"Alright then, let's start with introductions," Kakashi-sensei said after we followed him up to the academy rooftop.
"Introductions?" Sakura asked, clearly not quite understanding what he meant.
"Yes. Say your name, what you like, what you hate… and your dreams for the future. You can also mention your hobbies if you want," he drawled lazily.
Yeah… even here he isn't original. Everything is going strictly according to canon, I thought.
"And what about you, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura immediately asked. "You didn't tell us anything about yourself."
"Me?" He paused for a moment. "I'm Hatake Kakashi. What I like and hate—I don't feel like telling you. Dreams… I have them, but they're not for children's ears. As for hobbies, I have plenty."
Wow. What an introduction. A true master of communication, I snorted inwardly.
"So basically, all we learned is his name?" Sakura complained, glancing at us.
"Alright, now it's your turn. Let's start with you," Kakashi continued, pointing at Sakura.
Huh… that's strange. If I remember correctly, I was supposed to go first, I thought, but decided not to voice it.
"Me first? Okay! My name is Haruno Sakura! What I like is…" she hesitated and shyly glanced at Sasuke, "…a certain person. What I dislike…" her gaze slid toward me, "…Naruto! As for my dream and hobbies—" another brief pause, and once again her eyes went to Sasuke.
That was… kind of painful to hear. And awkward, I noted to myself, staying silent. Even Sasuke didn't seem especially pleased with that kind of attention.
"Hmm. I see. Next," Kakashi said without much interest, turning his gaze to Sasuke.
"I am Uchiha Sasuke," he began calmly. "There are many things I dislike. I don't particularly like anything. My goal is to restore my clan… and kill a certain man."
Silence fell over the rooftop. Sakura continued to stare at him with adoration, while Kakashi-sensei's gaze grew serious.
"You're the last one," our future instructor said, looking at me.
"Oh! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! What I like most is ramen from Ichiraku! And what I hate…" I paused, "…is when people look at me with cold, hateful eyes. As for my goal and dream—my dream is to become the strongest Hokage and earn everyone's recognition!" I declared in a firm, energetic voice.
"…Good. That'll do," Kakashi said, nodding approvingly at me before continuing. "Tomorrow, we'll begin missions. But before that, the four of us will do something together."
"And what would that be?" Sakura asked.
"A survival exercise."
"A survival exercise?" I repeated, even though I already knew where this was going.
"What does training have to do with missions?" Sasuke asked.
"Weren't our academy lessons enough?" Sakura added with mild irritation.
"I will be your opponent," Kakashi suddenly said. "And this won't be a simple training session."
"Then what awaits us?" Sakura asked.
Just as I expected—no, knew—Kakashi began to deliberately build tension. He even let out a sinister laugh, making Sakura flinch and Sasuke tense up. Then he explained that out of twenty-seven graduates, only nine would pass. The rest would be sent back to the academy.
Unlike the others, I wasn't particularly worried. On the contrary, a smile crept onto my face. A bold plan had formed in my mind—one that gave me a real chance to pass Kakashi's test.
After ordering us to arrive at the training ground tomorrow morning on an empty stomach, Kakashi handed out flyers and left. Sasuke and Sakura were clearly shaken. For a moment, I honestly wanted to tell them what awaited us—but I decided against it.
First, they saw me as a hopeless screw-up who somehow became a genin.Second, awkward questions would arise about how I knew all this.And third… I was uneasy.
The reason was the Third Hokage.
I understood that a jinchūriki had to be monitored—but the old man literally had a crystal ball that could watch my actions.
Big Brother is watching you… No wonder the Third is such a pervert. Damn peeping old man, I thought bitterly.
For the same reason, I avoided overusing Shadow Clones for training. I really didn't want some Yamanaka poking around inside my head later. I had enough time and resources to grow stronger, so I chose not to rush.
Leaving my future teammates behind, I headed home and began polishing the technique that would grant me victory over that damn Kakashi.
I spent the rest of the day training. With my eyes closed, I repeatedly visualized different images. My technique had to be flawless—I only had one chance. Against an elite jōnin like Kakashi, there was only one option: rely on being underestimated.
It felt unpleasant, but my future mentor absolutely deserved what I had prepared for him.
Morning came. I skipped breakfast.
