Chapter 6:
The chapter opens within the chambers of the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sits at his desk, his sharp eyes narrowing thoughtfully as Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kakashi Hatake stand before him.
After exchanging pleasantries, Asuma gets straight to the point, his tone neutral but confident. "Hokage-sama, we are here to report that Team 7 passed the test."
Hiruzen takes a slow drag from his pipe, the smoke curling upward as he ponders. His gaze then shifts to Kurenai and Asuma. "How long did it take for them to realize they were in Kurenai's genjutsu?"
Kurenai exchanges a glance with Asuma before answering, her voice calm but laced with a slight undertone of concern. "Shikamaru realized it, but it took him quite some time. As for Hinata... she never realized she was in the genjutsu."
Hiruzen's brow furrows slightly, but Kurenai continues quickly, anticipating any misjudgment. "It wasn't due to a lack of skill, Hokage-sama. I made sure to use a particularly powerful genjutsu, one that specifically blocked Hinata from using her Byakugan. I wanted to test her ability to cope without it."
Hiruzen nods, satisfied by the explanation, though there's a glint of worry in his eyes. "I see... and Naruto?"
Kakashi, who has been quiet up until now, steps forward. "Naruto most likely saw through the genjutsu from the beginning."
Hiruzen didn't look to surprised. "From the beginning huh?"
He continues "Did Naruto display power beyond that of a genin during the test?"
Kakashi's usual relaxed demeanor is tempered with a rare seriousness. "Yes," he replies plainly. "Naruto's power far surpasses that of a genin. If I'm being honest, it's more on the level of a jōnin, maybe higher"
Asuma lets out a low whistle of disbelief, his brow furrowing. "Are you serious, Kakashi?"
Kakashi nods, his tone steady. "I'm not joking. The boy is... something else. During the test, he used highly advanced techniques, ones that involved energy manipulation I've never seen before. He called them Bakudō and Hadō. They were used both offensively and defensively, and he executed them in quick succession, without any visible effort."
Kurenai's expression hardens, her posture rigid as she processes the information. "So he's another genius, then," she says, her voice thoughtful but slightly apprehensive. Her mind drifts to the memory of another child prodigy. "I only hope he doesn't follow the same path as Itachi."
A heavy silence falls over the room, the mention of Itachi Uchiha bringing back difficult memories for all present. Kakashi and Asuma remain silent, their expressions sober.
Asuma breaks the silence with a deep breath. "It's our job to make sure that doesn't happen. Naruto's powerful, but he's still a kid. It's up to us as his teachers to guide him, make sure he stays on the right path."
Hiruzen, who had remained contemplative throughout the exchange, nods in agreement. "Yes, it is your duty. Not just with Naruto, but with all of your students. They each hold potential, and it is your responsibility to help them grow into strong, capable shinobi."
He leans forward slightly, his hands resting on the desk, his expression firm but fatherly. "Naruto's future is not set in stone. Remember, strength is a tool, but how it's used determines the person's path. Guide him well."
The three jōnin nod in unison, understanding the weight of the task ahead of them. Asuma and Kurenai exchange a glance, both silently acknowledging the unique challenge Naruto presents, not just because of his power, but because of the heavy burdens he carries.
Hiruzen takes another deep breath, the smoke from his pipe swirling in the air. "You may go"
The three jōnin bow respectfully before turning to leave. As they walk out of the Hokage's office, the weight of their conversation lingers in the air between them. They are aware that Naruto, though still just a boy, could shape the future of Konoha, perhaps even the world.
As they part ways, Kakashi lingers for a moment, casting a glance back towards the Hokage Tower. His thoughts are on Naruto,his strange powers, his incredible speed, and his potential. He can't help but feel that the real challenge is only just beginning.
---
Chapter 7: The True Test
The day after Team 7's test, the early morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing where Team 10 stood, facing their Jonin sensei, Kakashi Hatake. The infamous Copy Ninja stood before them, holding two small bells in his hand, their metallic jingles the only sound breaking the silence.
Kakashi's one visible eye was as unreadable as ever, giving no hint of emotion as he twirled the bells. "Your objective is simple," he said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of an unspoken challenge. "You need to take these bells from me."
Shino Aburame adjusted his sunglasses slightly, his face impassive as always. His mind, however, was already processing the situation, analyzing the details of the task. Two bells for three genin, and one of them was going to fail. It was a classic setup.
Choji Akimichi shifted nervously beside him, his eyes wide with concern. Sakura Haruno, on the other hand, looked visibly panicked, her thoughts clearly running wild.
"But... but there are only two bells!" Sakura exclaimed, pointing toward the small trinkets dangling from Kakashi's hand. "Does that mean...?"
