Chapter 16: For Whom the Bells Toll

Here we are, the Bell Test. I don't know about the rest of you but I've been looking forward to this.

Those new techniques Naruto thought up two chapters ago will be making an appearance; along with new twists on old techniques.

So please enjoy.

The day of Team 7's test started out like any other for Naruto: he woke up at 5:00 a.m. and went to complete his morning rituals. Naruto went to join Anko and Iruka for breakfast and found them in the middle of a discussion.

"Now that the school year is over we should pick a date," Iruka said.

"We should have done it earlier," Anko pointed out.

"I know, for the life of me I can't figure out why we didn't," Iruka agreed.

"That might be my fault, between the Mizuki thing and the extra training I don't think I left you guys much time to yourselves," Naruto pointed out.

"I wasn't your fault Naruto, I've never been all that good at managing time," Iruka confessed.

"Yeah don't worry about it gaki, worry about your test today because Kakashi won't go easy on you," Anko said.

"Believe me I know, he was playing mind games with us yesterday during introductions," Naruto told his surrogate family.

"Mind games?" Iruka asked.

"Yeah, he chose his words in such a way that implied that individuals and not entire teams would pass," Naruto explained.

"That explains a few things I guess," Anko said, more to herself than to the others.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.

"Kakashi has never once passed a team," Anko said gravely.

"That doesn't bode well does it?" Naruto asked.

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure everything will work out," Iruka said trying to raise the boy's spirits.

"You're right Nii-san, I wouldn't be much of a ninja if I was afraid of something being difficult," Naruto said, trying to sound optimistic.

"That's the spirit, now how about we eat breakfast," Iruka suggested.

Naruto hadn't mentioned Kakashi's suggestion from yesterday, he was convinced that Kakshi was trying to get some point across with it. As for what that point was, he had no idea. Anyway, Naruto reasoned, Kakashi-sensei is the enemy today. I just hope Sasuke and Sakura have enough sense to eat breakfast.

"The Uchiha maybe, but isn't the pink one starving herself in an attempt to lose weight?" Kurama asked.

Her and Ino I think, I don't have the heart to tell them that they will actually gain weight that way, Naruto answered, to which Kurama started to laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha, that is great. Wait, how are either of them skipping meals, I doubt either one's parents would allow it," Kurama pointed out.

Not our problem, it isn't like either of them will listen, Naruto said.

"I guess you're right," Kurama agreed.

Halfway through breakfast Naruto said, "I think I have a solution for your wedding date problem."

"I wouldn't call it a problem but what is it?" Anko asked.

"I think that the two of you should take a day that brings up bad memories and try to turn it into a happy occasion," Naruto suggested.

When Iruka heard that he looked over at Anko, knowing that there were a few days she would like to forget about. He had suggested that Anko try to put Orochimaru behind her for quite some time but, she always came up with some reason not to. Iruka was surprised to see that Anko was actually considering Naruto's suggestion.

"That's not a bad idea otuoto, I have just the date in mind too," Anko said finally.

"Glad I could help," Naruto said as he finished up his breakfast. As he left the table he said, "I guess I'm off to training Ground 7 then."

"Why?" Anko asked.

"Kakashi-sensei said to meet at 8:00 a.m., I want to squeeze some training in," Naruto told her.

"You'll be exhausted by the time he gets there then, unless it's an emergency or a mission Kakashi is always three hours late," Anko explained.

"It's actually a joke among the Shinobi Community in Konoha," Iruka added.

"Wonderful, well maybe Sasuke, Sakura, and I can come up with a plan in that time," Naruto said trying to find a silver lining.

"Three hour's for a plan?" Anko asked.

"Those two don't think much of me, they'll take a lot of convincing," Naruto said.

"Well good luck then," Anko said.

"Thanks Nee-chan, Naruto said. I think I'll go see if I can walk Hinata-chan to her team's training ground too, Naruto mentally added as he went out the door.

"I didn't think that you would go for that idea," Iruka said, meaning using the wedding date to replace bad memories.

"I've always wanted to put what happened with that man behind me, I just never knew how to do it," Anko admitted.

"I'm glad," Iruka said. A moment later Iruka said, "Anko-chan, I just realized something."

