Way of the Ninja

by PokePikamon

What happens when Naruto gets overpowered at a young age and has to defend the village after which the responsibility of restoration of his clan is upon him alone. Naruto OP, Civilian Council bashing, Sasuke bashing, Naruto x Harem(lots of pairings), Might contain lemon, not decided yet. Still rated M just in case. If you can't stand long stories, don't read.

11. Bell Test

Hey there guys! Miss me? I hope so.

I've been out of it for some time now so went back at reading what I've written. I realised that there were more than a few errors even when I proof read the whole thing once in the end. Don't know what to do about it.

I was going through the basic format of storyline and I just want to ask if there are any rules on FFN about characters not being under a certain age for lemon. I'm not gonna start it right now but was thinking it of starting before the Shippuden timeskip after which he'll be 16. I've also prepared the very basic matter for all the females. Although I've read in most not if all fanfics that all of them just say something on the terms of "Since you're entitled to kill, you're entitled to do anything." and go on with their story as long as the character is a ninja, I'd still like to confirm that I'm not getting into anything wrong here. If it is, I'll have to drop the lemons most probably. 'Coz having all of them more than 18 will completely destroy the plot and it's fun.

Next, replies to those good people who give their precious time to review on my story. ;)

biginferno :

Your favourites will be included at some point I guess. But I haven't watched the movies so can't say about those rarer ones. Also, it's hard incorporating them if I don't know anything about their character. I'll decide once I watch the movies, but I'll try my best!

PraetorXyn :

Appreciate the response. Thanks. I see it could happen again I guess. And sometimes I guess many people report a story just because it contains lemons, which leads to it being removed. Yeah, I've saved the basic format with me since I always did the finishing touches on the app itself. I ain't removing anything from my story to re-upload here though. It takes so much work. I'll just have to repost somewhere else. With same name on AFF or FicWad Idk, oh if something like that happens. Although I hope it stays, hehe. About Team 7, I'm keeping things close to original storyline as much as I can so that it will be easier for me to bend the situations on the basic plot and easier for reader to enjoy having a good enough idea beforehand. You'll see the Wave Arc. Oops, spoiler! xD

JxA Fan 2000 :

You wish will be granted! (Probably)

Keyblademaster 21177 :

Thanks. I'll try to do it somewhere in the story. Won't be this early on though.

biob1 :

Good point you raised there. I just wanted to convey that this storyline won't be after the war arc where he's already the strongest or when he's Hokage already. I even consider teenage still a young age. I'm not comparing ages of canon OP Naruto and my fic's Naruto. Both will pretty much be the same. Canon War Arc Naruto is also young and OP in my opinion.

AadenHelan :

I already got informed about that summary part in a much better way. If you feel it's bull crap, can't do much about it. And if someone wants a toddler Naruto to beat Jounin/Sannin/Hokage level characters no diff. then please ...You have quite a unique taste in fiction and it doesn't necessarily mean it's good for everyone. Also, I've heard that people fall into love at first sight, Naruto just had a simple crush.

DarkMaster10000000 :

Not yet. Only if it gets removed from here for any XYZ reason I might have to shift somewhere else. Or maybe I'll just drop out of this hobby if that happens.

Nastadoa :

Me too. I wish I'll be able to see this to the end.

Disclaimer : As always, I have no relation to Naruto franchise and probably never will. This is just a work of fiction. All rights are reserved to the creator Masashi Kishimoto.

---

Chapter - 11

Location : Training Field 7

Time - 9:15 a.m.

A loud feminine shriek could be heard throughout the area causing many perched birds to fly away.

"When is that guy going to be here?! We're here since 5 in the morning and he hasn't shown up yet!", Sakura said loudly.

The other two occupants looked in her direction wishing she would shut up bitching about it. Although one of them did empathize with her because he was in the exact same situation.

Sasuke had decided to be on time even if Kakashi was going to be late. He didn't want any more punishment work to do than he was already ordered to do by the council, or precisely, the Hokage. Therefore, he too was stuck here since morning doing nothing other than listening his teammate who was head over heels for him and thus ecstatic that they were alone in the middle of a secluded place which meant they could do whatever they wished. Of course, he had no interest and after much effort, he managed to convince Sakura to settle down somewhere away from him when he went to sit on a tree branch.

Naruto, on the other hand, had the same book he was reading yesterday in front of him, and was reading it quietly trying to ignore the others.

He had spent the morning leisurely. Had an extra nap, did his daily chores, dressed up accordingly to the test and strolled the streets heading to his ultimate feasting destination.

Gobbled up quite a lot of ramen bowls following the quote "Breakfast like a king", not that he followed the same for dinner when it came to eating Ramen.

Teuchi, the old guy, was out on some business so Ayame was the only one on the shop. Fortunately, nobody else was around so early in the morning too. Having nothing else to do than sit around in the store, she always liked to have Naruto as company. Mostly because he always had some or the other interesting thing to tell her and never looked like he was lying about it. Even if he said he pulled pranks on the ANBU, it seemed that he was completely honest about it. Unbelievable, huh?

Naruto had finished the ramen quickly since he didn't want to be late than 9 a.m. He had sounded confident in front of the others the day before, but he also knew that being late than Kakashi himself would not be right.

Reaching the training field, he had no difficulty locating the other going by the grumbling sounds their tummies made.

"You're late!", Sakura shouted.

"Duh! Is Sensei here, though?", Naruto asked nonchalantly.

"No, he still isn't here.", Sakura said.

"Told you. And that you shouldn't have come on empty stomach here.", he added.

"But Sensei told us not to eat anything. Defying orders is not what shinobi do. Isn't that right, Sasuke-kun?", Sakura said not getting any reply as usual.

"Yeah, but he didn't order us. He specifically suggested us not to do that. It was a ruse, obviously. If you're running empty on fuel, how can you hope to perform at your best?", Naruto said.

The other two knew Naruto might be true but there was no time to correct that nor they had the presence of mind to actually listen to someone.

So Naruto didn't say anything further and just sat down reading his book leaning against a rock until their examiner arrived.

---

Time Skip

"Hey guys! Did you miss me?", Kakashi asked.

"Not really.", Naruto said but it was suppressed by the "You're so late!" of the other two, especially Sakura.

All of them assembled in front of him.

"Haha, sorry. I got lost on the path of life!", he replied.

"That is so old-fashioned.", Naruto pointed out.

"Picked it from the next page you were about to read. Unfortunately it's time out for you.", Kakashi said giving his eye-smile expression.

"I'll surely reach there.", Naruto said.

"We'll see. What are you guys waiting for? Let's get started.", Kakashi said.

"You didn't even tell us what we have to do!", all of them said.

"Oh right, my bad. You see these silver bells?", he asked.

All of them nodded observing the two bells that were hanging from his waist side.

"The task is simple. You have to get them from me. Whoever gets the bell passes.", Kakashi said.

"But there are only two bells there. What happens to the one who doesn't get the bell?", Sakura pointed out the obvious.

"Back to the Future, McFly."

"Huh?", everyone was confused.

"I'm sorry what I meant was, back to the kitchen, Sakura."

"What?!", again everybody was confused.

"Uhhhhh, what am I saying?!", Kakashi said blankly.

(A/N : Hey Kakashi, I told you not to watch movies late night breaking the fourth wall. And also good luck with incoming feminists. xD)

"I mean…..that…..the one…..will be…..sent ……Back to the Academy, Sakura.", Kakashi said phrasing out every word.

"That isn't fair!", Sakura shouted not worried about any other thing since she perfectly knew both Naruto and Sasuke were way out of her league. If they were to go by the rules, she was definitely already going back.

"There is nothing expected to be fair in this world, Sakura. Especially not for a Ninja.", Kakashi said.

Sakura wanted to say something but she didn't have any words to make him change his opinion. He was right, after all.

Suddenly, an idea clicked in her mind.

"Sensei, I want you to exclude Naruto out of the test.", Sakura said.

"Hey, what the hell. What for? I didn't do anything.", Naruto said surprised.

"Yes, exactly. You didn't what you should have done. Sensei, you asked us to come at 5 a.m. and Naruto was four hours late. If he does that on a mission wouldn't that be unacceptable?", Sakura said.

"Hey wait, if it had been a mission I would have come on time.", Naruto said clenching his teeth at how his own teammate was trying to go against him.

'Say what you want, hehe. You're not going to get out of this easily. Cha!', she thought.

"I don't think that's a good reason to exclude him out. If he wasn't here when I came, I would have thought about it. But since I was late too, I really don't think it'd be fair to judge him on that basis.", Kakashi said.

"But-But he just took advantage of your laziness to skip out on his own responsibility. How's that fair?", Sakura asked.

"Didn't I tell you just now? Everything isn't supposed to be fair. Or how it looks on the surface, for that matter. He was observant enough to take it to his advantage. It came with a risk of course.", Kakashi said.

"Hmph.", Sakura said turning her head stopping herself from saying that it wasn't fair, yet again.

Kakashi looked at the three and sighed. There wasn't even a shred of teamwork between them. He pondered over cancelling the test and sending them back right then, but then he decided that he could at least give them a chance.

"Hey Sensei, what's that in your hand?", Naruto asked.

"Oh this……is your lunch. You have one hour until the clock rings. Whoever doesn't get the bell will be tied to that post while the other two will be allowed to eat their lunch.", Kakashi explained.

"Whaaat?! That's not what you said yesterday. You just told us to skip breakfast. I didn't even have dinner because of that!", Sakura screamed.

All of them had to cringe listening to her shrill unpleasant holler.Kakashi didn't waste anymore time listening to the complaints.

"Remember not to hold back. If you're not prepared to kill me, you're going to fail the test for sure. Good luck! Your test starts……now!", he declared.

Naruto instantly pulled a smoke bomb and activated it right where they were standing.

Sasuke immediately launched himself towards the trees where he could hide effectively. Sakura too followed his actions since, well, since Sasuke did it.

"Hmm, they've at least hidden themselves quite well using the woods as cover.", Kakashi said quietly eyeing both of them discreetly.

But he was more surprised when he saw Naruto standing there looking ready to fight.

"Huh? Don't you think you should……", Kakashi asked pointing towards the others.

"Nah. What good will that do? I'll take you head on.", Naruto shouted.

