Chapter 9

The Test

"Well, since we already know each other, let's get down to business. Our first mission will be the true genin exam, the one that decides which of you are really ready to be ninja. Meet me at the location on this printout. Oh, and don't eat breakfast, you may throw up."

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"Naruto-otouto-san, that just may work."

"Isn't it a little, evil, Naruto-kun?"

"It's what he gets for being late. Just remember not to look at me after my signal until you've done what you're supposed to do."

"Kit, your mind is scary enough without me, you sure you want to expose him to the horror?"

"Like I said, it's what he gets."

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"So all we have to do is get the bells?" asked Naruto.

"That's right, cane-boy," Kakashi replied, the grin he wore at the blond's reaction to his taunt obvious through the mask.

The eyes on his cane flashed red as he answered the taunt, "Just. Start. The. Test."

"Go."

As soon as that one word escaped the jounin's mouth, Naruto gave his signal, followed shortly by a shout of "GIGAN!" Both student and teacher were frozen by the jutsu.

Knowing they had little time until it wore off, Sasuke and Hinata grabbed the bells and got to a safe distance before glancing at their teammate.

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"So, this is the Gigan. Who's your decorator?" Kakashi asked as he tried to figure a way to break out.

"Don't bother, once we're in here, even I can't get out until the time's up. And once Sasuke-nii-san and Hinata-chan join us, time gets added so we're stuck until they've been in for the full time. At most, we'll be here for 7 seconds in the real world, that's one week with me, Aiko, and no jutsu."

"Aiko?"

"Don't tell me you forgot I was in here too?" said the kitsune, pretending to be hurt by being forgotten.

Kakashi wet his pants when he heard the voice he feared only a few inches away from his back. "That answers that question," he squeaked.

"Don't worry, there's a cage between you two. Besides, she's quite the teddy bear once you get to know her. By the way, did the old man tell you about Itachi's dieing wish?"

"Hai."

"Ok then, what do you want to do until we get out?"

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When Sasuke and Hinata arrived in Naruto's mindscape, they found Naruto and Kakashi playing Go, Naruto was winning and Aiko was calling dibs on the next round.

"So, you did pick up a few things last time I came here," Sasuke said, watching the game.

"Yeah, too bad Kakashi sucks at this game," replied Aiko so Naruto wouldn't be distracted.

When he finished mopping the floor with Kakashi, Naruto turned to the new visitors, "So, you got the bells?"

"Hai, Naruto-kun," Hinata answered as she nearly crushed Naruto in a hug.

Smiling faintly at the scene, Sasuke turned to the kitsune, "Winner picks the next game."

"You're on."

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"You pass, your teamwork is the best I've ever seen. And the Gigan may be the most devastating jutsu ever created, when use correctly. We start the real missions tomorrow. Until then, you're dismissed."

"Hey, Hinata-chan. How does dinner at my place sound?"

"H-hai, Naruto-kun!"

'Looks like it's Ichiruka's for me,' thought Sasuke.

To Be Continued...

For those wondering about why Naruto didn't faint this time when he used the Gigan, it's because he didn't practice the kage bushin for an hour or two before he used it. As for the date, I may put it in some flashbacks, but don't count on finding out about it until then. Random note on the cane, originally, the eyes were ruby and turned sapphire, not the other way around, until I decided it would be too hard to explain. this will be the last update for a while.