"No way!" Iruka breathed as he looked over the book. The Hokage set down his now-empty tea cup and listened. "Kakashi... hasn't passed a single person this whole time..."

"Iruka..." Hiruzen laced his fingers together, bring his hands in front of his mouth as he rested his elbows on the table. "Even I don't know if it's good for those kids to become Shinobi right away... However, Kakashi's past judgments were correct."

Iruka's eyes wandered from the Hokage back down to the book in silence.

"No way!" Naruto struggled against his restraints and protested. "Quit being Ninja? What do you mean? I mean... It's true we weren't able to take the bells, but why do we have to be told to quit?!"

Kakashi placed both hands on his hips. "That's because you're all squirts who don't have the qualifications to become Ninja."

Sasuke glared and stood abruptly, rushing at Kakashi with a Kunai drawn.

Sakura and Naruto's eyes widened as Kakashi effortlessly redirected Sasuke's attack and pinned him on the ground, sitting on him to hold him in place.

"I'm saying you're squirts." Kakashi repeated, placing his foot on Sasuke's head as he continued to glare menacingly.

"Sasuke!" Sakura kept quiet though her hands were trembling. "Don't step on Sasuke with your dirty feet!"

Sasuke grimaced as his cheek was pressed to the ground and Kakashi looked up at the other two Genin.

"Are you kids thinking that being a Ninja is easy? Huh?" His eyes narrowed. "Why do you think you're doing this exercise in teams?"

"H-Huh?" Sakura spoke up. "What do you mean?"

"To put it simply..." Kakashi explained. "It's as if you guys have no understanding of the answer to this test."

Naruto frowned. "Answer?"

"Yes. The answer that determines the passing or failing of this test."

"Well... that's... what I've wanted to ask about for a while now." Sakura looked between Sasuke and their Sensei.

"Man, are you guys brainless or what?" Kakashi scoffed and muttered. "Don't you get the meaning of the three-man-squad?!"

Naruto groaned loudly. "Jeez! What's the deal with three people to a squad?!"

"That's... teamwork!" Kakashi looked between them as their eyes widened.

"Huh?" Sakura replied carefully. "You mean... working together?"

"Exactly. But it's too late even if you realize it now." Kakashi's gaze narrowed. "You might've been able to take the bells if the three of you had come at me at once..." He shrugged. "Well, it's too bad."

Sakura's eyes fell to the pair of bells. "Now, wait a minute..."She looked back up at the Jonin. "Why use teamwork if there were only two bells? If the three of us were to desperately take the bells with one having to hold back, that wouldn't be teamwork. That'd create internal discord."

"Of course!" Kakashi answered simply. "This is a test set up to purposefully set you against each other. It's just under such conditions where one's own interests aren't the issue. The intention was to select those who could prioritize teamwork..."

"Despite this, you fools..." He glanced down at Sasuke, and then to Sakura and Naruto. "Sakura!"

Sakura straightened as he called her name.

"You were only concerned with Sasuke and you didn't even know where he was. And you neglected Naruto, who was right in front of your eyes..."

Sakura blushed and looked at her feet.

"Naruto! All you do is run solo..."

Naruto clenched his jaw and averted his eyes. "Darn..."

"And you..." He pressed Sasuke's face closer to the ground. "You labeled the other two as hindrances and acted on your own..."

Kakashi looked between the three again. "Missions are carried out in squads! There's no mistaking that Ninjas need unsurpassed individual skills... but teamwork is considered more important than that. Individual actions that disrupt teamwork throw the team into crisis and lead to death..."

"For example..." He reached behind him and drew a Kunai, holding it to Sasuke's neck. "Sakura! Kill Naruto, or else Sasuke dies!"

Naruto went pale and he quickly stared at Sakura, sweat forming on his brow. "W-What? Whaaaat?!"

"...is what will happen." Kakashi removed the Kunai from Sasuke's throat.

"Oh, I was so surprised." Sakura sighed heavily in relief.

Naruto let out a long sigh. "Phew..."

"On top of having a hostage taken," Kakashi spun the Kunai around his finger as he spoke. "You're faced with two impossible choices and will end up being killed." He grasped the Kunai to stop its spinning and returned it to his pouch, standing and freeing Sasuke.

"Every mission is a life-risking assignment."

Sasuke remained on the ground for a moment before slowly getting to his feet and the trio watched their teacher approach the monument stone.

"The many names engraved on this stone... These are all Ninja who are called heroes in the village."

"Heroes?" Naruto grinned to himself and then laughed. "That-that-that! I like that! I've decided now to get my name engraved there, too! A hero! A hero! I'm not going to die like a dog!"

