Hi guys this is KingNiken.
Presenting Chapter 1 of Trinity Covenant.
Naruto is one of my favorite anime and will always hold a special place in my heart.
This story is an idea I had that I thought could become a great story.
Please read and review/comment. They encourage me.
Kakashi should have known something was off the moment he stepped into the classroom.
What he expected was a trio of wannabe ninja that had reached the very limits of their patience after awaiting an unbelievably long period time for him to arrive.
Iruka's detailed assessments described this iteration of Team Seven as a volatile combination of a deadlast prankster, a booksmart fan girl, and a talented loner.
That did not seem to be the case.
The copycat ninja perched an eyebrow as he analyzed each of his new wards.
Sasuke Uchiha was enjoying a game of solitaire. The raven haired teenager seemed focused as he carefully played.
Sakura Haruno sat beside him.
Kakashi did not find it strange for the pinkette to be occupied with a textbook on human anatomy. Her file did mention her intelligence and interest in reading.
However the pair of legs that she had firmly stationed on Sasuke's lap as if they belonged there was rather unexpected.
It had been mentioned in Iruka's file that Sasuke had never shown any particular interest in the opposite sex especially girls like Sakura who seemed to be the leading voices of his 'fan club'.
Had Sakura somehow swayed him? It would be interesting to see how this could have affected their team dynamic.
And the final member of the squad?
Naruto Uzumaki sat one row below his teammates, a shadow clone sat on either side. It was important to note that the young blonde had updated his wardrobe.
His bright orange jumpsuit had been replaced with black body armor and sandals similar to the official Anbu garb. A bright orange silk haori now hung off his shoulders.
There was no question that the entire ensemble was expensive.
The trio of Narutos seemed to be doing some type of Math work...no those looked like accounting ledgers.
Since when did Konoha's most hyperactive citizen know anything about money management?
Sakura spoke first, smiling warmly at the room's new occupant.
"Hello! Are you supposed to be our sensei, Kakashi Hatake?"
Kakashi nodded as the other two males turned their attention to him.
Sasuke offered a nod of recognition before returning to his card game.
"Yo."
The Jonin felt like the greeting fit the Uchiha boy perfectly.
THUD!
A kunai embedded itself a few inches to the right of Kakashi's face. The silver haired man eye-smiled as he spoke.
"You should be careful with those you know, they aren't toys. They're really pointy and sharp."
Naruto scoffed.
"Let's get something straight sensei! You wasted my time. Time is money so in essence you've wasted my money. Nobody wastes my money."
Sakura sighed before scolding her assigned teammate.
"Naruto-kun, it's not very polite to threaten our sensei before you've even properly greeted him."
Sasuke flipped another card.
"Won't you have to pay for the damages to the chalkboard?"
Naruto's clones groaned as the original massaged his forward.
"Damnit, now I have to redo the whole budget!"
Kakashi blinked.
"As for my first impression of you guys?...I think you're all weird."
By Kakashi's recommendation, the group had relocated to the Academy roof. The former Anbu Captain allowed his students a moment to sit and get comfortable before speaking.
"Well now that we're all here, I was thinking we should introduce ourselves."
Sasuke frowned as he glanced at his teammates.
"Introduce ourselves? I'm sure we all know each other."
"You can include likes, dislikes, hobbies, future dream. Something like that."
Sakura beamed.
"Oh that sounds fun!"
Naruto scratched his chin.
"Shouldn't you go first? You're the new guy here."
Kakashi nodded.
"Sure! My name's Kakashi Hatake. I don't feel like telling you guys about my likes and dislikes.I've never really thought about my future dream...As for my hobbies, I have many."
Sasuke's sarcasm was hardly unnoticeable.
"How insightful..."
Sakura spoke next.
"Okay! I'll go first! My name is Sakura Haruno. My likes are my future husband Sasuke, Naruto-kun and our village. I dislike anyone that seeks to harm the people and things I care about. My hobbies are learning new things about life and the world we live in. My future dream is to be Konoha's greatest Medical-nin and main wife of Sasuke's harem!"
