A/N: Having a cold. Might not update in a while.
Rinnala- Thanks for saying (or typing) that. The exams have gone and left me with terrible marks so that really cheered me up. Hakuna Matata.
Chapter 6: Genin Test
Minato was standing by the stove, staring at the contents swirling in his pot. He sighed, wondering how he had suddenly developed such an intense craving for ramen. It was one of Kushina's quirks, not his. 'Must be because of Naruto' Minato thought as he emptied the contents of the pot into a bowl. He sat down at the table and said "Itadakimasu" before bringing the steaming hot noodles to his mouth and slurping it down.
It was past 7 am by the time he had finished his meal and set off towards Training Ground 7 to meet up with his team. He left via the door and strolled through the streets, admiring the hustle and bustle of Konoha as people went about their business. Not long after, he turned off the streets to a more forested area and proceeded to make his way towards the rendezvous point. Upon arriving, he saw his two team mates already there, milling about, waiting for him to arrive. He ran up to them and they exchanged greetings.
"Okay. Let's discuss battle tactics. We're going up against a Jounin here. He's way beyond our level so we'll have to work together if we have to fight him." Minato started.
"What makes you think that we'll have to fight him?" Sakura asked, thinking that even though their blonde team mate was right on two separate occasions about their new sensei, he had no way of knowing what he would test them on.
"If I'm wrong, we'll just wing it," Minato said, knowing what Kakashi was going to be doing for the test. "Anyway, we'll…" Minato and the rest of Team 7 discussed battle formations and plans, Minato knowing where they could hide, ambush, etc. due to his having scouted the area the night before. By the time Kakashi arrived, which was 2 hours later, they already had a strategy.
"Alright. The test is to get theses bells," Kakashi held up two silver bells that sparkled in the sunlight, "from me by noon, which is when this alarm clock," he shook a bright red alarm clock in his other hand, "will ring. The one that doesn't get a bell by the end will be tied up to this stump," he patted one of the three stumps embedded in the ground, " and will watch as his team mates eat their lunch in front of him. Oh, and he'll also be sent back to the academy." Explained the silver haired man.
Minato glanced at his two team mates who were shifting uncomfortably, most likely debating whether or not to go on with the plan. Minato sighed as his old student gave the signal to start the test and yanked his team mates into the brush for an emergency meeting. "Look, don't let him get to you. He just wants us to go against each other and fail. Have you forgotten what we discussed? We can't get the bells from him by ourselves. We'll work together to get the bells then decide who it goes to. Stick to the plan." Minato disappeared after the little pep talk, leaving his two team mates to ponder what he had just said.
Elsewhere, Iruka was debating with the Hokage about the team placements. "But was it really a good idea to put M- I mean Naruto on Kakashi's team? I've heard of his reputation of being late and lazy." Iruka stressed, hoping that the Hokage would change his mind and put a certain chibi Hokage on someone else's team.
"That's not all that he's infamous for. Here." The Hokage sighed as he handed the records of the teams over the years to Iruka.
"Oh God! He's never passed a single team!" Iruka marvelled, fearing for his ex-student.
"I put him there for a reason, Iruka. There is nothing you can say to make me change my mind." The old Hokage said, trying to hide the fact that he wanted Kakashi to train his sensei's son, with a vague answer.
Kakashi watched as the three potential Genin disappeared into the forest. 'Very good,' he thought. 'But not good enough,' he mused as he sensed the blond one rushing towards him.
Minato exploded out of the forest and engaged Kakashi in taijutsu, trading blows with quick succession when he felt Sasuke rushing towards them. 'Good. Their still going according to plan' he thought, happy that they had faith in his judgement. Sasuke emerged from the canopy, dropping down opposite Minato, failing to make his heel drop connect. They attacked Kakashi from both sides, Kakashi dancing around their attacks as if it were child's play.
"Is that all the rookie of the year can do?" Kakashi taunted as he dodged their attacks. All of a sudden, he felt a shift in the wind and moved away from it, a kunai barely missing the string that held the bells. He was about to go back into the fray when he felt the weight at his hip vanish. He looked to the side to see 'Naruto' holding up the bells, a triumphant look on his face. 'I didn't even sense the attack. Just how much is he holding back?' wondered Kakashi as the third member of the team walked over to their little group. "Now then, Naruto, who do you want to give the other bell to?" Kakashi asked, hoping that he would understand what the test was about. Minato wordlessly tossed both bells over to his two team mates who caught them in turn.
"But Naruto, you came up with the plan, you should get to pass" Sakura said.
"Relax. What's another year? Who knows, I might be rookie of the year this time around.' 'Naruto' replied light-heartedly.
Sasuke tossed his bell over to his blond team mate saying "Idiot. I'll go back to the academy. I'm sure I'll be out of there before the year ends."
Sakura hurled her bell over to Sasuke "I'm the weakest of the three of us. Sasuke-kun, you still have to accomplish your goal and Naruto, you have a position to take. I don't have any particular aspirations so I'll stay back another year." She said sombrely.
"But-" Minato started again before being interrupted by their would-be sensei
"Okay! Stop! You three pass."
"The key to this test was team work wasn't it?" Sasuke said quietly.
"That's correct. To us ninja, rules are everything and those who break the rules are trash. But a great man once told me that those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their team mates are worse than trash." He concluded, hurt and pride gleaming in his eyes. 'He's thinking about us. About the old Team 7." Minato realised. "Meet me at the bridge at 7am tomorrow; we'll start taking missions then. Rest well tonight." He said, pride evident in his voice.
The newly appointed Team 7 cheered with joy with the exception of Sasuke who showed his elation by allowing a smirk to grace his lips. The three of them celebrated by going out for lunch together, ending up at Ichiraku's due to a certain blond's Puppy Dog Eyes. Despite the location not being very classy, there was nothing that could spoil their mood because from that day forth, they were officially Genin and officially Team 7. Minato glanced over at his team mates chatting while their noodles turned cold and smirked, aware of their ignorance of the dreaded D-class missions.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short. I'm having a headache and there's not much to write about the test. I think I got Kakashi's motto wrong so please correct me. I know that I could have elaborated on the fight scenes but I'm not sure I'm very good at that. Please take the time to review even if it's only one word. Thank you.