"What?" Anko asked.

"Well, we're both off today," Iruka said with a small smirk.

"Yes?" Anko pressed, hoping this was going where she thought it was going.

"And we'll have the place to ourselves until sometime in the afternoon, at least."

"Yeah?"

"I think we should enjoy each other's company to the fullest don't you?" Iruka asked.

"Oh Iruka-kun, so forward, I like it," Anko said.

On his way to the Hyuga Compound, Naruto was thinking about how he would get his teammates to work with him. Kakashi-sensei's strategy is "divide and conquer" not that he really has to try that hard with this team. If I can find a way to prove to Sasuke and Sakura that he is intentionally misleading us then we may have a shot. If not then I'll either have to be really convincing or just hope that those two figure it out for themselves. Naruto was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Hinata call his name

"Naruto-kun, are you alright?" Hinata asked.

"Honestly Hinata-chan, I could be better," Naruto said.

"What's wrong?" Hinata asked she had never seen Naruto act like this.

So Naruto told her everything that Kakashi had said and his own thoughts on the subject. When he was finished Naruto asked, "Do you think I'm being paranoid Hinata-chan?"

"No Naruto-kun, in fact I think you're absolutely right. Kurenai-sensei made it clear that the members of Team 8 would pass as a team or not at all," Hinata said.

"I thought so, but I'll keep that bit of info to myself," Naruto said.

"Why?" Hinata asked.

"Because I'm sure Kakashi-sensei will have an explanation for the differences between the tests. Right now my best bet is to find a way to catch him in a lie, or at least give Sasuke and Sakura a reason to doubt what Kakashi-sensei is telling them," Naruto said, mostly thinking out loud.

"Well I'm sure you'll come up with something Naruto-kun, I believe in you," Hinata told her boyfriend.

"When you say that Hinata-chan, I really feel like I can do anything, like all that boasting I did in the past few years wasn't just all talk," Naruto said.

"Well, here's my stop," Hinata said when they arrived at Training Ground 8.

"Yeah, I know you don't need it but good luck Hinata-chan," Naruto said as he gave her a peck on the cheek.

"You too, Naruto-kun," Hinata said, and with that she gave Naruto a quick peck on the cheek in return.

It would be best if he/she wasn't in a daze during their test, was how the two rationalized this innocent display of affection when they thought something more would have been just as appropriate.

"I'll see you as soon as the test is over Hinata-chan," Naruto said as he left for Training Ground 7.

"Do your best Naruto-kun," Hinata said as she bid him good-bye.

Upon arriving at Training Ground 7 Naruto tried to think of what to about the test, I need to convince Sasuke and Sakura to work with me, that three hour wait may be a blessing. But until then I should probably practice those jutsu I've been working on. With that Naruto started to practice his techniques until he sensed the presence of his teammates.

"Morning you two," Naruto greeted.

"Ugh," Sakura groaned.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted.

"When the two of you wake up I think we should discuss strategy," Naruto said.

"Dobe it's too early for this crap," Sasuke said.

"Sasuke-kun is right Naruto," Sakura added.

"Well we'll wait then because if what I've heard about Sensei is true, we'll have plenty of time," Naruto said.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

"I've been told that Kakashi-sensei is three hours late to anything that isn't a mission or emergency," Naruto explained.

"I could have slept in!" Sakura screeched.

"That isn't a good attitude for a kunoichi you know," Naruto reprimanded.

"…" was Sakura's response.

"So then, about coming up with a plan…" Naruto started to say.

"The plan is stay out of my way," Sasuke said.

Not this again, maybe I'll need to let him get knocked on his ass first, Naruto thought. Naruto figured that he should wing once the test started. Naruto decided that all he could do now was wait for Kakashi to show.

Just as Naruto had said, Kakashi had shown up three hours later at 11:00 a.m.

"You're late!" Sakura yelled.

"Ah yes, well a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way around," Kakashi said.

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense, Naruto thought.

"So, let's get down to business, it will be you three versus me. You three will have until noon to take these bells from me," Kakashi explained while holding up two bells.

"But Sensei there are only two bells," Sakura pointed out.

