Chapter 3 : The Bell Test .

"Dialogues"

'Thoughts'

'faint voices'

Random training ground, Konoha, 30 minutes into the bell test.

In a secluded corner of the training ground, 'shit, shit, shit, shit!' Haruno Sakura's mind raced with frustration. The task before her seemed insurmountable: snatching the bells from Jonin Kakashi-sensei. As a mere genin, how was she supposed to outwit a seasoned ninja like him? The weight of the challenge pressed down on her, and she couldn't help but mutter, 'Shannaro,' tugging at her pink hair in agitation.

Before Uzumaki Naruto's arrival, Sakura had held a glimmer of hope. But now, both Sasuke and that insufferable bastard would be competing for the bells. Sasuke was already the strongest in their class, but Uzumaki? He was an entirely different league altogether.

As realization dawned, Sakura pondered a strategy. 'Perhaps I can help Sasuke-kun in getting those bells,' she thought. If he managed to take both at once, he might choose her as his teammate. Going after the bells alone was futile, but by aiding Sasuke, she could increase their chances. With determination, Sakura rose from the ground, her resolve firm: 'But first, I need to find Sasuke-kun.' And so, she set off in search of the elusive last Uchiha.

With Sasuke...

In the dense foliage of the training ground, Hatake Kakashi stood motionless, leaning casually against the gnarled tree stumps. His single visible eye was engrossed in the pages of his well-worn orange book, as if the world around him didn't exist.

From his concealed vantage point, Sasuke wondered why the Jonin was doing absolutely nothing but reading. The challenge was clear: snatch the bells from Kakashi-sensei. But the silver-haired ninja seemed unfazed, lost in his own literary world. Meanwhile, Uzumaki was nowhere to be found. That orange-haired bastard remained conspicuously absent.

'Why aren't either of them doing anything?' Sasuke thought to himself, frustration simmering. Kakashi had been stationed near the wooden stumps for nearly half an hour, and neither he nor Naruto had made a move. Sasuke realized that he couldn't seize the bells while Kakashi remained vigilant. He needed a distraction, a way to divert the Jonin's attention. And who better to serve as a distraction than Uzumaki himself? Once he secured both bells, he wouldn't have to deal with Uzumaki or, worse, Sakura.

Suddenly, Sasuke noticed Kakashi shifting. The Jonin was moving in a particular direction. 'Just once,' Sasuke thought, 'I need him to be off guard, just once.' With that, he trailed the Jonin, planning an ambush.

With Kakashi...

In the dappled shadows of the training ground, Hatake Kakashi snapped his orange book shut and stowed it in his backpack. 'Looks like I'll have to go after them,' he thought, his lone visible eye narrowing.

He headed toward Sakura's hiding spot. Sakura, as he knew, was there, and he also had a good idea of where Sasuke was hiding. But there was one unknown factor: Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto's whereabouts in the training grounds remained elusive.

'The kid is good at hiding... Or he just ran away,' Kakashi mused, scanning the area for any sign of the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki. The Hokage had mentioned that the kid was unpredictable to the boot.

As Kakashi kept moving, he felt something behind him—a quick, almost invisible motion. Analyzing the figure following him, he recognized Sasuke Uchiha, the serious and talented ninja. The reports had described his abilities, his drive, and his desire for revenge.

'Let's find out if the reports about him are accurate,' Kakashi thought, preparing to assess the abilities of the young Uchiha who trailed him.

With Sakura...

Sakura raced across the treetops, her heart pounding. 'Sasuke-kun, where are you?' she thought anxiously. Suddenly, she spotted Kakashi up ahead and quickly concealed herself in the bushes. Fear gripped her as she wondered, 'Did he get everyone else?'

"Sakura, behind you!" a voice from behind made her spin around. It was Kakashi. She turned just in time to see Kakashi performing a hand seal, and hundreds of leaves swirled around her, blocking her view.

