Haruto, Naruto, and Sasuke got up early the next morning, taking their ti with breakfast before heading to the training ground where Kakashi had instructed them to et at 5 a.m.
When they arrived, they found Kakashi already there.
Before Kakashi could say anything, Haruto spoke up calmly, "Just now, Sasuke, Naruto, and I were delayed. A black cat crossed our path. I think I even saw you around, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi said nothing.
Then he held up two small silver bells. "This is today's test."
Haruto's expression didn't change. Just like I expected... still the sa old bell test. Knowing the plot ahead of ti really does ruin the suspense.
"The exercise begins now," Kakashi said.
But the three of them didn't move. They simply stood there, facing him.
Kakashi's forehead creased. "What's the aning of this?"
Haruto stepped forward, voice steady. "I believe that no matter where we hide, you'll find us. Compared to you, we lack the strength and experience to fight solo. Our only advantage... is numbers."
Kakashi chuckled. "That's a sharp analysis. But I only have two bells. Even if you manage to take them, how will you split them?"
Haruto smirked. "That's not your problem, sensei. First, we'll take them. Then we'll decide."
"Naruto, Sasuke—let's go."
With that, Haruto unsheathed the Murasa. He infused it with chakra, and a shimring layer of white energy flowed across the blade. The sword trembled, giving off a low hum. The light refracted in a watery glow—beautiful, almost ethereal—but beneath the elegance was deadly force.
I haven't spent all these years in training for nothing, Haruto thought. It's ti to see how far I've really co.
Seeing the familiar white glow, Kakashi felt a pang of nostalgia. He's already reached this level? His skill may have even surpassed mine back then...
Kakashi had once beco a Jonin thanks to his balanced mastery of taijutsu, ninjutsu, and swordsmanship. But after his father's death, his will wavered. His sword skills deteriorated, and the weapon his father left behind had shattered. Even after regaining resolve, the corruption of his chakra made continuing the White Fang sword style impossible.
And now, Haruto had refined that very sword style to a level beyond what Kakashi had ever reached.
In a blink, Haruto appeared before Kakashi. "Blitz—!"
The Murasa Maru let out a sharp hum as Haruto struck with speed and precision, aiming for a vital point.
So fast! Kakashi quickly blocked with a kunai, but the blade sliced through it like butter, cutting into his finger.
His pupils narrowed. Kakashi discarded the kunai imdiately, realizing the next strike might sever it entirely. He pulled out another kunai just in ti.
Clang! The second kunai was destroyed instantly.
But Kakashi seized the mont, taking advantage of Haruto's opening to push himself backward, just barely escaping the blade's reach.
That was close... Kakashi thought grimly. Even without using dangerous ninjutsu, Haruto's strength has already surpassed the average Chunin. What a monster...
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist—Naruto!
A dozen shadow clones sward Kakashi from every side.
"What the—?!" Kakashi began, caught off guard.
Then ca Sasuke's voice, cool and deadly behind him.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."
Seeing the fireball explode in front of them, Naruto panicked.
"Teacher's not dead, right?! Oh no, oh no! Sasuke, couldn't you have held back a little?!"
Haruto calmly grabbed Naruto by the collar, keeping him from running around. "Relax. A Jonin won't go down that easily."
Monts later, Kakashi appeared from behind a grove of trees, patting off so soot.
That was actually close... he thought. If I keep underestimating them, I really might lose. If they beat , I'll have no excuse.
He glanced at the remaining bell on his hip. Ti to get serious.
Just then, a large hand burst from the ground beneath Naruto.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
"Ahhh!" Naruto scread as he was dragged into the dirt, only his head sticking out.
Haruto clicked his tongue. Figures he'd pick the soft target first. Naruto's definitely the easiest to deal with.
"Ngh... Sasuke! Haruto! Help !!"
But Haruto and Sasuke stood back-to-back, ignoring Naruto completely. They both knew that rushing in would only get them caught too.
Haruto casually tossed a kunai toward Naruto's mouth.
"Dig yourself out."
Naruto gawked. "Are you kidding ?!"
