Chapter 2

Heartdrop21: Yes he is going to have more than one Pokémon, but I don't know when or which one yet.

I don't own Naruto or pokemon!

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Biju Talking"

'Biju Thinking'

The next morning, Naruto was up before the sun, pacing around his small apartment with Tyrunt trailing behind him. Despite Kakashi's warning, his stomach growled, reminding him of how much he loved breakfast—especially ramen. But Naruto gritted his teeth and resisted.

"Don't eat breakfast, or you'll puke," Kakashi had said. He figured it was a trick to weed out the weak.

He glanced down at Tyrunt, who let out a small yawn, still half-asleep but trying to keep pace with him. Naruto grinned, kneeling down to pat the Pokémon on the head. "Ready for today, buddy?"

Tyrunt gave a small growl in agreement, his sharp little teeth gleaming.

"That's the spirit!" Naruto grinned. "We're gonna show Kakashi-sensei what we're made of. There's no way I'm failing some lame test!"

In the back of his mind, though, Naruto couldn't shake the sense of dread Kakashi had instilled. 'A survival test, huh?' he wondered, tapping his foot. 'I have the feeling, that's not going to be all there is to it. We had too many of them in ninja academy'

He grabbed his gear and with Tyrunt by his side, they headed out, the cool morning air brushing against Naruto's face as he made his way to the training grounds.

As Naruto arrived, he found Sasuke already standing there, hands in his pockets, his face as calm and indifferent as always. Sakura was there too, clearly trying to make conversation with Sasuke, but he wasn't paying her any mind. She noticed Naruto approaching and glared at him, clearly not happy with his presence—or maybe Tyrunt's. Now that he thought about it, probably both.

"You're actually early?" Sakura huffed, folding her arms.

"Of course!" Naruto shot back. "I'm not gonna be the one holding us up!"

She rolled her eyes, her attention quickly shifting back to Sasuke, who hadn't even acknowledged Naruto's arrival. Tyrunt looked up at Sasuke and gave him a curious stare, as if trying to understand the Uchiha's stoic nature.

Minutes passed. Then an hour. The sun was rising higher in the sky, and still no sign of Kakashi. Naruto's stomach grumbled loudly.

"Man, I should've eaten something," Naruto groaned, clutching his stomach. Tyrunt mimicked him, yawning as if tired from just waiting.

Sakura sighed. "He said to not eat breakfast, idiot."

"Yeah, but it's been hours!" Naruto complained. "How long does he expect us to wait?"

Sasuke, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. "It's a test. He's trying to mess with us."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You think so?"

"Of cours Naruto Backa. If Sasuke kun says so it is definitely true," Sakura screeched

Sasuke didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the distance.

Another hour dragged by before the familiar figure of Kakashi Hatake appeared in a swirl of leaves, strolling toward them with his hands in his pockets, eye half-closed in his usual lazy manner.

"You're late!" Sakura shouted, frustration evident in her voice.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, seemingly unconcerned. "Sorry, I got lost on the path of life."

Naruto clenched his fists. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

Kakashi ignored the outburst and continued, "Alright, now that you're all here, it's time for your test." He reached into his vest and pulled out two silver bells attached to strings. He held them up for everyone to see. "Your objective is simple: you need to take these bells from me."

Naruto blinked in confusion. "That's it? We just have to grab the bells?"

Kakashi's eye curved into a smile. "Yes, but there's a catch." He pointed to the bells. "There are only two, which means one of you will fail the test and be sent back to the academy."

Sakura gasped. "But—there's three of us!"

Kakashi's expression remained calm. "Exactly. So, if you don't want to be the one left behind, I suggest you give it your all." He tied the bells to his belt and crossed his arms, waiting.

Naruto felt a surge of determination rush through him. 'No way I'm going back to the academy!'

"Start whenever you're ready," Kakashi said, leaning against a nearby tree as if he wasn't the least bit worried.

Hearing this, both Sasuke and Sakura immediately jumped into the bushes, Leaving Naruto and the somewhat confused looking Tyrunt alone with Kakashi.

Without a second thought, Naruto charged forward, Tyrunt at his side. "I'm gonna get those bells, believe it! Tyrunt, Tailwhip!"

