Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Storm Scion: Crimson Wind ❯ For Whom The Bell Jingles ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Centurious The Azure 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Martial Arts / Supernatural | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.26.2007 | Pages: 10 | Words: 8.6K | Visits: 148 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Martial Arts / Supernatural | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.26.2007 | Pages: 10 | Words: 8.6K | Visits: 148 | Status: Completed
Storm Scion: Crimson Wind
Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto franchise or anything else having to do with it. But I do own any characters and/or concepts that come from the depths of my insanity. I also do not own Sora Kousetsu Breaking Water 21 does.
Chapter Five: For Whom The Bell Jingles
As Amaterasu rose from the depths to reclaim her kingdom. A certain pink haired kunoichi watched intently wishing a certain angst ridden Uchiha was there to share the moment with her. Sakura Haruno had come early to the training area to watch the sunrise. She had asked her crush to join her but not much to her surprise he said no again. Sasuke always said no. No matter what she did. Sakura had always gone the extra mile for the younger Uchiha. Making him lunch and baking him cakes. He always partook and just gave her a dull thank you.
She sometimes questioned if Sasuke was worth all the effort. He never reciprocated. Always cold and distant...
She just wished that Sasuke would open up and talk to her. Sakura thought that maybe she could offer some kind of consolation whatever his problem.
Unfortunately his icy heart would not melt that easily. It took time and dedication to do those kinds of things. This wasn’t a fairy tale.
The cherry blossom girl leaped down from her perch. It was six A.M. now, Sakura wondered if everyone else was here by now.
Zzzzzz....Zzzzzz...
Sakura jumped surprised by the sudden sound. The sound was coming from behind the memorial stone, she crept toward the source. The pink haired teen found the sleeping form of her brother in arms, Daisuke Ikari, back propped against the stone holding his sword close.
She smiled slightly, he looked so peaceful. Cute too, Inner Sakura observed. Sakura mentally smacked herself. Shut it! The only person I like is Sasuke. The pink haired kunoichi had to admit she was curious though. Who wouldn’t be?
She wondered why he always wore those sunglasses. Was Daisuke trying to hide something? He seemed normal enough from the way he acted. Ninjas were taught to see underneath the underneath though.
Sakura gathered herself letting out a sigh. Now would be as good of a time as any. She kneeled next the obsidian haired youth and gently shook him. “Time to wa...” She stopped when she felt something cold at her throat. His wakizashi was at her neck ready to part her.
Sakura froze in fear. Was she going to die?
Groggy, ruby colored eyes fluttered open. It had been such a long time since he had such a good night’s sleep. That dream that he had was weird though fighting Kakashi-sensei like that. Like he could keep a jounin on his toes. He snorted mentally.
He felt cold fear radiating to his side. Dai turned to find his blade at Sakura’s neck. The poor girl was absolutely terrified, understandably so. He retracted the blade from her neck, sheathing it. Damn reflexes...
“Are you okay, Sakura-san?” Daisuke inquired gently. A situation like this required careful maneuvering, the last thing he needed was his teammate becoming afraid of him. It wasn’t his fault if the reflex was literally beaten into him since his academy days, was it?
The cheery blossom girl didn’t answer she merely just stared at him fearfully. “Just calm down, Sakura-san.” The ruby eyed boy said soothingly. “I’m really sor...”
“Stay away, you psychopath!” Sakura screeched. She fell back crawling to a near by tree, she used that as leverage to help her get up. Daisuke appeared in front of her putting a hand on her shoulder. “Listen,” he said firmly. “You misconstrue.” A log appeared in Sakura’s place. He sighed mentally. Replacement, not half bad. Dai did his own disappearing act.
Sakura had to run. She had to get away. She didn’t want to die... She saw those eyes they were as red as blood. They weren’t the eyes of a killer though. They were experienced yet warm. Those eyes had probably seen a lot. The boy owned his experience, he didn’t let it own him. Unlike Sasuke...
Sakura wasn’t thinking of that, she was only worried about her own well being. Sakura literally ran into someone familiar. When they collided, they both fell on the dewy greenery backside first. “What the hell is your problem?!” Sasuke demanded.
