Pass or Fail: Survival Test

Kai stared deadpan at the older Jounin.

After their inspection of the newly Genin's home, Lord Hokage had left them to do what they wish until their time to go and pick up the three. So, here they are now. Walking leisurely out in the middle of the village. Where they are three hours late.

During those three hours, Kakashi had dragged the young girl around with him. The man, though you can only see part of his face, has been smiling the entire time with a skip in his steps. It made the young girl wonder if the Jounin was even self-aware of his actions.

Kai's cheeks turned a bit red when she noticed that some of the villagers looked their way for they rarely see the copy-cat ninja ever be happy out in public before. You could even see flowers dancing around him as the sun shines brighter. She sweatdropped when the man started chuckling out of nowhere.

"Uh, Kakashi. Shouldn't we go and meet your students now?" asked Kai, wondering how long the older Jounin was going to prolong from meeting them.

Kakashi looked down at her, smiling, "You mean our students."

She raised an eyebrow, "You do know that I'm only an assistant, right?"

He waved her off, "Minor details. The only important thing is that we'll be teaching them. Together."

When Kakashi saw that she hadn't understood his meaning, he inwardly sighed in disappointment.

"Well then, it seems we have made our students wait long enough. Let's go and meet them, shall we?"

With no argument, Kai nodded and followed Kakashi to the academy.

~Meanwhile~

Impatient and irritated at their Jounin-Sensei, who had yet to arrive, Naruto was pacing back and forth in front of his teammates. They had been waiting for their new Sensei to come and get them ever since after lunch hour.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto stomped his way towards the door and slid it open. Peering down both sides of the hallway, he had hoped to see at least a Jounin walking towards their room. However, the hall was empty and lifeless.

"Naruto!" shouted Sakura. "Just sit down!"

She was getting irritated just watching the blond's action of impatient. Even though she too, was starting to get impatient waiting for their new Sensei, she didn't want to make herself look bad in front of the Uchiha. The boy whom she had admired and crushed on since she was very young.

Naruto looks at her over his shoulder from still looking out into the hallway, "I don't want to. How come our teacher's the only one that's late? I'm ready to roll. Believe it."

Sasuke inwardly sighed at the blond.

"The other group's already met their new teachers and took off on some adventure or something, and Iruka-sensei's gone too," finished Naruto, now facing them. His fists clenched in front of him.

Sakura sighed in annoyance, "We know, ok?"

Hearing a loud thumping noise, she looked over, "Hey! What are you doing?"

Curious, Sasuke had looked over and seen that Naruto had grabbed a stool and was now standing on it as he put a chalk eraser in the gap of the sliding door. He silently huffed, wondering how Kai could stand to be around the laughing boy. He didn't even take being a ninja seriously.

Seeing what he was doing, Sakura put her hands on her hips, "Naruto!"

Still laughing, the boy turned to her, "That's what he gets for coming late." With a final shout, he jumped, "Surprise!"

Looking at the prank, Sakura huffed, "You're asking for trouble. You know you shouldn't do that."

Though she may have said that on the outside, she was actually looking forward to it inwardly.

Sasuke scoffed, "Our teacher's a Jounin- an elite ninja. You think he'd fall for that?"

Hearing his words, Sakura quickly agreed, "Sasuke's right. You're so clueless, Naruto."

They all quickly quieted down when they saw a hand grab for the opened gap. Holding their breath, they all watched closely as the hand slowly pushed the door open a little wider.

Walking through the door was none other than Kakashi, who did nothing about the eraser when it fell on his head.

It was quiet for a few seconds until Naruto burst out laughing, pointing, "I got him. He totally fell for it."

Internally laughing at what happened, Sakura played it off by being innocent, "I'm sorry, Sensei. I told him not to do it, but he wouldn't listen. I'd never do anything like that."

'He actually fell for that cheap trick,' brooded Sasuke, narrowing his eyes at the masked man. 'Is this guy really a Jounin?'

After having their short laughter, Kakashi picked up the eraser from the floor and hummed, "How can I put this? My first impression of this group— you're a bunch of idiots."

The three fell crestfallen at his words. However, Naruto did a double-take when he took a closer look at their Jounin sensei. He narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms in front of him, 'Huh? This guy looks really familiar.'

He didn't get to dwell on it until a familiar voice spoke up, perking the two boys in the room.

"What's the hold-up?"

