Outsidethe Terumi Clan compounds,

Whoosh…

Izuna flickers infront of the Clan compounds. The guards recognize him and let him in.

"Izuna-san… Fuji-sama iswaiting for you. He has some important things to discuss with you."

One of the guards informs him.

Mmhm…

Izuna nods his head and enters the compound.

He senses Fuji's chakra signature and flickers towards him.

"Ao… I need you to deal with the rogue ninjas from the Noble clan. There arestill a few remaining insurgents surfacing now and then."

Fuji orders Ao.

"Yes… Fuji-sama."

Ao nods his head and flickers out of the room.

Izuna enters the room.

"You were waiting for me… Dad."

Izuna smiles at Fuji.

"Ahem… who are you calling dad? You have yet to marry Mei. Anyway…"

Fuji clears his throat in embarrassment.

"I have an important task for you."

Fuji takes out a scroll from his pocket and passes it to Izuna.

"It has been one and a half year since the civil war in Kiri ended. During that time, many shinobi deserted the village. This scroll has a list of people who fled to Land of Fire."

"I see."

Izuna nods his head.

"I will take care of the matter."

Izuna assures Fuji.

He looks around for a while and searches around.

Fuji senses his gaze and answers him.

"Mei is in the Mizukage Office. Sheis still learning about the responsibilities of Mizukage. Elder Genji is assisting her with politics."

Haah…

Fuji cracks his neck and sits on the tatami floor.

"I don't want to burden her with too many responsibilities. Her mother's dying wish was to have a peaceful life for her."

Fuji closes his eyes as he reminisces some old memories.

He opens his eyes and turns to Izuna.

"I might not be as strong as you but if you dare to hurt my daughter's feeling thenI would chase you till the end of the world. Even my ghost would haunt you for eternity."

Fuji has a serious expression on his face as he warns Izuna.

"Don't worry, dad! Her happiness would always be my priority."

Mmhm…

Fuji nods his head.

Whoosh…

Izuna flickers out of the room.

--

Inside Mizukage Office,

Mei is sitting on the Mizukage seat as she skims through the reports.

A frown appears on her face as she reads the report.

"The economy of the village has been on a decline since these past few years. The reign of the Fourth Mizukage sapped all of our resources."

She places down the report and rubs her forehead.

"The memories of the Bloody Mist still haunt the reputation of the village. No business executive is willing to invest their resources in our village."

"That's true…"

Elder Genji nods his head.

"To reform the village, we have to start from the internal policies and improve the image of Kirigakure in the eyes of the other nations."

"Hmm… but how? There are not many trustworthy people in Kirigakure and most of the higher-ups are corrupted."

Whoosh…

Izuna flicker inside the Mizukage Office.

The Anbu raises their guard as they surround Mei to protect her.

"It's fine! He is here."

Mei calms them down.

"Yo!… How are you doing?"

Izuna appears in front of Mei.

"Humph…" Mei angrily harrumphs at him.

"How many times have I told you to use the door to enter the office?"

"Well, it is faster this way."

Izuna scratches his head and chuckles.

"Anyway, jokes aside, I have a solution for your problem."

Izuna tosses the invitation scroll to her. Mei catches the scroll and curiously asks him.

"What do you mean? How can this scroll help Kiri with its reputation?"

"Open it up. You will get the answer." Izuna nods his head.

Hmm…

Mei opens the scroll and reads its content.

"A message from the Hokage…"

Her expression turns serious as he reads the content. She ponders for a while as she passes the scroll to Elder Genji.

"It has been a while since Kiri conducted its last Chunnin promotion exam. After the end of the chaotic civil war, the village lacked enough resources to conduct a chunnin exam.

The old method of bloody slaughter has left a bitter taste in the mouth of many of our elite shinobis. It's time for old rules to be replaced by the new one."

She turns to Elder Genji and questions him.

"Elder Genji! what do you think about this proposal?"

Elder Genji reads the scroll and nods his head.

"This might work…"

"Very well. Kirigakure will accept the invitation. It will help us improve our diplomatic relationship with the Land of Fire."

Mei takes out a scroll from her table and scribbles on it. Mei makes some hand signs and infuses her chakra and creates a seal on the scroll.

She tosses the scroll to Izuna.

"Kirigakure is ready for the collaborative chunnin exam."

Whoosh…

Izuna tosses the scroll in the air and stores it.

"With that out of the way, it's time for some serious business."

Izuna adopts a serious expression as his voice turns heavy.

Hmm…

Mei and Elder Genji's expression turns serious as they perk their ears to listen to the matter.

"Ahem…"

Izuna clears his throat and turns to Mei.

"So… after this, how about we go for a date? We can start with a mixed bath to relieve our stress and then we can walk among the streets of the Kiri as we try the local delicacy and later, we can have a candlelight dinner under the mellow and radiant moonlight."

Izuna stretches his arm in front of Mei.

"…"

Mei and Elder Genji silently stare at Izuna.

A blush appears on Mei's face as she hides it under her Mizukage hat.

Cough… cough…

Elder Genji coughs violently as he almost enters a seizure.

The hidden anbu members silently stare at Izuna as one of them takes out a diary from his pocket and writes something.

The other members turn towards him and questions him.

"What are you writing Hakuren?"

Ahem…

Hakuren clears his throat and replies.