Sakura stood there for a few seconds, then let out an ear-piercing shriek: " YEEAAAAAAAAAH!" She collapsed onto the ground, her voice echoing through the air.

Kakashi, hidden behind a tree, observed the scene. 'Looks like I overdid it a little,' he thought, seeing Sakura lying unconscious. He turned his head in the direction where Sasuke was hiding and thought, 'It's your turn now, Sasuke-kun.'

With Sasuke...

The Uchiha's eyes narrowed as he was spotted by Kakashi. The last surviving member of his clan had been lying low, but now he was exposed. Kakashi, after using a genjutsu on Sakura, turned his gaze toward Sasuke. Without hesitation, Sasuke leaped from the tree branch, landing gracefully on the ground below. Kakashi materialized twenty meters away, using Shunshin to close the distance.

"The strength of one of the Academy's best students," Kakashi mused, still holding his beloved Icha Icha book. "I'm looking forward to this."

Sasuke's response was swift. He retrieved a handful of shuriken from his backpack and hurled them at the silver-haired jonin. Kakashi effortlessly dodged the projectiles aimed at his feet.

"Frontal attacks won't work on me," Kakashi declared, unaware of the smirk on Sasuke's face. The Uchiha instantly formed a snake hand seal.

Behind Kakashi, a flash of light caught his attention. 'So he trapped those projectiles? Smart,' Kakashi thought, just before...

[EXPLOSION!]

The ground trembled as the blast threw Kakashi off balance. He regained his footing, skidding across the earth. 'Good distraction,' he acknowledged, spotting Sasuke, who had circled behind him. The Uchiha lunged, aiming a kick at Kakashi's head. But the jonin was lightning-fast, catching Sasuke's ankle with ease.

'What!' The Uchiha's surprise was evident. How had Kakashi anticipated his move? Before he could retaliate, Kakashi tossed him into a nearby tree. Pain shot through Sasuke's body as he hit the trunk and crumpled to the ground.

Kakashi stood over him, taunting. "Is that the limit of your strength, Sasuke?"

'I'll show you my limit,' thought Sasuke mentally. His Sharingan blazed to life, and he flowed through hand seals, chakra surging.

'Second stage already?' Kakashi's surprise lingered as he observed the two tomoe on each of Sasuke's eyes. 'He's actually quite good.'

' Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!' The last Uchiha shouted mentally, unleashing the same fireball technique he'd used against Naruto. This time, it was aimed squarely at the jonin before him.

The flames roared, engulfing the clearing. However, before they could reach the Jonin, Kakashi's form blurred as he deftly dodged the fireball—an action that Sasuke was unable to perceive from his vantage point.

'There's no way this will work on a Jonin,' Sasuke thought to himself. However, he quickly stood corrected when he sensed a presence behind him. The last Uchiha executed a spinning kick, aiming for the Jonin with his right leg. Unfortunately, his leg was caught once again. Undeterred, Sasuke planted his left hand on the ground and attempted to use his other leg to deliver a kick to Kakashi's sensitive area.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he witnessed Sasuke's audacious move. 'Oh no, you won't get away with that here, you little bastard,' Kakashi thought, somewhat angrily. Swiftly, he flung Sasuke aside once more, preventing any contact with his sensitive area. This time, Sasuke was thrown even harder than before.

Sasuke grunted, the impact of Kakashi's throw forcing him to the ground. He quickly regained his footing and scanned the area for Kakashi. 'Where is he?' Panic surged through him as he realized Kakashi was nowhere in sight. Before he could react, a hand shot out and seized his ankle.

Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu

Kakashi yanked Sasuke's head beneath the ground, leaving only his head exposed. "Now," Kakashi instructed, "try to dig yourself out while I search for the last one." With that, he turned and headed off to find Naruto.

'Shit,' thought Sasuke as he struggled to escape the hole, but his efforts were in vain.

With Kakashi...

Kakashi had been searching for Naruto for almost fifteen minutes after his fight with Sasuke, but with no success. 'Where is this kid? Did he really run away from here, or what?' he wondered as he walked back to the tree stumps.