A ray of hope hit her, Sasuke would be able to help her! “You’ve got to help me, Sasuke!” Sakura pleaded.
Sasuke raised a brow. “With what?”
“H-he’s after me!” The terrified girl stuttered. “H-he’s going to kill me!”
Sasuke narrowed his onyx eyes. “Who?”
“T-that new guy!” Sakura blurted out.
Sasuke had his suspicions about Daisuke. A spy he might have been but a murderer? No, if he wanted Sakura dead, she wouldn’t be here in front of me. He came to his feet and dusted himself off. “I’ll see for myself.”
“But Sasuke...”
“Quiet.” The raven haired Uchiha said in a stern tone. He sensed a presence it was without a doubt Daisuke. He knew few people who could hide their chakra signature that well.
“Saku...” Daisuke appeared in a swirl of mist. He trailed off when he saw the younger Uchiha’s serious visage his Sharingan was active. “Explain,” Sasuke said shortly, motioning his head to Sakura.
Dai blinked. “Oh?” He said sheepishly. “You see...” The ruby eyed teen explained the whole situation.
Sasuke’s brow twitched. All that hype for nothing? “Hn...” His Sharingan deactivated. “Work this out by yourselves.” He walked passed Dai. “You have interesting eyes.”
Daisuke furrowed his brow. Did I forget my glasses?! He checked his person, no where to be found. Damn...
“Ikari-san...” Sakura said softly she was still on the ground. “I’m sorry about overreacting like that...” Her jade eyes never left the ground.
Dai gave Sakura a sharp toothed grin. “Well you wouldn’t be the first or the last.” Sakura looked up and flinched slightly at his teeth. They were kind of scary, Kiba never really grinned that much. His smile became a bit more restrained “I apologize too. I should try to get that reflex of mine under control.” He offered out his hand to Sakura. “We should get going. By the way, Sakura-san, it’s just Dai to you.”
She smiled slightly. Have to start somewhere... Sakura took his hand. “And it’s Sakura-chan to you, Chigan (Blood Eyes).”
The newly dubbed “Chigan” gave Sakura a questioning look before helping the girl to her feet.
“That’s the last straw teme!” A routine scream erupted from deeper in the forest. “I swear I’m going to kick your ass this time!”
Dai sniggered. “We should stop those two before they kill each other.” He made a half ram seal. “Hold on.” Sakura blinked. “Wha-?”
Chigan and the Cherry Blossom vanished in a swirl of mist and leaves.
“Good morning, everyone!” Kakashi Hatake saluted cheerfully. “I trust that you all are well...”
“YOU’RE LATE!” Naruto and Sakura bellowed. That was the understatement of the century, he was overdue by five hours!
“Sorry about that,” Kakashi said going back into his usual dispassionate tone. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “I saw a black cat and decided to avoid it. So...”
When the team sent death glares, his way Kakashi decided to cut his losses. He cleared his throat. “Let us move on.”
Three out of the four genin watched, slightly confused, as the white maned sensei sauntered over to a random tree stump and plopped a small digital alarm clock on it. “Okay,” Kakashi stated loudly. “This clock is set for noon.” He produced a duo of silver bells dangling on a red string. “The day’s training is for you guys to take these lovely sliver bells away from me.” The man jingled them sweetly. “Those unlucky contestants who can’t do said task have a foodless lunch ahead of them.”
“What?!” Naruto squawked.
Time to go medieval. He thumbed in the direction of a foursome of logs staked to the ground. “Those of you that are lunch less will be tied to those posts and forced to watch me eat their lunch.”
Sadistic jackass, Naruto thought as his stomach rumbled audibly. That’s why he told us not to eat...
Daisuke laughed. “You’re so sadistic, a man after Ibiki’s heart.” Kakashi raised a brow.
“Wait.” Sakura said a bit confused. “Why are there only two bells?”
“As I said yesterday,” Kakashi answered with an expectant grin behind his mask. “‘Since Sasuke is my nephew, I will make it all the more difficult for you’.” He shrugged. “But since you guys are just genin anyway, I doubt any of you will be able to take the bells from me.”
