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Enjoy!
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At dawn.
The sun had not yet risen.
A sudden alarm clock rang, waking a black-haired boy from his sleep. His brow was furrowed, as if caught in a nightmare.
"What trouble is it now?"
Uchiha Sasuke rubbed his temples, feeling a bit dizzy from lack of sleep. Muttering to himself, he suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wait, why is there an alarm clock in my room?"
As the third leader of the Root and an advisor to the Hokage, Sasuke had assistants and guards around him. If something important required his early attention, they would wake him up, not an alarm clock.
However, when Uchiha Sasuke opened his eyes and looked around, his mood sank. The room was both familiar and unfamiliar...
Unfamiliar because...
This was not his residence.
Familiar because...
This was where he lived at the age of twelve.
Uchiha Sasuke slowly stood up, walked to a mirror, and quietly looked at his reflection. It was the image of a boy. He couldn't help but touch his hair.
"What on earth... is going on?"
"Is this a genjutsu?"
A flash of crimson and a hint of light purple appeared in Sasuke's eyes as they transformed into the Mangekyou Sharingan and Rinnegan. The power of the Rinnegan could negate any genjutsu, enabling him to escape from this illusory world!
This wasn't good...
If this wasn't an Infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu, then it surpassed his understanding. Only one person's power in the ninja world could create such an illusion!
Akihara Kagura!
The guy who had long disappeared!
"Akihara Kagura, it must be you again..."
Uchiha Sasuke sneered, as if seeing through all of Akihara Kagura's tricks, and coldly said, "Come out! Trying to play with minds again?"
"..."
The room remained silent.
There was no spatial fluctuation.
Uchiha Sasuke did not wait for Akihara Kagura to appear.
The black-haired boy furrowed his brows in thought. Since Akihara Kagura left, there had been no news of him in the ninja world. So what was going on with his current situation? Was this another visitor from beyond?
"If you won't show yourself, I'll break the genjutsu myself..."
"No matter what..."
"Every genjutsu has a way to break it."
"Genjutsu depends on the caster. As long as I find the anomaly in this world and defeat the master of this illusion, I can escape!"
Uchiha Sasuke clenched his fists. He glanced at the calendar and remembered what day it was...
Today was the day Team 7 would meet.
Their instructor, Jonin Hatake Kakashi, would conduct the bell test at the training ground to assess him, Uzumaki Naruto, and Haruno Sakura to determine if they could become qualified ninjas. If they failed, they would be sent back to the Academy for retraining...
During his first bell test, he was nervous, fearing that his teammates' performance would prevent them from passing.
Times had changed.
After experiencing many events and becoming the third leader of the Root and an advisor to the Hokage, Uchiha Sasuke was an important figure in the village. He no longer cared about the bell test, which was just a test of the team's mindset.
"Interesting."
Uchiha Sasuke touched his eye sockets, concealing the Rinnegan and Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Since becoming the Root leader..."
"I haven't sparred with Kakashi-sensei in a long time..."
Now, he realized that his time in Team 7 was actually quite leisurely, almost sinking into its warmth...
Uchiha Sasuke recalled his regrets over the years. After becoming the Root leader, he hadn't enjoyed such leisurely moments.
"Maybe this illusory world wants me to sink into the past?"
Uchiha Sasuke walked back to the mirror and gazed at the boy in the reflection: "Now that I know all the truths, I know Akihara Kagura's identity, the reason for Uchiha Itachi's actions, the survival of the Uchiha clan in the Root, and the future. So, should I abandon all efforts and sink into this illusory world?"
That would be underestimating him!
As the third leader of the Root, how could he succumb to an illusion? There were many unresolved matters in the real world!
For instance, the surviving clan members saved by Akihara Kagura still refused to return to Konoha, considering Sasuke a traitor and unwilling to join his Root or acknowledge his leadership.
"Let's start acting according to memory..."
Uchiha Sasuke equipped a ninja tool bag, found a ninja sword in the room, and almost fully armed himself.
The moon was still hanging in the sky.
Because Kakashi had set an early meeting time.
When Uchiha Sasuke arrived, Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura were already there, looking sleepy.
"Naruto, Sakura, go ahead and sleep a bit."
Uchiha Sasuke leaped onto a tree, keeping watch and gently reassuring his teammates: "Kakashi-sensei will definitely be late."
"..."
Sakura immediately hugged her backpack and crouched down.
"You..."
Naruto mumbled, too tired to argue with Sasuke, and also hugged his backpack, curling up to sleep.
By noon, a silver-haired man with an eye patch arrived leisurely, smiling at the three drowsy kids and greeting them loudly: "Good morning, everyone. I got lost on the path of life..."
"Too late!"
Naruto rubbed his eyes and stood up angrily, scolding the tardy Kakashi.
