Naruto has indeed become much more robust and much sooner than expected.
However, he needed to be more experienced, losing terribly in the final clash between the Rasengan and Chidori.
If not for Kakashi's rescue from the explosion, Naruto might have been seriously injured.
But Naruto does indeed deserve a commendation for a noble defeat!
Thinking a Genin who just graduated could defeat an elite Jounin like Kakashi is simply a fantasy.
Perhaps only the 'tenant' inside Naruto could help him achieve this.
But with Naruto's growth rate, Jounin-level opponents wouldn't be his target.
The prerequisite is having enough time and necessary honing!
As for the legendary lives of some, they are simply unreplicable miracles.
After Naruto was defeated, facing Kakashi, who no longer held back, Sasuke and Sakura couldn't even last a minute before they were all knocked down and tied up in trees alongside Naruto.
"Unfortunately, regarding the outcome of this exercise, you no longer need to return to the Ninja Academy.
The three were shocked. Does this mean they passed the test?
But why start with 'unfortunately'...
Then they heard Kakashi, with a shift in his gaze, coldly say: "Because you don't even qualify to be a ninja, just forget it!"
"Not qualify to be... ninja, what does that mean?" Sakura, deeply shaken, trembled as she asked.
"Even though we didn't get the bells, isn't saying we don't qualify to be ninjas a bit too harsh?"
Although Naruto and Sasuke didn't speak, their expressions were bleak, waiting for Kakashi to give them a 'reasonable' explanation.
"In my eyes, the three of you are nothing but brats who don't qualify to be ninjas."
"Are you... underestimating what it means to be a ninja?"
"Do you think we were separated into teams for the exercises? Do you understand the true meaning of this test?"
The three were immediately dumbfounded!
What is the true meaning of the test?
"Do you even understand what it means to be in a team of three?"
"Is it... teamwork?" Sakura, biting her lips, said with a complex expression.
"Correct, but noticing this now is too late. You could have snatched the bells if you had worked together.
"But what did you do?"
"Naruto fought alone while the other two just stood by watching. When Sakura wanted to help, Naruto simply paid no attention."
"Indeed, for a ninja, having exceptional individual abilities is necessary. But teamwork needs to be emphasized even more!"
"Lone wolves who destroy teamwork only put their comrades in danger and might even lead to their deaths!"
"Just like now, a mission that could have been completed with the three of you working together failed due to some people's arrogance and others' indifference. You would be dead by now if I were a real enemy!"
Each word from Kakashi hit Naruto hard, making his face turn pale.
Although Kakashi didn't name names throughout, it was clear that he referred to the arrogant lone wolf who destroyed teamwork, leading to the mission's failure and endangering his comrades!
Among the three, he was the most prominent and the least qualified to be a ninja.
This undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to Naruto!
And indeed, Kakashi was right; if the three of them had cooperated from the beginning, they might have had a chance to take the bell.
"If your comrades were taken hostage, forcing you to make a choice, what would you do?" Kakashi asked again.
Another impossible question that brings death.
Sakura and Sasuke remained silent, heads bowed, while Naruto seriously pondered this question because he had always doubted 'that person' was forced into making such a decision.
Could someone have used so-called 'hostages' to force 'that person' to choose?
'That person' had already given their answer.
So, what was his answer again?
What would he choose if he were forced to choose between 'that person' and the village?
For some reason, Naruto suddenly felt he understood the mindset 'that person' had when making such a choice.
If all his speculations were true, then he had all the more reason to find 'that person' and ask them in person!
But just as all three were silent, no longer harboring any hope, Kakashi suddenly changed the topic: "Since you can't answer this question, then show me the answer through your actions."
"Although, in my opinion, none of you three are fit to be a ninja, I am now giving you an opportunity, and the choice... will be left to Naruto."
Kakashi removed the bell and placed it on Naruto's head, stating, "Now, you hold the fate of all three of you. If you keep the bell for yourself, I will untie your ropes and recognize that you have passed the test. But, similarly, the price is that the other two will have to return to the Ninja Academy for remedial classes."
"The second choice is to give up the bell, allowing Sasuke and Sakura to pass the test, and you go back to the Ninja Academy alone."
"How you decide is entirely up to you."
"So now, tell me, what is your choice?"
Sasuke and Sakura couldn't help but look over, with Sasuke looking particularly unhappy, never having imagined that his fate would be in Naruto's hands.
But neither he nor Sakura said a word.
Just like Kakashi said, Naruto was the only one with the choice.
At this moment, Naruto was utterly stunned, and describing his mood as chaotic would be an understatement.
Is it to choose oneself or to choose one's companions?
This is akin to the dilemma in a mission of choosing one's survival or that of a companion!
Naruto certainly didn't want to waste more time at the Ninja Academy, but Sasuke... and Sakura... could he be so selfish?
Then he couldn't help but subconsciously put himself in 'that person's' shoes to think.
If it was 'that person,' what would they choose?
Then, incidents about 'that person' started automatically replaying in Naruto's head.
When pursued by numerous ninjas from the Hidden Cloud Village, 'that person' chose to divert the enemy alone, buying time for his companions to survive.
On the battlefield, faced with enemies' siege, he never abandoned any companions, even in a desperate situation, even if it meant nearly dying himself!
...
As the scenes of 'that person' and what they said to him replayed, Naruto's face unconsciously revealed a tearful smile; it turns out the 'answer' to this choice, 'that person' had already told him long ago, huh!