Hi everyone. First of all, my sincere apologies to those who were expectantly waiting for the next chapter. For those who have forgotten me, I am NBD. I know I told that I would be back till first and second week of July and I am officially a month late for the chapter but that was because my PC had some malfunctioning and I was unable to connect to internet.
I opened my fanfiction account just 3 days ago after last update completely ready to encounter any hate messages or requests for quick updates but I got only one such message. Thank you guys for being so patient.
Now moving to acknowledgements, I would like to sincerely thank:
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And special thanks to:
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For the awesome reviews
Now, without any further adieu, here is the tenth chapter of the story. Enjoy!
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The Test Begins
At Kakashi's signal, all 3 of them scattered and hid somewhere.
Kakashi looked around to check and indeed all 3 of them were nowhere to be found.
"The most important thing for a shinobi is to be able to hide yourself" Kakashi talked to himself as he rubbed his neck "and it looks like they are all hidden very well"
Sasuke was hiding over a tree, from where he could have a clear view of Kakashi.
Sakura was lying under a bush from where she could see Kakashi and could retreat back into the bush if Kakashi is close.
Naruto too was sitting on a branch which was a bit closer to where Kakashi was standing, but it was a well-hidden place with visibility equal to just a peep hole and clear hearing to whatever Kakashi is saying.
"Let's find where those brats are hidden" Kakashi was about to go looking for them but stopped "Oh wait! Why should I go and find them? After all, if they want to pass the test, they would come to find me instead" Kakashi smiled as he congratulated himself for good thinking.
Just when Kakashi was about to rest a bit, a huge explosion occurred where Kakashi was standing.
Sasuke and Sakura were wide-eyed at the sudden explosion.
Just when the duo were about to rush to the spot, they heard Naruto's voice as the smoke began to clear.
"Well well… I don't think you were bluffing when you said we have to come with the intention to kill" Naruto could be seen standing as the smoke cleared.
"Hmm, I am honored that you acknowledged me" Kakashi said as he appeared unscathed.
"Kakashi sensei completely survived this!" Sakura was really surprised
Sasuke concentrated on the interaction between Naruto and Kakashi.
"It was about time you came out. I knew that you would be the first one to appear" Kakashi said.
"What can I say?" Naruto shrugged "I guess I have the least patience among 3 of us"
"Ok. Now… like it or not, you are out in the field, and you can't escape now" Kakashi glared.
"Don't worry. I don't plan to do that" Naruto assured
"So what do you plan to do?" Kakashi asked slightly amused
"Simple, we fight, I win, take one of those bell and retreat" Naruto said in such a casual way that the other 3 face-palmed themselves.
"What a fool" Sasuke grumbled "He's actually trying to provoke him"
"Ah…those were some big words coming from you. That won't make things easier for you anyway" Kakashi said "And uhm… you are little bit off"
"Don't tell me he already noticed" Naruto said to himself.
"The only thing that's a bit off is your hair cut" Naruto replied.
"I have a feeling that Kakashi won't be pleased with this" Sasuke said to himself.
"Really?" Kakashi said "Now you have made me a little bit annoyed"
"In other words, the fight is officially on" Naruto said as he charged towards Kakashi
Kakashi put his hand in his ninja pouch.
Naruto stopped in his tracks to see whatever Kakashi is pulling out.
"You are a little undisciplined. I have to correct that. Shinobi fighting lesson #1 Taijutsu, I will show you. Give me your best shot" Kakashi said.
Naruto raised his eyebrows "Taijutsu is shinobi hand to hand combat. Then why is he pulling out a weapon?"
Kakashi pulled out a book from his pocket much to the trio's surprise.
"Don't tell me all he brought in his ninja pouch is some book?!" Sasuke thought.
"What's with that book? Is that some new jutsu?" Sakura thought.
"Of all things, he pulled out a book? And what's with that title? 'Come come paradise'…Is that some children's story book?" Naruto thought.
