I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE!
THE IDEA OF THESE OC CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME. THESE SPECIFIC VERSIONS HOWEVER ARE MY BRAIN CHILD, IF YOU USE THEM GIVE ME CREDIT.
Welcome back to the story everyone. This chapter will touch on Team Seven's formation and get the story rolling with the bell test I appreciate all of you who favorited the story and myself and for those who didn't, Check out my other story Naruto: The Darkness Within.
Arc 1: First Real Misson
Chapter 2: Uniting Bonds and Rising Challenges
The Sage of Six paths continues to write down the story of Naruto Uchiha. He is amazed to see such changes and similarities to the original timeline. He is invested into the story and can't make heads or tails of what will happen.
Some time has passed since we last met our future shinobi. The Uchiha cousins have been housed together after the downfall of the Uchiha clan. It would appear that no matter the circumstances, the Uchiha were meant to be exterminated. Itachi Uchiha had witnessed the death of his close friend Shisui Uchiha and was forced to kill every last Uchiha.
Academy Classroom
Iruka Umino stands in front of the class, holding a clipboard with the team assignments. The students are eagerly waiting to hear their new teams. "Alright, students! I will now announce the genin squads. Listen carefully!" Iruka speaks.
Iruka reads through the list, assigning students to their respective teams. When he reaches Team Seven, he announces:
"Team Seven: Naruto Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Mito Uzumaki. Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake."
Ino, who is assigned to another team, frowns and whispers to Sakura, "You're so lucky, Sakura! Both Uchihas on your team... I should've been on that team!"
Sakura blushes, feeling excited yet nervous about her new team.
The assigned senseis enter the classroom one by one to pick up their teams. However, Kakashi is nowhere to be seen. Three hours pass, and the members of Team Seven are still waiting for Kakashi. Mito Uzumaki has fallen asleep, Sakura is daydreaming about her new life as a ninja, and Naruto and Sasuke are deep in thought.
Suddenly, the door swings open, and Kakashi arrives, looking relaxed and unfazed by his tardiness. Kakashi looks at his students. A sleeping child, a daydreamer, and two brooders, wonderful. The man thinks. "Oh, sorry I'm late. I got lost on the path of life..." he speaks up.
The members of Team Seven look at each other in disbelief but quickly shake off their annoyance, ready to begin their journey as a team.
"Meet me at the rooftops in 1 minute or I'll send you back to the academy." Kakashi states as he disappears.
The four Genin rush out their seats and run for the stairs to get up to the roof tops. They all reach the top in a minute and are breathing hard.
"Alright, let's start with introductions. Tell us your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams. Blue eyes, you go first." The one eye ninja ordered.
"Hey, I'm Naruto Uchiha! My likes... uh, I love my mom's cooking, training, and hanging out with my friends. Dislikes? I don't like people who look down on others or bullying. My hobbies are practicing my skills and exploring the village. And my dream? My dream is to restore the Uchiha clan."
Kakashi nods. It seems the Minato-sensei's son is still a happy child somehow. I wish I could've been a better bigger brother in your early years. Now I can change that. His focus shifts to Sasuke. "Emo it's your turn." Kakashi says.
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I like training and learning new techniques. Dislikes? I dislike many things. My hobbies... I guess I also enjoy exploring the village. My dream... is to kill a certain man and restore my clan along side Naruto." Sasuke said while brooding.
Sakura thinks to herself out amazing Sasuke is.
If he doesn't get over his hatred of Itachi, then he may fall down a dark path. I'll have to hope I can make a difference. Kakashi thinks to himself. Kakashi turns to Sakura. "Pinkie go on." He orders.
"I'm Sakura Haruno. I like..." she looks at both Sasuke and Naruto and shrieks. "My dream is to be a great wife." She states cheerfully.
Kakashi rolls his eye. Great another fangirl. "You forgot your hobbies and dislikes." Kakashi points out.
"Oh right, sorry. My hobbies are shopping and doing make up," she says with a smile. She turns and looks a Mito. "And my dislikes are Tomato head and Ino-pig!" She shrieks.
"Dammit you pink banshee! You're going to break my eardrums!" Mito shouts back.
Kakashi shakes his head in disappointment. "Okay tomato go." He ordered for the last time.
