"But? But isn't this a bit unfair, Teacher Kakashi? We already passed the Ninja Academy graduation assessment, isn't that enough…"
Although she was somewhat intimidated by Kakashi's expression,
this matter concerned her entire ninja career.
Sakura still mustered the courage to ask.
If they couldn't pass, they would have to return and rebuild, even though there were only two bells?
Didn't that mean that someone was destined to fail?
Although her overall performance at the Ninja Academy had not been bad (mainly relying on theoretical knowledge, Sakura had ranked first in several written exams),
today's assessment was clearly a practical combat exercise.
In terms of actual strength,
Sakura had enough self-awareness. If only two people could pass, it would definitely be Sasuke and Naruto, not herself. When she thought of this outcome, a chill ran through Sakura's entire body.
"Fairness?" Kakashi said calmly. "Sakura, what do you think a ninja is? Do you think being a ninja is like playing house? If your ninja skills are only at this level, then you shouldn't be a ninja anymore. Talking about fairness in the world of ninja is the most ridiculous thing there is. The Ninja Academy test only proves that you might have the potential to become a ninja. Real ninja are far more cruel than that. This test—whether you like it or not—you must participate. Of course, you can choose to give up, but that means you give up your qualification to become a ninja. Don't think about switching instructors either. You will honestly return to the Academy and study for another year. Graduation? Come back and earn it again. And one more thing—this is a special survival exercise. If you don't fight me with the intent to kill, you will never get the bell."
Kakashi smiled faintly. The sharp light blooming deep in his pupils seemed unintentional, yet also seemed like a deliberately restrained killing intent. It was only a trace, but it swept over everyone present. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all stiffened in shock.
Especially Naruto.
Having experienced a life-and-death struggle not long ago, he was far more sensitive to this kind of killing intent.
This was only the tip of the iceberg of Hatake Kakashi's murderous aura.
Yet even so, the three rookie Genin felt a bone-deep chill for the first time, and instinctively understood the true power of a Jōnin.
"This… isn't even the same level…"
Staring at Hatake Kakashi standing in front of them,
Naruto took a deep breath, and his gaze grew serious.
"Well, time waits for no one," Kakashi said lazily. "It's already 11:10. You have fifty minutes left. If time runs out and you haven't completed the task, it will also be considered a failure."
Kakashi looked at the three of them with a relaxed tone.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura exchanged glances.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
The three figures blurred, each darting in a different direction and disappearing into the surrounding forest.
Conceal your presence, search for openings, and strike decisively.
This was something the Ninja Academy instructors emphasized repeatedly—because this was the essence of ninja combat.
(Although in the Naruto world, most ninja battles later became frontal clashes, in the early stages, especially in this type of engagement, this fighting style was the most rational and effective.)
Naruto did not blindly assume that Kakashi would hold back.
On the contrary, precisely because Kakashi might restrain himself, Naruto needed to make full use of terrain and tactics.
Naruto never considered defeating Kakashi.
His goal was simple.
Grab the bell.
And to accomplish that, the strength of all three had to be combined.
That's right—three people.
Even Sakura.
In Naruto's tactical plan, she could still serve as a qualified decoy.
The premise was how to use her.
How to mislead Kakashi reasonably.
As mentioned before, this was ultimately an assessment. A Jōnin like Hatake Kakashi would not go all out—he would not fully use the Sharingan, nor would he deploy high-level ninjutsu. This was the only chance the three rookie Genin had.
Facing the three concealed figures,
Kakashi showed no concern at all. He remained standing casually in place, pulling a small orange book from behind him and flipping it open, reading with apparent focus.
"So relaxed… seriously, Teacher Kakashi…"
Even though Naruto clearly understood the vast gap in strength,
seeing Kakashi act so leisurely still made him feel extremely irritated.
"Sakura aside… first I need to make Sasuke realize the necessity of cooperation. I'll have to move first…"
Naruto carefully controlled his breathing.
Thanks to his recent life-and-death experience, his concealment was far better than before.
Sasuke's hiding was still relatively rough—he concealed his body, but his chakra fluctuations were obvious enough that even Naruto could roughly pinpoint his location.
I'll move first.
Force Kakashi to respond.
Create an opening—even if Kakashi has to cooperate.
Naruto firmly believed that as long as he made the most reasonable judgment and launched the strongest possible opening attack, Kakashi would, with high probability, allow a gap to appear.
Then it would be Sasuke's turn.
If that much could be achieved,
it would already fulfill the core purpose of this assessment.
Naruto still vividly remembered the bell-grabbing battle from his memories.
The method used back then could still be applied now—provided Sasuke cooperated, there was a real chance to seize the bell.
"Haa…"
In just two or three seconds,
Naruto completed his entire plan in his mind.
His gaze locked firmly onto Kakashi not far away.
With a flip of his right hand, several kunai appeared instantly in his palm.
"Then—let's begin!"
His body lowered slightly, muscles tensing in an instant.
The next moment—
"Hmm?"
Within Kakashi's perception range—
"Boom!"
A burst of air pressure erupted.
"Oh? As expected, Naruto moves first…"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
In an instant,
several cold flashes shot out from the forest.
On the open grassland,
Kakashi raised his eyebrows slightly. A faint smile curved at the corners of his eyes as he calmly watched the incoming shuriken.
His body didn't move at all, the book still open in his hands.
Just with a subtle sway—
"Tuk! Tuk! Tuk! Tuk!"
Each projectile narrowly missed his body, slipping past at staggered angles.
Kakashi easily avoided the attack.
The shuriken embedded deeply into the soil behind him.
The next moment—
"Boom!"
The ground rippled.
A golden figure suddenly burst forth in front of Kakashi.