As Kakashi approached the stumps, he spotted Naruto sitting on one of them, casually eating from one of the bento boxes. 'He never listens to anyone, does he?' thought an irritated Kakashi. Then he noticed two other boxes lying on the ground, empty as well. 'There goes the test,' he muttered.

In addition, various traps he had used to protect the food were scattered on the ground, broken.

Kakashi poised to attack, but Naruto raised his hand, signaling for him to wait until he finished eating. 'What the hell?' Kakashi thought, but he decided to comply. 'Yeah, let's do that too,' he muttered under his breath.

After a few minutes, Naruto finished eating, wiped his face with a cloth, and approached the Jonin who was waiting for him. They stood ten meters apart from each other.

"You're either too confident or too foolish to attempt a direct assault against me," Kakashi stated, trying to provoke a reaction from Naruto. However, there was no change in Naruto's expression. 'This kid is dull,' Kakashi concluded.

"Call me foolish, then," Naruto retorted suddenly with a small grin. He channeled a significant amount of chakra into his right hand and feet, causing cracks to appear in the ground beneath him. Kakashi took note. 'So he already knows how to use the fox's power?' Kakashi observed, watching as Naruto's limbs gradually became enveloped in a crimson glow as he prepared himself for the upcoming attack.

[BOOM!]

The ground erupted beneath the Jinchuriki's feet, and he vanished with pure speed. In an instant, he reappeared directly in front of Kakashi, his fist hurtling toward the Jonin's face.

Kakashi's mind raced. 'He's fast,' he acknowledged, moving to catch Naruto's incoming blow. But the force behind his strike proved overwhelming. Kakashi was thrown away and propelled into the air, executing a mid-air somersault before landing fifty meters away from the Jinchuriki.

'What an explosive strength,' Kakashi thought, regaining his footing. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the Jonin heard a sound behind him. 'Shit,' he cursed inwardly, and quickly turned around. To his surprise, Naruto was already behind him. Kakashi reacted instantly, swinging a kick at the Uzumaki. But Naruto blocked the kick using his right forearm.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he watched Naruto block his kick using only his forearm. 'How strong is this kid?' thought the Jonin, shocked by the display of strength.

Before Kakashi could retract his leg, Naruto's smirk widened as he caught it. In one swift motion, he swung Kakashi around at high speed, slamming the Jonin into a distant tree. Kakashi crashed through the tree, grunting in pain as he struggled to stand. 'For a kid to push me this far.' Kakashi thought as he adjusted his Hitai-ate (forehead protector), revealing the eye that had been hidden behind it.

Naruto's irritation flared as he encountered yet another Sharingan. He wondered why nearly everyone he faced lately possessed some form of ocular prowess. 'Is there a Dojutsu bargain sale or something?' he mused sarcastically. As the fully matured Sharingan locked onto him, Naruto swiftly closed his eye, readying himself for battle. The crimson energy surged from his body, and he adopted a boxing stance, challenging the Jonin to engage in a pure taijutsu battle.

Kakashi was taken aback as he observed Naruto's actions. 'He can fight with his eyes closed?' Kakashi wondered. The fact that Naruto relied solely on striking techniques added to his disbelief. Adjusting his own stance, Kakashi prepared for the hand-to-hand combat that awaited him.

Both combatants paused momentarily, waiting for a few seconds before accelerating toward each other at high speed.

With Sakura...

Sakura slowly opened her eyes after being it by Kakashi's illusion 'was that a genjutsu?' she wondered as moved to search for the last Uchiha again.

After moving for few seconds she saw his head sticking out of the ground 'SASUKE-KUN'S HEAD IS SEVERED' she screamed mentally as she was fell on the ground unconscious... Again.

'what did just happened?' Sasuke thought to himself seeing Sakura's actions.

Few minutes later...