Sasuke shook with anger. Is he second guessing me?!
Kakashi’s usual complacent gaze was replaced with a cold calculating one. “If you wish to gain these trinkets, you must use whatever tactics and tools that are at your disposal. Most importantly, you must come at me with the intent to kill.”
“But sensei,” Sakura protested. “If we use those things, you could get hurt or killed for that matter!”
The blonde prankster laughed. “Yeah, especially since you couldn’t even dodge that eraser!”
Sasuke stared at the two as if they were crazy. Are they stupid?! Prodding a jounin is not a smart thing to do. Especially if he’s Kakashi...
“In society, those that do not have the brass to back up their statements tend to bark more. So ignore the ignoramus with the low scores, he’s pretty much useless.” Burn! Ten points to Kakashi!
“When I say, ‘go’ you may start.” Kakashi glanced at Naruto charging at ramming speed with kunai in hand, screaming.
“You know,” Kakashi said dryly from behind Naruto. He had griped the blonde’s arm positioning it behind his head, Kakashi’s other hand was on the blonde’s head firmly holding him in place. The kunai Naruto held was now replaced by a familiar pair of sunglasses. “You shouldn’t be so ready to die, especially if since I’m a jounin. If you think a kunai would hurt, you should try an ordinary pair of sunglasses.”
Sakura took a step back. Fast...
Dai’s brow twitched. So that’s where my glasses went.
So this is the power of a jounin. Sasuke thought in awe. I barely even saw him with the Sharingan. I need to get it to the next level.
“Looks like you guys do have it in you after all.” Kakashi allowed after releasing Naruto. He smiled behind his mask. This is better, they are either eying me with more respect or fear... He shrugged mentally. But I guess I’ll take that too. “I’m starting to like you all now,” the genin smiled.
“On your mark,” Kakashi hollered. The genin tensed like loaded springs.
“Get set!”
C’mon, Naruto thought in anticipation. I want a rematch!
“And go!” All four students disappeared.
One of the most basic and crucial applications for a ninja is stealth. Kakashi thought assessing this students’ abilities. Nice, I can’t sense them anywhere. “Kudos to everyone.” He sighed mentally. “Save for you, Naruto...” The blonde was standing right in front of him.
“Let’s have a fair and square fight,” Naruto challenged like a clean and proper super hero. Kakashi just gawked at him. Is this kid for real?
Idiot, Sasuke and Sakura thought from their respectable hiding spots.
“You’re weird and loud compared to the others,” Kakashi drawled feeling a bit bewildered. He thought his sensei’s offspring would be smarter.
“What’s loud and weird here is your hair,” The blonde spat back. With a battle cry he stormed at Kakashi. Looks like he’s a slow learner, is this kid really yours sensei? He queried as his right hand dove in his belt pouch. That’s fine, I’m going to just going to have to teach him like you taught Obito. When Naruto noticed his sensei’s actions he stopped in his tracks.
“Shinobi skill number one, taijutsu.” The white maned sensei lectured. “I will teach you that first.”
Why is he reaching for a weapon if it’s taijutsu? Wondered Naruto. He shook his head. It does matter, I’m going to kick this guy’s ass!
Huh?! The blonde gazed more than a tad perplexed. Kakashi produced a small orange book that said Make Out Paradise on the cover. The sensei seemed to be automatically hypnotized as soon as he open the book, he let out a perverted giggle. “Why are you reading?”
“Hm?” Kakashi looked up from his book. “Did you say something, Naruto?”
The prankster’s brow twitched. “I recognize that book!” Naruto hollered, jabbing his pointer at Kakashi. “You pervert, I’m going to whip your butt double time now!”
Kakashi just ignored him.
“Look at me when I talk to you!” Naruto sprang at Kakashi, fist ready to knock some manners into him. Kakashi easily caught his fist without looking away from his book. The blonde growled in frustration as he landed and launched a roundhouse kick destined for his face. Kakashi simply squatted never looking away from his favorite piece of literature. Come on! He launched another assault on his teacher only to find him gone.