Hearing this, Tyrunt turned around waving his Tail.

The Jonin, who was still watching the small creature in interest, suddenly felt sluggish. His instinct told him that it was no good Idea getting hit now.

But before Naruto could reach Kakashi, the Jonin suddenly disappeared in a blur of motion. Naruto skidded to a stop, his eyes darting around.

"W-What? Where'd he go?"

Sasuke who as hiding in the bushes not to far away narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. 'He's fast.'

Naruto spun around, searching for Kakashi, only to hear a voice behind him. "You're way too hasty, Naruto."

Naruto turned just in time to see Kakashi standing right behind him, holding a book in one hand as if completely uninterested in the fight, but if one looked closer, one would notice that Kakashi was keeping an eye on Tyrunt. Before Naruto could react, Kakashi flicked him on the forehead, sending him flying back several feet, tumbling onto the ground. Tyrunt growled and tried to charge at Kakashi, but the Jonin sidestepped effortlessly, still seemingly engrossed in his book.

"Patience is key," Kakashi said, not even bothering to look up from his reading.

Naruto groaned, sitting up and rubbing his forehead. "Ugh… how is he so fast?"

With a determined growl, Naruto charged again, this time more cautiously. Tyrunt followed closely behind, ready to attack on Naruto's signal.

Kakashi sighed, flipping another page in his book. "You really don't learn, do you?"

Naruto leapt into the air, pulling out several shuriken and throwing them at Kakashi. At the same time, Tyrunt charged from the side, his small legs moving fast as he prepared to bite down on Kakashi's leg.

But once again, Kakashi vanished, reappearing behind Naruto mid-air. "Too predictable."

With a swift motion, Kakashi grabbed Naruto by the ankle and swung him toward the ground. Tyrunt yelped as Naruto crashed into the dirt, dust flying up around them.

"Patience," Kakashi repeated, standing over Naruto. "You'll need more than brute force to pass this test."

Naruto lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his vision blurry. But even through the pain, one thought burned brightly in his mind: 'I'm not going back to the academy. No way!'

Tyrunt, standing protectively by his side, let out a low growl, ready for the next round.

Naruto groaned, pushing himself up from the dirt. His head was spinning, but his resolve remained firm. He glanced over at Tyrunt, who was crouched low, growling fiercely at Kakashi. 'Tyrunt's not giving up, so neither will I,' he thought, clenching his fists.

Kakashi, still engrossed in his book, gave a soft sigh. "You really don't know when to quit, huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to keep teaching you."

Naruto staggered to his feet, glaring at the Jonin. "You think I'm just gonna quit 'cause you knocked me down? Think again!"

Tyrunt growled in agreement, baring its teeth.

"Alright, Tyrunt, let's try something different. Use Tackle!" Naruto commanded.

Tyrunt lunged forward, concentrating its whole body weight into the attack. But Kakashi was faster, sidestepping just as Tyrunt's teeth grazed the fabric of his pants. In an instant, Kakashi disappeared, reappearing several feet away, casually flipping to the next page of his book.

"You're relying too much on direct attacks," Kakashi remarked. "You'll never win that way."

Naruto grit his teeth, frustration bubbling inside him. Why is this guy so strong? And why is he barely trying?! What am I forgetting? He needed a better strategy.

"Naruto, you won't be able to beat me. I'm a Jonin, and you're a Genin," the silver-haired man said.

Over the next ten minutes, Naruto tried everything in his arsenal, but to no avail. If it weren't for Tyrunt, he would have almost fallen for one of Kakashi's tricks. Just thinking about it made him wince. He recalled a time when he almost got the bells by creating clones to distract Kakashi, only for the Jonin to use Kawarimi with one of them. Now, he hung from a tree, both feet bound.

by rope, struggling to cut himself loose. Tyrunt had given up trying to reach the rope and was now sitting beneath the tree, looking at Naruto with expectant eyes.

"AAAHHH!" A scream echoed through the training ground.

'Sakura!' Naruto thought. Kakashi must have gotten to her.

