บท 30: 30. Kakashi is Kakashi

(Bonus Chapter for 50 Powerstones, Guys we are falling in Rankings faster than Adult Sasuke running out of Chakra! On that note, Vote, Let's try to get into the Top 40 before Today's chapter release(Around 7 hours), Also, Yesterday's stats were way crazier than the day before yesterday's, It was probably due to high rankings, so, Give me your Powerstones!)

According to his observations, Naruto can sense anything in a one-kilometre radius, now that is not really that impressive, but the fact that he can create Hundreds of clones each having their own One-kilometre radius, makes Naruto almost unmatched in terms of sensing range in the whole Konoha.

Drawing on all his genius and experience, Kakashi began to compress his chakra, focusing it into a single point within his body. It was a technique he'd heard of but never mastered, usually relying on his natural stealth instead.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he concentrated, compressing his chakra further and further. In his mind's eye, he imagined it shrinking, becoming smaller and denser until...

'There!'

Kakashi opened his eye, a small smile of triumph hidden beneath his mask. He'd done it. His chakra signature was now comparable to that of an insect - virtually undetectable unless you knew exactly where to look, even then it would be very hard.

Just in time too, as he sensed Team 7 approaching his general location. He already had instructed his clones not to dispel, knowing that the influx of chakra might give away his position.

Meanwhile, Team 7 was closing in on what they believed to be the real Kakashi - the clone with the highest chakra signature.

"There are four silver-haired guys' chakra signatures," Naruto reported, his face scrunched in concentration. "One just disappeared though."

Sasuke grunted, his Sharingan active and scanning their surroundings. "The one with the highest chakra is probably the real Kakashi. The others are likely clones."

As they moved towards their target, Naruto suddenly frowned. "Wait a second... something's not right."

He turned to look behind them, his eyes widening in alarm. "Guys, where's Sakura?"

Sasuke whirled around, cursing under his breath. Despite Naruto's clones covering their rear, their pink-haired teammate had vanished without a trace.

"We're in a genjutsu," Sasuke realized, quickly forming the release seal. "Kai!"

As the illusion shattered around them, Naruto's clones reported that Sakura had indeed been with them the whole time, invisible to their perception.

"I didn't even sense his approach," Naruto muttered, clearly shaken. "How did he-"

"Focus," Sasuke interrupted. "The other two clones are coming this way. Fast."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than an earthen wall erupted between them, separating Naruto and Sasuke. In the next instant, they found themselves engaged with a Kakashi each.

Despite fighting with only one visible eye, the Kakashi clones dominated the close combat. Naruto's newly formed clones were dispelled with ease, while the pre-existing ones fell to the clone with the highest chakra at a terrifying rate.

Sasuke found himself hard-pressed to keep up, even with his Sharingan. Every move he made seemed to be anticipated and countered before he could complete it. A sweep of his leg was met with a casual hop, his fastest punch blocked with insulting ease.

"Is this really all you've got?" the Kakashi clone taunted, his visible eye curved in what Sasuke assumed was a mocking smile. "I expected more from the last Uchiha."

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke launched into a furious combination of strikes, each one imbued with all the skill and speed he could muster. For a moment, it seemed to be working. The clone was forced back, its casual demeanour replaced with focused intensity.

But then, just as Sasuke thought he might be gaining the upper hand, the clone seemed to blur. One moment it was in front of him, the next it was behind him, a kunai held casually to his throat.

"Not bad," the clone admitted. "But not good enough."

Meanwhile, Naruto was having an equally frustrating time with his opponent. His clones, usually his greatest asset, were being systematically dismantled. Each time he thought he had the Kakashi clone cornered, it would slip away, often leaving him to accidentally attack his own shadow clones.

"Come on, Naruto," the clone chided, dodging another wild swing. "Surely the great prankster of Konoha has more tricks up his sleeve than this?"

Naruto growled in frustration. "You haven't seen anything yet!"

He formed his signature cross seal, ready to flood the area with even more clones. But before he could complete the jutsu, the Kakashi clone was there, disrupting his chakra flow with a well-placed strike.

"Ah ah ah," the clone waggled a finger. "Let's not be predictable now."

As Naruto stumbled back, trying to regather his chakra, the clone pressed its advantage. A sweep of the legs sent Naruto tumbling to the ground, and before he could recover, he found himself pinned, a kunai hovering inches from his face.

"I believe that's game over," the clone said cheerfully.

In a matter of minutes, both Naruto and Sasuke found themselves thoroughly defeated, tied securely to training posts with chakra-suppressing rope. Sakura, who had been caught in a genjutsu for most of the fight, was similarly restrained.

The real Kakashi, having dispelled his clones and gathered their memories, stood before them, his ever-present book in hand. Despite his casual posture, there was a glint of curiosity in his visible eye.

"Now then," he said, his tone deceptively light, "would someone like to explain to me why you were chasing me all over the village, trying to steal my book?"

The three genin exchanged confused looks.

"But... you told us to," Naruto said hesitantly. "You said it was our test to become genin."

Kakashi's eye widened slightly. "I said no such thing. In fact, this is the first time I've met you as a team."

Realization dawned on Sasuke's face. "We've been tricked," he groaned.

"Tricked?" Sakura echoed, looking between her teammates and their sensei. "But how? Who would...?" Her voice trailed off as a thought struck her. "Oh no."

Kakashi, piecing together what must have happened, felt a mix of exasperation and grudging admiration. "Let me guess," he said dryly. "A certain prankster we all know?"

Naruto's face scrunched up in thought before his eyes widened in recognition. "Sora!" he exclaimed. "It must have been him!"

Kakashi nodded, sighing heavily. "Well, I suppose I should be flattered he thought I was worth impersonating. Though I'm a bit concerned about how easily he managed it."

He looked at his team, taking in their mix of frustration, embarrassment, and in Naruto's case, a hint of admiration for a prank well executed.

"Well," Kakashi said after a moment, "I suppose there's only one thing left to say." He eye-smiled at them. "You pass!"

"WHAT?!" came the unanimous response.

Kakashi chuckled. "The real test was about teamwork, which you displayed in spades. Granted, it was against the wrong opponent, but the principle still stands."

He moved to untie them, continuing his explanation. "You worked together, coordinated your attacks, and even managed some impressive combination techniques. That's more than most genin teams manage on their first day."

As the ropes fell away, Kakashi stepped back, regarding his new team with a mix of pride and amusement. "Of course, we'll need to work on your ability to see through deception, and your tactical planning could use some improvement. But overall, not a bad start."

The three genin stood, rubbing their wrists and exchanging disbelieving looks.

"So... we're really genin now?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

Kakashi nodded. "Welcome to Team 7."

As his students celebrated, Kakashi's mind was already whirling with plans. Both for their training and for a certain pint-sized prankster who'd managed to throw his perfectly planned test into chaos.

'Well played, Sora,' he thought, a small smirk hidden beneath his mask. 'But remember, payback's a funny thing. And I've got a few tricks of my own up my sleeve.'