Kakashi perched an eyebrow.
"Sasuke's...harem?"
Team Seven's only female member nodded.
"Yes. If Sasuke-kun wishes to rebuild the Uchiha clan, it will be best to have several strong kunoichi wives that can produce strong offspring for the future of the clan."
Kakashi turned his focus to the aforementioned Uchiha who surprisingly didn't seem to have much objection to Sakura's ambitions.
"Your turn, Sasuke."
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I like my fiancée Sakura, my friend Naruto...some of the other villagers are cool I guess. I dislike Konoha's enemies and a few other idiots as well. My hobbies are sparring with Naruto, learning new jutsu and spending time with Sakura. My future dream is to rebuild the Uchiha while being a loving husband and father. I also wish to be strong enough to face my brother so I can learn the truth of his crimes from his own lips."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was an easy guess for anyone who was aware of the Uchiha massacre for Sasuke's goal to be related to Itachi, but what did he mean about getting the truth ?
Naruto cleared his throat.
"Well I guess that leaves me..."
Kakashi nodded.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like all of my friends including Sasuke and Sakura. I like our village, despite some of the idiots that reside here. I like eating Ramen and last but certainly not least, I like making money. I dislike our enemies, not having Ramen and people who make me lose money. My hobbies are sparring with Sasuke, learning new ways to make money and fuinjutsu. My future dream is to be the greatest Hokage of all time as I lead Konoha and our allies into a new age of prosperity."
Kakashi perched an eyebrow. That was plenty to digest.
"I see...Fuinjutsu, huh? I wasn't aware that the Academy offered many courses on that."
Naruto offered a genuine smile.
"They don't. I'm self taught, you could say it runs in the family."
Kakashi blinked.
"In...the family?"
"Yes. The Uzumaki clan were known masters of fuinjutsu, were they not?"
Kakashi continued to observe his blond student closely.
"Yes...yes they were."
Sakura jumped to her feet, a large grin graced her face as she turned to face Naruto.
"Hey Naruto-kun! If you're gonna rebuild the Uzumaki clan, you'll need a harem too! Want me to help you pick out candidates?"
Naruto sighed.
"No thank you Sakura-chan. I'm sure your hands will be full trying to manage Sasuke's."
The Uchiha groaned.
"I try my best not to think about it."
Sakura pouted in response to Naruto's rejection as Kakashi once again lead the focus of their team meeting.
"There's something you three should know. Despite passing the Academy's final exam, you're not bonafide Genin yet."
Team Seven's trio went silent, paying full attention to their sensei as they continued.
"There is a final test administered by me that decides if you make the cut or not. Out of the twenty-seven graduates that qualify, only nine normally past this final test."
Naruto frowned.
"A sixty-six percent fail rate? Talk about rough."
Kakashi agreed.
"Indeed it is."
Sasuke leaned forward.
"What kind of test is it?"
"A survival exercise. Bring all your ninja tools, you'll need it. We meet at five in the morning at training ground seven...oh and you'd best skip breakfast. You'll throw up!"
Kakashi disappeared with a shunshin leaving the rest of Team Seven to their own devices.
Sakura turned to her fiance.
"Well he seems...interesting. What's our next move?"
Sasuke buried his hands into his pockets.
"We should get some food, he did have us waiting for a few hours. You coming Naruto?"
The blond shook his head.
"Sorry. I'm working on something important that needs to be completed sooner rather than later. How about we go out tomorrow after we become official Genin? My treat."
Sakura smirked.
"Someone's confident."
Naruto folded his arms.
"If we can't handle a survival exercise. We are unfit for our duty."
Neither of the lovebirds presented an objection to Naruto's statement. This was just the beginning of their journey together.