"Every time Izuna-sama visits Mizukage-sama, he has a unique pickup line. Out of curiosity I tried it and proposed to my neighbor and guess what?"

"What?"

All of them perks up their ear.

"The girl liked it and accepted my proposal. Now I have made it a habit to write down every pickup line Izuna-sama uses in a diary."

He passes the diary to his fellow anbu members.

One of them grabs the diary and reads the title.

"A hundred ways to make a girl fall for you." He reads the title aloud.

"…"

All of them turn towards the anbu member.

"Destroy that diary this very instance or else…"

Mei clenches her fist as a lava ball appears in it.

Gulp…

"Yes, Mizukage-sama…"

The anbu member gulps his saliva and burns the diary with a fire release technique.

Mei nods her head.

She turns to Izuna and scolds him.

"You should stop with these pickup lines. They won't work on me anymore. Humph…"

Mei harrumphs at him.

"Well… isn't this reason you fall for me? If I remembered correctly, there was a certain someone who really liked my pickup line." Izuna smugly stares at Mei.

"Sss… stop… we won't talk about it anymore. As for your proposal, I accept it just forget the bathhouse part."

Mei places a finger on his mouth to shut him up.

"Ok! Fine with me."

Izuna shakes his shoulders.

Cough… cough…

Elder Genji coughs slightly.

"Miss Mei… we have a meeting with the merchant group regarding the new economic policy in a few hours. Please get ready for that."

Elder Genji reminds her.

"Well! I will take my leave now."

Izuna winks at Mei as he teleports from the Mizukage Office.

"This idiot…"

A slight smile blooms on her face.

Mei shakes her head as she turns to Elder Genji for the discussion of the incoming meeting.

--

Whoosh…

Izuna teleports inside the Hokage Office.

"I am back."

"ORYAH…"

A punch greets him in return.

Boom…

He is sent flying out of the office as he breaks through the roof.

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO ENTER THROUGH THE DOOR?"

An angry Tsunade yells at him. She looks at the scattered paperwork as her anger rises by another notch.

"Tsunade-sama! We just recently fixed that roof."

Shizune tries to calm her down.

Humph…

"Cut it from his next mission pay."

Tsunade snorts as she collects the scattered paperwork.

--

Ouch! That hurts."

Izuna drops down from a tree.

Crack… crack…

He cracks his neck and stretches his muscles.

"Tsunade is getting stronger day by day. This would hurt in the morning."

Whoosh…

He flickers towards the Hokage Office.

Inside the Hokage Office,

Tsunade unseals the scroll and reads its content.

"So… Kirigakure has agreed to the collaborative Chunnin exam. We have to just wait for a reply from the rest of the hidden villages."

Hmm…

Tsunade stamps the scroll and places it on the table. She turns towards Izuna.

Fffwweehh…

Izuna whistles as he avoids her gaze.

"I have a job for you and you don't have the right to refuse."

Tsunade slams her hands on the table.

"Well, there are few things to do now, and I don't want to baby-sit any genin for now. So, I will accept it."

Izuna nods his head.

A smirk appears on Tsunade's face as she stares at Izuna.

Hmm…

A bad feeling wells up within Izuna's heart.

"Why do I feel like I am being set up?"

He turns towards Shizune to question her.

Shizune turns her head away and avoids his gaze.

Tsunade walks up to him and pats his shoulder.

"I believe you will do a fine job handling the upcoming chunnin exam."

"Wait what? chunnin exams! Don't dump your work on me."

Izuna retorts.

"Hey… you agreed to the mission. You can't eat your words."

Tsunade dismisses his retort.

"I fell for it…"

Izuna depressingly drops his head.

Knock… Knock…

Someone knocks on the door.

"Come in."

Tsunade returns to her seat and orders.

Kakashi walks into the room and bows before Tsunade.

"You summoned me Hokage-sama…"

Tsunade nods her head.

"Kakashi… have you decided on a genin team yet?"

"No… Tsunade-sama… none of them satisfies my requirements."

Kakashi shakes his head.

Tsunade takes out a file and passes it to Kakashi.

"What are your thoughts on this team?"

Hmm…

Kakashi opens the file and checks the profile of the new genins.

"Naruto Uzumaki: he had a decent score in the written exam, not the top of the bunch but still a good score. As for his Ninjutsu exam, he fared pretty well…

Sasuke Uchiha: the top genius of the academy. He scored the second-highest in the written exam and is the top scorer in the Ninjutsu and Shurikenjutsu…

Sakura Haruna: a civilian kunoichi. She is the top scorer in the written exam and did pretty well with the Ninjutsu exam…"

Kakashi closes the file and rubs his forehead as he turns to Izuna.

"If I am not wrong, Naruto and Sasuke were taught by you."

Izuna nods his head.

"Yes, both of them are pretty strong for their age. They can easily rival a chunnin and can even fight toe-to-toe with a Jounin while using their trump cards."

Haah…

Kakashi takes a deep breath as he calms his nerves after listening to Izuna's explanation.

"These kids already surpass my skills when I was at their age. How am I supposed to babysit them? Also, why would you even bother to put two of the strongest genin in the same team, Hokage-sama?"

He asks Tsunade.

Tsunade points towards Izuna.

"It was his idea. I was against it, but he convinced me."

