Disclaimer... I don't own Naruto.. obviously...


Naruto: Loss of Innocence


The gentle touch of a sunbeam graced Naruto's face, rousing him from his slumber. He let out a brief yawn, his mind still foggy, before rising from his disheveled bed and beginning to ready himself for the important day ahead.

His apartment held no remarkable qualities, being rather unimpressive in nature. It was a small dwelling with walls that displayed signs of rust and an array of cracks spanning its entirety. Patchwork sections adorned the walls, while the doors displayed signs of age, marked with visible cracks along their frames. The floors bore scars of wear and tear, with faded paint and minor blemishes. Uneven lighting fixtures and shingles added to the lackluster ambiance, and the availability of electrical outlets was sparse throughout the entire space. Aside from the disorder created by his own lazy and disorganized lifestyle—evident from the presence of noodle cups, trash bags, clothes, scrolls, books, and various other discarded items strewn across his room—the apartment offered a moderately comfortable and decent living arrangement for an orphan, particularly one burdened with the role of the Kyuubi's jailor. Comparatively, it fared much better than the homes or shelters endured by other orphans. He supposed he owed his thanks to the Third Hokage for granting him the opportunity to reside in this apartment, sparing him from the hardships of life on the streets like many other orphans faced.

Making his way to the bathroom, Naruto twisted the faucet handle, causing a burst of cold water to gush out. He allowed the chilly stream to flow into his palms before splashing it onto his face, jolting himself awake from the remnants of grogginess. After drying his face, he reached for his toothbrush, applied a dab of toothpaste onto its bristles, and diligently brushed his teeth. Once he had thoroughly cleaned his teeth, he expelled the foam by spitting it out, before reaching for a cup, which he promptly filled with water and consumed to rinse his mouth. Swirling the water around his mouth to remove any traces of toothpaste, he spat it out, ensuring his mouth was free from any residue. Satisfied with his dental hygiene, Naruto made his way back to his bedroom to change into a new set of clothes.

Upon opening his closet, Naruto selected the garments he intended to wear and proceeded to dress himself. Taking a few minutes to put on each item, he swiftly moved on to his pouch, a repository for all his essential tools. Inside, he meticulously organized shurikens, smoke bombs, explosive tags, scrolls, and an array of weapons tailored for combat. After ensuring that his arsenal was securely fastened, Naruto's gaze shifted toward his headband, a symbol of his loyalty to Konoha. Pausing for a moment, Naruto locked eyes with the headband, contemplating its profound meaning and the role it played in shaping his future.

Wearing the headband symbolized his unwavering allegiance to Konoha and Konoha alone, yet doubts began to creep in. The revelation of housing a literal demon fox within himself, coupled with the resulting universal animosity, would do that to you.

Hesitating for the barest of minutes, Naruto firmly fastened the headband around his forehead, securing it firmly with a tight knot.

As he stared at his reflection in the mirror, he absorbed the image of himself, dressed fully and sporting the newly adorned headband on his forehead. A smile of satisfaction graced his lips as he admired his appearance, recognizing that he looked pretty good.

With his vibrant yellow-blond hair spiked up, striking blue eyes, and the iconic three whisker markings etched on his cheeks, he easily stood out in a crowd. He donned an eye-catching orange and blue jacket featuring a white collar, a left-sided white swirl adorned with a tassel, and a bold red Uzumaki crest displayed proudly on the back. His outfit was completed by orange pants that housed a shuriken holster on his right knee, accompanied by a pair of blue sandals. And, of course, he wore his new blue headband, a symbol of his achievement from the academy, given to him by Iruka.

After firmly closing the door behind him and taking a moment to lock it, Naruto set off towards the designated third training ground where Kakashi-Sensei had instructed them to meet for their test.

As the dawn was yet to break, casting a shroud of darkness upon the sky, the world outside remained tranquil, interrupted only by the resonating croaks of crickets and the melodious chirping of birds. However, it seemed that a handful of early risers from the village had already begun their day, diligently preparing their shops and embracing the stillness before the bustling commotion would ensue.

If Kakashi-Sensei hadn't specifically mentioned the five a.m. rendezvous at the training grounds for the test, he would have continued to blissfully sleep like a log. Mornings were not his strong suit, and even after going to bed early the night before, he still felt the weight of fatigue. He couldn't help but wonder if Sasuke and Sakura handled the early wake-up call better than he did.

The mere thought of his teammates, Team 7 as a whole, was far from pleasant for him.

Sakura Haruno, the preeminent kunoichi of their generation, excelled in academic pursuits, earning top marks in all exams. However, her physical prowess left much to be desired. Naruto found himself drawn to Sakura, though he couldn't pinpoint a specific reason for his fondness or determine if it was genuine. It could be attributed to her enchanting hair, reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms, or perhaps it stemmed from the rivalry he shared with Sasuke.

Ugh, the mere mention of Sasuke stirred up thoughts that he preferred to keep at bay.

Sasuke Uchiha, the presumed prodigy and the last of his prestigious clan, garnered accolades from their classmates. However, Naruto held a different perspective. To him, Sasuke was nothing more than an arrogant jerk with a duck butt for hair. Despite his personal disdain, Naruto begrudgingly acknowledged that Sasuke surpassed him, at least for the time being. Sasuke boasted top marks and excelled in various areas, particularly displaying exceptional accuracy in Shurikenjutsu, evident by his multiple bullseye hits during the graduation exam. Naruto, on the other hand, attributed his own modest success to a combination of luck and limited skill, managing to hit a few bullseyes along the way.

Naruto regarded Sasuke as his rival, perceiving him as everything he himself was not. Sasuke possessed the desirable looks, the exceptional skills, and garnered admiration not only from their classmates but also from the majority of the village. Even Sakura harbored an intense infatuation for Sasuke, which weighed somewhat heavily on Naruto's heart when he dwelled on it.

That train of thought led him back to Sakura, and while he held an affinity for her, he couldn't overlook her negative qualities. She exhibited an intense fangirl obsession, bordering on fanatical, particularly when it came to Sasuke. Despite her intelligence, it seemed to dissipate whenever Sasuke was in her presence—a phenomenon he couldn't comprehend. Moreover, her penchant for belittling him with the label of "idiot" and subjecting him to constant physical abuse made it difficult for him to harbor any genuine liking for her, be it platonic or romantic. However, the events of yesterday revealed a different side of Sakura. Sakura's true character emerged from beneath her fangirl exterior, revealing a well of kindness and untapped potential as a formidable kunoichi. It was a glimmer of hope that allowed Naruto to see her in a different light and recognize the latent qualities that could shape her into an exceptional individual.

With Sakura and Sasuke as his teammates, Naruto pondered the feasibility of their successful completion of missions. The reality that they hardly knew their new sensei added to his skepticism, leaving the notion of an efficient and cohesive team feeling like nothing more than a distant daydream.

His train of thought was abruptly cut short as he caught wind of hushed conversations, filled with thinly veiled contempt and outright hatred, directed towards him.

"How could the Lord Hokage allow that brat to graduate? That thing is nothing more than a monster!" A nearby shopkeeper's whispered words rang out with a mix of shock and disdain as they shared their contemptuous opinion with a customer.

"Exactly!" the customer replied, their voice filled with agreement. "What if that thing is secretly plotting to amass power and launch a devastating attack to end the village for good? We can't trust it!" Their words resonated with fear and suspicion, heightening the atmosphere of distrust surrounding Naruto.

"What was Lord Hokage even thinking!" hissed another customer, joining the conversation with an added tone of frustration. The sentiment of disbelief and questioning of the decisions of the village's leader further fueled the growing disapproval towards Naruto.

"Monster," an unknown civilian whispered venomously from behind, casting an ominous shadow of judgment upon Naruto's back.

"Demon!" a random shinobi nearly shouted at Naruto, their words filled with scorn and contempt.

"Beast!"

"That thing!"

"Freak!"

"He should just go and die! It would do all of us a favor!" The venomous words were laced with pure malice and uttered with a heartless disregard for Naruto's well-being.

As Naruto made his way through the village, the whispers of contempt and disdain grew louder, their words echoing with increasing intensity. Each passing moment brought forth more spiteful remarks, fueling the flames of anger within him. His hands clenched tightly, knuckles turning white, and tremors of unbridled rage surged through his body. The weight of the constant hatred and prejudice weighed heavily on his shoulders, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of injustice. Why was it always him? Why, in the depths of his frustration, did he have to bear the brunt of such unwarranted hostility? Why, dammit?!

Naruto pressed forward towards his destination, his fists clenched, undeterred by the persistent whispers swirling around him.

Trying to overcome the hate and resentment inadvertently instilled by the villagers, Naruto consciously redirected his attention to anything other than the negative emotions he harbored for them. Instead, he focused on something more positive—the delectable taste of his beloved ramen. He reminisced about his cherished moments at Ichiraku Ramen, relishing the mouthwatering sensation that enveloped him whenever Iruka-Sensei treated him to a bowl.

Iruka-Sensei…

Upon realizing that the Third Hokage, whom he regarded as a surrogate grandfather, didn't live up to his idealized image, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if the same applied to Iruka-Sensei. Did Iruka-Sensei deceive him too, manipulating their bond by using lies as a means to establish trust? Were there hidden truths that Iruka-Sensei kept from him, mirroring the actions of the Third Hokage?

Was Iruka-Sensei's affection for him merely a façade, a cleverly orchestrated pretense for the sake of a hidden mission? A ruse concocted for the sake of deceiving him?

Shaking his head furiously, Naruto banished any negative thoughts about the one person he knew truly cared for him.

No, In his most desperate moments, struggling to find enough food and possessing nothing more than the clothes on his back, with no one to offer solace or even acknowledge his existence, it was Iruka-Sensei alone who extended a helping hand. He imparted knowledge, provided nourishment, and, above all, he cared.

He showed kindness and compassion towards him, the alleged embodiment of the Kyuubi when no one else bothered. Despite the early hiccups the two had, where Iruka-Sensei struggled to overcome his past traumas and perceive him as an ordinary individual, Iruka-Sensei gradually became one of Naruto's few precious people. Iruka-Sensei accomplished what others couldn't or wouldn't—he saw Naruto as a human being, rather than merely the Kyuubi, for that was what he was, a human being that was forced to harbor a demon for the sake of the village.