Turning to the doorway, both boys were elated to see Kai. Before Kakashi could reply, Naruto zoomed past him and latched himself onto the girl.

"Kai!" exclaimed Naruto, giving her a bright smile.

The older girl smiled down at him, ruffling his hair, "Hey there, Naruto."

Knowing how the excitable blond is around his unknown older sister, Kakashi quickly intervened, "Since everyone is here, let's all go to the rooftop."

Looking over at him, Kai smiled and nodded before looking down at the three, "I'll see you three up there."

With a sign, both Jounin poofed themselves out from the room. Leaving the three Genins still inside the classroom.

Laughing, Naruto started running out of the room, "I'm sitting next to Kai!"

His laughter stopped when he saw a black and blue blur running past him. Looking at the culprit, he saw the familiar back of a certain ravennette. His clan symbol plastered on the back of his shirt.

Turning his head to look at the blond over his shoulder, Sasuke smirked. Irked at the young Uchiha's taunt, Naruto yelled as he sprinted past him. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the challenge and started to race against Naruto, leaving a bewildered Sakura behind.

Blinking, Sakura's brain finally caught up when she noticed that the two had left her behind. She quickly ran after them, "W-wait up you two! Sasuke!"

Upon the rooftop, everyone was all finally gathered together. The Genins sat on the steps in front of the two Jounins, who both leaned on the rails behind them. Naruto was beaming in happiness to be having the sunset blonde in his group. This way, he could finally spend most of his time with her now. Heck, he couldn't wait to be going on missions with her either now that he doesn't have to wait for her to come back like he usually does. He smiled even brighter at that thought.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the blond in front of him, towards his left. He knew exactly what he was thinking about ever since they saw Kai entered the room after their new sensei. He couldn't really blame Naruto for being excited to be having the older girl in their group since he too has been ecstatic when he saw her. Though he didn't show it on the outside like the blond next to him is doing.

Sakura, on the other hand, didn't know whether she should scream or faint in excitement. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to be having the Kai Namikaze in her group. When she was little she had admired the "boy". She could still remember the day when she finally got to talk to him.

~Flashback~

Little eight-year-old Sakura was crying out in the middle of the forest within the village. She didn't want to admit it, but breaking her friendship with Ino was actually one of the hardest things she could have ever done. Now that they are rivals, that means she didn't have anyone else to hang out with or talk to anymore. She was all alone again.

Hearing the rustling of the bushes in front of her, her crying and sniffling stopped altogether as she looked at the bushes with wide-eyes. Her breath stuck in her throat while she waited for the culprit behind the bushes to reveal themselves.

Still waiting with bated breath, Sakura watched as the one and only Kai Namikaze came bounding out of the bushes. The sunset blonde was looking around, a lost and confused look on his face. Until his eyes landed on her, his expression changed to a look of concern.

Stepping out of the bushes, he walked up to her and knelt down, "Are you okay?"

Blushing at being caught crying by the young lord, Sakura quickly wipes her eye and tried her best to clean her nose of snot while looking away from him. Embarrassed to be seen by him in such a way.

She answered quietly with a nod, "Yes."

He frowned, "Are you sure? 'Cuz usually when a kid comes out here to cry, they're either lost or hurt."

Sakura could feel her eyes burning with tears again at how accurate he was with both.

Seeing that she was about to cry again, Kai started to panic, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry again."

He was cut-off when the small pink-haired girl rushed and slammed into him. Her tiny arms wrapping around his waist.

Caught off guard, Kai softly petted her head, "Umm… Are you okay?"

Sniffling, Sakura nodded.

Seeing as how the young girl wasn't going to be letting go of him anytime soon, Kai sighed before sitting down on the ground, his back to the tree. He could feel her arms tighten around his waist. Not knowing what to do, he softly patted her back. It felt a bit awkward since he usually ran away and hid from girls, especially since they always cling onto him like this.

Sniffling, Sakura looks up at him and blushes at how close she was to him. She couldn't help but be inwardly excited. She had always seen him walk around the village sometimes. Fangirls would be seen as they screamed and chased the young boy. However, compared to the girls who chase him and now, Sakura couldn't help but smile at how lucky she is at the moment. Of course, there were times where Ino would boast about how she always got to talk and touch the young lord. So now, she got a chance to rub this in her face now that they are rivals. Remembering that they are rivals and no longer friends, tears started to well up in her eyes again.