Kakashi twitched his eye unable to understand how the seemingly smartest of three would take such rash steps. Although the Hokage had informed him that Naruto would be the most unpredictable person he'll ever meet but still this was not a good move.

"But you were the one who used the smoke bomb.", Kakashi said.

"That was for the others.", Naruto said plainly.

'Is it teamwork? Or is it stupidity? I can't choose.', Kakashi thought.

Wasting no time, Naruto threw a few kunai in the air diagonally towards Kakashi in the upward direction forming a curve.

Kakashi looked at the trajectory of the kunai and looked at Naruto again who was about to launch a few more kunai-- no, senbon?

'Simple strategy. He aimed the kunai a little farther behind me so that when I jump backwards trying to dodge the senbon, those kunai will hit me. Quite ineffective and childish, though. Expected more from him.', Kakashi thought as he pulled out his own kunai.

He deflected all the senbon easily with his own kunai which fell around him while all the kunai in the air embedded into the ground behind him harmlessly.

Kakashi observed a ghost of a smirk on Naruto's face before the latter started charging towards him barehanded.

'Now what is he up to?', Kakashi thought.

He wouldn't have been too concerned about a Genin attacking him using Taijutsu in normal circumstances but something about that smirk felt off.

As Naruto was about to reach him, he heard a sound like a cloud popping and before he knew it he was immobilized by a bunch of arms.

"Wh-what?!", Kakashi said wide eyed.

"You're mine!", Naruto said as he jumped preparing to punch Kakashi in the face.

Kakashi felt a pair of hands from one of the clones reaching for the bells. He immediately switched himself with one of the clones using a Kawarimi barely avoiding the hands. Little did he know that Naruto knew it beforehand what was going to happen.

The one in the air revealed two senbon from his fist and threw them directly towards Kakashi. Kakashi, not having made proper contact with the ground yet could do nothing but block the senbon with his left forearm as dodging in time was out of question.

"First hit, success. This was easy.", Naruto claimed.

Not giving Kakashi any more time than he should have, all of the Narutos launched themselves on Kakashi engaging him in Taijutsu. Although that wasn't very effective as Kakashi made light work of them hitting each and every one of them hard making them burst one by one. The only drawback was that Naruto had precisely hit the muscle tendons in his left arm and now he could only use his right hand for the time being.

"You're one crafty boy, using kunai as deceptions to make clones. But again, I never expected you to have that much chakra at disposal to be used for just one attack.", Kakashi said looking at Naruto.

"Don't act like you've seen it all. We're going to have A LOT of fun today.", Naruto said grinning widely.

Before Kakashi had the time to ask what did he mean, he attacked leaving Kakashi to defend himself which was actually quite easy to his surprise as he landed a kick straight into Naruto's chest which made him fly several metres away.

Although the real surprise (which actually explained the reason for previous one) got him more as Naruto popped out of existence in a cloud of smoke leaving behind a baffled Kakashi alone in the field.

He pulled out the senbon from his left arm and threw them as it started functioning again.

"I'll have to be more careful. I don't even know where he is at the moment. I can't even sense literally any trace of his chakra. It's as if he disappeared altogether. If I didn't know better I'd have said he left the test and went home.", he thought.

---

Scene Break

Naruto was hiding far from the place where his clones were doing all the work. He sat on a tree branch against the trunk eyes closed trying to understand what the whole thing really was about.

'It couldn't be that he'll only pass two of us. All the Genin squads are formed by a Jōnin leader and triad of Genin. The bells are not just simply targets for us to achieve. It's something else. The real purpose of this whole test is something else.'

'What could it be? What could it be? Three people, two bells. And he's a Jōnin, is it really that simple even for two people to get them from him? He'll surely not go that easy on us. Or it won't be a test. It's not an elimination game. It's like either we all pass or none of us do--'

"Wait, that's it!", Naruto said out loud excitedly and fortunately he was far enough that Kakashi couldn't hear him.

"Sensei is after that exact point. He wants to see if we can work as a team. If there were three bells it would have been quite an easy deal for everyone. Work together, split the bells. But he did the opposite, he wants to pit us against each other to compete for the bells and see if we can overcome our differences and work as a team. This fact is absolutely crucial when facing enemies on a real mission.", he concluded.

As he completed his contemplation, the memories of all his clones retured to him.

"Haha, should've been there to see his face. Anyways, now that I know this, I should get to both of them to tell them this too. Not that I care either way, but Sakura would be glad to hear it. She seemed pretty tense thinking that me and Sasuke would pass and she'd be let out.", he said and headed out to meet with his teammates quickly.

---

"Mmmppphhhhhh, whadayadoenarotu-- WHAT DO YOU-- hewaitleavmeeaalonaruto~", Sakura said as Naruto had removed his hand around her mouth only to place it again when she tried to shout.

"Will you please keep your voice low, we don't want Kakashi-sensei to find us.", Naruto said as he carried her.

She eased her movements and nodded looking at him. Naruto gently removed his hand from her mouth.

"Just listen to me, only Sasuke-kun is allowed to touch me. If you ever try to do that without asking me again, I'll rip those hands of yours off!", she whispered harshly.

"If you were at least more aware of your surroundings like your 'Sasuke-kun' this might not even have happened.", Naruto retorted.

True enough, Naruto had signalled Sasuke to come with him and after some forced expressions Sasuke nevertheless complied. Sakura unaware of this was about to shout when Naruto tapped her shoulder. He clamped her mouth with his hand and retreated into the woods leaving two transformed Shadow Clones behind to avoid suspicion for now. Kakashi wouldn't attack them directly, after all the clock was ticking for them. Every passing second was their loss.

"Hmph. That's enough, dobe. Tell me why you brought us here. Surely not to distract us and get the bell for yourself? Because I'm thinking of doing the same to you!", Sasuke said.

"Okay okay, calm down. I don't have any wish to help you guys out either, first point. But I figured the meaning behind this test. And it requires all of us to act.", Naruto said.

"What do you mean? Explain.", Sasuke said.

"Two bells, three competitors. He's literally pitting us against each other. It's not because he wants us to fight. It's because he wants us to work as a team nonetheless. Sakura, you won't be excluded even if you don't get a bell. The bells are not the goal. They're just meant to signify the reason what this evaluation is all about.", Naruto said, a little excitement creeping in his voice.

"Really? I could pass too?", Sakura asked a little enthusiastic.

Naruto couldn't stop a smile forming on his face and replied in an affirmativ--

"Bullshit. That's just a ploy to have us work for you. I'm not falling for it. I'll take that bell myself and not you or that Jōnin can stop me.", Sasuke said smugly.

"Ye- Yeah. Right, Sasuke-kun. I'm sure you'd get that bell no sweat. I guess Sasuke-kun got your lie, Naruto-baka. You can stay here without the bell. Sasuke-kun will get both the bells for himself and me. Then we can be on a team together. Just the two of us. Isn't that right, Sasuke-kun?", Sakura said giggling.

"Whatever. I'm off. Don't call me again for such fucking ridiculous assumptions of yours.", Sasuke told Naruto as he walked away with a struggling Sakura behind him.

Naruto was flummoxed as to how someone could be such an egoistic dense bastard that he couldn't even get the situation after it being laid out to him clearly.

And then a crazy fangirl who'll believe whatever he says not caring that he doesn't give a shit about her.

'Calm down. Calm down. Think of something.', Naruto told himself.

But nothing else came to mind. This was going to be tough.

"Damn it."

---

Naruto ran in the direction of the other two as the memories of his clones returned to him. Unexpectedly, Kakashi had sneaked up to them and did away with them easily. And he was now most probably after the others.

A good possibility was that Kakashi had noticed a glimpse of Naruto dragging away a struggling Sakura and that was all he needed to know, Naruto assumed.

He had reached quite close when he heard a loud shriek which could only belong to one girl. He hurried towards that direction from where the sound came, although very discreetly. It was unnecessary as Kakashi had already left and there was just Sakura standing there blankly, her legs shaking probably trapped in a Genjutsu.

"Kami, why can't these guys just listen to me for once?", Naruto whispered hard.

He sent a few clones around to check the perimeter of the clearing and ran towards Sakura soon as he got an affirmation.

He stood in front of her and poked her forehead (kinda like Itachi did) and said, "Kai!".

Her constricted pupils reverted back to normal just before her eyes shut down and her body went limp. She fell forward only land on Naruto who reflexively caught her from falling.

She was now leaning completely against Naruto with her face on his left shoulder and her arms held by Naruto keeping her standing. Naruto was quite surprised that it turned out to be like this as he wasn't quite expecting it. He had considered for a moment to let her be, but then it wouldn't be right because of two things.

One, he knew that the purpose of the test was teamwork and no friend should abandon another whatever be the situation. Two, well…….Sakura might be a nuisance at times but she was after all just another human, and as long as her crazy personality wasn't around, she was a good person. Well, a third reason too, what guy doesn't like having a girl in their arms lol.

He lifted her up carefully to get her to a safe location and put her behind his back piggyback style (A/N : Hehe, I know you guys definitely imagined bridal style at first, you'll have to wait quite some time for that I guess) and left the area.

By the help of one of his clones, he found a decent inconspicuous spot surrounded by bushes where he laid her against a tree.

"Phew, I hope the other one's not as completely defeated as this one was.", Naruto said as he left her alone for the time.

Tracking the chakra of the two people, he already knew that his hopes most probably wouldn't come true. Still, without having any other option, he sprinted towards where he would eventually find his teammate almost completely buried in the ground with just the head left out.

---

"You need to learn a lot about controlling your emotions. A ninja who cannot do that will most probably die during a battle. Had I been a real enemy, with no one to save or help you here, you'd already be dead long ago.", Kakashi said with his eye-smile expression.

"Yeah, like hell I'm gonna be able to beat a Jounin. You have been taught much more than me. I'll leave you in dust before you know it, just you see. I'm an Uchiha! Hmph.", Sasuke said.

"Oh really, and here I thought you were wishing to 'destroy a certain someone'. As far as I can guess, he's at the very least Jounin level.", Kakashi said.

"Shut up! Don't you meddle in my affairs. Just do what you were appointed to and teach me jutsus.", Sasuke said getting desperate.

