Title: Loss
A/N: Get ready for trouble, make it double. Sorry in advance for the huge chapter by the way. I wanted to complete this all in one chapter but I guess the arc finale will be a two parter. This story's going full speed ahead now. And boy did fanfiction going down annoyed the hell out of me. Enjoy.
XxxxxX
Genin Exams Arc, Chapter 7: The Bell Test
Early Morning - Konohagakure Training Fields
The time and place Kakashi Hatake designated the Genin Exam to take place was the Konohagakure Training fields at 5 am sharp.
The color orange painted the skies as birds chirped and leaves bloomed. It was a particular beautiful morning today. The Konohagakure Training Field featured a lightly packed forest with plenty of fields but also a few patches of dense forest. In the middle of the training field was a strangely shaped rock, 3 wooden poles. A freshwater stream filled with fish and other passive animals lived throughout the training field as well.
With an empty stomach, a heart full of bravery, and fists full of vengeance, Sasuke Uchiha marched to the training field wearing a backpack containing basic ninja supplies. This must be the place, He thought, walking to the middle of the training field and looking around, I came here a little early just in case so I could scope out the area and prepare, but-
-Sasuke suddenly heard a snoring sound.
A beam of sweat rolled down the side of his temple as he facepalmed in annoyance. About fifteen feet away in a thicker patch of grass Tama Jinsei was sleeping with his face in the dirt. "Ahem!" Sasuke cleared his throat loudly, but his stupid teammate didn't wake up. He did it again and got the same result. Nada. Nothing.
He must've gotten here way earlier than me if he's asleep this deeply. Maybe he investigated the area before I did and came to the same conclusion - nothing here was tampered with. Whatever. If he fails because he overslept, that's just less competition for me. They may have been on the same team on a technicality but Naruto and Tama were weaker then him and would only hold the Uchiha back. They simply don't carry the same level of hate, will to kill, and dedication I hold.
In fact, in the perfect world those immature rascals would fail, he'd pass all alone, and then he'd go and be on a team with real, experienced Chunin instead of weak Genin children.
Naruto and Tama were just kids that would hold him back. The fact that Naruto always acted like a kid and Tama never took anything seriously was proof of that.
Sitting down with his legs crossed, Sasuke pulled out some paper from his pouch in frustration along with some fishing line, an ink pen, and kunai. The best way to kill time was also the most productive - making paper bombs.
Paper bombs were essentially sheets of paper inscribed with a special seal called Kanji. But without infusing the seal with a set amount of chakra infused kanji, they wouldn't work. When done correctly, a paper bomb will explode after a set amount of time, when set off remotely, or after being ignited by flames.
There were an insane amount of uses for paper bombs because they could be attached to a surface or wrapped around a weapon to be thrown at an enemy.
The latter utilization was the one Sasuke was going for in this scenario. Writing Kanji symbols on the paper and using line to tie the paper to his spare kunai created throwable bombs. Sasuke didn't usually use paper bombs cause they were a pain to make and he was no calligrapher, but he had a 66% chance of failing today. If he failed it wouldn't be due to a lack of effort.
15 minutes later and with 3 paper bombs pocketed, Naruto finally showed up on the scene at 5:05 am, 5 minutes late.
Naruto was sweating and gasping for air, his hands on his knees, "I woke up super late and ran straight here, Sasuke." The blond rasped out, trying to recover his stamina with staggered breaths, "Where's Kakashi-sensei? Did he fail all of us because I was late?"
"No. He's late too." Replied Sasuke while standing, quickly hiding his paper bombs. He didn't want Naruto to see what he was working on because knowing him, he'd go and blab to the enemy.
"Awesome." Smiled Naruto while wiping some sweat from his brow, "If he himself is late there's no way he can get us in trouble for being late too, y'know. Where's Tama?"
Sasuke didn't answer Naruto's question, he merely looked to his left towards a particularly thick patch of grass in irritation.
Following the dark haired boy's gaze, Naruto noticed it too. A black haired boy with a white bang in his hair was wearing camo cargo shorts and a black dry fit shirt. On his right thigh was a ninja pouch. He didn't have anything else.
Snoring, Tama turned around so that he was now sleeping on his back now.
"Guess what I'm gonna do, Sasuke?" Naruto wondered with a devilish grin on his lips, taking off his backpack, laying it on the ground, and digging around in it.
Unfortunately for Sasuke he didn't have X-Ray vision like the Hyuga did so he could only guess as Naruto rummaged through his endless bag of goodies.. This loser and his stupid antics. He thought."What? Gonna play some sort of prank on him or something?"
"Yup! You might be a jackass but at least you get me!" Naruto confirmed, giggling. He pulled out a waterskin filled with water, walked up to Tama, and then opened it upside down, still laughing like a mad man as gravity did its thing.
Sasuke sighed as he watched Tama's peaceful sleeping face get drenched with water. Meh. Serves him right for passing out in the open like that.
Apparently Tama was in the middle of taking a deep breath in because when his eyes shot open only to find a steady stream of cold water hitting his face the first thing he did was start coughing.
"Ack… kak!" Tama coughed, sitting up at light speed and batting away Naruto's water skin a whole 10 meters away, making the rest of the water in it spill out.
"My precious H20!" Naruto cried, running to go grab his now empty waterskin, "Why would you do that?! That was for emergencies, you know!"
"No way you're smart enough to know the molecules that make up water." Commented.
"What's up with people thinking I'm an idiot or something? What do you think I was doing at the Academy? Twiddling my thumbs like an old geezer?!"
"Uhm… kind of…"
"Hey!"
"Hahaha!"
Sasuke found himself at a loss for words as he watched Naruto start yelling at Tama for laughing at him. I have the worst teammates ever. They're literal children. Whatever respect he had left for Tama was slowly fading away. He never had any for Naruto in the first place. They were about to take a serious test and here they were goofing off.
"Sheesh. what the heck Naruto?" Tama let out with a raspy, fatigue filled voice. He stood up and looked at himself and then started glaring at the blond troublemaker, "I was having the greatest nap ever and now I'm drenched. I was in the middle of a cool dream too-" Suddenly Tama froze, "Oh crap. Did you guys do that because its past 5am? Where's Kakashi-sensei? Am I late?"
"I had the exact same response. But yeah, it's way past 5am." Naruto said, a single anime tear going down his face when he picked up his now empty water skin sadly, "Kakashi-sensei's not here yet, though. That damn hypocrite made us wake up early for nothing, y'know…"
"Guess the only thing left to do is wait." Sasuke mumbled, sitting down, crossing his legs, and closing his eyes to enter meditation.
Naruto and Tama looked at each other, and then at Sasuke, and then back at each other.
Sasuke… meditating?
Since wheeeeeeeeeen?
