Chapter 5 – Kakashi's Trial
Kakashi led the three of them to the rooftop of the Academy a high, open place overlooking much of Konoha's administrative district. This was the same location where he once introduced himself to previous teams, and as always, he stood casually against the railing, a faint breeze flipping the pages of the orange book in his hand. He then said in his lazy, half-serious tone, "My name is Hatake Kakashi. I don't particularly like or dislike anything… and as for dreams… I have many, but none I feel like sharing."
Naruto immediately stepped forward, his expression confident. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto! I like learning new ninjutsu, especially anything cool. I don't dislike anything right now. And my dream no, my goal is to become an even stronger Hokage than all the previous ones!"
Next came Sasuke. He spoke in a low, cold voice, exactly as in the manga. "Uchiha Sasuke. I don't really like anything. I hate… a lot of things. My dream is to kill a certain man and restore my clan."
Then came your OC, Ye Ying. He glanced back and forth between Naruto and Sasuke before saying, "My name is Ye Ying. I like" he deliberately paused while glancing at the two, "strong rivals. I hate people with thick eyebrows who stare intensely at others. My dream is"
Kakashi sweat-dropped hard, exactly like the exaggerated reaction he gave when Naruto made outrageous claims in the manga. He sighed silently, thinking, This team is going to be troublesome…
After the introductions, Kakashi casually informed them about the real test scheduled for tomorrow. He explained that anyone who failed his test would be sent back to the Academy to repeat the entire year. This revelation shocked Sakura so much that she screamed, and Sasuke narrowed his eyes with annoyance neither of them had heard anything about this from Iruka. Kakashi also emphasized with unusual seriousness that they needed to arrive at Training Ground Three by 5 AM and that they must not eat breakfast, warning, "You'll just throw up." Then he dismissed them for the day.
Even though Naruto knew from Iruka's stories that Kakashi was habitually late, he still arrived before dawn, dragging Sakura and Sasuke with him. But unlike the original timeline, this Naruto had long learned the importance of maintaining energy before battle. Quietly, he brought breakfast stored in sealing scrolls something he had practiced since mastering basic fūinjutsu theory for the Rasengan training method.
After waiting for nearly two hours and with Kakashi nowhere in sight, Naruto finally unsealed the breakfast and shared it with Sasuke and Sakura. Sakura looked at him with visible admiration.
"As expected of Naruto," she said, impressed. "You were prepared in advance."
Naruto put on a mature face and replied, "A real shinobi never goes into a mission on an empty stomach. This is survival training straight from the Academy curriculum."
Sakura's sparkling expression made Naruto feel satisfied. To him, this was a sign he had successfully raised her opinion of him. At this rate, he thought, winning her heart might really not be that difficult.
By the time they finished eating, another long hour passed before Kakashi finally appeared in front of them. When he saw the trash on the ground, he narrowed his visible eye slightly.
"It seems at least one of you understands preparedness," he said with faint amusement. "Well then… let's begin. Your task is simple: before noon, take these bells from me. Whoever fails will go back to the Academy. And remember don't think of me as your teacher. Come at me with the intent to kill."
The moment Kakashi said this, Naruto's mind began racing. Even though I've made incredible progress these past few years and learned powerful ninjutsu, I still lack real combat experience. Winning without revealing the Flying Thunder God will be extremely difficult. Still… Kakashi is really testing whether we work as a team. I can't afford to look pathetic and ruin my perfect image.
With that thought, Naruto immediately pulled Sasuke and Sakura aside before they scattered. "Listen," he said seriously, "none of us alone can beat a jōnin. We have to cooperate."
Normally, Sasuke would have scoffed at the idea—he looked down on almost everyone his age. But Naruto was different. Sasuke viewed him as a true rival, someone who kept pace with his growth. Thus, Sasuke nodded silently.
Sakura hesitated. "But… there are only two bells. How do we cooperate if someone has to fail?"
Naruto smiled at her. "Right now, we haven't even touched a bell. Forget about who gets them. Our priority is to defeat Kakashi together first."
After hearing this, Sakura finally understood and nodded firmly. With that settled, the three of them whispered strategies. When the discussion ended, Kakashi announced the beginning of the test, and the three quickly scattered into hiding.
Once alone, Kakashi pulled out his favorite adult novel, Icha Icha Paradise, and casually flipped open the pages with a grin.
At that moment, Naruto shouted from the bushes, "Shadow Clone Technique!" Ten clones burst out and charged directly at Kakashi. At first, Kakashi didn't even bother looking up from his book. But when several clones attacked with refined taijutsu clean kicks, powerful straight punches, and coordinated strikes Kakashi finally raised an eyebrow.