Training Ground Seven
It was exactly five hours after the agreed upon meeting time that Kakashi Hatake finally made an appearance.
The silver haired shinobi found his prospective trio of students sitting under the shade of a nearby tree.
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura seemed to be discussing something in hushed tones when he made his presence known to them.
"A strategy meeting? Not bad. Maybe they'll actually impress me."
"Hey folks. Good morning."
Sasuke responded first with a two finger salute.
"Sensei."
Sakura grinned.
"Good Morning!"
Naruto went last.
"Hello, Kakashi-sensei. This tardiness is going to be a regular occurrence isn't it?"
Kakashi shrugged.
"Well, a black cat happened to cross my path. I had to find an alternate route."
Sakura snorted as Sasuke perched an eyebrow.
"That...took you five hours?"
Naruto didn't allow Kakashi to answer.
"I'm just gonna have to do preoccupy myself with a book or two. I don't think I have enough kunai to threaten you into being early."
Kakashi smiled behind his mask.
"My my. How economic of you."
Sakura titled her head in genuine curiousity as she watched their assigned Jonin set an alarm clock on a nearby standing log..
"What's this test about Sensei? I can see that the alarm is set for noon which I assume gives us only about...two hours to satisfy your objectives."
Kakashi reached into one of his pockets, producing a pair of tiny silver bells.
"Very observant of you Sakura. You have until noon to take these bells from me by any means necessary. Those who fail won't get lunch and will be tied to that log. You will then be forced to watch as I enjoy lunch."
It was normally at this moment that the Academy Students complained about preventing them from eating breakfast. To Kakashi's surprise, his students seemed unfazed.
"I thought I told you three to skip breakfast."
Naruto scoffed.
"You only advised us to skip breakfast and as boring as Iruka's lectures can be, he did teach us about ration bars and food pills."
Kakashi was beginning to like these three a little more. Not that it meant he would be making it easier for them to pass.
Sasuke spoke next.
"Why are there only two bells?"
Kakashi feigned surprise.
"Oh? You're right Sasuke. There are only two bells. I guess it means that only two of you can really pass. The one who fails will also be sent back to the Academy. Well it could be two or all three of you going back."
The students of Team Seven once again went silent, looking at each other meaningfully.
Naruto stepped forward.
"How much?"
Kakashi returned a blank stare.
"...what?"
"How much for the bells?"
"...you want to buy them?"
"You did say by any means necessary."
Kakashi chuckled. They really were an interesting set.
"Unfortunately they're not for sale but I appreciate the creativity."
Sakura chimed in.
"What if I helped you build a harem?"
Kakashi chuckled once more.
"Tempting offer but you'll have to take these by force. Come at me with the intent to kill."
Sasuke shook his head, pulling a wooden katana out of his waist.
"Be careful what you ask for, sensei."
Naruto created a clone to hold his haori.
"Well let's wrap this up quick. I need to discuss our training regime, my schedule's kinda tight for the next few days."
Sakura placed a hand on the blond's shoulder.
"Ah, Naruto-kun. I was hoping Sasuke and I would get a shot at Sensei. We want to test our strength, I hope you don't mind."
Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"Yeah that does make sense. It would be good for us."
Naruto observed his teammates' faces for a few seconds before nodding. The whisker-faced ninja turned to Kakashi.
"Mind if I borrow your clock?"
Before Kakashi could respond, Naruto walked over to the timekeeping device and adjusted a few buttons. The White Fang's son perched an eyebrow.
Naruto returned to his seat under the tree's shade.
"The clock is now gonna alarm five minutes before noon. You guys have until then."
Sakura beamed.
"Thanks Naruto-kun."
Naruto waved off Sakura's gratitude as the pinkette and Sasuke turned their attention to Kakashi.
The Jonin folded his arms.
"You two are going to attack together?"
Sasuke smirked.
"We are a team after all. I don't remember there being a rule against us working together."
Kakashi nodded.
"Yet you chose to leave out Naruto?"