Kakashi turns to Izuna and tilts his head in confusion.

"Kakashi! Naruto and Sasuke had known each other since childhood. Both of them trained together and are aware of each other's weaknesses and strengths. Their teamwork is formidable."

Hmm…

"Teamwork… huh…"

Kakashi closes his eyes as he reminisces his past.

'So, the ghosts of past still haunt him.'

Izuna shakes his head.

'Maybe… Naruto would be able to beat some sense in him with his Talk-no-jutsu.'

Ahem…

Izuna clears his throat to get Kakashi's attention.

"How about we make a bet Kakashi?"

"What bet?"

Kakashi snaps out from his thoughts.

"Kakashi, hold a bell test with Naruto and Sasuke. If they can get their hands on bells, then you would destroy those pictures."

Izuna remembers his dark secrets recorded by Kakashi.

Hmm…

"What pictures?"

Tsunade's interest piques up.

"No… no, nothing. It is a matter between two men."

"Hoh… now I am really interested."

Tsunade has a smirk on her face as she turns to Kakashi.

"Kakashi… I want to see those photos."

"Uh! Tsunade-sama… those pictures?"

Kakashi scratches his head.

"Kakashi… if you dared to reveal those pictures to her… I will set your entire collection of culture books on fire. Also, the new Icha Icha Violence is out."

Izuna takes out a book from his pocket.

"This is the first collector's edition of Icha Icha Violence signed by the Jiraiya. He gave it to me at our last meeting. I was about to throw it away, but then I changed my mind and thought of gifting it to you."

Izuna shakes the book in front of Kakashi.

"The new Icha Icha collector's edition."

Kakashi's hands start to shake as he gently holds the book.

Sniff… sniff…

He sniffs the book.

"…"

"This fresh scent of paper. It is definitely the new edition."

"…"

"I can't wait to finish it in one sitting."

Swish…

Izuna grabs the book and stores it.

"Listen… I will give this book to you for free just forget about the bet. But DON'T… DON'T YOU DARE TO REVEAL THOSE PICTURES."

"No… give it back."

Kakashi grabs Izuna's shoulder like a drug addict.

"…"

Tsunade and Shizune watch the drama unfolding from a distance.

"Tsunade-sama, I am also curious to see those pictures of Izuna."

Tsunade nods her head.

"Don't worry, someday I will make Kakashi cough them out."

"…"

"Hey! I can hear you loud and clear."

Izuna turns towards them.

"Anyway, Kakashi, aren't you late? You have a genin team to meet up with."

Izuna reminds him.

"Ah! Yes, I will be on my way."

Kakashi walks out of the Office.

"I will also take my leave. A woman is waiting for me."

Whoosh…

Izuna disappears from the Office.

Sigh…

Tsunade sighs as she stares at the empty space.

Izuna reappears in front of the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

Miss Yamanaka is watering some flowers. She raises her head and notices Izuna.

"Oh… Izuna-kun!"

Izuna bows in gratitude.

"Here for flowers."

Izuna nods his head.

"I still remember the first day you bought these flowers. You had no clue about the color of roses."

She picks up an orange rose and smells it.

"Orange rose represents life, energy, passion, and excitement. These roses are given as a present to express your gratitude and appreciation."

She picks up a yellow rose and gently caresses it.

"Yellow roses symbolize friendship, joy, and gladness. They are gifted as a sign of remembrance."

She picks up a white rose as she explains.

''White rose symbolizes purity, innocence, grace, and humility. A fine gift for a new-wed couple for the new budding love."

She walks even further and picks up a pink rose.

"Pink rose symbolizes femininity, elegance, and refinement. These are often used by nobles to decorate their parties."

Miss Yamanaka chuckles and moves on. She picks up a lavender rose and turns to Izuna.

"These were the first flowers you bought as a present. Lavender rose symbolizes love at first sight."

Uhm…

Izuna scratches his head to hide his expression.

She walks inside the store and brings out a bouquet of red roses.

"Red roses symbolize romance, love, beauty, and perfection. They are the perfect gift for a date."

She passes the bouquet to Izuna.

"Here… Izuna-kun."

"Thank you… Miss Yamanaka." Izuna picks up the bouquet.

"Ara… you can't make a lady wait for so long."

Miss Yamanaka chuckles as he waves her hand.

--

Outside Terumi Compounds,

Mei is fidgeting her fingers as she checks her dress now and then.

She is wearing a long-sleeved, dark blue dress that falls just below the knees. The dress is closed at back with a zipper and is open on the front-right side from the waist down. The dress covers up to the upper part of her arms and the underside of her chest.

Her hairs are styled into a herringbone pattern and tied with a dark blue band in a top-knot. Fours bangs hang at the front of her face. She wears cherry red lipstick.

"Will he like it? It is a new dress."

Whoosh…

Izuna teleports in front of Mei.

"Sorry… I am a bit late." He apologizes and presents the bouquet to her.

"No… no… I was a bit too early."

Mei shyly shakes her head.

"Cute…"

Izuna is entranced by her expression.

"Cu… cute…" Mei shyly asks him.

"Yes… Mei, you look beautiful in this dress."

Izuna nods his head as he appreciates her beauty.

"This is how it should be. Dark blue color suits you the most."

"Really?"

"Yes… I love it."