XxxxxX
About an Hour Later
Sasuke hadn't moved a single inch from his spot as he sat there, meditating.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Tama were playing catch… with shuriken. It was a lot funner than normal catch which was usually played with a ball because the sharp edges of the shuriken made it a little more difficult to play. It was funner as a result. Sure, the two were cutting their hands up a bit in the beginning but they eventually started to get it down pretty easy.
!?
Tama threw a bending shuriken that spun around Naruto right when the blond was going to catch it. Naruto watched as it curved around in the air like a boomerang and started coming back toward him. Easily, the ninja in training caught the shuriken with a single finger, it was still spinning rapidly with his finger in the middle of it.
"I have a crazy cool bending shuriken too, y'know!" Naruto yelled, excited at how cool that shot was and then shooting his own back at Tama.
Spoiler Alert: The shuriken never came back…
It was around 6am when Kakashi-sensei finally decided to pull up.
Tama was the first to notice because he sensed the man's Chakra before he even came. "Looks like he's coming guys," He warned his teammates.
"Who?" Wondered Sasuke, finally opening his eyes and exiting his meditation. "Kakashi-sensei?"
"Yeah." Nodded Tama.
When Naruto heard that name he shot up and started looking around. "Oh, how I have words for that guy, y'know!" He spat viciously, looking around.
Just moments later Kakashi-sensei landed about 10 yards away from the group.
"YOU'RE LATE!" Naruto screamed, "I could have gotten a whole extra hour of sleep and taken my time getting ready if you showed up on time! I should tell the hokage to revoke your Jonin status immediately! If the village was under attack It'd take you 5 hours minimum to even show up to help anyone. Beleeeeive it!"
Kakashi sweatdropped and massaged the back of his neck, "My bad. I ran into a huge spider web on my way here so I had to go home and take a shower to make sure it wasn't on me."
"LIES!" Rebuttaled Naruto. "That's a big fat lie and you know it. Ain't no way you're scared of a lame spider! You're a jonin!"
The white haired jonin couldn't help but shrug, "I don't know what to say. I'm scared of spiders is all."
"Yeah, right…" Sasuke said while Tama just silently chuckled at the grown man.
Naruto then wondered with his hand on his face, looking between his fingers, "How can you say that with a straight face, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Say what with a straight face?"
It was Naruto's turn to deadpan while Tama just kept chuckling, finding amusement in everything.
Getting sick of all the shenanigans though, Sasuke stepped forward. "So what's this all about anyway? What do I have to do to become a Genin? Out with it."
Kakashi's one eye narrowed on Sasuke's two. The Uchiha's way too impatient, but I might as well get on with this so I can fail the three of them and get on with my life. "Ahem." Kakashi coughed into his hand and pulled out a kitchen timer clock from his pouch. "Well this is how things will go, you three." He set the alarm to 12pm, set the clock on the ground, pulled out 2 bells, and continued, "It's 6:12am right now. You have until twelve to take these bells from me. That gives you almost 6 hours. As to how to become genin; all you need is a single bell to pass. Once you get the bells, you have to say 'I Pass' and then the test will end. Anyone not holding a bell at that point automatically fails. Very easy. Very simple. If you don't manage to get a bell by 12 you'll be tied to that post over there and forced to watch while I eat my lunch."
At the reminder of food, all three ninja in training heard their stomachs start growling.
But in the next moment something rare happened. For the first time this morning, Tama's and Naruto's expressions became very solemn. Tama crossed his arms, "Kakashi-sensei," He began, his voice getting deeper, "You only have two bells. There's three of us here. D'ya forget one at home?"
Kakashi-sensei smiled menacingly under his mask, "Glad you noticed that, Tama. An astute observation. But no, I didn't leave one at home. You seem like a sharp kid, though, so you must be sharp enough to answer my question in return: What's three minus two? The answer will be the minimum amount of people being sent back to the academy today."
"..."
Tama chose not to answer that question and just glared at the person who asked him that instead. A shadow fell over his face as his throat dried up. He gulped some spit down to return the moisture that vanished. I thought he was just trying to scare us when he said we all couldn't pass yesterday unless we were better than 66% of our peers, but… He seriously designed this test in a way where we physically can't allpass together no matter how skilled we are. He looked between Naruto and Sasuke out of the corner of his eyes. One of us seriously won't become a genin today no matter how hard we try.
Sasuke wasn't bummed out about that shocking information at all though. In fact, he smiled, assured in his ability that he'd be one of those passing 2. This is exactly what I need to push myself to the next level. The level where my brother is at. He thought, Being the strongest at the academy wasn't even a challenge for me. The children there are so weak that they'd only hold me back. Now I have the chance to become a genin while simultaneously knocking one of these bumbling idiots off of my team. Looking at Kakashi with a smile, the Uchiha thought. This is exactly what I need to evolve. It's survival of the fittest. Whoever passes today will only pass because they truly deserve to. Not because 'they just so happened to be on my team'.
"Since no one can answer, I guess I'll just straighten things out. I only brought two bells so that I can get rid of the weakling on this team, whoever they are." When Kakashi said that, he was looking at Naruto.
Unlike Tama and Sasuke, Naruto could not keep his inner thoughts to himself. He pulled out a kunai and yelled, filled with rage, "Bullshit, Kakashi-sensei! What kind of crap is that! I spent years training and getting stronger, so what do you mean by that!?" He then rushed forward, kunai in hand intending to slice and dice Kakashi-sensei.
Tama's heart rate accelerated by leaps when he felt a massive chakra surge within Kakashi-sensei's inner chakra flow-
-Kakashi-sensei disapeared!
Sasuke and Tama widened their stances defensively as Naruto's kunai slash hit nothing but an afterimage!
"What the," Gasped Naruto, "Where'd that dumb bastard g- AHHHH!" A huge wave of pain shot through Naruto's body when Kakashi-sensei suddenly appeared and grabbed his arm from behind and wrapped it all the around his back, threatening to dislocate it, "Calm down, Naruto. I wasn't talking about you. The weakling can be Tama, and it can be Sasuke too. That's the reason I have only two bells. If it's this easy to get you riled up you'd be a terrible shinobi. Anger makes your moves predictable."
Kakashi then let go of Naruto, who began stumbling forward and yelping from the pain he felt in his shoulder. Kakashi then continued, "But good job, Naruto, if the three of you don't come at me with that intent to kill Naruto just showed, then you'll never win. Now, any questions?"
Naruto just growled.
Sasuke 'hmphed' and looked away.
Tama glared at Kakashi.
This all made Kakashi smile and think, I might actually like these kids. Too bad they're brats just like all the others.
Kakashi then said one word, "Ok then, start."
!
Naruto, Tama, and Sasuke rushed forward with all of their kunai's out!
But the Jonin vanished before anything landed, becoming a blur as he shot for the forest.