"Good luck wriggling out of there. It's not going to be easy.", Kakashi said smiling and left him to his own.

Naruto was quietly listening to them from a little distance hiding behind a tree trunk masking his chakra.

'Damn it. How am I supposed get him out of there safely? More importantly, why do I have to?', he thought.

The situation wasn't very good. It had become kind of a rescue the hostage mission all of a sudden. 'Be prepared for anything, anytime.', was only what he could tell himself.

'Think, think, think Naruto, think of something!'

Meanwhile, Kakashi was whistling about reading his porn close to Sasuke leaning against a rock.

That won't be completely correct though. He wasn't actually as interested in the book at the moment as he was in Naruto. The book was just a pretense while he was carefully scanning around the area for Naruto to do something.

One thing he knew that Naruto had somehow learnt how to hide his chakra so well that even he couldn't detect a trace of it. Such proficiency in suppressing chakra would mean that he's got to be an exceptionally good sensor as well.

Hence, the extra carefulness was justified.

'Now, how will you handle this? I'd have left him alone normally but I believe that you will be able to find some way to save your teammate yet again.', Kakashi thought.

A few seconds later, he heard cracking of a tree branch nearby.

"He's coming.", Kakashi whispered.

True enough, as a bunch of explosive tag laced kunai made their way towards him. He jumped on the rock and flipped backwards as the kunai exploded shattering the rock into pieces.

"Why don't you try something else? This was not a deception enough to buy you time to get the both of you out of here.", Kakashi said through the dust as Naruto appeared in front of Sasuke.

Naruto crouched and put his two fingers on Sasuke's forehead like he did with Sakura.

"What the hell are you doing, dobe?! Get me the hell out of here and I'll go kick his ass!", Sasuke shouted.

"Sorry Sasuke, I don't think so. Maybe next time.", Naruto said with a neutral expression.

Sasuke was immediately enraged at the unintentional but familiar gesture and was about to let out curses as loud as he could but before he could do that-- everything blacked out. Despite being an Uchiha, Sasuke still couldn't counter a Genjutsu easily until he possess the Sharingan.

"Who said the both of us were leaving this place?", he said to Kakashi.

"Interesting. You knocked out your own teammate. Is that what you plan to do in a real battle?", Kakashi asked.

"Desperate times, desperate measures, Sensei. He would have been more of a hindrance than a help. I already asked both of them to work together and they refused. This is the only option I have left. Get them out safe and fight you one on one.", Naruto replied.

"What a shame. But do you think you'll be able to take the bells from me alone?", Kakashi asked.

"Only time can tell, Sensei.", Naruto said smirking.

Three shadow clones appeared behind Naruto who quickly took out Sasuke and were carrying him back into the woods.

"Bold of you to assume I'll sit back and let that happen, kiddo.", Kakashi said as he started sprinting towards the clones.

Naruto flipped backwards onto the trunk of a tree horizontally crouching upon it and said, "And bold of you to assume I'll sit back doing nothing either."

As he said that, he suddenly vanished leaving behind a large crater in the tree created by a exerting a large force on it. Even to Kakashi, just a blur was seen and not a moment later, Naruto was almost upon him with a clenched fist about to pound him in the face.

(A/N : If someone needs to get a rough idea how it looks, DBS Episode 110 where UI Goku tries to end the fight by punching Jiren before his transformation ran out of time.)

Naruto thought, 'You don't have time to change course or dodge Sensei, since your momentum is too great. Blocking it would lead to serious damage. The only way you can get out of the way is--'

Kakashi didn't have any time to think as he turned his foot along the ground to purposely lose balance and skid away.

The advantage was evident. Naruto was in an even higher momentum and couldn't do anything but fly past just above a skidding Kakashi. The reflex saved him from the direct attack.

Although, he didn't account for what would happen next. Skidding after moving at such speed could already deal good damage on a rocky terrain, but fortunately it was Konoha and the area had plenty of grass.

But, only in a few moments, the terrain changed as Naruto's super strength punch combined with high velocity produced a superficial seismic wave which ripped apart all the rocks and soil sending out large amounts of debris flying.

"What?!", was the only thing Kakashi could say when he looked back as he braced against the rubble by crossing his hands in front of him.

After being thrown around a couple of dozen feet, he groaned and stood up looking at Naruto who was healing his reddened hand.

"Ouch, that hurt a lot!", Naruto said to no one specifically.

"You know that could have hurt me a thousand times more if it connected.", Kakashi said.

"Nah. You're really good. I knew you'd dodge it even reflexively. And even if you didn't, the exercise would've ended a lot sooner.", Naruto said casually.

The clones had already cleared away into the forest hastily leaving no traces of anyone except the student-teacher duo in the battlefield.

"Kami, this kid is scary. Care to tell me what you did back there?", Kakashi asked curiously.

"Is it okay to do that in the middle of a fight? I mean, we can do all the explanations in the end.", Naruto said.

"Don't be a spoilsport. I know you're doing that purposely to tease me.", Kakashi said.

"Haha, you got me! Sorry about that. It's just that I wanted to see how a Ninja who copied a thousand jutsus would look when he didn't get to learn a new one.", Naruto said laughing.

Kakashi couldn't have hid his amusement without his mask on. He was regaled at the fact that someone less than half his age was actually able to give him a hard time not only in battle but was also cleverly pulling his leg In the middle of it.

"Guess it wouldn't be fair to leave you wondering like that. It's pretty simple actually. This was just a modification of Shunshin. I call it Shunpo, The FlashStep.", Naruto explained.

(A/N : Watch Bleach tor Shunpo reference.)

"The Shunpo, huh?", Kakashi repeated.

"Yes. You know that Shunshin is just high speed movement, right? We can do it by channeling chakra to our feet to enhance our speed. What I did was use a much more higher amount in a short amount of time and burst it against the surface. It works like a single step jet boost. It's a good thing you were moving, or you wouldn't have been able to dodge it. It would be a different story when you anticipate it but at that time you surely weren't.", Naruto explained.

"Wait, you mean you got that much of a speed boost purely through chakra outburst?", Kakashi asked.

"Yeah, and I know what you're gonna say. 'It's too risky as it can deplete your chakra reserves too fast.' I know that but don't worry, I have lots to spare.", Naruto said.

"I already heard about your super strength but couldn't believe it at that time. I've seen it now and I still can't believe it. And now it's super speed too, huh. This will be interesting. I won't fall for it again, though.", Kakashi said.

"Maybe, maybe not. Who knows. Anyways, here I come!", Naruto shouted.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed throughout the field as Naruto striked at Kakashi using his sword while Kakashi defended using a kunai which he had pulled out not a moment too soon.

It was because he had already sensed Naruto accumulating chakra in his feet and his hand was moving towards his sword just before he disappeared.

Both of them were skidding on their feet, especially Kakashi who was on defence the whole time. Naruto pushed hard with his sword and with his enhanced strength managed to overpower Kakashi who flipped over backwards and rolled around a few times before getting back on his feet quickly.

"It is so embarrassing to use this against a guy who's not even a Genin yet, but you have left me no choice.", Kakashi said.

It wasn't that he couldn't handle Naruto right then, but he didn't want to take unnecessary risks, especially with the hundreds of kilopascals of force that could easily break his bones into pieces. (P.S. : I know force is measured in Newton while Pascal is the unit for pressure, i.e. Force per unit area. So what I did in the statement was on purpose, it looks cool from a literary perspective. Don't start teaching me physics in comments. Thanks.)

"Huh, what do you mean?", Naruto asked.

Kakashi put his hand on the cloth of the headband angling diagonally covering his eye and straightened it revealing a bright red eye with a deep black pupil and three curves tomoe like pattern.

"Wait, whaaaaaaaat?! You have a Sharingan?! I thought you lost an eye or something in battle, that's why you keep hiding it.", Naruto said baffled.

'So that's why he's known as the Copy Ninja. No wonder he could master a thousand jutsus.', he thought.

"You're not the only one with secret techniques. Your Shunpo won't work one me now.", Kakashi said.

"Let's check if that's true.", Naruto said as he once again used Flash Step.

This time, however, Kakashi was completely ready as he sidestepped knowing Naruto's exact path of movement. He didn't just stop at dodging though, as he gripped Naruto's wrist with one hand as he passed by and pushed him upwards with his other hand, thereby converting his translational motion into a rotational one mid-air, which Naruto couldn't resist being in high speed losing his balance, producing a high momentum rolling motion just as Naruto hit the ground.

He skidded along the ground with many twists and turns creating a cloud of dust and finally crashed hard into a tree trunk.

As the dust cleared, Naruto stood up straightening his back which produced a few crackling sounds.

"Lesson One : Never underestimate the Sharingan. You saw through every move.", Naruto said.

"You created Shadow clones in front of the tree which reduced the impact by a large measure. Impressive and quick thinking.", Kakashi said.

"I would've been in the hospital if I hadn't done that.", Naruto said.

"Well, yeah probably. So what'll be your next move? You can't hope to keep doing one move over and over again. Even if you have huge chakra reserves, you're depleting them as fast.", Kakashi asked.

'He's right. I've already used it a lot and he perfectly used it against me last time. I'm nowhere near out of chakra but if I keep this up, I will surely be exhausted in a matter of time.', Naruto thought.

Kakashi knew that Naruto's clearly smart enough to know that, hence he had already covered back his Sharingan. True, Naruto could attack once more in the same manner, but using the Sharingan too much would also be taxing on his own body. Also, he was getting a hang of the movements that Naruto did while performing Shunpo.

Naruto didn't know that though, and genuinely thought that Kakashi was just being easy on him. He clenched his fist around the sword handle and started running towards Kakashi saying, "That was not the only technique I've learnt over the years."

"It's all well and good otherwise, but you still lose your cool sometimes.", Kakashi said in a soft voice.

This time, the fight was a combination of Taijutsu and Bukijutsu. Naruto was displaying his dexterity with the sword while Kakashi was using a basic kunai along with his hand to hand combat skills.

"You were quite fast with your Shunpo, but your speed seems almost average in combat. It seems you bargained speed for power. Not that it's completely useless, but you won't be able to defeat your opponent when you can't hit him, except if you get lucky."