She glares at the man who called her that horrid nickname. "My name is Mito Uzumaki. I like training, being with my best friend Naruto, and I love ramen! Dislikes? I don't like people who judge others based on their appearance or background and I especially don't like pink banshees and annoying blonde gossipers. My hobbies include eating ramen and exploring nature. My dream is to the first female Hokage!" The girl shouts out.
Kakashi listens carefully to each of them and then responds. "Very well. My first expression of you all..." he puts a finger on his chin. "I hate you all. Now that I know a bit more about you, your first mission is to meet me at Training Ground 7 tomorrow morning at 6 am sharp. Don't be late and a slight suggestion: do not eat breakfast or you'll throw up."
"What? You're not gonna introduce yourself?" Mito asks. Sakura nods in agreement.
"I'm Kakashi Hatake. I like a lot of things, but I don't feel like sharing them now. I dislike a lot of things too, but I won't mention them either. As for my hobbies... well, let's just say I have some. My dream? That's a secret. Now go on little Genin." Kakashi says, much to the annoyance to the team.
With that, the team disperses, each member excited and nervous about what lies ahead.
Naruto and Sasuke walked wearily towards Akane's house after their long day at the academy. The sun had already begun to set, casting a warm glow on the streets of Konoha. As they approached the front door, Sasuke couldn't help but notice how worn out Naruto appeared. Both boys were exhausted from waiting for their new sensei, Kakashi Hatake, who had been notoriously late for their first meeting.
Upon entering the house, they were greeted by Akane, who looked both concerned and curious. She could tell that they had quite a day, and her motherly instincts kicked in immediately.
"You boys are late! What took you so long? And who did you end up being teamed with?" Akane questions.
Naruto, still catching his breath, responded eagerly. "Mom, we're on a team with Sakura and Mito! And our sensei is Kakashi Hatake! But he was so late today..."
Akane's eyes widened as she listened to her son. She was familiar with Kakashi's reputation for tardiness after the death of Obito Uchiha. The boy had changed so much after the death of his team. She had told Kakashi that he was always welcomed to stay around with her, but he put all his focus into his anbu work. She wished he gotten out sooner. She loved that Fugaku allowed Hatake to keep the Sharingan. She respected Kakashi for honoring Obito Uchiha and couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of her son and his best friend having to deal with it, much like Minato did when it comes to the lateness.
As they all sat down in the living room, Naruto began to recount the day's events. He told Akane about how Iruka had assigned them to their new team and how the other senseis had promptly arrived to pick up their students. All except for Kakashi, who had made them wait for hours.
Sasuke, who had been quietly listening to Naruto's retelling of the day, occasionally nodded in agreement when Naruto mentioned specific points.
Naruto continued, describing how they had finally met Kakashi on the rooftop, where they had introduced themselves and shared their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams. He explained how Kakashi had assigned them their first mission: to meet him at Training Ground 7 at six in the morning and skip breakfast.
Akane, still smiling, interrupted Naruto's story. "Well, it sounds like you two had quite an eventful day. But don't worry too much about meeting Kakashi so early in the morning. He has a reputation for always being late." She informs the two Uchiha boys.
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances, realizing that Akane must be right as she was a former Jonin of the village. They couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of their sensei potentially showing up late for their first mission.
"Yeah, you're right, Mom. Maybe we don't have to be there so early after all." The boy speaks.
"Still, it's better to be prepared. Make sure you get a good night's sleep and eat a hearty breakfast before heading out. You never know what challenges you might face on your first day as genin."
The boys nodded in agreement, knowing that she was right. They needed to be well-rested and well-fed to tackle whatever obstacles awaited them.
That night, Naruto and Sasuke went to bed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Their first day as genin had been filled with surprises, and they couldn't help but wonder what the future held for their newly-formed Team SevenPlus. As they drifted off to sleep, their minds were filled with thoughts of their teammates, their sensei, and the adventures that awaited them in their journey to become strong and capable shinobi.
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room where Naruto and Sasuke slept soundly. Akane gently opened the door, her motherly instincts telling her it was time to wake the boys up for their first day as genin.
With Mito Uzumaki hours earlier
"Jiji! I was assigned with Naruto and Sasuke! This is great! I'll make you proud old man!" She yelled in the office of the Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. Deep down however, was another story. He was fearful of the Nine Tailed Fox. From what Akimitsu Senju told him, Minato had sealed the entirety of the Fox into the girl. He assigned her to a team full of Sharingan wielders in hopes that they could stop the beast if worst came to pass. He looked at the happy girl. The girl was related to his two masters the first two Hokage. He had let the village terrorize her and left her to fend for herself. If not for Akane stepping in from time to time, he would not know what to do. "That's very nice to hear Mito. I'm happy you're on a team with your friends. Remember the importance of teamwork and the will of fire and you will be successful in every endeavor with your team!" He wisely stated.