Despite harboring deep resentment and dark emotions towards the village and its residents, Iruka-Sensei remained the singular individual in whom Naruto had absolute faith, knowing that he could confide in him without hesitation and rely on him with his very life.

The mere recollection of the cherished moments shared with Iruka-Sensei was enough to calm Naruto's turbulent emotions, taming his anger to a mere flicker of annoyance instead of an overwhelming blaze.

Temporarily disregarding the upcoming exam amidst his state of fury and indignation caused by the villagers' cruel comments, Naruto's thoughts shifted back to his fellow teammates who would also be participating in the examination.

He was speculative if nothing else of the notion of a teamwork-oriented exam involving Sasuke and Sakura. He and Sasuke had an intense rivalry that drove each other bonkers.

Well, maybe it drove him bonkers. Sasuke never seemed to acknowledge that he existed, let alone remotely his rival. The bastard. So what if the rivalry was one-sided, who cares.

The fact of the matter is that he and Sasuke were not a suitable match as a team. Heck, even Shikamaru, notorious for his laziness, would readily acknowledge this as fact. The day when such a pairing would work together was the day when the first Hokage came back to life and frolicked in a pink dress.

His mind returned to Sakura. Even though she had gone through considerable changes, she remained as tumultuous and emotionally unpredictable as ever. Her infatuation with Sasuke was still as strong as ever as well, however, despite her change. That disappointed him as It meant that winning her attention, let alone her affection, would require a relentless struggle. He had a better chance of captivating a log.

Speaking of logs, he saw three positioned ahead in the training ground.

The third training ground resided within the confines of Konoha, encompassing a specific plot of land. The scenery presents a picturesque view of majestic mountains, complemented by a sprawling and profound river, flanked by lush and verdant forests on both banks. Nestled within a serene glade, one can find three stumps neatly arranged in a row. Beneath them rests the memorial stone —a meticulously carved structure shaped like a gleaming kunai—which serves as a poignant reminder of the village's history.

Fortuitously, he arrived at the training ground just in time to witness Sasuke and Sakura making their way toward it. Sasuke stood upright, casually leaning against a tree, while Sakura sat nearby, her back comfortably supported by the trunk of another tree.

The fatigue on both Sasuke and Sakura was apparent, although Sasuke managed to conceal it adeptly. Sakura, on the other hand, struggled to stay awake, rubbing her tired eyes persistently in a futile attempt to alleviate her weariness. Even with the assistance of a tree, she struggled to maintain an upright posture, her body constantly slacking to the right. Despite Sasuke's commendable efforts to hide his tiredness, faint bags under his eyes and his slight reliance on the tree for support subtly betrayed his weariness.

Naruto, unfortunately, fared no better. Despite splashing water on his face before leaving his apartment in hopes of rousing himself, it proved futile. His body betrayed him, as his eyelids involuntarily fluttered open and closed in a desperate attempt to stay awake. Slouching and growing increasingly fatigued, the allure of the ground beneath him seemed irresistible. Recognizing that standing was no longer an option, and noticing Kakashi-sensei's absence despite his strict declaration of a five a.m. sharp gathering, Naruto opted to seek solace beside a nearby tree, where he could find respite in a seated position.

The next few minutes transpired in utter silence, devoid of any conversation or conflict, as the trio was too exhausted to engage in any activity other than resting while anticipating Kakashi-sensei's arrival. The quietude of the surroundings and the serenity of nature provided their sole companionship as they patiently awaited their sensei's appearance. Eventually, he would show.

xXx

As daybreak emerged, the veil of night receded, yielding to the luminous glow of the sun. Pristine clouds adorned the sky, gracefully gliding across its expanse, while the sun radiated its brilliance, transforming the previously darkened canopy into a vivid, azure expanse.

Three hours.

Three whole hours they waited and he had yet to make an appearance.

If it wasn't evident from the tick marks adorning Naruto and Sakura's faces, the disappearance of Sasuke's usual stoicism made it abundantly clear just how annoyed and frustrated they were. Unlike their previous weariness, the trio now exuded intense levels of vexation and annoyance. To put it simply, they were absolutely livid.

"Yo."

With a lazy wave towards his students, Kakashi leisurely strolled towards the training grounds, conveying through his body language and facial expressions that he had just emerged from a blissful and satisfying slumber.

"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed, their faces etched with expressions that went far beyond mere irritation.

"Ma Ma, you see, a black cat crossed my path, and as you know, it's considered bad luck. So, naturally, I had to take a different route," Kakashi explained, humor present in his voice.

As Kakashi took note of his students' expressions, it became apparent that not only were they skeptical of his explanation, but they also failed to share in his amusement. The smug and self-satisfied eye-smile he wore only served to reveal the playfulness behind his words. However, witnessing their distressed and irritated faces only heightened Kakashi's amusement, and if they managed to pass the upcoming test, it would undoubtedly become his newfound favorite pastime. The anticipation filled him with delight, and he eagerly looked forward to it.

"Huh, tough crowd," Kakashi remarked, a hint of lightheartedness in his tone.

Clearing his throat and coughing into his hands to regain his bearings, Kakashi proceeded towards the three stumps. He placed his bag on the ground and retrieved an alarm clock, placing it precisely on the top of the middle stump.

"Alright, the clock has been set for noon."

His announcement was met with three sets of puzzled expressions, each displaying a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

Putting aside the confusion etched on their faces, Kakashi reached into his belongings and produced two bells, both linked together by a single vibrant red thread.

"Today's test," Kakashi announced, giving a jingle to the bells for emphasis, "is for you to snatch these bells from me before noon." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "Those who fail to succeed will go hungry, missing out on lunch."

"Eh!" Sakura and Naruto exclaimed simultaneously, their voices filled with a mixture of shock and incredulity.

"Just to make it crystal clear," Kakashi clarified, a touch of dark amusement permeating his voice, "You'll be tied to the stump while I leisurely consume my lunch right in front of you."

The synchronized grumbling of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's stomachs echoed through the air, serving as a testament to their collective realization. The reason behind their breakfast prohibition became abundantly clear—they were intentionally kept hungry for this very test.

"Wait, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura questioned with a hint of confusion, "why are there only two bells when there are three of us?"

Judging by the expectant expression on Kakashi's face, it was evident that he had already foreseen such a question coming.

"Well…" Kakashi trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eye, "that's because only two of you will be able to pass this test."

"What!"

Undeterred by their indignant reactions, Kakashi proceeded to explain, "One of you will be bound to the stump, and whoever that unfortunate person is will fail the test and be forced to return to the academy."

Naruto and Sakura shared a collective gulp, their anxiety palpable as they absorbed the gravity of Kakashi's revelation. On the other hand, Sasuke's countenance took on a heightened seriousness, signifying his deeper understanding of the challenge that lay ahead and the consequences should he fail.

"It could be just one of you, or perhaps all three," Kakashi elaborated, his voice resonating with the weight of their individual skills and determination to become shinobi. "You're free to utilize your shurikens, kunais, and any other tools at your disposal in this test." As he clenched the dangling bells tightly in his fist, Kakashi's gaze bore no trace of the laziness they had grown accustomed to witnessing.

"If you do not come at me with intent to kill, then you have no hope in taking these bells from me." Kakashi declared in a grave and matter-of-fact tone, his expression devoid of any earlier traces of humor. He was deadly serious.

Sakura voiced her immediate concern for their sensei's safety, unable to hold back her worry. "But, Kakashi-sensei, that's too risky! You could get seriously injured, or even worse!"

Kakashi nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, as if implying that Sakura's concerns were trivial and unworthy of worry. "Well, I suppose we'll find out, won't we?" he retorted with a hint of amusement, seemingly undeterred by the potential risks involved.

Witnessing their sensei's nonchalant attitude despite urging them to approach with lethal intent, Naruto wanted to see just where all that confidence was coming from.

Swiftly retrieving two shurikens from his pouch, Naruto launched them towards Kakashi, using them as a diversionary tactic. While the shurikens distracted Kakashi, Naruto instantaneously unsheathed his kunai from its holster and lunged at his sensei, his every move driven by the intent to inflict harm rather than to take his life.

Without even bothering to take a single step, Kakashi effortlessly snatched the two incoming shurikens between his index and middle fingers. In a display of incredible speed, he swiftly vanished from sight, leaving the three individuals unable to perceive his rapid movement.

"Ma Ma, don't be so hasty. I haven't even had the opportunity to give the signal to begin yet."

Perched atop Naruto, Kakashi idly twirled the two shurikens he had effortlessly intercepted earlier. Meanwhile, Naruto found himself pressed against the ground, his stomach facing downwards, and deprived of both his kunai and the ability to move freely. In a mere instant, Kakashi had disarmed Naruto, subdued him, and even found the leisure to rest his weight upon Naruto's back, all while retaining his hold on the captured shurikens.

Sasuke and Sakura involuntarily retreated in shock, their faces etched with disbelief. Witnessing Naruto being effortlessly and swiftly subdued left them utterly taken aback. While Naruto was certainly no prodigy, he was no slouch either. Yet, Kakashi's effortless takedown served as a stark revelation, impressing upon Sasuke and Sakura the true magnitude of the opponent they were about to confront.

'Unbelievable! I didn't even see him move!'

'So this is the strength of a Jonin.'

Relinquishing his hold on Naruto, Kakashi allowed him to rise, giving him a brief moment to gather himself. Turning towards Naruto, he returned the shurikens and kunai to their rightful owner before addressing him directly.

"Despite your hastiness, Naruto, I commend your willingness to strike with lethal intent," Kakashi praised, causing Naruto to blush in response to the unexpected compliment. "That's good. That mindset is crucial if you want to pass this test." Kakashi then redirected his attention to the two onlookers. "Sasuke, Sakura."

Sakura instinctively straightened her posture, her voice trembling as she responded, "Y-Yes, Kakashi-sensei?" Sasuke, on the other hand, gazed at Kakashi with a newfound spark of excitement in his eyes.

"This is the level of dedication and resolve that is required of you if you wish to obtain these bells," Kakashi declared, retrieving the bells and holding them up near his face for added emphasis. "You must approach me with the intent to kill. It's do-or-die time now. Do you understand?" Kakashi's authoritative tone left no room for ambiguity, demanding a response from his students.