"Hey, what's wrong? Hurry up and attack me. What are you waiting for?" Kakashi asked as he opened the book.
Naruto awkwardly pointed his finger to the book "What's with the book?"
"Oh, this…I just want to know what happens next" Kakashi said as he finally found his bookmark.
Naruto felt his eyes twitch with anger "To think I almost blasted him minutes ago, and he still care to take me that lightly, are you kidding me?" Naruto was pissed off.
"But don't worry, it won't make a difference against you guys, esp. when I am facing 'Dead last of the year' that is so full of himself" Kakashi said turning the pages.
It took a moment for the words to sink in Naruto's head, but when it settled… let's just say, Naruto was completely fuming.
Naruto could see the words 'Dead Last of the year' hanging in the air and lots of glitters and flowers falling around those words.
That's it. Naruto had completely lost it.
"You shouldn't have said that" Naruto said as he rushed to attack.
Naruto's fist was completely blocked by Kakashi using his free hand. Next Naruto tried a roundhouse kick but Kakashi easily ducked through it. Just when Naruto was about to go for another punch, Kakashi appeared behind him.
"A shinobi isn't supposed to get caught from behind" Kakashi said.
Sakura noticed Kakashi making hand seals and immediately understood that Kakashi is using a Fire type Jutsu.
Despite the danger of her being found out, she shouted "NARUTO! RUN AWAY! YOU ARE GOING TO GET KILLED"
"Crap" Naruto tried to jump but his feet were stuck in the ground somehow.
"Too late" Kakashi said.
Sasuke and Sakura saw a glint in Kakashi's eye as he shouted "Hidden Leaf Ancient Taijutsu Supreme Technique: A 1000 YEARS OF PAIN!"
Naruto went flying shouting a long stretched 'bastard' and fell in the river as the other two sweat-dropped.
"…That isn't a jutsu. Supreme Technique, my foot. That was just a powerful ass poke" Sakura said to herself.
"Two total idiots…and one of them is supposed to be our sensei, damn" Sasuke grumbled as he saw Naruto went flying.
"Hmm, that was easy" Kakashi said as he resumed his reading.
Sasuke, though he would never admit, was a little disappointed. He was hoping that Naruto will at least put Kakashi on defensive even for a short while, and that's when he would attack and take a bell.
"He's a Jounin. How can we ever beat him?" Sakura said to herself a little relieve that she still was hidden "What can we do? This is so unfair"
Some moments later, 3 shuriken come flying from underwater towards Kakashi who didn't even glanced at them and simply caught them in his fingers.
It was when Naruto emerged out of the water and coughed before sitting on one of the rocks.
"Hey, what's wrong? This is no time to rest. If you didn't get a bell before noon, you won't get any lunch and I will personally tie you to those poles" Kakashi said.
"I know. Just shut up and let me get my breath back" Naruto snapped.
"You sure are weak for someone who is persistent on going to run away from village and find your certain man" Kakashi chuckled.
"Stop frustrating me and just so you know, I am still doing better than those 2 idiots who may be cuddling to themselves and rubbing their stomach somewhere" Naruto said.
Just as Naruto said that, a little roar came from Sasuke's stomach.
"Damn you Naruto. Did you have to bring that up?" Sasuke cursed.
Sakura too began to helplessly drool after being reminded of food "I'm on a diet and didn't eat last night, and since he told us to skip breakfast…Ah, somebody help!"
"Anyway, you are clearly out of breath. It's no use wasting time on you" Kakashi said as he turned on his feet.
"I was frustrated so I just got a little careless. That's all!" Naruto said.
"Carelessness can be your worst enemy, you know?" Kakashi said as he once again got lost in his book.
"Looks like I have no other way, huh?" Naruto stood up.
A huge splash and several Naruto clones came out of water.
Kakashi turned in time to avoid a flying kick from one of those clones.
"My trademark Shadow Clone no Jutsu!" Naruto said stretching his hands "I would suggest you better close your book before I begin"
"1, 2, 3…8? What kind of jutsu is this? They all seem real enough" Sasuke thought.
