“First, while Sasuke was using the Great Fireball Technique, you took advantage of the opening to create two Shadow Clones and had them hide separately.”
“Then, when I ambushed Sasuke, you sacrificed one of the clones. While all of our attention was focused on that sacrificed clone, you deliberately exposed the position of another clone to me.”
“That made me lower my guard.”
“And finally—the part I didn’t expect—the clone I buried underground was actually able to break free from my technique and launch a surprise attack, using a shuriken to knock the bells away.”
“I have to admit, you’re one of the most naturally gifted ninja I’ve ever seen.”
Naruto remained expressionless in the face of Kakashi’s praise.
Because…
Kakashi had gotten one part wrong!
The Naruto buried underground had been the real one!!
There was no room to form hand seals while trapped beneath the earth.
If Naruto wanted to break free from the technique, the only option was brute force.
So in reality, he had used physical strength beyond Chūnin level to successfully take the bells.
With only one arm initially sticking out of the ground, Naruto was eventually dug free by his two Shadow Clones.
Once he was out, Naruto dispelled both clones under Kakashi’s awkward gaze.
Trying to look cool and failing was truly devastating!
“Ahem!”
Kakashi coughed twice to ease the embarrassment before addressing the three of them.
“Uzumaki Naruto has already obtained the bells, so he has secured one of the available spots.”
“Sasuke. Sakura.”
Both of them stiffened when their names were called.
“Only one of you can become a ninja!”
Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other, both wearing troubled expressions.
Although Sasuke thought Sakura was an idiot, he still didn’t want to sacrifice her future for the sake of his own.
As for Sakura, she had already fallen into a pit of crushing self-doubt.
What right do I have to be teammates with Sasuke and Naruto?
They’re both so strong.
I’m the only weak one.
If only two people can become ninja, then it should definitely be Sasuke and Naruto! This story is hosted at g.com.
Once she made up her mind, Sakura stood up and looked at Kakashi with determination.
“I withdraw!”
Her words stunned Sasuke.
He stared at her in disbelief.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
Sakura answered firmly,
“Yes. I’m giving up my chance to become a ninja!”
“During this exercise, I realized just how large the gap is between me and Sasuke and Naruto.”
“So if only two of us can become ninja…”
“Then they’re the two most suitable choices!”
Silence.
Sasuke fell silent.
Kakashi fell silent as well.
As for Naruto—
He was yawning again.
“Kakashi-sensei.”
Naruto tossed both bells back to Kakashi.
Kakashi blinked.
“?”
“If becoming a ninja means abandoning your comrades, then I don’t want to become one.”
Naruto’s sudden declaration shocked everyone again.
“Naruto…”
Sakura looked at him with tears in her eyes.
She thought Naruto was speaking up for her.
For the first time, she felt that Naruto looked incredibly cool!
In reality, Naruto had simply found the key to passing the test. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Sasuke looked at Naruto, then at Sakura, and finally at the bells in Kakashi’s hand.
Grinding his teeth, he stood up and deliberately put on his usual aloof expression.
“I’ll just graduate next year.”
With that, Sasuke turned to leave.
But then the sound of Kakashi clapping rang out behind him.
“Congratulations.”
“All three of you pass!”
Sasuke and Sakura froze in confusion.
Neither of them understood what had just happened.
“Anyone who doesn’t value their comrades has no right to become a ninja.”
“That was the true purpose of this exercise.”
“And all three of you performed perfectly.”
“You pass!”
Sakura immediately burst into tears of joy.
Sasuke, meanwhile, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
If he’d really been sent back to the academy, he would have been unwilling to accept it.
One month later…
Team 7 had already been operating as official ninja for quite some time.
However, because they had only recently graduated, they could still only perform D-rank missions.
At that moment, somewhere outside a farmer’s home in Konoha, Team 7 was hard at work.
Kakashi stood nearby with a copy of Icha Icha Paradise in his hands, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Suddenly, he glanced toward Naruto, who was busy working.
“Another clone?”
Ever since Team 7 had been formed, Naruto had only used his real body for one mission.
Every other time, his real body had followed Yūhi Kurenai’s team around on their missions, spending every day together with Hinata in a shamelessly affectionate fashion.
“Looks like I’ll have to ask Lord Third for some different missions.”
“If Naruto keeps sending clones instead of coming personally, the bonds within the team are bound to weaken.”
Having made up his mind, Kakashi informed Sasuke and the others before leaving ahead of them.