Hello and welcome to the third installment of this rewrite. So fair warning this chapter is a little bit shorter. I originally planned to have this one and the one to follow it as one single chapter but complications arouse in my life so to keep my weekly quota I just decided to keep this one shorter.
Although I did add something towards the end that's gonna be a recurring thing now, so be excited for that.
also fair warning if there isn't a chapter coming out next week don't be too surprised just know that I will never give up on this project.
also favorites and follows are always appreciated, and be sure to leave a review if your so inclined.
Naruto Residence
Naruto woke up with a jolt, it was still dark out, as the sun only just begun to show itself from the horizon to the east. Naruto immediately changed into his orange jumpsuit, then proceeding to grab his headband given to him by his true sensei.
That Kakashi hot cakes guy, or whatever his name was might have been his sensei on paper, but naruto wasn't one too pay any respect to some document hidden away in the old man's office. If this Kakashi wanted Naruto's respect he'd have to earn it, "and I'm sure as hell not gonna make it easy for him, Believe it!" He promised himself aloud as he tied his headband around his head.
Naruto rushed out of his giant Manor running across the empty hall, down the steps, and to the kitchen as he grabbed a pack of instant ramen from the fridge getting read to eat. "if you come tomorrow on a full stomach you're gonna hurl" Naruto remember Kakashi's words as he held his instant ramen, "on second thought, I'm actually not really that hungry" he convinced himself.
He returned the ramen to the fridge as he slowly backed away. Once the fridge was out of view his stomach immediately growled, but he punched his gut determined to not think about food. He decided it would be best to get some fresh air, he stepped outside and the first thing he noticed was that it was surprisingly dark out.
He was quite unsettled and slowly backed his way into his residence again, but upon entering his stomach growled again. Naruto realizing the predicament took a deep breath before yelling out to the dark, "You think I'm afraid of you, cause guess what darkness you're wrong! I ain't afraid of anything and especially not a formless and mindless piece of this world!"
Naruto then immediately charged forward while yelling as loud as he could. He went on for about two minutes before realizing he had no idea where he was supposed to head. He began freaking out before remembering the paper Kakashi gave him.
He checked the pockets on his jumpsuit, but the paper wasn't there. He had a bit of a crisis before he saw his house in the distance, "wait didn't I... Ugh guess I gotta go back" he thought before rushing back.
Sakura residence
Sakura woke up more ungracefully than she'd like to admit as she found herself chewing her pink blossomed hair. She immediately began spitting in disgust which caused a tiny ruckus.
It wasn't noisy by any means but it was loud enough to catch the attention of both her parents who immediately busted down the door with a medical kite. "Mom!? Dad!? What are you guys doin-" before Sakura could finish her sentence her mother put a thermometer in her mouth. "HONEY QUICKLY CHECK HER PULSE" Mebuki Haruno begged her husband. "ON IT" Kizashi Haruno affirmed placing a stethoscope on sakura's chest then her back.
After Mebuki took away the thermometer Sakura yelled, "Stop I'm fine!" Ignoring her, Kizashi slapped an ice pack on her forehead. "98 degrees" Mebuki read with a sigh of relief, "so no fever?" Kizashi said as he took off the ice pack from sakura's forehead.
"THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SAY THIS WHOLE TIME!" Sakura screamed finally grabbing her parents attention.
"We're so sorry sweet heart, we heard you cough and got worried" Mebuki apologized sincerely.
"Yeah what your mother said" Kizashi said failing to add anything meaningful to the conversation.
"I ugh, listen it's whatever just please there is no need to worry so much about me anymore. Now can you guys let me prepare." Sakura said calming herself down.
"Oh of course sweetheart, come on honey." Mebuki said as she left dragging her husband with her.
Once they left sakura quickly got out of bed, and began dressing. She knew her parents meant well, but still they are way too protective over her, to the point they were doing more harm than good. She certainly appreciated their nurturing nature when she was much younger, but now it was just another reason for Sakura to feel ashamed because it does nothing except bring shame to her clan.
