Chapter 4-Pass or Fail: Survival Test

****Ren's POV****

"He's late." Naruto says peering out of the door as him, Sakura, Sasuke, and I wait for our new teacher. I was sitting next to Sasuke and Sakura was leaning against one of the desks as we watched Naruto. "Naruto just sit down! That Ren person isn't here either." Sakura says causes Naruto to say "I don't want to and Ren's right there." while he points at me before looking at her and wining "How come our teacher is the only one that's late! I'm ready to roll! Believe it!" "How is she supposed to know?" I question causing him say "But Ren the others have already met their new teachers and took off on some adventure or something. And Iruka-Sensei is gone too. Aren't you ready to go too?" as Sakura whispers "He really was there." While she stared at me. "I guess." I say shrugging as Sakura says "We know okay." Naruto then gets his mischievous smirk as he goes and gets the eraser causing me to question "What are you doing now?" At the same time as Sakura questions "Hey, what are you doing?" "Naruto!" She yells walking over to him as he stands on a stool and sets up an eraser trap with the door. When finished he turns to her and says "That's what he gets for coming late! Surprise!" while jumping off the stool.

"You're going to get yourself killed." I tell him as Sakura says "You're asking for trouble. You know you shouldn't do that." "Our teachers a Jounin an elite ninja. You think he'd fall for that?" Sasuke says so I look at him thinking You're seriously asking him that? Of course he thinks he'll fall for it. As Sakura says "Yeah Sasuke's right. You're so clueless Naruto." Then almost on cue a hand appeared and opened the door as a white haired man wearing mask with his headband covering his left eye stepped in and got hit in the head with the eraser. "I got him! He totally fell for it!" Naruto laughed as I can't stop myself from laughing as I say "Direct hit." While Sakura says "I'm sorry Sensei! I told him not to do it but he wouldn't listen. I'd never do something like that." We watch as he picks up the eraser and looks over the group. "Hmm how can I put this?" He asks putting his hand on in chin looking up before he continues "My first impression of this group is you're a bunch of idiots." I'm sure every one of us share a 'crap' look as he adds "Meet me on the roof." Before poofing away.

****Kakashi's POV****

"Alright why don't you introduce yourselves? One at a time." I tell the four as they sat across from me on the rooftop. At least I hoped there was four since I couldn't spot where Ren was causing me to think It's like there's only the three of them here in front of me. This might just be interesting."Introduce ourselves? Well…what are we supposed to say?" Sakura questions so I answer "Things you like, things you hate. Dreams for the future, hobbies, things like that." "Why don't you tell us stuff first? I mean before we talk tell us about you so we know how it's supposed to work." Naruto says so I say "Me? I'm Kakashi Hatake. Things I like and things I hate...I don't feel like telling you that. My dreams for the future…never thought about that. As for my hobbies, I have lots of hobbies." "That was pointless." Ren mutters from her spot between Naruto and Sasuke as Sakura looks at Naruto saying "That was totally useless. All he really told us was his name." Naruto hums in agreement nodding as Sasuke looks at Ren with a flash of surprise causing me to think Hmm even Sasuke can't spot her. Can Naruto really spot her?

"Okay your turn. You on the right. You first." I say then looking at Naruto who says "Believe it. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant ramen in a cup and I really like the ramen that Iruka-Sensei got Ren and me at the Ichiraku noodle shop. But I hate having to wait the three minutes you have to wait to pour the water in the ramen cup. My hobbies are eating different kinds of ramen and comparing them and waking Ren up in the mornings. And my future dream is to be the greatest Hokage with Ren being my right hand. Then the whole village will stop disrespecting us and start treating us like we're somebody. Somebody important." Before looking at Ren and questioning "Right Ren?" "Yup." She responds nodding before saying "I might as well go now. I'm Ren Kuroko. I like eating things that are plain but also spicy things and sometimes sweet but the 'not too sweet' sweet things. I hate really sweet things, things with certain textures, and being called what Naruto calls me sometimes. Which I won't say. My hobby would probably be sleeping. And my dream for the future is basically what Naruto said."