"That's right," Kakashi interrupted smoothly, his tone deceptively casual. "One of you will be returning to the academy."
At this, Choji's anxiety increased, and he gulped audibly. Sakura looked like she was on the verge of a meltdown. Shino, on the other hand, remained composed, though his thoughts were racing beneath the surface.
The two-bell dilemma was designed to pit them against each other, Shino realized. But Kakashi wasn't one to rely on such straightforward tactics. This test was more complex than it appeared on the surface.
Kakashi's voice broke Shino's thoughts. "Remember," he said, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "Come at me with the intent to kill. Anything less won't be enough."
The tension in the air heightened. The Jonin set a small clock on a nearby stump, the hands ticking away quietly. "You have until noon," Kakashi said before he nonchalantly added, "Begin."
In an instant, the three genin dispersed, each heading in a different direction, seeking cover among the trees. Kakashi watched them go with a bemused smile, his sharp eye already tracking their movements.
He targeted Sakura first.
Sakura was running, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced back, trying to spot Kakashi, but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, her surroundings shifted, the trees twisting and warping into a distorted vision. Without warning, she found herself standing in front of Sasuke, his body battered and broken, blood pooling beneath him.
"S-Sasuke...?" Sakura's voice wavered as her body froze in place.
In the illusion, Sasuke coughed weakly, his hand reaching out toward her before his body slumped lifelessly to the ground.
"No! Sasuke!" Sakura screamed in horror, her knees buckling as she collapsed. Her mind couldn't process the scene before her, it felt so real. She reached for him, but her hand passed through thin air. Her mind shattered under the pressure, and with a soft gasp, she fainted, falling limp on the forest floor.
From a distance, Kakashi observed her with a sigh. "Fangirl," he muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Choji and Shino regrouped, both kneeling in the shade of a large tree. Choji's face was pale, his nervous energy clear as he fidgeted with his hands.
"What do you think of the test?" Shino asked, his voice calm and deliberate.
Choji hesitated. "I... I don't know. It seems... tough. But we just need to get the bells, right?" He scratched the back of his head, unsure of himself. "I mean, only two of us can pass..."
Shino's mind raced, trying to put the pieces together. He already had a strong suspicion about what this test was really about, but he needed to lead Choji to the answer. "Tell me, Choji, how many members are in a ninja team?"
Choji blinked, caught off guard by the question. He thought for a moment, and then his eyes lit up as he remembered his father's stories. "3... Uncle Inoichi, Uncle Shikaku, and my dad... they're a three-man team."
Shino nodded slowly, letting Choji arrive at the next conclusion on his own. "Exactly. And yet... Kakashi only has two bells."
Choji's eyes widened as the realization began to sink in. "Wait... if a team has three members, but only two can pass, then... then..."
"The bells are a farce," Shino concluded, his voice steady. "The real test is something else."
Choji looked confused. "But... what is it, then?"
Shino turned to face him fully. "Think about it. What is the most important quality that your father's team, Ino-Shika-Cho, are known for?"
Choji's face lit up with understanding. "Teamwork."
Shino gave a small smile behind his high collar. "Exactly. Kakashi-sensei isn't testing our individual strength or skill. He's testing whether we can work together. If we try to act alone, none of us will pass."
Choji's shoulders relaxed slightly as the weight of the task became clearer. "So, we have to team up."
Shino nodded. "We need to find Sakura and regroup."
Unbeknownst to them, Kakashi was observing their conversation from afar, hidden in the branches of a tree. He smiled to himself. "Smart kid", he thought. "Shino's already figured out the real point of the exercise."
The two boys moved through the forest, tracking Sakura's location. It didn't take them long to find her collapsed on the ground, her breathing shallow as she mumbled Sasuke's name. Shino kneeled beside her, his hand resting gently on her forehead.
"She's caught in a genjutsu," Shino said calmly, his fingers weaving through a few hand signs before his bugs swarmed around her. They worked quickly, disrupting the flow of chakra and breaking the illusion.
Sakura's eyes shot open as she gasped, her body jerking awake. "S-Sasuke...!" she cried, looking around wildly.
"You were in a genjutsu," Shino explained evenly. "Kakashi-sensei used it to disorient you."
Sakura blinked, her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized what had happened. "That... that jerk," she muttered, clenching her fists. "He made me see Sasuke,dead. That wasn't fair!"
Shino remained calm as ever. "It was meant to throw you off. But we've figured out the true nature of the test. It's about teamwork."
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Teamwork? But... what about the bells?"
"They're not the point," Shino said, standing up. "The only way for us to pass is to work together."
Sakura's face twisted in thought before she huffed, shaking her head. "That sneaky bastard," she muttered under her breath. "Okay, so what's the plan?"