Huh?! Naruto was bewildered looking left and right.
You forgot the most important rule of prison and life, protect your butt. Behind his student Kakashi closed his book, making a hand seal. Sakura from her hiding place in the bushes recognized the sign. That’s the sign of the tiger! He will be liable to destroy Naruto!
“Naruto, watch out!” Sakura shouted worriedly. “Sensei is going to kill you!”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Kakashi intoned, not giving Naruto a chance to counter.
“Most sacred and secret village taijutsu: ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PAIN!!!” Naruto stood there feeling a pain in his butt, before flying off into the wild blue yonder.
Morons... Sasuke thought exasperated.
Shivers ran up and down Dai’s spine, almost causing him to loose control of his genjutsu. He was hiding in plain sight leaning against a tree. Did sensei just sodomize Naruto? That’s plain wrong...
And with a sudden splash from the near by river, Kakashi sighed in content while going back to his book.
Sasuke reached for his shuriken thinking it was the right time to attack. A pair of shuriken burst of the river whirling to Kakashi. Never even taking an eye of his book the white maned sensei’s arm shot up catching the bladed impalements between his fingers.
The younger Uchiha rested his hand on his holster. This is Kakashi we’re talking about here. I doubt he has any obvious holes in his defense.
The blonde struggled out of the river, coughing and gasping for air. “What’s wrong?” Kakashi sneered watching his student crawl to dry land. “You’ll be going hungry if you don’t get a bell by noon.”
“I know that,” Naruto shot back, looking wet and miserable.
“You always keep babbling about becoming stronger than the Hokage,” Kakashi taunted again. “But your actions sing a different tune. Hypocritical, ne?”
Naruto’s stomach groaned angrily. “How do you expect me to fight when I’m starving to death!”
His teammate’s stomachs growled in agreement.
Kakashi turned around and started to walk away. “I don’t have time for any more for your antics, Naruto. I have other students.” That should get his goat.
Don’t you dare walk away from me. Six exact copies of Naruto erupted from the river. And began to dash at Kakashi. “This is my best jutsu,” one of the clones shouted. “Tajuu Kage Bushin No Jutsu!” (Mass Shadow Replication Technique)
The team analyzed the technique. They’re real!
Very nice, Daisuke thought impressed. Kage Bushin, that’s a jounin level move. Naruto’s better than these guys give him credit for.
“Shadow clones, eh?” Kakashi noted mildly impressed. This must be the jounin level technique he used to defeat the traitor Touji Mizuki. “From your capacity I can say that you won’t be able to keep up that technique for very long.” The sensei deduced as the Naruto bared down on him. “You’re all big talk, Naruto. You won’t be able to catch me off guard.”
All of Kakashi’s sneering and taunts were put rest when he felt someone grab him from behind. “What?!” All of his usual complacency was lost. “How?!”
Holding him place Naruto sniggered. “You shouldn’t let your enemy get behind you,” Naruto chided evilly. “Now who’s the hypocrite?” The six other orange and blue clones grabbed Kakashi by the legs while the last leapt forward fist ready. “I used another clone to sneak up behind you from downstream.” One of the Narutos explained. “Now prepare to be payed back with interest!”
A feint, eh? Sasuke thought admiring Naruto’s plan from his perch. Maybe he isn’t as clueless I thought he was.
Cool plan, Naruto. Daisuke smirked. Maybe I should help reinforce it. He dropped his illusion, taking a stance. Daisuke bent both knees going into a partial crouch, he unsheathed his blade. Drawing the right arm back he extended his left, he grasped the very end of the hilt and rested the fingertips of his left hand near the blade’s tip. Concentrating chakra to his feet, he took off.
Naruto felt a familiar presence pass by him at a very fast pace. It was heading for his target.
“Gatotsu: Ichiki” (Fang Thrust: First Stance) Dai said evenly as he landed the thrust in Kakashi’s shoulder. He usually would hit a more lethal mark but it wouldn’t do if his teacher was dead. Naruto landed a punch as well making the punishment worse for the teacher. It would have hurt Kakashi if it was dealt to him.