Naruto just gave him an enigmatic smirk before his face went back to normal except for the twinkle in his eyes which said "I know something you don't", so Kakashi felt there was definitely still some trick up his sleeve.

Naruto was trying hard to get in a position that would make it easier to snatch the bell but Kakashi was also aware of that and didn't give him a single chance to get near enough.

Soon enough though, he found an opening and immediately acted on it. Kakashi had to turn around a complete circle since Naruto had overpowered his strength on the opposite side of his dominant hand.

As he was turning back, Naruto created a Kage Bunshin right behind him and slashed his sword at him simultaneously. If he'd defend from the attack, the Kage Bunshin would steal the bell. If he turned back to stop the Kage Bunshin, he'd get serious damage from the attack. Looked like a win-win situation.

Before he could connect though, Kakashi detonated a smoke bomb on the ground covering the whole area in smoke. Naruto couldn't see anything but felt his blade connect with someone.

"Damn it!", Naruto said.

He had already sensed that Kakashi-sensei's chakra was nowhere nearby even before the smoke cleared, which meant that he had successfully evaded the attack.

When the dust settled down, Naruto's clone had already poofed out of existence and there lied a wooden log on which was written, 'Too slow!'

---

"Phew! That kid is amazing. I never thought I would have to use this much energy to handle him.", Kakashi said.

He was presently sitting relaxed on one of the tree branches inside the dense tree canopy, a good distance away from the clearing.

He didn't want to admit it, but he knew he won't be able to fight Naruto while reading his book in any scenario.

"He definitely is at least Chūnin level. And wth that impressive Kenjutsu and the amazing strength, I'd even say he could be at a Tokubetsu level Jōnin. And that Shunpo, he seems to be confident but I know it's not perfect yet. He uses up more energy than needed and a few other rough edges. Who knows how effective that will be once completed.", he said.

The only difference between him and Naruto right now which was working to his advantage was the most important one : experience.

It was only due to that that he was such a skilled shinobi. His reflexes had been conditioned to avoid dangers subconsciously, his strategic mind had been honed to the degree that he could come up with effective solutions through the fights and most importantly, his wisdom, which meant taking the right call at crucial times and situations.

In this case too, Naruto was only lacking in the sense that he didn't have as much real world battle experience and couldn't utilize his abilities to the best.

Hell, if Kakashi had been fighting him when he was the same age as Naruto, the latter could probably have wiped the floor a dozen times with his to-be-wore-all-time mask easily.

Back to the situation, Kakashi knew he couldn't slack off at the time, since Naruto could approach without being sensed.

"Back to work.", he said to himself.

Naruto was now getting a little tense as the time limit was approaching soon enough. He knew exactly how much time had passed since the test had begun.

48 minutes.

That meant he had more or less 12 minutes to do something to get his hands on that bell. And if get Kakashi managed to get away this time, it was as good as over.

"No, I don't care what happens, I'm definitely going to become a shinobi.", Naruto said as he prepared himself for the final showdown of the day.

He was hastily jumping on tree branches as now he didn't have the luxury of time hence there was no way to mask his chakra completely.

Once he reached the place, he saw Kakashi on the ground hiding behind another huge tree. A slight smirk could be seen on his face.

He took a chakra wire, looped it around a branch, and landed on front of the tree after hovering around half of the trunk. (Like Spider-Man)

He looped the wire around the trunk attaching it to a kunai with impressive speed trapping the other person to the tree.

"Aha, caught you, Sensei!", Naruto said.

Although, at the same time, he felt a jolt of electricity coursing through himself and was temporarily paralyzed.

Not a second later, a similar wire from the other side caught Naruto surprised before he could react and bound him to the tree.

"What the hell?!", he shouted.

Kakashi landed in front of him waving his hand.

"Hey! I never thought it'd be that easy to catch you.", he said.

"So you were hiding somewhere all the time while the bait was a lightning clone?", Naruto asked.

"True. There isn't much time left now. All I have to do is restrain you.", Kakashi said.

Suddenly a kick landed from the right on his torso and he wasn't able to evade in time.

"Now now, Kakashi-sensei, you did say you didn't expect me to be caught that easily, right?", Naruto said having fooled his opponent as the bound shadow clone burst into smoke.

(A few minutes ago)

Naruto was about to jump at the opportunity to catch Kakashi by surprise when he first reached the place.

But his battle sense told him that Kakashi was no novice, and that he must already have some plan to remain one step ahead of Naruto in the game.

He increased the sensitivity of his chakra reception, and found that Kakashi was actually hiding at the top of a nearby tree watching him. A slight smirk formed on his face as he had now entered a truly interesting game of hunting.

Instead of normally going towards the Kakashi clone, he looped the wire and hovered round the tree to get a moment when he'd be out of Kakashi's line of sight behind the huge tree trunk. That was all he needed. Immediately, he created a shadow clone who held on to the wire, while the real one remained behind the tree waiting for an opportunity to catch Kakashi unguarded.

(Flashback over)

He knew that he had managed to get the first hit on Kakashi and it was a nice chakra packed one.

But alas, to his surprise, Kakashi turned into water and due to the minimal reduction of angular momentum, Naruto rotated at his own position and fell down losing balance.

"What? But how?! I'm sure I sensed nobody around other than him.", Naruto said rubbing his head after he hit the ground with it.

He didn't have much time to think around as all of a sudden, a kunai hit the tree trunk above him triggering a trap which showed itself as a net made of of the same ninja wire he had used around him and lifted him up from the ground a good distance.

"Man, this seems bad. Only 10 minutes left.", Naruto said out loud.

Kakashi came out of the hiding spot that he had been using from the nearby tree in front of a trapped Naruto.

"True, I didn't expect you to be caught that easily so I went through the trouble to created a double trap.", he said.

"I guess that plan succeeded. But I still don't get one thing. I'm sure I sensed you coming down from that of place and there was no one up there until now. How'd you pull that off?", Naruto asked.

"Since you aren't getting out of there now and we don't have anything to do for some time, I'll entertain you. I already knew that you had somehow sensed me due to which you had to go through the trouble of replacing yourself behind that tree. Yes, I did know. Hence, I had to mask my presence far better than what I was doing before. That's when I used a trick that I had been taught in the ANBU Black Ops. It's known as the Dormant Corpse. I completely block my chakra as well as reduce my body movements and functions to a minimum. It is used when in enemy territory you are surrounded but have to hide in a small area. Never thought I had to use it against a kid though. You did well.", Kakashi explained.

"Wow, that's so cool. But you're wrong about one thing. Who said it's over?, Naruto said smirking.

"I applaud your confidence, but that wire is ninja grade. Your super strength or speed won't help you get out of the net. Even your sword won't be able to cut through this easily, that is, if you manage to draw it out in that cramped space.", Kakashi said.

"Maybe. But you're not the only one with tricks up their sleeve. :)) ", Naruto said.

(A/N : I recommend that if someone wants to get more indulged into the story fights, listen to Naruto themes, e.g. Raising Fighting Spirit (my favourite), that will create more excitement while enjoying the battle. I had this idea from one of Boruto manga readers who listen to some random high energy music while reading new chapters. I know this thing is not at all compared to that one but still, what is there to lose? Stop if you don't like that. If you want to start doing this, do it now, before moving on to the next part.)

Naruto grasped the end of the net where it was tied to the suspending wire. He pulled it downwards to get in a headstand position taking the net alongwith him upwards. This released the weight of his body on the net which was transferred to his hand holding the end. He positioned his foot around the suspending wire through the net and wrapped it around his foot twice.

Once again, he shifted the balance towards his foot and pushed downwards getting upright. Now you must think, what good would that be? Taking two turns and getting even more cramped inside must leave him in an even worse situation, wouldn't it? Maybe.

But Kakashi's widened eyes (no, wait, eye*) told otherwise.

'Where did he learn that? It's an escape technique used to untangle oneself from the net by transferring weight upon another nearby object. He didn't have that option so turned the suspension to his use. This let's him freely access his sword or any other weapon. It's not a very basic technique but that's the point. It's not taught in the basics, yet he somehow learnt it. But still, even if he managed to untangle himself he doesn't have the time to cut through the wire.', he thought.

As expected, Naruto pulled out his sword reverse grip and angled it at one end of the net. Kakashi knew that it wasn't possible but the look in Naruto's eyes told him to get ready to duel once again. Naruto was almost about to laugh.

And then...he swung it. With one fell swoop, the net dropped in half as if a knife had been run through a spider web alongwith the suspending wire. And Naruto, still wielding his sword, landed smoothly on the ground.

He was smiling widely looking at the startled expression of Kakashi.(The fact that this guy can make expressions with one eye is just amazing.)

"Two questions. Where did you learn that technique, and how did you cut through that net?", Kakashi asked.

"Answer to the first question is that I studied. I've read a lot of books and studied a lot of things over the years, Sensei. Including all of them regarding Ninja techniques. Naturally, I've picked up a lot of techniques out of them.", Naruto grinned.

"I guess that may be right. And the second?", Kakashi said getting more curious about the next one rather than dwelling over the first, since it wasn't too out of line.

"Sorry Sensei, I've already lost a lot of time and now we're down to just above 7 minutes. Maybe later.", Naruto said messing with Kakashi.

Kakashi was afraid that he'd get an answer like this.

'I don't know what he did there. All it seemed was a slash of his sword. But even with his super strength, it would have taken at least some sawing to cut through the wire.', he thought.

"Oh well, guess I'll have to wait 7 minutes then.", he said.

"Don't be too sure of it.", Naruto said smiling further confusing Kakashi.

Although the smile vanished from his face in a few seconds as he did know that time was a luxury for the next few minutes.

Without any delay, he launched forward to engage Kakashi in a duel. Two figures could be seen flickering through the forest hopping on the trees with clanking sounds in between.

"Looks like I'll have to go on the offensive first.", Naruto said as he flicked his sword into the air.

Kakashi backed onto a tree crouching horizontally waiting for literally anything.

"Mi-I-Ushi-Inu-Hitsuji!"

"Doton, huh? I did expect him to have some kind of jutsus still left up his sleeve. Looks like he can do elemantal jutsus after all.", Kakashi said as he jumped on a branch. As he said this, a wall erupted in front of Naruto on which he jumped immediately.

"What is he…….wait, it can't be- Kai!", Kakashi said surprised.

