"Quit as ninjas?! What the hell does that mean?!" Naruto and I yelled at the same time.
"Okay, okay, we couldn't get the bells, but why do we have to quit?!" I asked.
"Because all of you are just punks who don't deserve to be ninjas."
Sasuke ran up to Kakashi. Kakashi got up him down in a blink of an eye.
"That's why you're a punk." Kakashi said.
"No! Don't step on Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled.
"Are you guys underestimating ninjas? Why do you think you were divided into teams and are doing this training?"
"What does that mean?" Sakura asked.
"You guys are not understanding the answer to the test."
"Answer?" I asked.
"Yes, the answer that helps you pass this test."
"So...When are you going to tell us?"
"..."
"Ah, damn it! What's the answer already?!" Naruto yelled impatiently.
"It's...teamwork. The three of you working together may have gotten the bells."
"What do you mean by teamwork? There are only two bells! Even if we work together and get the bells, one of us would still fail. What teamwork? That just makes us fight each other." I said.
"Of course! This test is purposely set up to make you fight amongst yourselves. The purpose is to see whether you can forget about your own interests and successfully work together under these designed circumstances. Yet, you guys...Sakura, instead of Naruto, who was right next to you...You were only think about Sasuke, who was far away. Naruto, you were just running around by yourself. Guren, you were watching Naruto the whole time, not bothering to help, and then, you went to try to get a bell by yourself. Sasuke, you just assumed the others would get in your way and tried to do everything yourself. The duties are done by the team. Of course superior individual ability is important to a ninja. But what's even more important is 'teamwork'. Individual play that disrupts the team can put your comrades in danger. And even get you killed. For example...Sakura! Kill Naruto! Or Sasuke dies!"
"What?!" Naruto yelled.
"You see? If a hostage is taken, you will have tough choices and then die. You will be risking your lives in these duties. Look at this," Kakashi walked over to a stone grave. "The numerous names carved on this stone. These are ninjas who are recognized as heroes of the village."
"Hey! I've decided to get my name carved on that stone, too! Hero! That's what I'll become!" Naruto yelled.
"But...They aren't just normal heroes..."
"Oh, yeah? Then, what kind are they?!"
"..."
"What, what?!"
"They are all heroes who died while on duty."
"..."
"This is a memorial. My best friend's name is also carved here..."
"..."
"You guys...I'll give you one more chance. But after lunch, I'll make it even tougher to get the bells. Those who still wish to challenge can eat lunch. But don't give any to Naruto."
"What?!" Naruto yelled.
"It's punishment for trying to eat by yourself. If anyone gives him any food, they will fail immediately. I make the rules here! Got it?" He disappeared.
"Heh! I don't need any food. I'm fine!" Naruto yelled as his stomach growled.
I looked at my food, then at Naruto. Aw, what the heck, I don't care if I fail.
"Here," I held out my food to Naruto.
"Hey, Guren, Sensei just said-"
"Don't worry, I don't sense him near here. After lunch, we'll work together and get the bells. And even if he is here, I don't care if I fail."
Then, Sakura handed her food over to Naruto. So did Sasuke.
"Thanks." Naruto said.
Poof! "YOU GUYS!!" Kakashi yelled.
Shit!
"Pass."
Huh?
"Pass? But why?" Sakura asked.
"You guys are the first. Everyone else would just do whatever I told them. They were all just morons. A ninja must see underneath the underneath. Those who break the rules and codes of the ninja world are called trash...But you know what? Those who don't take care of their comrades are lower than trash...That ends the training. All of you pass! Okay, starting tomorrow Team Seven will begin its duties!"
"Ya! I did it! I did it! Ninja!" Naruto cheered.
"Let's go." Kakashi said. We left Naruto tied to the post.
"God damn it! I knew this would happen! Untie me!" Naruto yelled.