Mito nodded. "Do you think we could have ramen to celebrate?" She asked with puppy dog eyes.
The Sandaime folded and sighed, "of course!"
The girl grabbed the elderly Hokage and rushed to her favorite spot before she went to sleep.
The Next Day
"Naruto, Sasuke, it's time to wake up," she said softly, shaking them gently. The boys stirred, groggily opening their eyes and stretching their limbs.
As they sat down for breakfast, a delightful aroma filled the room. Akane had prepared a traditional Japanese meal, complete with steamed rice, grilled fish, and tamagoyaki. Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but dig in, knowing they needed the energy for the day ahead.
After their satisfying meal, the boys cleaned themselves up and got dressed. With a sense of excitement and anticipation, they said their goodbyes to Akane and set off towards Training Ground 7.
The walk to the training ground was filled with morning chatter and the sounds of the bustling village waking up. Shopkeepers opened their stores, children ran off to school, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.
Upon arriving at Training Ground 7, Naruto and Sasuke found themselves to be the first ones there. They exchanged glances, wondering if perhaps they were too early. Soon, however, Sakura and Mito arrived separately, each wearing determined expressions.
As the sun continued to rise, the four genin waited for their sensei, Kakashi, to arrive. The once crisp morning air had turned warm and balmy, and the chirping of birds filled the atmosphere. One hour turned into two, then three, and soon enough, five hours had passed.
Just as the team was about to lose hope, Kakashi finally arrived, looking completely nonchalant despite his tardiness. Before anyone could voice their frustration, he offered a rather unbelievable excuse.
"I crossed paths with a black cat, so I had to take the long way around. On my way, I encountered a perverted old man stalking women, so I had to battle him. He was quite strong and nearly defeated me. After that, I tried going through downtown, but there were ladders everywhere, blocking my path. I had to wait for them to be cleared up," he explained, wearing a sheepish grin.
Mito and Sakura glared at him, their disbelief evident. "You expect us to believe that?" Mito retorted, while Sakura nodded in agreement. Kakashi simply shrugged, unfazed by their skepticism.
Clearing his throat, Kakashi decided to move on to the day's task. "Today, we'll be doing the bell test," he announced, pulling three small bells from his pouch. "One of you will be going back to the academy today."
The team's excitement quickly turned into apprehension as they listened intently to Kakashi's words. They knew that they would have to give their all in order to prove their worth as genin and remain a part of Team SevenPlus. With the sun shining brightly overhead, Team SevenPlus got ready for the task at hand.
The sun shone brightly overhead as Naruto Uchiha prepared to face his sensei, Kakashi Hatake, in the bell test. The air was thick with anticipation as the rest of Team SevenPlus watched from a safe distance, their eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and concern.
Naruto took a deep breath, activating his two-tomoe Sharingan eyes. He knew that this would be a challenging battle, but he was determined to prove his worth as a member of Team SevenPlus.
"Kakashi-sensei, I won't go easy on you!" Naruto declared, his eyes locked on his opponent.
Kakashi simply smiled beneath his mask, amused by his student's determination. "I expect nothing less, Naruto. Let's see what you've got."
The battle commenced with Naruto launching a series of fire style techniques at Kakashi. He focused his chakra and performed the necessary hand seals before shouting, "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" A massive, blazing fireball hurled towards the silver-haired sensei. Kakashi, however, managed to evade the attack with ease, using his impressive speed and agility.
Not one to be discouraged, Naruto followed up with a barrage of fireballs, utilizing his Fire Ball Barrage Jutsu. The sky was filled with a shower of flames, each one threatening to consume Kakashi. Yet, the experienced sensei managed to dodge each fireball, expertly weaving through the onslaught with his swift movements.
As they both caught their breath, Kakashi called out, "Impressive, Naruto! But you'll have to do better than that!" Jeez! How much did Akane teach him? He thought to himself.
With determination in his eyes, Naruto responded, "Just watch me, sensei!"