"OH NO YOU DON'T, YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BASTARD! SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" Naruto yelled, weaving hand signs and summoning 19 other Narutos.
Angry, all 20 Naruto started sprinting for the forest at full speed, jumping onto tree branches while all yelling in unison. "I'LL BECOME HOKAGE AND SHOW YOU I'M NO WEAKLING! I'LL PROVE TO YOU THAT I'M ACTUALLY SOMEONE WORTH REMEMBERING! SOMEONE ACTUALLY IMPORTANT! I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE LOOKING DOWN ON ME! BELIEVE IT!"
Tama and Sasuke were left all alone as the Narutos rushed off to fight Kakashi by themselves with that heartfelt declaration.
"All that loser wants is recognition." Sasuke commented in disgust. "He wears bright orange. He's always yelling, pulls pranks like a child, and he doesn't think before he acts. He doesn't know how dark the Shinobi world truly is."In his mind, a 6 year old Sasuke was on his knees crying his eyes out at the sight of his two dead parents. If that idiot keeps acting like a damn kid its only a matter of time before he's humbled.
"It… might be true that he just wants to be recognized." Tama said slowly, looking to the direction where the blond boy had vanished, "But he's so innocent it's like a breath of fresh air. When you stop to think about it, and I mean really stop to think about it, what's so wrong with that? What's wrong with wanting to be a role model for others? To be someone great?"
Sasuke's answer came swift and unbidden, "Everything. A true shinobi doesn't seek recognition or reward for their actions. If I were you, I wouldn't let that kid slow you down. I know I won't. A class clown is all he'll ever be."
And with that, Sasuke sprinted away and vanished into the forest as well.
Tama was left there by himself with a foul taste in his mouth. He had always been the kind of person to withhold judgement on someone until he really got to know them, which took him months, usually. But… I'm starting to think that Sasuke guy's a bit of a jerk. What's wrong with wanting to become someone people look up to?
Once upon a time, Tama, too, wanted to be looked up to by someone special and important to him. He didn't feel the same way anymore, but that didn't mean he'd discount Naruto for wanting the exact same thing.
"Either way," Tama whispered, pulling out a Kunai and casting his chakra sensing aura out, small, minute pulses of chakra emitting from him every second. When he found Kakashi-sensei's chakra signature he opened his eyes and glared in that direction, "Let's see if I can get one of those bells."
In the next moment, there was not a single soul left standing in that part of the training field.
XxxxxxX
A while later, Konohagakure Training Field - Next to the River
Kakashi Hatake's tactical withdrawal from the three ninjas in training came to a stop when he arrived at the river flowing throughout the training field. I guess it wouldn't be fair to continue past here seeing as how they're just genin. And not only that, they didn't know how to walk on water either. He'd retreated away far enough to properly split them up anyway. The goal he seeked to accomplish - splitting them up - had been carried out.
"You're not getting away, Kakashi-sensei!" A blond haired boy in all orange suddenly yelled, bursting from out of the forest!
Followed by…
19 other Naruto!
Kakashi was honestly shocked by the sight.
"You're done for!" One shouted.
"Just hand it over! That bell is as good as mine!" Another yelled.
"Give up so you don't get hurt!"
"We beat Mizuki and we're gonna beat you too!"
"I'll mop the floor with you!"
"Get ready to say sorry!"
"The only weakling here is you!"
As all the Naruto's sprinted forward at max speed, shooting insults and badgers with kunai at the ready, Kakashi Hatake thought Just a bunch of illusory clones, huh? Does he not realize that all I have to do to find the real one is check the grass to see if- Kakashi's eyes widened! Wait, they're all real!? All of them are making the grass move. Don't tell me this mere genin is using a forbidden-!
"-Give me that damn Bell!" A Naruto suddenly shouted, closing the distance and swinging a kunai at Kakashi.
When Kakashi parried the attack his eyes widened even more as shock filled him. That's a real Kunai I just parried. Is this 12 year old kid seriously using the jutsu I think this is?
5 other Naruto threw shuriken while another Naruto rushed Kakashi from the Jonin's blindspot, the first Naruto still in a kunai clash with the man.
This kid's using the shadow clone Jutsu! Kakashi was forced to disengage from the kunai clash and jump away, creating more distance and giving himself time to think. This kid really knows a forbidden jutsu. And it looks like there are 20 of them in total. How is he able to safely divide his chakra by 20 times without passing out? Are his Chakra reserves that impressive? This isn't the Nine Tails' chakra, is it?
3 Naruto ran forward, swinging a Kunai with 2 other Naruto in a triangle formation. "There's no escape!" One yelled.
"And nowhere to dodge to!" A Naruto yelled from up above, throwing a barrage of shuriken!
He may know the Shadow Clone jutsu, however… Kakashi did a backhand spring so that he was standing on his hands and then he kicked all three Naruto surrounding him, taking advantage of his leg's further reach. Whether it's 1 or 200, they're all still just weak genin.
Next, Kakashi bent his arms in the middle of the handstand and shot up into the air in the next second, flipping his orientation so that he was right side up, he simultaneously caught all of the shuriken the airborne Naruto threw at him with ease. Balling his fist and throwing it forward, Kakashi landed a devastating blow on the airborne Naruto!
The airborne Naruto's face recoiled from the blow as blood flew!
POOOF!
POOF! POOOF POOF!
All 4 Naruto's vanished into nothingness as pain coursed through their bodies, causing the Narutos to lose form.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu is an S-Rank Jutsu. Kakashi thought as he landed back on the ground gracefully and began engaging with the Naruto horde once more, swiftly dispatching all of the Genin clones with swift dodges, blocks, and counteracts at speeds the young shinobi couldn't hope to match with the overwhelming gap of experience. It's a rather simple technique to pull off. In fact, any Genin could learn and perfect the jutsu in 10 minutes flat, maybe even quicker if they have extensive knowledge of the parent jutsu, the illusory clone Jutsu. However… Kakashi jumped into the air and threw 3 kunai downward.
The last 3 Naruto's they were all aimed at merely dodged out of the way, but little did the remaining Naruto's know, the trio of Kunai had activated paper bombs attached to them!
BOOOM!
BOOOM BOOM!
Even though the three shadow clones evaded just in time, the explosions still caught them, disrupting the clones' chakra flow and making 2 of them fade away and disperse into non-existence. The third Naruto - who was the real one - was thrown away from the shockwave.
Naruto bounced along the ground from the powerful explosion and when he finally came to a stop the genin stood up on shaking feet. Sweat streamed down Naruto's face along with blood. Bruises and cuts lined his body from the explosion.
There's one critical flaw of the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Kakashi smiled under his mask, both proud of the genin he was fighting but also a little disappointed. It's a massive strain on one's chakra reserves. It looks like this will be a battle of attrition. One that ended before it began.