Izuna bends on his left knee and stretches out his right hand in a knightly pose.

"Would you grace me with your humble presence tonight?"

Mei chuckles and holds his hand.

"If you can guess what my favorite restaurant is, then we have a deal?"

"Then it seems like we have a long night ahead."

Next day in the morning,

Izuna wakes up in the morning and stretches his arms.

"That was a splendid night yesterday."

Yawn…

He yawns and walks out of his room.

"Oh! Izuna-dear. You are awake." Aiko greets him.

"Yes… mother."

Izuna walks up to the table and picks up his breakfast.

"Where is Ayaka?"

He looks around.

"Ayaka is in the backyard. She woke up pretty early."

"Oh…"

Izuna finishes his breakfast and enters the backyard.

Sho… sho…

Ayaka is throwing wooden shurikens at a training dummy with her eyes closed. She removes her blindfold and checks the target.

"Why do I keep missing my targets?" Ayaka frowns.

She cutely walks up to the training dummies and inspects them.

"Why can't I hit them… I saw Onii-san do it with his eyes closed. I also want to be like Onii-san."

Ayaka pouts as she throws away the shuriken.

"Oh! looks like my cute imouto is having some trouble with her training."

Izuna walks up to her and pinches her cheeks.

Humph…

Ayaka pouts and turns her head away.

"Onii-san… you BAKA! you never spend your time with me. Train me today. I won't leave your side today."

Ayaka tightly hugs him like a koala.

"Well."

Izuna scratches his head.

"No… I won't hear a thing."

Ayaka puffs her cheeks as her eyes turn teary.

"Onii-san! you are such a meanie. You won't play with me."

"No… no… how can I ignore you? I will spend the entire day with you today."

Izuna gently picks her up and places her on his shoulders.

"Yay!... let's go. That's more like it."

Ayaka hugs his head.

'Hmm… today is supposed to be the day when Kakashi will hold the bell test for them. I have a bet with Kakashi. Let's check on them.'

"Ayaka! let's watch Naruto and Sasuke train."

"Yay… I will see Naruto and Sasuke nii-san train."

Whoosh…

Izuna flickers towards the third training ground with Ayaka.

He notices Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura sitting around three stakes.

"Damnit! Kakashi Sensei is so late. Dattebyo!"

Naruto kicks the stake in anger.

"Naruto, Calm down." Sasuke calms him down.

He places his hands under his chin as Sasuke enters into his thinking pose.

"As far as I can think of… Kakashi Sensei called us here to test our skills. He might be spying us on at this very instant. Naruto you should be aware of the fact that patience is very vital for a ninja. If you aren't patient enough, then you might fail a very important mission."

"Oh! I almost forgot about that." Naruto calms down and sits beside him.

"Hey, Naruto! get away from my Sasuke-kun?" Sakura pushes away Naruto and sits beside Sasuke.

Hmm…

Sasuke frowns as he notices this. He turns towards Sakura and rebukes her.

"Listen Sakura! Naruto is like my younger brother. Apologize to him this very instant for your rude behavior."

"But… but Sasuke-kun… Naruto always bothers you in the academy. He… he always fights with you."

Sakura replies in trepidation.

"Listen… that's our personal matter. There is no need for any outsider to interfere with that. Naruto is my brother, friend, and most of all… he is my rival."

"Oh… Sasuke, you think so highly of me."

Naruto shyly scratches his head.

"No one beside me can insult Naruto." Sasuke continues.

"Hey!... what do you mean?" Naruto clutches Sasuke's collar.

"Wanna go at it again? I have learned some new techniques from Izuna Nii-san. I won't lose this time."

Naruto smugly replies to Sasuke.

"Oh… you too, and here I thought Izuna nii-san only taught me." Sasuke brushes away Naruto's hand and smugly replies to him.

"Damnit… I am mad now." Naruto cracks his knuckles.

"Then let's decide."

Growl…

Both of them are interrupted by an empty stomach's growl.

"Huh!"

They turn towards Sakura, who blushes and turns her head away.

"You haven't eaten anything." Both of them ask her.

"Yes… Kakashi Sensei told us to not eat anything in the morning and I am on a diet so I didn't even eat my dinner." Sakura shyly responds to them.

"Diet? why do you need to diet?"

Naruto walks up to her and inspects her.

"You aren't as chubby as that, Choji. Is there even any need to diet?"

'Shannaro'

Sakura clutches her fist as she angrily stares at Naruto.

She punches Naruto.

Whoosh…

Naruto dodges her punch and questions her.

"What was that for? Are you an idiot?"

"Naruto… you are an idiot?" Sakura angrily replies to him.

"Hmm… I agree with Naruto. What kind of ninja will go unprepared for a mission? If the ninja doesn't even have any strength to support his body, then forget about completing the mission he will just turn into a useless liability for the team."

Sasuke calmly replies to her.

"Uuu… useless…" Sakura drops down her head as she looks at Sasuke.

"Listen, Sakura! it may not seem like it… but Naruto is as strong as me. He likes to fool around a lot, but believe me, when this guy is serious… he can put a lot ofeffort into any task. I hate to admit it, but it is the truth." Sasuke praises Naruto.

"Oh!… this is music to my ears. I have recorded it. Now I can hear it anytime." Naruto takes out a tape recorder from his pocket and plays it.

