As Team 7 walked through the village, all eyes were fixed on Aizen. His unique attire, a dark, fitted cloak that fell to his ankles, paired with an eyepatch over his right eye, made him anything but inconspicuous. Civilians and shinobi alike cast wary, uncertain glances. Aizen's mere presence stirred something primal in them, fear, curiosity, and an unsettling respect.
They didn't recognize the boy. His gaze, cool and razor-sharp, swept over the onlookers with disdain. The child they once feared was now a mystery cloaked in an aura of quiet menace, a stranger who held himself as though he walked above them all. Aizen's lips curled into a slight smirk, barely concealing his contempt for their weak minds and fragile lives. Beneath that stare, few dared hold his gaze.
---
At Training Ground 7
When they arrived. Kakashi took out two small silver bells, dangling them provocatively before the three.
"These bells," Kakashi began, "will decide your futures. Only two of you can pass, and the one left without a bell... returns to the academy." His voice took on a steely edge. "In Naruto's case, he'll be sent back to his cell."
A flicker of surprise crossed Shino and Hinata's faces. But Aizen's smirk only deepened, his interest piqued by Kakashi's challenge. Kakashi set a clock on a nearby stump, its second hand ticking ominously, each movement amplifying the tension in the air.
"Oh, and one last thing," Kakashi added, his voice calm but his gaze wary. "Come at me with the intent to kill."
Aizen's smile widened, as if he were savoring a private joke. Kakashi caught a brief glimmer in Aizen's lone eye, and a chill swept down his spine. It wasn't the first time he'd faced dangerous opponents, but this was different. Aizen's aura felt intense, as though it held lifetimes of power and menace, compressed into a single being.
"To you, Naruto," Kakashi continued, cautious now, "I have one restriction, no illusions."
Aizen's expression didn't shift, but he inclined his head slightly, accepting the limitation without protest. He seemed almost amused by it.
With that, Kakashi signaled the start of the test, and the three Genin dispersed like shadows across the training ground.
---
Shino, thoughtful as ever, moved quietly into the cover of the trees. His mind raced, analyzing every possible angle of the test. He was determined to uncover the meaning behind this trial. The true purpose of the exercise couldn't be as straightforward as capturing the bells, their had to be a catch.
Hinata activated her Byakugan, the veins around her eyes pulsing as she scanned for her teammates. She quickly found Shino, his gaze intense. The two exchanged silent nods, and Shino explained his thoughts on the test's hidden purpose, laying out Kakashi's likely intentions.
"This isn't about passing or failing," Shino murmured. "It's about teamwork."
Hinata's eyes widened, her gaze flickering toward Aizen's general direction. "Then... we have to work together," she whispered.
They began to search for Aizen, and after a short while, they found him. Leaning casually against the trunk of a tree, he seemed more like an indifferent observer than an active participant. His left eye was closed, his face tilted skyward, as though the entire affair bored him. It was impossible to tell whether he was aware of their presence or simply unconcerned with it.
Without even opening his eye, Aizen's voice broke the silence. "So," he drawled, his tone laced with a subtle mockery, "have you figured it out yet?"
Shino nodded, his expression unfazed by Aizen's sharp gaze. "We believe the true purpose of the test is to assess our cooperation as a team."
Aizen's eye finally opened, glinting with a flicker of interest. "Good," he murmured. "Then, we can start discussing our plan of attack."
Shino and Hinata settled in as Aizen straightened, his demeanor shifting slightly, signaling that he was ready to engage. They began to lay out their strengths and capabilities, speaking in low tones.
Shino started, glancing between Hinata and Aizen, "My specialty is insect-based techniques. My insects can drain an enemy's chakra, locate targets, jam sensory abilities, and even form barriers or clones for diversion. My taijutsu is adequate, though I prefer long-range tactics."
Hinata nodded with quiet determination as Shino continued, "I can also set traps and create distractions, ideal for situations where teamwork is critical. My strength lies in tactics."
After Shino finished, the group's attention shifted to Hinata, who clasped her hands nervously before speaking. "I... I have the Byakugan, which allows me to see chakra pathways and potential weaknesses. With the Gentle Fist, I can target an opponent's chakra points, disrupting their abilities. My style is mostly close-range, so I'll need one of you to cover me if we face mid- or long-range attacks."
When it was Aizen's turn, he regarded them with an almost patronizing expression, as though humoring children.
"My illusions aside," he began with a faint smirk, "you may consider me versatile."
Shino, unperturbed, pressed for more details. "We need specifics, Naruto. How can we use your strengths most effectively in a coordinated attack?"
Aizen uncrossed his arms, as he grunted "I very proficient in taijutsu and kenjutsu," he stated without a hint of modesty. "My speed is unmatched, and I can use Kidō spells, to bind, attack and defend. Also I have immense physically strength." His words hung in the air, daring them to challenge his claims.
Hinata and Shino exchanged glances; their initial unease about Aizen was starting to morph into something more complex. His aura was unlike any anyone they had ever encountered, his words carrying an assurance that bordered on arrogance. Yet, his proficiency hinted at a strength that was undeniably real.
