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Naruto took a deep breath, sitting cross-legged on the ground as he pushed his forehead protector up, revealing a sunny smile. "A test? I'll show you! After all, I'm going to be the Hokage. How could I lose to mere hunger?"
He shot a glance at Sasuke, taunting, "Sasuke, if you can't handle it, just go home with your tail between your legs!"
"Idiot! I'll prove I'm better than you," Sasuke sneered, also settling into a cross-legged position, determined to endure.
Ten minutes later...
"Gulu gulu." The sounds of their growling stomachs echoed in the quiet morning air. Neither Naruto nor Sasuke admitted their hunger; they were locked in an invisible competition.
Just then, a breeze rustled through the trees, and Shiratori Satoru appeared before them.
"Morning!" he greeted.
"Teacher Shiratori!" Haruno Sakura exclaimed, her surprise evident.
Satoru's arrival meant they had passed the endurance test—or so they thought.
He clasped his hands together and apologized, "Sorry for keeping you waiting; a lot happened last night."
The trio exchanged confused glances. *What does he mean by that?*
"Bastard! You're an hour late! I'm going to kill you!" Naruto shouted, launching himself at Satoru but was quickly held back by Sakura.
"Calm down, Naruto! Teacher Shiratori said he had things to deal with. Jōnin ninjas might have missions," she said, trying to maintain her composure.
Sasuke's gaze remained cold as he added, "As our class teacher, all your tasks must relate to us." He scrutinized Satoru. "You didn't skip out on your mission last night, did you?"
"Last night... it's a long story," Satoru replied casually.
"Please cut the long story short," Sakura urged, her curiosity piqued.
"Women and wine," Satoru said with a slight smile.
The atmosphere shifted from confusion to anger as the implications of his words sank in.
"Bastard! I'm going to punch you to death!" Sakura yelled, her fury boiling over as she rolled up her sleeves and charged at him.
Satoru effortlessly caught her fist and gently tapped her forehead with his other hand. "Calm down, little Sakura."
Her cheeks flushed as she looked up at him, momentarily forgetting her anger. "Okay... okay, Teacher Shiratori."
Naruto rubbed his head in frustration. "Why is it that when you tell her to calm down she listens but I get punched? And why is little Sakura's face all red?"
"Let's introduce ourselves first," Satoru suggested, releasing Sakura's hand.
He sat cross-legged on the ground and began his introduction. "My name is Shiratori Satoru. I'm 20 years old and an Elite Jōnin in this village. My favorite food is anything made at Ichirake Ramen." He grinned mischievously. "And I like women who are curvy."
The three members of Class 7 fell silent, taken aback by his bluntness.
"Why is your introduction all about food?" Sasuke exclaimed. "And what do you mean by curvy?"
"I'll go next!" Naruto raised his hand eagerly. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto! My favorite food is ramen—no surprise there—and my dream is to become the Hokage so that everyone will acknowledge me!"
He glanced shyly at Sakura before continuing, "The person I respect most is the Third Hokage!"
Sakura took a breath before introducing herself. "I'm Haruno Sakura. The person I respect most is... um..." She stole a glance at Sasuke and blushed deeply. "And my dream is..."
"Tsk." Naruto smacked his lips in annoyance.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke said coolly, crossing his arms over his chest. "If anyone gets in my way of achieving my goals, I'll kill them." His eyes glinted with determination.
Haruno Sakura looked at him with starry eyes while Naruto shivered at the implied threat directed at him.
"A bunch of troublesome brats," Satoru sighed inwardly. A wannabe Hokage, a love-struck girl, and a revenge-driven boy—what a mix.
"The self-introductions were good," he said aloud as he stood up. "Now let's move on to the assessment."
He raised a finger and declared, "The content of the assessment is simple: make me take one step back. If you succeed, you'll officially become Genin. If not... back to ninja school for you."
Gasps filled the air; returning to ninja school was not an option they were willing to consider!
In an instant, Sasuke and Sakura leaped backward into the cover of nearby trees.
"A single step seems easy enough," Sasuke thought warily as he crouched low in the grass, watching Satoru intently. But since it's a Jōnin assessment, there must be traps involved.
Naruto clenched his fists in determination. I won't let this defeat me!
As Satoru observed them with an amused expression, he knew this would be an interesting start to their journey together—one filled with challenges that would test not only their skills but their resolve as well.
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