"Listen, Sakura…"

"Damnit… destroy that tape this instant." Sasuke chases Naruto.

"Haha…"

Ayaka giggles as she stares at Naruto and Sasuke from the top of a tree.

"Onii-san… Sasuke Nii-san and Naruto Nii-san are so funny. But who is that girl? I don't like that girl. She is very rude."

Ayaka points her little finger towards Sakura.

"Humph… she is useless for calling Naruto Nii-san useless."

"…"

Izuna silently nods his head.

"True words were never spoken."

Ahem…

"Anyway… Ayaka… look who is coming?"

Izuna points towards Kakashi, who is walking towards the group.

"Oh… that's broom haired Nii-san. I recognize him."

"…"

'Looks like she caught my old habit of nick-naming people.'

"Ayaka! a great show is about to start. Let's watch it together."

Izuna takes out some popcorns from his storage.

Ayaka grabs a handful of popcorns with her tiny hands and gnaws them like a squirrel.

"Nii-san… I feel like it is missing something. I need something to drink with it."

"…"

Izuna silently takes out a soda can from his storage and passes it to her.

'Why do I feel like, she is also reincarnated like me? Probably not.'

Izuna shakes his head to dismiss such thoughts as he watches one of the mostawaited moments of Naruto.

'I wonder how things will turn out this time. Kakashi is a lot stronger than his original counterpart. But so are Sasuke and Naruto. As for Sakura, let's not talk about her for now.'

--

"Hi, folks! Good Morning."

Kakashi waves his hand.

"You are late." Naruto and Sakura yell at him.

"Sorry… sorry… a black cat crossed my way, so I have to turn around and takethe longer route." Kakashi scratches his forehead.

"Lies…" Naruto yells at him.

"Okay…"

Kakashi takes out an alarm clock and places it on the stump.

"… it is set for noon."

He takes out two bells from his pocket and jingles them.

"Today's assignment is to take these bells away from me by noon."

Jingle… jingle…

The bells jingle in his hands.

"I am sure everybody skipped their breakfast, right?" Kakashi questions them.

"No… Sasuke and me ate ours." Naruto reveals this to Kakashi.

"Ho… as your team leader I gave you an order for the mission and you neglected my order."

Kakashi grabs the bells tightly as his expression darkens.

Gulp…

Sakura gulps her saliva as she stares at Kakashi.

'Scary… Kakashi Sensei is scary.'

"Mind explaining. Why?" He questions them.

"Let me explain. We ate our breakfast because without our breakfast we won't be in our peak condition. A shinobi should always be prepared before a mission and that includes food supplies." Sasuke answers him.

"Well, that's true." Kakashinodshis head as he explains the rules.

"Wait! Kakashi sensei, whyare there only two bells?"

Sakura asks him.

"Good question." Kakashinods hishead as he replies.

"There are only two, so at the very least, one will have to go back to the academy."

Huh…

All three of them are surprised by this revelation.

'What's he thinking?'

Sasuke ponders as he stares at Kakashi'ssmug expression.

'As far as I know, a squad should have three members. How can there be a squad without three genins? Looks like there is more to the matter than it seems.'

"I won't return to the academy. Dattebyo!"

Naruto pumps his fist in the air.

"Hoh! Confident… aren't you? Let's see where your confidence will carry you?"

Kakashi smiles at Naruto as he ties the bells around his belt.

"You won't be able to take the bells unless you come with the intent to kill me.

Begin when I give the "ready-go" signal."

"Ready"

"Go"

"Start"

Kakashi waves his hand to start the Bell Test. He takes out the new Icha Icha Violence given to him by Izuna.

Poof… Poof…

Naruto and Sasuke throw smoke bombs on the ground and create a smokescreen.

'Fundamentally, a ninja must mask their presence and hide. But when in open they need a distraction to get away from the enemy's vision. Looks like Izuna taught them well.'

Whoosh…

Kakashi waves his hand and clears the smoke.

"I will pound you to death."

Naruto runs out of the smoke with a kunai in his hand.

"Guess… I had too high of the expectations."

Kakashi scratches his head.

Clang…

He deflects Naruto's kunai with his own and backhand chop Naruto.

Poof…

Naruto disappears in a puff of white smoke.

"What?"

Kakashi is surprised to see this.

'Not a normal clone. But a shadow clone… looks like this kid is really onto something.'

"Got you."

The kunai turns into Naruto and attempts to grab the bell.

"Leaf Hurricane"

Kakashi immediately sweeps his legs and kicks Naruto away.

Poof…

Naruto disappears in a puff of smoke again.

"That was close."

Kakashi closes the book and pockets it.

"Looks like I can't take it easy. These kids have some skills."

'That was a very creative way of using Shadow clones. Using transformation jutsu to transform a shadow clone into a kunai and testing the strength of the enemies.

He sure has learned a lot from Izuna. Besides Izuna, I can't think of any other shinobi who has enough chakra to perform such a feat. Maybe Naruto is the second person to do so.'

Tch…

In a nearby bush,

Naruto clicks his tongue as the shadow clones send the information.

"He easily defeated my clones."

"He won't be much of an elite Jounin if he can't deal with the clones of a genin."

Sasuke remarks as he formulates a plan.

"We can't take him down individually… we have to join hands and strategize to get the bells."

