humans in general to be "proficient" enough to teach… Well, at least, to teach him. Between Ka'a and Iruka-tousan, no future instructor would be good enough to teach Naruto.

"Alright." Kakashi-sensei broke the blonde's musing, "Now, it's your turn. Starting with you on the right."

Naruto froze. He felt the others stare at him. It was the first time that anyone, aside from Iruka-tousan, picked him to speak or answer anything. He did not know how to proceed.

~Begin with you name, my Nervous One.~ Ka'a chuckled, which surprisingly placed the nervous teen at ease.

"I am Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto began then grinned mischievously, "I have many likes and many dislikes! My hobbies are mischievous and playful and plentiful! As for my dreams…" Naruto paused.

He then looked to the heavens for inspirations. His first dream, if he were truthful, was to have a loving family, who cared about him. That dream came true with Oji-chan and Iruka-tousan, and of course Ka'a as the big brother. His second dream was to become Hokage, but Ka'a's words made the young blonde realize something. The teen knew that Ka'a had not meant to discourage him from his dream, but the demon did bring into focus the reality of his dream. However, that did not dissuade Naruto from wanting to be the best. If he was the best then he could protect what was precious to him, and that was what he really wanted to do.

"Naru--"

"To be the best… Be it as a shinobi or as a person so I can protect what is most important and precious to me… The people I love and cherish."

Well, hasn't he turned out interesting. Kakashi thought; feeling strangely re-assured.

"Next." Kakashi said; observing the brooding raven-haired teen looking at his blonde counterpart with an unidentifiable expression.

The teen quickly shifted his gaze forward when Naruto looked at him. It did not escape Kakashi's attention that the blonde was listening very carefully to his words, nor did it escape his attention that the blonde had teased him with his own vague answered. Or it could have been my imagination. Kakashi thought.

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke began; glaring at no one in particular, "There are plenty of things I hate, but I don't see that it matters, considering there is almost nothing I do like.

"It seems pointless to talk about 'dreams'… That's just a word…" Sasuke trailed off, and for a moment, he looked lost and lonely but that quickly changed when he continued with a vengeance, "But what I do have is determination. I plan to restore my clan. And there's someone I have sworn to kill."

He is so cool! Sakura thought dreamily as a faint blush kissed her cheeks.

I suspected as much. Kakashi feared.

~Interesting.~ Ka'a muttered and made a mental note to keep a better eye on the brooding teen. In the demon's personal experience, he knew that those who lived solely for revenge were not only a danger to themselves but those around them, and Ka'a would rather be damned to the lowest region of Hell before he would allow the vengeful youth bring any harm to his Jailer.

~I wonder what his dream was.~ Naruto mournfully send to Ka'a, who in turn wrapped the teen with his tails as he felt a strange chill begin to seep into Naruto's soul.

This child dies before he is allowed to harm you, Naruto-dono. This I vow. Ka'a silently vowed.

"And finally, the young lady."

"I am Haruno Sakura." The young girl started with a wistful voice, "My favorite thing is… well it's not a thing, it's a person. A boy… and that boy is…"

At that moment, she stole a glance of Sasuke before blushing like mad.

Sasuke mentally groaned. He was not oblivious to the girl's, or any other girls', attempts to flirt and woo him. However, he knew what they were really after. The girls were either after his looks, his name or his money, and they all were, in the teen's opinion, superficial, brainless dolts.

"Uh… let's move on to my dream." She stuttered only to blush violently.

Kakashi had to suppress a sigh at her behavior while Naruto watched in fascination. The blonde always noted how girls behaved around the Uchiha heir; however, he never seen it up close and personal. In his opinion, it was quite amusing and a curious thing.

"I hate Naruto!" Sakura suddenly blurted out; startling everyone save for Naruto, who just shrugged. He was use to the utterance of hate.

~Brainless Banshee!~ Ka'a snarled; the demon had not forgiven her for her earlier treatment towards Naruto.

~It doesn't matter, Ka'a.~ Naruto attempted to calm the angry demon. ~She's only repeating what she heard her family say.~

~Again Brainless Banshee.~ Ka'a stated in conviction rather than anger.

Naruto just shrugged as he noted his sensei's aspirated expression.

It seems girls are more interested in love than ninjutsu. Kakashi thought while he could not shake the uneasy feeling clutching at his heart when he saw the indifferent acceptance in Naruto's eyes.

Kakashi knew who Naruto really was, and the jounin sensei could only imagine the type of life that the blonde had… To be hated for something that was not his doing.

"Enough!" Kakashi quickly stated when he noted that Sakura was about to continue. The silver-haired jounin knew he would have his hands full with this team, and yet he could not wait to see what they were capable of, especially Naruto. Kakashi could not explain it, but the blonde had a presence that was otherworldly, which did not stem from what housed in his small body. All eyes were on him, and now Kakashi could see a form of clarity in Naruto's eyes that could not be explained. Clearing his throat, the silver-haired sensei continued, "I believe we all understand one another. Formal training begins tomorrow."