Kakashi turned slightly to face the Uzumaki boy with his hands in his pockets. "Naruto, they're not just ordinary heroes."

"No kidding!" Naruto kicked his legs and chuckled. "What kind of heroes are they?"

Kakashi turned his attention back to the stone and did not reply.

"Hey! Hey!" Naruto called out to him.

"They are heroes who were killed in action." Kakashi finally answered and Naruto's smile wavered.

"Killed in action?"

"It means they died while on a mission." Sakura turned to him with a knot forming in her stomach.

Naruto's face fell and he was speechless as he stared at the ground.

"This is a memorial." Kakashi explained. "The names of my friends are also engraved here..."

Sasuke averted his eyes and Sakura bit her lip. A soft breeze blew between them and there was a moment of silence.

Kakashi turned to eye the solemn trio. "I'll give you guys one more chance!" He turned to fully face them. "However, after noon it'll be a harsher battle to take the bell. Those who want to take on the challenge can eat lunch. However," He looked between Sakura and Sasuke. "Don't let Naruto have any."

"Eh?!" Naruto shot a look at the teacher and gritted his teeth, but kept quiet.

"It's punishment for breaking the rules and attempting to eat lunch on your own." Kakashi stuck his hands into his pockets and approached the Genin." His gaze moved from Naruto to the other two and narrowed his eyes. "If someone lets him eat... that person will be disqualified on the spot."

Naruto's mouth hung open as he blinked and Sakura frowned slightly and looked at him from the corner of her eyes. Sasuke exhaled a hot breath and glanced at Naruto, then back to Kakashi.

Kakashi's voice lowered to a threatening whisper. "I make the rules here. Got it?"

"I must be going now." Iruka stood in the doorway and looked at the Hokage, who remained sitting at the table with his hands clasped in thought.

"Listen to me, Iruka." Hiruzen spoke up and fixed his eyes on the younger man.

"Hm?"

"No matter what the result, don't hold it against Kakashi..."

Iruka stood in silence for a moment before bowing shortly. "...Alright."

Sasuke and Sakura accepted the boxed lunches Kakashi had given them and began to eat once he had left the area. Naruto's mouth watered as he looked between the lunches and his stomach growled loudly. Sakura and Sasuke turned to him as he groaned and made a face.

"I'm okay with not eating lunch! No sweat!" Naruto shouted out suddenly with his eyes shut tightly. His stomach growled louder and he opened his eyes at the pain that accompanied it, staring at the empty air in front of him. "No... sweat..." He sighed and shut his eyes as he hung his head.

Sasuke chewed slowly and then swallowed, watching Naruto out of the corner of his eye.

"Here."

He held up his lunch to Naruto, who opened his eyes wide. "H-Huh?"

Sakura looked over at him quickly in concern as she looked around for Kakashi. "H-Hey, Sasuke... Sensei just said..."

"It's okay. There's no sign of him now." Sasuke answered and Naruto stared at him with his eyes wide and his mouth open. "The three of us are going to go take the bells together. It'll be trouble for me if he becomes a hindrance, so..."

"Sasuke..." Sakura lowered her hand and gazed down at her lunch, then swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. She screwed up her face and held out the meal to Naruto with her eyes closed.

Naruto's eyes widened further, then moistened as he sniffed. "S-Sakura-chan..."

Her eyes cracked open to peer at him, and then she smiled faintly.

"T-Thanks..." Naruto's eyes threatened to spill over with tears as he watched Sakura.

"Don't thank me. Just hurry up and eat."

Naruto began to smile and then his expression fell. "But..."

"I'm on... a diet." She paused. "I mean, I just eat less than Sasuke. So, you don't need to worry."

"Oh..." He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers and wiggling against the rope. "But..."

"Wha—?!" Sakura stared at him, her eye twitching.

"Hurry it up. We don't know when he'll be back..." Sasuke kept watch around them and Sakura let out a heavy sigh.

"It's just this one time." Her cheeks flushed and she met Naruto's eyes. "Okay?! You got it?!"

"I got it." Naruto grinned and opened his mouth expectantly.

She picked up a bite of rice with the chopsticks and frowned as she held it up to his mouth, keeping her hand steady as she placed the bite into his mouth. He hummed happily as he chewed and Sakura made a face, though continued to feed him another bite.

As Naruto swallowed, Kakashi appeared in front of them in a large cloud of smoke.

"You three!" Kakashi yelled and emerged from the smoke.

"Yikes!" Naruto screamed and thrashed against his restraints, tears welling in his eyes in fear.

Sakura dropped the lunch and held up her arms to block the smoke and wind from her face and screamed in panic. Sasuke furrowed his brows and took a defensive stance as he watched the Jonin.

