Chapter 3: The Survival Test/Bell Test [Edited]
After finishing the introduction with his new team, Naruto went to Ichiraku Ramen. After eating, he headed for his apartment.
Naruto was tired after this long day, but thinking about his new team and finally becoming a ninja made him happy.
Naruto went to his apartment, took a bath, and went to sleep. He was excited about the test that Kakashi had mentioned for the next day. After a stressful day, it didn't take much time for Naruto to fall asleep.
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The next day at the training ground
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Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura showed up right on time as they were told to, but when they got there, their teacher was MIA.
"He is late again today... I guess we just have to get used to him being late," Naruto said in a slightly frustrated tone.
Sasuke and Sakura also nodded in acceptance of what Naruto said.
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After some time, few hours actually
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"Hey, guys. Good morning."
"Sensei, you're late," Sakura said to him first.
"Well, I was busy helping someone. Anyway, it doesn't matter. What matters most is the test we're here for today. So, let's start the test. It will end before lunchtime, and whoever fails the test will not get lunch."
"So that's why he asked us to not eat breakfast and come here on an empty stomach," Sakura thought.
"Your task is simple: take these bells from me. If you can't, you go back to the academy," Kakashi said while holding two silver-colored bells in his hand.
"But, we're three and there are only two bells, Sensei," Sakura said, confused.
"That's because one of you will not get the bell, and only two will pass -- or should I say, at most two will pass. The one who does not get the bell will also go back to the academy," Kakashi said calmly.
Despite Kakashi's calm demeanor while explaining the rules, the genins were anxious. Sasuke was a bit nervous as well, though it didn't show on his face.
On the other hand, Sakura was thinking about how hard she had worked and passed the exam to get teamed up with her crush.
Now, the thought of potentially having to go back to the academy made her feel nervous, which was evident on her face.
Naruto, with a calm, reassuring smile, looked at both of them, which helped them to relax a little.
"Ok, the test begins now, and if you want to win, then come at me with killing intent," Kakashi said. Without warning, he vanished, blurring into the background. The test had begun.
Sasuke was going to follow Kakashi and find him, but Naruto stopped him. Seeing Naruto so calm, Sasuke and Sakura both looked at him, wondering why he had stopped Sasuke.
Naruto looked at both of them, "He is a Jonin, Sasuke, and as far as I know, he is the second strongest Jonin in our village. We can't take him 1v1; we have to work as a team, and the main test here is actually about working as a team," Naruto said calmly.
"How did you know?" Sakura asked, confused.
"Isn't it obvious? They wrote about it being a team test so many times in the instruction paper that we were given. Didn't you read it?" Naruto stated the obvious.
Sakura and Sasuke both remembered and nodded.
"You're always ahead of me. I can't let that happen; I will catch up soon," Sasuke thought.
"Then what about having only two bells and one of us going back to the academy?" Sakura asked.
"We'll think about that later when we get the bell. But now, we need a plan to get those bells, and I'm sure it won't be easy at all," Naruto said.
Sasuke and Sakura both nodded in agreement.
"So, what's the plan?" Sasuke asked.
"We need someone to keep Kakashi-sensei distracted, and I will do that because I'm a genius," Naruto said, giving himself a little pat on the shoulder. Sasuke looked on with annoyance, while Sakura thought, "Naruto-kun is so cool... But Sasuke is cooler."
"Sakura and Sasuke, you both have to sneak up on Kakashi-sensei, and while he is distracted, you have to make him fall into a trap," Naruto surmised the plan. "I guess I don't have to tell you how to make him fall for the trap," Naruto said, looking at Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded, "Yeah," she said confidently.
"Sakura-chan, you'll make traps as your chakra control ability is second only to mine," Naruto said, with a proud smile on his face.
[A.N : Yeah, let me explain Naruto's character is a little different than Canon , if you didn't get it already. Here Naruto has the same kindness as Canon but he is a little self bragging and I mean he is so powerful at this age and he keeps growing everyday so it's understandable right ?Now back to story]
After explaining, Naruto, with the perception his eyes give him, started to find Kakashi. After finding him, Naruto went there alone.
Naruto suddenly attacked Kakashi out of nowhere, who was busy reading his favourite novel. But to Naruto's surprise, he still dodged the attack and gave Naruto a little push.
"Training. 1 Taijutsu, let's see how good you are," Kakashi put away the Icha Icha novel and assumed a fighting stance.
Naruto, without saying a word, went to attack Kakashi again. Naruto wanted Kakashi to attack him as it would help him use the Limitless and stop his attack, but seeing that Kakashi wouldn't attack, he went for it.
Naruto threw dozens of kicks and punches at quick speed, while Kakashi dodged some of them and blocked some as well. "He's fast for his age," Kakashi thought.
Suddenly, Kakashi vanished from the place with a puff of smoke and appeared behind Naruto. But Naruto, already aware of it, put out a kunai on the place Kakashi stood behind him, while Kakashi blocked the kunai with his own.
"You have quick reflexes and you've a good insight of battle, that's rare in a newly passed academy student," Kakashi stated with a bit of amazement.
"What can I do? I was blessed with these incredible quick reflexes and..." Before he could complete his sentence, Kakashi kicked him. Naruto blocked it with his two hands, but the kick still pushed him a small distance away.
Sasuke, finding an opening, attacked out of nowhere, throwing shurikens at Kakashi, which Kakashi barely dodged.
"Was it their planning or was it just a mere fluke?" Kakashi thought. But Sasuke came with another set of attacks.
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" As Naruto created more than five clones to attack Kakashi.
As the Jonin turned to counter Sasuke's oncoming assault, he barely caught the split-second shimmer of Naruto zipping towards him from the opposite direction, cloaked by the distraction of his clones.
