At Sasuke's side,we can see him searching for Kakashi,trying to detect him,arriving at a clearing. He found him standing there,reading his book. jumping down his tree,he didn't give kakashi the possibility to talk to him,directly throw a wave of shuriken at him,kakashi,detecting him,a kunai appearing in his hand,he simply used the blade to not let any projectile touching him,still reading his book.
Sasuke, not expecting his initial attack to work, immediately followed up by jumping at Kakashi with a kunai in hand, initiating a blade fight between them. Kakashi, assessing Sasuke's skill level, swiftly closed his book and put it in his pocket. Evading Sasuke's strikes and occasionally clashing blades with him, Kakashi acknowledged that Sasuke possessed surprising speed, though he noted it was a bit inexperienced.
As the blades clashed, Kakashi spoke with a calm demeanor, "Impressive speed, Sasuke. But you still lack experience."
Sasuke, growing annoyed by Kakashi's assessment, incorporated kicks into his fighting style, attempting to catch Kakashi off guard. "you talk too much," Sasuke retorted, his determination shining through.
Kakashi skillfully blocked each kick, seamlessly integrating defense and offense. "This little bit of Speed alone won't win you the fight," he advised, before finally throwing Sasuke away, creating distance between them.
Regaining his balance before failing, Sasuke swiftly formed hand seals, much to Kakashi's surprise. Breathing a large fireball, Sasuke directed it towards Kakashi, who calmly watched as the intense flames approached. The fireball touched Kakashi, initiating an explosion that sent smoke billowing into the air.
Not far away, Sakura and Naruto, alerted by the explosion, jumped toward the site. As the smoke settled, Sasuke remained in an alert stance, tightly gripping the kunai's pommel. Peering through the aftermath, Sasuke expected to find Kakashi caught in the blast. However, to his surprise, all he discovered was a small wooden trunk where Kakashi once stood.
Opening his eyes in shock, Sasuke immediately leaped away. Kakashi's hand emerged suddenly from the earth, and he gave an impressed sound, acknowledging Sasuke's survival. "I didn't expect a graduate to be able to last this long," Kakashi remarked, his demeanor revealing a degree of acknowledgment for Sasuke's skills.
Fully emerging from the earth, Kakashi dusted himself off, giving Sasuke an eye smile that only further annoyed the latter, who hadn't expected such resistance. Kakashi, feeling like having some fun, told Sasuke that he'd better bring his friends if he wanted him to take him more seriously. Enjoying the rage appearing on Sasuke's face, Kakashi quickly moved,appearing near his student, and kicked Sasuke in the guts, throwing him into a tree.
Breathless and ready to vomit, Sasuke could only hear Sakura and Naruto crying out for him as they appeared by his side. Having witnessed Kakashi's speed and strength firsthand, they began to grasp the vast difference in power between them and their sensei.
Kakashi, seeing the two, gave a casual "yo" with an eye smile. Looking at them, he questioned what they would do now, reminding them that time was ticking away. If none of them managed to obtain a bell by midday, he declared his intention to kick them all back to the academy. Naruto, fueled by frustration from Kakashi's teasing, impulsively jumped at him.
Sakura, helping Sasuke stand up, found herself pushed away by Sasuke, who leaned against a tree for support. Observing Naruto's attack, Kakashi calmly advised him, "You don't seem bright."
Naruto, true to his impulsive nature, defiantly told Kakashi "shut up and let me beat you up" , earning a sigh from the sensei. Kakashi effortlessly evaded Naruto's hits, advising him that he should work more on his taijutsu.
"you footwork is abysmal "
Seemingly bored with Naruto, Kakashi casually put his hand in his pocket. Expecting a hidden weapon, Naruto jumped away, tense and ready. However, to his surprise, Kakashi revealed a book. "What's this?" Naruto asked, feeling confused. With a playful glance, Kakashi explained, "Some entertainment for myself. I was getting bored by how weak you are."
Naruto's temper exploded, and he immediately used the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Multiple clones, armed with weapons, surrounded Kakashi. Sakura, seeing how Kakashi was easily toying with Naruto, yelled at him not to forget the plan. Naruto, now with a cramp in his face, nodded in agreement.
The trio then jumped back to the trees, with Naruto taunting Kakashi that he was a chicken if he didn't follow them. Naruto used a smoke bomb to conceal their retreat. Intrigued by their tactics, Kakashi decided to humor them and fall for the obvious low-level bait. He closed his book and followed the disappearing trio into the forest.
As Kakashi followed, he mused to himself, "Things are getting more Interesting.."
Following their trail, Kakashi met the three in fighting positions, waiting for him between the trees. Jumping down, he disappeared and reappeared again, this time targeting Sakura. "It's your turn to test your taijutsu," he remarked, Kicking her,only for Sakura to explode in a burst of smoke. Seeing the other evilly smiling,and Understanding the plot, Kakashi suddenly jumped away, the spot where he had stood exploding not even a moment later.
