Kakashi had just finished reading a chapter of makeout paradise. He was midway through the novel. He got out of bed and went over to the memorial stone where Obito and Rin's bodies laid in peace. At least he hoped they were.

He said his prayers and left. He headed to the academy. God, I remember when I used to go here. He got to the classroom and opened the door. Something fell on his head. It was a chalk cleaner.

"I'm sorry sensei, I tried to make him stop but Naruto wouldn't listen," Haruno whined as she tried to hide her grin. I'm assuming Naruto's the orange hair one. He glanced over at the Uchiha. And you, you've definitely got your stick up your ass. He groaned and cleared his throat. God, I should stop wearing this mask.

"Hmm, how should I put this. Based on my first impression, I'd have to say… I hate you!" They headed up the roof without a word.

"Now I'd like you all to tell us a little about yourselves-."

"Like what!?" cried Naruto. Thank god I said a little, I'm probably not going to know you guys for very long.

He cleared his throat again. Maybe I should get checked for asthma.

"...You know. The usual. Your favorite thing…What you hate the most…Dreams, ambitions, hobbies. Things like that."

"Help us out here, coach," said Naruto. "You go first. Show us how it's done." Well you're slightly different from last year-oh god, last year. But that was a story for another time.

"That's right," said the pink haired girl. "After all, you're a complete stranger to us…a mystery." And I like to stay that way. Why do you think I suffocate myself with this damn mask?

"Oh…me? My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm the kind of person who doesn't like talking about his likes and dislikes! My dreams for the future are none of your business…but anyway, I have lots of hobbies…"
"All I've learned is your damn name!" cried the yellow guy.

"Now it's your turn. Starting with you on the right." He was referring to the kid whose name he already forgot, which seemed fast but he didn't even know what most of his student names were. There was simply no point.

"Me right?! My name is Uzumaki Naruto! What I like is instant cup ramen! What I like even better is when master Iruka treats me to ramen at the Ichiraku noodle bar! What I hate is the three minute wait after I pour in the boiling water. My dream is to one day…"

Ramen huh? You could be on one of those tv shows where people talk about their strange addictions.

"Be a better shinobi than Lord Hokage! And then the villagers will have to acknowledge my existence at last!"

Maybe you should stick to ramen for attention.

"My hobbies are pranks and practical jokes, I guess."

"I see…Next!"

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I like onigiri and tomatoes. I dislike fermented soybeans and sweet stuff in general. I have some hobbies, but I would rather not tell you about them. I have a goal though, that is to kill a certain someone. My life, other than my work, is consumed with that one goal."

Heh, he talks like I don't already know who that is. Well he seems to be doing a lot better than I thought he'd be doing. And finally, the girl.

"I am Haruno Sakura. My favorite thing is…well it's not a thing it's a person." She glanced over at Sasuke. Huh? I thought she was a lesbian. Maybe because that Uchiha boy looks pretty feminine. I kind've thought he was a girl when I first saw him. That might be enough for her.

"Uh, let's move on to my dream! My hobbies are eating, sleeping and reading bl." I don't understand this girl. "I dislike yuri, long mangas and filler. And most of all I hate Naruto!"

"I can live with that," said Naruto.

"You're all unique in your own ways." Fujioshi, ramen addict and needs to get a life. Still better than last year's cra-crop. "Formal training begins tomorrow."

"Yes sir! What will our duties be?! Our first real mission as shinobi!" said Naruto.

"Our first project involves only the members of this cell."

"What is it? What?"

"Survival exercises."

"Survival exercises?"

"Hmm, interesting," said Sasuke.

"But why would that be a mission? Our school days were full of survival training!"

"Because you'll have to survive against me. And that's not easy."

"And what's that gonna be like?" asked Naruto. Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle. These new gens crack me up! They have no idea who I am.

"What are you laughing about, Master Kakashi," said Sakura.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that…if I told you, you'd chicken out."

"Chicken out?" muttered Naruto. "Why would we do that?"

"Of the twenty-seven members of your graduating class only nine will actually be accepted as junior-level shinobi. The other eighteen must go back for more training. The test we are about to perform has a 66% rate of failure."

"Ahh-ahh," groaned Naruto. Sakura just gulped and Sasuke let out a heavy sigh. Kakashi couldn't help but burst out in laughter.

"Ha, ha, ha! See? You're chickening out already!"

There was nothing but silence.

And then Naruto erupted like a volcano that had laid dormant for too long.

"That sucks! We have been through hell! What about our graduation test?!"

"Oh! We wanted to eliminate all the hopeless cases from your ranks. The ones who are left are the only students who show true potential-."

"Say what?!" cried Naruto.

"In any event, we'll meet tomorrow morning on the practice field so that I can evaluate each of your skills and weaknesses. Bring all your ninja tools and weapons. And don't have breakfast beforehand unless you like throwing up."
"But…but…but," Naruto muttered aimlessly. But suddenly his face steeled and he looked determined. Unsure but determined. This is definitely going to be an interesting group. I might actually learn their names.

Kakashi pulled out some papers. "The details of your assignment are in this handout. Memorize it and don't be late."

"Throw up!?" Sakura exclaimed. "How hard is this exercise going to be!?"

Sasuke took it and crumpled it up. Sakura looked determined as she tried to read the paper.

"Aww, man! It's all in kanji!" exclaimed Naruto.

They left and Kakashi went back to reading his book.