Kakashi then rushed forward, engaging into a massive taijutsu battle with the last Naruto, who was the real Naruto. "H-how are you so strong?!" Naruto yelled, barely getting out of the way of a thrown fist and shooting a kick, which Kakashi blocked and countered.
Narrowly avoiding the jab, Naruto slid to the side and executed a feint the Jonin didn't fall for even for a moment, allowing the more experienced shinobi to retaliate with an impressive headbutt that caught Naruto way off guard and shattered the boy's nose instantly!
CRACK!
"AHHH!" Naruto screamed in a horrifying tone and stumbled backward, holding his nose and shaking as pain shot through him in waves, but Kakashi was merciless and rushed forward, not giving the blond even a second to recover.
"A true shinobi is prepared for things to go wrong wherever they can go wrong." The white haired Jonin whispered, throwing a fist which landed square on Naruto's cheek, making the blond's face recoil to the side and blood splatter everywhere in cunjuction with his broken nose.
Naruto began to fall-
-but caught himself with his foot at the last second.
"I won't… give up. Ever!" He yelled, making Kakashi hesitate for a moment with wide eyes.
…
Naruto noticed that hesitation and threw a punch.
However, the punch had no power, strategy, or speed behind it. The blond may have had the moment, but he lacked the capability to take advantage of it.
Kakashi came back to his senses and stepped to the side swiftly. Naruto's momentum carried him forward, which the boy tried to correct by executing a back heel kick, which Kakashi easily caught in his arms.
Kakashi held Naruto's leg and spun the kid around, spinning Naruto at high centripetal speeds mercilessly and then-
Kakashi let go!
"AHHHHHH!" Naruto screamed as he flew into the air, but the scream was cut off midway through when he crashed into a tree-
CRASH!
-Naruto couldn't even yelp in pain because all of the air in his lungs was forced out from the blow. The boy slid off of the tree and fell face first to the ground, gasping in pain and letting out hurt breaths, attempting to get his air back but unable to do so with his nasal pathway blocked off.
Kakashi slowly stepped forward, making Naruto's eyes widen. The blond grabbed the ground with his two hands and tried to push himself up but could only make it up to his knees.
"You seriously thought you stood a chance all alone?" Asked Kakashi tiredly. "You, a genin? Well, not a genin for much longer."
Standing up on shaking feet, Naruto wiped the blood off of his lips and ignored the searing pain coming from his broken nose, "I'm… not alone. Not with this jutsu! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
3 Shadow Clones appeared on Naruto's sides, equaling 4 genin in total. All of the clones' noses were broken and they were all writhing in pain, but they all shared one thing.
Determination.
"There's a fatal flaw in this strategy, Naruto." Kakashi commented dryly as all 4 Naruto rushed forward, throwing punches and kicks.
Hands in his pockets, Kakashi easily ducked under poorly performed punches and jumped over poorly executed kicks, using his shins to block feints and throwing rising knee strikes in return.
The three shadow clones were dispatched of quickly and the real Naruto was kicked away, spiraling into the ground unceremoniously. Kakashi spoke, slowly walking toward Naruto who was struggling to stand up, "Unlike the basic Clone Technique, shadow clones are physically real. They possess the same clothing, damage, and transformations as the user at the time of their creation. Look how beat up you are. Any clones you conjure up will be just as pathetic. What that means is that a strategy completely centered around the shadow clone jutsu is no strategy at all when you're already on the ropes. It's just you throwing yourself forward toward a wall you can't hope to scale and hoping for the best. You're still just one person."
"WHO CARES IF I'M ALONE!" Shouted Naruto, biting his lips so hard blood drew. "SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"
Using all of his will power, Naruto stood up one last time and activated the shadow clone jutsu again. 2 more Naruto's appeared but those 2 Naruto were grabbing for their knees, exhausted and tired.
"Don't you understand how that Jutsu works, Naruto? It also copies the damage you've currently sustained. If it was that powerful don't you think I'd be using it too?""
"Like I said, who cares! Let's get him guys!"
"Yeah!"
"Y-Yeah!" The other two cried, but not as sure of themselves.
All three Naruto launched forward, but Kakashi merely stepped out of the way. The clone who threw the first punched tripped at having his momentum hit nothing and he fell on the ground.
POOF!
The second clone threw a punch which easily was ducked under and Kakashi threw an elbow straight for its gut.
POOF!
The last and real Naruto sprung forward next, only to receive an uncontested punch in the face that hurt like hell, making Naruto stumble back.
"It's time to put you back in the Academy where you belong." Kakashi decided, weaving hand signs. And then all of a sudden, lightning started flickering out of Kakashi's right hand. "Lightning Style: Lightning Spear." Uncaring, Kakashi Hatake began forming a spear of lightning nature chakra.
His eyes widening in fear, Naruto tried to muster up the energy to move, the energy to do anything. But… he just couldn't. His entire body was in pain and even though he still had a lot of chakra left, physically, his body was just too tired and beat up.
The spear of lightning was thrown in the next moment!
Naruto held his hand up in an effort to block it but even he knew lightning was unblockable.
The spear of lightning soared through the air at insane speeds!
CRASHHHH!
Even though it was the middle of the day, a white light sparked out everywhere as lightning filled the air, sparking, igniting and burning up the oxygen ions into ozone!
It hit the genin in training dead on!
But not… the specific genin Kakashi was aiming for.
Kakashi took a step back in shock. Utterly surprised.
His attack landed, alright. It just… didn't hit Naruto.
In front of Naruto stood a boy. He wore camo shorts, a black dry fit tshirt and he had black hair. One his bangs were white though, almost as if he'd dyed it. His eyes were darker then black and if one looked too deeply they'd see small specks of white reminiscent of hundreds of different stars in his eyes.
Lightning crackled around Tama Jinsei, who took on the brunt of that entire attack. As lightning flickered around him, Tama's body convulsed, but still, the boy smiled, playing off the pain he was feeling in every muscle, "N-Naruto…" The boy stammered, obviously affected by the lightning attack, Tama held his head as his body convulsed once more from the electricity, but still, he held on and balled his fists. "C'mon man, what are you doing just sitting there?"
"Y-you idiot…" Naruto whispered, using all of his strength to stand up. Naruto held his stomach that was still hurting from Kakashi elbowing it and he said weakly while trying to relocate his nose, "Tama… you might think you're doing me a favor or something but… me beating that guy.. is something I have to do… with my own two hands. I have to do it on my own. You gotta understand that If I can't do something as simple as that I can never… be the hokage!"
Tama glanced over his shoulder at Naruto who yelled out those words with all his heart. The blond was currently looking at his two bruised, bloodied and beat up hands. Those two hands were so weak they couldn't even land a single blow on Kakashi.