Ti passed, and Naruto struggled on his own. From afar, Kakashi watched, slightly impressed but mostly annoyed.
It's harder than I thought to deal with them without using lethal ninjutsu...
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared again, weaving signs.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"A strong gust of wind blew toward Haruto and Sasuke, but they barely flinched.
"This jutsu won't do anything to us," Sasuke muttered, eyes focused.
Behind them—
"Pfft! Bah! Co save already!" Naruto shouted, dirt in his mouth. "I fell in again!"
He finally pulled himself out of the hole. Breathing heavily, he wiped the mud from his face and pointed at Kakashi.
"Alright! Ti to show you my secret technique!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! A dozen Narutos surrounded Kakashi in an instant.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Shadow clones? That's just wasting chakra."
"Really? Then how about this!" Naruto smirked."Sexy Jutsu: Harem Technique!"
Kakashi's eyes widened in horror. "W-What the—?!" Caught completely off guard, he froze. Just then, one of Naruto's clones charged forward—hidden behind it, a kunai with an explosive tag attached.
He's distracting ?! Kakashi's pupils shrank. He leapt into the air just in ti as the tag detonated below him.
"I've been waiting for this," Haruto said from above.
Haruto slashed with Murasa, the blade glowing with chakra.
Kakashi barely dodged mid-air, landing awkwardly in the clearing below—only to realize the bell was gone from his side.
He touched his belt and sighed. They actually took it...
Kakashi looked at his students. Despite being a bit embarrassed, he smiled. They really are sothing else. Almost all of them are already at Chunin level. Their coordination is flawless. What kind of Genin squad works like this right out of the gate?
"Well," Kakashi said, trying to keep his tone neutral, "as I ntioned earlier, only two of you can pass. The other one must return to the Academy. So—"
He looked straight at Haruto.
"Have you decided who that person will be? You worked well together... but I wonder—do you really have team spirit?"
After a long silence, Haruto was the first to speak. He already knew what this exam was truly about.
"I'll go back to the Academy," he said calmly. "Honestly, with my skills, repeating a year wouldn't be that bad."
"No way, Boss!" Naruto stepped forward. "I'm the worst in the class. If anyone should go back, it's ."
Sasuke crossed his arms coldly. "The Uchiha clan doesn't need pity. I'll stay behind. That's final."
The three stood there, silently exchanging glances.
Then, as if coming to the sa conclusion, Haruto turned to Kakashi. "We've decided. All three of us will return to the Academy. You'll have to find another team."
Kakashi's face darkened, his tone growing serious. "Do you think this is a ga? That you get to choose?"
Wind and lightning seed to swirl faintly around him, his presence suddenly overwhelming. Naruto and Sasuke stiffened, visibly unnerved.
Haruto muttered under his breath, "Tch... That wind and lightning... Is that even ninjutsu? He's way better than ..."
Then, just as quickly, Kakashi's expression softened into a smile.
"You all pass."
The three of them blinked, caught off guard.
Naruto and Sasuke looked confused.
Haruto narrowed his eyes, already suspecting there was more to this.
Kakashi looked at them and said, "A ninja must be calm, composed, and follow the rules. Anyone who breaks the rules is considered scum... But..."
He paused, letting the silence land before finishing.
"...the ones who abandon their comrades are worse than scum."
He looked each of them in the eye and smiled.
"I'm glad none of my students turned out to be that kind of trash."
He turned and announced, "The exercise is over. All of you pass! Starting tomorrow, Team 7 will officially begin missions."
As Kakashi began to walk away, content with his students' potential, a voice suddenly stopped him.
"Sensei—aren't you going to treat us to dinner?" Haruto called out, a teasing smirk on his face. "I heard the other teachers are already doing it."
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Where did you hear that?"
Haruto shrugged. "Just a rumor. But hey, you wouldn't want to be the worst teacher, right?"
Kakashi gave them a half-smile, half-grimace.
"...Fine. One al."
Naruto pumped his fist in the air. "Yes! Ran, here we co!"
Sasuke just shook his head, but even he couldn't help smirking a little.
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