Realizing that he needed to change his approach, Naruto decided to use his earth style technique. He slammed his hands onto the ground, shouting, "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" A massive mud wall rose between him and Kakashi. The sudden appearance of the wall caught Kakashi off guard, forcing him to momentarily pause his evasive maneuvers.
Seizing the opportunity, Naruto revealed his impressive proficiency in the Substitution Jutsu. He quickly swapped places with a nearby log, appearing behind Kakashi in the blink of an eye. With his Sharingan eyes tracking Kakashi's movements, Naruto hurled a barrage of kunai and shuriken at his sensei.
Kakashi, who had been momentarily surprised by Naruto's tactics, quickly regained his composure. He swiftly deflected the incoming projectiles with his own weapons, his reflexes and precision honed through years of experience with his mother and Fugaku Uchiha.
Throughout the battle, Naruto managed to touch the bells hanging from Kakashi's waist on three separate occasions, but each time, he was unable to grasp them firmly enough to claim them as his own. Despite his best efforts, Naruto found himself outmaneuvered and cornered.
As Kakashi closed in, Naruto knew he had given his all in this fight. He could feel the sweat dripping down his face and the exhaustion setting in, but he stood tall, refusing to back down. His Sharingan eyes flickered with determination, a testament to his unwavering resolve, however, after using a lot of chakra his crimson Sharingan revert back to the baby blues of normal.
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask, impressed by the young Uchiha's tenacity and skill. It was clear that Naruto had a long way to go, but the potential he displayed was undeniable. With a swift movement, Kakashi channeled his chakra into a powerful punch, striking Naruto and sending him into a brief, unconscious state.
As Naruto lay on the ground, the rest of Team SevenPlus looked on with a mix of admiration and concern. They knew that they, too, would soon face their own challenges in the bell test.
Sasuke watched Naruto's defeat with a mixture of shock and concern. He had always seen Naruto as a formidable opponent, someone who was slightly better than him in terms of skills and abilities. Witnessing his friend's defeat at the hands of their sensei made Sasuke realize the immense gap between their current level and that of a seasoned shinobi like Kakashi. He wondered how far he had come. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anxiety, knowing that he would have to face Kakashi soon. At the same time, Sasuke felt a surge of determination to prove himself, fueled by the desire to surpass Naruto and make a name for himself as a formidable Uchiha.
Sakura Haruno, who had been watching the battle intently, couldn't hide her disappointment and concern as she saw one of her crushes defeated so easily. She had always admired Naruto's strength and persistence, and to see him fall to their sensei in such a manner made her question her own abilities. However, she knew that she couldn't let herself be disheartened. As she pondered her own strategy for the bell test, she promised herself that she would do her best to support her teammates and prove her worth as a member of Team SevenPlus.
Mito Uzumaki's reaction to her best friend/crush's defeat was a mix of worry and resolve. She knew Naruto as a fierce and skilled competitor, and seeing him lose to Kakashi was a harsh reminder of the challenges that lay ahead for their team. Mito knew that she couldn't let her emotions get the better of her. Instead, she had to focus on finding a way to obtain the bells and ensure her place on the team. She began to analyze the battle, trying to identify any weaknesses in Kakashi's defenses that she could exploit in her own attempt.
After a moment of contemplation, Mito decided to challenge Kakashi next. The red-haired kunoichi stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. "Kakashi-sensei, I'll be your next opponent," she declared confidently.
Kakashi looked at Mito and nodded, impressed by her courage. "Very well, Mito. Let's see what you can do."
As Mito prepared to face her sensei, she recalled the lessons she had learned from her friendship with Naruto, the importance of perseverance and never giving up. She remembered the small tips and advice from Akane Uchiha. She promised herself that she would give her all in this challenge and do her best to make her friends and teammates proud. With a deep breath, she steeled her nerves and charged towards Kakashi, her heart pounding in her chest and her mind focused on the task at hand.
Mito Uzumaki Vs Kakashi Hatake
As Mito charged towards Kakashi, he casually took out his Icha Icha Paradise book, flipping it open with a smug grin. "You'll have to do better than that, Mito," he taunted, not even bothering to look up from the pages.
Frustration and irritation bubbled up within Mito as she saw her sensei's blatant disregard for her abilities. She clenched her fists, her resolve only growing stronger. "Fine, if that's how you want to play it, Kakashi-sensei!" Mito shouted, forming hand seals to create a dozen shadow clones, each one mirroring her determination.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by her ability to create so many clones, so this was what Iruka spoke upon the other day. She apparently made 1,000 shadow clones. An easy feat considering she's Senju/Uzumaki. He thought. He closed his book and tucked it away, realizing he'd need to take this battle more seriously.