Sakura answered.
"A facet of teamwork is allowing your comrades a chance to prove themselves."
"I guess you have a point...Begin!"
Once again, Kakashi's expectations had been incorrect. He would have thought that Sasuke and Sakura would have at least attempted to hide in the nearby foliage or at least throw a smoke-bomb.
But the duo's tactics had been far more simple than that.
Full frontal assault.
The Jonin weaved between the flurry of attacks Sasuke threw his way. The Uchiha was faster and stronger than any Genin he had ever seen, to be honest Sasuke was probably quicker than a lot of low level Chuunin too.
Sakura maintained a comfortable distance throwing a barrage of shuriken or kunai whenever Sasuke needed the assistance or a distraction.
It really wasn't a bad strategy for a pair of freshly graduated Academy Students.
However...
It was time to turn up the pressure.
Kakashi pulled out a kunai of his own, channeling his Chakra into it as he blocked a strike from Sasuke's wooden katana.
It should have broken it in half...
THWACK!
Kakashi's eye widened slighlty as the katana held firm against his kunai.
"That's...an interesting weapon."
Sasuke smirked.
"It was a gift from my beloved...speaking of her."
Another barrage of kunai and shuriken slammed into Kakashi. The experienced shinobi fell to the ground defeated.
His body was instantly replaced with a log.
Sasuke spun around to warn his future wife.
"Sakura!"
Team Seven's only female member barely ducked in time to avoid the punch that Kakashi had aimed at the back of her head. The kunoichi did her best to block or evade the man's relentless barrage but found herself struggling.
It was beyond obvious that Sakura was nowhere as talented as Sasuke was in speed, strength or Taijutsu but she still held her own.
A well placed kick to the chest sent her flying into Sasuke's direction, the Uchiha caught his fiancée with one hand. Not allowing his attention to waiver from his opponent's position.
Sakura coughed as she rubbed the sore spot.
"It's rather uncouth to kick a sweet fair maiden like me, isn't it?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"Unfortunately shinobi don't have such restrictions. The quicker you learn that the better."
Sakura grinned.
"Lesson learnt."
Kakashi stepped forward.
"I must admit you two are better than I thought you would be. You both still need to work on your Taijutsu and Sasuke could do with some Kenjutsu lessons."
Sasuke grunted.
"We're not done yet."
Kakashi nodded.
"I agree. Let's move on to the other shinobi disciplines."
With a speed that neither Sasuke nor Sakura could hope to match, Kakashi sprinted forward grabbing them both by the wrists and throwing them in opposite directions.
Naruto lazily opened a eye as he looked up into the tree he was resting under.
"You don't have to send a clone to watch me Sensei. Sasuke and Sakura are your opponents right now."
Kakashi's clone jumped down from one of the tree's branches.
"You do realize that if they manage to get the bells, that they will pass and you will fail."
Naruto nodded.
"True but then I'd have to find another way to convince you of my worthiness."
"It sounds like you have a plan."
"Several."
"They really could use your help."
Naruto opened both eyes and smiled and for reasons Kakashi's clone couldn't readily explain, the action unnerved him.
"And they will have it...once the alarm rings."
Sakura grunted as she stood up, rubbing the side of her body that she had landed on so unceremoniously.
"Damn, he hits hard. I have to catch my breath and regroup with Sasuke. My jutsu should give him the chance to take those bells."
"Sa...ku...ra."
The pinkette paused, scanning the forest around for movement.
"Help...me"
Sakura's face remained neutral as a beaten, bruised and disheveled Sasuke entered the clearing. The raven haired shinobi teetered back and forth before falling to his knees.
"That man...almost...killed me. You have...to run."
Sakura sighed before forming the Tiger handsign.
"Kai!"
In an instant the Genjutsu was dispelled and the fake Sasuke was no more. Sakura shook her head as she started to make her way back to her rial fiance.