Initially gripped by hesitation, Sakura's mind swirled with shock and apprehension regarding the potential implications of the test for her and her teammates. However, in that crucial moment, Sakura recollected the solemn vow she had made to become a formidable kunoichi, not just for herself but for the sake of her team as well. Retreating now would only brand her as a coward and a hypocrite, failing to uphold her commitment. Fueled by a renewed surge of determination, Sakura responded with confidence, her voice resonating with conviction. "Yes! I understand, Kakashi-sensei!"

Sasuke's excitement was palpable, having relentlessly trained for years since the night that man had robbed him of everything he held dear. With each passing day, he had dedicated himself to honing his skills, with nothing but the thought of killing the man who took everything from him at the forefront of his mind. Now, he stood on the precipice of testing himself against someone of comparable power, a chance to measure the depths of his progress since that fateful night. Overflowing with anticipation and unyielding resolve, Sasuke replied to Kakashi with a simple yet resolute statement, "I understand."

Kakashi nodded approvingly, pleased that the three of them were taking the test seriously and beginning to understand the importance of not just skill, but also mental resilience required in the path of becoming a shinobi. A light-hearted chuckle escaped him as he pondered how to express his sentiment. "How can I put this," Kakashi said, a smile playing on his lips, "I think I'm finally starting to like you guys."

A collective, good-natured smirk made its way on the faces of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in response to Kakashi's unexpected admission.

"We're going to start now."

The trio prepared themselves, each ready to set off in different directions to search for a hiding spot and prepare for Kakashi-Sensei's next move.

"Ready… Start!"

WHOOSH!

WHOOSH!

WHOOSH!

xXx

"Fundamentally, ninjas must possess the skill to seamlessly mask their presence and elude prying eyes. The power of shadows serves as our ultimate weapon, and those who can masterfully harness them become the most formidable and lethal." Kakashi lectured, while the surrounding area remained eerily silent, indicating a thorough understanding of the concept of concealment. 'Well now… everyone is hidden quite well.'

Positioned a mere few inches away and positioned above, Naruto camouflaged within the dense foliage of a tree, closely monitoring Kakashi's movements. Initially, he had intended to confront Kakashi directly. But, upon recalling how effortlessly Kakashi had defeated him before, using just one hand no less, Naruto concluded that adopting a new strategy would be more prudent.

From his vantage point below, Kakashi seemed to be retrieving something from his pouch, instantly putting Naruto on edge. 'What could he be pulling out? Shurikens? Kunais? Or could it be something completely different?' Regardless of the contents, Naruto steeled himself to face it head-on.

With a single fluid motion, Kakashi withdrew the intended item from his pouch and revealed its contents to the world.

A book.

He withdrew a freaking book, and from the abrupt stars that shimmered in his eyes, it was unmistakably his most cherished one. Squinting a bit, Naruto could just decipher the book's title: "Icha Icha."

A massive tick mark appeared on Naruto's forehead, and his fists were balled up. 'The bastard, he's making fun of us.' Determined to make Kakashi pay for underestimating them, Naruto reached for his pouch, pulling out a handful of shurikens. "If he wants to be lax about it, then we'll use it to our advantage," and that was precisely what Naruto aimed to do.

Realizing that he alone wasn't going to be enough to make a dent in Kakashi's defense, especially after witnessing Kakashi effortlessly catch his shurikens with bare fingers, Naruto decided that he needed to amp things up. "If one won't cut it, then five more should do the trick."

Below, Kakashi appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself, completely unaware or dismissive of his students' current thoughts and schemes against him. Reading the text with a perverse giggle, he teased, "Ooo, you naughty girl, Kagura, you. Someone needs to be punished," his cheeks turning slightly rosy beneath his mask as a result of what he was reading.

Out of nowhere, three shurikens came slicing through the air, all heading directly for Kakashi, closing in on him with alarming speed.

Remaining fixated on his book, Kakashi drew a kunai and deftly swatted the shurikens away. However, his respite was brief as twenty more shurikens materialized, converging from all sides, effectively trapping him with no way to evade the onslaught.

With no chance of escape, Kakashi found himself resembling a pin cushion as the shurikens mercilessly sliced through him from all directions. His stomach, knees, ankles, face, arms, hands, and feet were all subjected to the unyielding assault of the barrage.

The brutal assault rendered Kakashi motionless on the ground, his back against the earth, shurikens protruding from his entire body. His once-cherished book was not spared either; torn and shredded pages strewn about, surrounding Kakashi's lifeless form, leaving the scene in complete stillness.

Upon landing, Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he beheld Kakashi's motionless form, causing him to panic uncontrollably. "Ahhh! Did I just kill Kakashi-Sensei?!" Naruto's fear escalated as he jumped around in a state of utter panic. "What do I do?! I don't want to go to prison!" The weight of the situation overwhelmed him, and he was desperate for a solution.

From her hiding spot in a bush, Sakura witnessed the relentless shuriken onslaught directly nailing Kakashi, and she, too, was gripped with panic and shock. "Did Naruto just kill Kakashi-Sensei!? It can't be true! Naruto wouldn't do that!" Overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation, Sakura was paralyzed with a mix of shock and fear at the events that had just unfolded before her eyes.

Perched in a tree, Sasuke was genuinely surprised by Naruto's uncharacteristic display of strategy. He had expected the impulsive idiot to rush straight at Kakashi the moment he said "start." However, Naruto's tactic to surround Kakashi from all sides and launch a simultaneous barrage was surprisingly clever, especially coming from him. This left Sasuke pondering, 'How did he manage to throw shurikens at Kakashi from all sides at once?' Sasuke was certain Naruto had no Jutsu that could allow him to move so quickly between different positions. 'So how did he do it?'

Suddenly, Kakashi's body poofed and transformed into a mere log, leaving Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke baffled by the deception.

Emerging from behind a tree, Kakashi's voice broke the silence. "So... the rumors are true after all," he remarked. "You can use the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. That's how you defeated Mizuki, if I am to believe the rumors."

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Naruto looked back at the spot where Kakashi's body had been, now replaced by a log, and then turned to face the living and still-reading Kakashi. He repeated the action, trying to make sense of what he was witnessing. "How did you do that? I'm sure I saw you getting shredded by the shurikens," he stammered. The surreal sight made him wonder if he was witnessing a ghostly apparition.

"A well-timed substitution, and I thought it would be fun to give you a scare," Kakashi replied with a nonchalant tone while flipping a page from his book. "By the way, it was pretty clever of you to have your Kage Bunshins flank me from all sides. Given your reports from the academy, I honestly didn't think you had it in you."

Naruto's annoyance was evident with the throbbing vein on his forehead, and he couldn't contain his frustration at Kakashi's mocking remark. "Oh yeah? Well, I've got plenty more surprises up my sleeve!" Naruto declared defiantly. Crossing his fingers into an all-too-familiar sign, he shouted out the name of his Jutsu.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Large plumes of smoke erupted in the area, momentarily obscuring the view before dissipating to unveil ten additional Narutos forming a strategic ring around Kakashi. The original Naruto signaled for the attack. "Charge!" he commanded, and the clones lunged forward in unison, closing in on Kakashi from all directions.

Remaining fully engrossed in his book, Kakashi effortlessly intercepted one of the clone's fists thrown from behind, redirecting it into two others, ultimately dispelling all three. Executing a graceful backflip, he created some distance between himself and the crowd, simultaneously producing a handful of shurikens with one hand and aimed, successfully eliminating two clones, while the remaining ones quickly evaded his attack by leaping away. Upon landing, Kakashi executed a low sweep, causing another clone to lose balance, making him easy pickings for Kakashi to finish off with a powerful upper kick. Deciding to deal with the remaining clones all at once, Kakashi produced a kunai with an explosive tag and launched it at the cluster of clones. The resultant thunderous explosion forcibly dispelled the rest of the clones, leaving only the original, who was closing in on Kakashi rapidly through the air, clearly intent on knocking him out.

"Get ready to be knocked out, Kakashi-Sensei! Those bells are mine!"

Landing a powerful right hook to Kakashi's face, Naruto felt a surge of confidence, believing he had finally landed a decisive blow. However, his triumph was short-lived as he soon heard the familiar sound of a clone dispersing, indicating that Kakashi had once again evaded his attack.

Poof!

"Ma Ma, you aren't the only one who knows how to use Kage Bunshins."

A surge of fear shot through Naruto as he quickly craned his head to find Kakashi crouched behind him. Clasping his book between his hands, Kakashi had formed a dangerous-looking hand sign, clearly prepared to unleash a Jutsu that could utterly obliterate him.

While closely watching the one-sided battle between Kakashi and Naruto, Sakura's thoughts raced with worry upon noticing the possible use of Ninjutsu. 'A hand sign?' she questioned internally, her eyes widening in concern. 'Is that a tiger seal? Is he really planning to unleash such a high-level Ninjutsu against Naruto?!'

Observing from his concealed position, Sasuke, much like Sakura, was taken aback at Kakashi's aggressive approach toward Naruto. Noticing the hand sign, Sasuke's eyes narrowed in realization. 'That sign,' he discerned, 'it's for a katon-style Jutsu. He's not just toying with Naruto, he's going to absolutely demolish him.'

"Naruto! Get out of there, quickly! He's going to use a powerful Jutsu! You'll die!" Sakura cried out quickly, trying to warn Naruto before it was too late.

Upon hearing Sakura's abrupt cry, Naruto became briefly distracted, providing Kakashi with the opening he required to execute his next move. However, whether Sakura had shouted or not, it wouldn't have made much of a difference.

"Too late."

"...Eh?"

"Leaf Village Secret Finger Jutsu!" Kakashi cried out while closing in on Naruto from behind.

'Shit, I can't dodge it!' Naruto thought frantically as Kakashi announced his technique.

SHUNK!

Kakashi's index and middle fingers went up Naruto's arse.

"One Thousand Years of Death!"

"AAHHHhhhh!" Naruto's anguished cry echoed through the air as he rocketed into the sky, clutching his rear end with both hands, with comical tears streaming from his eyes.

"..."

"..."

As the comical scene unfolded, Sakura couldn't hide her letdown. "That wasn't a hand sign or a Jutsu at all," She muttered to herself, clearly dissatisfied with the anticlimactic display. She wanted her worries back. "He just poked him."