Seeing this, Kai frowned in concern, "What's wrong?"

Sniffing, the pink-haired girl looked up at him, "I'm all alone, again."

Confused, he asked, "Again? What happened?"

Wiping her tears, Sakura replied, "My friend, Ino, and I like this boy. But since both of us like him, we can't be friends. So now we're rivals."

Kai couldn't help but sweatdrop at the ridiculousness of how fragile girl's friendship with each other is. If their friendship is broken by just some boy getting in between them, it makes him wonder how girls stay friends for so long. Then again, he wouldn't know since girls always chased him instead of trying to talk to him.

Feeling the girl's tears wetting his shirt, Kai patted the girl's head, "Even though you two are rivals, it doesn't mean that both of you aren't friends. There are others who I know are rivals, yet they are still friends. Sure there may be some downsides and you guys will get into some fights. But that doesn't mean that your friendship is over."

Looking up at him, Sakura frowned sadly, "But we both like the same boy. How can we still be friends after that?"

Humming, Kai shrugged, "Well, that's between the two of you." He then smiled, "However, I have a feeling that it'll work out some time in the future."

Sakura sniffs, "You think so?"

He smiles, "I don't think. I know."

~End of Flashback~

Smiling at the memory, Sakura internally smiled smugly at how she couldn't wait to rub this in Ino's face.

Kai felt her nose itch, making her scratch it. She frowned. This always happens when someone was thinking about her. Mistaking her as a boy. Which was practically every day. But she learned to not scratch it anymore.

"All right," started Kakashi, gaining everyone's attention. "Why don't you introduce yourself one at a time?"

Confused, Sakura asked, "Introduce ourselves? Well, what are we supposed to say?"

The two Jounin looks at each other before Kakashi answered, "Things you like. Things you hate. Dreams for the future. Hobbies. Things like that."

Kai smiled, "Easy introduction."

"Why don't you tell us stuff first?" said Naruto, pointing at the silver-haired man. He was still trying to figure out where he had seen the man. But he couldn't remember where. All he knows is that it was an unpleasant experience and it made him angry.

"I mean, before we talk, tell us about you. So we can see how it's supposed to work," he finishes.

Kakashi points to himself, "Me? I'm Kakashi Hatake. Things I like and things I hate- I don't feel like telling you that."

They looked at him, confused. But both Naruto and Sakura were the ones to voice it out.

"Huh?"

"My dreams for the future- never really thought about it. As for my hobbies- I have lots of hobbies."

Sakura looked deadpan at the man before whispering to the boys, "That was totally useless. All he really told us was his name."

Naruto nodded, agreeing with her.

Kai chuckled, "Aw, you don't want to tell them your reading hobby?"

Crossing his arms in front of him, Kakashi smiled down at her, "They're still too young to know about it."

"Oh. And I'm old enough?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

He blushed and chuckled nervously, scratching his masked cheek, "Uh…"

Kai laughed at the embarrassed man.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, tightening his folded fingers. He glared at how the silver-haired Jounin was making Kai laugh. Seeing the girl that he had been crushing on since he had found out that she was a girl, being happy with another that wasn't him, made him angry. Not moving his glare from the man, Sasuke wonders how long these two have known each other for them to be so friendly and familiar with each other. He doesn't even remember this man being around the girl with the times that he has been with her.

They all focused back when Kakashi turned his attention back to them, "Okay, your turn. You on the right- you first."

Deciding to figure out who the man is later, Naruto excitedly introduced himself, "Believe it. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant Ramen in a cup, and I really like the Ramen Iruka-sensei got me at the Ichiraku noodle shop. Oh! And I also love to be with Kai! She's awesome! But I hate the three minutes you have to wait after you pour the water in the Ramen cup. And also when Kai goes on missions and leaves me behind."

He pouted at the last one but quickly perked back up, "My hobby is eating different kinds of Ramen and comparing them. And also to hang out with Kai whenever she has free time. And my future dream is to be the greatest Hokage. Then the whole village will stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I'm somebody- somebody important."

Kakashi sweatdropped, 'Well, he's grown up in a very interesting way.' He looked at the young girl standing next to him, 'Especially his big admiration for the girl.'

Kai chuckled at her little brother's introduction. He was as energetic as ever. She hopes he never changes.

Clearing his throat, Kakashi looked to the next person, "All right. Next."