Well they've grown up in a very interesting way. I'll give them that. I think looking between the two before looking at Sakura saying "Alright next." "I'm Sakura Haruno. What I like…I mean, the person I like is…" Sakura says looking towards Sasuke with a blushing face and giggling before continuing ".Uh, my hobby is, uh…." Trailing off as she does the same thing before giggling "my dream for the future is…" and squealing at the end so I ask "And what do you hate?" "Naruto." Sakura states without hesitation causing Naruto to wine. "There, there, Naruto." Ren mutters patting him back as I think Girls their age are more interested in boys than ninja training. It's good that Ren doesn't seem that way. One's bad enough. But now that I think about it he was really dense and everyone who knew Toru was surprised she had had a child when she returned. Before saying "Last one." As I look at Sasuke.

"My name…is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things and don't particularly like anything. 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." Sasuke says causing the others to look at him in silence Ren with an 'okay?' look, Naruto with an 'I hope he's not talking about me' look, and Sakura with the 'he's so hot' look as I think Just as I thought before I announce "Good. You're each unique and have your own idea's. We'll have our first mission tomorrow." "What kind of mission are we going to have?" Naruto asks as Ren nods saying "Yeah." so I hint "It's a task the five of us will do together." "What-what-what?!" Naruto asks so I say "A survival exercise." "Huh? Survival exercise?" Ren and Naruto ask looking at each other before Sakura says "I thought we were supposed to have a real mission. Not more practice. We already did this stuff at the Academy. That's how we got here." "This is not like your previous training." I tell them causing Naruto to ask "So uh…so what kind of training is it then?" I chuckle looking down causing Sakura to say "Hey hold on. That's a normal question. What's so funny?" so I look up at them and say "Well if I tell you the answer you're not going to like it." "I already don't like it." Ren mutters causing Naruto to nod so I tell them "Of the twenty-eight graduates who just came here, only nine or ten will actually be accepted as Genin. The others 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."

Naruto is shocked, Sakura and Ren are frowning, and Sasuke is glaring so I ask "See? Didn't I tell you you wouldn't like it?" "That's crazy! We worked hard to get here! Believe it! What was that graduation test for anyway?" Naruto yells causing Ren to add "Yeah! What was the point?" "Oh, that. It was just to select candidates who might become Genin. Or not." I tell them causing Naruto to exclaim "What?!" as Ren says "That's crap." "That's how it is. I decide whether you pass or fail. Be at the designated training spot at five a.m. and bring your ninja gear." I tell them then watching their reactions. Naruto and Sakura was shaking with determination, Sasuke was clenching his hands together but otherwise looked neutral, but Ren was giving me a 'you can't be serious' look. The look…can she tell I'm exaggerating a little too? I think before standing and telling them "Okay! You're dismissed. Oh…tomorrow you better skip breakfast or else you'll puke." Again Naruto is shocked, Sakura is shocked, Sasuke is glaring, and Ren's now looking at me with a 'Why?' look almost like a kicked puppy. I almost feel bad. But those reactions…I have a feeling it's not towards failing. I think turning away from the four before poofing away.

****Ren's POV****

Why? Why did our teacher have to be like that? I think depressed as Naruto and I head home with Naruto explaining the difference between the newest type of ramen and other types as if everything is normal and tomorrow wouldn't be one of the worst days of my life.

****Time Skip****

"No!" I cry curling into myself as Naruto pulls me out of bed by my feet again. "Come on Ren! We'll be late!" He yells pulling me up into a sitting position so I cry "I wasn't asleep long enough to dream! It's too early!" He huffs and before I know it he's pulling off my pajama top and pulling the black t-shirt I normally wear over my head in its place. I feel myself start to go back to sleep as he grumbles "At least wait till we get there before you fall asleep." I slowly raise my head back up mumbling "Okay."