After all what pair of parents would be this overprotective over their children who are of age to be a ninja? The Haruno's is what most in Konaha would say. It angered sakura to no end knowing her clan was given a reputation like that. She wanted to change it by bringing honor and prestige to her family name, and the best way to do that in her mind was being a renowned kunoichi.
She grabbed the paper Kakashi Hatake gave her yesterday sighing as she prepared for the first of many times she'd likely not want to go meet up with her permanent team.
"Sakura we uh, oh yeah we made breakfast!" Mebuki remembered calling out.
"Yeah breakfast!" Kizashi added
Sakura forced a smile, "Well I mean I would have liked to cook breakfast myself but if they made it-" her train of thought paused as she remembered yesterday, "if you come tomorrow on a full stomach you're gonna hurl" Kakashi Hatake had said that earlier. Even though she thought little of the man, the sheer terror she felt when he uttered those words caused her to heed his warning if only that one time.
"Sorry mom and dad, but my sensei advised me to not have breakfast before training" sakura told her parents.
"Really why would Kakashi sensei say that" Mebuki questioned
"I mean breakfast is the most important meal of the day" Kizashi added.
"Exactly! Seriously dear how are you so wise?!".
"Through my many years of experiences honey, for instance long ago when I was about sakura's age...".
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Great he's gonna start another one of his long stories."
Not wanting to listen to her father's long winded tale, she quickly bidded her parents farewell as she rushed by them and out the door.
She ran as she heard her parents from behind her as they called in unison, "Bye! We love you!"
Sakura cringed a little worried about how many people heard them, "me too" she responded in her head.
Sasuke's residence
Sasuke woke up and swiftly got out of bed, dressed, and remade his bed in less than a minute. It wasn't that he particularly liked to keep his residence clean, it was just second nature, instinct even.
When he was little his mother made sure to pound that habit into the very fiber of his being to the point he can't fight it. "Mom" he thought, he hated thinking about her, not because he hated her (far from it), but because thinking about her hurt the most.
He once again found himself in front of the picture, that was in the frame he broke yesterday. He turned it over for a brief second with his eyes fixated on his mother. Sasuke's eyes began to tear up on instinct before flipping the picture over again as he slapped himself in the face as hard as he could.
"Don't you dare show emotions you crybaby, if you're gonna kill him one day you have to hide your feelings, be heartless and cruel, it's the only way you'll win." Sasuke repeatedly battered himself in his mind.
He glanced to his left and saw the paper Kakashi Hatake gave him in regards to the location of his first mission. It broke him out of his thoughts as he grabbed the paper before wandering out of his apartment.
He began debating about his next steps towards his future, "okay so, first of all I need to get out of this team as soon as possible, it shouldn't be too hard considering I'm the best of my class. Then after proving I'm fine on my own, I-I ugh I'll do what he did and take the chunin exams on my own, and pass with flying stars. At which I'll then become a Jonin allowing me to then be free and do as I please alone."
Sasuke exhaled satisfied with his plan, "and if I happen upon any hiccups I'll adjust from there, all I gotta do now is prove to Kakashi Hatake that I'm more than ready for the chunin exams.". Sasuke reasoned.
Konaha Forest: Training Fields
The three Genin arrived at the location at the same time each coming in from a different direction as the sun began to rise.
The area was a plain field surrounded by trees, the trio noticed three wooden poles in the distance, but none commented on them.
After about ten minutes of waiting it became clearly Kakashi was late again, as team 7 stood in silence not voicing their annoyed thoughts in the slightest.
After another 4 hours the sun had comfortably taken up a position in the sky as each Genin was hungry. Naruto being the most expressive held his stomach and groaned on the ground. Sakura sat down with her hands squeezing her knees attempting to hide her discomfort. Sasuke still standing up with a slightly hunched back hid his hunger relatively well.
The hot shining sun didn't help team 7's situation only amplifying their suffering.
Naruto needing something to distract him said aloud, "What is taking that guy so long, do you guys have any ideas!?"
His teammates gave him no response, only dead silence.
"Come on guys give me something to work with." He pleaded.
"What do you want me to say, he's late, I hate him for that, and I want off this team. What else do you want me to say?" Sakura asked rhetorically.
"Jeez I get it your angry, but I thought you were better than this Sakura, and smarter too."