“Ouch! Was the hell was that for?!” Daisuke stared a bit confused when the injured Naruto shouted at him. Replacement. The Naruto’s glared at Daisuke. The ruby eyed youth sweat dropped. “Um... Sorry about that...”
“You...” A brilliant idea hit the blonde at the wrong time. “You’re Kakashi-sensei! You used a replacement to escape and changed into Daisuke to attack me!” The brothers Naruto Uzumaki leapt at Dai trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Daisuke with avoided the carbon copies with ease, wacking them with the blunt of his sword when they came close enough.
“I’m telling you, I am not Kakashi!” Daisuke juked another Naruto, smacking him with his sheath making that copy poof away.
“You smell like an old man,” A clone retorted. “How can you not be him?!”
“It’s not my fault if I haven’t gotten the chance to take a shower yet!” Daisuke batted away an inbound kunai. “I’m really not in the mood to argue with you.” I don’t want to hurt you either. A distraction will have to do. He made hand seals in quick secession.
Rat, snake, bird, tiger. Magen: Jigoku Gouka No Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Hell Fire Technique)
“Ha!” One of the Naruto’s sneered when nothing happened. “Looks like your technique was a dud, sensei!”
Daisuke kept his cool, this whole fiasco was getting annoying. “One: I’m not our sensei. Two,” He pointed to the heavens. “You might want to move.”
Naruto looked up horrified to a very large sphere of fire falling to them. The Naruto’s sputtered and scattered in all directions. Dai just stood there with a self-satisfied smile as the landing hell fire consumed him.
The Naruto’s blinked, the fire was gone! “Where the hell did it go?” One of the Narutos shouted clearly confused. The clones started to chatter among the confusion all with their own conclusions.
“Maybe it was a time released fire!”
“There’s no such thing as a ‘time release fire,’ you idiot!”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah!& #8221;
“Yeah!”
Sasuke and Sakura sweat dropped. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Maybe I gave you a bit too much credit, dobe.
Sakura sighed. That was a genjutsu, Naruto.
The real Naruto sneezed as another genius idea came to him. “It’s a genjutsu!” Naruto thrust his fist in the air. “Sensei used the illusion as a distraction to escape!”
The Narutos sang their praises. “We are so smart!”
“Our combined genius makes Sasuke-teme look like a complete dumb ass!”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah! 221;
“Yeah!”
“Okay everyone!” One of the Narutos got the rest’s attention. “Let’s split up! We’ll be liable to find him if we search the entire area. Dattebayo!”
“Dattebayo!” All the Narutos cried out as they disbursed. One blonde strangely enough remained behind nodding to himself with a self-satisfied look. I’m such a genius! The narcissistic blonde stopped admiring himself when he saw something shiny at the trunk of a near by tree. Naruto grinned. “It’s a bell!” The blonde shouted gleefully. “Sensei must have been in a rush!”
The blonde sang in a singsong voice as he moved to claim his prize. “Jingle bells, Sasuke smells, Naruto is so great! Naruto beats the bad guys and Sakura loves him for it!” Blonde picked the bell and rang it sweetly. “Naruto’s going be a great Ho...” He felt something tug at his feet. “Ahhh!” Naruto was suddenly hoisted by his feet several feet in the air. Naruto lost his grip on the bell in heat of the moment. “No! My bell!” Naruto futilely screamed as he struggled with his bond.
“Poor Naruto...” Kakashi said as he flickered into existence below his student. “Were you caught in one of Daisuke’s traps?” Kakashi said with faux pity as he picked up the bell. “You should really learn to examine the space around you.”
Naruto ignored Kakashi’s obviously condescending words when he continued thrash about futilely. The sensei rolled his eyes. “Ninja need to look underneath the underneath.”
“I know that!” The blond hollered down at his sensei petulantly.
“I’m only telling you this because you do not get it.” Kakashi told him emphatically, his patience was beginning to run on empty. “Get it?”
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. Kakashi had finally lowered his guard. The dobe is actually useful for something after all. Sasuke grasped multiple kunai and shuriken between his fingers, he thrust his arms forward fanning his the weapons out at multiple angles.