'hey'

'wake up Sakura'

Sakura opened her eyes sleepily 'was that Sasuke-kun's voice?' she thought as she was waking up then saw the last Uchiha sitting beside her "YOU'RE ALIVE" screamed the pink haired girl as she launched herself to hug the boy in front of her.

Sasuke mentally expressed his annoyance as Sakura continued to invade his personal space. "Yeah, okay," he said, "you can let go of me now." Despite his clear discomfort with physical contact, the people around him seems to remaine oblivious to his boundaries.

He quietly stood up and began walking to search for Kakashi.

"Do you really believe that you can take those bells?" Sakura inquired, trailing behind Sasuke.

The last Uchiha replied without even looking back at her, "Do we have any other option here?" as he continued walking.

Sakura stayed silent for a few seconds while walking behind him and then tentatively suggested, "Maybe we can attempt to seize those bells together?," although her voice lacked confidence.

Sasuke nearly chuckled at her suggestion mentally, but suddenly his eyes widened as if he had realized something.

[BOOM!]

[BOOM!]

[BOOM!]

They heard sound of several explosions not to far away from them.

Sakura exclaimed aloud, her voice filled with shock and a hint of fear, "is that Uzumaki and sensei?"

Sasuke's response was curt: "Let's go, Sakura." With that, he took off running in the direction of the sound, and Sakura followed him silently.

With Kakashi and Naruto...

(Sound track : Power to Resist : Dragon Ball Super)

Naruto materialized abruptly before Kakashi, executing the Shunshin technique. His fist poised to deliver a devastating punch, the jonin's inner monologue echoed a single word: 'Shit.' Kakashi deftly sidestepped Naruto's attack, relying on his own Shunshin . Because, the Jinchuriki's speed exceeded what Kakashi could evade through conventional means.

Undeterred, Kakashi reappeared behind Naruto, ready to deliver a kick. Yet again, the orange-haired ninja anticipated the attack, employing the body flicker technique once more. Kakashi found himself evading yet another punch, frustration mounting as Naruto continued to apply relentless pressure.

'This kid is nuts,' thought Kakashi as he deftly dodged another of Naruto's punches using the body flicker technique. The level of close combat skills Naruto is displaying now is absurd. His mastery of the body flicker, even with eyes closed, rivals Kakashi's own Sharingan-amplified abilities. When you factor in his speed, durability, and strength, Naruto becomes a devastating force in close-ranged combat.

"Getting tired, eh, Kakashi-san?" taunted Naruto suddenly. He observed Kakashi's slight perspiration, noting that while the jonin wasn't typically fatigued, compared to Naruto, he might as well be. The Jinchuriki barely felt any effects from their previous bout. 'All of these speed play isn't going take us anywhere,' thought Naruto as he gathered a huge amount of chakra into his fist.

Kakashi readied himself for the upcoming attack, noticing the red chakra enveloping Naruto's fist once again. However, his face twisted into confusion as he saw Naruto aiming his fist at the ground. 'that doesn't look good' thought the Jonin, utterly perplexed.

Instantly, Naruto smashed his fist into the ground.

[BOOM!]

The earth beneath Kakashi crumbled, and the jonin was propelled skyward by the sheer force unleashed by Naruto's punch. 'That technique was one of the Sannin's,' thought a shocked Kakashi, caught off guard by the fact that a mere genin possessed knowledge of such a powerful technique.

Kakashi gazed at the ground, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Naruto. His instincts kicked in, predicting that the jinchuriki would once again be lurking behind him. Swiftly, he spun around, confirming his intuition. There, mere inches from his face, was Naruto's clenched fist. Kakashi's mind raced; he knew he couldn't evade this attack. Lightning crackled over his hand.

Chidori : Shougekiha

Naruto clenched his teeth in frustration. A torrent of lightning surged from the Jonin's hand, and Naruto swiftly crossed his arms to ward off the attack. 'Not strong enough, Kakashi-san,' he thought. The force of Kakashi's lightning technique propelled him nearly thirty meters backward, but, it inflicted no harm upon him.