Soon after he released it, he found out that he was still standing on the ground instead of the tree branch while Naruto had already gained a higher ground with his mouth and lungs inflated and a completed Ushi hand sign.

Suiton : Mizurappa! (Wild Water Wave)

Naruto caught his sword which was mid-air above him and aligned it in front of himself. A huge wave of water swamped across the area with Naruto controlling it's whole intensity directing it with his sword, engulfing in it Kakashi too who didn't have any time to dodgebut settle to brace for impact and was carried hundreds of metres away.

As he washed up against a tree trunk coughing some of the water, he saw Naruto had already closed the distance between them.

5 minutes left.

"That was no ordinary Genjutsu. I would have picked it up in no time. You already know how to use the Demonic Illusion : False Surroundings technique.", Kakashi said.

Naruto just shrugged in response.

"More so ever, both Doton and Suiton weren't any illusion. You already know how to use two chakra natures perfectly. That's a coup even many Jōnin aren't able to pull off.", he added.

"Well, don't you think a Hokage has to be strong? Just working on that.", Naruto replied.

"I see you sure are not holding back. Looks like I wouldn't be able to save the bells unless I have to use this.", Kakashi said as he unmasked his headband from the left eye which was the Sharingan.

He observed that they were now standing in the clearing that they had originally started in.

But before Kakashi could stop the movement to his peripheral sides, four Naruto shadow clones in some distance simultaneously used a Mud Wall Jutsu to create a wall barrier around the two.

"You think I'll flee rather than fight even after I've started getting serious?", Kakashi asked him raising his one eyebrow which shadowed his distinctiveness.

Naruto smiled ever so slightly and said, "And you think I'm going to take any chances while my dream is on the line?"

"That's still not a good excuse but I guess ok.", Kakashi replied.

4 minutes left.

Naruto dropped all the rest of his smoke bombs in the enclosed area covering it in dense smoke.

'Interesting. He knows his strengths well. He's trying to block my Sharingan's vision while relying just in his own sensory skills. It's ironical having bragged all over, still it would be better get out of here soon.', Kakashi thought.

As he turned to his left and headed towards the wall, multiple sets of punches and kicks made their way all over around him. With his conditioned reflexes and a Sharingan on top of that, it didn't take him long to dispose of the clones swiftly.

"He used the smoke to his advantage to camouflage and conceal the number and position of the Shadow clones. Never seen a kid do such interesting tricks before."

3 minutes left.

"Still, what's he getting at? There's not much time to fool around. And knowing him, these aren't just random desperate attempts. He's definitely onto something. I should get out as soon as possible.", Kakashi said to himself as he stepped onto the wall to climb on it.

To his surprise, the movement activated a trap as lots of kunai and shuriken made way towards him and was forced to jump back.

"He had also set up traps in the wall beforehand to take additional measures. Guess I'm not getting out of this situation easily.", Kakashi said.

"Suiton : Suidan no Jutsu!" (Water Bullet Technique)

Kakashi looked at the incoming stream of water and weaved the hand signs of a Mud Wall.

"Damn it!", Naruto was heard saying as he threw a few explosion tagged kunai on the mud wall.

The explosion resulted in clearing of the smoke and revealed a damaged Kakashi with crossed arms in front so as to brace.

2 minutes left.

"Great, you look tired enough. Those bells are now as good as mine.", Naruto said as he whipped out his sword from the sheath.

"You sure look confident given the time you have is almost next to none.", Kakashi retorted.

"True that. I'll have to be quick. Here I come!", Naruto said and pressed his feet to the ground seemingly in position to use a Flash Step. Although……

A kunai was placed on his neck from the back.

"Haste makes waste, Naruto. A ninja must see through deception.", Kakashi voice came from behind.

"What? But how? You used the Mud Wall as a distraction!", Naruto said as he looked at the Kakashi in front of him dissolve into a Water Clone.

"Correct. You didn't pay attention. Using a Water style jutsu also makes it easier for the opponent to use the water to their advantage. You should analyse your opponent first. Are you ready to give up now?", Kakashi said.

(A/N : I know, I know. You guys must be like, Kakashi must know he's sensory type. Why'd he dumbly assume that Naruto would just stand there? Simple answer. Plot purposes. If in every fight, Naruto could sense everything it would ruin the fun. Just go on with it. Thanks. Enjoy.)

Naruto suddenly disappeared into smoke and a kunai was placed behind Kakashi, "Guess I saw through it again."

Kakashi looked back nonchalantly and said, "Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson."

Again, Kakashi also poofed into non-existence and a voice behind Naruto shouted,

Leaf Village Secret Ninjutsu : A Thousand Years of Death

What? Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!", Naruto said turning his head slightly looking at a sitting Kakashi with slanted eyes.

But then he stopped.

"Sorry, just kidding!"

A bright light shone from his body as he inflated up in matter of fraction of seconds. A staggered Kakashi had a split second to jump away behind before it exploded into thousands of pieces, although he could only minimise the damage not completely evade or nullify it.

"It was…..….a clone all along. And an explosive one at that. I can't imagine what this boy can't do. But wait, where is he now? Don't tell me--", Kakashi said as he looked above.

1 minute left.

True enough, Naruto was gliding down the air with his sword in both hands but in a reverse grip with the sharp end pointing downwards.

'He isn't attacking me, but the ground? Is this another Genjutsu? No, I've been keeping aware of that since before. And he certainly hasn't gone crazy.', Kakashi thought.

As he hit the ground, Naruto pushed the sword inside while himself performing a headstand taking only the support of the said sword.

Raiton : Jibashi (Lightning style : Electromagnetic murder)

"Raiton?!"

As the sparks of dense blue electricity waved through the sword, it suddenly became painfully clear to Kakashi what had just transpired in the given situation.

There was no doubt that he had been clearly set up, step by step and he had fallen right into it. Heck, he was literally standing right in the middle of it.

Every step Naruto had taken was to ensure that he ends up right where he was.

How? Let's see. First, the tools from the trap. He was standing between the kunai/shuriken embedded in the wall where he had first tried to escape from, and Naruto who just released a lightning jutsu. It's a well known fact that electricity strikes good conductors far more preferably than anything else. Also, Naruto had already probably made them negatively charged. Hence, the path taken by electric discharge will almost invariably be the one Kakashi was standing on.

Secondly, the water. Ah yes, the water. Ah yes, the irony. After giving a lecture to Naruto on how to not let the enemy take advantage of the surroundings and fall into a problem, he himself was literally ankle deep into it.

Water, by itself, is not as much damaging in a direct attack, although being a highly efficient conductor, it greatly intensifies the power generated by Raiton, which is already quite effective and paralyzing against others.

Lastly, and most importantly, the element of surprise. Kakashi wasn't a novice, evident from the fact that he had deduced everything moments after Naruto revealed his attack. Had he known about Naruto's ability to use Raiton beforehand, he'd have kept that in mind from the start. Credit to Naruto too in keeping it from him until now.

Although now, what's done was done. And Kakashi really didn't have anywhere to dodge. The walls were laden with traps, the water going to be electrocuted. And honestly, there wasn't any time.

The electricity crackled through the water and virtually reached him in no time.

Not a moment too soon, Kakashi could be seen cursing slightly under his mask as he said, "First Gate : Open!".

As he jumped above the water, he had no option but to direct himself towards Naruto. Sometimes offence is the best defence, but at the time it was the only option.

As he saw the electric discharge being spread through the air towards him as well, he released his signature move : Raikiri.

He directed his Raikiri wielding hand in front of him mid-air cutting through the electricity smoothly as the name rightly suggested.

(A/N : Those wondering what's Raikiri, it's just a glorified version of Chidori named as Lightning Cutter, because Kakashi had perfected it to a stage where he could cut lightning in half.)

Naruto, for the first time in the battle, had the look that something unexpected had occurred from his plan. He released his hands from the sword while pushing against it a little to regain upright posture mid-air.

Kakashi was never going to actually hit Naruto with that jutsu lest he'll kill him for sure. He was just aiming to place his hand on a non-vital part on his abdomen right before it connected with Naruto so as to make him surrender or at least not try any other tricks since time was about to get over soon. And there was nothing Naruto could do that would actually stop his Raikiri.

And he had almost done it. The distance between him and Naruto was about a few metres at best, and he could now easily place his feet back on the ground to stop himself and regain balance before it connects.

Naruto, on the other hand, didn't have much time to process everything and hence focused only on the attack that was about to hit him real bad. He instinctively clapped his hands together and formed a ball like jutsu in front of him to engage with the Raikiri.

Wind Style : Spiralling Wind Sphere

"Whhhat?!", Kakashi could only say as he made contact with the sphere quite early and identified that it was anything but a Genjutsu.

It was only a matter of milliseconds, but what happened was as follows.

Raikiri being a Lightning Jutsu, was conventionally weaker than Wind Style jutsu. Thus, it was not immediately eliminated due to the force of Raikiri. Plus, Naruto's chakra was quite dense.

Although, it was equally true that Raikiri was one of the highest level ranking Raiton jutsu and couldn't be as easily stopped.

So, the collision between the two forces ultimately couldn't be handled easily and the Wind Sphere although reduced in intensity stayed in place, the Raikiri was slided and deflected above directly towards his heart.

Kakashi couldn't believe his eyes, his mind replayed the exact scene of a brunette girl standing in front of him with teary eyes saying his name replaced with Naruto asking why'd he do this to his own student. His heartbeat fastened yet he couldn't stop his motion at this point.

He seriously hoped that someone would come and kick him on the side reprimanding him on how that was too close.

Anyone, Hokage-sama, Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, anyone.

Yet he knew that it wasn't quite possible. He'd rather prefer to wake up from a nightmare and go to his students to take their graduation exam.

Naruto, on the other hand, was actually quite blank. He didn't exactly have a plan that he could take out or any other move he could make within the fraction of a second. Dodging was out of the question. Kawarimi was next to impossible. There was one jutsu already in his hand and whatever he could do was upto that one. But it would be too late for him to hit Kakashi with it unless he wanted a super charged blade going through his chest.

So he did the only thing he could, went back to the basics. Like literally to the basics, to the time when he couldn't even do the basics properly.

'Sorry, Kakashi-sensei, but it's gonna hurt…….a lot.'

