A new arrival and it's about Sasuke-kun.
So, do give it a go.
And, If you're enjoying the story, please consider giving it a power stone!
Your support helps the book grow and lets me know you're excited for the next chapter.
Thank you for readingš
***
"Ahemā¦ Well, you three have to decide now! Are we going back to the Ninja Academy together, or will one of you become a genin and carry out missions?"
Kakashi coughed dryly to hide his embarrassment, beginning the final test.
His earlier words were uncertain, but now the true temptation of genin status was at hand.
"Hmph, of course I'm going back to the Ninja Academy! I don't want a perverted sensei like you!"
Naruto spoke first, reluctantly glancing at the bells before tossing them to Sasuke.
"Naruto's right," Sakura added, eyeing Kakashi like he was a thief.
Becoming his subordinate would risk Naruto and Kakashi leading Sasuke astray.
"Sasuke, what about you?"
Kakashi asked, satisfied with Naruto and Sakura's responses.
"Of course I'm going back to eat. Naruto, Sakura, you must be starving since you skipped breakfast! It's my treatābarbecue today," Sasuke said casually, tossing the bells back to Kakashi and turning to his teammates.
"Barbecue? Nice one, Sasuke! This is the first time I feel we're on the same wavelength!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled, mouth watering, ready to move.
He'd longed for a barbecue dinner but, due to financial constraints, had relied on fishing or hunting for food, which paled in comparison to a barbecue restaurant.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm ready! Let's go!"
Sakura, thrilled at dining with Sasuke again, quickly grabbed her and Sasuke's backpacks, beaming sweetly, secretly delighted their relationship was progressing.
Naruto followed, taking Sasuke's backpack to show off.
Sasuke, unbothered, shot Kakashi a look that said, 'Figure it out yourself', before leaving with the others.
"Hey, you three! Do you even take your sensei seriously? I haven't announced the results yet!"
Kakashi called out, exasperated, holding his forehead as he watched their backs.
Though pleased with their performance, he was baffled by their attitude.
"The result's obviousāyou failed us! We knew that already! Do whatever you want, just don't interrupt our barbecue!"
Naruto replied casually, not turning back, fearless.
"Hey, Naruto, when did I say you failed?"
Kakashi sighed, touching his head, stopping the three in their tracks.
"Sensei, what do you mean?"
Sakura turned, giving him a strange look.
She was about to strengthen her bond with Sasuke over lunch.
"It means you all passed. From now on, Team 7, Kakashi's squad, is officially formed. You're now official genin!"
Kakashi gave a thumbs-up, shouting loudly, surprising Naruto and Sakura.
[Congratulations to the host for becoming an official genin and unlocking C-rank reward privileges.]
A system prompt echoed in Sasuke's mind.
'C-rank reward authority? I seeā¦ The higher the ninja rank, the greater the reward! No wonder previous rewards were D-rank. Genin authority corresponds to D- and C-rank system rewards.' Sasuke realized, his thoughts flashing, understanding his next path.
In the upcoming Chūnin Exam, he had to become a Konohagakure chūnin.
"But, sensei, why did we all pass? Didn't you say only two could?"
Naruto asked, scratching his head, confused after his surprise.
"Because that's the real point of the test. Come with me," Kakashi said, leading them to the Memorial Stone nearby.
"The ninja world is full of dangers, surprises, and choices. Every mission brings varied situations and challenges. Sometimes, you face critical choices between comrades and tasks.
Should you follow rules and prioritize the mission, or break them to save your comrades? Before you, everyone who took this test chose the rules. A team that sacrifices its members or is sacrificed isn't what I want. Yes, we call those who break rules trash, but those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than trash."
"This Memorial Stone bears the names of my friends. I don't want your names carved here someday. Teamwork is the core of Team 7. You three each had reasons to quit, yet chose to sacrifice your own interests and stand together. You're true ninjas who value your comrades. I acknowledge your existence," Kakashi explained, gazing at the stone with a heavy yet relieved expression.
Naruto and Sakura, filled with excitement and silence, stared at the Memorial Stone in a daze.
Sasuke sighed.
If Kakashi knew his best friend, mourned for years, was stirring trouble in the ninja world, having abandoned everything to cause the Nine-Tails Incident and Uchiha Genocide, would he unleash his MangekyÅ Sharingan's Kamui in rage?
"Alright, aren't you hungry? I've prepared lunch boxes in that backpack. Naruto, grab it," Kakashi said, his expression shifting to sunny and warm, pointing.
"Bento? No way! I don't want a lunch box! Sasuke was taking us for barbecue. Sensei, treating us with lunch boxes is lame," Naruto waved off, looking eagerly at Sasuke, clearly wanting barbecue.
"Well, I don't have much money. The three of us can manage, but adding one more would bankrupt me. Teamwork's still keyāwe can't eat barbecue and leave someone to eat a lunch box!"
Sasuke shrugged slyly, unwilling to let Kakashi off easily.
"Exactly! A certain unscrupulous sensei messed with us and didn't even treat us to a meal to promote team spirit,"
Sakura chimed in, eyeing Kakashi.
"Yeah, yeah! Kakashi-sensei, you should treat us to barbecue, or I'll tell everyone about your nosebleed!"
Naruto threatened, narrowing his eyes.
Kakashi's mouth twitched, speechless. Was their teamwork just about ganging up on their sensei?
"Fine, let's go for barbecue. But, Naruto, don't spread nonsenseāI didn't have a nosebleed! And Sasuke, how'd you come up with that tactic?"
Kakashi agreed shamelessly, curious.
Sakura immediately looked at Sasuke, wanting to know too.
"Someone who blatantly reads indecent books. if he's not a pervert, is he a gentleman critiquing ugliness?"
Sasuke said naturally, casting a contemptuous glance at Kakashi.
"ā¦" Kakashi was silent.
.....
Please vote and give a review if you like the novel š