****Sasuke's POV****

When I get closer to the meeting spot I notice Sakura and Naruto are an equal distance from me, each other, and the spot causing the thought of Where's Ren? To flash in my mind before I could stop it. "Morning." Sakura says yawning and rubbing her eye as Naruto does a yawn groan that resembled "Morning". There's a loud thump in the middle of us causing the three of us to look at the ground to see Ren laying with his face in the dirt. "I'm surprised you lasted that long." Naruto mutters bending down and pulling him up so he was sitting up, revealing that he was just sleeping, causing Sakura to breathe out in relief "I thought he just died but he just went back to sleep." Losers. I think turning my back on them.

****Time Skip****

"Morning everyone. Ready for your first day?" Kakashi questions suddenly appearing a while later causing Sakura and Naruto to yell at him "Hey! You're late!" "Well, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way." Kakashi says and surprisingly a yawned "Understandable." Comes from Ren as Sakura and Naruto growl at Kakashi. "Well…Ahem…Let's get started." Kakashi says before walking over to a log and placing an alarm clock on it before saying "Here we go. It's set for noon." As he turns the alarm on. He then pulls out three bells and adds "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. You'll be tied to those posts and you'll watch as I eat my lunch in front of you." So that's why I think as Ren says a "You monster." While Naruto cries as everyone's, including my, stomach growled. "Wait a minute there's four of us. How come there's only three bells?" Sakura asks so Kakashi-Sensei chuckles a little and says "So 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. Then again all four of you can flunk out too. You can use any weapons including Shuriken. If you're not prepared to kill me you won't be able to take the bells." "Isn't that just great." Ren mutters as Sakura says "Those weapons are too dangerous sensei!" "Especially since you couldn't even dodge that eraser." Naruto laughs causing Kakashi to say "Class clowns are usually the weakest links. You can safely ignore them. Lowest scores, losers. When I say start you can begin."

This causes Naruto to take a kunai knife and goes to attack Kakashi surprising Sakura and causing Ren to mutter a "Naruto?" as I think Idiot. In less than a second Kakashi was behind Naruto holding him as he held Naruto's arm with the kunai in the back of Naruto's neck. "Don't be in such a hurry. I didn't say start yet." Kakashi says causing Sakura and I to step back as I think So this is a Jounin. While he lets Naruto go. "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. Get ready. And…Start!" Kakashi says so we all jump away and disappear into the forest.

****3rd Person's POV****

"Ninja must know how to conceal their movements and hide effectively." Kakashi announces before thinking Well they understand that much. They've hidden well. Though Ren could still be in front of me and I wouldn't know. In fact the brunette was actually hiding in the single tree near the river thinking Uh Naruto? Why aren't you hiding? While watching her blonde friend. Turning around Kakashi questions "Huh?" being faced with the blonde who exclaims "You and me right now! Fair and square! Let's go!" Kakashi tilts his head to the side humming another "Hmm." While Sasuke thinks Fool. Looking at Naruto from his hiding spot in a tree. "You know compared to the others you're a little bit…weird." Kakashi tells him slightly wondering Is Ren going to help him? "Oh yeah? The only weird thing here is your hair cut!" Naruto says before he started running towards Kakashi while Ren quickly covers her mouth to stifle her laugh.

Kakashi, unfazed, reaches into his pouch causing Naruto to stop. "Shinobi Battle techniques part one: Taijutsu. The physical art." Kakashi says causing Naruto to think Taijutsu? That's hand to hand combat. Then why is he reaching for a weapon? Kakashi then pulls out an orange book labeled 'Make out Paradise' causing Naruto to ask "What the?" as Ren goes wide eyed thinking Are you kidding me right now? Our Sensei's that much of a pervert? Remembering the time she accidently picked said book up and read a passage before snapping it shut with a disgusted sound. "What are you waiting for?" Kakashi questions before looking down at his book adding "Make your move." As he starts to read. "But…I mean…why are you reading that book?" Naruto asks so Kakashi answers "Why? To find out what happens in the story, of course. Don't let it bother you. With your weak attacks it doesn't really matter if I'm reading or whatever." Naruto gets mad, tightens his fist, and runs at Kakashi then yelling "I'm going to crush you!"