Naruto nods his head and remarks.

"I hate to admit it… but looks like there is no other choice."

"Very well." Sasuke nods his head and turns towards Sakura.

"Sakura… is there anything you are particularly good at? I have known Naruto for so long that I am aware of all his strengths and weaknesses. So… you are the only when we have no information on."

"Well… Sasuke-kun… I… I am not really good at anything… except the writing part. I was the top scorer in the written exam." Sakura shyly replies to him.

"That's useless, Dattebyo! Do you want to beat Kakashi Sensei by throwing books at him?" Naruto places his hands beside his head as he questions Sakura.

'Shannaro… Naruto, I swear I will beat you to death for saying this in front of Sasuke-kun.'

The inner Sakura clenches her fist.

"I… I don't know." Sakura drops down her head.

"Enough… Naruto. I am sure she could play some part in our plan."

Sasuke turns towards Naruto and asks him.

"Naruto, do you have paper bombs?"

"Yes… I do. Izuna Nii-san creates all of our paper bombs, remember."

Naruto takes out a stack of paper bombs and passes them to Sasuke.

"That should be enough." Sasuke nods his head as he formulates a plan.

--

"Oh… they have hidden pretty well."

Kakashi walks through the forest as he searches for the group.

Swish… swish…

Multiple shurikens attack him from all directions.

Clang… Clang…

Kakashi deflects all the kunais as he remarks.

"Shinobi Battle Skill #1 Ninjutsu"

Whoosh…

'Shuriken Shadow clone jutsu, '

The shurikens multiples as they attack Kakashi from his blind spot.

"Earth Release: Mud Wall"

Kakashi slams his palm on the ground and blocks the shurikens.

Tch…

Sasuke clicks his tongue and changes his hiding spot.

Whoosh….

'Wind Release: Vacuum Blades'

Naruto jumps out from the back of the wall as he makes some hand signs and releases multiple sharp wind blades at Kakashi.

"Well… that's not what a normal genin should be able to use… but I guess you aren't normal."

Bzzt…

Kakashi releases a lightning bolt from his right hand and dissipates the wind blades.

Poof…

Naruto disappears in a puff of smoke.

Tch…

'He is very strong. To be able to use a weak element to counteract a strong element.'

Sasuke clicks his tongue.

"Yo… kid."

Kakashi appears behind Sasuke.

"What… how?"

Sasuke's eye widens in surprise.

"Shinobi Battle Skill #2 Genjutsu"

Kakashi makes some hand signs and casts a genjutsu on Sasuke.

"Sharingan"

Sasuke activates his Sharingan as he counterattacks the genjutsu.

"What?… a fully matured Sharingan at such an age."

Kakashi's eyes widen in surprise as his body gets paralyzed by the genjutsu.

"It's over."

Bam…

Sasuke punches Kakashi.

Poof…

Kakashi disappears in a puff of smoke.

Tch…

"A shadow clone… I revealed my trump card for nothing."

Sasuke clicks his tongue.

Aiyah…

He hears a scream from a distance.

"That's Sakura's scream. Looks like Kakashi Sensei got her. I have to save her… she is vital for our plan."

Sasuke dashes towards the direction of the scream.

"Huh… that's Sakura's scream. I have to check on her."

Naruto comes out from his hiding spot and dashes towards the scream.

"What's the hurry… kid?"

Whoosh…

Kakashi jumps in front of Naruto as he kicks him.

Bang…

Naruto is sent flying towards a tree.

"Shinobi Battle Skill #3: Taijutsu"

--

Crunch… crunch…

Izuna eats some popcorns as he records the fight in his memory.

"This fight turned out to be more challenging than the original."

Crunch… crunch…

"But I am more surprised at Kakashi's growth. Looks like the presence of Sakumo-san saved him from losing hope. Also… another factor is the seal on his Sharingan. It prevents the continuous drain of his chakra."

Slurp… slurp…

"That's so good."

Ayaka finishes a large can of soda.

"…"

"Onii-san… I don't like the flavor of Orange Soda. Next time, you should bring Lemon Soda."

"…"

Izuna silently nods his head.

"I will keep that in mind."

Burp…

Ayaka burps cutely as she places her tiny hands on her mouth.

"You didn't hear that Onii-san… right?"

"…"

Izuna nods his head again.

"I heard nothing."

"Good… huhu."

Ayaka places her tiny hands on her waist as he stares at the bell test.

"Wow… Naruto and Sasuke Nii-san are very cool."

Aiyah…

Both Izuna and Ayaka watch as Kakashi traps Sakura in a genjutsu. Sakura faints from the genjutsu.

"But that girl… she deserves it for bullying Naruto Nii-san. Now look who is the useless one?"

Humph…

Ayaka harrumphs at Sakura.

'Looks like Ayaka doesn't like Sakura.'

"What about me? Am I not cool?"

Izuna points a finger towards himself.

"No… you are not cool."

Ayaka shakes her head.

"Is that so?"

Izuna drops his head depressingly.

"You are the coolest."

Ayaka hugs him tightly.

"Huhu… right… your brother is the coolest and most handsome Ninja born ever."

Izuna smugly raises his head.

Humph…

"Yes… but I am cooler, right Nii-san?"

Ayaka makes puppy eyes as she cutely stares at Izuna.