"If being strong enough to fight all your battles alone was the only requirement to being hokage, then why does our Hokage never leave the village then? Why does he just sit in his chair and send out everyone else to fight his battles?"
"You tryna say the Hokage's a weakling?" Naruto's eyes widened as he took offense.
Tama shrugged. "No. But he sure does love making other people do his dirty work."
"What do you mean by that?! Lord Third might be an old man but he's the best hokage ever!"
Tama merely passed the question on, "Ok then. Do you know why then, Kakashi-sensei? Why the hokage never fights?"
Kakashi-sensei's eyes got a little wider when Tama spoke to him, but he didn't mind answering the question. Hands in his pockets, the jonin answered, bored, "Because he's the most important person in this entire village. If he fights and gets killed the village would be left weak."
"..."
"..."
"…"
Naruto and Tama didn't say anything after that. Naruto just looked down at his feet that were still shaking.
"Do you understand now, Naruto?" Tama said after it sunk in, "If you wanna be Hokage, you have to realize that you're an important person. If you go out there and fight all alone, everyone around you will be weaker and put in an even worse position. Even if it means being a little narcissistic, you have to know when to let others fight for you so you can stay out of danger!" WIth that cry, Tama pulled out a Kunai and rushed at Kakashi out of nowhere! "Just sit down and watch while I get these bells for us! There's two, so that means we can both pass if I can get both of them!"
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock as he hadn't expected Tama to just up and attack him out of nowhere but his reflexes were more than quick enough to react to Tama's attack.
SHING!
Kakashi pulled out his Kunai and parried Tama's attack easily. Sparks flew as Tama reinforced his entire body with chakra and suddenly pulsed it into his kunai! I've gotta make this kunai an extension of my body and flow my chakra into it! Thought Tama, directing the flow of chakra into his weopon, Chakra Flow!
CRACK! CRACK!
SHATTTTTTEERRRR!
The kunai in Kakashi's hand burst into a million pieces!
With nothing to stop him now, Tama's chakra infused kunai soared forward straight for Kakashi-sensei's chest now that the jonin's defense was absolutely obliterated!
Kakashi-sensei was quick on his feet, however, and jumped away to dodge the attack just in time!
How did a Genin like him learn how to use such an advanced technique so early!? Absolutely shocked and even a little impressed, Kakashi-sensei looked at his chest that had a small scratch on it. He nicked my armor just now. If that was any deeper it would have cut straight through. I better stop underestimating these kids.
"You're going to have to be a lot quicker than that, kid." Kakashi-sensai said, pulling out another fresh kunai and getting into his fighting stance. Focusing, the jonin began allowing Chakra to flow into his kunai as well to reinforce so that Tama breaking it wouldn't happen again. This kid is forcing me to use chakra flow too. What a bother.
Tama held his kunai up and stared at Kakashi through the hole in the kunai's handle, "Oh I can be quick, sensei." He then threw that kunai forward!
Kakashi-sensei easily sidestepped to the side and evaded it but suddenly Tama bent down. Allowing chakra to pulse through his legs, the genin burst forward and grabbed the kunai Kakashi-sensei just evaded!
He can use Chakra Flow in his legs too, huh? Thought Kakashi-sensei, watching the boy's insanely quick movements.
As soon as Tama grabbed the Kunai he threw a sweeping kick at Kakashi-sensei which the jonin merely jumped over. The split second Kakashi was in the air was something Tama took advantage of!
He slashed at the jonin, who parried his attack easily and sliced at Tama in return.
!
In the exact moment Kakashi-sensei sliced horizontally Tama went to land a chakra infused left hook, which the jonin was forced to block with his off hand.
Bang!
A gunshot sound reverberated from the force of Tama's punch, and because Kakashi was in midair he was knocked back a few feet.
Tama threw his own head back and tried to evade Kakashi's ensuing counter slash, but…
A wound appeared on his face just above his eyebrow that started bleeding profusely. He evaded Kakashi-sensei's attack, but not completely.
He… really could've killed me just now if I wasn't quick enough!
Sweat broke out all over Tama's body when he realized this wasn't just a game or a test, but a real fight!
Kakashi-sensei landed from the two hits they exchanged gracefully. He wasn't phased in the least.
Tama, however, didn't take home any favorable conditions from the exchange. The vision in his left eye was quickly drowned in red with blood as the Genin gasped in disbelief. He quickly reached into his back pouch and pulled out a piece of gauze he used to tie around the wound and then he quickly blinked the blood out of his eyes so he could see again-
-suddenly, Kakashi-sensei disappeared in the exact moment Tama blinked. The genin suddenly heard a whisper in his ear.
"Rule #1. A shinobi never takes his eyes off his opponent."
Tama's eyes opened wide at the chiding, parent like voice. He tried to raise his arms to block but he was already to late!
BOOOM!
-Kakashi Hatake did not give Tama Jinsei a chance to even blink!
The older man closed the 12 foot distance between them in a single lightning quick step and punched Tama straight in his solar plexus!
To say the jonin punched the genin in trying was a massive understatement. He absolutely pile drived the kid in his biggest weak point!
Time seemed to slow down as all of the air in Tama's lungs rushed out as Kakashi's right hook bowled him over, and then sent him flying away!
He tried to compose himself quickly and use the knockback of the attack to roll on the ground further away. Out of the roll, Tama performed a backhand spring into a backflip.
When he landed on his feet from his backflip, Tama wobbled, and wobbled… and fell on his butt, his entire sense of balance obliterated from that devastating blow and all of his breath gone.
He was breathing rapidly with his head spinning as he stood up, still wobbling, H-How do I beat someone stronger, smarter, and more skilled than me…? This guy's taijutsu… is way better than Inoichi-San's… And Hinata's too… Gasping for breath the boy finished tightening the gauze around his head wound so it would stop bleeding.
"That… won't happen again." Tama tried to say, but his voice came out as a whimper because his lungs had almost collapsed just now.
His opponent still heard him, however, "We'll see about that." The jonin replied coolly, steeling his gaze.
And then, readying his blade Tama began preparing for another bout. Ok. I need to think. What are my win conditions? I don't have to beat him. I just need those bells. But even if I do get those bells, what's to stop him from taking them right back? If I don't say 'I Pass' in time? Dang it, why am I assuming I'll get them in the first place?! I'll get the bells first and then figure out how to keep them afterward. Even if it means hiding them or something stupid like that.
Tama and Kakashi-sensei began circling one another like boxers in a boxing ring, Tama on edge and Kakashi-sensei at ease. At the exact moment one of them showed an opening, the other would take advantage and exploit that opening.
"You know…" Kakashi wondered as they circled another, sounding bored, "You didn't have to take that lightning Jutsu earlier to protect Naruto like that. If you let the kid get weeded out you and Sasuke's chances of passing sky rocket."
