AN: Another one for ya. In my last chapter I made some mistakes. I misspelled Ino's name which I am not too worried about since it is a foreign name in a language I do not speak. I will try not to mess up the spelling anymore. I also added an extra zero to the time it takes to cook instant ramen, and someone took great offence to it saying I must not pay attention to Naruto. I did in fact look back at the team intro to try to get some of it in and I did mean to put 3 minutes my mistake on adding a zero in there, but the time it takes to make instant ramen has very little to do with the Naruto story so I don't believe it was fair to say I don't pay attention to Naruto. In this one I will cover the bell test, and we will see some D-ranks to build team chemistry and also some NaruIno fluff. Sorry for the long AN.

Chapter 5: The Bell Test

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Naruto arrived at the training ground at 7:00 sharp. Sasuke and Ino were there, but no sign of Kakashi-sensei. "You are late Naruto," Ino tells him tiredly. She was much too sleepy to get in a shouting match with Naruto.

Naruto just shrugs. He still wasn't brave enough to hold a conversation with Ino yet. No one else said anything else, much too tired to do anything, except Naruto who had been getting up earlier than this for the better part of a year now.

It quickly became apparent that Kakashi-sensei was going to be really late. Naruto sat down to meditate again. He had meditated last night and this morning like Katsu-sensei told him, but Naruto still was not sure what he was supposed to be finding out. Katsu-sensei told him to look underneath the underneath, but what exactly did that mean?

Naruto had asked him when he went to his house for breakfast this morning. Yes he knew he wasn't supposed to eat anything this morning, but Katsu-sensei had always told him to never skip a meal unless his life was in danger. Katsu-sensei did not reveal anything more to him this morning, but Naruto caught him trying to suppress his giggles when Naruto left this morning.

Naruto now knew why his Sensei was laughing at him, Kakashi had a reputation for being late for everything, and these new Genin hopefuls were learning this first hand. First yesterday, and now this morning. Naruto could see this becoming a trend.

Kakashi-sensei did end up showing up around 10 am. Seeing his students with angry scowls directed at him, Kakashi gave his patented eye smile. "Hello, how is everyone?" Kakashi asks. Ino berates Kakashi for showing up late while Naruto and Sasuke remain quiet. They wanted to know what this test was that only 33% of the graduates could pass.

Once Kakashi calmed Ino down, he rummaged through his backpack pulling out a clock, three lunches, and two bells. "Okay everyone, this is the bell test. This test is simple, all you have to do is take at least one bell from me before 12 pm, and you pass. If you fail to get a bell by 12 I will give you another chance after lunch, but the worst performer will be tied to one of those posts," Kakashi points to one of the three posts behind him, "while your teammates and I eat lunch in front of you." Kakashi sets the alarm and ties the bells to his pants.

"Okay, your test begins…Now!" as soon as the test began, everyone took off to the forest to hide. Kakashi took out his book and starts reading. Naruto looked on from his hiding spot, if Kakashi-sensei would not come look for them then Naruto was more than happy to wait and plan out his attack. He never thought this would be a combat exam.

Sure they were shinobi and fighting came with the job, but this was a Jonin. Only another Jonin could take on someone like Kakashi. From what Naruto had heard about Kakashi, he was one of the strongest shinobi in the village. Only two or three people could beat him, and Naruto wasn't one of them.

Which lead to the question, how could any of them get a bell from Kakashi, and since there were two bells did that mean only two of them could pass? That was when Katsu-sensei's words came to mind, "Look underneath the underneath." 'Of course,' Naruto thought. This test was set up to divide them against each other. Obviously when faced with a greater opponent then you would team up to fight them. That much was taught in the academy. However, the thought never occurred to team seven to team up because the number of bells instantly told them that only two could pass which meant someone failed. Why work together when it was possible you would be left out?