Shino adjusted his glasses. "We need to use our strengths. Choji, your Expansion Jutsu will be key. You can serve as both an offensive and defensive tool, pushing Kakashi-sensei into positions where we need him. My bugs will be useful in tracking him, disrupting and absorbing his chakra. As for you, Sakura..."
He paused, considering what role Sakura could play(She's useless).
While she hadn't shown many remarkable skills yet, Shino knew they could make use of her intelligence and timing.
"You'll be the strategist. I need you to focus on finding openings. While Choji and I pressure him, you look for moments where we can strike at the bells."
Sakura blinked, clearly surprised by the responsibility Shino was entrusting to her. But after a moment, she nodded. "Right. I'll do my best."
With their roles set, Shino led them back into the forest, each of them moving with purpose now, no longer divided by panic or fear.
The battle began swiftly. Choji, using his "Partial Expansion Jutsu", enlarged his fists, swinging them toward Kakashi like wrecking balls. Kakashi danced around the attacks, but Shino's bugs swarmed in from the sides, forcing him to keep moving.
Kakashi smiled under his mask, impressed by their coordination. "Not bad," he muttered, flipping over Choji's fist and landing gracefully on a branch.
But that was when Sakura struck. She had been watching carefully, waiting for the exact moment when Kakashi would land. With precise timing, she hurled several kunai at his position, forcing Kakashi to dodge mid-air. The brief moment of instability gave Choji and Shino the chance they needed.
Choji extended his arms, grabbing for Kakashi, while Shino's bugs swarmed from below. Kakashi evaded them by a hair's breadth, but in doing so, he was forced into a vulnerable position, right in front of Shino.
Shino's hand shot out, his bugs surging toward the bells. Kakashi's eye widened slightly in surprise at how close they had gotten.
With a single flick of his wrist, Shino's bugs formed into a hand, snagging one of the bells, pulling it back toward the team. Sakura caught it in midair, her eyes wide in shock.
Kakashi landed softly on the ground,he raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling softly. "Impressive teamwork, Team 10. I didn't expect you all to figure it out so quickly."
Sakura, still holding the bell, stared at Kakashi with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "We actually did it!" she exclaimed, her voice barely able to conceal her glee.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. "This is only the beginning. We need to get the second bell before he recovers."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their sudden shift in energy. "Oh? And what makes you think you can get another bell?"
"Because we're not going to give up," Choji declared, his confidence renewed. He focused his chakra, preparing to unleash his Expansion Jutsu once again. The ground trembled as his body grew larger and bulkier, ready for action.
"Let's go, then!" Sakura urged, determined to secure victory for their team.
Kakashi observed their teamwork, a proud smile creeping onto his face. "I admire your passion, but I'm not going to make this easy for you." With a burst of speed, he dodged Choji's massive fists and leapt into the air, ready for another counterattack.
"Now, Shino!" Sakura called out, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Shino's bugs swarmed forward in unison, obscuring Kakashi's vision for a brief moment. The diversion worked, allowing Choji to close the gap between them rapidly.
"Expansion Jutsu: Human Boulder!" Choji bellowed as he expanded his body and rolled toward Kakashi like a massive boulder.
Kakashi, momentarily blinded, barely managed to roll out of the way, but he was caught by the shockwave of Choji's attack. Stumbling, he regained his footing just in time to see Shino send a concentrated wave of bugs directly toward the remaining bell.
"Get it, Sakura!" Shino shouted.
Sakura lunged forward, her eyes locked on the second bell. Her fingers just grazed it as Kakashi steadied himself. With a quick, decisive motion, she grasped the bell and pulled it free from Kakashi's waist.
"Yes!" she cried out, elation surging through her as she held both bells high.
Kakashi clapped his hands together, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Congratulations, Team 10! You've passed the bell test."
A wave of relief washed over the three genin. Choji reverted to his normal size, panting heavily but grinning from ear to ear. "We really did it! We worked as a team!"
Shino allowed a rare smile to break through his usual stoic demeanor, proud of his teammates. "Understanding the nature of the test was crucial to our success."
Sakura looked at her teammates, her heart swelling with pride. "I couldn't have done it without you both. Teamwork really does make the dream work!"
Kakashi nodded approvingly. "Good work, everyone. Remember this lesson: teamwork is essential to being a successful ninja. There will be many challenges ahead, but if you can rely on each other, you'll only grow stronger."
As they caught their breath and celebrated their victory, a sense of camaraderie settled over Team 10. The sun peeked through the leaves overhead, casting a warm glow on the trio. They had faced a daunting challenge and emerged victorious, not as individuals, but as a team.
The bond they formed in that moment would carry them through the trials ahead.
Tbc