He tries to hit Kakashi only to be blocked by him. Naruto quickly tries to kick him instead but Kakashi just ducks underneath it, his eyes never leaving the book. "Now, you're mine!" Naruto shouts throwing another punch only to be met by air as Kakashi disappears. "Huh?" Naruto questions blinking in confusion as Kakashi re-appears behind him, his book closed and his hands in the sign of the tiger, as he tells him "Don't let your enemies get behind you all the time." A hand sign? Is that the sign of the tiger? The two females think eyeing the hands closely with only Sakura also thinking That's dangerous he could destroy Naruto with that. while Sasuke thinks That hand sign is for a fire jutsu. He's not just toying with Naruto he's going to demolish him. "Naruto get out of there quick! He's going to destroy you!" Sakura shouts giving up her hiding spot in a bush causing Naruto to look at her but Kakashi says "Too late. Leaf Village Secret Finger Jutsu!" before poking Naruto in the butt causing him to go flying as he yells "A Thousand Years of Death!"

Sasuke and Sakura watched in confusion as Naruto lands in the river while Ren thinks He went flying! From a butt poke! A butt poke! This is too funny! Somehow managing to stifle her laugh enough that only a small "pfft" came out causing Kakashi to glance in her direction thinking So that's where she is. It seems she has issues controlling herself in funny situations just like he did. "That wasn't a hand sign at all. He just poked him." Sakura mutters as an annoyed Sasuke mutters "Those two are just total idiots." "Okay where was I?" Kakashi questions opening his book to continue reading, acting as if he didn't know where either of the girls were, causing Sakura to think That must be against the rules. He's a Jounin. We can't possibly match his strength. While Ren's busy trying to see if Naruto was alright from her spot in the tree, after calming herself down, and Sasuke is debating whether or not to attack.

I'm not gonna let it end like this! I'll attack from the water. Now! Naruto thinks throwing two shurikens from the water aimed at Kakashi causing Sakura to gasp and Ren to think Oh good going Naruto before disappearing from the tree, figuring her spot was blown as well, as Kakashi simply caught the shurikens without even looking away from his book. This causes Sasuke to decide against attacking just yet while Ren appears next to him on the tree branch as Naruto crawl out of the water, everything about him soaked from the water. "What are you doing now? You know you won't get lunch if you don't take a bell by noon." Kakashi says so Naruto looks up exclaiming "I know! I know! You told us already!" "You look pretty wobbly for someone who's going to surpass the Hokage." Kakashi says while Naruto's stomach rumbles causing Naruto to exclaim "You told us not to eat breakfast! How can I fight if I'm starving to death!" The other three's stomachs rumbled as well causing Sasuke to look at Ren shocked, who smiles innocently with a small wave, as Sakura thinks Breakfast? I didn't even have dinner last night. A really bad idea to go on a diet. with a sigh.

"So you caught me off guard! That's all it was! Believe it!" Naruto exclaims before wining "I'm so hungry. I don't have any strength…but I can't let that stop me! I've gotta get one of those bells no matter what! I'll find the strength somehow…Believe it! I'm gonna pass this test and I'm not going back to the academy." There's a strong breeze as Naruto adds "I will become a ninja!" Then a few Naruto clones appeared from the water causing Ren to fist bump the air thinking Go Naruto! As Kakashi looks up at the clones with a hum. "Haha! You're over confident sensei! That's why you weren't ready for my Shadow Clone attack! My best jutsu!" Naruto exclaims causing Sakura to think Seven Narutos? What? They're not images. They're real! How could he do that? As she looks closely and Kakashi to think Hmm. It looks like the stories are true. He can create shadow clones. It's a forbidden skill but he and Ren defeated Mizuki with it. While Ren wondered If I get all the bells and just give them to the others will that mean I can still have lunch and be a ninja? But it's impossible for me to do it alone. Maybe I can get the others to help out… trailing off and looking at Sasuke who was no longer paying attention to her.