Wearing a deadpan expression, he muttered to himself, "Kids today are very bloodthirsty."
Looking in another direction, Kakashi found what appeared to be Naruto, giving him a funny expression and calling him an idiot for falling for that trick. Kakashi, now smiling with his eye, in a cool voice, told Naruto
"Im will enjoy discipline you later ". This statement got a scared expression out of Naruto just before a kunai hit his headband, making him explode in smoke. It was another clone.
Jumping to a nearby tree, Kakashi found himself back at the starting line. This time, looking at the three, he asked them if they were real, getting a cheeky expression from Naruto, who told him he could check for himself. Kakashi only smiled, throwing some kunai at them. Sakura and Sasuke jumped away skillfully, while Naruto awkwardly avoided them showing a panicked expression.
The three jumped at Kakashi, but it was apparent that it was still Naruto, given the abysmal footwork and poorly telegraphed hits. Kakashi swiftly kicked the Sakura and Sasuke clones,making them explode, then appeared behind Naruto, freezing him in place with his palm on Naruto's shoulder. Tightening his hand with enough strength, he watched Naruto explode in smoke.
"how annoying "
Feeling something, Kakashi heard the sound of shuriken being thrown at him. Easily evading them, he saw the trio on a tree, all looking at him. Walking toward them, he noticed transparent wires tightening around him, making him immobile. Sakura jumped from the tree, making some seals and calling for a Genjutsu, causing Kakashi's eyes to go glassy for a moment.
" Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu "
In the brief illusion, Kakashi found himself in a serene meadow, surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms. beautiful women all smiling to him,The atmosphere was tranquil, and a gentle breeze rustled the flowers. For a moment, he was captivated by the illusionary beauty, forgetting the battle that was unfolding.
Not even a second later, Naruto's hand could be seen emerging from the ground, pushing Kakashi down and leaving only his head exposed. Now more awake, Kakashi asked Naruto whose plan it was.
" Was it your idea ? "
Naruto, getting off the ground with a victorious expression and two bells in hand, informed Kakashi that it was Sakura's plan.
" hehe ! It was Sakura-chan plan ! " The latter gave a shy expression, showing fake remorse, while inside, her inner self displayed a triumphant expression. Sakura explained to Kakashi that she had first sought Naruto's help before bringing Sasuke into the plan. They utilized Naruto's clone to lure Kakashi into the clearing where Naruto was hiding underground.
Amidst the laughter, Naruto teased Kakashi, commenting on how funny he looked with only his head above ground.
" HAHAHA LOOK AT YOU ! "
Sakura scolded him, reminding him to be more respectful. "NARUTO ! Be respectful to kakashi-sensei, you idiot ! "
Kakashi, with a neutral expression, asked " Who will take a bell now ? ".
The three suddenly became vigilant, with Naruto telling him to worry more about getting himself out. Kakashi responded with an eye smile, and his voice seemed to appear behind Naruto,
"Are you sure about it ? "
Sasuke and Sakura both jumped away, while Naruto froze. Slowly turning his head, Naruto found Kakashi with a tiger seal in a low position, his eyes glowing. Kakashi declared it was time for some discipline and hit Naruto with a thousand years of pain, sending him flying across the clearing. Naruto's cry of agony echoed through the forest, leaving his teammates with comical expressions.
Head down, smoking butt up, Naruto lay comatose. Kakashi, far behind, dusted his hands, and the Kakashi under the ground exploded in smoke. They realized it was just a clone. Frustration marked Sakura and Sasuke's faces. Kakashi turned to them, made a seal, and their eyes glazed over. Sasuke, however,quickly woke up, while Sakura fainted,a blush on her face. Sasuke's expression then shifted from tension to bitterness upon hearing the alarm sound. It was midday.
Much later, Kakashi could be seen smiling, facing his three students. Naruto was tied up with a rope to a tree trunk, all of them wearing depressed expressions.
Kakashi, with a casual demeanor, addressed his three students. "Well, well. It seems you've all failed," he remarked, a faint smile playing on his face. The trio wore dejected expressions,
Turning to Sasuke, Kakashi remarked, "Sasuke, your selfishness didn't go unnoticed. Teamwork is crucial; helping your comrades earlier could've tipped the scales in your favor."
Sakura also received her share of feedback. "Your plan was effective, Sakura, but using Naruto as a pawn was a questionable move. Did you not realize Sasuke was doing the same to you?"