"Did that silly Jonin think he could really fool my eyes with such a lame imitation of my beloved?"
Another one of Kakashi's clones watched the scene with interest. He had first thought maybe he had overdone it with his choice of technique but Sakura seemed up to the challenge.
Maybe he should throw a few other Genjutsu her way?
Once he was satisfied, he would allow her to regroup with Sasuke. Kakashi wanted to see the fruits of their teamwork.
Sasuke's landing was much more graceful and acrobatic than his better half.
The Uchiha scion landed in a half crouch, shifting his his eyes from left to right as he surveyed his surroundings.
He was alone, no allies or enemy in sight. The entire forest clearing was eerily quiet with the exception of the stream flowing behind him.
"I need to find Sakura, we have a better chance of taking those bells together."
"She's a little preoccupied with a few of my Genjutsu. What's wrong, Sasuke? I didn't imagine this year's top rookie lacking confidence."
Sasuke sighed, slowly turning around to face the person behind him.
"Confidence isn't the issue. You're one of Konoha's top Jonin. I'm not gonna take those bells without a plan and my teammates."
"You trust them that much? They may just hold you back."
"We all have our own strengths...and no offence Naruto could probably take you down on his own. Those Shadow clones are no joke."
"I doubt it...it seems you believe in their skills thought. What if they decide to take the bells for themselves?"
"Then we would all fail anyways. This isn't really about the bells, is it? It's about us working together."
"Perhaps...well I've given you a chance to catch your breath. Let's see what else the top rookie can do."
In a flash Sasuke swung his wooden katana at Kakashi's hip, hoping to cut the strings holding the bells in place.
The Copy-Cat ninja dodged the attack with a flip using the momentum of his movement to land a well placed kick at Sasuke's wrist.
THWACK!
Sasuke's weapon flew out of his right hand and landed several feet away.
Kakashi put his novel away.
"Overreliance on a single weapon or tool can hinder a shinobi's skillset or development."
The teenager nodded.
"True. It's a good thing that I'm not out of tricks!"
Kakashi blinked in surprise as Sasuke's hands quickly wove into familiar handsigns.
"What?! But he shouldn't even have enough Chakra for that!"
Sasuke pinched his lips together and exhaled.
"Fire Style: Fireball no jutsu!"
A medium sized fireball launched itself at Kakashi. It still wasn't fast or strong enough to seriously trouble the seasoned shonobi.
The silver haired man evaded the fireball with a quick substitution jutsu.
"Not bad Sasuke."
"I'm not done."
Kakashi was once again caught off guard as Sasuke flashed through another set of hand signs.
The stream running next to the clearing gurgled violently as a glob of water rose from it's surface and hurled itself in Kakashi's general direction.
"Water Style: Water Bullet!"
Kakashi avoided Sasuke's elemental technique once more, waiting until the last minute to make sure that the Water Bullet hit the boulder behind him before dispersing.
"Fire AND Water Style? What the hell are they feeding these kids?"
Kakashi's well honed battle instincts alarmed him of danger as the ground beneath his feet rumbled.
"No way..."
Sasuke slammed his hands on the ground.
"Earth Style! Clay Spears!"
Several protruding lances of earth shot out from the ground in Kakashi's vicinity. Kakashi was forced to use another substitution to avoid being skewered.
Sasuke fell to one knee, his expression slowly becoming haggard with every labored breath. Even the freshest of Genin could easily diagnose his issue as Chakra exhaustion.
Kakashi actually clapped a few times from his safe haven leaning against one of the trees.
"It's not often that I end up eating my words but I take back what I said. You're definitely something special, Sasuke. Most Genin can't do one elemental jutsu much less three from different affinities. Unfortunately it wasn't enough."
"Actually..."
Sasuke managed to smirk.
"You're exactly where I want you to be. Sakura!"
Kakashi barely had time to yelp in surprise before several tendrils of wood shot out from the branch he was sitting on and wrapped themselves around his body, squeezing him tight and holding him in place.