Blushing that she now has the attention of the young lord on her, Sakura smiled and excitedly introduced herself, "I'm Sakura Haruno. What I like- uh- I mean, the person I like is- Uh, my hobby is- uh- My dream for the future is-"

Throughout her entire introduction, she had kept sneaking looks at Sasuke and Kai before ending it with a squeal.

Both Kai and Kakashi couldn't help but sweatdrop at the young girl's introduction. They had thought now that she had become a kunoichi, that she would take the ninja world a bit more seriously. Unfortunately, they have thought wrong.

"And- What do you hate?" Kakashi asked, wanting to get the introduction done and over with.

Sakura answered immediately, "Naruto!"

The said boy cried at the girl's harsh tone of his name. Kai couldn't help but chuckle nervously at seeing how devastated Naruto looked. She has to guess that he probably has a crush on her, so to hear her say that she hates him would hurt him emotionally. Sighing, Kai could only hope the best for her little brother.

Kakashi internally sighed, 'Girls her age are more interested in boys than in ninja training.'

He looked to the brooding boy, who was still glaring at him, "You're next."

Turning their attention to Sasuke, they all listened when he started speaking, "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things, and I don't particularly like anything, besides one person."

He had looked at Kai when he said the last part. Though no one had caught the look beside Kakashi. Kai didn't know that he had said that last part about her. She had only smile, thinking that he had probably found someone, besides her, to confide his worries and darkness in. But what she didn't know was that he had been talking about her.

"What I have is not a dream because I will make it a reality. I'm going to restore my clan and destroy a certain someone," he finishes.

Everyone was dead silent after he loudly declared his ambition for revenge. Naruto was sweating bullets, hoping that the ravenette didn't mean him. Sakura, on the other hand, had taken it quite the opposite. Apparently, his brooding introduction had only made her admire him even more.

'Just as I thought,' thought Kakashi, looking at the sunset blonde beside him.

Kai, knowing fully well what his answer for his dream was, frowned and internally sighed at his still wanting revenge on his brother. For his clan. She knew already. And no matter how much she wished to have helped swayed his revenge away, his anger for Itachi was too strong. That is unless he knew the actual truth.`

Deciding to lift the heavy atmosphere, Kakashi smiled down at the girl next to him, "Well, it looks like it's your turn, Kai. Saved the best for last."

Smiling, Kai looked at the Genins, "The name's Kai Namikaze. I like to spend time with Naruto, Sasuke, and those who are close to me whenever I have the time."

At her words, Naruto smiled brightly while Sasuke smirked behind his intertwined hands.

"What I hate… I haven't really thought much about it, to be honest," said Kai, scratching her cheek. "As for hobbies, I like to take walks and take time to enjoy the peace around me. Dreams…" She smiled at all of them, "To protect those who are dear to me."

Hearing Kai's words of introduction warmed everyone, making them admire her even more. Smiling, Kakashi was glad that she was able to clear the tense atmosphere and decided to speak up.

"Good. You're each unique, and you have your own ideas. We'll have our first mission tomorrow."

Something then struck Sakura, making her raise her hand in confusion, "Kakashi-sensei, why do we have two Jounin Senseis? The others only have one."

Hearing her question also got the other two curious about that. Looking back at Kakashi and Kai, they waited for their reply.

Both Kai and Kakashi looked at each other before turning to the three.

"You're correct on that one, Sakura. However, Lord Hokage assigned Kai to me so she would learn how to train her own squad when it's her time."

This peaked everyone's attention. They were excited how lucky their squad Sensei got the young Namikaze as his assistant. That just meant that they had more time to get to know and be with her.

Smiling, Naruto was ecstatic to have Kai be a part of his squad. However, he was more excited to finally start a mission with her. Excitedly raising his hand, he asked, "Uh, what kind of mission are we going to have?"

Looking at each other through their peripheral vision, Kakashi answered, "It's a task that the four of us will do together."

Itching to know what it is, Naruto asked excitedly, "What, what, what, what?"

"A survival exercise."

The three Genins frowned at his reply.

"Huh? Survival exercise?"

"I thought we were supposed to have a real mission, not more practice," said Sakura, confused on why they had to do a survival exercise again. "We already did this stuff at the Academy. That's how we got here."

Kai decided to answer this time, "But this isn't like your previous training."

Her reply confused the others this time.

"So, uh- so, uh, what kind of training is it then?" asked Naruto, wondering what it is if it was different from what they did in the Academy.