"Yes… yes… of course, our little princess Ayaka is the coolest."

Izuna gently pats her head.

"Look… look… Nii-san, broom haired nii-san is fighting Naruto now."

Ayaka points towards the direction of the fight.

Bang…

Naruto is kicked away by Kakashi as Naruto hits a tree.

"Ouch… that must have hurt a lot."

Ayaka closes her eyes.

"Ayaka… your Nii-san personally trained Naruto. He won't go down that easily. Look…"

Ayaka opens her eyes as he curiously stares at the fight.

--

Ptui…

Naruto jumps back as he wipes his face.

Ouch… ouch…

"My back hurts."

He slowly gets up.

Crack… crack…

He cracks his knuckles and dashes towards Kakashi.

"I haven't gone from the hellish training of Izuna Nii-san for nothing. Dattebyo!"

Bam… bam…

He exchanged blows with Kakashi.

Bam…

'Leaf Hurricane: Whirlwind'

Naruto jumps in the air and performs a front flip to gain momentum as he lands a kick on Kakashi.

Whoosh…

Kakashi blocks the kick with his left hand as he is pushed back by the attack.

"Looks like you have trained quite a lot in Taijutsu. Your endurance is quite high… Naruto."

Kakashi praises Naruto as he takes a Taijutsu stance.

"Now show me, how capable you are?" Kakashi taunts Naruto.

"Alright, let's face off fair and square."

Naruto makes a hand sign.

"Multiple Shadow clone Jutsu"

He creates ten shadow clones as he points towards Kakashi.

"Alright, boys, beat him up."

"Oye… Oye! how is this fair?"

Kakashi blocks one attack after another from Naruto's Shadow clones as he complains.

UzumakiStyle: Ten Combo Smash"

The shadow clones attackKakashi from all directions.

Bam… Bam… Bam…

Kakashi blocks one attack afteranother from Naruto.

"You have quite the knack for Taijutsu. But it's not enough."

Swoosh…

"Leaf Hurricane Reverse Whirlwind"

Kakashi delivers a reverse roundhouse kick and dispels all the shadow clones.

Haah…

He jumps in the air and grabs Naruto

"Falcon Drop"

Kakashi grabs Naruto's ankle and wrap legs around his waist as he drives Naruto into the ground.

Boom…

Naruto is wedged into the ground as he struggles to get free from the ground.

"Aww… aww… let me out."

Swish… swish…

Multiple shurikens encircle around Kakashi and tie him up with metal wires.

Haah…

"Fire Style: Great Phoenix FlowerTechnique"

Sasuke channels a large amount of chakra through fire as he incinerates the wires with the flames.

"This technique… it is a jounin level technique."

Kakashi's eyes widen in surprise.

Srr…

The jutsu explodes near Kakashi as it turns him into cinders.

"Did I get him?"

Sasuke hurriedly checks his surroundings.

Poof…

Kakashi's body turns into a wooden log as it turns to cinders.

"A substitution Jutsu!"

Whoosh…

"Beneath you."

Kakashi jumps out from the ground as he clutches Sasuke's legs.

"Earth Release: Head-hunter Jutsu"

Whoosh…

Kakashi pulls Sasuke into the ground as his head is wedged out.

"Using such a flashy jutsu in the middle of a fight leaves you vulnerable to surprise attacks. Now then…"

Huhu…

Sasuke smiles smugly as he disappears in a puff of smoke.

"Uchiha Style: Surging Fire Wild Dance"

Sasuke appears behind Kakashi and releases a barrage of kicks and punches.

Bam… bam…

Kakashi blocks his attack as he is pushed back by the impact.

"Now… Naruto!"

Whoosh…

Naruto performs a backflip as he jumps in the air.

"Pile Driver"

He infuses some chakra in his leg as he directs the foot on top of Kakashi's head.

Bam…

The kick shatters the ground.

Swoosh…

Kakashi jumps back and avoids thekick. He performs a backflip and stabilizes himself.

"Sakura! this is our chance."

Sasuke yells as he signals Sakura.

"Yes…"

"Release"

Sakura makes some hand signs and slams her palm on the ground.

Rumble… Rumble…

The ground beneath Kakashi crumbles apart to reveal a pit full of explosive paper bombs.

"This amount of paper bombs…"

Kakashi's eyes widen in surprise at the sheer number of Paper bombs.

"Hey… hey! calm down, kids… whenI said come with the intent to kill me; I didn't really mean it."

Whoosh… Whoosh…

Three of Naruto's shadow clones grabs Kakashi tightly as one of the smirks.

"Let's go down together, Kakashi Sensei. Dattebyo!"

BOOM…

The paper bombs light up as theytrigger a massive explosion.

"We got him. Dattebyo!"

Naruto palm-claps with his shadow clone.

--

"Oh!... they did pretty well."

Izuna nods his head.

"Looks like their harsh training wasn't for vain."

Neh… Neh…

Ayaka tugs his sleeves as she points towards the group.

"Is broom haired Nii-san okay?"

Izuna gently pats her forehead.

"Just watch, it's not over yet."

Hu…

Ayaka nods her head and turns towards the fight.

"I hope Naruto and Sasuke Nii-san wins this."

Ayaka silently prays with her hands closed.

--

Rumble… rumble…

Whoosh…

Kakashi jumps out from the ground as he pulls Naruto in the ground.