He immediately infused as much chakra as he could into the sphere making it unstable intentionally, and then it..….

……..exploded.

The outcome was that due to the explosion, Kakashi was propelled or rather deflected upwards and sideways. Due to his linear momentum, the straight path also still continued but now it didn't pierce his heart at least.

A win-win situation, right? Not quite.

Kakashi's hand containing the Raikiri went just above Naruto's left shoulder grazing it, but the actual blade of the Raikiri rather cutting it deep leaving a large gash. At the same time, the Wind Sphere hurt the both of them, mostly Kakashi took the impact though.

All in all, both were quite heavily damaged and flew to the opposite corners of the walls that enclosed them.

Both laid down for a few seconds regaining composure and Naruto said, "Damnit Sensei. That was some awesome jutsu you pulled off there. First I don't even know how you jumped away on the water so fast. And I don't know what it's called, but apparently you're able to supercharge the other jutsu with positive charges and repel other electric discharges, even Lightning. I had never thought of something like this, ever."

'Here I am, a Jōnin, ex-ANBU Captain, against a kid who's not even a ninja yet, in a stalemate. I can't think of anyone who'd be praising me right now but again, you're always the peculiar one, Naruto. Although I should be grateful, you managed to deflect my Raikiri and save yourself, or else I couldn't have lived this one off after what happened with her. And while I'm unable to comprehend how you're able to use Fūton too, that Wind Sphere was something. I can not even imagine what would have happened to me if you had also mastered change in chakra form.', Kakashi thought at the moment.

But he settled on saying, "You didn't do half bad yourself."

Bruised and battered, both Naruto and Kakashi stood up groggily, looking at each other. The battle wasn't over, and none of them were going to concede until it ended.

"So, what are you gonna do next, Katon?", Kakashi asked.

"Everyone asks the same question it's so irritating.", Naruto humphed.

Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle slightly thinking about all the others' faces.

Naruto started walking towards Kakashi at a normal pace.

'Now what?', Kakashi thought.

He realised though that he never had the chance to put Naruto under a Genjutsu up until now. It was the perfect time to use the prowess of his Sharingan, now that the smoke had cleared, there was no sudden disturbance and the fact that Naruto was looking straight at him.

He opened his left eye wide and looked at Naruto to cast him into a strong Genjutsu.

No matter how good Naruto would be in breaking Genjutsu, he wouldn't be able to break this one easily. Definitely not in almost half a minute.

Suddenly though, he had to close his eye due to sharp stabbing pain in the back of his orbits.

"What? Did I use that much chakra already? No, there's no way I'd get exhausted without using anything much. At best the chakra drainage was due to Raikiri, then why--", Kakashi said holding his hand over his eye looking at the ground kneeling down.

"I guess you're starting to get it, Sensei. Or maybe the rush of your adrenaline doesn't let you feel it?", Naruto asked.

Kakashi looked up at him. He was currently standing beside his sword that was embedded in the ground. His left shoulder was completely stained red and he was applying emergency Iryō Ninjutsu to stop the bleeding as a first aid.

"And what does that mean?", Kakashi asked feeling bad for him but irritated at the same time.

"Try standing up again and you'll know.", Naruto said wincing slightly at the sheet pain.

Kakashi did as told. Or so to say, he couldn't do as he was told. He was simply unable to. His legs weren't listening to his mind. Neither were his hands. He was suddenly being completely paralyzed.

"Since you seemingly know Iryō Ninjutsu as well, I suppose you did something to me.", Kakashi asked.

"Well, you can relate them somehow, but not exactly. It's a poison.", Naruto said.

"A poison? But when did you--", Kakashi asked.

"Sorry Sensei, no time.", Naruto said as he pulled up his sword from the ground and threw it towards Kakashi.

With laser precision, the sword cut the threads of the bells from Kakashi's waist and embedded them in the wall. Kakashi jerked back against the wall from the sudden movement and was at eye level with the bells beside him, swinging and ringing gently with the blowing wind.

Naruto immediately Shunpo'd in front of the sword gently and kneeled down.

"Sorry Sensei, I know time's almost up, but there's just a different fun in ruining the end moment for someone else.", Naruto said reaching for the bells as the last few seconds were left.

Kakashi closed his eyes and smiled at his own condition. Last time he felt so helpless, he didn't remember.

"Aaaaagghhhhhh! Not now!"

Kakashi jerked his eye open to check what suddenly happened to Naruto.

It seemed that he had reached to pull the sword by his right hand, while reaching for the bells with his left. Due to the stretching of muscles, the cauterized wound had reopened and Naruto had to clamp his other hand on the shoulder to press and stop the bleeding. The wound was more deeper and bigger than he had originally thought it was.

"Hey, Naruto. Are you okay--"

RIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG

RIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG

RING RING RING RING

RING RING RING RING

The clock went off.

"Daaaammmmnnnnn itttttttttt!"

(A/N : No, I don't know how the bell got so loud.)

Naruto's facial expression was one of pain combined with forlornness. He still held his hand over his shoulder and rested himself against the wall on the other side of the sword.

Kakashi chose not to say anything for a minute. Then before he could open his mouth to say anything, Naruto replied, "I'm fine."

Kakashi looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Fine, I am not fine. I almost got the bells, dattebayo! And I had every opportunity to take them yet I messed up.", he said.

"I'm talking about your injury.", Kakashi said plainly.

"You needn't worry about this. I'll easily manage this until evening or so.", Naruto said as a green glow appeared in his hand.

"I see. You know what you're doing. I'm impressed.", Kakashi said.

"Thanks. I have a question though.", Naruto said.

"What would that be?", Kakashi asked.

"Do I get to have lunch?", Naruto asked grinning not expecting an answer.

Kakashi was taken aback by the sudden change in mood but was pleased by it nonetheless. The two sat in silence for a minute or two before it was broken.

"Quite a turnaround after you wanted to watch someone lose at the last moment.", Kakashi said as he couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah, say what you want right now. 'Coz I'm not gonna give you the antidote and you can very well miss lunch in my place.", Naruto said sarcastically.

"I'm starting to feel like you're my Sensei and recruiting me into Team 7.", Kakashi said.

Naruto laughed and finally stood up reaching for the antidote in his pouch. He injected the same in his back directly into the spinal cord for rapid action.

While it took effect, he started treating Kakashi's injuries which were mostly superficial except the injuries due to the Wind Sphere explosion which had broken a rib or two.

Kakashi was now a little comfortable as his breathing had normalised due to the clearing of the poison along with the return of propioception in his limb joints. Whatever Naruto was doing also reduced the pain due to his internal injuries.

Looking at the wound now even up close, closed as it was, Kakashi felt guilty again. "Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the hospital right now?"

"I told you already. As long as I don't push it, it's gonna be fine.", Naruto said, "Plus, the bleeding's already stopped. No threat to life. The only thing they'll do at the hospital is give me a clean dressing and antibiotics to prevent infection. Even more so, my body seems to be healing these kinds of wounds kind of as soon as they occur. It is due to the other chakra inside me…..I guess."

"I see. So, now can you tell me what was that poison, why couldn't I detect it, and when did it exactly enter my body?", Kakashi asked unable to resist the curiosity.

"Oh that, let's see. The poison is a neuromusculotoxin. Meaning it affects the part of the muscle that gets signals from the nerves. It's specially designed only to paralyze the movement muscles. Effect on respiratory muscles are minimal, same with those of the face. Next, you couldn't detect it because it's highly diluted and takes a lot of time to act. It did take time, since it was a small amount injected quite far from the brain or the spine. The only thing that helped was you getting as much blood you can pump and chakra you can use. The Sharingan did its job too giving you exertion. And well…….I got the recipe from an expert of poisons, so it's also quite high quality. I can't tell you where though.", Naruto explained.

Kakashi closed his eyes at the realisation.

"You must know by now when you were injected. Hehe, you must've thought I was just getting desperate to land an attack. Well, you said it yourself. A ninja must see through deception.", Naruto joked.

(Flashback)

………..

"You're one crafty boy, using kunai as deceptions to make clones. But again, I never expected you to have that much chakra at disposal to be used for just one attack.", Kakashi said looking at Naruto.

"Don't act like you've seen it all. We're going to have A LOT of fun today.", Naruto said grinning widely.

Before Kakashi had the time to ask what did he mean, he attacked leaving Kakashi to defend himself which was actually quite easy to his surprise as he landed a kick straight into Naruto's chest which made him fly several metres away.

Although the real surprise (which actually explained the reason for previous one) got him more as Naruto popped out of existence in a cloud of smoke leaving behind a baffled Kakashi alone in the field.

He pulled out the senbon from his left arm and threw them as it started functioning again.

………..

(Flashback over)

"In the end, I just wanted to electrocute you which would amplify your nerve impulses making the poison act a hell of a lot faster. And then I'd just take the bells. But you came up with that crazy strong jutsu of yours and rest is history.", Naruto said as he finished the patching up.

Kakashi stood up having been healed enough and the poison antidote taking complete effect.

"Can't let a test be too easy, right?", he said lightly.

He then nodded to Naruto to take it easy back to the lunch site while Kakashi went on to get Sasuke and Sakura.

---

Scene Break and Time Skip

"Sasuke-kun, you're really alive. Thank Kami, I was so worried. And thank you for saving me."

"I won't die this easily. And I already told you I don't have anything to do with you, let alone save you."

And the drama began again. Kakashi had brought them in their unconscious state and released the Genjutsu. As soon as they woke up Sakura began hogging Sasuke and he gave his usual complacent look.

Naruto reached the place a little later as he had taken his time to wrap a cloth around his wound to keep it pressurized.

"Oi dobe! How dare you get in my battle and attack me from behind?! I'm gonna crush you.", Sasuke accused.

"I'm pretty sure you would have crushed an ant or two given that your head was still outside the ground.", Naruto retorted.

"Why you little--"

"Okay guys, that's enough!", Kakashi said.

Both of them fell silent and averted their gazes.

"It's past lunch time and no one was able to get the bells from me.", Kakashi said.

"So what does that mean now? Will all of us get lunch or none of us will?", Sakura asked.

"Naruto will get the lunch. He saved the both of you and fought well. One of you will get the lunch and the other one will be tied to the post.", Kakashi said.