With one final cut, the rope snapped, and he fell, barely managing to turn so he wouldn't land on his head. Looking to Tyrunt, he saw the Pokémon sniffing the air. Naruto focused on freeing himself, only hearing a rustle in the leaves. When he looked up, he saw Tyrunt's small tail disappear into a bush. He quickly stood up and followed the creature.

It took him a moment to find Tyrunt, who was sitting in front of a stone engraved with many names. The Pokémon happily gnawed on a closed bento box.

Naruto's eyes glowed, seeing the second bento. Just as he wanted to eat, a chop on his neck knocked him out.

When Naruto woke up, he found himself tied to a wooden post not far from the monument. Sakura sat to his left, and Sasuke was on his right, while Tyrunt sat in front of him, looking like a helpless dummy at the seemingly furious Kakashi.

"Well, at least one thing is clear," Kakashi said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You definitely don't belong in the academy."

"Yeah!" Naruto and Sakura cheered in unison, while Sasuke merely smirked.

Kakashi continued, his tone turning serious. "You should give up being a shinobi altogether."

"What?!" all three exclaimed, disbelief flooding their expressions.

Kakashi crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "Do you take this as a joke? Do you think you can succeed alone? There's a reason for three-man squads. This test was about teamwork."

"But there are only two bells!" Sakura protested, confusion evident on her face.

"Yes, and I used it to pit you against each other to see if you could overcome your differences," Kakashi explained, his voice firm. "Sakura, you're too obsessed with Sasuke. Naruto, you're always trying to do everything on your own. And Sasuke, you think both of them are beneath you. If even one of you puts yourselves above the others, it could lead to mission failure—and even death."

Kakashi walked over to the stone monument, his expression somber. "Look at this stone." He gestured to the surface, where the names of fallen ninjas were engraved, beneath which were the names of his best friends. "This stone is a reminder of those who gave their lives for the village."

The three of them looked shocked by the revelation of the stone's importance, the weight of Kakashi's words settling heavily upon them.

"Okay, I'll give you one more chance after lunch," Kakashi said, turning back to face them. "Eat something; you'll need strength. But Naruto is forbidden from having anything, giving him something will lead to immediate failure."

"Don't worry, guys! I can go days without food, believe it!" the blond exclaimed, forcing a grin.

Sasuke sighed, shaking his head as he held out his bento in front of Naruto. "Here, eat some. If you don't, you'll be ineffective."

"But sensei said…" Sakura started, concern etching her features.

"Well, we need his help," Sasuke interrupted, his voice resolute. "We can't afford to leave him weak."

Naruto's eyes lit up at Sasuke's offer. "Thanks, Sasuke! You're the best!"

Sakura watched, torn between her worry and the undeniable logic of the situation. "Just… make sure Kakashi-sensei doesn't see," she warned, casting a cautious around looking for Kakashi.

Sasuke nodded, his determination clear. "We'll figure this out together. But for now, we need to stay strong."

Just as Sasuke gave Naruto the first bite, there was a loud bang a lot of smoke and an angry Kakashi.

"YOU! You broke the rules, I hope you're ready for the punishment, any last words?"

Kakashi made hand sign's, and the sky began to darken

"But you said, there are three of us and that we're a team, that's why they helped me." Naruto said.

"We're all on this squad, and we're all in this together." Sasuke added

"Exactly" Sakura exclaimed, "The three of us are one"

"The three of you are one?" Kakashi asked, slowly walking closer and leaning forward.

Suddenly, Kakashi's expression softened, and a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "You pass."

"Huh?" Sakura exclaimed, blinking in confusion.

"You pass," Kakashi repeated more firmly this time.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, her brows furrowed.

Kakashi crossed his arms and explained, "It's simple—you placed your team ahead of the mission. In the shinobi world, those who don't follow the rules are considered trash... but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. To become a true shinobi, you must learn to see underneath the underneath. You're the first group that managed to pass my test. Every other team before you followed my rule to the letter."

"Yeah!" Sakura shouted with joy, her face lighting up with excitement. Naruto, eyes wide and brimming with emotion, started to tear up, barely able to contain his happiness. Meanwhile, Sasuke simply smirked, the faintest glimmer of pride shining in his eyes.

