Hidden in the bushes, Sasuke swiftly prepared himself. With a quiet poof, he executed the Transformation Jutsu, assuming the appearance of Naruto. This would serve as the perfect disguise, allowing him to blend in undetected.
Meanwhile, the real Naruto had fallen into the river but quickly activated his Shadow Clone Jutsu. The water erupted in clouds of white smoke as a multitude of clones materialized. Sasuke, disguised as Naruto, seamlessly integrated himself among them, slipping in so smoothly that Naruto didn't even notice the extra "clone" in their ranks.
Wasting no time, Naruto began giving orders. He directed one clone to attack from the side while others took on Kakashi head-on. Sasuke watched, his mind racing, planning his next move.
After a few moments, Naruto surged forward with a determined expression. "No matter what, I have to grab that bell and become a ninja!" he yelled with unwavering resolve. Seven shadow clones sprang out of the water, catching both Sakura and Kakashi off guard.
"Haha! Fooled you! This is my ultimate technique—the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto proudly announced. The eight identical Narutos charged toward Kakashi, hoping to overwhelm him.
Kakashi's thoughts raced. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu... Is this the forbidden technique Mizuki tried to steal?" he wondered, slipping his little red book back into his pouch. Eight attackers would require more attention.
As the clones closed in, Naruto directed his team with exaggerated gestures, signaling them to strike. Kakashi held his ground, only to realize that one of the "Narutos" had already slipped around to his blind spot.
With expert timing, Sasuke seized the opportunity. His hands quickly formed a seal. "Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu," he whispered, unleashing a stream of fire that morphed into a blazing ball, hurtling toward Kakashi.
"What...?" Kakashi's expression revealed his surprise as he recognized the technique. Nearby, both Naruto and Sakura were equally stunned. Naruto, especially, was confused—how was his clone using Fire Style ninjutsu he hadn't even learned?
Kakashi, sensing the danger, broke free from the shadow clones restraining him. Gathering chakra to his feet, he leaped to safety just as the fireball exploded in a fiery display.
"Don't think you can escape so easily!" Sasuke muttered under his breath. He released three shuriken, each flying with pinpoint precision toward Kakashi's waist, aiming for the bells tied there.
"Impressive reflexes," Kakashi muttered as he caught the shuriken mid-air with a casual, practiced grip. But before anyone could react, he vanished in a blur of speed.
"Sasuke… You're clever," Kakashi's voice echoed, cold and composed, as he reappeared behind Sasuke, pressing a kunai to the boy's neck. The feeling of steel against his skin made Sasuke smirk inwardly.
With a flash of white smoke, Sasuke revealed his true form. "If you guessed correctly, then so be it," he said, meeting Kakashi's gaze.
From nearby, Naruto watched in utter confusion. "What?! Why did the clone use Fire Style? And so perfectly…?" he demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Sasuke.
Just then, with a loud bang, Sasuke's "clone" dissolved in another puff of smoke. Naruto realized that the Sasuke he had seen wasn't the real one, after all. Instead, he had been using a substitution jutsu.
Reacting instantly, Sasuke lunged forward. His swift hands reached out and managed to grab two bells from Kakashi's waist.
"We did it!" Naruto and Sakura shouted in awe, their eyes wide with excitement.
However, Kakashi appeared suddenly, standing calmly and holding the remaining bell. "You're talented, Sasuke, and your battlefield intuition is commendable. As the top student this year, you didn't disappoint," Kakashi admitted, admiration in his voice.
"Unfortunately," Sasuke sighed, pretending to be displeased but secretly reveling in his tactical success, "I just missed."
As a time traveler, Sasuke knew the test's underlying lesson. He'd carefully crafted his behavior to stay within character and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Sasuke turned to Naruto and Sakura, addressing them in a serious tone. "As you both saw, even the best student can't secure the bells alone. If we want to pass, we'll need to work together. So, why did you both abandon our teamwork strategy from last night?"
Naruto clenched his fists, frustration clear on his face. "But there are only two bells! Even if we work together, one of us would still fail," he protested. The idea of failing after so much effort was a bitter pill to swallow.
Sakura, glancing nervously from her hiding spot, finally stepped out. She had hesitated to cooperate, fearing she might end up as the one left out. "He's right, Sasuke-kun… there are only two bells."
"That's exactly the point. One of us has to step down," Sasuke said smoothly, hiding a smirk. He knew this statement would cause a reaction, especially from Naruto.
Naruto looked shocked. "No way, Sasuke! You can't just give up! Aren't we rivals? You can't abandon the goal of becoming Hokage. How can you be so quick to surrender?"
Sasuke maintained his calm facade. "Naruto, this isn't about me giving up. It's about recognizing when teamwork is more important than competition. Didn't we agree to work as a team?"
Kakashi watched them, his visible eye gleaming with amusement. "Naruto, Sakura, are you going to let one person make that decision? What about the goal you all set together?"
Kakashi's words struck a chord with them both. Naruto, torn by his competitive spirit, looked between Sasuke and Sakura. "But… you're the best, Sasuke! Why should you give up?"
Sakura interjected, stepping forward with confidence. "I'll step back, Sasuke-kun. You deserve to pass." She offered a small, proud smile, showing her unwavering support.
Kakashi observed with satisfaction. "Interesting," he muttered, wondering how they would respond next.
Ding! In Sasuke's mind, the system pinged, indicating a mission reward: Convince Naruto to trust you – Reward: Awaken Sharingan.
The system's alert brought a glint of confidence to Sasuke's eyes. He nodded at Naruto, who was still lost in thought. "Naruto, the real point of this test is teamwork. That's the only way we'll all succeed."
Naruto hesitated, the tension in his expression softening. "Alright… Sasuke, I get it. Let's work together."
Seeing his teammates finally united in purpose, Sasuke nodded. This cooperation, he knew, was the true key to the test. Kakashi had wanted to see if they could prioritize each other over their personal ambitions.
As they regrouped, Kakashi stepped forward, his face relaxed. "You finally understand," he said, applauding their decision. "This was never about who could keep the bells. It was about putting each other first, about working as a unit."
Naruto grinned. "So, does this mean we passed?"
Kakashi chuckled, tossing the bells into the air. "Congratulations. You three finally understood the real purpose of teamwork. Today, you all pass."
The three of them exchanged proud glances, grateful for the lesson. Sasuke felt a surge of satisfaction. He hadn't just proven his strength; he had demonstrated his ability to lead and trust in others.
As they parted ways, the bond between them solidified. This would mark the start of many adventures together, and Sasuke knew he would need their trust and strength in the trials that lay ahead.