With a hint of exasperation, Sasuke wiped his hands down his face, unimpressed by the lackluster display of skill. "Those two are just total idiots," he remarked, his expectations of witnessing a formidable Katon-style Jutsu from a Jonin-class shinobi completely dashed. Instead, it was nothing more than one idiot poking another.

"Now, where was I?" Kakashi's voice echoed as he spoke aloud, searching for the page he had left off. With a slight pause, he continued, "Ah, here we are," finally locating the right page in the book.

'Now! While he's distracted!' With remarkable speed, Sasuke hurled four shurikens at Kakashi, who was once again deeply engrossed in his book.

Unlike with Naruto, Kakashi didn't bother catching the shurikens this time; he simply sidestepped out of their trajectory. Swift and perceptive, Sasuke had anticipated this and already sprung from his hiding spot, leaping at Kakashi to engage in close-quarters combat.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Well, well, what do we have here? I didn't expect you, of all people, to come at me head-on," he remarked, observing Sasuke's rapid approach.

"I'm not like those two. I can handle whatever you throw my way and send it right back at you," Sasuke confidently declared, ready to face Kakashi's challenges head-on.

"Why don't you say that after you get a bell... Sasuke-kun," Kakashi taunted, his playful tone accompanied by a challenge.

Witnessing the unwavering determination and conviction in Sasuke's eyes, coupled with the reports of him being ranked number one in his class, Kakashi promptly put his book away. Realizing that this was a moment that required his complete concentration, he couldn't afford to be distracted by reading right now and needed to be fully prepared to face Sasuke's resolve head-on.

In a seamless display of skill and agility, Sasuke launched a formidable left kick at Kakashi, who deftly blocked and subsequently grabbed his leg, immobilizing it. But Sasuke wasn't finished; he twisted his body around and aimed a powerful right hook at Kakashi's face. Yet again, Kakashi reacted swiftly, catching the incoming attack with his left hand and locking it in place too. Undeterred, Sasuke bent over, executing a remarkable twist, and sent a forceful kick Kakashi's way. However, Kakashi promptly used his left forearm to block the kick, exemplifying his exceptional combat prowess.

Sasuke couldn't hide his self-assured grin as he extended his left hand, reaching with utmost confidence for the bells securely fastened to Kakashi's waist.

"This kid…?!"

Sasuke managed to touch and jingle one of the bells, a testament to his skill amid the intense confrontation before Kakashi promptly leaped backward, creating some distance between them to regroup and maintain his advantage in the test. He couldn't make it too easy for Sasuke to claim victory.

After recovering his footing, Kakashi couldn't help but think, 'Not bad.' He acknowledged Sasuke's impressive performance, making him realize that he wouldn't have the luxury to read his beloved Icha Icha during this test. He lamented the missed opportunity, feeling disappointed, especially as he had just reached an exciting part in the book.

xXx

Amidst the ongoing clash between Sasuke and Kakashi, Sakura took it upon herself to locate Naruto, who had been sent flying after Kakashi's earlier comical attack on him.

Despite being aware of Sasuke's ongoing one-on-one fight with Kakashi-sensei, Sakura understood that she would only hinder rather than assist him in her current state. Realizing that their best chance at passing the test was to reunite as a team, she prioritized locating Naruto first. Once she found him, the plan was to regroup and have the three face Kakashi-sensei together, increasing their chances of success.

Out of nowhere, a loud noise erupted, echoing through the forest.

"Owwwww!"

'Well… I know where Naruto is now.' Glad to have finally located Naruto, Sakura wasted no time and hurried in the direction of the loud noise. As she closed in on the origin of the groaning, she encountered an intriguing scene—or rather, a chaotic one—when she arrived at the site of the groaning. The sight that met her eyes left her with a mix of amusement and concern as she assessed the situation.

Sprawled in a bush, Naruto's derriere was embarrassingly elevated toward the sky, still holding onto it as if it had caught fire, which given the recent poking of said area, it might as well have been. The occasional twitching and spasming only added to the already comical scene.

Quickly seeing enough of the rather embarrassing scene, Sakura rushed over to Naruto. "Naruto! Get up! Sasuke-kun is facing Kakashi-sensei alone right now! He needs our help!"

Naruto remained twitching and unresponsive to Sakura's calls, seemingly oblivious to her words. Witnessing this, Sakura's frustration escalated, and a vein throbbed on her forehead as she firmly grasped him, resorting to vigorous shaking in an attempt to rouse him.

"Naruto! GET! UP!"

"I'm up! I'm up!" Naruto exclaimed his twitching subsiding as Sakura ceased shaking him like a mad doll. "What happened to Sasuke again?" he inquired, trying to gather his bearings and recall the situation with Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun is battling Kakashi-Sensei alone right now! We have to go help him. Let's go!" Sakura exclaimed, already sprinting back towards the location where Sasuke and Kakashi were engaged in their battle, her urgency evident as she spoke without waiting to finish her sentence.

Initially reluctant in helping Sasuke, Naruto realized that if he—they—were going to have any hope of passing this test, all three of them working together to combat Kakashi was the only way. Quickly getting up on his own two feet, he beelined after Sakura, fully intent on helping Sasuke.

xXx

"Ma, I will acknowledge you are indeed different from those two," Kakashi remarked aloud as he and Sasuke confronted each other, standing face-to-face. "However, that won't be enough."

"Hmph."

Instead of deeming Kakashi with a proper response, Sasuke began performing a series of rapid hand signs.

'Serpent! Ram! Monkey! Boar! Horse! Tiger!'

Having executed the required hand signs for his Jutsu, Sasuke leaned back, his mouth brimming with chakra, poised to unleash the technique he had in store for Kakashi.

'Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!'

Recognizing the hand signs Sasuke was performing and the Jutsu that came with it, Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief. 'What?!' he thought with astonishment. 'A Genin shouldn't be capable of executing an elemental Ninjutsu yet. He shouldn't have the Chakra capacity for it at this level!'

Sasuke cupped his hand around his mouth, and with a powerful exhalation, a colossal fireball, easily the size of Kakashi himself, surged forth, hurtling straight at him with the intent to engulf and incinerate him.

Szzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

After allowing the Jutsu to run its course for a few seconds, Sasuke dissipated the fire, and the intense blaze was extinguished. In its wake, a colossal circular crater appeared, a testament to the might of the Katon-style Jutsu. The area surrounding the crater was shrouded in thick black smoke, obstructing a portion of Sasuke's field of vision.

After a few seconds, the wind whisked away the smoke, revealing the area around the crater and leaving it as the sole remnant of Sasuke's Jutsu. However, to Sasuke's surprise, there was no charred body within the crater, which would have been the result if Kakashi had been hit by the attack.

'Dammit! He got away!' Sasuke thought, his mind racing as he frantically scanned his surroundings in search of where Kakashi might reappear. 'Is he behind me?! No, above me?!' Sasuke's body turned to each location he suspected Kakashi might be, but in every instance, he was nowhere to be found. 'Where is he?!' the urgency in Sasuke's thoughts grew as he struggled to locate his elusive opponent.

"Below you."

A hand came out of the ground and latched onto Sasuke's left leg.

Sasuke's head snapped around in surprise, and his eyes widened as he saw Kakashi's hand emerging from the ground, grabbing hold of his leg. "Wha-?!" Sasuke's bewildered exclamation was cut short as Kakashi announced his Jutsu, revealing the nature of his underground attack.

"Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu!"

'Shit,' Sasuke mentally cursed as he was quickly pulled down into the ground, while Kakashi extracted himself from the earth where he had been concealing himself.

Walking up to a now bodiless Sasuke, with only his head exposed to the outside world while the rest remained trapped underground, Kakashi crouched down to Sasuke's level and fixed him with a nonchalant gaze. "Well? Can't move, can you?"

Sasuke's resistance and grunting were the only responses Kakashi received, probably the best he was going to get. "You've done well, you have talent, and you are different. However, different doesn't always mean better," Kakashi remarked as he rose from his crouching position, took out his book, and started walking away. "There's a saying that the nail that sticks up is the one that gets hammered down, but oh well." Without glancing back, Kakashi waved lazily at Sasuke and added a taunting remark, "Have fun," before disappearing from sight.

'Damn it!' Sasuke seethed with frustration. All those years of training, and what did he have to show for it? Stuck in the freaking ground, unable to move, and thoroughly humiliated. 'Is there really this much of a difference in strength...?'

The sudden rustling of bushes alerted Sasuke that someone was closing in on his location. From the dense foliage emerged Sakura, followed by Naruto, both freezing in their tracks as they laid eyes on the sight of a bodiless Sasuke, with only his head poking out from the ground.

"Naruto… Sakura…"

"..."

"Ha-ha-ha!" Naruto's uncontrollable laughter echoed through the forest as he dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks. His body shook with amusement as he found it impossible to contain himself. "S-Sasuke-ha ha ha!-h-he's, just a head, ha ha!" he managed to say between his hearty laughs. The sight of Sasuke's head poking out of the ground was simply too much for Naruto, who continued to laugh heartily.

"It's not funny, Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed, attempting to suppress her laughter. However, the slight twitching of her lips and the way she covered her mouth with her hand gave away her true feelings. Despite her protest, Sakura found the situation amusing, just like Naruto did.

Naruto was practically howling, pounding his fist against the ground as he found the scene before him absolutely hilarious. It was beyond hysterical. "I-I can't-ha ha ha!-it's just too funny," he managed to say between bursts of uncontrollable laughter.

Suppressing all her instincts to burst out laughing like Naruto, Sakura mustered a serious expression and went over to help Sasuke free himself from the ground. Despite finding the situation hilarious, she managed to control her amusement. Judging by the heat on his face, Sasuke was clearly both embarrassed and angry, though it seemed the latter emotion dominated.

"Naruto, help me get Sasuke-kun out!"

With tears still streaming down his face from laughter, Naruto managed to compose himself enough to respond, "I-I'm coming!" Despite Sakura's plea for seriousness, he couldn't help but find the situation incredibly amusing. Seeing the prodigious Sasuke, whom he had known since childhood, bested and trapped in the ground with only his head visible, felt like a dream come true for Naruto.

Sasuke, who was going absolutely red in the face, with his right eye twitching madly, promising pain and misery had finally had enough of Naruto's relentless laughter at his predicament. He let out a seething voice, the only thing he could freely use in his current state.

"DOBE! Get me out of here! NOW!"