"What?! Can't I share some of Sasuke-kun's lunch?", Sakura asked giving blushing glances thinking of eating like a couple.

But her trance was pitifully broken when Kakashi looked at her in the eye and said darkly, "I don't care what reason you have. I make the rules and you follow them. Understand?"

"Y- Yes!", Sakura said with her legs shaking.

"I guess it's clear then. I'll be taking the lunch since I'll be more useful in battle than her in any scenario.", Sasuke casually announced.

"Sakura, anything to say to him?", Kakashi asked her.

Sakura just looked at the ground shaking her head knowing that Sasuke was right.

Only Naruto could feel the sadness that was visible in her eyes which demanded that she have some self-respect but in the end faltered.

She turned to stand against the pole and was tied up. Both Naruto and Sasuke were given their respective lunch boxes and instructed,

"I'll be here in an hour. Finish your lunch by then. I'm going to give you all another chance to pass the test. Hopefully you understand what's the meaning of the test by then."

Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves after that.

---

Time Skip

Sakura had kept her eyes closed not to get a glimpse of the food that her teammates were eating. She kept reminding herself that she sacrificed her food for her Sasuke-kun so it was okay. Moreover, he needed it more than her so that he could fight and get the bell for her too. That's what a knight in shining armour does for the princess, right?

The sound of the muscles of her stomach rolling about giving her hunger pangs was audible at least till a dozen or two metres. She tried to control herself by taking deep breaths only for it to go to vain as the light aroma entered her nose and gave her little consolation.

Suddenly though, the aroma multiplied manifold and she couldn't resist opening her eyes to look for the cause.

It was in front of her. The lunch. Right in front of her being held by Naruto. And he had a generous smile on his face.

Sakura's cheeks turned a light shade of pink and turned her head to the side as she said, "No, I'm not hungry. You can eat it yourself."

Another one of her rumbles of the stomach instantly proved otherwise. Naruto just tilted his head sideways.

"Look, just eat it. Sensei told us that I'm not to eat lunch. Or he'll disqualify all of us .", Sakura said.

"Look Sakura, I know that. And I'm willing to take the risk. What did I tell you? We're a team, so having one of us left behind like this isn't just right. I'll share with you.", Naruto said.

"I guess but……", Sakura looked at Sasuke knowing that he might not approve of this.

"Eat up. The dobe said he ate breakfast. We're both running on empty stomach. It won't do any harm to him to share some with you. Kakashi's not here anyways. We don't want you to be dead weight when we start fighting again. Don't untie the rope though, Kakashi might suspect we did something.", Sasuke said.

"Shut up, teme! Just eat your lunch.", Naruto said knowing that it wasn't his fault they ran on empty stomach but resisted the urge to argue right now.

Sakura looked at the lunch box and saw that Naruto hadn't eaten a single piece yet. He was holding a sandwich in front her to take a bite.

"But Naruto, why aren't you eating?", Sakura asked.

"I guessed it would not be proper for me to offer someone food only for it to be leftovers. You eat up first as much as you want. You heard him, I've had breakfast. I can go on a little longer. On the other hand, you even skipped dinner right?", Naruto said.

Sakura nodded surprised that Naruto even remembered and took a tiny bite out of it. She tried to avert her eyes or to cover them with her hair because she couldn't stop the tears from being formed. She felt like she was at the moment the only worthless person on the team.

"Thank you, Naruto.", she said softly.

Naruto gave her a kind smile and felt genuine happiness. Feeding a hungry person or quenching someone's thirst for that matter in any part of the world always makes one happy from inside.

Although, the joy was short-lived as Kakashi, landed in front of them.

"So you decided to go against the rules. I hope you're ready for your punishment!", he said in a dark voice.

As soon as he said that he weaved a few hand signs and magically the sky got darker. Was it a Genjutsu, or some super intimidation jutsu? Or was he Zeus himself? No one knows to the date.

"No, Sensei! I'm sorry! It was because of me. Don't punish them.", Sakura said.

"The responsibility is collective. No one gets spared.", Kakashi said.

"That's absolutely right. I did it for her and I'll do it again if I get the chance. We're in this together.", Naruto said.

Kakashi looked at Sasuke and asked, "And you? You must not have anything to do with them, right?"

"No, I agreed to let her have the food. If we're in a team, she might as well be of help.", Sasuke said standing up in a defensive stance.

"Naruto, Sasuke-kun…….Thank you.", Sakura said looking at them.

"So none of you regret doing this?", Kakashi looked at them giving off massive killing intent.

"No, we don't!", all of them said.

"Then get ready to account for your actions! Whatever happens is now your own responsibility, got that? All of youuuu…….", Kakashi said extending his palm judging each of them if there was any doubt.

They stood in defensive position ready to expect anything.

"………pass!"

"………"

"………"

"………"

"I said all of you pass!", Kakashi said giving a thumbs up and an eye-smile.

"Huuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh?!", all of the shouted.

"But Sensei, we didn't listen to your orders and you said……", Sakura asked.

"Listen to me and keep this in mind for all your life. 'A ninja who breaks the rules is scum, but the one who abandons his friends is even worse than scum.' Never leave each other's backs no matter what. That's the first lesson I deem needed to be taught to every shinobi.", Kakashi said.

"So, does that mean…..", Naruto asked to get a clear confirmation to make sure.

"Yes. Team 7 is officially formed!", Kakashi announced.

"Yeeeeeaaaahhhhhhh!", Naruto jumped while shouting.

Sasuke was now visibly a little relaxed and Sakura was looking happy.

Naruto immediately pulled out a kunai and threw it at the rope knot this untying Sakura from the pole.

"Whoa, hey easy there baka I could have been injured. You might be good and all at this but don't make me a target.", Sakura said.

"Hehe, sorry. Will take care next time.", Naruto said.

"Like there's ever gonna be a next time too.", Sakura humphed sarcastically.

She immediately went to Sasuke and said, "Listen Sasuke-kun, let's go have a lunch date somewhere."

"Not intereste--", Sasuke said but was cut off.

"That's a great idea! We can all go to lunch. At Ichiraku's. And treat will be on Kakashi-sensei!", Naruto said grinning.

"Hey, don't go deciding all that on your own.", Kakashi said lightly.

"Didn't you go there just this morning?", Sakura asked.

"I can go on ramen for even dinner if I want.", Naruto said laughing.

"Fine, if someone else is treating I guess I'll tag along. I'm still hungry anyways. That lunch box wasn't half good.", Sasuke said walking away. Sakura followed suit.

"Well, you can finish that book of yours now can't you?", Kakashi said sighing.

"Hell yes. It's at a very interesting stealth part. If you know what I mean.", Naruto said smirking.

Kakashi having read all the books multiple times knew everything by heart. He realised exactly which peeking on the women part Naruto was referring to.

"Ahem. I think it's better if you don't discuss it around. Try to keep those things to yourself.", Kakashi said looking away thankful that his awkward expression was mostly hidden under the mask.

Naruto replied, "Oh, unlike you who keeps reading this part in public which depicts how a blonde maiden with silky smooth legs and ample assets managed to lay down with a handsome young man and attacked him with those luscious --",

Kakashi turned his face back at him again only to find him reading his very book and instantly snatched it from his hand. He was truly red faced this time and it was even visible on his upper cheeks.

Reaching into his pouch, he knew that it was his own since it was nowhere to be found.

"When did you--", he asked bewildered.

"Oh this, I don't know. Maybe when you weren't looking. ;)", Naruto said as he let a little I-know-something-you-don't expression.

Before Kakashi could say anything, Naruto said, "Well, I'm gonna go catch up with those two for now. See you at Ichiraku's, Sensei!" and vanished in a Shunshin.

'I am completely sure that I kept an eye on Naruto ever since the test had ended. And I had this book with me until when I was in the forest fighting him.', Kakashi thought walking towards his destination.

'There's no way that he could have got his hands later on. He never ever came near enough after he had healed my injuries.', he thought and suddenly stopped in his tracks.

'So that means he had already swapped the book from me during the test without me even getting a hint of it. I'm almost positive he did it somehow when I was paralyzed. And here I thought that I had at least saved my image in front of others not letting a kid get the bells from me. But it seems I have been completely outdone. If he got the book, he could easily have gone for the bells instead. This kid is just something else.', he thought and couldn't suppress a wholehearted laugh.

---

Scene Break and Time Skip

(At Ichiraku's Ramen)

"Welcome to Ichiraku's Ramen. What would you like to have today?", a feminine voice said.

Kakashi had just entered the stall as he remained true to the promise that he'd have to treat them to lunch. The one attending to her customer was Ayame.

"Umm, yeah. A bowl of Shoyu ramen, please.", Kakashi replied looking to take a seat. He hadn't really visited this shop much before. The last time he remembered coming here was when he'd act as a bodyguard to--

Not the time for old memories to come up.

"Coming right up! Wait for some time as we prepa--", Ayame said but was interrupted by Naruto.

"Wait, what's with that bland flavour. Ayame nee-chan, one bowl of Naruto special Miso Chashi Ramen for Kakashi-sensei too please!"

Kakashi looked at the trio sitting next to each other having the same kind of ramen he had never heard of before.

"Oh, so he's your Sensei, Naruto? It's nice to meet you. Have a seat. Since it's his team's first visit to our shop, I'll throw in everything at half the price.", Teuchi said turning towards the counter while preparing the ramen.

"Uhh, thanks. Looks like you're popular here Naruto.", Kakashi joked.

"Oh, he's our number one customer. I'll have more profit in my ledger by the end of this meal compared to whatever I would earn the whole afternoon without him. Don't assume you're saved, you'd still be paying at least half of whatever your wallet has.", Teuchi commented back.

Kakashi looked at Naruto who had almost completed the bowl which was full when he came inside the stall. Looking at that, the store owner probably wasn't kidding.

Oh well, whatever, he thought and took a seat.

After a few minutes, Kakashi's bowl was served. The seating was such that Sasuke was on one end with Sakura sitting just beside him. She was constantly trying to get him into a conversation while he just replied in short or ignored her completely.

Naruto was next slurping up his Ramen noisily and then Kakashi next with the fifth seat being empty. It was lunch time yet most people tended to avoid coming here to eat hot ramen on such tropical days in the afternoon.