"Great technique but I don't think you can maintain it very long. You talk like you're the best Naruto but you're still the worst student. You can't beat me with this jutsu." Kakashi says before a Naruto clone grabs him from behind causing him to exclaim "W-what?! He got me from behind!" Kakashi looks back with a shocked expression as Naruto laughs and says "Didn't you say don't let your enemies get behind you? Good advice sensei! Believe it! I had one of my clones come out of the river and sneak up behind you super quiet." While his clones start grabbing Kakashi's legs. Then a Naruto jumps up and readies a punch exclaiming "Now this is for nailing me in the butt earlier!" When did Naruto get so cool? Sakura thinks amazed as Sasuke thinks Diversionary tactic…nice while Ren mentally cheered for her friend again. "You're mine and so are those bells!" Naruto exclaims punching Kakashi in the face, nope he punched a Naruto clone instead since Kakashi used a Replacement Jutsu.

"Huh?" Naruto questions as Sakura whispers "He's holding himself…Naruto punched…Naruto." Uh…What just happened? Ren thinks watching as the clones start fighting each other accusing the others of being Kakashi. That's when Ren's words from yesterday echoed through Naruto's mind Just undo the jutsu you moron! He undid it and only the original was there causing Sakura to think Naruto you are so not cool., Sasuke to think He got you with the Replacement Jutsu, loser. With this jutsu, you quickly switch your body with an object so your enemy thinks he's attacking you when he's actually attacking a log or a rock leaving him open to a counter attack. In this case the Jounin let himself get caught and switched bodies with one of the Naruto clones, so Naruto thought he was hitting him but actually was attacking himself and that Jounin was so smooth he made Naruto a total moron. Before glancing at Ren adding At least he learned something from him and undid the jutsu instead of just going on and on., Kakashi to think Hmm. She's not here anymore. Having chosen to hide in the tree Ren was originally in, and Ren to think That wasn't as funny as it was the first time.

It was then that Naruto noticed something shining on the ground near a tree. Looking he saw it was one of the bells causing him to question "A bell?!" shocked before getting a happy face as he exclaims "I must've gotten to him with my attack! He dropped a bell!" He runs towards it laughing causing Ren frown thinking Why do I have a bad feeling about this? And almost on cue Naruto springs the trap and he was pulled and held upside down by a rope causing him to exclaim "Hey! What is this?! Let me down! Help!" That's why. Ren thinks placing her head in her hands as she sighs while Sasuke thinks Of course it was a trap. That Jounin doesn't let down his guard even when he's fighting a fool like Naruto. Naruto tries to reach out and grab the bell anyway but a hand reached out and grabbed it.

"Think before you use a jutsu." Kakashi sighs before continuing "Or else your opponent might use it against you. Oh, and if the bait is obvious, don't take it." This causes Naruto to get angry again so Kakashi finishes "A ninja must see through deception." "I…get…it!" Naruto says struggling causing Kakashi to say "I'm saying this because you don't actually get it. You think you get it, which is not the same as actually getting it, get it?" This causes Sasuke to gasp thinking This is my chance! He finally dropped his guard. And taking the opportunity to throw multiple shurikens and kunais at Kakashi. Kakashi was blasted by them leaving the others shocked. "Ah! He just got blasted by shurikens! Sasuke, are you out of your mind?! You went too far!" Naruto shouted as Ren's eyes widened and Sakura gasps as they all watched as Kakashi fell towards the ground. "Okay that..." Ren starts looking at Sasuke and pointing at Kakashi before finishing "Was a little too hostile Sasuke. I feel pain just by looking at it." When he looked at her. Unknowing that the pain she felt in her head was caused by a repressed memory and not the events happening now.