"Yeah..."
Sakura echoed beside him.
"Life is full of interesting surprises..."
Kakashi waved his hand, signaling his two subordinates not to mind his tardiness. He looked around and finally saw Uchiha Sasuke, who was lying on a tree, on guard.
"Is it really though?"
Hatake Kakashi's eyes slightly darkened. He could see where Uchiha Sasuke was and was surprised. He thought to himself, "As expected from the top graduate of the ninja academy, he found the best place to keep watch while his companions were all sleeping..."
"Training assessments..."
Uchiha Sasuke leaped and landed beside Uzumaki Naruto, hands in his pockets, and said in a low voice, "Let's get started, Kakashi-sensei..."
"In such a hurry..."
Hatake Kakashi murmured while pulling bells out of his pocket, secretly observing Uchiha Sasuke's attire and reminiscing about his former subordinates.
"It looks like Uchiha Sasuke is exactly like his brother Uchiha Itachi at twelve, fully equipped in combat gear..."
Hatake Kakashi marveled at the similarities between the brothers and slowly explained the exam rules, "If you can get the bells from me, you pass the graduation exam..."
"In this exam, you can use any means necessary, whether it's shuriken, kunai, or a ninja sword. However, there are only two bells, and there are three of you, so one of you will be eliminated and sent back to the academy..."
"The elimination rate for this exam is as high as 66.7%. I think the top student in the class should pass, while the dead last is most likely to be eliminated..."
"The dead last..."
Twelve-year-old Uzumaki Naruto instantly became furious! As the class's dead last, Naruto couldn't stand anyone exposing this fact in front of him. He instantly raised a kunai, spinning it rapidly between his fingers, ready to throw it at Hatake Kakashi!
The next moment!
Uzumaki Naruto's arm was abruptly restrained!
Hatake Kakashi appeared behind Naruto in an instant, pressing down on Naruto's arm, controlling his wrist, and making the kunai in Naruto's hand point back at Naruto's neck!
However...
A blinding flash!
Hatake Kakashi's attack was instantly halted!
Uchiha Sasuke's ninja sword suddenly unsheathed, blocking Hatake Kakashi's wrist, preventing him from subduing Uzumaki Naruto!
"Don't be in such a rush..."
"I haven't even said 'start' yet..."
Hatake Kakashi, holding Naruto in one hand, glanced at the relaxed Uchiha Sasuke and praised him, "Excellent swordsmanship, your speed almost caught me off guard..."
As he spoke, a drop of cold sweat slowly dripped from Hatake Kakashi's forehead.
Because...
Uchiha Sasuke's speed was indeed very fast!
Hatake Kakashi looked down at the sharp blade near his wrist, realizing how close he came to being cut by the ninja sword. He could even feel the chill emanating from the blade!
"Just a little trick..."
Uchiha Sasuke nonchalantly shook his head, still holding his ninja sword, "Kakashi-sensei, you can let go of that idiot Naruto now, can't you?"
"Of course..."
"Speaking of which..."
"The top student of today's ninja academy is truly frightening..."
Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but praise Uchiha Sasuke further. Even he had to admit that Sasuke was more exceptional than anyone he had ever met!
Not only did Sasuke instantly perceive his intention to attack Naruto, but he also found a way to counter it, neutralizing the threat Kakashi posed to Naruto!
"I think I'm starting to like you guys a bit..."
Hatake Kakashi grew more vigilant, letting go of Naruto's wrist while speaking slowly, "Alright, maybe more than a bit. Let's officially begin now!"
"Ready... start!"
Hatake Kakashi took a step back!
Because he saw Uchiha Sasuke charging at him with his ninja sword, the boy's swordsmanship was surprisingly sharp!
Just like...
His brother!
Perhaps even better than his brother!
Although his movements were still limited by his youthful body, his swordsmanship was flawless, and his combat talent was astonishingly strong!
Hatake Kakashi retreated step by step under Sasuke's assault, suddenly drawing a kunai to engage in close combat with the young black-haired ninja!
"Sasuke... is strong!"
Haruno Sakura couldn't help but exclaim in amazement at Uchiha Sasuke's fight with Hatake Kakashi, her mouth gaping open, "He can even fight a Jōnin!"
"That bastard loves to show off..."
Uzumaki Naruto grumbled in dissatisfaction, clutching his shuriken and waiting for an opportunity, watching Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi's clash.
However...
That bastard is really strong!
Naruto couldn't even see his movements clearly!
Hatake Kakashi, swinging his kunai, advanced quickly, trying to get close and subdue the black-haired boy in front of him!
However...
Uchiha Sasuke seemed to sense his intention, immediately placing his ninja sword in front of him and even using it to slash at Kakashi's waist, forcing Kakashi to retreat!
"This kid!"
Hatake Kakashi was startled, forced to leap back!