Looking at Naruto, he labeled as an "idiot" with a hint of affection, and gave him his own piece of advice. "Naruto, you're good-natured, but you need to be smarter about your taunts. Choose your battles wisely. Excellent use of the Kage Bunshin"
Kakashi then delved into the purpose of the exam. "The point wasn't about individual success. It was about teamwork—the quality that defines every Konoha shinobi and has made us strong in the past wars."
He sighed and decided to offer them another chance. "Here are two bentos. Regain your strength. And remember, don't give anything to Naruto, or else..." he warned with a threatening expression, disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving his three students alone to contemplate their next move.
Sakura and Sasuke sat down to eat, exchanging glances as they noticed Naruto's reluctance. Sakura wore an indecisive and guilty expression, torn between following Kakashi's instructions and wanting to help Naruto. Meanwhile, Naruto, trying to appear unfazed, turned his face away, claiming he wasn't hungry. However, his traitorous stomach growled louder.
Witnessing Naruto's struggle, Sasuke sighed, calling him an idiot. He decided to share half of his meal, expressing his disdain, "I don't want you to be a total dead weight. I can't sense Kakashi anywhere," he added, his eyes revealing nothing to Naruto's surprised face.
Sakura, observing Sasuke's gesture, also divided her share with Naruto. She urged him to eat, emphasizing that they would need his strength to face Kakashi together while Smiling at him.
Naruto, overcome with emotion, remarked, "You guys…" His nose running and tears streaming down his face, he expressed gratitude, saying, "Sakura-chan, you're so gentle." Naruto completely overlooked Sasuke's earlier act of kindness, leaving Sasuke with a throbbing vein,the latter regretting his momentary lapse into compassion.
Kakashi suddenly appeared in a swirl of smoke, casting a foreboding presence over the trio. The weather shifted, and the ominous beginnings of thunder added to the intensity. The trio, startled by the abrupt interruption, couldn't help but look visibly concerned.
With a glowing eye and a stern expression, Kakashi warned them about providing food to Naruto, reminding them of the consequences. He inquired if they were prepared to face punishment and the potential return to the academy for disobedience.
In response, Sasuke fixed Kakashi with a cold gaze, asserting that they were demonstrating effective teamwork.
"We're showcasing teamwork, not following your arbitrary orders."
Encouraged by Sasuke's defiance, Sakura also confronted Kakashi, vehemently stating
"Starving Naruto would be inhumane and counterproductive to building teamwork."
She emphasized that only by working together could they hope to defeat Kakashi.
Naruto, nodding vigorously in agreement, exclaimed, "Yeah! This time, we're going to kick your ass together!" Kakashi, slightly taken aback, inquired with a raised eyebrow, "Are you all absolutely certain about this decision?" The trio responded with unwavering determination, their eyes reflecting their commitment to face whatever consequences lay ahead.
Kakashi, with an eye smile, declared, "Then… I declare that you… all PASS." The weather cleared, and he clapped his hands, leaving the trio bewildered. Naruto, sporting an enormous exclamation mark above his head, voiced a confused "Ehh?"
Sakura and Sasuke, still uncertain, looked at Kakashi with tense expressions.
"Its a good thing you decided to feed Naruto "
He then explained that it was another test, emphasizing that if they hadn't fed Naruto this time, he would have sent them back to the academy, ensuring a miserable outcome.
"Luckily,you guys did,thus,you didnt fail " Taking a kunai, he cut Naruto's ropes, freeing him. Smiling, Kakashi led them to the hero memorial, gently caressing it as he spoke.
"Here"
he pointed out the names of all of Konoha's heroes, including many friends of his,stopping at the name of obito
"My camarades names are all here on this stone" In a calm voice
Naruto, enthusiastic at the idea of becoming a hero, exclaimed that his name would be there one day, earning him a hit on the head from Sakura, who called him an idiot.
"OUCH"
"You Idiot ! Do you want to die ?" She clarified that everyone on the memorial stone was dead, leading to a somber realization for Naruto.
Kakashi, looking back at the trio, smiled at them,and shared his own Nindo in the ninja world, stating, "Those who give up on the mission are trash." He then turned to the stone, gently caressed it again, and continued in a strong voice, "But those who give up on their comrade are worse than trash!"
The emotional impact of his words reflected on the faces of the trio, with even Sasuke showing a rare, relaxed expression, his eyes emanating a sense of melancholy.
Kakashi, pleased with how things had unfolded, congratulated them, saying, "Congratulations, you are now part of Team 7." Sakura and Naruto cheered enthusiastically, while Sasuke emitted a small hum, his face back to its usual indifference.
With the team now fully formed, Naruto excitedly started chatting, asking Kakashi if he would begin teaching them cool jutsu. Kakashi responded with an awkward smile. Sakura, on the other hand, yelled at Naruto, calling him an idiot who should focus more on training his basics, earning a sigh from Sasuke, already tired of their energetic banter.