“Your movements are very-UGH!” Kakashi’s grueling lecture was cut short as several kunai and shuriken made home in his brain. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell face first on to mother earth. Naruto stared in horrified at the scene. “Oh Kami! The bastard just killed sensei!”
Sasuke’s eyes widened in realization of what he did. “UNCLE! Are you- Huh?!”
Kakashi’s body turned into a log.
“Shit!” The younger Uchiha cursed vilely . He jumped from his perch moving deeper into forest looking for a new hiding spot. Damn it! How could I fall for such a basic trick!? He left himself open so he could find out my location. Even used our bond to get me to call out. He probably knew where I was the whole time and is just using psychological warfare to toy with me.
Sakura was on the move as well. She ran as soon as she saw the replacement. She also screamed when she saw ‘Kakashi’ take those kunai and shuriken. There was no doubt that he was on her trail.
The Cherry Blossom girl as more worried for her love than herself. Where is Sasuke-kun?! Did sensei already get him? She shook her head. No, Sasuke is way too good to be caught.
She ducked behind a bush. The Kakashi was in a clearing about ten feet ahead of her reading his award winning literature. The avid reader seemed too engrossed in his tome to notice the pinkette. She sighed in relief. Good he doesn’t notice me.
“Yo.” She spoke a bit too soon. She recognized that lackadaisical voice anywhere. She turned around to find the white maned source squatted with tome in hand. He waved lazily. “How’s life treating you?”
Wind swirled around her kicking up leaves.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
Sasuke turned his head to the side. He knew who the source was. Hn... He must have just gotten Sakura.
“Genjutsu,” The last of the Uchihas froze at that familiar. “The second Shinobi Battle Tactic. For someone with such high marks in that subject she fell for it pretty easily.”
Sasuke snorted. “Simple mind control. It doesn’t surprise me that a loser like Sakura fell for that. I’m different though, I won’t fall for such simple tricks.” His Sharingan ignited.
“You can say that when you get a bell, Nephew.” Kakashi said from behind him, leaning up against a tree. He sauntered to Sasuke who turned to him. Red eyes locked. “Let’s see how much you have progressed.”
Sasuke smirked, flinging kunai and shuriken at his Uncle. Kakashi dodged to the left, skidding a few feet. “Normal attacks are useless.” He chided. Sasuke’s smirk grew thinner, he threw a new shuriken at a hidden rope severing it.
The white-haired sensei jumped out of the way the dozen flying sharp implements. As he landed Sasuke appeared behind him. What?! The raven haired genin lashed out with a kick from his left only to have blocked by Kakashi’s left. He snaked around with his other hand grabbing the offender’s ankle. Sasuke was far from done. Twisting sideways in midair, he sent an authoritative punch to his teacher’s face which was blocked by his free hand. Twisting again until he was upside down, Sasuke whipped his free foot at Kakashi, forcing him once again to block with his left elbow over his face.
The bells rang merrily with Sasuke staring right at them. He smirked as he lanced at the bells with his unrestrained hand. Kakashi’s ruby eyes widened. He quickly disengaged with Sasuke jumping back a few feet. Sasuke landed with an odd mix of frustration and satisfaction. Close but no cigar...
He’s fierce for his age. Kakashi had a hidden grin, he was happy that Sasuke was so far along. He has chuunin level taijutsu, I can’t just go on reading Make out Paradise. He was proud of his nephew but he couldn’t just pass him that easily. Gai wouldn’t, and he couldn’t let that fruitcake out class him. “I will admit you are different from the others.” But different isn’t always better.
Normal attacks won’t work. He thought as he ran through a pair of seals he knew by heart. Time to turn up the heat!
Bird, tiger. Kanton: Hosenka No Jutsu! (Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique)
The younger Uchiha ejected several dozen fire projectiles from his mouth aimed for his uncle. Kakashi danced around the fireballs gracefully while meticulously picking out kunai from select fireballs. He was impressed, normal genin couldn’t do this kind of move. He batted away the remaining ones with dual kunai.