"Maybe," Accepted Tama, realizing Kakashi-sensei was just trying to distract him. He thought of Inoichi-San, Shikaku-San, and Choza-San, "My own stupid pride wouldn't let me do that, though. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't want to be a ninja or anything, because I do. But at the end of the day it's just a title. The only reason being a ninja sounds like a meaningful job is because we assign meaning to it. I just don't assign all that much meaning to it is all. I want to be a ninja, don't get me wrong. Just not as bad as that kid."
""So what you're saying is: you did that because he wants to be a ninja more than you. That was why?" Kakashi-sensei slowly began to understand Tama's motives despite how convoluted they may have sounded.
Tama nodded, "I guess, yeah. Wanting to be hokage sounds like a pipe dream. And he sounds like such a kid every time he says it, but… it would be a shame if that dream ended here. Don't you think?"
Sighing, Kakashi sensei stopped circling with Tama. He bent down, chakra pulsing through his whole body and a shadow falling over his face, "I understand. I guess it's time I show you how weak you genin truly are. Maybe that will make you understand that your dreams are just that, dreams."
ZOOOOOM!
Kakashi-sensei sprung forward faster then the eye could see, leaving behind an after image and kicking up dirt and leaves into the air!
Tama Jinsei was ready this time!
Closing his eyes, Tama focused. He honed his chakra sensing abilities and pulsed his chakra, shooting it out but also keeping it contained within his muscles to improve his reaction speed.
?!
Eyes still closed, Tama could see within his mind's eye the vague outline that was Kakashi-sensei's chakra moving close to the speed of sound!
The tension in the air was palpable. Everything quieted as Tama focused on just that one thing. The Jonin, Kakashi Hatake. The forest echoed with the soft rustle of leaves.
His eyes.. are closed? Thought Kakashi, confused, but it didn't matter at all.
Kakashi approached quickly, his blade a blur. Tama sidestepped cleanly, hearing Kakashi-sensei's Kunai slice through the air next to his face like butter—a haunting melody that sent shivers down his spine.
Ok… now I just have to keep that rhythm. Read his chakra and predict his next move. Tama kept his eyes closed, focusing on nothing else other than reading Kakashi's chakra.
That was the reason why he was able to react quickly to Kakashi-sensei's next slash!
SHING!
Their blades clashed, sparks flying. Kakashi-sensei's strength pushed Tama back and forced him to evade, but Tama wasn't quick enough, causing a shallow gash to appear on his forearm. Blood dripped onto the ground, mixing with the earth.
Tama was biting his lips as he thought in pain. Even still, he's so much quicker.
Tama then retaliated, his Kunai a blur of silver. Kakashi parried easily and counterattacked. Tama dodged and tried to counterattack on his own.
Similar loops repeated over and over again. Kakashi attacking and Tama barely surviving. Tama attacking and Kakashi counter attacking cleanly. Brand new wounds started opening up on Tama more and more every second until his clothes were starting to stain with the color of red.
This dance intensified.
Kakashi-sensei's strikes were precise and lightning quick. Tama's agility kept him just out of reach of most of the fatal attacks but he was still hit nearly every time. Kakashi landed a new hit, slashing across his cheek, leaving a crimson trail.
As the fight wore on, fatigue set in. Tama Jinsei's breaths came in ragged gasps, while Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
They circled, blades weaving patterns.
But not even Tama could last forever.
He was so focused on Kakashi's chakra signatures that he didn't notice the pebble on the ground he was about to trip on. His eyes were closed, after all. He tripped on it, slowing him momentarily. Kakashi seized the opportunity, slashing down on Tama who was forced to open his eyes for the first time now!
But Tama wasn't defeated. With a primal roar, he disengaged from the Kunai clash and lunged, trying to catch Kakashi off guard.
It wasn't enough. Kakashi Hatake merely stepped out of the way and drove his Kunai into Tama!
Tama barely deflected the shank but he blocked it at an awkward angle and stumbled backward - right into a tree!
Tama hadn't expected for his back to run into a tree because he wasn't keeping an eye on his surroundings.
That was the last mistake he would make!
Kakashi Hatake slashed his Kunai downward into Tama!
SHING!
The genin barely had time to parry the Jonin's downward slash!
Sparks flew into the air as Tama blocked it at the last second. Kakashi-sensei's attack was so powerful Tama was forced down onto his knees, his back against the tree as he was unable to keep standing. Tama couldn't even disengage and evade because his back was against something right now.
"You're not the only one able to infuse Chakra into their weapons or body." Kakashi-sensei stated simply. "That technique is commonplace in the shinobi world. A dime a dozen. It's impressive that you know how to do it when you're so young but that doesn't change a thing."
As soon as Kakashi-sensei said that, Tama started gritting his teeth HARD as it got harder and harder to struggle against the physically stronger man who had leagues more control of his chakra.
And then it happened!
Crack…. Crack…
Cracks started to appear in the Kunai Tama was using to protect himself.
But how?! Is he that strong?! I'm flowing my chakra through it?! There's no way…!? Before Tama could come up with a counter it was his turn to have his weapon shatter into a million pieces!
SHATTER!
SHLICT!
Blood flew through the air with a thick slicing sound as a blade sliced through human flesh!
Tama had two options. Dodge to the side to avoid a critical hit from Kakashi after his Kunai had been shattered, or…
…take the hit.
Tama chose the ladder!
As soon as his Kunai shattered, Tama threw himself forward right into Kakashi's attack!
I only have one shot at this! Thought Tama, reaching for the bells at Kakashi's side.
Time slowed down to a crawl.
Kaskashi's eyes widened in sheer shock and horror as his Kunai drew blood! Tama putting himself into harms way was the last thing the jonin expected! He tried to pull his attack away at the last second to lessen the damage but it was no use.
Tama's left arm was gashed horribly, making blood fly through the air!
But that was okay… because… in the genin's left hand - the arm he nearly sacrificed - was something precious.
Jiggle. Jiggle. Clang. Clang.
2 bells were in Tama's left hand.
But it wasn't over yet! Tama didn't want to pass by himself so the test wouldn't end here!
"Naruto! Catch!" Tama stood up as quick as he could and began trying to throw one of the bells, however, Kakashi was stronger, quicker, and smarter.
Before Tama could even stand up to switch the bells into his still working right arm so he could toss it, Kakashi-sensei threw a round house kick right into Tama's legs.
The bells fell out of Tama's hands as his legs were sweeped out from under him. The boy landed face first on the ground pathetically.
Tama switched to his back and tried to get up but Kakashi got on top of the genin and started choking him with his left arm, his right fist held up, ready to knock the genin out right here and now. "You suicidal kids are a damn pain." The jonin muttered, his left hand choking the kid to death and his right fist curled up, ready to knock Tama out in one blow. "You'd seriously hurt yourself that badly just for a few bells? You'd make horrible ninja."