"YES!" Naruto punched the air in excitement and began to fidget with sudden renewed energy, which caught the sensei by surprise.

This one will definitely be full of surprises. Kakashi thought.

"Our first project involves only the members of this cell."

"Oh?!" Naruto suddenly stilled, but his eyes remained unbelievably bright and clear. Kakashi could not help but be reminded of a predator about to play with its prey. "What it is? What?"

"Survival Exercise." Kakashi's tone was solemn and dramatic.

Naruto tilted his head to the side. He could sense that there was more to it.

"But why would that be a mission?" Sakura asked, "Our school days were full of survival training."

"I'm sure you chuunin instructors taught you well, but you'll be surviving against me." Kakashi stated.

Naruto narrowed his eyes on his sensei. He did not like how the jounin stated their instructor's rank as if being a chuunin equated to being not good enough. A small growl rolled in the back of his throat. Naruto will tolerate himself being put down, but no one will ever disrespect his Otousan in his presence.

"{Do. Not.}" Naruto growled with enough menace of an angry wildcat. "{Insult. Iruka-sensei.}"

Kakashi stopped in mid-thought when he heard Naruto's threat. The small hairs in the back of his neck rose as he sensed a primal aura of danger. Looking at the teen, Kakashi saw the protective anger screaming in those bright blue eyes. It made the jounin wonder who this Iruka-sensei was, and why did the teen felt the need to threaten him on the man's behalf? Then he remembered Naruto's dream; to be the best so he can protect what was important and precious to him, the people he loved and cherished. Whoever this Iruka-sensei was had Naruto's love and protection, even if the jounin believed the boy was in way over his head to challenge him.

"Naruto!" Sakura hissed, "Don't threaten our sensei! He's a jounin! Of course, he's gonna be better than a chuunin like Iruka-sensei!"

Well, that answers that question! Kakashi thought as he observed his team and half-heartedly wondered if he would be the first jounin to have his team kill each other before the first day was over with.

"It doesn't matter." Naruto warned as he narrowed his eyes on the girl, who paled at the intensity of his gaze, "Jounin or chuunin, each shinobi has worked long and hard for what they can do and their rank. One's rank and status does not give him or her the right to belittle another, especially if they're too arrogant to take the time to know what their comrade is capable of."

Kakashi and Sasuke looked at the angry blonde in surprise. For one, he was surprised to hear such passion and wisdom in one so young, and he could also hear the personal pain of such experiences. To be underestimated and belittled because no one, but perhaps the Hokage and this mysterious Iruka-sensei, would take the time to see the 'hidden underneath the hidden'. Kakashi suddenly felt inadequate to teach Naruto. The boy needed someone else to train him, to be his mentor. However, until that someone arrived, Kakashi promised himself that he would try to teach the boy what he knew about being the best.

While this went on in Kakashi's mind, another took Naruto's words to be a form of reprimand and a challenge. Sasuke had never been told that his behavior was inexcusable by anyone. Everyone in the village, save for Iruka-sensei and the teen's male peers, accepted his arrogant attitude as if it was his right to be so. As if it legitimized him as an Uchiha, but the blonde-haired dead-last brat was telling him otherwise. And the way the dobe had said it was as if he was stating an absolute fact; as if nothing could change that truth. I'll show him! Let's see, what you got, Uzumaki Naruto. Sasuke thought.

"Kakashi-sensei is a jounin!" Sakura stated as if that all the reason needed for his comment.

"Shut up, Sakura." Sasuke said quietly; startling the pink-haired teen.

"But…"

"My apologies, Naruto," Kakashi interrupted. Naruto snapped his head around. No one, save for his Otousan and Oji-chan, ever apologized to him. It made Naruto curious as to why the jounin was apologizing.

~Your… words… inspired him.~ Ka'a supplied.

~Oh!~

Ka'a had felt it again. That something in Naruto's voice that tickled at his senses. The demon did not know what it was, but he knew it was not only special but also very powerful, especially once they learn what it was. Damn, if only that slumber haven't played vengeance on my memory. The great demon thought. I know I have sensed this once before, but where?

"I didn't mean to be disrespectful to your previous instructor."

"Oh… S'kay…" Naruto mumbled as he blushed in embarrassment. He had not really meant to make the other man apologize.

"Be that as it may," Kakashi continued, "of the twenty-seven members of your graduating class, only nine will actually be accepted as jounin-level shinobi. The other eighteen must go back for more training… The test we are about to perform has a 66% failure rate."

"WHAT?!" Sakura shrieked akin to a banshee while Naruto and Sasuke looked stunned.

"Chickening out?" Kakashi asked. His tone indicated that he was grinning.

"In any event," Kakashi murmured, "We'll meet tomorrow morning on the practice field so that I can evaluate each of your skills and weakness. Bring all your weapons and tools… also don't have breakfast beforehand unless you plan on losing it."

"Losing it?!" Sakura yelped in disbelief, "How hard is the exercise going to be?!"

"The assignment is detailed on this handout. Don't be late!" Kakashi continued; ignored the girl's questions then disappeared.