This level of coordination… His movement is almost chūnin-class. For a genin to use taijutsu like this with clones? Interesting.
Still, a jōnin like Kakashi wouldn't be overwhelmed so easily. Using the Substitution Technique at the perfect moment, he escaped their encirclement. But Naruto who had trained substitution thousands of times through Shadow Clone repetition tracked Kakashi's chakra signature in an instant and hurled a shuriken toward his hiding spot.
Kakashi closed his book with a snap, leaped out from behind the brush, and said, "Not bad. Your strength has definitely surprised me. But if you want these bells… you'll need much more than that."
Naruto did not respond to Kakashi's taunt. Instead, the ten Shadow Clones surged forward without hesitation. Their movements were synchronized something Kakashi had not expected from an Academy graduate. Suddenly, one of the clones leaped back, forming rapid hand seals at a speed Kakashi recognized instantly.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared forward, forcing Kakashi to widen his eye in surprise. But the true shock came a split second later because the chakra behind the technique did not belong to Naruto.
As the flames expanded, the clone's form flickered and was dispelled, revealing the real attacker: Uchiha Sasuke, who had used the Transformation Technique to infiltrate the clone formation.
"So that's it," Kakashi muttered. "Sasuke was hiding among the Shadow Clones from the start. A clever use of numbers and deception…"
The moment the fireball erupted, Kakashi immediately dropped into the earth with Earth Style: Hiding Like a Mole Technique, anticipating a pincer attack. However, Naruto's earlier briefing rang loudly in Sasuke's mind If Kakashi ever disappears without warning, assume Earth Style.
Sasuke instantly jumped into the air.
At the same moment, another Naruto clone this one transformed into Sakura appeared behind Sasuke's previous position. With a shout, the clone smashed its fist into the ground, triggering a controlled impact exactly where Kakashi would have emerged. The shockwave burst through the soil.
Kakashi was halfway through rising when he felt the ground tremble violently.
These kids… their timing is perfect. They predicted my escape route and hit it with coordinated precision.
Realizing he'd been forced out of position, Kakashi retreated instantly into the brush, catching his breath for a moment. Their teamwork… especially Naruto's planning… it's far above what I expected.
He prepared to weave hand seals and counterattack but a black shadow flashed directly behind him.
A faint metallic jingling sounded.
Before Kakashi could even turn, the bell on his hip vanished.
"Nani!?" Kakashi twisted his head sharply.
Standing behind him, wearing a confident grin, was Naruto, holding the stolen bell between his fingers as it dangled mockingly in the air.
Kakashi's eye widened. He hadn't sensed Naruto at all. That meant He never joined the frontal assault.
Only the clones, Sasuke, and Sakura attacked… while the real Naruto hid and waited for the exact moment I broke formation.
Kakashi let out a defeated sigh beneath his mask.
"I didn't expect the three of you to develop such a coordinated strategy in such a short amount of time," he admitted. "And you didn't argue over the two bells… which means you understood the real meaning of this test. Naruto… this plan has your fingerprints all over it."
Internally, Kakashi added:
As expected of Minato's son… He may truly surpass his father one day.
He turned to the three students with a rare, genuine smile. "You pass. All of you. Remember this well: in the shinobi world… those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their comrades… are worse than trash."
Sakura teared up with relief. Sasuke gave a quiet huff but couldn't hide his satisfaction. Naruto simply grinned, spinning the bell around his finger proudly.
Kakashi then added, "To celebrate your perfect teamwork, I'll treat you all to a meal."
He regretted it within minutes.
Naruto's appetite which had grown even more monstrous from years of Shadow Clone training nearly made Kakashi faint. Plate after plate disappeared into the boy's stomach. But Kakashi was a high-ranking jōnin; his income was enough to cover even this level of disaster… barely.
Still, despite his suffering wallet, Kakashi couldn't hide his satisfaction. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had passed the test in a completely different but equally valid way compared to the original Team 7.
Later that day, Naruto sat alone beneath a tree, pondering something important. He was extremely satisfied with Kakashi as his instructor after all, Kakashi was the "Copy Ninja" who had copied over a thousand jutsu, including advanced chakra shape manipulation and multiple elemental styles. He would be perfect for guiding Naruto's future growth.
But one question kept itching at Naruto's mind.
So far, I only know I have wind-nature chakra. But… do I have more? Both my parents were strong shinobi. Uzumaki clan members had huge chakra reserves, and my father used multiple chakra natures…
Naruto resolved that at the next opportunity, he would ask Kakashi directly about testing for additional chakra attributes. After all, mastering more elements meant unlocking even more possibilities especially with the Shadow Clone training method multiplying his progress exponentially.
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