Instead of getting an answer right away, Kakashi started chuckling making Kai sweatdropped at the older Jounin's dramatic suspense. This makes her wonder if he had done this to some of his past students when he was introducing this to them.

Hearing their Sensei's laughter confused, yet creeped Sakura out. She didn't understand why he was laughing.

"Hey, hold on. That's a normal question. What's so funny?"

Chuckling, Kakashi replied, "Well, if I tell you the answer, you're not going to like it."

"Huh?" asked Naruto, not understanding what was wrong.

Seeing their confused state, Kakashi looked to Kai, "Would you like to explain, Kai?"

The said girl shrugged and started explaining, "Of the twenty-seven graduates who just came here, only nine will actually be accepted as Genin. The other eighteen will be weeded out and sent back to the Academy."

"In other words, this is a make it or break it- pass, fail test. And the chance that you'll fail is at least sixty-six percent," Kakashi finishes.

Their words shocked the three in front of them.

He smiled, "See? Didn't I tell you, you wouldn't like it?"

"That's crazy! We worked hard to get here. Believe it!" shouted Naruto, unbelieving that all of their hard work in the Academy was for nothing. "What was that graduation test for anyway?"

"Oh, that," said Kakashi. "That was just to select candidates who might become Genin- or not."

"What?!"

"That's how it is. I decide whether you pass or fail."

Standing straight from his leaning, Kakashi looked down at each and every one of them, "Be at the designated training spot at Five AM. And bring your ninja gear."

Both Jounin saw the determination looks that the three wore on their faces. However, they knew that those determinations would definitely be for the wrong reasons once they start the exercise tomorrow.

Sighing, Kakashi dismissed them, "That's it. You're dismissed."

Before he left, he gave them an instruction, "Oh, tomorrow you better skip breakfast, or else you'll puke."

His words made the three feel even more determined to beat this survival exercise. So, when he was about to take his leave, Naruto shouted out of nowhere. Shocking everyone at his sudden outburst.

"Ah! I remember where I saw you now! You're the guy who tried to take advantage of Kai two years ago!"

Eyes widening at the blond's remembrance of him, Kakashi nervously chuckles, "I think you may have mistaken me for someone else. Anyways, don't be late."

And with that, he poofed away. Leaving a dumbfounded Sakura and two enraged boys.

Standing up from where he sat, Naruto ran and jumped onto the railing, jumping off from it and onto another rooftop.

"Yeah right! Like anyone could mistake you for anyone else with that masked up face! Come back here!"

Confused at the boys' anger, Sakura turned to Sasuke beside her, "Uh, Sasuke. Why are you guys so mad at Kakashi-sensei?"

Ignoring her question, the ravennette got up and walked towards Kai. She was laughing nervously, scratching her cheek, "And here I thought that the two would've forgotten about that event."

Feeling someone grab her hand, Kai looked down and saw that it was Sasuke. She looked confused at him, "Sasuke?"

He didn't reply. Rather, he merely pulled her along with him to exit the Academy grounds. His grip on her hand was tight. Tight enough that Kai knew he wouldn't be letting go of her hands anytime soon.

Just when they exited the grounds, Naruto jumped off of the nearest rooftop and landed on the sunset blonde. Kai cried out a bit but was able to right him on her back with only one hand, while the other was still in Sasuke's. Looking at him over her shoulder, she noticed that he was pouting.

She chuckled, "Lost him?"

Grumbling under his breath, his arms tighten around her neck, "Yeah. And now we have him as our new Sensei. That means I won't ever be leaving you alone with him, Kai! I'll always be by your side whenever he's around."

Chuckling, Kai replied, "I've known him since I was just a mere toddler. I promise you, Kakashi won't do anything to me."

Sasuke clicked his tongue, "Still doesn't mean that I trust him."

Naruto quickly nodded, "Yeah, yeah. Believe it."

Sighing, Kai shook her head and allowed Sasuke lead them to the training grounds so they could get some training in before tomorrow's exercise began. Of course, that didn't mean that she would tell them the answer to pass the exercise tomorrow. They were all a team. And a team needed to work together in order to win.

But knowing how the three think and are, thanks to their introduction, both she and Kakashi knew that the three wouldn't be able to pass his exercise tomorrow. Looking discreetly behind her over her shoulder, Kai saw Sakura standing by the gates of the Academy. Her hands were clenched in front of her chest as she watched the three walk away.