"So how did you do it?", Kakashi asked quietly.

"Hmph, whaddya doet and hoow?", Naruto asked gobbling up his third bowl of ramen.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth. And you know what I'm talking about.", Kakashi replied.

Naruto gulped all of the noodles in his mouth at once and said, "I told you. You weren't looking. You couldn't, actually. I'm not telling you just yet. Maybe I'll surprise you once more."

"Not that again. Oh well, I guess it's fine. So what do you plan to do from now on?", Kakashi asked again not acknowledging the bowl of ramen in front of himself.

"I don't know. My first goal was to be strong and knowledgeable so I could become a good ninja. Brawns or brains alone can take someone only as far. (Unless they have plot armour xD.) And I already said that my dream is to become the Hokage. Whatever lies in the way I'm ready to take on.", Naruto said.

"Appreciate your resolve but that's a very crude answer. You have to set a goal on something in the near future. The ladder to success too has rungs that you will have to climb. Keep in mind that your goal is one of the toughest to achieve, although I am positive that you can make it.", Kakashi said.

"I know, baby steps. Well, I have a teacher now, don't I? I guess I'll take guidance from you. Considering you're one of the legends around here, I'd say I'm pretty lucky.", Naruto said grinning.

"Come on, that's the best you could come up with. You virtually took the bells from me. What could I possibly teach you?", Kakashi said.

"You know that if we'd do the same thing all over again I'd easily lose. I just had numerous elements of surprise. You have years of battle experience. I just have field practice. There's no doubt I have to learn a lot from you. Maybe I could get you to teach me that Lightning Jutsu. It was easily the best I had ever seen in Raiton.", Naruto said.

"I'm afraid that it won't be possible. You could learn Chidori but it won't be useful in battle unless you have a Sharingan. I learnt that the hard way. Also, it's not meant for dealing damage. It's an assassination technique. Quite useful in ANBU Black Ops, but not in regular combat.", Kakashi said.

Naruto had a visible dejected look on his face but covered it up and said softly, "I see. Sasuke would be glad to hear he might be able to learn some super high level jutsu while I can't. Well, I guess it can't be helped. Maybe I could use some help with Katon. I can't perform any jutsu that would actually be useful in battle."

"So you do know Katon as well? Five nature transformations, I don't even know what to say.", Kakashi said.

"Yeah, unfortunately there's not much I can do right now using it in battle as I said already. For example……", Naruto said.

He turned his palm towards Kakashi's bowl of ramen and it suddenly slided towards him. Kakashi looked at him wide eyed.

"My affinity is Wind. It's the easiest to perform for me. Although it's also a little tough to handle though.", Naruto explained.

He wrapped the bowl around with his hands. It had been rendered completely cold because Kakashi was too engaged in conversation that he didn't even pick up his chopsticks.

Kakashi waited for a few seconds and saw that the ramen had started boiling as if it was just taken out of the pan.

"I have good control over chakra. So I can perform small tasks like this. Although in large scale attacks, I always end up overdoing or limiting it, depleting most of the power behind the attack or damage myself or mostly, both", Naruto said showing his hands after giving back the bowl in front of Kakashi.

They were completely reddened and almost blistered in some parts although were being rapidly healed. He then went back to eating his ramen and so did Kakashi.

"I think we can work on that. Although I'm mostly an expert at Raiton, well oriented with Doton and Suiton, I can still do the basic attacks using Katon. The only element I can't use is Wind. It's extremely delicate to handle as well as destructive at the same time. You got a good hang of it with your chakra control, to the point that you could coat your blade with it and cut the net without me noticing it.", Kakashi said.

Naruto nodded gulping down the broth of another bowl.

"Well, I guess I don't have many defensive jutsus. Maybe something with Raiton might be useful", he said.

"We need to work on your agility too. Your movements were far too clumsy compared to your strength. The enemy won't always be on the defense. If you aren't able to land an attack or dodge, then that strength is meaningless.", Kakashi said.

Naruto stopped eating midway with the noodles hanging from his mouth. He looked at Kakashi like he had forgot something very important. Once again he slurped all of them at once.

"It's good that I passed. Or else I'd never be able to forgive myself for this. I had completely forgotten since I was too focused on getting him electrocuted.", Naruto said to himself.

"What do you mean?", Kakashi asked picking it up.

"It's nothing. I'll tell you later.", Naruto said.

Kakashi dropped it knowing that he'd tell him when he finds the suitable time.

Naruto finished his 15th bowl and burped loudly.

"Man, that was some great food. You're the best, oji-san.", he said.

Rest of them had also finished their respective meals and thanked the owner for making such delicious food. The treat was on Kakashi, of course.

The Genin were standing outside while Kakashi had waited for the owner to get the change.

"So guys, I hope you all had fun. Because I'm not going to do that everyday.", Kakashi said.

"Yeah yeah, just be on time. That would be more than enough for us.", Naruto said getting a prompt agreement from the rest two.

"Hahaha, I guess I'll try. You can now go do whatever you want, take some time off. We'll start our missions from next week. Especially Naruto, get to the hospital and get your wound dressed.", Kakashi replied.

"What wound?", Sakura asked blankly.

"Oh, it's nothing. I had a minor graze on my left shoulder. Don't worry I will.", Naruto said pointing towards the cloth.

'When did he get that wound? Kakashi made light of me before he came to the battle. Is it possible that he managed to force Kakashi into attacking him? I have to get even stronger. I am an Uchiha, if I can't even get stronger than Naruto, there's no way I'll surpass him!', Sasuke thought.

"With that, I'll be going. I have to fill up official paperwork regarding the enrollment of the Team 7 in the roster.", Kakashi said as he held his hand up conveying goodbye and disappeared in a whirl of leaves.

"You guys wanna do something together?", Naruto asked.

"That's a nice idea, we could hang out in the next few days.", Sakura said liking the idea of spending time with Sasuke although Naruto would be there.

"I'll pass. I'd rather train than fool around with you guys.", Sasuke said and started walking away.

"What about you, Sakura? Still up for it?", Naruto asked.

"What? No, you baka. If Sasuke-kun's not coming, I'm not going either. Wait for me, Sasuke-kun!", Sakura said and ran away catching up to her supposedly beloved.

"Phew. Guess I'll have to wait for another week to get missions. How boring, I wish something interesting happens!", Naruto said as he walked away.

---

Scene Break and Time Skip

(At Hokage office)

"You mean to say that he got the bells from you? Then why doesn't the report say so?", the Hokage asked.

"Not technically, Sir. But he got me good. He could have snatched them but instead went for my book. Also, I had been paralyzed, the matter was just the time elapsed.", Kakashi said.

"Oh, I see. Pranking people. Typical Naruto behaviour.", the Hokage said and laughed.

"Hokage-sama, I was wondering if I was the right person to take up his training.", Kakashi said.

"I have no doubt that you are the only person suitable to train both Naruto and Sasuke. Keep faith in yourself.", the Hokage said.

"Yes, but a very unfortunate incident could have occurred today. It was just a chance that it could be averted.", Kakashi said.

"You must be talking about the Raikiri. Now I can't say I approve of you using such a dangerous technique against someone who is not an enemy and certainly not against someone who is not even a Genin yet.", the Hokage said.

Kakashi was looking for someone to tell him that he did wrong. He tried to say something but the Hokage beat him to it.

"But, this one is forgivable. With Naruto involved, any condition can go out of hand no matter who's looking out for him. You certainly didn't expect him to whip out a Fūton jutsu, did you? It was just an accident. He needs your guidance and support to get stronger. You know very well that he is the Jinchuriki of the Kyūbi. He might be stronger than your average ninja but the people after him are far above his league, and you know that.", the Hokage said.

Kakashi nodded in understanding and bowed. "Yes Sir, I understand. I will try to do my best. I'll take my leave, then?"

The Hokage nodded and said, "You're dismissed."

---

Time Skip

"Listen to me, Hiruzen. You can still fail him. Sending out a Jinchuriki to missions is quite dangerous. I have told you this time and time again, but you never listen. Not the last time and not even this time.", the old war hawk said.

"Danzou, Naruto is also a human. I can't keep him caged like a wild animal. If he wishes to become a shinobi, who am I to stop him.", the Hokage replied.

Danzou had requested to be granted an audience with the Sandaime as soon as he heard that Kakashi had actually passed Naruto and the others. He was currently trying to persuade him to not let Naruto be regarded as a ninja and sent on missions.

"You know how it should be, Hiruzen. A Jinchuriki should stay in the village under protection. Unlike you, Shodaime-sama had made sure of this when the Kyūbi was first sealed away.", Danzou said.

"Don't give me twisted explanations, Danzou. I know fully well that Mito-sama had willingly decided to stay in the village and she was under no obligation to do so.", the Hokage replied.

"You love peace doesn't mean that everyone else does. What explanation will you give if the boy is captured by another village and the tailed beast is extracted from him?!", Danzou asked raising his voice.

"That is why I have placed him on a team with the most capable shinobi I know. Don't say it like I don't know what's best for the village. But every person here is my family and equal in my eyes, including Naruto.", Hiruzen said.

"That same old benevolence hasn't left you even in senility. When it comes to the time of crisis, remembered this, your lenity will surely cause your downfall. I can't bear to see Konoha crumbling down to such weak standards today compared to when we were the sole militaristic might among all the nations.", Danzou said and walked away gritting his teeth.

As he closed the door, Hiruzen thought to himself, 'Ah, it seems old age is getting to me. I don't even know how to make him realise that power is not everything a village needs.'

He looked out of the window and whispered, "Still, I saw that look in his eyes. He'll attempt to do something or the other for what he seems fit. I'll have to do whatever it takes to protect the boy too. Naruto, it seems that the time has come. I hope you are ready to face the truth."

---

Oh man, that took a lot of time. I had my exams February to April, so wasn't able to write. Finished most of it in May.

Lockdown helps sit home and lets you write cool mindedly.

So I don't think there's much to say from my side, just that you all stay safe and happy!

Anything you guys wanna say can leave here in reviews, or PM me, or ask on Discord. It would be appreciated. Already left the invite link somewhere before for Discord. Might be in my profile too.

Until next time. Goodbye!