"I know only two of you will pass, the other goes back to the Academy," Kakashi explained.

"Hold it!" Naruto yelled. This may be my chance to show that Sensei is trying to deceive us, Naruto thought.

"What is it?" Sakura asked.

"This better be good dobe," Sasuke added.

"Yesterday at the Academy, Kakashi-sensei said that only nine members of the graduating class would go on to become full-fledged genin. However, with those two bells that means that at least ten members of our class could continue on as genin, if we assume that at least one member from each of the other teams pass their test. Now what do you think that means?" Naruto asked his teammates.

Now that he mentions it…,Sasuke thought.

…that does seem odd, Sakura thought.

"Naruto, I'm hurt. The bond of trust between a Sensei and his students is sacred and here you are calling me a liar," Kakashi said, shocked but not for the reason he claimed. Nice deductive reasoning, slightly amateurish, but I may need to watch my words extra carefully with this one, he thought. "This is just insurance; we can't just assume that a genin from each team will pass, you see," Kakashi tried to explain.

Not if you only give us an hour you can't! Naruto thought. It's a bullshit explanation but Kakashi-sensei's authority trumps just about anything I say.

"Like I said, one hour. Whoever doesn't get a bell gets sent back to the Academy and tied to one of those posts over there and gets to watch me eat lunch. Oh, and come at me with the intent to kill," Kakashi said.

"That sounds a little extreme Sensei," Sakura said.

"Oh don't worry about me, there's no way any of you can hurt me," Kakashi said.

He's probably right but still…, Naruto thought.

"Now begin!" Kakashi shouted.

With that the three genin took to the trees to hide.

At least they understand how to be stealthy, Kakashi thought; however he soon sensed another presence.

"You know Sensei, I think Sasuke and Sakura would agree when I say your introduction left us with a lot of questions," Naruto said.

Sasuke and Sakura, who were watching things unfold, had one thought going through their minds, What is that idiot thinking?

I'm starting to think that earlier was just a fluke, Kakashi thought. "You know, compared to the others you're a little weird," Kakashi said.

"I've been called worse," Naruto said, shrugging his shoulders.

"About those questions, I suppose you're going to try to beat the answers out of me then, right?" Kakashi asked.

"I suppose I could try," Naruto said.

"Alright then, time for lesson one: taijutsu," Kakashi said, as he reached into his pouch. Much to the surprise of his students he pulled out a small orange book, not a weapon.

"Sensei, I know you're a jonin and that I only just got out of the Academy but reading Icha Icha Paradise while testing us, don't you think that's just a little insulting?" Naruto asked.

"If you were old enough to read it you would understand," was all Kakashi said in response.

"I think Sensei needs to learn some manners," Naruto said to himself as he threw a kunai at Kakashi's precious book.

The genin of Team 7 had no way of knowing this beforehand but among the Shinobi Community in Konoha it is understood that threatening Hatake Kakashi's Icha Icha series is hazardous to one's health. Now Kakashi wouldn't kill a fellow shinobi of Konoha, especially not his sensei's son, but he was going to teach him a lesson. He dodged the kunai with the Kawarimi no jutsu, reappeared behind Naruto, and put his hands, which were still clasped around his book, into a tiger seal.

Fire jutsu, Sasuke thought worriedly.

"Naruto, get out of there!" Sakura screamed.

"Konohagakure Hiden Taijutsu Ōgi: Sennen Goroshi!" Kakashi shouted as he tried to shove his fingers up Naruto's ass.

Tried, being the operative word because Kakashi's hands went right through Naruto. At that moment all of Kakashi's memories flashed through both his own and Naruto's mind. Placing a hand on his head as if he had a headache Kakashi took a step back to collect himself.

Naruto however took this opportunity to ask his Sensei a question, "Were you trying to shove your fingers up my ass?"

"That is a special technique in this village," Kakashi defended.

"You know how messed up you are right?" Naruto asked, more than a little disturbed by his sensei's actions.

"You'd be surprised how often I hear that," Kakashi said.

"Yeah I doubt I would, anyway it wasn't exactly what I had planned but I got what I needed," Naruto said.

Checking the bells Kakashi noticed they were both still there and said, "No I think it's safe to say I still have the bells."