Especially Sakura. Kai knew that if the girl didn't get out of her fan-girl phase, she would only let herself be the first one to die. It didn't matter if she was book smart. The real world was a cruel world. A world of bloodshed and tears. She could only hope that the girl was strong enough to face it.

The day had gone and went. By the time they all knew it, the next day, the day that their Sensei would tell them whether they passed to be Genins or not, had finally come.

It was five in the morning and the three, though two were tired, had made it to the training grounds. As they tiredly waited, they wondered how long their Sensei was going to take. Heck, they didn't even see Kai anywhere either.

Exhausted, Naruto grumbled tiredly, "He better not be with Kai. 'Cuz if he is, I'm not going to go easy on him."

Sasuke, though grudgingly agreeing with the blond, mentally nodded and narrowed his eyes.

Sakura was still confused about why the two were angry at their Sensei. They just met the guy yesterday and didn't know anything about him. At least, she did anyways. But apparently, both Naruto and Sasuke somehow knew the silver-haired Jounin. Even though they didn't recognize him at first when they saw him.

Sighing, Sakura knew that it was useless to ask again. Sasuke would only ignore her, just like yesterday, and Naruto would only shout in anger on how he was going to pulverize the man instead of telling her what happened.

~Meanwhile~

Kai had gotten up to meet the team at the training grounds. She had wanted to get a bit of morning training before starting their exercise. However, when she had just opened her front door to exit, there was Anbu standing there. He was about to knock on the door before she had beat him to it.

Her eyes widen a bit at the sight of him, "Yes?"

"Lord Hokage had summoned you."

Frowning, Kai wonders what it was that the elder man wanted. Mentally sighing, she nodded, "I'll be there."

The Anbu nodded before teleporting away. Curious on what the Hokage wants, Kai decided not to wait any longer and made her way to his office. With a hand sign, she flashed herself right in front of the door.

Bringing a hand up, she knocked on it.

"Come in."

Entering the room, she shut the door behind her and saw that Kakashi was there. Wondering what was going on, she stood next to the man as she faced the elder man behind the desk.

She bowed, "Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen nodded in greeting, "Thank you for coming, Kai."

Looking at them, he continues, "I've called you both here because of a mission for tomorrow."

Hearing about a mission right after their exercise with the three newly graduates, both Kai and Kakashi looked to each other before back at the man.

"Lord Hokage, we'll be busy taking care of the three Genins if they passed the exercise. I don't think they'll be ready to take on a high-risk mission just yet," said Kakashi, a bit worried about the consequences.

Hiruzen chuckles, "I apologize, Kakashi. I didn't mean for you and your squad. I meant this mission is for Kai, herself."

This caught the two off guard. They hadn't expected this. Especially since she had just begun being an assistant. Even though it's only a cover story for her to keep an eye on the two boys.

"What is this mission about?" asked Kai.

She was curious about it. If the Hokage was pulling her out after her first day to see how the squad works together, then it must be serious.

Humming, Hiruzen answered, "Apparently there have been problems of rogues that have been sighted and killed numerous villagers."

"Where has this been occurring at?" asked Kakashi.

"It's near the borders between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth."

Kai's eyes widen, "They're at the borders? What about the Tsuchikage? Has he also been informed by this?"

If the enemies were near the borders between two Lands and one of them were to trespass the other without the other's permission, that will give the other Land legal rights to do what they please to the trespassers. Even if they were there to only take care of some rogue problems or not.

Hiruzen nodded, "In fact, he was the one who had told me of this."

"Have they also decided to do something about this?" asked Kakashi, wondering if the Tsuchikage was going to help.

"No. The rogues may be close to the borders, but they're in our land. So they are leaving this for us to deal with," Hiruzen sighed, a bit saddened that the Tsuchikage will not aid them. But he understood why and didn't want to damage whatever small alliance they have left with them.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Kai pursed her lips, "I guess it's up to us again to clean up the rouges I see."

The elder man smiled apologetically at her, "I'm sorry again for all this, Kai."

She sighs, "It's fine. As long as the Tsuchikage knows and gives us permission to be on their Land if the rogues end up running there for safety from us."

Nodding, Hiruzen replied, "Yes. I will let you know more about the mission once I hear news from the Tsuchikage."

The two nodded before bowing and making their exit. Closing the door behind them, Kakashi deeply sighed.