Kakashi looked at the three of them, his tone casual again. "Team Seven has passed. You'll have your first mission tomorrow."

As the group celebrated, Tyrunt was busy polishing off the second bento, completely oblivious to the situation.

"Let's go," Kakashi said, turning on his heel and walking away, followed closely by Sasuke and Sakura.

Naruto blinked as he watched their retreating figures. "Wait—hey! You forgot something!" he shouted, struggling against the post. "You gotta untie me!"

The backs of the three teammates slowly disappeared into the distance, leaving Naruto and Tyrunt behind.

Naruto groaned in frustration, slumping against the post. "Oh, come on! Tyrunt, could you please help me out and bite off the rope?"

Tyrunt looked up at him lazily, then trotted over and began chewing at the ropes, its small teeth working diligently. Naruto sighed in relief.

"They're gonna regret this," Naruto muttered under his breath. But before he could dwell on his frustration, he heard a sudden, loud CHOMP! The ropes that had been binding him dropped to the ground in a heap beside his feet.

Naruto stared, wide-eyed. "What... just happened?"

Looking down, he saw Tyrunt following a butterfly, distracted as if nothing had just occurred.

"Hey, Tyrunt," Naruto called, scratching his head in confusion, "how were you able to free me so fast?"

Tyrunt gave no response, still fixated on the butterfly. Naruto could only sigh, a small grin creeping onto his face despite himself.

"Whatever, Tyrunt, let's go home," Naruto said, shaking his head with a grin. He stood up, dusting himself off. Before leaving, he glanced one last time at the stone monument, making a small bow, acknowledging the names of the fallen, and then turned back towards the village.

"C'mon, Tyrunt," he called. Tyrunt perked up at his voice, abandoning its fascination with the butterfly and trotting happily behind Naruto.

With a deep breath, Naruto started walking, the sun beginning to set in the distance.

Later that day; Hokage office

In front of the old man wearing the red and white Hokage outfit, seated behind a large desk filled with paperwork, stood two individuals. The first was a beautiful woman with long black hair, red eyes, and a dress that looked as if it were made from bandages, yet somehow it suited her perfectly. Next to her was a tall man with tan skin, short spiky hair, a beard, and a Cigarette in his mouth, dressed in the standard Konoha flak vest.

"Reporting, Lord Hokage," the woman began, her voice calm but firm. "Team 8, consisting of Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame, has passed the genin test." The woman was Kurenai Yuhi, the newly appointed sensei of Team 8.

The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked up from his paperwork, his wise eyes settling on her with a soft, knowing smile. "Ah, Kurenai. That's good to hear." He folded his hands in front of him. "And how did the team perform? I trust the test gave them the opportunity to demonstrate teamwork?"

Kurenai nodded, but her gaze briefly flickered to her companion, Asuma Sarutobi, who stood next to her, arms crossed and looking relaxed. "They worked well together. Hinata showed her potential as a support ninja, Kiba's instincts are sharp, and Shino… well, he's very calm under pressure."

Asuma grinned, looking at Kurenai. "You sound proud of them already."

She gave him a slight smile. "I am. They'll make a good team."

Hiruzen nodded slowly, the wrinkles on his face deepening as he considered her words. "Each of them have their own problems. Hinata's self-confidence, Kiba's brashness, and Shino with his detachment. But I trust they're in good hands with you, Kurenai."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Kurenai said with a bow.

The Hokage's attention shifted to Asuma. "And what of your team?"

Asuma chuckled, scratching his beard. "Team 10—Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi—passed as well. Though I'd say they're a little… unconventional. Shikamaru's got talent but its all too troublesome for him, Choji's strong but needs more confidence, and Ino... well, she's driven but needs to focus her energy in the right places."

Hiruzen chuckled. "That sounds familiar. You have quite the legacy to uphold, Asuma. The Ino-Shika-Cho formation has been passed down for generations."

Asuma nodded with a grin. "I'll whip them into shape. Don't worry about that."

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "It's good to see the next generation taking their first steps. But remember, their path won't be easy. In times of peace, shinobi still have much to learn—teamwork, discipline, and loyalty. Guide them well."

Both Kurenai and Asuma bowed in unison. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Hiruzen looked up. "Enter."