"WHY YOU LITTLE!" Sakura yelled as she got up and grabbed Naruto by the neck squeezing him, "TAKE THAT BACK YOU BLOND BUFFOON!"
Naruto tried to apologize but couldn't do anything but desperately let out random noises while being choked.
"Just let him go." Sasuke said turning towards the pair.
Sakura ignored him.
"Unless you want to be punished for killing a teammate, I'd suggest not killing him." Sasuke remarked before turning his head back.
Sakura's grip loosen thinking about the Uchiha's words before letting go of Naruto.
Naruto took quick breaths as he promised he'd never take air for granted again. "I'm sorry I didn't mean that." Naruto apologized.
Sakura ignored him too.
"Seriously, you're actually probably the Smartest person I know, and I barely know you." Naruto continued.
Sakura blushed a little at his compliments, "listen I- I don't care just leave me be." Sakura brushed off, "besides you should be thanking Sasuke since if it wasn't for him you'd be dead."
Naruto looked towards Sasuke, but he didn't say a word. Naruto was far to proud to admit Sasuke had anything to do with his rescue, so he stayed silent and turned away from Sasuke.
Sasuke glancing behind him noticed Naruto swiftly turn his head in defiance, which brought a smirk to Sasuke's face. Once again he found himself satisfied at his superiority over the blond, he didn't understand why exactly that was. That boy wasn't special if anything he was cursed, burdened with the Kyuubi. It wasn't that big a secret that the boy harbored that walking disaster although Sasuke never really found it in himself to hate the blond for it, only judging him for his actual traits which actually were worth disliking him for.
"Morning everyone"
The three Genin turned their heads and saw their Jonin teacher, unlike yesterday he had a sword strapped on his back, but nevertheless the genin were filled with distaste.
"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura said in sync.
"Sorry but a black cat crossed my way so I had to take the long way." Kakashi excused.
"Are you kidding me! Do you know how long we waited! Is that really all you have to say for yourself!" Naruto stomped infuriated at the masked man before him.
"I mean yeah" Kakashi replied
"What do you-" Naruto complained before being tapped on the shoulder by Sakura.
"Believe me it's not worth arguing with this man." She stated bluntly.
Naruto was left speechless at Sakura who moments ago was choking him, but now did him a favor. Although he was still pissed at Kakashi his mind wandered off to a new plan as he formed a mischievous smile, "Man and here I thought you hated me, guess I took that choking the wrong way." Naruto ended with a pur.
Sakura immediately blushed, "You are by far the most insufferable person I've ever met."
"Alright love birds and Sasuke, there's plenty of time for love another time." Kakashi teased.
Naruto was unfazed, Sakura turned redder, and Sasuke ever so slightly twitched.
"Anyways let's get started" Kakashi moved on, before taking out an hour glass. "You see the sand in this glass container, when I flip the container the sand will fall for around two hours, in that time you'll have to complete your assignment."
"Really what assignment" Naruto asked tilting his head.
Kakashi reached behind his back and pulled out two bells, "Simple, you just have to take at least one of these bells from me. That's all. However if you can't take these bells from me you'll go without lunch and be tied to those wooden poles over there." Kakashi pointed
The three Genin unanimously all realized the Jonin's trick, he tricked them into going without breakfast to make sure they suffered more if they should fail.
"It was brilliant, although to think the lazy Kakashi would come up with that." Sakura thought. It was a genius deception, and one she didn't except from Kakashi the lazy teacher, unless he was faking? "wait a minute..." Sakura thought in realization. "Hey Mr Kakashi why are there only 2 bells?"
The sensei of team 7 laughed, "Well you see, I just wanna see one of you tied to a post"
Sakura sighed, for a moment she truly believed her sensei might actually be a master at deception, pretending to be an idiot to lower there guards, but no it turns he's just an idiot who likes to laugh at the young.
Sasuke immediately smirked, for a second he actually thought that his assigned sensei might actually not be completely incompetent, but his thought was nothing more than a thought. Now fully believing it'll be a breeze, considering the man before him is 100% the man who couldn't dodge that eraser.