Blood started pooling on the ground where Tama Jinsei's left arm was, but the boy just smiled though, making Kakashi-sensei's eyes widen. "A ninja's title is only meaningful if we assign meaning to it. I guess I assigned more meaning to it than I led you to believe."
This damn kid?! Kakashi-sensei sweat dropped when he realized what that meant!
"Don't worry, Tama! I'll get them! Those bells… are as good as mine!" A tired and hurt voice suddenly yelled out, his voice indicating he was in pain but also full of determination!
Kakashi-sensei looked up in surprise to see Naruto Uzumaki running for the bells Tama dropped as quick as he could. The boy's nose wasn't broken anymore which shocked the older man. How did his wounds heal so quick? The man thought, confused. Either way, Naruto was 5 seconds away from getting those bells so the Jonin had to do something asap!
He let go of Tama and tried to rush for the bells, but-
Tama held on to Kakashi-sensei's leg with his still working right arm!
"Leave him alone, sensei! JUST LET HIM HAVE THEM! What's wrong with wanting to be a ninja people can look up to!? Just let him try to become hokage even if it's just a dream!" The black haired boy with a white bang hanging over his face screamed that, his voice full of motion. "Do it, Naruto! Pass this test and become a genin! Be the one out of the three of us who passes!"
Something deep and dark stirred inside of the Konohagakure jonin - Kakashi Hatake - when Tama said that.
It wasn't enough to change his mind, though.
Kakashi-sensei shook off Tama easily and rushed forward far faster then Naruto could sprint towards the bells and he effortlessly recovered them before Naruto could.
Blood streaming down his nose and bruises all over his face, Naruto tried to pull out a Kunai only to realize he had no more left. He bared his fists instead and screamed, "Screw becoming Hokage if it means sacrificing my friends! Let's work together! Just like you said! One bell for me and one bell for you!" Tama's eyes widened at what Naruto was saying as the blond threw a fist at Kakashi-sensei, trying desperately to get the bells back, "If we can't become ninja together, then I'll never be strong enough to become hokage! There's no way I'll make my friends fight for me! So let's do it! Together!"
WIth renewed vigor, Naruto was suddenly attacking Kakashi-sensei as quick as he could with his right fist flying! Tama's smile was huge as all the confidence he didn't even realize he lost came back all at once.
"These annoying kids…" Kakashi-sensei whispered, easily dodging the punches and kicks Naruto Uzumaki was him.
Tama's left arm from the forearm down wasn't working anymore because it would start burning with pain when he did, but that was okay. He tried to reach for a Kunai but realized he had no more left.
Balling his right fist, he joined Naruto and yelled, "Let's do it!"
"Yeah, believe it!"
Kakashi turned his head for only a moment to look at Tama who joined the bout, and Naruto took full advantage of that lapse of focus and summoned Shadow Clones without any penalty because Tama was distracting Kakashi-sensei!
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Where it was previously a 2 on 1, there was suddenly a 6 on 1!
5 Naruto and 1 Tama swung their weapons at the exact same time. And then they all started laying it on!
Kakashi found himself blocking and deflecting punches and kicks from all directions!
Naruto was using his shadow clones as sacrifices to protect the real Naruto and Tama was fatal blows.
If Kakashi tried to land a crippling hit on Tama a Naruto shadow clone would just push Tama out the way and take the hit instead.
If Kakashi-sensei tried to hit the real Naruto, a shadow clone would swap places with him, and so on. Whenever there were two or 3 Shadow Clones left, either Naruto or a Shadow Clone would just summon more.
It's just one thing after the other with these two, huh? Thought Kakashi, annoyed but also… impressed? Maybe I should up the ante a bit since I'm outnumbered, shouldn't I?
Smiling under his mask, Kakashi disengaged and jumped far away back. Weaving a few handsigns in mid air and saying, "I'll just get rid of everyone all at once. Waterstyle: Water Blade Jutsu!" In the space surrounding Kakashi, dozens upon dozens of blades made of water appeared in the air, "I suggest avoiding these blades if you want to live." The sensei mentioned.
Tick marks appeared on Tama's and all the Naruto's foreheads.
"Yo, that's not fair, sensei! We don't know nature release, yet!" Screamed Tama.
"Yeah!" Screamed Naruto.
"What he said!" Another Naruto yelled.
"What the heck man!"
"What a coward!"
"Boooo!"
At all the insults, a bead of sweat rolled down Kakashi's face, "Who said I had to play fair? The two of you have to learn that there's no such thing as fair in the shinobi world." That was all Kakashi-sensei said in response.
Naruto and Tama both growled.
The boy with a random white bang in his hair glanced at Naruto in an attempt to strategize, "You wouldn't happen to know any nature release Jutsu, huh Naruto?" He wondered, sweat streaming down his brow. "Cause I sure don't."
Naruto's head tilted like a confused puppy, "Is shadow clone jutsu a nature release?"
An anime tear ran down Tama's face instead of sweat now, "Maybe Yang Release… but no, Naruto. It's technically not." The boy then turned around, looked at Kakashi, the hundred of water projectiles floating in the air, and then he said when he realized he could only use one of his arms right now, "Fuck dealing with that crazy looking Justu! I'm outta here!"
"Hey! You're running away?!" Naruto yelled, disappointed as he saw Tama jump into a nearby tree and started jumping away deeper into the forest.
"Yeah! Kakashi-sensei's too strong to take head-on and we have till 12pm too. That gives us a few hours to come up with a good strategy!"
And then Tama was gone…
The 5 Naruto left all alone looked back at Kakashi who was surrounded by at least a hundred scary looking water blades. "Those look way to sharp!" One of the Naruto's said, shivering.
"Maybe we should run away with Tama?" One clone strategized.
"And come up with a new strategy?"
"Yeah. And plus he's hurt. Didn't you see his arm? There was so much blood?"
"We gotta help him!"
"Alright, it's decided! Release the shadow clone Jutsu and let's dip out the cut!"
"Release!" The original Naruto yelled, turning around, "Wait up for me, Tama! I wanna run away too!" In the next moments, Naruto took off into the forest too!
…
…
…
They finally realized I'm too strong for them. Kakashi-sensei thought, having been left there with an activated Jutsu he wouldn't even get use.
Wait… actually… I might get to use it after all…
XxxxxX
A few minutes later - In the Middle of the Forest.
In the middle of the Konohagakure forest, Tama was breathing heavily from atop a tree branch as he poured antiseptic on his left forearm gash!
"Mmmmmmmm!" He screamed into the gauze in his mouth as pain flared up and he quickly cleaned and tied the wound up as tight as he could afterward.
