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"Hokage... Yes, that's my dream. But before that, my goal is to defeat him. If I can't even pass the genin exam, then my current abilities aren't enough," Sasuke pondered.
Reflecting on his ambitions, he concluded, "It's better to remain in the academy and work on my skills than to become a weak genin who can't achieve anything meaningful. Naruto, I think I have a plan that will help you pass this test and, in doing so, allow me to continue developing my strength."
Confident in his idea, he looked Naruto in the eye, "I'm willing to help you become a genin first. Consider it a challenge for myself."
Naruto's pride swelled at the thought of being the last one in the class. "What's the catch, Sasuke?" Naruto's eyes narrowed, not entirely convinced. He didn't want to pass through someone else's efforts, especially not Sasuke's.
But Sasuke continued, "Look, if you don't pass now, there's a high chance I'll make genin next year, while you may not. I've also discovered a weakness Kakashi-sensei has—a chink in his armor that only you can exploit." He waited for Naruto's response, his expression unwavering.
"Tch, tail-end! I don't need your help. If you're willing to throw away a chance at the bell, I can do the same," Naruto challenged. "Even if this test doesn't make sense, I'll do it my way!" Naruto's fighting spirit ignited as he turned away, forgetting his previous doubts about the test.
"Exactly!" Sakura joined in, slightly shy but resolute. She too was swept up in the momentum, hoping to support Sasuke by staying with him through their years at the academy.
Kakashi, watching from a distance, couldn't help but smile under his mask. These three, it seemed, had an unusual determination. With slight amusement, he realized that this test, meant to assess their potential teamwork, had turned him into a kind of temporary villain.
Then, in the middle of their banter, Sasuke felt a sudden surge as the system notified him: [Quest Completed! Reward: Awakening of the Sharingan].
Naruto and Sakura noticed his eyes as the dark pupils shifted into the single-tomoe Sharingan, a sign of his Uchiha heritage.
"Sharingan!" Kakashi's thoughts flashed back to his old teammate, Obito, who had awakened his Sharingan under similar circumstances, protecting friends. This wasn't an ordinary skill for a genin to wield.
At the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage and Iruka, watching the scene unfold through a crystal ball, were taken aback. They hadn't expected a simple genin test to trigger Sasuke's Sharingan.
Back on the field, Naruto was awestruck. "Why are your eyes red, Sasuke?" he asked, not fully grasping what had happened.
"Just a single-tomoe Sharingan—no big deal," Sasuke shrugged, staying composed. To him, it was only a minor milestone compared to what he ultimately aimed to achieve.
Kakashi, curious and somewhat entertained, backed away a few meters. "Very well, you three have five minutes to strategize against me. Show me what you're capable of."
Sasuke immediately motioned Naruto closer, whispering a plan that made Naruto's eyes widen in surprise. Naruto grinned, showing an understanding that had escaped them before.
"Ha! Didn't think you'd stoop to this, Sasuke…" Naruto teased. They were now conspirators with a common purpose.
"Don't misunderstand—this is a tactic," Sasuke replied coolly, rolling his eyes.
"Wait, what's happening?" Sakura was left out of the loop, watching them work together with a slight feeling of being sidelined.
Sasuke briefed them quickly, "Sakura, you and I will shield Naruto. The time to act is now."
Sasuke threw his shuriken with precise skill toward Kakashi, forcing him to dodge. Then, Sasuke launched another kunai, which ricocheted off the first, altering its path mid-air to block Kakashi's escape.
[Uchiha Throwing Technique…] Kakashi realized in a flash, impressed with Sasuke's mastery of such precise skills. The Sharingan had indeed heightened his abilities.
"Whoa!" Sakura quickly followed suit, throwing shuriken to close off Kakashi's other escape routes, forcing him into a trap.
Naruto smirked, forming a hand sign for his shadow clone jutsu. "Now, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!" With a loud declaration, Naruto summoned a massive number of clones, each creating a wall around Kakashi.
Kakashi observed the clones with amusement. "Is this your big plan? It's going to take more than numbers to defeat a jonin."
At that moment, Naruto called out, "Transform!" Suddenly, clouds of white smoke filled the air as all the shadow clones transformed, revealing an army of glamorous, identical girls.
"Master Kakashi…" The horde of clones, now appearing as alluring women, moved with a playful charm that shattered the usual battlefield decorum.
Caught off guard, Kakashi's eyes widened, his face reddening as he staggered in shock. His guard dropped momentarily, caught off-balance by the sudden distraction.
Taking advantage of the lapse, Sasuke activated a substitution technique, instantly appearing near Kakashi's real form. With a swift move, he grabbed the bell and darted away before Kakashi could react.
Kakashi realized what had happened too late, looking down to see the bell in Sasuke's grasp. "How—how did you…" he trailed off, recovering from the unexpected diversion.
Naruto dispelled his clones, returning to his usual self. He grinned, holding the bells in one hand as he pointed teasingly at Kakashi. "Gotcha, sensei! Guess even you have a weak spot!"
Sakura, witnessing Sasuke's tactics, blushed, deeply impressed. She looked up to him, certain that his quick thinking and skill had to be a sign of great things to come.