When Kakashi moved to intercept, he found his arms bound by a cleverly hidden trap prepared by Sakura.
"Now, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled.
With perfect timing, Sasuke appeared above Kakashi, his attack driving the Jonin to his knee. But just as he reached for the bells, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke - a shadow clone.
Afterward, they went on with team-up attacks on Kakashi, which came very close but still failed to take the bells.
Until noon. The time finished, but they didn't succeed in taking the bells from Kakashi.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were all tired because of the test. All of them returned to the training field.
"You all pass the test," Kakashi said with a smile on his face, though that's what it felt like as they couldn't see his face, except for one eye.
"But we couldn't take the bells. How did we pass?" Sakura looked confused, but her inner self was happy about hearing that she could stay with Sasuke in the team.
"Yes, but the test was not about if you could take the bell or not, it was about teamwork and you three showed it. You worked as a team. Not only that, you showed strategic thought process which is vital for making a mission successful," Kakashi stated.
"Yeah, I knew that already and that's because I'm a genius," Naruto said smiling.
"Stop bragging. I would have found out that on my own as well. It's just that you got it first," Sasuke said, glaring at Naruto.
"Yeah, yeah. I got it first. That's what makes me the genius here," Naruto said with a confident smirk.
"Ok, ok. No need to start fighting after you worked so well as a team. Also, I will treat you all for passing the test. Where do you want to eat?" Kakashi asked his students.
"I eat at Ichiraku Ramen every day, so let's go there," Naruto suggested.
"Who eats ramen every day?" Sasuke questioned Naruto.
"People who are genius and strong," Naruto responded.
"You..."
"Well, Why not change your diet for one day and eat at the BBQ , Naruto. " Sakura asked
"Well, That's okay for me" , Naruto said.
Their conversation continued as they went to a restaurant and finished their lunch.
After eating, Kakashi announced, "Your missions as official shinobi of the village will start tomorrow, so don't be late."
"He's the one to say that..." Naruto thought to himself.
They bid each other goodbye and went their separate ways, heading home.
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While In Hokage Office....
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"So, what do you think, Kakashi?" Hiruzen, asked, sitting comfortably in his chair.
"Overall, they have potential. Naruto is capable, he could contend with a Chunin anytime and he has a lot of room for growth. Sasuke isn't far behind either. As for Sakura, her physical abilities are a bit lacking compared to the others but her chakra control is impressive. Their teamwork could certainly compensate for her weaknesses," Kakashi reported.
"I trust you will guide them well, Kakashi. They need to be nurtured and trained to bring out their best. We need strong shinobi for the future."
"I'll do my best, Hokage-sama," Kakashi assured, determination in his voice.
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In the evening, on his way to Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto ran into some of his fellow shinobi.
"Hey, Naruto, where are you off to?" Choji asked, curiosity piqued.
"Hey, guys! I'm heading to Ichiraku's for some ramen. What about you all?" Naruto returned the question.
"We're going for a celebration dinner for passing the test. There's a discount at the shop, so I've been holding off on eating for the last hour," Choji admitted, his stomach growling slightly at the admission.
"Yeah, I didn't really want to come, but I didn't have much of a choice..." Shikamaru chimed in, yawning mid-sentence. He perked up at the sight of Naruto's headband. "So, you passed your test too?"
"You bet I did," Naruto responded confidently, pointing at his newly acquired ninja head protector.
"Why don't you join us, Naruto?" Ino finally spoke up, interrupting the boys' banter.
"Yeah, you should come with us. There's a huge discount today!" Choji added, the thought of food making his eyes sparkle.
Naruto considered their offer, his stomach rumbling in anticipation.
Naruto agreed to join them and they headed to the restaurant together. Choji and Shikamaru claimed one side of the table, leaving Naruto the other. The last seat, next to Naruto, was left for Ino. She hesitated, standing awkwardly at the table's edge.
"Hey, why are you standing, Ino? Please, take your seat," Naruto said, his voice gentle and welcoming.
Ino moved to sit next to Naruto, her face flushing slightly. "She has a crush on you, that's why..." Shikamaru started, but was quickly interrupted by Ino's indignant, "Shikamaru!" Her face turned an even deeper shade of red.
They ordered their food and began to eat, the table filled with relaxed conversation and laughter. Throughout the meal, whenever Naruto glanced in Ino's direction, she blushed and turned away.
After finishing their meal, Shikamaru and Choji bid their farewells and went their separate ways, leaving Naruto and Ino alone. Naruto offered to walk Ino home, an offer she accepted with a shy smile.
The walk was largely silent, the pair comfortable in their shared quiet. "Hey Naruto, would you mind joining us for training after you finish your team missions tomorrow?" Ino asked, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"Why?" Naruto asked, a little surprised.
"Well, it's just...you're really good and talented. I think we could learn a lot from you," Ino admitted.
"I'll try to be there, but I can't promise," Naruto told her.
They said their goodbyes when they reached Ino's home and Naruto continued on his way, his thoughts occupied with the day's events.
After returning home, Naruto found himself lost in thought about the day's events. A mixture of exhaustion and contemplation washed over him. He took a bath, the warm water soothing his tired muscles.
Afterward, he fell into his bed, the soft sheets a welcome comfort. His mind still raced with thoughts of his friends and their shared meal, but eventually, fatigue won out.
With one last yawn, Naruto fell into a peaceful sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.
[I am not really good at writing fighting scenes, I don't like fighting scenes as well. So the writing of the Bell test was hard for me. That's why it took more time. I'm not sure if I made Justice to each character with the writing, but feel free to comment or point out mistakes if you find any, as I'm also learning.]
Vote and Power stones are always welcome, as it motivates me do better and write more. If that makes sense .
Next or the chapter afterwards a surprise awaits , so if you don't wanna miss it , than stay tuned.
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