Naruto really didn't have that kind of time at all, nor did he have the mood to deliberately inquire about such things within Konoha Village. Not to mention the fact that, under normal circumstances, almost no one would willingly approach Naruto to chat about village gossip. Even if Naruto could transform with the Transformation Technique, he wouldn't go so far as to use it for something so boring. Asking about such matters would, at best, only give him an excuse for knowing things in advance and preparing early.
In fact, Naruto had only casually confirmed Kakashi's "fame" through Iruka before, making sure that what he remembered was indeed true. And the result was simple—Hatake Kakashi's reputation in the village was absolutely real, and it wasn't small at all.
"Then Naruto, why didn't you just tell us directly yesterday?"
Sakura looked at Naruto with a clearly resentful expression, her tone carrying a faint sense of grievance.
Sasuke, who stood to the side, had an even uglier expression on his face.
If they had known earlier.
They wouldn't have stupidly arrived here at five o'clock in the morning.
They had waited here for a full five hours!
According to Naruto's words, it was very likely that even if Kakashi didn't show up today at all, it would still be considered normal, and the meeting might even be postponed to another day.
Just thinking about that possibility.
Sasuke felt a sense of frustration rising in his chest, his emotions growing increasingly irritable, and the impatience on his face becoming harder and harder to hide.
"So didn't I remind you yesterday? I told you that you could come a little later. Besides, Kakashi-sensei wasn't late by just a few minutes before—he was late by more than three hours last time. I thought you'd at least ask around and understand Kakashi-sensei a bit. Although it's not something you can learn just by casually asking someone, it's still one of his most famous traits. In every sense of the word. Who knew you'd both be… that… right…"
A strange expression flashed across Naruto's face as he shrugged helplessly and spoke.
Although he didn't finish his sentence.
Both Sakura and Sasuke understood exactly what he meant.
And indeed, just as Naruto said.
He had already fulfilled his duty as a teammate by reminding them the day before.
It was only that they themselves hadn't taken it seriously, and had even thought that Naruto was joking and deliberately exaggerating.
Five hours—maybe even more—wasted for nothing.
At this point, there was really no one else to blame.
Especially not Sakura.
Sasuke's expression stiffened slightly at this moment, though he quickly adjusted it.
"So… breakfast then? Naruto, did you come here after eating?"
It was as if she had suddenly thought of something important.
Sakura abruptly raised her head, her eyes lighting up as she stared at Naruto.
And the timing was coincidentally perfect.
The moment Sakura's words fell.
Not only did Sakura's stomach make a sound, but Sasuke's stomach also growled in unison, causing Sakura's face to flush slightly. Even Sasuke—the usually expressionless Uchiha—looked a little unnatural for a brief moment.
What a failure.
What an absolute failure.
They had obediently followed the instructions, arrived early like fools, waited for hours without saying a word, and on top of that, hadn't even eaten breakfast.
Now their stomachs were protesting loudly, and their bodies were beginning to feel weak.
This only made Sasuke's mood worse.
"Well, of course I ate. Kakashi-sensei isn't leading a team for the first time. He's guided graduation teams before, so this kind of thing isn't new to him at all."
Naruto spoke with a faintly amused expression as he looked at Sakura, who was clearly lacking energy, and Sasuke, who looked like he was barely holding on.
After hearing Naruto's words.
"Ah… okay…"
Sakura sighed helplessly. This really was something she could only blame on herself for being careless. She pressed a hand against her empty stomach, pouted slightly, and replied weakly.
A cold, hungry, and sleepy morning.
This was probably the most miserable morning Sakura had experienced since she was born.
And yet, there was nowhere to vent her frustration.
The only thing she could do was angrily complain in her heart about her guide jōnin, who still hadn't appeared.
Only then did she feel slightly better.
"Yo, everyone, good morning."
Just as Naruto had said, even arriving at ten o'clock still seemed early. The three of them waited until nearly eleven. Sasuke's patience was already at its limit, and he was just about to turn and leave when Hatake Kakashi's figure finally appeared in front of them.
His posture was leisurely, his hands tucked into his pockets, and he greeted them with a curved eye-smile as if nothing was wrong.
Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that she knew she couldn't beat him.
Sakura really had the urge to rush forward and kick Kakashi right in the face.
"You're too slow, Kakashi-sensei! We were supposed to meet at five, and it's already eleven o'clock!"
Sakura shouted, her voice filled with resentment.
"Ahahaha, sorry about that. Sensei didn't mean to be late. It's just that when I left this morning, a black cat suddenly crossed my path, so I had a bit of bad luck. Haha, small issues, small issues. No need to mind such details."
Kakashi laughed dryly, his tone casual, and his excuse so perfunctory that it didn't carry even the slightest trace of sincerity.
Sakura was already too exhausted to complain.
Even if you're making something up, shouldn't you at least come up with a decent excuse?
A black cat?
Seriously?
Sakura felt a headache coming on.
Why did she end up with such an instructor? Was this really what a jōnin was supposed to be like?
At this moment.
Sakura once again began to seriously doubt the identity of the man standing in front of her.
"Ahem. Alright, enough about that. Let's return to today's main topic. I told you yesterday that today's mission is a survival exercise. However, this test is completely different from the exercises you did at the Ninja Academy. If you fail… hehe… then you won't be allowed to perform missions as a ninja, and you'll have to return to the Academy to study again."
Kakashi cleared his throat lightly. His expression became uncharacteristically serious, but as he continued speaking, the pressure he gave off grew heavier.
Especially the final sentence—failing meant returning to the Ninja Academy.
Sakura and Sasuke's expressions changed at the same time.
"Huh? If we fail, we have to go back and study? Why? Kakashi-sensei!"
Sasuke only frowned deeply.
But Sakura shouted in shock.
This was completely different from what she had imagined.
Hadn't they already passed the graduation exam? Why did they still need to be tested again?
Sakura's face was filled with confusion and disbelief.
Among the three of them.
Only Naruto remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged from beginning to end.
"Hehe, that's the rule, Sakura. Only by passing my test can you officially become a ninja. Don't think that wearing a forehead protector means you're already qualified. Right now, you're only provisional genin."
Kakashi smiled faintly, but his gaze grew sharp and cold.
"However… Naruto, you seem unusually calm. I'm a little curious. Did you know about this from the beginning?"
Kakashi shifted his eyes toward Naruto, narrowing them slightly as he spoke with a meaningful tone.