But that was what the whole test was about, seeing if you would work together even if it meant one of you would not gain anything from it. 'This test is messed up' Naruto thought to himself. Even though Naruto found the answer to the test, there was still the problem of getting the other two to help him.

Naruto could maybe get Ino's help, but Sasuke would refuse saying he could take Kakashi himself. Naruto really hated Sasuke's arrogance. Naruto stealthily made his way to Ino, might as well try the easier of the two first.

Kakashi stood in the clearing waiting for someone to come at him. At first Kakashi was impressed by the Genin hopeful's ability to hid, especially Naruto. Kakashi still could not find Naruto's presence. Now Kakashi was no sensor type at all, but years of experience was more than enough to find some hidden fresh out of the academy kids.

Sasuke and Ino were easy to find, but Naruto seemed to vanish completely. Kakashi considered the fact that Naruto may have left the training field, but dismissed it quickly. Kakashi knew that more than anything Naruto wanted to be Hokage, and if you wanted to be the dictator of a shinobi village you had to be a shinobi at some point in your career. Naruto knew this so he would still be here somewhere, which left with one option, he could conceal his presence up to Jonin level.

Naruto could only be at this level if someone had been training him, but who? Kakashi could not figure it out. As far as he knew Jiraiya had not returned to the village yet, so who could have trained Naruto to this level? Kakashi was determined to find out. He feared that Danzo may have gotten ahold of Naruto.

Kakashi was starting to get bored. He had assumed that one of them would have attacked by now. He thought Naruto was a hot head that would charge him head first at the beginning of the test. Now he suspected Naruto to be the last person to face him. Then he figured Sasuke would face him when the others would not come out, more so since Kakashi was reading a book, and with the Uchiha superiority complex Sasuke would definitely face him calming not to be as weak as the others.

Now Kakashi was wondering if he read this team wrong. Maybe they were just a bunch of cowards.

Kakashi was about to search for one when he felt Sasuke move from his hiding spot and approach him. Kakashi turned to him when Sasuke arrived. As he expected Sasuke boosted about not being weak like the others, and began to fight him.

Meanwhile, Naruto had somehow convinced Ino to work with him after explaining the test, and promising to buy her some new clothes. They were on their way to Sasuke when his battle with Kakashi began. They decided to watch and see what happened. Neither one was foolish enough to think Sasuke would actually win, but both were surprised by Sasuke's effort. Especially when he almost got one of the bells. Naruto was so jealous when Sasuke used the great fire ball jutsu.

Katsu-sensei refused to start Naruto's elemental training until he was older, stating that he wasn't ready. At the time Naruto thought it was impossible to learn elemental jutsu at his age, but now he knew better. There was a fiery example right in front of him. Naruto would have some words with his sensei after this.

Kakashi ended the fight by pulling Sasuke underground. Kakashi looked around for a minute before leaving Sasuke there. Sasuke looked furious. Naruto had serious doubts that Sasuke would even consider helping them now. Even though he lost completely. Once Naruto thought the cost was clear, he and Ino ran to Sasuke.

"Sasuke we need to team up if we want to beat Kakashi-sensei." Naruto then explains the purpose of the bell test to Sasuke, but like he feared Sasuke refused claiming that since he touched one bell that he could get one next time.

Naruto tried to tell him that it was pointless, and that Kakashi would be more careful next time. Sasuke still refused, but Naruto and Ino dug him out anyways. Naruto continued his plan without Sasuke. He did not think it would work without Sasuke's help, but he had no other choice. Sasuke was too much of a stick in the mud to come around before noon. Maybe after lunch Sasuke would see that he needed their help.

Naruto found Kakashi in a clearing not far from them. He was reading his book again which worked for Naruto. Naruto sneaked around the clearing to attack Kakashi from behind. Kakashi was wondering if this team would be the first to pass his bell test. Ino had come to watch the fight between him and Sasuke, and he felt her approach Sasuke. Kakashi hoped Naruto was with them, but he still could not feel his presence anywhere. Ino was moving toward him now without Sasuke. This worried him that he might have to fail his sensei's son and Obito's heir.