"Oh I didn't mean those, the boss wanted information and that's what I got him," 'Naruto' said.

"What?" Kakashi asked, worried about what 'Naruto' meant by that.

"Don't look so shocked Sensei, a jonin like you should know all about how Kage bunshins like me work," the now identified Naruto clone explained.

I guess earlier wasn't a fluke after all, Kakashi thought. He then asked, "What is it you were after then?"

"I told you, you're introduction yesterday left the team with more questions about you than anything else," the clone said. The clone then said, "The boss was hoping to save this but I think he will understand why I had to use this."

Before he disappeared, the clone snapped his fingers; when he did rods that looked like twelve foot long versions of Interdiction shot out of thin air at every angle; though they had no sharp edges Kakashi knew he had to avoid them. Displaying the dexterity only a jonin would have, Kakashi managed to dodge them all, even though his movements were severely restricted. Before he could relax ethereal blades shot right at Kakashi, and just like the rods they shot out of thin air. Kakashi did the only thing he could, he used the Kawarimi no Jutsu and just narrowly escaped.

Note to self: be careful with that one, Kakashi thought heading off to test his other two students.

The real Naruto, who had safely hidden himself, received the clone's memories, which to his relief included Kakshi's memories. I am so glad that worked, I never did test if I can get another person's memories through a Kage bunshin. Shame about those traps but I probably wouldn't have been able to use them myself anyway, Sensei probably wouldn't have stayed in the clearing anyway, Naruto thought. Focusing on the information his clone got from Kakashi's memories Naruto began to think about what he had learned, Okay at least 1,000 jutsu, I think I'll try a few later. Sharingan eye under his hitai-ate, he probably won't use that. Former ANBU captain, not to be underestimated, wish he would show the three of us the same courtesy. My dad's student, interesting but not helpful. Values teamwork above all else after losing both of his own, I feel bad about viewing those memories, but that proves my theory. He does want us to work together, now I need to find the others.

Just then Naruto heard a scream, No doubt about it that was Sakura. With that Naruto headed off in the direction that the scream had come from.

As she regained consciousness, Sakura heard a voice calling her.

"Sakura, are you alright? What happened? You don't look hurt, so that's good," it was Naruto's voice.

"I'm fine. Where is Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him since the test began but I don't know if that is a good or bad thing," Naruto admitted. He then said, "We should probably go find him before Kakashi-sensei does."

"Yeah, let's go," Sakura agreed.

When they found Sasuke it wasn't what they were expecting, he was buried up to his neck. Sakura fainted as soon as she saw him, but Naruto knew exactly what happened.

"He got you with the Doton: Headhunter Jutsu, huh Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he set to work digging him out.

"No jokes dobe, I'm not in the mood," Sasuke said.

"I don't plan on making jokes Sasuke," Naruto said. Continuing he said, "Speaking of plans, the three of us need one or else we're all going to fail. I know the two of you noticed the contradiction between what Kakashi told us yesterday and what he told us earlier, that whole only two of you can pass thing is crap."

"Yeah I noticed," Sasuke said. After you pointed it out but you don't need to know that, he thought to himself.

Apparently the conversation woke Sakura up because she said, "Kakashi-sensei didn't bother trying to refute what you said, but I don't know Naruto."

"Look I'll make you two a deal, we work together and we should be able to pass, if I'm wrong about the bells being a red herring then I'll go back to the Academy, sound good," Naruto proposed.

"I guess, that works," Sakura said. I think the two of you deserve to pass more than I do though, she thought.

"Yeah fine," Sasuke said.

After a few minutes of planning Naruto said, "Okay, we probably only have fifteen minutes at the most, let's make them count."

Kakashi was standing by the posts in the clearing trying to read Icha Icha Paradise, but his mind was on his team. It's a shame, this group actually seems pretty interesting, but if they can't figure this test out then they have no business being ninja, he thought.

"Did you get to a good part Sensei?" came Naruto's voice.

"Oh, here to try for real this time Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"I don't have much of a choice, there isn't much time left," Naruto said as he summoned Interdiction.

"I suppose that's true," Kakashi said, putting his book away, after last time he feared for its safety.

Naruto dove into his shadow and headed towards Kakashi.