"O-ok, o-ok." Drying his tears and standing up, steadying his still-shaky knees, Naruto went over to help Sakura, who was already attempting to pull Sasuke out of the man-made hole with minimal success.

Seeing that brute force alone wouldn't suffice to free Sasuke, Naruto realized that a more creative approach was needed.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

Four identical clones materialized beside the original, each of them swiftly retrieving a kunai from their holsters.

The sudden appearance of the clones caught the attention of both Sasuke and Sakura. Sakura, who was in the middle of her rescue attempt, turned her head to see the four Narutos. Her loss of focus cost her, as she was quite literally strangling Sasuke if his face turning purple or the desperate pleas directed at her to stop her unintentional strangling didn't give it away.

Sakura's focus finally shifted to the sight of Sasuke turning purple and his desperate pleas for her to stop, prompting her to immediately release her grip on him. She quickly muttered an apology to Sasuke, who was gasping for air after being freed from her unintentional strangling. With her attention now on Naruto, she turned towards him.

Confused about Naruto's plan with the clones, Sakura questioned his actions. "Naruto, what are you doing? Illusions won't help us free Sasuke."

"These clones are different," Naruto explained. His point became evident as the four clones of himself approached Sasuke, their kunai held firmly in front of them, proving that they were not mere afterimages or illusions like the regular Bunshin no Jutsu.

'What! They're real?! How did he do that?' Sakura's mind was boggled by Naruto's display of an advanced form of Bunshin no Jutsu. However, before she could inquire about how he learned such a technique, her attention was drawn to all the clones, each armed with a kunai, closing in on Sasuke. "Why do all your clones have kunais, Naruto?! Are you planning on hurting Sasuke-kun!?" Her protective instincts kicked in, ready to defend Sasuke and reprimand Naruto if he had any cruel intentions.

"Relax, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, placatingly raising his hands in a calming manner. "I'm just trying to dig out the hole around Sasuke to give him more room, so he can wiggle himself out. Your way wasn't working, so I'm trying it my way." He reassured her that he had no intention of hurting Sasuke and was attempting to find a different approach to free their teammate.

"Oh, that's actually a great idea," Sakura complimented, acknowledging the effectiveness of Naruto's approach. She was about to help the clones free Sasuke before she realized the second part of what he had said. "Hey! What do you mean my plan wasn't working out?! I was just about to get him out, I'll have you know!" She defended her plan, convinced that it would have eventually succeeded in freeing Sasuke.

"Sakura, you were literally choking him to death! He was literally turning purple!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Ahah! Got you!" Naruto shouted, overjoyed by his ingenious trick.

"Wha-?! Hrrr… Naruto!"

"Arf! I'm sorry! Can you please get off, Sakura-chan?"

"Not until I make you pay!"

As Naruto and Sakura continued their playful banter, Sasuke, stuck in the hole, grew increasingly annoyed and frustrated by the minute. The excessive twitching of his right eye and the prominent vein on his forehead displayed his mounting irritation at their antics. He couldn't help but feel exasperated, wishing they would stop their squabbling and focus on helping him escape.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

'Finally!' Sasuke thought in relief. The clones' efforts had paid off, creating enough of a dent in the hole for Sasuke to leap out and free himself at last. "Enough! You two!" he exclaimed, clearly fed up with their behavior.

Naruto, still caught in Sakura's chokehold, and Sakura, the one doing the choking, turned their heads in the direction of the voice.

"Sasuke-kun! You got out!" Sakura exclaimed, releasing her chokehold on Naruto, which resulted in a thump and a quick "Ouch" from him. She rushed to hug Sasuke in relief and happiness at his newfound freedom.

"Cut it out! Don't cling to me!" Sasuke protested, struggling to free himself from Sakura's embrace. Despite his best efforts, he found his attempts to separate himself from her tight hold fruitless.

"Hey!" Naruto's voice rang out, more specifically aimed directly at Sakura. "A little thank you for the person who just saved him would be nice," he said, referring to himself.

Sakura, blushing and rubbing the back of her head out of embarrassment, let go of Sasuke and turned toward Naruto. "Right, my bad." Clearing her throat with a quick "Ahem," Sakura voiced her thanks to Naruto. "Thank you, Naruto, for helping Sasuke-kun get out of the hole."

"Aw shucks." Naruto was the one blushing now. "It was nothing, Sakura-chan! Really!" he insisted modestly. Then, Naruto shifted his attention toward Sasuke, who had remained notably silent throughout the exchange. With a playful, condescending smirk worming its way across his face, Naruto teasingly asked, "Well? Where's my thank you?" He was clearly expecting a reaction from Sasuke, eager to see how he would react to the dead last saving him.

Sasuke remained silent, his expression revealing a mix of reluctance and inner conflict. Sakura turned to him, her eyes filled with concern. "Sasuke-kun?" she called out, sensing that something was bothering him and wanting to understand what was going on in his mind.

"Thank you," Sasuke managed to utter, his voice small and reluctant. It was clear that expressing gratitude was not something that came easily to him, nor did he like to show it, but he acknowledged Naruto's help nonetheless.

Naruto couldn't resist taunting Sasuke further, wearing a mischievous and self-satisfied smile. He mockingly cupped his hand around his ear pointing it in Sasuke's direction as a taunting gesture. "What was that, Sasuke-chan?" he teased, clearly enjoying the moment. "Could you say it one more time, please? I had trouble hearing you the first time." Naruto was thoroughly relishing mocking Sasuke and was determined to make the most of the situation while he could.

Sasuke grunted, his voice a bit louder this time, though still laced with reluctance and tension. "Thank. You." He managed to utter the words through clenched teeth, showing that he really hated thanking Naruto of all people, but conceding once more to Naruto's request, no matter how irritating it was.

"A bit louder."

"Thank you." Sasuke's voice trembled visibly, his fists tightly balled up, and his face taking on an interesting shade of red.

Naruto couldn't resist pushing Sasuke's buttons just a bit further, his mischievous cheshire grin still intact. "One more time, please," he playfully requested.

Sasuke's irritation boiled over, and he finally had enough of the teasing. "Dammit! I said thank you!" he snapped, his patience worn thin. Without looking back, he turned away from Naruto and Sakura, walking off to find some peace and quiet.

"Your welcome, Sasuke-chan!" Naruto hollered towards the back of the retreating Sasuke.

"Wait, Sasuke-kun! Where are you going?" Sakura's voice carried concern as she watched Sasuke walking away. "Are you planning to fight Kakashi-sensei again?" she inquired anxiously, not wanting him to get involved in another potential conflict. At least, not by himself.

Sasuke came to a stop and turned to face Sakura, answering her question. "I was able to touch one of the bells last time. I'll take them both this time," he stated with determination. His desire to prove himself and surpass his previous showings was evident in his resolute words.

'Hiyaaa! He's so cool!' Inner Sakura gushed with admiration. Outwardly, Sakura appeared more composed, in contrast to her inner thoughts. "Let Naruto and I help you! With us working together, we can definitely take on Kakashi-sensei-"

"I don't need your help," Sasuke interrupted coldly, showing no hint of remorse on his face. "You two will just slow me down like you always do." His words were sharp and dismissive, making it clear that he believed he could handle the situation on his own and had no desire for assistance from Naruto and Sakura.

"Sasuke-kun…," Sakura mumbled, her voice trembling with hurt, and her hands covering her mouth to mask the hurt she felt from his callous words. Her eyes reflected the pain of his rejection, as she struggled to come to terms with his harsh response.

"Says the guy who got stuck in a hole and couldn't get out without our help," Naruto retorted, stepping in to support Sakura. "Stop trying to act all high and mighty, and come join us, and apologize to Sakura-chan while you're at it, will ya?" He refused to let Sasuke's dismissive words and attitude go unchecked, especially when it was directed toward Sakura.

"Shut up! You know nothing about me! Nothing!" he lashed out, his voice filled with anger and frustration. Sasuke's emotions were clearly raw and he was not in a mood to be reasoned with or understood at that moment.

The sudden outburst left both Naruto and Sakura speechless. It was the first time they had ever seen Sasuke display such intense emotions, filled with rage and hate. The change in him was so drastic that it left them questioning if this was truly the same Sasuke they knew.

As the wind picked up and the leaves floated around him, a haunting image flashed in Sasuke's mind. A man shrouded in shadows with a single blood-red eye containing three ominous black tomoe—the visage of the one who had marked his past. The atmosphere became tenser and foreboding, amplifying the weight of Sasuke's words. "...I'm the only one that can kill that man," he stated with an eerie calmness, his voice unwavering and filled with absolute conviction.

The memory of the previous day rushed back to both Naruto and Sakura. They remembered the moment when the three of them had introduced themselves to each other and their sensei, a time that now felt both distant and fleeting compared to the intense emotions of the present.

"What I have is not a dream, because I will make it a reality. I'm going to restore my clan and destroy a certain someone."

Who was the man that Sasuke had to kill? What actions did this person take to instill such deep-rooted hatred in Sasuke?

As Sasuke spoke, it almost seemed as if he was talking to himself more than to Naruto and Sakura. His words carried a weight of solemnity and determination, like a pledge or promise he was making to himself. "At that time... I was crying. Never again," he confessed, his voice tinged with the pain of his past. "I'm an avenger. I must become stronger than that man... I can't afford to waste my time here." His unwavering determination to seek revenge and grow stronger overshadowed everything else, and he seemed resolute in leaving everything behind to achieve his goal.

"Well, guess what, teme!" Naruto interrupted Sasuke's monologue, his voice filled with heated conviction. "You're gonna be stuck here if you don't cooperate with us!"

Naruto's interruption caught Sasuke's attention, evident from how his head snapped toward Naruto's direction.

Naruto wasn't done though, far from it. "You keep going on about needing to defeat this certain man. Well, guess what? That'll never happen if you don't help us, here and now, defeat Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto's words were earnest and unwavering, as he emphasized the importance of their present mission. "You won't get the chance to become strong enough to defeat this person you're so obsessed about if you're stuck in the academy forever!" He pointed out the irony of Sasuke's singular focus on revenge while neglecting the opportunities right in front of him to grow stronger and become a true ninja.