Only years of experience helped Kakashi dodge the attack from behind. Kakashi jumped just as two kunai flew past him. Kakashi turned quickly expecting an enemy shinobi, only to see Naruto charge at him at high Chunin speed. Kakashi quickly put his book away. He blocked the first few strikes, but the pure strength of Naruto's attacks, which were on par with an elite Jonin, caused Kakashi to start dodging most of them.

Naruto's Taijutsu was easily special Jonin level which made Kakashi wonder how good his other skills were, and who had been training Naruto. All academy records said Naruto was the worst of all the students. Kakashi figured most of that had to do with the hatred for Naruto, but Iruka did Naruto's evaluation for this year.

Iruka had wrote that Naruto started off the worst in the class, but was making dramatic improvement toward being Rookie of the Year. Kakashi now knew that whoever was training him must had started in the last year. Kakashi decided to test Naruto fully. He went on the offensive.

Naruto was fast and strong, but he did not have the experience to match Kakashi. Once Kakashi went on the attack, Naruto was steadily losing ground, but that was alright it was all a part of the plan to lure Kakashi to a certain spot. Kakashi was so busy with his fight with Naruto he lost sight of Ino. Suddenly Naruto jumps away.

Kakashi was about to give chase when he felt a chakra surge, indicating a jutsu being used, from his right. "Mind Body Switch Jutsu" Ino yells thinking she has Kakashi, but Kakashi was a Jonin, he was too fast to be caught by the slowness of Ino's Mind Body Switch Jutsu.

Kakashi jumps away while Ino's mind sails by. Her body falls to the ground. It will be some time before her mind returns, and Naruto knew this. He was in big trouble. This is why he needed Sasuke's help. If Ino missed Sasuke could hold off Kakashi while he moved Ino away. Now though he had to fight Kakashi while protecting Ino, and Kakashi knew it.

Kakashi immediately went for Ino. Naruto had a better angle, and intercepted him; however, Kakashi was excepting this, and put the pressure on Naruto. Naruto was losing ground quickly. He could not keep up with the experienced Jonin for long. He had yet to finish mastering the Buddhist Palm Taijutsu. Kakashi knocked Naruto away and leapt for Ino with a kunai in hand.

Naruto watched from he landed knowing he would not be able to stop him. Naruto did not know if Kakashi would actually hurt her or not, but he was not willing to take the chance. Naruto's desperation caused some of the Kyubi's Chakra to flow through his body. The surge of Chakra allowed Naruto to move with blinding speeds, and catch up to Kakashi.

Out of the corner of Kakashi's eye, he saw Naruto catch up to him. His reflexes would not be fast enough to stop the claw hand from cutting his jugular which is where it was headed. The alarm rang, overcoming the sounds of fighting in the training ground. Everyone stopped. Ino, whose mind had just returned, was shocked. Kakashi had a kunai at her throat while Naruto had his hand at Kakashi's throat. Luckily they had both stopped when the alarm went off.

The Kyubi's chakra had receded now that the battle was over, and Naruto looked normal now; however, he was exhausted. Katsu-sensei told him he would wear himself out if he used the Kyubi's chakra, but he never thought it would be this bad. He collapsed to the ground too tired to get up. Kakashi gathered them up, and tied a tired Naruto to the post.

"Okay, that's all for the first try. None of you were able to get a bell, but I am willing to give you a second chance. After lunch we will try again. Anyone without a bell after the second try will be sent back to the academy. Ino and Sasuke, you can have lunch; however, Naruto since you are the most beaten of everyone, you will not have lunch. If anyone gives him lunch I will kick you out of the Shinobi Program. I will be back in one hour."

With that Kakashi left taking the third lunch box. Ino and Sasuke started eating. No one said a word. Naruto was starving. He may have ate that morning, but that was more than four hours ago, and he had used a lot of energy. He was fearful of not having enough energy to do anything in the second part.