Clever, I have no choice but to wait him out, Kakashi thought. The shadow then split into four, each going after Kakashi from a different direction, I guess he can use jutsu in his shadow, Kage bunshin indeed.

After getting close to Kakashi the four Narutos jumped out of their respective shadows and charged Kakashi. Kakashi with all his experience didn't need to put much effort into parrying Naruto's attacks, and easily dispelled the three bunshins, and Naruto started to retreat. Now normally the calm, cool, and collected Kakashi would just let a genin retreat but after the Naruto's bunshin tried to attack his precious book he still felt the need to teach him a lesson.

Good, he seems to be focused on me now I hope the other two are ready, Naruto thought as he headed into the forest. Naruto jumped back into his shadow.

"You have to come out of there sometime Naruto and I'll be right there when you do," Kakashi said as he followed the fleeing shadow. Had Kakashi not been so determined to punish Naruto He might have seen the trip wire Sakura set, but alas, anger tends to make one stupid, and threatening Icha Icha Paradise makes Kakashi angry. Kunai and shuriken rained down on him and had he not had the level of experience that he did he would have definitely been caught in it. Kakashi managed to dodge only to get caught in another trap. While looking for Naruto, Kakashi found himself on the receiving end of the Doton: Headhunter Jutsu, courtesy of Sasuke. However, before he got pulled underground Sakura came and took a swipe at the bells hanging off of Kakashi's hip. Just as the bells hit the ground the alarm went off.

"Such a shame, your plan seemed good but your timing was off," Kakashi said as he managed to get himself out of the ground.

"But I'm sure you would agree Sensei; that it would be a shame to send a team that can do what we do back to the Academy, we did manage to get the bells off of you," Naruto said.

"I admit it Naruto, you were right, we can make a pretty good team if given the opportunity," Sakura said.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted.

"I agree Naruto, after that display I suppose I can't fail you kids, it may have been last minute but you got me, you three pass," Kakashi said.

"See, I told you guys that all we needed to do was work together," Naruto said.

"Alright, you were right, don't make me say it again," Sakura said.

"Sasuke hasn't said it yet," Naruto said.

"Never gonna happen dobe," Sasuke said.

"Alright enough, Team 7 starts its first official mission tomorrow," Kakashi said, feeling a headache coming on.

"Sensei, I have one last question, I know teamwork is important, but you seem more committed to it than any other jonin. If the reason isn't too personal can you tell us why that is?"

"It is personal but I'll tell you anyway. When I was younger I didn't think I needed anyone's help, that all that mattered was completing the mission I was assigned. One time during the Third Shinobi World War, one of my teammates was kidnapped. I wanted to finish the mission without her bi\ut my other teammate refused to do so and wanted to go save her, but before that he said something to me. 'Those who disobey the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash.' Those words really hit home because we did go save her but it cost him his life. Since that day I have tried to show students just how true those words are," Kakashi said.

"I'm sorry Sensei, I shouldn't have asked," Naruto apologized.

"No it's fine. Someday I'll tell you three the whole story instead of the short-version," Kakashi said.

"Don't rush yourself Sensei," Naruto said.

"Oh, and one more thing Naruto. You won't know where and you won't know when, but I will get you for what your clone tried to do to my book," Kakashi said, completely serious.

Oh great reluctant teammates and a sensei that's out to get me, fan-tucking-fastic, Naruto thought.

Sorry it's a little late guys, this chapter wasn't as easy to write as I thought it would be, but I hope you liked it. I hope the ending is alright, that's the part that gave me the most trouble.

Anyway, I'll be taking a break until after the holidays, so expect the next update the second week of January.

Konohagakure Hiden Taijutsu Ōgi: Sennen Goroshi- Thousand Years of Death.

Those rods were supposed to be like the attack that the Unknown (Young Xehanort) uses in Birth by Sleep where things beams of light shoot out and sort of trap the character you are using. I don't know what the attack is called but check YouTube and you should see what I'm talking about if you've never played the game or fought that secret boss. I must have lost because of that attack at least a dozen times. They and the ethereal blade trap were in an orb shaped Mu Barrier until the clone released them.

Read and Review. And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.