"It's still too early to celebrate. You can't lower your guard until you have confirmed the decapitation of your enemy."

Kakashi reveals his Sharingan as he pants.

'I can't believe these kids pushed me to this extent. That Izuna! he is raising a bunch of monsters like himself.'

Huff… Huff…

Kakashi breathes heavily as he points towards the clock.

"Looks like time's up."

Huff… Huff…

"Yes, time's over."

Sasuke breathes heavily as he points towards Kakashi's belt.

"What?"

Kakashi checks his belt as he notices the absence of the bell.

"We did it."

Naruto and Sasuke breathe heavily as they clap their palms together.

Jingle… jingle…

Both of them show the bell to Kakashi.

"When…"

Kakashi scratches his head as he remembers the memory before the battle.

"It was then…"

The moment before the explosion flashes in his memory.

"Very well! Looks like both of you got one bell each."

Kakashi deactivates his Sharingan. He turns towards Sakura and shakes his head.

"Too bad Sakura… you didn't get thebell. Seems like you have to return to the academy."

'Sigh! I lost the bet with Izuna. Now he won't allow me to see the end of this.'

"Noo… I failed."

Sakura drops down her head as her eyes turn teary.

"That won't do. Sakura is our teammate, if not for her we won't be able to get the bells." Naruto defends Sakura as he argues with Kakashi.

"Kakashi Sensei, a genin team comprises three members. This test was unfair to begin with. With only two bells, one of us was sure to be eliminated. Sakura is the weakest link of our team, but that doesn't mean she has played no role in our strategy."

Sasuke argues with Kakashi.

"Hmm… that's true. But rules are rules. A ninja must always follow the rules regardless of the situation."

His expression turns serious as the atmosphere turns heavy.

Gulp…

Naruto gulps his saliva as he gets ready to fight Kakashi.

"We are a three-man squad. We are part of a team. If you want to fail one of us, then we three will return to the academy together."

Naruto clenches his fists together and shouts at Kakashi.

"Yes! we three are one team."

Sasuke nods his head.

"So, this is your collective decision."

Kakashi releases a wave of chakra to pressurize them.

"Naruto-kun… Sasuke-kun…"

Sakura's eyes tear up. She wipes her tears and turns to Kakashi with a resoluteexpression.

"No, Kakashi-sensei… don't fail them. I will return to the academy."

"No Sakura, we won't allow this." Naruto blocks Sakura.

"YOU GUYS…" Kakashi's voice turns heavy.

"… you pass."

He gives a thumbs up and smiles at them.

"Huh… what?"

The expression of Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto turns blank as they stare at Kakashi.

"Up until now, it was always just dunces who would meekly listen to what I said.

A ninja must see through the deception. A ninja who breaks the rule is TRASH. Rules are important, but friends are even more so.

Those who don't cherish their friends are worse than TRASH."

Kakashi's expression turns solemn as he reminisces his past.

'Obito… Rin… I failed you guys. But I won't repeat the same mistake.'

"Anyway… that's for the exercise. All of you pass. Come meet me tomorrow to officially start your missions."

"Yay… hurray!" Naruto jumps around as he celebrates his victory.

Whoosh… Whoosh…

Izuna appears in front of the group.

"Yo!"

Ayaka raises her hands and greets the group.

"So cute…"

Sakura's eyes shine brightly as she walks towards Ayaka. She tries to pinch Ayaka's cheeks, but Ayaka pushes her away.

Humph…

Ayaka dodges her hands and hides behind Izuna.

"No… get away from me. I don't like you."

"Why?" Sasuke asks her.

"You made fun of Naruto Nii-san."

Naruto walks up to Ayaka and picks her up.

"Today… your Naruto Nii-san is very happy. He will treat you to Ichiraku Ramen. Dattebyo!"

Bonk…

Ayaka clenches her tiny fists and bonks Naruto's head.

"That's so unhealthy. You only eat ramen, I won't allow this."

Ouch… ouch…

Naruto rubs his forehead in pain.

"But… but Ayaka… Ramen is so good. It tastes so heavenly, remember those silky noodles, that sparkling broth, the taste of the toppings. I can't help but salivate."

He tries to entice Ayaka.

Gulp…

Ayaka gulps a mouthful of saliva.

'No… I can't fall so easily. I have to take care of all of them. I am their caring imouto, after all. What will happen to them without me?'

Bonk…

She bonks Naruto's head again.

"No means no… if you argue again, I will complain to Tsunade Nee-san."

"But… but… my ramen."

Naruto depressingly drops his head as he sits in a corner and draws some circle.

Ahem…

Izuna clears his throat and turns to Kakashi.

"Kakashi! you lost the bet. It's time for you to fulfill your end of the deal."

He stretches his hand in front of Kakashi.

"Fine… fine…"

Kakashi takes out a packet from his pocket and passes it to Izuna.

"What's this?"

Ayaka walks up to Izuna and tries to grab the packet.

"No… nothing. It's nothing."

Izuna hurriedly grabs the packet.

Srrr…

He sets the packet on fire and burns it to ashes.

"Now I am really curious to know what it was." Ayaka places her tiny hands onher waist as she demands from Izuna.

Whistle… whistle…

Izuna whistles and turns his head away to avoid Ayaka's gaze.