Ino wanted to give Naruto some of her food. It was obvious to her that Naruto wore himself out protecting her when she missed with the Mind Body Transfer Jutsu, but she was scared of being kicked out of the Shinobi Program that would destroy all her dreams.

Then something happened that surprised everyone. Sasuke held out some food for Naruto to eat. "Here eat something Loser, I will need your help to get a bell in the next part." Naruto could not believe it. Sasuke Uchiha, most likely the most prideful person he knew was willing to share his food and give his help to him. Ino encouraged by Sasuke's actions eagerly help feed Naruto. A weight had been lift off her shoulder now the guilt of not being able to help Naruto was gone.

Kakashi watched them from the trees, expertly hiding himself. He was surprised to see Sasuke give Naruto his food. 'Maybe they really do have what it takes to pass this test.' Kakashi was going to jump out and scare them at first, but decided to see if they really did work together to get the bells from him.

Kakashi waited for them to finish before walking back into the clearing like he really left. He untied Naruto and set the alarm for 4 pm. "Last chance everyone, if you don't get a bell this time you will fail and go back to the academy. Ready…. Start!"

They jumped away again. This time he did not have to wait long before they attacked. Kunai came at him from the left and right. Kakashi jumped back, when he did Sasuke sent a fire ball at him. While Sasuke and Ino engaged Kakashi, Sasuke close range, and Ino from long range, while Naruto went to set his trap.

Kakashi did not see Naruto helping the others, and was about to finish this to see what Naruto was doing when a hundred Narutos jumped out of the trees at him. Kakashi was shocked at first, but recovered quickly. That is until he hit one to see it was solid. 'Kage Bunshin?' Kakashi thought shocked. 'This must be what he learned from the scroll of seals. Now that I thought about it Naruto using Kage Bunshin was in the Mizuki incident report.'

Kakashi had to focus to dispel all the Naruto clones. Now he wished he stopped Naruto from eating. Kakashi resorted to using a jutsu. "Great Fireball Jutsu" Kakashi roosted half the Naruto's hoping that the real Naruto was not among them.

Kakashi eventually dispelled the clones. Leaving a lone Naruto standing on the edge of the clearing. Naruto jumped away as if to flee. This surprised Kakashi, but gave chase. He wondered where Sasuke and Ino went, but decided to let this little trap, he expected to happen, happen.

When he caught up to Naruto, Naruto and Sasuke were waiting for him. They were in their respective Taijutsu guards. Kakashi approached cautiously. He knew Ino was hiding to the left, but left her be. Whatever the trap was obviously ended with Ino using her Mind Body Transfer Jutsu.

On his next step a seal activated at his feet. Kakashi, who did not know any of the students knew Fuinjutsu, could not react quick enough to stop the seal's affects. All of Kakashi's muscles froze up. This seal was one that sealed movement. He could not stop Ino's Mind Body Transfer Jutsu. Once Ino took over his body she gave the bells to Naruto, and released the Jutsu.

Kakashi was proud, these kids definitely found the value of team work, and displayed it splendidly. Kakashi wanted to give one more push to see if they really were ready.

"Okay Naruto, you have the bells, but like I said before only those with bells would pass. So who will pass you pick. The choice is yours." Kakashi puts the pressure on Naruto. Naruto did expect this, but he knew what the right thing to do was. Hopefully Kakashi-sensei was just testing him still, and not being serious.

Naruto hands one bell to Ino and the other to Sasuke. "Are you sure Naruto, you will have to go back to the academy you know?" Kakashi tells him.

"I know but both of them deserve to be Shinobi. Without them I would not have gotten a bell in the first place. Plus one way or another I will be Hokage no matter how long it takes!" Naruto yells enthusiastically.