"What? Those aren't illusions, are they all real? How did Naruto do it?" Sakura thought.
"Not just clones, but shadow clones, a skill that multiplies your body and not just make an illusion" Kakashi said "So this is the forbidden jutsu he used to defeat Mizuki"
"Now then" Naruto wiped some water from his face as his clones stood along with him "You were saying something about Shinobi Lesson #1"
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Sarutobi Asuma was standing behind a tree with his blades in the hands, ready for the attack anytime. Just then he felt rustle of leaf at right and a moment later, a big human rolling boulder was coming at him at full speed. Asuma jumped sideways to avoid Choji's attack but as soon as he came under sunlight again, a long snake like shadow began following him, but soon enough it retraced back.
"Oh well" Asuma rubbed his forehead once he realized coast is clear "Leave it to Shikamaru to realize the purpose of test. I don't think I am going to last long if they didn't run out of their chakra. However…on the positive side" Asuma took a look at training ground where Ino was tied to one of the pole and she was screaming and cussing for last 15 minutes "I have one of their teammates already captured"
"Now Choji!"
Asuma turned behind to see the large boulder coming towards him once again.
"All 3 of them have guts to fight till last drop of chakra. I might have to give a little lesson to Ino on cooperation but all in all, they are fine. I guess Team 10 is actually ready to become genins" Asuma thought as he once again jumped away from the boulder
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Kurenai was standing facing off Kiba as the latter paired up with Akamaru was raining a barrage of attacks.
"You are not escaping this time sensei" Kiba growled at Kurenai
"Kiba is faster than his other two teammates. But I guess, he is the weakest when it comes to my specialty Genjutsu. Hinata has yet to master her Byakugan powers. Shino is the more calculating one but he is weak when it comes to close combat. I have yet to see the three of them attacking together, but still they come to aid when they feel that one of their teammate needs help."
Kiba growled in frustration as Kurenai once again disappeared among trees.
"Not again! Shino, use your bugs or whatever to find Kurenai sensei again" Kiba said.
"I can't. I think your dog can locate her with the smell" Shino said.
"Umm guys…" Hinata tried to interject
"Don't call him dog you moron. His name is Akamaru. He's not some mere dog" Kiba shouted.
Akamaru barked in affirmation
"Guys…" Hinata tried again.
"I can't find her with my insects. I at least need some clue like where she went or her scent" Shino said.
"Oh whatever, just admit that you are useless" Kiba said.
"Guys!" Hinata tried louder this time and it immediately got the attention of two males (and a dog).
"Kurenai sensei…is right in front of us… we…we are…We are under a Genjutsu" Hinata said nervously.
"Say what?" Kiba practically screamed as the Genjutsu was lifted and Kurenai was standing there.
Shino still kept his stoic expression, while Hinata kept playing with her fingers.
"Come on you three. Not much time is left before lunch" Kurenai said.
"Alright, this time we will get her, Right Akamaru?" Kiba showed his fangs.
Akamaru barked in response.
"All 3 of them have great capabilities and they could very well be the strongest team of this year. I think Team 9 is ready to become genins" Kurenai once again prepared for the fight.
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Naruto and his clones were doing fine against Kakashi. But Naruto was clearly struggling now and Sasuke and Sakura were still hidden waiting for an opening to attack.
"You probably can hold this for a minute. No matter how many you line up, you are still Naruto. You can't beat me with that Jutsu" Kakashi said.
"We will see" Naruto rushed ahead once again.
"You don't learn Naruto. Alright I will end this in one shot" Kakashi shook his head in disappointment and was about to step forward but…to his surprise, his feet were buried in the ground and to make it worse, one of the clone caught him from behind.
"You are not the only one here who knows how to trap someone's feet in the ground" Naruto replied.
"When?" Kakashi asked.
"There was one extra clone which came out of water for this purpose. Now as you said, a shinobi is not supposed to get caught from behind, Right?" Naruto said.