Sasuke's eyes widened, showing a hint of realization and vulnerability, as Naruto's words struck a nerve. It seemed he had never truly considered the implications of Naruto's point, and the truth of it hit him hard. If he couldn't defeat Kakashi here and now, he would be sent back to the academy, wasting precious years that he could use to hone his skills under the tutelage of a Jonin. The weight of the realization settled on him heavily, knowing that without seizing this opportunity, he would never be able to grow strong enough to face the man he sought to kill.

Naruto's question was direct and sharp, demanding Sasuke's full attention. "Well?!" Naruto pressed, not holding back. "Are you going to help us? Or are you gonna fail and be a loser like me? Which is it?" His words cut through the air with intensity, challenging Sasuke to make a decision and take action.

A great conflict raged inside Sasuke's heart as he grappled with Naruto's words. Deep down, he knew that Naruto was right, but there was a part of him that couldn't fully accept relying on others for his goals. Defeating that man was a personal vendetta he held close to his heart. It was his and his alone to settle. However, the reality of the situation was undeniable. No matter what he felt, it was all meaningless if he couldn't even take one of the bells from Kakashi before noon. His past failure in battling Kakashi alone was still fresh on his mind and still stung, and he was well aware of how much he owed Naruto and Sakura for their help. Torn between his pursuit of revenge and the possibility of attaining strength through teamwork, Sasuke found himself at a crossroads, uncertain of the right path to take. The choice before him felt insurmountable, leaving Sasuke in a state of conflict and inner turmoil.

Sasuke's frustration and inner conflict reached a breaking point, and he finally relented, admitting defeat. "Fine! Damn it! Fine! You win," he acquiesced, his voice laced with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. Releasing a heavy sigh, he let go of the pent-up frustration that had been building within him. "I'll join you two. What's the plan?" he asked, acknowledging that he needed their help and was willing to set aside his pride to work as a team.

Sakura's heart swelled with relief and joy as she saw Sasuke finally accepting their help. A bright smile adorned her face, clearly displaying her happiness and contentment. The tension that had been lingering between them seemed to dissipate as they finally began to embrace the spirit of teamwork.

With a victorious smile, Naruto ushered Sasuke and Sakura to come closer. "Alright! Now we're talking! Alright, team! This is the plan…"

xXx

"Hehe- That's right Yuta! That's the spot! - hehe!" Kakashi said out loud, talking to himself while giggling perversely with one hand covering his mouth. "Ohhh, we're getting to the juicy parts now, hehe!"

Kakashi had initially set out to find Sakura and test her skills, but his book proved too captivating, and he got sidetracked. Finding a comfortable stump to sit on, he immersed himself in the pages, temporarily forgetting about Sakura altogether. However, even as he lost himself in the story, Kakashi's analytical mind couldn't be still. Thoughts of Naruto and Sasuke's performance during the exercise crept into his consciousness, and he couldn't help but evaluate their skills and attitudes. So far, he wasn't impressed with what he had seen from them.

'Though he possesses immense chakra reserves, he lacks the skill and control to fully utilize it,' Kakashi analyzed with a discerning eye, recognizing Naruto's raw power but also his need for refinement and discipline. The topic of Naruto's intelligence brought a slight grimace to Kakashi's face, as he acknowledged that Naruto had room for improvement in that department. However, amidst the critique, Kakashi couldn't deny that Naruto's maneuver with his clones showed cleverness and quick thinking. It hinted at hidden depths beyond his initial impressions. Perhaps there was more to Naruto than met the eye, and with the right guidance, he could overcome his shortcomings and reach his true potential as a ninja.

'Sasuke on the other hand…,' Kakashi thought with a wince as he mentally reviewed his and Sasuke's past interactions and what he knew of the boy based on his files. It wasn't good. 'There's no denying his skills; he's undoubtedly talented, for a Genin, and shows great promise,' Kakashi admitted, recognizing Sasuke's prowess. After all, his accomplishments earned him the title of Rookie of the Year for his generation. However, Kakashi couldn't overlook Sasuke's troubling mentality and attitude toward his teammates, Naruto and Sakura. The boy's apathy and detachment were worrying and for all the wrong reasons. 'Although,' Kakashi continued with a grimace. 'if your brother wiped out your entire clan and killed your entire family, it would be hard-pressed for anyone not to turn out like Sasuke. Considering the trauma he had endured, it's remarkable that Sasuke had not completely lost himself to darkness. Despite his struggles, Sasuke has demonstrated a level of resilience and determination that spoke to his inner strength that few possess.'

Out of nowhere, three smoke bombs rocketed toward him. Upon impact with the ground, they erupted into a torrent of purple smoke, engulfing not only his entire field of vision but also extending beyond it.

In a split second, Kakashi stowed away his book and leaped away from the enveloping smoke generated by the exploding smoke bombs. Yet, his escape was met with a relentless hail of kunai hurtling his way. Reacting with lightning speed, he pushed off the ground with great force, propelling himself out of the smokescreen, and into the clear sky, regaining his vision. But, in a heartbeat, an abrupt cry from above warned him of an impending aerial assault.

"Those bells are mine Kakashi-Sensei!"

'Don't give away your attack, Naruto,' Kakashi sighed inwardly, disappointed by Naruto's lack of thoughtfulness. 'What good does it help you if your enemy can anticipate your every move.'

Masterfully parrying Naruto's right hook and left kick in mid-air, Kakashi seamlessly twisted his body and unleashed a powerful kick, transforming Naruto into a plummeting cannon bolt that cracked the ground upon impact.

Gracefully landing on the ground, Kakashi patiently awaited Naruto's resurfacing, taking the opportunity to offer a stern lecture about his errors. "Your element of surprise was lost when you shouted at me, rendering the earlier smoke bombs pointless, Naruto," Kakashi admonished as Naruto climbed out of the man-made hole. "Revealing your location to your opponent will only lead to fatal consequences."

Without his usual retort, Naruto simply smirked in response to Kakashi's reprimand. With a calm demeanor, he explained, "Those smoke bombs weren't meant for me, Kakashi-sensei. They were meant to distract you from the other two."

"What?" Kakashi responded, perplexed and instantly alert.

Kakashi's senses heightened as the sound of a rope being sliced echoed in his ears, alerting him to an imminent threat. Reacting quickly, he leaped away, narrowly avoiding a massive log hurtling toward him. 'Crap,' he thought, bewildered by the sudden assault. 'Where did that come from?' Gazing upward, he spotted Sakura perched in a tree, preparing to sever another rope that seemed to be another trap. The unexpected sight left Kakashi puzzled about her presence and her potential collaboration with Naruto. "Sakura? When did she arrive? Are she and Naruto working together?"

With Sakura's swift action, the rope was cut, triggering a fierce onslaught of kunai, some of them rigged with paper bombs. Acting on instinct, Kakashi promptly substituted himself with a nearby log, evading the explosive chaos that ensued after the kunais engulfed the wooden decoy.

Kakashi was taken by surprise as Sasuke materialized behind him with uncanny speed. "What in the-?!" Before he could finish his sentence, Sasuke initiated another ferocious bout of close-quarter combat, unleashing a barrage of even harder, quicker, and more precise punches and kicks than their previous encounter. Despite the escalated intensity, Kakashi effortlessly matched Sasuke's movements, keeping up with the onslaught with ease.

"Really, Sasuke? Didn't our last encounter teach you that Taijutsu won't work on me?" Kakashi retorted, slightly exasperated. Sasuke's Uchiha-like smirk was his only response, remaining undeterred by Kakashi's words.

"Leaf Village Secret Finger Jutsu!"

Amidst their intense duel, Kakashi's instincts urged him to steal a quick glance behind him. The sight that met his eyes struck terror in his heart, making fear course through his veins.

Naruto was rapidly closing in on him, his hands forming an all-too-familiar sign, and a wave of realization washed over Kakashi. For the first time during this test, beads of sweat formed on Kakashi's forehead, and an unfamiliar sense of nervousness crept into his being.

"Here I come, Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto's exuberant shout rang through the air, brimming with excitement at the prospect of avenging himself for Kakashi's earlier actions. "It's payback time!" he proclaimed, determination blazing in his eyes.

"One Thousand Years of Death!"

Naruto's hands were dangerously close to Kakashi's rear, prompting Kakashi to arch his back away, narrowly avoiding what could have been a deeply embarrassing and humiliating experience. With a swift backflip, he managed to gain distance from both Sasuke and Naruto, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief—for his butt. "Whew! You almost had me there, Naruto," Kakashi acknowledged, his heartbeat starting to settle. "I see you've taken a page out of my book, and I must say, I like that." Kakashi praised Naruto's strategy. "Using yourself and the smoke bombs as a diversion to set up traps and catch me off guard was quite clever. Not bad at all."

A visible sense of frustration overcame Naruto, his teeth clenched tightly as he felt the taste of victory just within reach. But as fate would have it, it slipped away like sand through his fingers. In a moment of childlike exasperation, he stomped his foot on the ground and let out a loud complaint. "Dammit! I almost had him! It would've been the funniest thing ever!" Naruto lamented, his disappointment evident.

As he stood beside Naruto, Sasuke's frustration gave way to astonishment at how close Naruto came to executing the embarrassing technique successfully on Kakashi. 'Who would have thought the 'dead last' could come up with such a plan?' Sasuke mused with a sardonic smirk, acknowledging Naruto's unexpected ingenuity.

Sporting a playful demeanor, Kakashi addressed the now fully assembled Team 7, "Ma, Ma, the three of you against little ol' me?" he quipped, his tone light and teasing. Sakura landed gracefully from the treetop, completing the team's reunion. "That hardly seems fair, don't you think?" he added, his comment laced with humor and sarcasm.

Naruto retorted with a nonchalant tone, having moved on from his missed opportunity to repay Kakashi with the same technique. "Yeah, whatever, sensei," he replied, brushing off Kakashi's playful remark. "We all know you're just messing with us," Naruto said, his response indicating a sense of camaraderie and familiarity with Kakashi's antics.

Sakura chimed in, backing up Naruto's assertion with confidence. "That's right! We know you too well, sensei. You can't fool us with your tricks anymore."

Sasuke simply responded with a "hmph", expressing his agreement with Sakura and Naruto's sentiments.

Kakashi couldn't help but be amused by his Genins' banter. "Ouch! My cute little Genins don't believe me!" he exclaimed dramatically, feigning hurt as he clutched his chest. "I'm devastated," he continued in a mockingly mournful tone, wiping away imaginary tears from his eyes for added effect.