Likewise Naruto had the same thoughts as Sasuke although unlike Sasuke he never assumed anything more from Kakashi, and also openly voiced his opinions, "Oh please you couldn't even dodge my eraser, this'll be a breeze."
"Class Clowns are usually the weakest links, the lowest scores, the losers" Kakashi witted back.
A vein popped on Naruto's neck, he was filled with anger at being insulted.
"You are allowed to use any weapons you have against me, if you're not prepared to kill me then you won't be able to pass. The test begins when I flip the hour glass, and ends when all the sand falls to the bottom." Kakashi says.
Naruto immediately rushes Kakashi as he grabs a kunai from his poach, however the instant he grips his hand around the kunai another fist grabs his hand from behind.
The three Genin are shocked as the notice Kakashi was the one who grabbed Naruto.
"W-what incredible s-speed." Sakura couldn't help but say out loud.
Sasuke was motionless, "I didn't... No I couldn't even see him move."
Naruto tried to pull his hand out of his grip, but it was hopeless, the man's grip strength felt other worldly to Naruto.
"I didn't flip the hour glass yet" Kakashi said in an irritated tone, "Oh and did I mention anyone who doesn't get a bell will get sent back to the academy."
If they weren't speechless before they all certainly were now, despite not delivering his words in the same intimidating tone as when he told them to not eat, it brought each of the Genin more fear then that ever did.
"Y-you c-can't do t-that..." Sakura muttered out.
"Really, because I've done it before." Kakashi said coldly, "I will give you all five minutes to prepare, in case you want to form a strategy"
He then proceed to walk away and sit on the center wooden pole.
The Genin stood speechless, despite having their differences they all had the same thought, "I can't go back to the academy, not after everything I've been through."
They all looked at each other, Sasuke walked away.
"Sasuke what are you doing?!" Asked a worried Naruto. "We need to work together!"
"Shut up!" Sasuke yelled not even glancing back, "I know you aren't the smartest so I'll spell it out for you, one of us is going back to the academy no matter what, so working together is pointless since all you'll do is use me to get your bell."
"I would never do that-" naruto yelled back.
"I would, and don't lie to yourself, you would too!" Sasuke bluntly finished as he disappeared into the woods.
"I-I..." Naruto was speechless, he turned and noticed Sakura was gone too, "I would never..." He whispers. Would he though? He wanted to be a ninja of course, but at the cost of betraying people? No he wouldn't, he couldn't, sure his teammates weren't the shiniest bunch, but he wouldn't just... Sacrifice them.
His head consumed him with thoughts of betraying his teammates. He slapped himself hard on the cheek, "No you're never going to do that, you will never betray anyone close to you, because then you're no better than dad who betrayed me the one he was obligated to protect."
Naruto banged his chest swearing to never turn his back on an ally, ever!
Ninja Academy Lesson: Clones
"Iruka sensei, Iruka sensei"
"huh, oh hey naruto, what's up"
"so I was wondering what exactly are shadow clones"
"oh naruto we went over this in the academy don't you remember."
"I'm sorry Iruka sensei please just go over it one more time"
"Alright fine, So here's the thing shadow clones just like regular clones as the name would imply are clones of the user. unlike regular clones though they are just as fast and versatile as the user with the only key difference between shadow clones and the user being their durability. Only after receiving some damage usually the equivalent of a broken bone they'll disappear. However creating a shadow clone is an incredibly advance technique that requires a lot of chakra and skill to perform."
"wow thanks Iruka sensei I think I really get it now, but wait what about the multi shadow clone jutsu."
"sorry Naruto, but I'm out of time we'll discuss that another time. Goodbye."
Hope you enjoyed my little info dump towards the end, and be adding one of these fun facts towards the end of each chapter, however they won't be limited to Jutsu or the ninja academy.
anyways yeah this chapter was a pain to finish, because I didn't want to stop here, but if I was gonna meet my weekly quota I had to spit it in two. However just saying that from now on if I don't upload it weekly know that it's being worked on. So next time something like this happens I'll focus more on actually finishing the planned chapter.
anyways one more time be sure to favorite and review if you want to see more it really gives me motivation, and heck it gave me the motivation to finish this half of the chapter despite all the crap that's been happening irl.