Kakashi assumed Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura would already be waiting at the agreed training ground when he arrived, probably irritated and complaining about his lateness as usual. That was how most genin teams behaved, especially newly graduated ones who had never faced a real jōnin test.
But when he appeared at the field, Naruto and Sasuke were exactly on time. Only Sakura showed the expected impatience, pacing slightly while trying to maintain her composure.
Sakura forced a smile, but inside her imagination, a massive "angry spirit version" of herself was screaming at Naruto and Sasuke for being late. Still, in front of Sasuke, she held it in.
Chinatsu: that restraint is useless. In situations like this you don't "hold it in," you just smile sweetly and land a clean hit on all late arrivals twice. That's basic emotional balance.
Ladies can have temper too. Suppressing anger isn't a requirement for being feminine. Even clay dolls crack under pressure. Who decided that strength and elegance can't coexist?
Of course, Chinatsu's philosophy was only her own logic. In reality, becoming a "lady" in her definition required absurd confidence and terrifying control.
"Sasuke, why are you so late?" Sakura asked softly, keeping her tone polite.
Sasuke crossed his arms, calm and slightly arrogant as always.
"Because we already knew our sensei would be late."
Kakashi paused mid-step. That answer was too precise, too confident for a fresh graduate. Then it clicked Chinatsu.
"…So Chinatsu already told you my habits."
He scratched his head lazily, one eye half-lidded above his mask.
"Don't misunderstand. I only arrived late to observe your reactions and give you bonding time. Teamwork is important, you know."
Sasuke and Naruto both looked at him without believing a single word.
Kakashi coughed lightly. This was worse than expected. They hadn't even started training and already treated him like an unreliable adult.
He slowly reached into his pouch and pulled out two small bells that clinked together softly.
"Today's test is simple. Before noon, take these two bells from me. Those who fail will not eat lunch."
He tilted his head slightly.
"And will be tied to that log over there while watching me eat."
"Ugh!!" Sakura stiffened immediately. That sounded cruelly specific.
But Naruto and Sasuke noticed something else instantly.
Only two bells.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"I see."
Naruto grinned.
"Perfect. Just like what Chinatsu-sister did before."
They remembered it clearly. Chinatsu had once set a similar test, intentionally creating limited resources so they would fight seriously instead of lazily cooperating. It wasn't about fairness it was about pressure.
Sakura blinked.
"Huh? What are you two talking about…?"
Kakashi raised a brow.
"Oh? So Chinatsu already trained you in psychological pressure games."
He shrugged.
"Well, this is similar. There are only two bells. Which means only two of you will pass."
Sakura's expression froze.
"So I'm automatically…?"
"Possibly," Kakashi said casually. "Or all three of you fail. Depends."
That made her panic slightly.
Kakashi's voice lowered.
"You may use any method kunai, shuriken, teamwork. But don't forget… if you don't intend to kill me, you won't take these bells."
"Begin."
The moment he said it, Sasuke moved.
His Sharingan snapped open instantly two tomoe spinning with sharp clarity.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
He inhaled deeply and released a massive fireball. It wasn't the small, unstable version most genin could barely manage. This one expanded rapidly, several times larger than Kakashi expected.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed.
"That size… from a new graduate?"
He immediately used Body Flicker Technique, vanishing from the blast radius just as the fireball roared forward.
Sasuke didn't stop. His Sharingan tracked movement instantly. He formed another set of hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Shuriken Technique!"
Dozens of shuriken multiplied into hundreds mid-air, filling Kakashi's escape path.
Kakashi exhaled.
"Annoying…"
He formed hand seals quickly and released a counter fire jutsu, burning through most of the incoming blades while repositioning on a tree branch.
From above, he observed quietly.
" Chinatsu… you really pushed them far."
But the next moment
"Got you!"
Kakashi's instincts screamed.
He used Body Flicker again, just as Naruto emerged from his blind spot.
0.1 seconds later, Naruto's fist hit empty air.
Naruto clicked his tongue.
"Tch! Missed!"
He immediately slammed his hands together.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Hundreds of Narutos exploded into the field, surrounding Kakashi from all directions.
Kakashi sighed deeply.
"Seriously… this number is already jonin-level annoying."
Naruto's clones rushed in.
"Naruto Barrage!!"
They attacked in coordinated waves, forcing Kakashi into constant movement.
While Kakashi handled the clones, Sasuke didn't waste a second.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A much larger, more violent flame burst forward, consuming terrain-level space. It merged with Naruto's chaos, turning the battlefield into a collapsing storm of fire and clones.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"Both offense and pressure coordination… not bad."
Sasuke frowned.
"They're just clones. Don't overreact."
Naruto shouted back mid-air.
"Hey! Don't say 'just clones' like they're useless!"
"Then don't shout 'success' like you already won!" Sasuke snapped.
"I need momentum!! Momentum is important!!"
Sakura stood frozen behind them, completely stunned.
"Why are you two acting like you've already become chunin…?"
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