Sasuke took a deep breath and made hand seals. Horse, tiger.
---
Sakura woke up lying on the dewy grass of the clearing. She groggily shook her head, when realized where she was she gasped.
Sasuke-kun was bleeding to death and I... The pinkette paused. “Fell for the trap...”
“It was just an illusion.” She kicked her self mentally, she couldn’t believe she fell for that! Genjutsu was supposed to be her best subject! Shannaro! She came to her feet. I won’t fall for that twice!
She felt someone tap her on the shoulder. “Help us, Sakura-chan...” A familiar voice said weakly.
A shiver ran up and down her spine, she didn’t want to see it. She closed her eyes. “Please Sakura...” Another equally familiar voice pleaded. Don’t listen to them! Just an illusion! She made a hand seal.
“Kai!”
It had to be gone now, she opened her eyes. Sakura sighed in relief. She fell back onto the grass and laughed. All just an illusion...
“Help us, Sakura...” Two familiar voices chorused faintly. Mutilated bloodied versions of Naruto and Dai looked down on the pinkette. Both were riddled with kunai and shuriken, Daisuke’s sword was impaled in his gut.
“Is everything copacetic, Sakura-chan?” Daisuke inquired not seeming to mind his injuries.
“Please Sakura...” A voice said from above. She looked up to see Sasuke lynched blowing in the wind.
“Please Sakura...”
“Help us...”
“We’re dying...”
“AAAAAAHHHHHHH!” Darkness reclaimed her.
Kakashi sighed, looking down from his perch. “Maybe that was a bit much...” ‘Kakashi’ poofed away.
---
“Kanton: Goukayuu No Jutsu!” (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)
A large stream of fiery chakra shot out of the younger Uchiha’s mouth to his uncle. It impacted scorching the ground at a five meter radius. Kakashi was gone no smoldering remains present.
Sasuke cursed mentally. He must have avoided my jutsu. Keeping his combat stance, the raven haired boy looked in all directions. “Where could he be?” He growled.
“Where you least expect me!” A voice cried out from below. Sasuke felt something tug at his feat as he was pulled underground. Only his head wasn’t buried. Kakashi kneeled down eye level with the emo prodigy. “You disappoint me, nephew.” Kakashi poked Sasuke’s forehead. “All the lessons I taught you and advice I gave you since you were a scared little pup.” Kakashi poked him again. “I guess it was all for not.”
“Stop that!” He glared distastefully at man he called uncle. Kakashi kept his lackadaisical gaze. “You’re acting like I’m not doing anything!”
Kakashi sighed. “You just don’t get it, do you? Living for only vengeance won’t get you anywhere in life.” His ruby eyes gleamed with disappointment. Kakashi faded away.
Sasuke’s looked down the look in Kakashi’s eyes was sending him on a guilt trip. Damn it!
Sakura ran out of the bushes in front of him terminating the younger Uchiha’s brooding. She slammed on the breaks. “Huh?!” The pinkette stared bug-eyed with dread. She fought the urge to faint. Just a genjutsu! Kai! She closed her eyes making a hand seal. “Kai!”
The little raven blinked. What’s her problem? “Sakura?”
Sakura looked wearily at her trapped teammate. “Sasuke’s just a head and he’s talking...” A familiar figure flashed into existence catching her. Daisuke chuckled. “You really know how to make the lasses weak in the knees, little crow.”
The orange clad lad beside him grinned foxily. “How the mighty have fallen!”
---
“Hee hee hee!!!” Naruto grinned, this plan was perfection.
After chasing Dai around the forest for most of the test the former rogue ninja finally convinced the prankster of his identity. By destroying his clones and pining him to a tree with kunai. The two came up with a plan: distract Kakashi by sending a shadow clone to take the lunches then launch an attack. The real Naruto didn’t know what he was missing out on, he placed the lunch in front of him with chop sticks in hand. He leaned against the monument. “Ikadakimasu!” Naruto opened up the lunch box. “What the hell?!”
He threw the lunch aside, dirt and worms splattered on the ground. “Where’s all the delicious food?!”