The man struggled against his confinement as Sakura stepped out of her hiding spot.
"We'll take those bells now, sensei."
Kakashi groaned as he felt himself getting a little weaker.
"These vines...they're siphoning my chakra?"
Sakura nodded as she pulled out a kunai.
"This was our trump card. I hope you're impressed."
Kakashi grunted.
"A little but I'm mostly confused and curious."
"I suppose that's understandable. We can answer your questions soon since the test is over."
To Sakura's dismay, her prisoner chuckled.
"Who said the test was over?"
POOF!
The Kakashi trapped beneath the wooden binds exploded in a cloud of smoke.
The pinkette quickly backtracked to her fiance's side.
"He was a shadow clone this whole time?! He's been playing us from the start!"
Sasuke grunted.
"I'm out of Chakra and so are you by the looks of it. I think we've lost any advantage we could have had."
Sakura frowned.
"Yeah...think he retreated?"
As if it was a response to Sakura's question, two pair of hands erupted from the ground below their feet and grabbed their legs.
Kakashi's voice rang out.
"Earth Style: Headhunter jutsu!"
The real Kakashi folded his arms over his chest in a rather intimidatory manner. He was going to seriously interrogate Iruka after this.
Why the hell would he leave so much out of his reports?
"As I said before, I have questions...and as impressive as Sasuke was with his usage of elemental jutsu..."
The Jonin turned to Sakura.
"...since when could you use Mokuton? "
The green eyed kunoichi furrowed her brows a bit as she seemed to be calculating a proper response.
"Well...it's not really Mokuton per se..."
Before Kakashi could enquire any further, the conversation was halted.
RING RING RING RING
Sasuke blinked.
"The alarm? I guess Naruto will be joining in now."
Kakashi responded.
"I'll find and deal with Naruto. Then we're going to continue our conversation."
A blur of blond hair entered Kakashi's field of vision.
The Jonin instinctively stepped back as Naruto spoke, he was obviously poised to strike.
"No need to go looking, Kakashi-sensei. I'm right here."
"How did you-"
"My turn!"
Faster than the former Anbu Captain could react, Naruto landed a jumping uppercut that launched him several feet in the air and away from the clearing they were standing in.
The force of the blow dislodged the bells tucked into the Jonin's waist, Naruto caught them before they hit the ground.
The Academy's 'Dead Last' turned to his teammates with a grin and a thumbs up.
"Not gonna lie, I kinda enjoyed that. That'll teach him to value people's time!
Sakura smiled.
"Mind digging us out?"
Naruto stuffed the bells into his pocket.
"Sure."
SPLASH!
That was the sound of Kakashi finally landing after Naruto's uppercut. Fortunately the Jonin landed in the training ground's stream and not the solid earth.
Sasuke sighed.
"I think you should save Kakashi from drowning first. He's more than likely unconscious."
Naruto groaned as he created a pair of shadow clones.
"Ahhhhh crap."
The Sandaime Hokage was no stranger to the shinobi wing of Konoha's General hospital.
He made weekly visits to the establishment, sparing time to thank the men and women who risked their all for their village and country.
It is their blood, broken bones and tears that pave the road for future generations.
And even though Hiruzen Sarutobi took all medical concerns very seriously, he believed it was the first time that he would be visiting a Jonin hospitalized by his own Genin...
Kakashi's private hospital room with filled to the brim with 'get well' balloons, cards and a giant dog plushie.
The Hokage laughed softly as he closed the door behind him.
"I wasn't aware that you were so popular, Kakashi."
Kakashi sighed, unconsciously rubbing his sore jaw.
"Well this..."
The masked jonin pointed to a dark green handgrip on his bedside table.
"...was from Gai."
The Sandaime shook his head.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Everything else was bought by Naruto, he seems guilty about almost drowning me. I'm not sure where he got all of this money from but..."