Hearing him, Kai turned to look at him, "Something wrong?"

Looking at her, Kakashi starts his trek through the building to the exit, Kai walking next to him, as he answers, "Just worried. Since we don't know much about these rogues, we won't know exactly how dangerous they are. So to send you out to take care of them, I'm just worried for you, Kai."

She smiled, "Thank you for worrying about me, Kakashi. But you know that I won't be alone on missions like these."

Smiling, Kakashi puts a hand on her head, "I know. Still don't make me worry any less when you leave the village."

Chuckling at him being a worrywart, Kai decided to change the subject, "We should probably get going. Thanks to Lord Hokage summoning us, we're an hour late."

Humming, Kakashi looks at a wall clock and saw that she was right. However, he had another idea in mind when he put a hand on her shoulder.

Stopping in her tracks, Kai looked at him, "Yes?"

"I'm going to need you to do something for me first before we meet up with our three little students. Don't worry, it won't take long," said Kakashi, smiling behind his mask.

Kai stared at him, not knowing whether she should believe him or not. The last time she had trusted him, they had been three hours late from usual designated time. But, since she couldn't go to see the three without him, she mentally sighed and had no choice but to do whatever he wants from her.

~Five hours later~

"Morning everyone. Ready for your first day?" said Kakashi, announcing both his and Kai's presence nonchalantly.

"Hey!" shouted Sakura and Naruto. "You're both late!"

Kakashi smiled, "Well, a black cat crossed our path, so we had to take the long way."

Sighing at Kakashi's usual excused, Kai couldn't blame them. She smiled apologetically at them, "Sorry."

It was silent for a few seconds until all of their stomachs growled. Sakura blushed in embarrassment. She internally scolded her stomach for embarrassing her in front of the two guys whom she had admired. Naruto and Sasuke, on the other hand, ignored their growling stomach. They instead glared with all their might at their Jounin-Sensei who had come together to the training grounds with the sunset blonde.

Hearing their growled stomach, Kakashi coughed, "Well, let's get started."

Confused by what he meant, the three watched him walk to a stump, putting an alarm clock on it. Pressing the top of it, he continues, "Here we go. It's set for noon."

The three were still confused while Kakashi took out two small bells, that was attached to a string, from his pocket and held it in front of him.

"Your assignment is very simple. You just have to take these bells from me. That's all there is to it. If you can't get them by noon, you go without lunch."

Pointing at the three stumps, where he had placed the alarm clock on, Kakashi finishes, "You'll be tied to those posts, and you'll watch while I eat my lunch, that Kai had kindly prepared, in front of you."

'So that's why,' thought Sasuke, wondering why he had told them not to eat yesterday.

'He told us not to eat breakfast to make it harder on us,' thought Sakura, now wishing that she hadn't listened to him.

Naruto groaned as he held onto his growling stomach, internally crying.

Kai chuckled nervously, feeling sorry for them that they got Kakashi for this. She was glad that her Sensei wasn't like him when she had graduated and been put in a squad.

Remembering what their Sensei had said about the lunch box, both boys whirled their heads at him, glaring fiercely with fire blazing in their eyes. Though the Uchiha's was hidden by his glare "Kai's bento?!"

Kakashi smirked, "That's right."

"Wait a minute!" Sakura interrupted, gaining everyone's attention. "There's three of us. How come there's only two bells?"

Laughing mischievously, Kakashi gladly answered, "Well, that way, at least one of you will end up tied to a post and ultimately disqualified for failing to complete the mission. That one goes back to the Academy."

Letting his words sink in, he smirked when he heard their stomach growl again before finishing, "Then again, all three of you could flunk out, too."

They were quiet now. Looking at each of their faces, Kakashi mentally hums to himself when he saw that each of their faces held determination. They weren't backing down even after he had warned them yesterday. He was internally proud of them a bit, however, they had to earn more of it by seeing how well they will do in the exercise.

Bringing the bells up higher for them all to see, he jingles it in front of them, "You can use any weapons, including shuriken. If you're not prepared to kill me, you won't be able to take the bells."

"Those weapons are too dangerous, Sensei," said Sakura, feeling a bit uncomfortable using them since she was scared that they might hurt him. Heck, they might even accidentally kill him.

Naruto, on the other hand, laughed, "Especially since you couldn't even dodge that eraser."

"Class clowns are usually the weakest links. You can safely ignore them- lowest scores, losers," said Kakashi, not at all bothered by the young blond's words.