Mito and her clones spread out, surrounding Kakashi. They attacked him in unison, using their sheer numbers to try and overwhelm him. Despite being somewhat tired from his previous fight, Kakashi managed to keep up, dodging and countering each strike with expert skill.
During a brief lull in the battle, Mito gritted her teeth, feeling the strain of maintaining so many clones. "Why won't you take me seriously, Kakashi-sensei?" she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration.
Kakashi looked at her with a hint of sympathy. "It's not that I'm not taking you seriously, Mito. I'm simply gauging your abilities. This is a test, after all."
As their battle continued, Kakashi subtly set a trap, using his speed and skill to remain one step ahead of Mito and her clones. In the heat of the moment, Mito failed to notice the rope hidden in the grass. As she charged towards Kakashi once more, her foot caught the rope, and she found herself hanging upside-down from a tree, her clones vanishing as her concentration broke.
"Looks like you fell for it, Mito," Kakashi said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Remember, a good shinobi must always be aware of their surroundings."
Mito's face reddened with embarrassment and frustration, but she didn't let it keep her down. "I won't give up, Kakashi-sensei!"
Just then, Sasuke stepped out from behind a tree, his eyes locked on Kakashi. "Enough! It's my turn to challenge you, Kakashi!" he declared.
Kakashi looked between Mito and Sasuke, nodding in approval. "Alright, Sasuke. Let's see what you've got."
As Mito watched from her suspended position, she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with her teammates. They were all facing their own challenges, pushing themselves to their limits, and learning valuable lessons in the process.
Sasuke wasted no time, immediately launching a barrage of shuriken towards Kakashi. However, the experienced jounin easily evaded the attack.
"Is that all you have, Sasuke? You'll need to try harder if you want one of these bells. I thought an Uchiha of pure blood was supposed to be the epitome of shinobi. Guess I was wrong." Kakashi taunted.
Frustrated but undeterred, Sasuke decided to use one of his clan's signature jutsu. He performed the necessary hand signs and activated his Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, sending a massive ball of flames hurdling towards Kakashi.
"Impressive, Sasuke. But not enough." Kakashi compliments. With a quick series of hand signs, Kakashi countered using his own Water Release: Water Wall Technique, extinguishing Sasuke's fireball and creating a dense mist in its wake.
Kakashi, realizing that Sasuke had no Sharingan, frowned. "Sasuke, do you not possess the legendary Sharingan dojutsu yet? I could've betted a million ryo on you having it if Naruto had it."
Sasuke remained focused, not allowing Kakashi's taunt to distract him. He closed in on his sensei, engaging him in a flurry of taijutsu attacks. Kakashi managed to dodge and block most of Sasuke's strikes, but was surprised by the young Uchiha's speed and skill.
"You're fast, Sasuke. But speed alone won't win you the bells." Kakashi stated.
Sasuke, growing more and more determined, continued to press his attack, attempting to find an opening in Kakashi's defenses. The battle raged on between the two, showcasing both Sasuke's potential and Kakashi's experience.
As the battle between Kakashi and Sasuke continued, Kakashi decided to test Sasuke's ability to react under pressure. With a swift hand sign, Kakashi activated his Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Sasuke's feet began to shift, and before he could react, he found himself partially submerged in the earth, with only his head exposed. Sasuke struggled to break free, but the jutsu held him firmly in place.
"I must say, you put up an impressive fight, Sasuke. Your skills and determination are commendable. However, you must learn to anticipate your opponent's moves and adapt quickly, which will come when you unlock your Sharingan. You lack the same power and skill that Naruto possesses and yet you still tried to take me on alone." Kakashi lectures.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, frustrated by his inability to free himself from the jutsu, but he took Kakashi's words to heart. He knew that he still had much to learn and that this was just the beginning of his journey as a shinobi.
Kakashi left Sasuke stuck and went to find Sakura to test her.
After witnessing Naruto, Mito, and Sasuke's battles against Kakashi, Sakura couldn't help but feel apprehensive about her own chances of succeeding in the bell test. Instead of directly confronting their sensei, she decided to hide and wait, hoping that her teammates would be able to secure the bells.