Kakashi was glad he could finally pass a team. The team he wanted most no less. "Very well then Naruto. You all…Pass." Kakashi tells them. Sasuke and Ino were shocked, but Naruto was just relieved. He was finally a Shinobi.

"Meet me here tomorrow at 8 am for your first mission." Kakashi tells them before he Shunshin away.

The next morning

Naruto makes it to the Training ground at 10 am. Ino and Sasuke were there already. Ino gives him a halfhearted glare. "Kakashi is really going to be late every time isn't he?" she asks him.

"Katsu-sensei told me Kakashi is famous for it" he tells her. He meet with Katsu-sensei this morning for breakfast, and Katsu finally told him about Kakashi. Naruto was angry that Katsu did not tell him sooner, but Katsu merely told him that information was power, and if he should have done his research.

Naruto spent the rest of the morning at the library studying up on the Jonin of the village. He was amazed by the accomplishments of the current Jonin of the village. He was determined to do greater things then them so the council and Daimyo would have no doubt he was the right choice for Hokage.

"Who is Katsu?" Ino asks him. Admittedly she was not familiar with all the Jonin in the village, so she was interested who this Katsu was if he was even a Jonin at all, but figured that Naruto's strength was due to a Jonin and not a Chunin.

Katsu-sensei is my friend and teacher. He helped me out when no one else would. If it wasn't for him I would probably not be a Shinobi right now." Naruto says.

"What's his last name?" Ino asks trying to put a face to the name. She felt like she heard of him before, but could not remember.

"Namikaze." Naruto tells her simply. He did not realize yet exactly how big of a deal that was. Ino's eyes widened. Sasuke too was now staring at him with his mouth agape. Everyone from a clan knew the Namikaze clan.

"What?" Naruto asks them confused.

"You are telling me you are receiving training from the Katsu Namikaze?" Ino asks him.

"You know him?"

"Naruto, everyone knows him. He is the twin brother of the Yondaime!" Ino stresses to him. Almost willing him to understand the magnitude of the situation.

Kakashi picked this moment to arrive. Of course he heard Ino shout about Katsu just a moment ago, but he didn't want her asking Naruto too many questions that would make Naruto start asking questions too. He could not believe Katsu disobeyed the Hokage's order to not interact with Naruto. If anyone else found out a secret Konoha did not want getting out might. Kakashi would have to talk to him after this.

"Hello my cute Genin, how are you?"

"You're late" Ino told him shortly.

"Ah well you see, I had to help this old lady across the street, and it was a really long street."

Everyone sweat dropped at that. Naruto did not really believe it when the book said that Kakashi made up terrible excuses when he was late, but this was just ridicules.

"Come on we need to go to the Hokage Tower to get our mission" Kakashi moves them along, silently laughing at their excited faces. Oh how their faces would fall. They got their mission and got to work.

Team Seven was dumbstruck to put it simply. This wasn't a mission, it was an over glorified chore. They were painting a fence for Kami's sake. Kakashi refused to help stating that it was their job, and not his. Naruto was fuming. How was he supposed to become Hokage if he was painting a fence? Sasuke was on a similar mind track except he needed to kill a certain traitor.

Ino approached Naruto. "Hey Naruto?"

"Yeah? What's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you for yesterday. You know, the whole protecting my body and all."

"No problem Ino. I like watching your body." Naruto did not catch the possible meaning of his words, but Ino caught it.

"Oh? Do you like my body Whiskers?" Ino teases him, only to laugh when his face let up red. Ino sauternes off, making sure to swing her hips a little more than usual. She did not know why she teased Naruto like that. If anyone else had been there they could have called it flirting, but it was just so much fun teasing Naruto like this.

She got a reaction out of Naruto at least which is more than she could say about Sasuke who ignored her. Ino had already given up on her crush for the Uchiha. She could tell that she had no shot. No one did until he got over his problems.