Sakura silently cheered for Naruto "Naruto, you are pretty good"
Even Sasuke smirked "Nice plan"
Naruto rushed forward and placed a good kick on Kakashi's jaw.
Kakashi fell down on ground completely knocked out.
"I guess that's a victory" Naruto smiled a bit.
But to everyone's surprise, Kakashi burst into smoke in an instant.
"Seriously!" Naruto said as he and all the clones sighed in annoyance "I should have expected this"
"That was so uncool Naruto" Sakura said with a crooked face.
"I bet the idiot thought only he could make Shadow clones" Sasuke said to himself as Naruto dispelled all the clones.
"Now I am once again at square one" Naruto rubbed his head and then he noticed something shining near one of the trees. On getting close, he realized it was one of the bells.
"Well, looks like Kakashi sensei was in a hurry" Naruto went to pick up the bell but before he could even touch the bell, his foot got caught in one of the traps.
"Ah" Naruto shouted.
"Obviously, a trap…what an idiot Naruto is" Sasuke grumbled "Even when he's playing with Naruto, he has not a single opening"
Kakashi then appeared from behind the bush and picked the bell.
"You are not the only one here who knows how to make a shadow clone and also, don't fall for such obvious trap, stupid" Kakashi said.
"What the hell" Naruto said still hanging upside down.
"A shinobi must be able to see what's underneath the underneath" Kakashi said.
"I know that" Naruto shouted.
"Uhm…I am telling you this because you don't know" Kakashi smiled.
"He's distracted. Now's my chance, he finally showed an opening" Sasuke said as he threw a barrage of kunai knives and shuriken towards Kakashi who was hit straight to his face and neck"
"Aaah! Sasuke-kun took it too far" Sakura said from her hiding place.
But to their surprise, it turned out to be a piece of log.
"That's Substitution no Jutsu. Damn! Now he knows where I am. He showed an opening on purpose and I fell for his trap" Sasuke said to himself before fleeing the spot.
"So that's where he is" Kakashi said to himself as he peeped from his hiding spot and he too disappeared.
"Oh no" Sakura literally screamed in her mind "Kakashi sensei found out Sasuke's hiding spot. I have to help him" Sakura too ran away to find Sasuke.
Naruto was still hanging from the tree. He waited a moment and then with a depressed sigh, made a hand seal as he disappeared with a small puff of smoke.
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The real Naruto, who hadn't moved an inch from his hiding spot since the beginning of test, shook his head in annoyance. He was playing along as an immature kid from the beginning. He was sure that a few minutes, and he would have analyzed every move and tricks of Kakashi. But Sasuke had to butt in, not that he can blame, as he too would have done the same. But the Uchiha chose the wrong moment and now Kakashi was hot on his trial.
"Looks like I have to show up for real this time" Naruto said as he snapped his knuckles "Now if my assumption is correct, Kakashi will first go for Sakura and then Sasuke"
Naruto again made some clones and whispered the instructions and dismissed them.
"Now let's prepare some welcome for the Kakashi sensei" Naruto too disappeared from his spot a few moments later.
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Sakura was jumping tree to tree looking for Sasuke, before Kakashi finds him.
"Where could Sasuke-kun go to?" Sakura talked to herself "If I didn't find Sasuke-kun in time, he might be in trouble.
Sakura was heavily sweating due to her hunger as well as fear of Sasuke's safety.
"Could it be that Kakashi sensei had already…" Sakura shook her head violently to get rid of the thought "No, Sasuke-kun is strong. He wouldn't be caught this easily"
Suddenly Sakura felt a chakra signature nearby and she immediately came to a halt.
"That's Kakashi sensei, if he is here that means he still didn't find Sasuke" Sakura breathed in relief "Now I have to escape before he notices me"
"Hey Sakura, behind you" someone called
Sakura turned behind to see Kakashi sitting just behind her and waving.
Sakura immediately went unconscious due to shock.