Why, you ask? Paranoia.
Only God knew whether Kakashi had a shadow clone tailing me. I didn't want to risk failing the test. After washing up and getting dressed, I gathered my weapons—two kunai and about ten shuriken.
When I arrived at Training Ground Seven, I saw Sasuke already there. I decided not to be a jerk and greeted him. He responded with a short nod.
Soon, Sakura arrived as well. Even in the morning, it was hard to tear my eyes away from her…
What am I supposed to do about this? Ignoring it doesn't seem like an option. Of all people, Naruto—meaning me—had to fall for Sakura. I mean, I won't deny it, she has her charm. But she clearly dislikes me… I thought, watching her.
In the end, one question surfaced in my mind: Do I really have to follow the template?
I didn't want to believe my fate was predetermined, that I had to walk a pre-laid path. My worldview was the complete opposite. I believed we shaped our own destiny—through pain, sweat, tears, and sometimes even blood.
Feeling Sakura's disdain toward me stirred some unpleasant thoughts… but I quickly shut them down. You can't treat her like that.
She didn't even say hello… All she thinks about is Sasuke…
I'll deal with this later. First—we need to pass this damn bell test! I decided.
"Good morning, guys!" After an hour of waiting, our mentor finally arrived, greeting us with an utterly calm expression.
"YOU'RE LATE!!!" all three of us shouted at him in unison.
"Your task is… to take these from me," Kakashi said, pulling out an alarm clock, setting it to noon, then producing two bells.
"You have until noon. Whoever fails won't get lunch. Moreover…" he paused, "…they'll be tied to a post and forced to watch the others eat."
"WHAT?!" Sakura screamed. My stomach growled in response.
Sasuke merely narrowed his eyes, studying the bells.
"But there are three of us… and only two bells," he said slowly.
"Correct. One of you is guaranteed to fail and return to the academy," Kakashi replied with a smile hidden in his eyes.
We all tensed up.
"Use shuriken, kunai, explosive tags—anything you have. Try to kill me," Kakashi said coldly. "If you don't, you'll fail with near certainty."
"But sensei! That's dangerous!" Sakura protested, not realizing just how strong he was.
"Thanks for your concern, but don't worry about me," Kakashi replied. "Now then… begin. From this moment—your final exam starts!"
Sakura and Sasuke immediately fled. Kakashi and I remained.
"You seem a bit slow," Kakashi said tiredly. "The exam already started."
"I know. That's why I'm fighting you!" I declared, forming hand seals and gathering chakra.
"Hm. Alright. Surprise me," Kakashi said, pulling out his book Make-Out Paradise.
"Tch! Gladly!" I replied, keeping my cool despite the insult.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
I created ten clones, surrounding Kakashi from all sides. Each clone drew a weapon.
"Oh… Shadow Clones. Real, physical copies," Kakashi noted with mild surprise.
"Attack!"
The clones rushed him.
"That won't be enough to defeat me," Kakashi said calmly, closing his book.
Most of my clones went in for close combat, while others bombarded him with shuriken. As expected, Kakashi was far faster and stronger. In seconds, my clones vanished in smoke.
"It that all you've got? If so, becoming Hokage will be difficult," Kakashi said, reopening his book.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" I repeated, creating over twenty clones this time.
"Numbers won't change anything, Naruto," he said lazily.
"We'll see about that!" I shouted, charging straight at him with my clones.
Kakashi still didn't see me as a threat.
Perfect. This is my only chance. Just one second. I have to make it count!
"Transformation! Sexy Technique: Harem Version!"
Using my knowledge from a past life, I upgraded my signature move. Every clone transformed into a beautiful woman—each with a unique appeal. Big busts, big hips, Asian, dark-skinned, MILF, redhead, goth, cute student, long-legged beauty, glasses-wearing dominatrix…
"W-WHAT?!" Kakashi froze, his eye darting across the scene in shock.
"Kakashi~ Darling~ Sensei~ Beloved~ Master~ Slave~!" the clones cooed in different voices.
"YES! Hahaha! I got the bells!" While Kakashi was distracted, I snatched them cleanly. The clones vanished in smoke.
"Naruto…!!!" Kakashi snapped out of it and smacked me over the head with his book.
"Ow!!!" I yelped.
I won… but at what cost?