The next few days passed by much the same. Team Seven did D-ranks in the morning, and teamwork training in the afternoon. Naruto would train with Katsu in the evenings. He still would not train him in elemental Jutsu, saying he still wasn't ready.

One day an ANBU member appeared telling Katsu he was being summoned by the Hokage. Naruto was not sure why he did it, but when Katsu was distracted by the ANBU Naruto made a Kage Bunshin that Henged into a piece of lent. Naruto placed the lent in Katsu's coat pocket.

Katsu retrieved his coat telling Naruto to go home for the day. Katsu walked into the Hokage's office. Waiting for him were the Sandaime and Kakashi.

"Hello, Sandaime. Kakashi."

"Katsu what were you thinking taking Naruto on as an apprentice?" Kakashi asked.

"What's wrong with training Naruto?" Katsu asked

"You know why. If Iwa found out they might make the connection to Naruto and Minato-sensei."

"I see nothing wrong with the village's seal master watching over the village's Jinchuriki." Katsu replies offhandedly.

Kakashi was starting to get angry. It was like Katsu was not taking his own nephew's life seriously. Sandaime stop them before an argument could ensue.

"Enough both of you" he said with authority. "Katsu I know in the past we disagreed with how to handle Naruto, but I still believe I made the right choice in hiding his identity." Before Sandaime could say more Katsu stopped him.

Katsu held up his hand to signal silence. The Hokage was about to say something about this when Katsu slammed his hand on his coat pocket causing a cloud of smoke to come out.

"A Kage Bunshin? Why was there one in your pocket?" The Sandaime asked. Worried that some secrets may have gotten out.

"It was Naruto. I stopped you from saying more so you don't say anything that would tip Naruto off."

"Are you telling me that you, the most accomplished Sensor Nin ever, did not know Naruto was in your pocket?" The Sandaime asked him.

"I knew he was there the whole time. I was seeing how good his stealth skills were." Katsu replies simply.

"Maybe you do not understand the severity of the situation, Katsu" the Sandaime tells him.

"Naruto does not deserve to be left in the dark about these things. Hiding this from him will do more damage in the long run." Katsu says.

"Katsu this is an order from your Hokage, do not divulge any unnecessary information to Naruto. You may continue training him; however, it must not become public knowledge." Sandaime orders him. Katsu was angry, but he did not say anything. Instead he disappeared in a yellow flash, showing both the Hokage and Kakashi why he and his brother were so feared.

"That did not go well" Hiruzen remarked lighting his tobacco pipe.

"You don't think he would go against you would he?" Kakashi asks.

"I hope he doesn't Kakashi. I am afraid that if he did there would be nothing that we could do to stop him. He is not called the strongest Shinobi ever for no reason." Hiruzen sighs.

The next morning Naruto tried to get information about last night out of Katsu. Katsu refused to tell him, and punished him for sneaking around by applying a gravity seal on him. A weighed down Naruto made his way to the Hokage Tower to meet his team. After another boring D-rank mission that Naruto struggled greatly through, Kakashi was about to get them another D-rank when Naruto and Sasuke complained about it.

"Old man, I am tired of these stupid chores. Give us a real mission." Naruto yells. Sasuke backs him up with remarks about how a great Uchiha was not meant to be doing these chores.

"What do you think Kakashi? Are they ready for something tougher?" the Sandaime asked.

Kakashi shrugged, "I guess they are" he tells the Hokage. Hiruzen nods. He rummages through his C-ranks till he finds the one he was looking for. Hiruzen had wanted to help this particular individual out for some time now, but never had an excuse for sending a team to assist before. Now he had the perfect team for the job.

"Send in Tazuna."

AN: That's all for this one. Next chapter we have the wave mission. I do not know if I will be able to finish that one in one chapter or not. After the wave mission I want to get Team Seven some training in before they start the Chunin exam. Kakashi will play a bigger role as a sensei in this story, but not too much. Again sorry for the misspelling I will try to avoid it in the future.