Chapter 35: Preparation and Resolve

The air was thick with anticipation in the days leading up to the third phase of the Chunin Exams. Team 7 had barely made it through the written exam and the Forest of Death. Now, the real challenge lay ahead: the one-on-one battles. This was where they would be tested, individually, without relying on each other's strengths to compensate for their weaknesses. While their teamwork had improved tremendously, this phase would reveal just how far they'd come as individual shinobi.

Standing in the training field with his three students, Kakashi was uncharacteristically quiet. The usual teasing, the calm air, and his ever-present book were absent. His visible eye was focused on each of them, one by one as if measuring how much they had grown since the beginning of their journey together.

Naruto stood bouncing slightly on his toes, the energy and nervousness brimming from him like usual. Sakura, calm on the outside, shifted her weight as her hands clenched and unclenched—nervous but determined. Sasuke was still, his face a mask of quiet focus, but Kakashi could sense the weight on his mind—of the curse mark, of his ambition, of the fight ahead.

"Alright, listen up," Kakashi finally spoke, breaking the tense silence. His tone was serious, void of his usual playful cadence. It immediately grabbed their attention. "This phase of the exam is different from what you've faced so far. You're going to be fighting alone. No teammates to back you up. You'll be tested on everything—your strength, intelligence, endurance, and most of all, your willpower. But there's more at stake here than just becoming a chunin."

His words hung in the air for a moment, making sure they absorbed the gravity of what was coming. The three genin stood silently, their expressions growing more serious.

"Each of you has your strengths," Kakashi continued, pacing slowly in front of them. "Naruto, your tenacity and unpredictability give you an edge. You may not be the most skilled or the most polished fighter, but your greatest weapon is your refusal to give up."

Naruto grinned, though it was less of a confident smirk and more of a nervous attempt to hide his uncertainty. Kakashi's praise was rare, and despite his bravado, the upcoming battles had him feeling the pressure.

"Sakura," Kakashi said, turning his attention to her. "Your strength lies in your intelligence. You're the most grounded of the three. While they might rely on raw power or speed, you'll need to focus on staying calm and reading your opponent. Use your head. You've got sharper instincts than you give yourself credit for."

Sakura nodded, her eyes narrowing with determination. She knew what Kakashi was trying to do, and for once, she didn't feel overshadowed. She had something valuable to offer, and she would prove that she could handle herself.

"And Sasuke," Kakashi said, stopping in front of him. His tone softened just slightly. "You have the skill and the power, but don't lose yourself to them. You've come a long way, but if you rely too much on power, you'll miss the bigger picture. There's more to being a shinobi than just being the strongest."

Sasuke didn't react outwardly, but Kakashi could see the tension in his stance. He knew Sasuke was wrestling with his demons—both literally and figuratively. The curse mark, Orochimaru, and the gnawing need for revenge were weights on the boy's shoulders. But there was something else there now, something stronger than before—an awareness of his teammates, of their shared experiences. A part of Sasuke that was learning, despite himself, that he wasn't alone.

Kakashi's gaze swept over all three of them once more. "This is going to be tough. The opponents you'll face will be just as hungry for victory as you are. They won't hold back, and neither should you. But remember, this exam isn't just about winning. It's about showing who you are, about demonstrating that you have what it takes to rise to the next level. Strategy will be just as important as strength."

He paused, considering his next words carefully. "A lot of people are watching you. Your performance in these battles will determine your future. But… no matter what happens, you're still a team. We're still a team. What you've built together doesn't end just because you're fighting alone. Carry that with you."

The three genin nodded, each absorbing Kakashi's words in their way. The gravity of what lay ahead was settling in, and for a moment, none of them spoke.

Then Kakashi, his demeanour softening just a bit, added, "And one last thing… remember to trust yourselves. You've trained hard, and you've grown. Believe in that."

Naruto, ever the optimist despite his nerves, grinned and pumped his fist in the air. "We got this! I'll show them all what I'm made of!"

Sasuke gave a small, determined nod, the intensity in his eyes growing stronger. "I'm ready."

Sakura, feeling the weight of the moment but more confident than before, straightened her back and gave a firm nod. "We won't let you down, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled behind his mask, his usual laid-back demeanour returning for just a moment. "I know you won't."

As they walked toward the arena where they would draw their opponents, the atmosphere around them shifted. The tension in the air was thick, not just from Team 7, but from the other genin teams that had gathered. The buzz of anticipation, anxiety and excitement, was palpable. This was it. The moment they had been building toward since the exams began.

Naruto, true to form, couldn't help but speak his thoughts aloud as they approached the arena gates.

"Who do you think I'm gonna get? I hope it's someone strong! No, wait… I hope it's someone weak! I need a win! But then again, if I beat someone strong, it'll make me look even better!" he babbled, clearly caught between his nervous energy and his desire to prove himself.

Sakura rolled her eyes but smiled. "You won't even know until we draw the names, Naruto. Stop worrying so much."

Sasuke, walking slightly ahead of them, remained silent. His mind was elsewhere—focused on the upcoming battle, on the curse mark, on everything. But despite his usual distance, there was something comforting about walking alongside his teammates. He would never admit it aloud, but knowing they were with him gave him a sense of calm.

As they neared the entrance, Kakashi followed a few steps behind, his mind running through countless scenarios. He had trained them as much as he could, but this phase of the exam was different. They would be alone in that arena. And while he trusted them, the protective part of him—something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years—wanted to shield them from the danger ahead. But he couldn't. This was their path, and they had to walk it.

They entered the arena, the heavy doors closing behind them. The arena was vast, the walls towering above them, making the genin seem smaller in comparison. This was the stage where they would prove themselves—not just to their sensei, but to the entire village and beyond.

Kakashi watched as his team stood tall, side by side, ready to face whatever came next.

For the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to feel something that had been buried deep under years of loss and pain.

Pride.

They were ready.

And whatever happened next, they would face it head-on—together.