As she crouched behind a bush, her heart pounding in her chest, Sakura desperately tried to think of a strategy. She knew that her abilities were more focused on chakra control and intelligence than raw strength, making it difficult for her to compete with her teammates or their formidable sensei.
Kakashi, realizing that Sakura had not yet made a move, decided to seek her out. It wasn't long before he discovered her hiding spot. He approached silently, careful not to alert her to his presence.
"Sakura, do you really think hiding is the best strategy? This is a test of your abilities, after all."
Startled, Sakura turned to face Kakashi, her eyes wide with surprise and fear. Before she could respond, Kakashi swiftly formed a series of hand signs, trapping her in a powerful genjutsu.
In an instant, Sakura's world blurred and twisted, her surroundings morphing into a nightmarish landscape filled with shadows and haunting whispers. Overwhelmed by the illusion, she struggled to maintain her composure but ultimately succumbed to the genjutsu, her body going limp as she lost consciousness.
Kakashi sighed, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I had hoped you would display more initiative, Sakura. But remember, relying solely on your teammates isn't a long-term solution."
Carefully, Kakashi picked up the unconscious Sakura and carried her over to a nearby tree stump. He gently tied her to it, ensuring she was secure but not too tightly bound. As he stepped back, he couldn't help but reflect on the potential that each member of Team SevenPlus possessed. He knew that they all had their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and it was his responsibility to help them grow and develop into capable shinobi.
With the bell test now concluded, Kakashi took a moment to observe the four young ninjas – Naruto, Sasuke, Mito, and Sakura – each one facing their own challenges and learning valuable lessons from their encounters with their sensei.
The Genin gathered up when Kakashi ordered them to the stump where Sakura was tied up at. "No one here is allowed to give Sakura any food. If you do, your team will fail and all of you will be sent back to the academy. This is your last chance." Kakashi says.
The three Genin are handed a plate of food and Kakashi leaves them to eat. Sakura watches as her teammates open their plates of food. Her stomach growls as she skipped breakfast.
"Hey Mito," she whispers, "can I have some please?"
"What?! No you screaming banshee!" Mito yelled, getting the attention of the Uchihas.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked.
"Sakura is asking me for food!" Mito exclaimed.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted.
"N-nar-Naruto-kun? You'll tell her to feed me right?" Sakura pitifully asked.
Naruto didn't answer right away. Instead he stood up and started to feed her himself. Sakura started to blush while Mito Uzumaki was growing extremely jealous.
"Th-thanks Naruto-kun!" Sakura nervously exclaimed.
Kakashi was watching on from behind a tree. This is more interesting than Icha Icha. Perhaps Lord Jiraiya will be interested in this little love triangle. Or is it a square considering Sasuke is also involved? He thinks.
Sasuke stands up and walks over to Sakura. He too starts feeding her. "You will need to have your stomach full so you don't hold us back. We are going to have to work together in order to defeat Kakashi. I believe he hinted at it to me earlier." He states.
As Sasuke continues feeding her, Kakashi reappears.
"YOUUUUUU!" He roars out. The four Genin look frightfully at Kakashi. "Pass." Kakashi says with an eye smile.
The four Genin looked at Kakashi with flabbergasted faces. Kakashi unties Sakura and the group follows him.
As they are walking, Hatake speaks up. "You all fought well today, and I see great potential in each of you. The path of a shinobi is one of constant learning, and I have no doubt that you will continue to grow and improve as you face new challenges." Kakashi commends them.
The team walked until they caught site of a red structure. Kakashi motioned them to circle around him and listen.
As Team SevenPlus gathered around the Memorial Stone, Kakashi prepared to share its significance with Naruto Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Mito Uzumaki. He looked at each of them before beginning his explanation.
"This is the Memorial Stone, a monument dedicated to the memory of the fallen shinobi who have given their lives to protect the Hidden Leaf Village. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our comrades and the importance of the bonds we share as fellow ninjas."
"Kakashi-sensei, why is it so important for us to remember them?" Sakura asks.
Kakashi, annoyed, answers her, "By remembering those who have fallen, we honor their sacrifice and keep their memory alive. It also serves as a reminder that the path of a shinobi is filled with danger, and that we must always be prepared to face those dangers in order to protect our village and the people we care about no matter the cost of yourself."
Naruto understood this. His father is somewhere on this stone and one day he will know who is father is. "Sensei, have you lost anyone close to you?"