Naruto, though, growled. Kakashi's words getting to him.

"When I say start, you can begin."

Growling, Naruto pulled out a kunai from his holster and spun it on his finger before holding it in his grasp. He was about to charge at the man, his words of calling him a loser still echoing in his head. Yet, before he could even take one step, he was instantly stopped. Breathing heavily, Naruto couldn't turn his head to see thanks to the grip on his head, though he could definitely feel his own kunai near the back of his head.

The other two had quickly taken a step back when they saw their Sensei instantly appear behind the blond. Surprised at how fast he was.

Kai didn't worry when Kakashi held Naruto at blind point. She knew the man and had full trust in him to not hurt her little brother nor the others.

"Don't be in such a hurry. I didn't say start yet," said Kakashi, before finally letting Naruto go.

'He's so fast, I didn't even see it,' thought Sakura, in awe at how fast he was. She then looks to Kai in her peripheral vision, wondering if he was just as fast as their Sensei.

Sweat trickling down the side of his face, Sasuke narrowed his eyes, 'So this is a Jounin.'

Looking at Kai, Sasuke couldn't help but narrowed his eyes at her, wondering exactly just how fast she was since not once had she ever shown her speed to him nor Naruto when they trained.

Kakashi then spoke, gaining everyone's attention back on him, "But you came at me with the full intention of destroying me, so- how can I say this? I'm actually starting to like you guys."

Looking at each and every one of them, he saw that they all finally ready. Nodding to himself, he finally began, "Get ready. And- start."

The exercise was not going so well.

Kai had stopped watching when she saw Kakashi using the Taijutsu, where he had learned that technique from she wished to never know, on Naruto. Sending the poor boy flying in pain and straight into the water. She had groaned in embarrassment, hiding her blushing cheeks behind her hand.

"Oh Naruto. I taught you to never let your guard down."

Of course, when Naruto almost had Kakashi, he just had to let his guard down again when the older male used the Substitution Jutsu. Switching places with one of his own clones.

And right now, here she is, watching her baby brother pulverizing himself thinking that one of them was Kakashi. Can't stand to watch this anymore, Kai shouted down, "Naruto, undo the Jutsu."

Hearing her advice, one of the Naruto's agreed, "Hey, yeah! Then there will just be two of us, so we'll know who's who."

"Should have thought of that sooner, fool."

"You're the jerk. Why didn't you think of it?"

"Just undo the Jutsu!"

Shaking her head, Kai couldn't help but pray that Naruto learns from this and doesn't let his enemies in the future used this against him. Turning her attention back to Naruto, she watches as he undoes the Jutsu, leaving only him in the middle of the training ground.

"Hm? A bell?"

Hearing what he said, Kai looked over to where he was looking and saw what he saw. There, on the ground next to the tree, laid one of the bells that Kakashi was using for the exercise. She mentally prayed that he did not go and make a grab for it.

Unfortunately, her prayer was not heard when she heard his say with a sly grin, "I must have got to him with my attack."

He then ran to it, laughing, "He dropped a bell!

Before he could reach it, his feet slapped together as he was pulled up from the ground. He was now hanging upside down, his feet roped together.

Shouting, Naruto cried for someone to get him down while also crying about the bell, which was now a couple of feet under him from where he hanged.

Kai couldn't help but sigh. Wondering where she had gone wrong when she had taught him.

Trying to reach for the bells, though he was a couple of feet up in the air, Naruto groaned in disappointment when he saw Kakashi grabbing it.

"Think before you use a Jutsu, or else your opponent might use it against you. I know for sure that Kai had taught you at least that," said Kakashi, looking at the girl in his peripheral vision.

Groaning, Naruto pouted. Kai did teach him that. Actually, she practically drilled that into him since he tends to forget sometimes. Like now.

Kakashi than continues, "Oh, and also, if the bait is obvious, don't take it. A ninja must see through deception."

Aggravated by his advice, Naruto started flailing around, hoping the branch that the rope was on would falter.

"I. get. It!"

"I'm telling you this because you don't get it. You think you get it, which is not the same as actually getting it. Get it?"

Hearing the sounds of shurikens clinking to each other, Kai looked over in her peripheral vision, where she knew Sasuke was hiding in and watched as a barrage of the shurikens came flying out and straight into Kakashi. Injuring or either killed the Jounin ninja.