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Naruto placed a finger on ground and let out a little chakra.
"No chakra signal within the range of 100 meters. So this place should be fine to set up a trap" Naruto concluded as he started wrapping explosive tags around kunai knives.
A little rustle behind him alerted Naruto as he immediately threw a shuriken at the bush. Seconds later, a larger than usual serpent appeared out of the bush and began to crawl towards Naruto
"Seriously" Naruto gritted his teeth "From all the creatures in this forest, why did it have to be a snake?" Naruto said as he took out a kunai knife from his ninja pocket.
Seconds later, the snake was brutally sliced open, and torn into pieces as Naruto let out all his pent up frustration on the poor reptile.
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Sakura opened her eyes and found herself lying flat on the ground. She looked around to find someone but to her surprise she was all alone.
"Huh! What was that? What's going on? Where is sensei? Why was I sleeping?" Sakura began to helplessly look around.
"Sakura" came a voice from behind one of the trees.
Sakura recognized the voice. Hell, she can recognize the voice even if she is drunk.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cheerfully turned to see her crush Sasuke. But…
"Sakura…" came a pitiful and tired voice as Sasuke appeared all bloody and impaled with several kunai and shuriken all over his body "Please help me"
Sakura took a look at Sasuke's bloodied body. Sasuke was heavily panting and blood was flowing like water from his body. One of his eyes was scarred and just his face had 5-6 kunai and shuriken.
Sakura began to turn paler by every second and her face began heavily sweating. Tears began to flow from her eyes as she watched her precious Sasuke-kun die.
"AHHH!" the loud scream of Sakura could be heard throughout the jungle.
The real Kakashi who was sitting over a tree nearby reading his book sighed.
"I think that was a bit too much" Kakashi said while turning a page in his book.
Naruto finished his series of traps as he heard the scream "That…was a bit early than I expected" Naruto took a look at his work "Now let's see how that Teme holds up against Kakashi sensei"
Naruto disappeared a moment later.
Sasuke too was able to hear the voice and that immediately got his attention.
"That scream" Sasuke muttered "That means Sakura…"
"Shinobi Fighting Lesson #2 Genjutsu" Kakashi said as he was leaning to a tree and still focused on his book "Sakura easily fell for it"
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Naruto was crouching next to a passed out Sakura who had tears freely falling from her face and what appears to be foam on her mouth "Genjutsu, a form of hypnotism. From what Sakura blurted out in introduction, I have a pretty good idea on what the hypnosis was about. Damn you Kakashi sensei, you actually scared the s*** of the poor girl" Naruto took a look at Sakura before talking to himself "I guess I will let her recover from the shock by herself" Naruto said before disappearing once again.
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"Sakura may have easily fallen for your hypnosis and you might have toyed much with Naruto, but I am not the same as them" Sasuke said to Kakashi who was behind him this whole time.
"Say that after you get a bell Sasuke-kun" Kakashi mocked as he closed his book.
Naruto who had managed to find a good view from above the tree smirked slightly with some fruits he found while setting the traps "Heh, this is going to be fun"
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To be continued in next chapter: Bell test: Conclusion
This brings an end to tenth chapter of my story. I hope you like it.
Now with ideas in mind and my PC fixed, I will try to make quick updates (key word is try).
I got a PM from one of the reviewer who was asking if I am going to completely stick to the original story. I replied to that reviewer soon as soon as possible. But that gave me a thought that most of the readers might also raise this question in the future so I better reply this in the author's notes.
I am going to stick to some major arcs and one anime exclusive arc in the original story till the Sasuke Retrieval arc. Once the story gets to Naruto Shippuden, it will take a major turn from the original plot. I am also planning to put 3-4 one-shot filler arcs between the updates, one of which you are going to see soon enough.
So, I will try to be back soon with more chapters.
Until then, it's a goodbye from NBD. It's raining outside so I have to run outside and park my bike in the garage or it will be all wet and the new paint will be all messed up. See ya!
And…
PLEASE REVIEW!