The door creaked open, and in walked Kakashi Hatake, looking as nonchalant as ever, his eyes half-lidded and his hands in his pockets. His silver hair stuck up at odd angles, and the mask covering his face made him look even more casual than usual.

"Ah, Kakashi," the Hokage greeted him, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "How did your team fare?"

Kakashi gave a lazy wave. "Well, they passed… barely."

Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Barely?"

Kakashi shrugged. "They figured out the teamwork part eventually. Gave Naruto a good scare, though."

The Hokage chuckled softly. "It seems you haven't changed your methods, Kakashi."

Kakashi's eye curved upward showing his famous eye- smile. "No need to fix what works."

Hiruzen nodded, a fond expression on his face. "Very well. Team 7, Team 8, and Team 10 are all officially active. Their first missions will begin tomorrow. Be sure to guide them wisely."

Kakashi gave a lazy salute before turning to leave, and Asuma and Kurenai exchanged a glance before they, too, bowed once more and made their way out of the office.

As the door closed behind them, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back in his chair, his gaze lingering on the stacks of reports and mission requests piled high on his desk. The village was at peace for now, but he knew better than anyone that peace was fragile.

"The new generation…" he mused softly to himself, thinking of the young faces who would soon be shouldering the responsibilities of shinobi. "Let's hope they're ready for what lies ahead."

Outside the Hokage Tower, Kurenai and Asuma stood in the soft light of the sunset, the village bustling with life around them.

"So, first mission tomorrow," Asuma said, lighting a cigarette. "Excited?"

Kurenai smirked, crossing her arms. "Excited isn't the word I'd use. More like… cautious optimism."

Asuma chuckled, blowing out a puff of smoke. "That's why you'll do great."

Kurenai glanced over at him. "And you? Team 10 sounds like a handful."

"They are," Asuma admitted with a grin. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."

The two shared a quiet moment, watching as the village carried on its peaceful routine.

Back inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen sat alone, his thoughts briefly interrupted by the sound of a small bird fluttering outside the window. He stood up and walked over to the window, gazing out at the village below.

"This peace… it's only a matter of time," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.

A heavy weight settled on his shoulders, one that he had carried for many years. But for now, all he could do was trust that the future of Konoha was in good hands.

The wind gently swirled outside the tower, carrying the promise of both hope and uncertainty.

"DAMN IT, MINATO! I HAD ALREADY RETIRED!" Hiruzen's frustrated shout pierced the calm night, his voice echoing through the village streets.

A couple of startled birds fluttered off, disturbed by his outburst, as the Third Hokage slumped back into his chair. The peaceful night resumed, but a faint chuckle escaped him.

Back with Naruto

As Naruto made his way through the woods toward the village, Tyrunt trotted happily beside him, occasionally stopping to sniff the air or investigate the odd bush or flower. Despite the calm of the forest, Naruto's mind was racing.

'I can't believe we actually passed. I thought for sure we were done for,' he thought, a grin spreading across his face. But as much as he wanted to celebrate, the weight of Kakashi's words lingered in his mind. 'Teamwork… that's what it's all about, huh?'

He glanced down at Tyrunt, who was now trying to catch a butterfly again, bouncing and snapping playfully. Naruto chuckled. "You and me, buddy. We gotta get stronger if we're gonna make it as shinobi. No more going at it alone."

Tyrunt looked up at him, letting out a soft growl of agreement, before finally catching the butterfly, only to let it go a second later. Naruto shook his head, laughing to himself.

As they approached the village gates, Naruto's stomach let out another growl, reminding him of the bento he didn't get to eat. He groaned, placing a hand over his empty stomach. "Man, I could really go for some ramen right now."

Tyrunt, sensing his trainer's hunger, nudged Naruto's leg with its head, looking up with its usual enthusiastic energy.

"You're hungry too, huh? Alright, let's hit Ichiraku's. It's been a long day, and I think we deserve a reward for passing Kakashi-sensei's test."

And so, a boy and his Pokémon made their way to their favorite establishment, the night's tranquility only interrupted by the distant cry of a frustrated man.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you have any critique or any ideas, please message me. Otherwise, see you in the next chapter.