Opening his hand open and closed hurt like hell but he could still do it, thankfully. That didn't mean he'd use the left hand all that much for a long while, though. He was right handed anyway so that was ok.
There was also a deep pain in his chest too from when Kakashi punched him in his solar plexus with excessive force. In fact, when Tama looked back he realized something. If he was really trying to kill us he could've done it so easily. And he let us run away too. He's just taking it easy on us and it's so… fucking aggravating. Why am I so weak?
Tama's eyes opened when he heard the sound of someone landing on the branch right next to him. It was Naruto, and the blond looked confused and annoyed.
Naruto was only annoyed at himself though. "Dang it I'm so weak. I can't believe we had to run away. All that tough talk only for me to turn my back and skidaddle with my tail between my legs."
"We had to." Let out Tama, pulling out a pocket watch from his pouch. It's 6:54, and we have until 12 before one of us gets sent back to the academy, if not all of us. That gives us 5 hours to get our strength back and come up with a strategy to get those bells. Tama put his stopwatch away and continued saying to Naruto. "We had no way of blocking that weird water blade Jutsu or whatever it was. Even if we didn't lose to that Jutsu and we found a way to deal with it, he could beat both of easily even without ninjutsu."
"Yeah… I guess If he shot those at us it would've hurt for sure."
"Agreed." Said Tama, sitting down on the tree branch to catch his breath quicker.
Naruto did the same, sitting down next to Tama.
The two enjoyed the silence for a little bit as cicadas made noise, birds chirped, and a stray gust of wind made all the leaves and branches in the forest start moving around. Wistfully, Tama watched as a squirrel took a nut in its mouth and then started escorting it away somewhere for safekeeping. Probably for winter. This world… is so beautiful… I've gotta become a ninja today so I can protect it. Protect.. life… Tama thought, smiling.
Naruto saw that soft smile on Tama's wistfully looking face and he smiled to himself. "Damn I'm thirsty." He said randomly.
Tama looked at him, "It sure is a good thing you have a full water skin on you for emergencies."
?!
Angry, Naruto softly karate chopped Tama on the head, "I wonder whose idiot fault that is, y'know?" He chided. "I could've used that water to boil Ramen or something too. There's so much wood in this forest and a river too. We could've totally started a fire and got some food cooking!"
When Naruto started talking about food both of their stomachs rumbled.
"I wonder if we'd fail on the spot if sensei found us cooking ramen and fish in the middle of a test…?" Wondered Tama, looking up to the sky.
Naruto looked up to the sky too. "I bet he'd fail us on the spot. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!"
"But not before asking for a fish filet first."
"And some ramen."
Tama started laughing and Naruto started chuckling too.
The laughter quickly died out though when Naruto asked the question they both needed to answer together asap. "So how are we gonna beat him? Kakashi-sensei I mean. He's so strong."
"I… don't know. But it has to be possible somehow. We have to figure something out." Tama put a finger on his cheek. Naruto was starting to realize that his friend had a bad habit of doing that when he was deep in thought. "Logically speaking, there's no way he'd give us a test we physically or mentally can't pass. There's no way the Hokage would allow that. If that was the case he would've just knocked us out as soon as he could've and called it a day. God knows he had so many chances."
"Yeah." Naruto punched his own hand as a thought occurred to him, "It was almost like he didn't want to knock us out, y'know? But even though he's going easy on us he's still way too strong. He mowed through me and all of my Shadow Clones all at once like it was nothing. Every time I thought I was going to get a good hit on him he did something crazy and turned the tables. I couldn't believe it. He's just so fast and… cool…" There were stars in Naruto's eyes.
"Don't praise the enemy," complained Tama. The black haired boy with a white bang then wondered, "Did you use any other Jutsu on him? Or only the shadow clone Jutsu?"
"No…" Answered Naruto, a bit confused, "Just my Shadow Clone Jutsu. You think that's why I lost? Because I didn't use more Jutsu?"
"No. That's a good thing actually. Now Kakashi-sensei thinks that's the only Jutsu you can use" Tama smiled mischievously as a fire burned in Naruto's eyes.
"You tryna call me a one-trick-pony or something?!" Yelled Naruto, offended.
"Yeah." Answered Tama, but before Naruto got any more mad he continued. "Although I did the same thing too. I'm a one trick pony as well because I only used my Chakra Flow ability on him. That leaves us with the remaining Jutsu we know how to do. The ones that he hasn't seen yet. If we want to beat him and take those bells it'll have to be by doing something he won't expect in the least."
"But our stupid sensei at the Academy barely taught us anything." Naruto complained, crossing his arms, "All we know is the Transformation Jutsu and Ilusory Clone Jutsu. Kakashi-sensei already knows we know those Jutsu. Everyone knows those ones."
"That may be so… but…" Tama sighed vigorously and at a loss for words, and then-
-a lightbulb went off in his head, forcing him to stand up promptly!
"This is the perfect chance for me to test it out." He said, smiling.
Naruto stood up and wondered, "To test what out?"
"A new Jutsu I've been working on. One that I made by myself."
"You made your own Jutsu!? No way!" Naruto cried, ecstatic.
Tama punched his chest, "Yes way, bro. I'm basically a Jutsu connoisseur if you think about it."
"Can you show me it!?l"
Tama smirked at Naruto like he was a god and Naruto was his subordinate, "Yeah. In fact I'll even teach you it, Naruto. As long as you promise not to teach it to anyone else… unless you think they're worth of it."
"It's a deal!"
"It took me weeks to come up with the idea but now that I know how to do it I'm sure I could teach it to you pretty quickly. It'll catch Kakashi-sensei off guard for sure
"Oh yeah this sounds so cool! Believe it!"
XxxxxxX
Meanwhile
Kakashi Hatake stood in the middle of an empty training field with dozens of floating water blades sharper then Kunai all around him. Right when I get a little serious they run away. Seriously? Kakashi was honestly a little disappointed because he wanted to see how the two kids would react to seeing their first nature release NinJutsu, but… no matter. With the jutsu still activated, Kakashi merely pivoted in place and aimed it toward a random bush. I might get to use it after all…
"Don't you think it's time you stop hiding?" Kakashi wondered, weaving the activation hand sign.
?!
The white haired man then activated his deadly jutsu!
Dozens of water blades sharper than any knife launched at the bush!
A shadow was forced to evacuate from it's hiding spot!
"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"
The shadow who was forced to leave its hiding spot retaliated almost immediately by shooting a ginormous fire ball at Kakashi.
As a ginormous ball of flames engulfed him along with boiling his water based Jutsu, easily evaporating all of the water blades, Kakashi-sensei thought, utterly surprised. Why do all these genin know such strong Jutsu? This is actually getting to be… pretty fun…
Chapter End:
XxxxX
A/N: And that's the chapter. What'd you guys think? Anyways, peace out y'all.
-Kerith