"You defied the rules so that means you know what's coming..." Kakashi stood at his full height and formed a series of hand signs. The sky overhead darkened and storm clouds crackled and thunder above them as the ground trembled. "Do you have... something to say for yourselves?"

Sakura covered her head and shut her eyes, not daring to look at him or speak. Sasuke glowered and Naruto's teeth chattered and he stammered.

"B-But, you see..."

"What?" Kakashi glared down at the blond boy as lightning filled the sky.

"But! But! But!" Naruto spoke up quickly, wriggling and kicking his legs. "You said, Sensei! These guys..."

He glanced at Sasuke, who met his eyes, then turned to Kakashi. "We're a three-man squad, right?"

Sakura cracked her eyes opened and clenched her fists. "T-That's right! The three of us are one, so..."

Naruto looked between them and then shouted again, kicking more vigorously. "That's right! That's right! That's right!"

"The three of you are one, eh?" Kakashi approached them with an icy look and bent at the waist, putting his hands on his hips to look at the Genin. They held their breaths in anticipation and he smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling shut. "In that case... you pass!"

Sakura blinked and lowered her hands. "What?!"

Naruto tilted his head to the side. "Whaaaat?!"

Sasuke maintained his steady glare with his hand hovering over his Kunai sheath.

"You. Pass." Kakashi repeated, still smiling.

"We... passed?!" Sakura asked softly. "Why?!"

The dark clouds cleared and the sun shone brightly over them again.

"You guys are the first. Up until now, it was always just dunces who would meekly listen to what I said." Kakashi straightened and put his hands into his pockets. "A Ninja must see through deception... In the world of Ninja, those who break rules and codes are branded as garbage... But... those who don't cherish their friends are worse than garbage."

Sakura smiled and laughed quietly to herself at the news, while Naruto's eyes filled with tears and he struggled to keep them from flowing freely.

Sasuke smirked and closing his eyes momentarily. "Hmph."

"He's... He's... kinda... cool..." Naruto muttered.

"That's it for the exercise... Everyone passes!" Kakashi announced and held up a big thumbs-up. "Group Seven starts their first mission tomorrow!"

"Yes, sir!" Sakura jumped with joy but Sasuke remained stoic.

"I did it! I'm a Ninja!" Naruto's eyes overflowed and he kicked in celebration. "Ninja! Ninja! Ninja!"

Kakashi turned and spoke over his shoulder as he began to walk away. "Let's go back now."

Sasuke and Sakura stood and followed him, but Naruto struggled against the ropes.

"H-Hey! Wait!" He glared. "I knew this is how it would turn out! Untie the rope! Don't leave me here!"

His team continued to walk away and he clenched his teeth. "Why, when I get out of here..."

"Need some help?"

Naruto turned to see Natsumi suddenly behind him now, smiling from ear-to-ear.

"Natsumi!" Naruto wiggled in excitement. "How long have you been here?"

"Only about ten minutes." Natsumi retrieved a Kunai knife and cut the rope, careful to avoid hurting her brother. "I wanted to step in sooner, but your Sensei wouldn't let me."

She smiled sheepishly and shrugged as he tore himself away from the post and rubbed his arms and chest where the binding had chafed.

Kakashi stopped walking to look back at the twins, and Sasuke and Sakura did the same.

"H-Huh?" Sakura watched Natsumi for a moment. "W-When did she get here?!"

Natsumi met her eyes and forced herself to lift her hand in a wave.

"Hey, hey!" Naruto looked up at his twin. "I thought you had your own stuff you had to do today?"

"Well... about that..." Natsumi laughed under her breath and scratched her cheek, blushing faintly. "You see, when we were training, I accidentally exhausted my Chakra and passed out. Sena told me that I had to take the rest of the day off to recover, so I thought I'd come looking for you."

Naruto crossed his arms and turned to stare down his team as they came closer. "S-So! You'll come back to see Natsumi, but you left me behind?!"

Natsumi laughed, meeting Kakashi's eyes briefly before tearing her gaze away back to Naruto, her cheeks warm.

"I-I'm sure it was just some kind of test to see if you could get out... or something." She looked between the team and her gaze rested on Naruto. "So, what have you guys been up to?"

Naruto blinked and chuckled, scratching his head. "Well, you see, we had to fight Kakashi and take bells from him." He pointed a thumb at himself and smirked. "You should have seen me!"

"You probably were the one carrying the team, I bet." Natsumi giggled and winked. Sakura rolled her eyes as Sasuke scoffed.

Kakashi chuckled. "He actually managed to come up with a somewhat decent strategy... when he didn't foolishly walk into traps."