Naruto, ever the enthusiastic one, made a straightforward request, "How about giving us the bells?"

Kakashi responded with a sly smile, "Now, now, that would be cheating, wouldn't it?"

"Worth a try. Now!"

Taking the initiative, Naruto moved to the forefront while Sasuke and Sakura swiftly positioned themselves behind him, forming a unified front. Crossing his fingers, Naruto began to call forth his now well-known signature Jutsu, ready to put their plan into action.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto's voice boomed as ten identical copies of him materialized from the billowing white smoke that came with the Jutsu. The clones promptly joined forces with the original Naruto and the rest of the team, forming a formidable group. The original, together with clones, rushed Kakashi while Sasuke and Sakura held their ground, ready to follow up with another attack.

"Kage Bunshins again?" Kakashi questioned, seemingly unfazed by Naruto's repeated use of the technique. "How many times must I tell you that Kage Bunshins won't defeat me?" With impressive ease, he dispatched each clone one by one, swiftly kicking one in the face until it vanished, and delivering a devastating punch to the stomach of another, causing it to explode. Repeating the process, Kakashi effortlessly dismantled the remaining clones, showcasing his display of skill and giving substantiation to his earlier statements.

Naruto's urgency was evident as he called out to Sasuke, "Hurry it up, will ya!" He felt the pressure mounting, knowing that his clones were rapidly being defeated one after another, and time was running out. "They won't hold out much longer," Naruto warned, feeling the pressure to act quickly before it was too late.

With his hand signs completed, Sasuke called out to Naruto, "Done! Move out of the way, loser!" Obeying Sasuke's command, Naruto quickly jumped back from the fray, making room for Sasuke to unleash his Jutsu.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

With a powerful release of chakra, a colossal fireball came alive, and charged relentlessly at the group of clones and Kakashi, engulfing them in its fiery fury upon impact. The intense blaze incinerated both the clones and their instructor to ashes in an instant. The sounds of the remaining clones popping resonated through the air, signifying the decisive outcome of the formidable attack. The battlefield was left in silence, save for the crackling flames and the aftermath of Sasuke's devastating Jutsu.

As the fiery explosion subsided, a figure came skirting out, veiled by swirling smoke. Within moments, the wisps of smoke slowly dissipated, revealing none other than Kakashi sliding backward, and revealed to have survived the attack unscathed. "Whew! A coordinated attack from you two? I would have never thought it possible," Kakashi admitted, impressed by their teamwork. But then, he continued with a smirk, "Too bad it's not enough to-"

Before Kakashi could finish his sentence, a string of wire materialized out of nowhere, swiftly encircling him and effectively binding his arms to his body, rendering him unable to move. "What!?" Kakashi exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected trap that had snared him, leaving him momentarily defenseless.

Kakashi's quick wit and keen observation skills kicked in as he traced the trail of ninja wiring that ensnared him. He lowered his gaze and noticed the wire originating from Naruto, who appeared to be wire-free. Suddenly, it dawned on him: 'Sakura!' Kakashi thought to himself, impressed by her strategic maneuver. 'She was behind Naruto, using him and Sasuke as decoys and holding the wire until the exact moment I landed right in this spot before trapping me with it.' The calculated ploy left Kakashi both impressed and temporarily immobilized, caught in Sakura's skillful trap.

Seizing the moment, Naruto and Sasuke sprang into action, leaping at Kakashi with all their might, their eyes locked on the bells hanging at his waist that were now easy pickings.

"I got it!" exclaimed both of them, with their hands just mere inches away from grasping the bells and seconds away from passing this grueling test once and for all.

RING! RING! RING!

"Time's up!" Kakashi cheerfully announced, despite still being bound in ninja wire.

Naruto and Sasuke came to a sudden halt, frozen mid-step, their hands hovering just inches from the bells. Their faces turned pale, stunned by the realization of their failure. Sakura's grip on the ninja wire slackened, and she crumbled to the floor, unable to believe they had come so close to success only to fall short.

Glomp!

Sasuke and Naruto found themselves in a comically awkward position, collapsing to the ground in utter shock. Still grappling with disbelief, Naruto stammered, more to himself than asking a question, "W-we failed? How... How could we fail?" Meanwhile, Sasuke's face contorted with anger, though it was hard to discern if it was directed at himself, Naruto, or Sakura.

The bindings around him loosened, allowing Kakashi to free himself from the wire. Dusting off his arms, he turned towards the three youngsters, now visibly pale and trembling. "The three of you performed admirably," Kakashi acknowledged, "but, unfortunately, it wasn't enough."

The three young ninjas appeared even more disheartened, as Kakashi's words felt like a death sentence to their aspirations. Unperturbed by their reactions, Kakashi pressed on. "As a consequence, you will be sent back to the academy and required to stay there for another year before you get another chance at attempting this test again."

Kakashi's words landed like heavy blows, crushing Naruto and Sakura's spirits even further. They slumped, heads low, consumed by a sense of defeat. In contrast, Sasuke, on the other hand, seethed with anger rather than succumbing to depression. For him, this failure felt like the destruction of his entire life, given his ultimate ambition. He wasn't the only one. Naruto's heart sank, drowning in sorrow and disappointment. Finally passing the graduation test had been his long-awaited chance to become a shinobi and break free from the confines of Konoha's walls. Now, it all seemed futile. As for Sakura, she couldn't help but feel let down. She had vowed to grow stronger for herself and her team, but this setback made her question her capabilities. It was as if all her efforts had been in vain, and she was on the verge of losing her team altogether.

"However," Kakashi cut in, interrupting their somber moods and prompting them to look up at him. "In light of your recent performance and the display of teamwork, I'm going to make an exception," he said, flashing his signature eye-smile.

With a renewed spark of hope in their eyes, the three young ninjas rose from the ground, their earlier dejection fading away. They turned to face Kakashi, their expressions now filled with newfound determination and conviction.

Any trace of happiness that Kakashi had shown earlier vanished in an instant, replaced by a stern and grave expression. He glared at all three of them, conveying the weight of the responsibility he was bestowing upon them. "I hope the three of you are prepared for what lies ahead. The opportunity I'm granting you is not to be taken lightly, and I won't offer it again. Consider yourselves fortunate, as your previous showings were far from satisfactory," he warned.

Kakashi's gaze then fell upon Naruto, who looked visibly nervous and was sweating profusely under the intensity of Kakashi's stare.

"Naruto, while you displayed skill in using your clones strategically, you made the mistake of going solo and leaving your teammates behind," Kakashi addressed him sternly. "In a real mission, such actions could have resulted in the death of your teammates, and the blame would have been solely on your shoulders." Naruto's head drooped, acknowledging the truth in Kakashi's words. His overconfidence and rivalry with Sasuke had nearly jeopardized their future as a team and as shinobi.

"Sasuke," Kakashi continued, his tone strict, "you labeled your teammates as liabilities, disregarded them, and proceeded with a lone wolf approach, believing you could handle everything by yourself. Individuals who operate as loners jeopardize the lives of their comrades, and history has shown that loners like you don't have a long shelf life in this line of work." Sasuke absorbed Kakashi's words, appearing angry but also showing a glimmer of comprehension about the message being conveyed. However, that didn't mean he had to like it.

Turning his attention to the final member of Team 7, Kakashi addressed Sakura with a serious tone, "While your knowledge of shinobi theory is commendable, as demonstrated by your success in the academy, you failed to apply that knowledge effectively in real combat situations. Theoretical understanding alone is insufficient without the ability to execute it in practice. If you continue down this path, you'll become a liability on real missions." Sakura absorbed Kakashi's words, recognizing their truth. She was beginning to realize that she had wasted precious years in the academy, resulting in her current weakness. Accepting Kakashi's assessment, she knew she had to make a change and improve herself.

In a stern and uncompromising tone, Kakashi turned to address the entire team, entering into a harsh lecture mode. "Missions are conducted by squads, not individuals. While ninjas indeed require exceptional individual skills, teamwork outweighs any single person's abilities. The collective power and skill of a well-functioning team surpass that of any individual." Kakashi paused, giving the three young ninjas a disappointed and grave look. "However," he continued, "you dimwits foolishly disregarded the importance of teamwork until it was too late, and as a consequence, you couldn't obtain the bells. If you had realized this sooner and worked together, you might have had a chance to take the bells from me... what a shame." His words conveyed both disappointment and a sense of missed opportunity for the team.

Sakura's sudden realization of the number of bells hit her like a lightning bolt. "Wait a minute!" she interjected. "There were only two bells from the start. If only two can pass, and there are three of us, then no matter what we did, one of us would have failed. That's not teamwork; it would only create internal conflict within the team!"

Her words held truth, exposing the flaw in Kakashi's test and its potential to breed animosity among them. The test, as it stood, seemed more like a setup for failure rather than an opportunity for growth and unity as a team.

Kakashi's harsh response affirmed Sakura's suspicion. "That's the point!" he exclaimed, leaving no room for doubt. "This test was intentionally designed to pit you against each other."

"Eh?"

His revelation left the three young ninjas taken aback, realizing that the test had been engineered to test not only their individual skills but also their ability to work together and overcome internal conflicts.

"The point of this test was to discern who would prioritize teamwork over their own self-interest. It aimed to reveal who could place the team's success above passing the test individually," Kakashi explained sternly. He stressed the critical distinction between individuals who prioritize their personal ambitions over the well-being of the team. "Those who care more about their own interests and well-being will only sow discord within the team, jeopardizing not only the mission but also the lives of their comrades."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura humbly bowed their heads, fully acknowledging their mistakes and the validity of Kakashi's words. The weight of their failure weighed heavily on them, and they realized that they had fallen short during the test greatly.

"I should fail you three," Kakashi stated, causing them to freeze and tense up, expecting the worst. "However, as I stated before, your last moment of teamwork impressed me enough that I am willing to give you one more chance to prove yourselves capable of working as a team."

With newfound determination, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's eyes blazed with a fierce fire. It wasn't just about proving Kakashi wrong; it was about proving themselves wrong. They wanted to demonstrate that they were capable of working as a cohesive team, breaking free from their previous shortcomings.

Observing the determination burning in their eyes, Kakashi nodded to himself, recognizing the fire that had been kindled within them. "The battle for the bells will be far more challenging than it was before noon," he warned the three, emphasizing the increased difficulty of the upcoming fight. "Those who wish to take on the challenge can eat lunch, however…," Kakashi paused deliberately before continuing, focusing his gaze directly on Sakura.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as she awaited Kakashi's words.