"That's what I'm here to talk about Kakashi. There are a few things you need to know now that you've seen Team Seven for yourself. I'm sure you have questions. What I'm about to share should be considered a S-rank secret. I'm sure you understand what this means.
Kakashi closed his Icha Icha, eyeing the squad of Anbu operatives stationed outside his open window.
"So that's why I was given a private room..."
Hiruzen took a seat.
"Yes...as you are aware, two weeks ago Naruto Uzumaki was deceived by the traitor Mizuki into stealing the Scroll of Seals."
"Yes. He even managed to learn the Shadow Clone technique in one night. He must have inherited some of sensei's brilliance."
Hiruzen smiled fondly at the memory of Minato before continuing.
"Correct. However the Shadow Clone technique was not the only jutsu Naruto retrieved from that scroll."
Kakashi narrowed his eye.
"He took something else?"
"There was a seal...entrusted to us by the Shodaime."
"A seal? Did the Shodaime create it?"
"No...the seal predates our forefathers. He didn't tell me much but only shared three important details."
Kakashi remained silent, mentally urging the Sandaime to continue. The elderly Hokage exhaled.
"The seal cannot be activated by ordinary shinobi, only the chosen. Secondly, those chosen by the seal will be gifted with amazing abilities...and lastly they will be charged with the duty of protecting Konoha and the Land of Fire."
Kakashi frowned.
"That would explain Naruto's freakish strength and speed but Sasuke can currently use multiple elemental justu and Sakura has some kind of Mokuton variant."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Indeed. Once the seal was open, it chose Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura for reasons none of them can truly explain."
"But it didn't just give them abilities...
"No...they were also changes in their personalities. Naruto has become quite the businessman. Sasuke and Sakura are also quite different in certain aspects."
"Are we sure that they're fit for duty?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"They passed psychological evaluations. Please understand Kakashi, the Shodaime was quite clear in his instructions and wishes. I would not dishonor his memory by not obeying his directives."
"I understand, why didn't you tell me about this before the bell test?"
"It was at the request of Team Seven. They wished to face you in a test where you did not feel pressured to allow them to pass. They wished to display their abilities."
"I see..."
"I cannot force you to take on such a huge responsibility, Kakashi. The choice is yours, the road ahead is challenging and unpredictable. Will you guide these children?"
Kakashi didn't immediately respond and the Hokage said nothing further as he allowed the young man to ponder his future.
After almost fifteen minutes of silence, the Yondaime's disciple spoke again.
"Minato-sensei and so many others gave their life for this village. I can't turn my back on their sacrifice..."
"So you accept?"
Kakashi smirked.
"They did manage to get the bells after showing off great teamwork...I suppose that means...they pass."
Team Seven's Genin had just finished having their celebratory feast. The chosen venue had been Sasuke's home within the empty Uchiha compound.
The trio wished to be alone, for their conversation was of universal import.
Sakura took another bite of the dessert that Sasuke had gifted her with, a slice of carrot cake.
"There's a Chuunin patrol team nearby. Are we under arrest?"
Sasuke shook his head as he carefully put away a stack of recently washed dishes. His mother always cared for her fine china. He didn't aim to do differently.
"They patrol the area often. Just making sure there isn't any trouble I suppose."
"Oh..."
Naruto stretched his legs as he relaxed on the sofa.
"The Old Man says that Kakashi-sensei will be released tomorrow. We'll have our first team meeting at three pm."
Sakura posed a question to her blond friend.
"I know you're close to the Hokage...are you comfortable with lying to him?"
Sasuke re-entered the living room.
"We didn't lie...we just left out a few important details."
Naruto retorted.
"We left out several important details. I'm not a fan of the deception either but it's necessary. We're only repeating the lie that the Shodaime was taught."
Sakura nodded.
"So what's next?"
Naruto closed his eyes.
"We get stronger...for the sake of Konoha."
That was chapter 1 of Trinity Covenant.
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