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke raised his ninja sword, pointing it at his Jōnin instructor with the stance of a challenger, "Please guide me, Kakashi-sensei."
"It seems I can't resolve this quickly..."
Hatake Kakashi sighed, his figure disappearing from Uchiha Sasuke's sight, "Then I'll deal with your teammate first!"
"Watch out!"
Uchiha Sasuke quickly reminded his teammate, channeling his chakra into his legs, and used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Uzumaki Naruto instantly!
Clang!
Hatake Kakashi's attack was intercepted in the nick of time!
"What a fast Body Flicker Technique!"
Hatake Kakashi looked at Uchiha Sasuke standing before him, a trace of surprise in his eyes, even more so than when he witnessed Sasuke's swordsmanship.
However...
What impressed Hatake Kakashi even more was...
This kid was still protecting his teammate, Uzumaki Naruto. After all, in this bell test, one person was destined to be eliminated, and Naruto was his competitor...
"Is there really any need to protect a deadweight?"
Hatake Kakashi raised an eyebrow, looking down at the black-haired boy in front of him: "I have two bells in my hand, but there are three of you. If you let him be eliminated first, wouldn't you secure a bell and advance?"
"…"
Uzumaki Naruto's mouth gaped slightly, his eyes full of shock as he looked at Uchiha Sasuke standing in front of him. He wanted to ask the same question.
"He is my companion."
Uchiha Sasuke glanced slightly at the blond boy behind him, his voice calm: "Even though I think this idiot is unreliable, always doing stupid things and even messing up small tasks, and even if he becomes Hokage one day, he would probably be a foolish Hokage who works himself to death and continues to drag me down..."
"…"
A black line appeared on Uzumaki Naruto's forehead.
Sasuke, this guy...
Really looks down on me!
"But..."
"Uzumaki Naruto will eventually become an excellent ninja."
Uchiha Sasuke's tone shifted, becoming firm and powerful: "If I want to defeat any enemy, he will definitely stand by my side and fight alongside me..."
"Sasuke..."
The anger in Uzumaki Naruto's heart vanished, a strange light in his eyes.
"Do you have such high regard for your companion?"
Hatake Kakashi's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he shook his head: "However, right now, he is somewhat holding you back..."
The next moment!
Hatake Kakashi's figure instantly turned into smoke!
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise. He had no time to think and quickly began to track Hatake Kakashi's movements!
The next moment!
Hatake Kakashi's true body reappeared!
The guiding Jonin was holding a figure with pink hair in his hand, the last member of Team 7, Haruno Sakura. He had captured the weakest link in Team 7.
"Sakura!"
Uzumaki Naruto's face immediately lit up with excitement.
"Don't be impulsive!"
Uchiha Sasuke quickly raised his hand to stop Uzumaki Naruto!
However, this reality world and the companion who could share life and death did not care and rushed directly towards Haruno Sakura and Hatake Kakashi!
"Sakura, I'm coming to save you!"
Uzumaki Naruto quickly rushed over and instantly fell into a trap, being directly hung upside down from a tree by a rope.
"This idiot..."
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but rub his forehead.
Hatake Kakashi raised his hand and knocked out Haruno Sakura, walking towards Uchiha Sasuke step by step: "Sasuke, it seems that you are the only one left to fight... How about we make a bet?"
"Gambling can be deadly..."
Uchiha Sasuke, after saying this, suddenly realized.
The rule of clearing casinos was established by the second leader of the Root Division, Akihara Kagura, after the Fifth Hokage took office. This rule didn't seem to exist yet at this time...
"Is gambling dangerous?"
Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but scratch his head.
"It's not dangerous yet. What are we betting on?"
Uchiha Sasuke flicked his ninja sword, twirling it in his hand.
"If you can defeat me..."
"I'll give you both bells and your teammates..."
Hatake Kakashi spread his palms, the two bells in his hands flashing briefly before he put them away: "If you lose to me, this test will be over, and all three of you will return to the Ninja Academy to retake your studies. How about it? Dare to take a gamble?"
"But..."
After saying this, Hatake Kakashi added another rule, his expression becoming serious as he slowly pushed up his ninja forehead protector, revealing a scarlet eye: "I will be fighting you with my full strength!"
"…"
Uchiha Sasuke was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: "Kakashi-sensei, isn't this a bit unreasonable? For a newly graduated ninja student, defeating a Jonin seems like an impossible task, doesn't it?"
"Oh?"
Hatake Kakashi slowly nodded, his expression becoming lazy again: "It seems you don't want to fight for your companions..."
"But!"
Uchiha Sasuke interrupted Hatake Kakashi coldly, his eyes becoming proud: "For an Uchiha, defeating a Jonin is not a problem…"
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I'm gonna love this! Hahaha!