Kakashi paused for a moment, his eyes distant as he recalled his own painful memories. "Yes, Naruto. I've lost friends and teammates, including my entire Genin squad. It's a pain that never truly goes away, but it also drives me to become stronger and to protect those who are still with us."
Sasuke, who wants to honor his family and avenge them wants to know what he can truly do to honor them. "What can we do to honor their memory and make sure their sacrifices were not in vain?" He asks.
Kakashi thinks for a moment before answering. "The best way to honor them is to become strong, skilled shinobi who can protect the village and our loved ones. We must also support and trust each other as a team, because our bonds are what make us stronger."
"How do we cope with the loss of a comrade, sensei?" Mito wondered.
"Grieving is a natural part of loss, and it's important to allow yourself to feel those emotions. But we must also remember to cherish the time we spent with them and use the lessons they taught us to grow and move forward." He answers.
As Team SevenPlus listened to Kakashi's words, they felt a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices made by the fallen shinobi and the importance of their own roles in protecting the village. They vowed to work together, support each other, and become the best shinobi they could be, not only for themselves but also for those who had come before them.
Naruto and Sasuke arrived home and told Akane the story of the bell test. Akane was happy that tradition never seems to die.
"Sounds like it was tough. Now that you both are official ninja of Konoha, are you looking forward to doing missions?" Akane asked. She already knew what was to come from this. And she for one is extremely ready to see it.
"Yeah, I can't wait to gain strength and prove my worth." Sasuke answered.
"I hear ya Sasuke." Naruto, who agrees with Sasuke.
After dinner finished up, Naruto had went to he and Sasuke's room. He opened up a drawer on his nightstand to reveal a journal he always writes in. He opens it to see the first page.
Naruto's Journal
KEEP OUT!
Entry 1: June 12th, Age 59
Hello future Naruto,
Tell me, does it still sting? The fact that you will never be able to prove the rest of the Uchiha clan wrong about you?
Or is it the fact that the person you looked up to as a big brother stole that opportunity from you?
I have the scent of Uncle Fugaku and Auntie Mikoto's blood in my nose still. Do you still smell it? Can you still visualize it?
Is this how father died? Did the Nine Tails brutally murder him?
Mom said that with time everything will heal, but I'm not entirely sure. Did she convince you yet?
If I didn't play with Mito after the academy, I would've been there. Would Itachi have killed me too? Or would he have stopped like he did Sasuke?
Sincerely, 8 Year old Naruto.
Naruto read the journal entry. He let a single tear shed from his eyes. He thought back to Kakashi's words from earlier. "Grieving is a natural part of loss, and it's important to allow yourself to feel those emotions. But we must also remember to cherish the time we spent with them and use the lessons they taught us to grow and move forward."
He flips the pages to the next empty page.
Entry 11: January 27 , Age 72
dear future self,
I became Genin today. If I ever lose sight of what's right, this journal is proof I have a heart.
Kakashi-sensei was 3 hours late yesterday to meet us. Then on top of that he has us meet him at training grounds 7 the next morning at 6. Then he was like half a day late.
He gave us a test to see if we would turn on each other. He called it the bell test. I fought against him first. No matter what I did, he was able to counter easily. He was awesome for sure. He even knocked me out for like 5 minutes.
In that time he completely destroyed Sasuke and was already beating Mito up. I'm shocked Mito was able to get a headband. I'll need to ask how she managed that. She was so brave to fight Kakashi after seeing Sasuke and I fall to him. I respect that.
Sakura isn't ready to be Genin. She can perform basic functions, but she froze today during the test. She will hold me and Sasuke back. I have to break her out her shell. Perhaps I'll have to use her crush on me and Sasuke against her. Maybe show Mito more affection in front of her...
Also, I reread my first journal entry. And it still stings so bad. I wish I still had my opportunity to prove everyone wrong about me in the clan. Itachi's actions affect me and Sasuke everyday. He doesn't know I know he wants to take revenge and kill Itachi. I'm not sure I can do it unless I speak to him first. The scent of their blood is also not memorized anymore.
Remember, it's not Mito's fault.
Sincerely, 12 year old Naruto.
Naruto puts the book back and closes his eyes on his pillow.
Well, thanks for tuning in this this chapter. The journals will only pop up every so often. Stay tuned because the next chapter will be reading about Naruto and Sasuke's past with the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre. See you in the next one.