Both fighters locked eyes, as they plummeted toward the earth. The impact was seismic—a thunderous collision that reverberated through the air. The ground cracked beneath them as their bodies made contact.

They stood there for a few seconds and rushed at each other again.

With Sasuke and Sakura...

Sasuke and Sakura observed the ongoing battle, their lithe forms darting from one tree branch to another as they circled the battleground.

The clash between Kakashi and Naruto unfolded before them, a display of elite Shinobi prowess that left Sakura stunned 'So this is a battle between two elite Shinobi' Despite her personal feelings toward Naruto, she couldn't deny his remarkable combat skills. The orange-haired boy moved with precision, countering the Jonin's blows with incredible agility. As force Naruto's punch launched Kakashi skyward, Sakura couldn't help but think, 'No wonder he defeated Sasuke-kun in a single strike'

For Sasuke sight of the battle between Kakashi and Naruto rekindled his deep-seated insecurities. For the first time in years, he felt jealousy—a sensation he hadn't experienced since his own brother, Itachi, had provoked similar emotions.

While none in his class could hope to ever match or keep up with him, children from civilian or ninja clans alike, Naruto in front of him is different. Just by watching him fight, Sasuke could sense that the orange haired Uzumaki had some greater purpose to accomplish, just as his own destiny beckoned him.

Sasuke suddenly halted, and Sakura followed suit. His Sharingan eyes remained fixed on the ongoing battle, even though he had stopped physically moving. "Sasuke-kun?" Sakura inquired, her gaze directed at the object of her affection.

"Sakura," Sasuke addressed her, "you're good at genjutsu, aren't you?" The pink-haired girl studied him for a few seconds before nodding in affirmation.

"Okay, then. So this is what we're going to do..." Sasuke began, outlining his plans to Sakura.

A minute later...

"... use your genjutsu when I say 'now'," Sasuke instructed, receiving a prompt "hai" in response from Sakura. He stood up, facing the ongoing battle between Naruto and Kakashi. Forming the Ram hand sign, Sasuke focused his thoughts: 'I'll only get one chance at this.' With determination, he channelled a substantial amount of chakra into both of his feet.

'Now for the most difficult part,' Sasuke thought, electricity crackling from his feet as he altered the nature of his chakra. Sakura observed, surprised by the high-level skill he was displaying. 'So he's going to put everything into a single run,' she mused.

"Now," Sasuke declared, and Sakura promptly applied her genjutsu to him. The illusion took effect, rendering him invisible. Sasuke looked at Sakura for confirmation, and she nodded.

Without wasting even a single second, Sasuke instantly dashed toward Naruto and Kakashi with all the speed he could muster. His heart raced; it was a make-or-break moment. Either he would be discovered and fail, or they wouldn't notice him, and he would succeed. But the most crucial aspect was that he had only one shot at seizing those bells.

His breath quickened, but he ignored it. Adrenaline surged through his veins, sharpening his senses. The world blurred, and he pushed away tunnel vision. No distractions allowed.

Naruto and Kakashi—powerful forces—clashed. Their chakra sent shockwaves through the clearing. But they faded into background noise. Sasuke's focus remained on the target.

The bells—his goal—hung from Kakashi's belt. Metal against fabric taunted him. Leaves rustled, birds cried, but only one thing mattered: achieving his objective.

Muscles coiled, Sasuke ran forward. Years of seeking power, revenge—it all led to this test. He'd seize those bells, prove himself, and maybe find a path beyond darkness.

(Sound track ends)

Few seconds later...

The Last Uchiha gazed at his right hand, where two bells rested in his palm. 'I did it,' thought Sasuke, a surge of triumph coursing through him. He spun around, only to be met with the shocked and almost angry expression on Naruto's face, while Kakashi Hatake gave a small smile behind his mask.

End of Chapter 3

To be continued...

A/N : don't forget to leave a feedback, those are great motivators.