After agreeing on a rough plan, they moved out together. They found Kakashi waiting in the clearing, his nose buried in his infamous orange book. He barely glanced up as they approached, as though completely unconcerned by their presence.
Shino, Hinata, and Aizen fanned out, preparing to engage him on multiple fronts. Without looking away from his book, Kakashi called out, "Remember, only two of you will be taking bells. Whoever doesn't... goes back to the Academy. And, Naruto, failure means back to your cell."
Aizen's lips curved into a slight smile. "Is that supposed to intimidate me, Kakashi?"
Kakashi snapped his book shut, his expression hardening into a steely gaze. "We'll see," he said coolly, then signaled the start of the test.
---
Immediately, Shino's insects surged forward, swarming Kakashi from all directions. Kakashi dodged effortlessly, his Sharingan tracing each movement. But as he sidestepped, he became aware of Hinata approaching from his blind spot, her Byakugan active as she prepared a series of Gentle Fist strikes aimed at his chakra points.
Kakashi leaped backward, narrowly avoiding Hinata's palms. He shifted his weight to one side just as Shino's insects formed a thick, spiraling cage around him, attempting to restrict his movements. With a flash of steel, Kakashi brandished his tantō, slicing through the cloud of insects and dispersing them.
"Interesting teamwork," he acknowledged, his tone almost admiring. But his attention shifted quickly as he sensed Aizen's approach.
With a flash of Shunpo, Aizen appeared before him, his sword already spawned. Kakashi moved his own tantō into a defensive stance, barely managing to parry as Aizen's blade bore down on him with unrelenting force. Their swords clashed with a piercing ring that echoed through the clearing, sending sparks flying from the sheer pressure of Aizen's attack.
Aizen's speed was astounding; each movement was precise, calculated. He struck with deadly accuracy, his blade a blur of silver arcs. Kakashi countered as best he could, his Sharingan tracing the rapid shifts in Aizen's stance, but the sheer speed of Aizen's strikes was almost overwhelming. Aizen's mastery of kenjutsu was unlike anything Kakashi had ever encountered, each swing carrying a lethal intent that made him realize he could not afford to underestimate Aizen.
In a brief pause between strikes, Kakashi's eye narrowed as he caught sight of Aizen's smirk. There was no doubt in his mind now; Aizen was toying with him. Kakashi tightened his grip on his tantō, switching his strategy.
Their swords clashed again, but this time, Kakashi moved in close. Aizen met his assault head-on, his movements flowing seamlessly between offense and defense.
Their strikes grew faster, each parry and counter becoming a blur of steel and intent. Kakashi's Sharingan began to track Aizen's subtle shifts in stance, his grip tightening as he anticipated the next blow.
But just as Kakashi thought he had an opening, Aizen's free hand shot out, delivering a precise palm strike to Kakashi's chest. The force sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the ground to regain balance.
"Not bad," Kakashi admitted, a hint of a grin breaking his composure. He knew Aizen was restricted from using his illusions, but the ferocity of his physical skills alone was impressive.
Aizen's response was a cool, almost dismissive smile. "Perhaps you should take me more seriously, Kakashi."
Meanwhile, Shino had maneuvered into position with Hinata, watching the exchange with critical eyes. Kakashi's attention was momentarily fixed on Aizen, giving them an opportunity.
They moved in unison, Shino launching another wave of insects while Hinata rushed in, her palms aglow with chakra. Kakashi noticed the incoming attack, quickly shifting his stance to deflect Hinata's Gentle Fist strikes while his tantō kept Aizen at bay. The three closed in around him, forcing him to divide his attention.
For the first time, Kakashi looked genuinely pressured. He leaped back, putting distance between himself and his three attackers. Shino's insects reformed, circling Kakashi in a dense swarm, while Aizen and Hinata prepared to flank him from opposite sides.
Kakashi quickly assessed his options. If he continued focusing on each one individually, he would quickly find himself overwhelmed. He needed to break their formation, and fast.
Reaching into his pouch, Kakashi threw a volley of shuriken, aiming to disrupt their positioning. Shino's insects swarmed forward, intercepting the projectiles, while Aizen moved walked threw the shower of projectiles. Hinata, undeterred,utilized her Byakugan, keeping her sights trained on Kakashi's movements.
The next moments were a blur. Aizen moved in with a renewed intensity, closing the distance and launching into another series of sword strikes. Kakashi blocked the initial blows, but as he tried to counter, Aizen's speed doubled, his strikes becoming nearly impossible to follow. In a final move, Aizen twisted his wrist, redirecting his blade in a sudden arc toward Kakashi's shoulder.
Kakashi sidestepped, barely evading the strike, but Aizen was relentless. He spun, bringing his blade around in a wide sweep that forced Kakashi to parry. The force of the impact sent a shock up Kakashi's arm, his Sharingan darting to Aizen's face, where he found a smirk of undeniable satisfaction.
"Impressive," Kakashi muttered, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Aizen was still holding back.
With a flick of his wrist, Aizen returned Kyoka Suigetsu to his soul. He, stepped back and signaled for Hinata and Shino to move in.
As Kakashi prepared for their next move, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They were adapting quickly, and their coordination was sharper than he anticipated. If he wasn't careful, this test might end with a surprising outcome.
Tbc