Natsumi stifled another giggle as Naruto stuck out his lip and furrowed his brows, pointing at the Jonin suddenly.

"Admit it! I almost had you!"

"Naruto, you weren't even close!" Sakura scolded and then sighed. "Although, you did better than me."

"Hmph!" Naruto scowled and then grasped Natsumi's shoulder. "At least Natsumi believes in my skill."

He turned to his twin, who stood completely rigid and pale. "H-Huh? Natsumi?"

Natsumi's eyes fell on his hand that grasped her left shoulder and a small, squeaking scream spilled from her lips. Kakashi's eyes fell on her knowingly and he raised a hand.

"Hey, Naruto... You should probably let go."

"Why?"

Natsumi trembled as the scream dragged on in almost a whisper.

"Because it appears that she has an injury from her training earlier, and you're aggravating it."

Naruto's eyes widened and he quickly released her arm. Her scream stopped, but her face was still ghostly pale as she held a hand over the area where her jacket hid the bandaged tattoo.

"T-Thanks..."

"I-Injured?!" Naruto gulped and watched her expression carefully. "Are you alright?! Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Natsumi shook her head slowly, breathing out as the tattoo stung. "N-No. Sena already patched me up, and it wasn't that serious. I just have to be careful with it until it heals."

"Are you sure?" Naruto frowned, crossing his arms as he titled his head to the side.

"I'm sure." Natsumi forced a smile and laughed awkwardly. "Although, please avoid touching my arm until it heals. It feels like... I've been stabbed. Thousands... of times."

"T-That... t-that... doesn't make me feel any better!" Naruto clenched his fists and shot her a look. "How did you even get an injury anyway?!"

"Sparring a Jonin." Natsumi answered in a murmur and the other Genin turned to look at her as Kakashi watched.

"You what?" Sakura stared at her in disbelief.

"Did you win?" Naruto started to smile and Natsumi laughed again, fiddling with the bottom of her jacket.

"Well, obviously not, since I was injured." She smiled faintly through the half-truth. "Although I did land one strike, but that was mostly luck."

Naruto's eyes widened and he grasped her shoulders. "Woah! My sister is so cool! When did that happen?"

Natsumi clenched her teeth and gently removed his hand from her left shoulder. "I-It was just a fluke. After that one hit, my Chakra was depleted and I fainted." She shrugged. "That's not very impressive."

Sasuke looked the redhead over and met her eyes, remaining quiet.

"B-But... you actually managed to hit a Jonin?" Sakura watched her nod. "She's even scarier than I already thought she was! Even if it was a fluke... I couldn't even get close to Sensei like that..."

"It was really nothing impressive." Natsumi blushed. "All I did was scratch her, and I overexerted myself just doing that. It's pretty embarrassing to think about."

Sasuke stuck his hands into his pockets and looked between the twins. "If that's the case... then she must be at my own level or close to it... and an entirely different caliber than Naruto."

"You'll have to tell me about it, later, okay?" Naruto grinned and nudged her, carefully avoiding her arm.

"I don't really remember it very well. Sena says that can happen with Chakra exhaustion, but I'll be back to normal in a few days, so don't worry." She let out a short breath and smiled. "Anyway..." Natsumi stuck her hands into her pocket. "Sena and Kiri wanted to try Ichiraku's sometime, so I was thinking we could go tonight with them if that's alright with you?" She eyed the rest of Team Seven. "Unless... you had plans with your Teammates?"

His mouth watered and his expression perked up. "Of course, we'll go! I'll never say no to Ramen! Let's go!"

Natsumi looked back to the team and then shook her head after a moment. "Actually... we can go tomorrow. You should really spend the rest of today with your team. After all, you'll need to be close to each other to work best together."

Naruto's smile faltered and he crossed his arms. "H-Huh? Are you sure? You could come with us."

She shook her head again and waved her hand. "I'm sure! I don't want to get in the way of team bonding anyway. There's plenty of chores for me to catch up on back at home that I've been putting off."

"Are you sure?" Sakura watched her carefully. "That look of hers... it seems like... she's lying?"

"Of course." Natsumi smiled at Naruto and ruffled his hair. "I'll see you later, alright?" She looked at the other Genin and waved. "Bye, Sakura. Bye, Emo."

"H-Hey, Natsumi—" Naruto reached out to stop her, but she disappeared quickly with the Body Flicker Technique. He blinked and lowered his arm slowly.

Kakashi turned slowly and began to walk. "Why don't we get lunch?"

"Alright!" Sakura stretched her arms above her head and followed Kakashi. Naruto stood in place, thinking, and she tugged on his sleeve. "Come on, Naruto."

He blushed faintly and looked at her before nodded. "Right..."