"Sakura, despite working with Naruto and Sasuke, you contributed the least during this test," he stated firmly, leaving no room for debate. "And so, you will be strapped to the stump and not be allowed to eat lunch."

"What!"

Kakashi's stern expression and the shadow cast across his face intensified the tension in the air. Ignoring any protests or indignation, he kept his gaze fixed on the three young ninjas, making his message clear. "If anyone allows her to eat, that person will be immediately disqualified on the spot," he stated firmly, leaving no room for debate. "No more chances, is that understood?"

Naruto shook his head vigorously, affirming his commitment to abiding by the rules and not allowing Sakura to eat. Sasuke's response was more measured but just as resolute. He nodded once, conveying that he fully comprehended the gravity of the situation.

"Good, eat, and we'll begin once you're done," Kakashi's voice echoed, though he had already disappeared, leaving only a few falling leaves to mark his previous presence.

xXx

In a clearing, the surrounding area reverberated with a loud growling sound, a clear sign of hunger. Once more, the sound echoed, this time with greater intensity than the previous.

"Are you alright, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked with evident concern on his face.

"I'm fine, Naruto, really," Sakura reassured, while she remained bound to a stump.

~Grrrrr~

"Hehe," Sakura sheepishly laughed, as her stomach betrayed her earlier words as it grumbled audibly.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura formed a trio, gathered around the stump that held the alarm clock—though in Sakura's case, she was bound and tied to the stump rather than sitting freely. Before Kakashi left, he tied Sakura to the stump and handed the boys their lunches to eat. That's how time passed—the two boys enjoying their meals while Sakura's stomach audibly grumbled every few minutes, a clear sign of her hunger, especially because she had skipped dinner the night before as part of her diet.

Naruto, witnessing Sakura's evident suffering, decided he had seen enough. Setting aside his lunch, he offered it to her with a kind gesture. "Here, Sakura-chan. You can have some of mine."

"N-Naruto," Sakura stammered, taken aback by Naruto's willingness to sacrifice his own opportunity as a shinobi for her. The realization dawned on her, and she began to understand the depth of Naruto's friendship. She felt incredibly fortunate and regretful that she hadn't realized it before. "You don't have to worry about me, Naruto. Really. I'll be okay." As she comprehended the true extent of his friendship, Sakura knew she couldn't allow Naruto to sacrifice his future for her. He had already endured so much pain and loss, and she couldn't bear to be the reason for another sacrifice on his part.

"But Sakura-chan…" Naruto hesitated, fully aware that Sakura wouldn't stand a chance in the next round of fighting without any food. Plus, her stomach was still growling like crazy.

Sasuke, too, offered his lunch to her. "Here," he said, extending the food toward her.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura was genuinely astonished now. First, Naruto's selfless offer, and now Sasuke? The very same Sasuke who had distanced himself from her since their academy days was now willing to sacrifice his ambitions to help her? She was at a loss for words. "B-but what about what sensei said?" Sakura murmured, glancing left and right to check if Kakashi had overheard their conversation. She was concerned about the consequences of accepting their kindness, as Kakashi had warned them about the harsh reality of the shinobi world and the sacrifices they might have to make.

"It's fine. There's no sign of him now. The three of us are going to take the bells together," he announced confidently, making his intentions clear to the surprised listeners. "It'll be trouble for me—for us—if you become a hindrance due to your hunger. So… eat," he urged Sakura, showing a level of concern and determination that she had never witnessed from him before.

With a mix of disbelief and amusement, Sakura watched as Naruto shook off his surprise at Sasuke's unexpected team-spirited words. But Naruto being Naruto, quickly regained his energetic spirit and grabbed a portion of his lunch with his chopsticks, playfully pushing it toward Sakura's face. "Yeah, what the bastard said!" Naruto exclaimed with a bright grin. "Eat up, so we can take the bells from Kakashi-sensei together!"

"Naruto, shut up."

"Make me, bastard!"

As Sakura observed the back and forth between Naruto and Sasuke, a profound sense of gratitude overwhelmed her. This moment felt so special to her, knowing that these two were willing to set aside their ambitions and challenge their sensei's orders for her sake. She couldn't believe her luck to have such devoted teammates. Tears welled up in her eyes, but a bright and heartwarming smile illuminated her face. "You guys…" she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you."

Behind a nearby tree, not too far from the trio, Kakashi leaned against the trunk with content and pleased eye-smile. He observed the three of them, listening to their lively conversation and banter with satisfaction. Seeing how they had come together as a team, willing to support and care for each other, warmed Kakashi's heart.

During the intense match, as he hurled insults at Sasuke that a mother would shield her child from, Naruto shifted his attention back to Sakura, his face beaming with warmth and affection. "Of course, Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed merrily. "Now open up and say aww~"

"Wha-!? Don't make it weird Naruto!" Sakura jibed, while Naruto continued to smile.

"Hurry it up. We don't know when he'll be back," Sasuke said, clearly on alert about Kakashi's imminent return.

Naruto's smile remained unwavering as Sakura, with no room to argue, gave in. "Fine, but just this once!" she conceded. Opening her mouth, Naruto fed her his food.

BOOM!

A massive explosion hit them with tremendous force, causing thick smoke to engulf the surroundings, partially obscuring the area. The wind billowed fiercely and quickly, adding to the intensity of the situation.

"You three!" Kakashi yelled in absolute rage as he emerged from the thick smoke caused by the large explosion. The explosion he caused upon impact with the ground.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

"Raaaaaaaaaah!"

"Tch!"

"You broke the rules, which means you know what's coming!" Kakashi stated with a deeply angered expression on his face.

With a swift sequence of hand signs, the once clear sky darkened, and lightning bolts erupted, streaking across the landscape as the deafening sound of thunder echoed everywhere. "Do you have anything to say for yourselfs?!" Kakashi thundered, his eyes fixed on the three individuals before him.

Naruto trembled, his teeth audibly chattering from fear. Sakura tightly shut her eyes, trying to block out the terrifying scene before her, and her body shook as she struggled against her restraints. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and his mouth formed a scowl, showing his displeasure with the current situation.

"B-but-" Before their formidable and terrifying sensei, Naruto found himself in a state of utter stuttering, unable to articulate a coherent sentence due to fear.

"HUH?!"

"But! But! But! You said there were three of us, and that's why me and Sasuke…" Naruto's babbling trailed off as he struggled to find the right words to express himself due to fear.

"We're a three-man squad, aren't we? We're all in this together," Sasuke asserted, backing up Naruto's words.

Still bound in place, Sakura opened her eyes and stared defiantly at Kakashi with all the courage she could muster. "That's right! The three of us are one!"

"That's right! Dattebayo!"

"The three of you are one, you say…" Kakashi repeated, his menacing stride bringing him closer to the trio. Dispelling his Jutsu, he leaned in, leveling them with a heavy stare. Undeterred, the three of them met his gaze head-on, returning his hardened glares with unwavering resolve.

"…"

"...you pass."

"Huh?"

"Wha-?"

"You pass," Kakashi repeated, his signature eye-smile returning to his face. "You guys are the first to pass my test," he added, expressing his admiration for their exceptional teamwork and resilience.

Sakura, still uncertain about whether Kakashi was being truthful or if this was still part of the test, needed to confirm. "We passed? How? Why?" she inquired, seeking clarification on their success.

Rising from his leaning position, Kakashi gazed at the now fully-minted Genin, their shock still evident. "The students I had before you were dunces," he explained. "They merely followed my orders without question, too afraid to disobey. But you three have demonstrated teamwork, courage, and the ability to think for yourselves."

The darkened clouds began to disperse, unveiling a bright and clear blue sky adorned with luscious white clouds scattered throughout. The radiant and warm rays of the sun broke through, bathing the surroundings in a pleasant glow.

"A ninja must be able to see through deception and think for themselves if they wish to be competent," Kakashi lectured. "In the ninja world, those who break the rules and codes are considered scum, that's true. But..."

Kakashi paused and gazed into the sky, lost in the depths of his memories, some of which he might have wished to forget. "...Those who abandon their friends," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice, "are worse than scum." The weight of his statement hung in the air, leaving a profound impact on the three Genin who had just passed his test.

The three Genin absorbed Kakashi's words, surprised by the depth and profound ideals their sensei lived by. Naruto's expression showed conflicting emotions, but there was also a deep sense of admiration evident in his eyes. The encounter had left a lasting impression on all three of them, shaping their understanding of what it truly meant to be a ninja.

Facing the trio, Kakashi dramatically raised his hand and gave them a thumbs-up as a sign of his approval. "That's it for the test! Everyone passes! Team 7 starts their mission tomorrow!" he announced with a sense of pride and satisfaction, officially declaring them as a team ready to embark on their ninja missions together.

"I did it, I did it! I became a ninja!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping up and down in sheer joy. The realization of his accomplishment and the official recognition of his ninja status overwhelmed him with happiness.

"Alright! We did it!" Sakura exclaimed in obvious joy, despite still being tied to the stump. 'Cha! I did it, now I can grow stronger and be with Sasuke-kun at the same time!' Inner Sakura mentally cheered, feeling a surge of determination and excitement for the future.

Sasuke didn't vocalize his joy like the other two, but the visible smirk on his face revealed his inner satisfaction. He, too, was very happy to have passed and become an official ninja. His reserved nature might have kept him from expressing it as exuberantly as Naruto and Sakura, but a sense of accomplishment was evident in his demeanor.

"Let's go home," Kakashi announced, his hands tucked into his pockets as he turned away from the training area.

Naruto and Sasuke both got to their feet and followed Kakashi's lead, walking away from the training area. The feeling of camaraderie and the sense of accomplishment lingered in the air as they made their way back, ready to embark on new missions and face the challenges that awaited them as ninjas.

"Hey, wait!" Sakura cried out, her legs wiggling in obvious struggle as she attempted to escape. "You forgot to untie me!" she reminded Kakashi, not wanting to be left behind while still bound to the stump.

"Come backkkkkkk!"


Finally! Wow, was this a really long chapter to write. So much for being out soon. My bad people... anyways chapter 3 has already been started and should be completed soon. Don't quote me on that.