“Behind you,” a voice drawled in said direction. Naruto slowly turned his head to find Kakashi holding the true lunches. His ruby eyes were wrathful. “What was that about eating, hmm?”
Naruto laughed nervously. “I was just kidding, sensei...” Where are you guys?
“Yeah right!”
---
Sakura awoke to the mixed smell of ammonium carbonate and perfume, other wise known as smelling salts. The smell irritated the membranes in her nose and lungs causing her jade eyes to flutter open almost automatically. She latched onto the first form she saw, thinking it was Sasuke.
“You’re okay, Sasuke!”
“Sakura...” Daisuke said struggling for air. “I can’t breathe...”
“Oh, sorry...” Sakura flushed, letting him go. She speared her real target or at least she thought it was. “I didn’t know you cared, Sakura-chan.” Naruto’s cheeks glowed red like the Sharingan. The second forced Kawarimi’s prize was a lump on the head.
Her third, fourth, fifth, and sixth attempts ended with her bringing tree hugging to a literal level.
“Get off me!” Sasuke commanded prying himself from the pinkette’s loving embrace. After a few minutes of struggling, he stood up and turned in the direction of the logs they began their test at. Dai sniggered. The Kavorka is strong in this one.
“Time’s running out,” Sasuke noted the position of the sun. “I’m off.”
“Are you still going after the bell, Sasuke-kun?”
He turned to Sakura. “I managed to touch the bells. Next time I will take them.”
“What?!” Naruto and Sakura hollered. Dai crossed his arms carefully analyzing the situation. The only chance we have of getting the bells is working as a team. I can’t very well take on a jounin all by myself. This won’t be a cake walk though getting these guys to work together, he shrugged. But things worth doing are seldom easy.
“Wow!” Sakura plastered a fake smile on her face, she was quite worried about getting a bell. “You are really amazing, Sasuke-kun!” She made a suggestion. “Um... Since there is so little time left, we should maybe quit now and try again next year...”
Sasuke locked angry burning crimson eyes with Sakura. As the younger Uchiha began to tread his path, the cherry blossom girl looked down in shame. “That night,” Sasuke stopped. “I was crying...”
“About what?” Sakura inquired, Naruto and Dai looked curious as well. None of them knew much about Sasuke, he didn’t talk very much about himself.
“That man,” Sasuke clenched his fist. “I will make him pay for what he did to them. That’s why I became an avenger, a pure weapon forged by my hate for him.”
“Really?” Dai smiled, “that’s why my aniki had Griever fashioned for me.” He stroked Griever’s hilt lovingly, a sad expression crossed his eyes. He kept his smile fake smile, hoping to the Yondaime that it wouldn’t crack. “It’s nice to know someone who wields the same blade I do.”
He has a brother too, Sasuke turned to Dai. “Just what do you know about being an avenger?”
“Enough to know when I need help,” Dai answered. “Asking for help doesn’t exactly mean you’re weak.”
“Asking for help doesn’t mean strength either.” Sasuke countered.
“You aren’t exactly strong yourself, Sasuke.” Naruto sniped, Sasuke’s obstinate attitude needed a few holes blown into it.
Sasuke snorted. “If I’m not strong, dobe, you must be powerless.” Sasuke smirked, he knew how to press the blonde’s buttons.
“Teme!” Naruto said vehemently. “I’m gonna...”
Whack!
“Ow!” Naruto held the lump on his head tenderly. Why does stuff like this keep on happening to me?!
“Stop it, Naruto!” Sakura scolded. “You’re only making things worse!” She turned to Sasuke. “Dai-kun has a point, we need to work together in order to get the bells. Just look at how well each of us did before alone.”
“Hmph,” Sasuke scowled. “If you think you all think working together will yield such great success just go ahead without me. I won’t work with weaklings.” He walked off vanishing into the forest.
“Bastard,” Naruto said under his breath. “We don’t need him.”
Dai nodded, tapping the hilt of his Griever. “It would have helped to have him around though.” He said thoughtfully.
“Do we have a plan?” As Sakura spoke the alarm rang loudly throughout the woods. “We’re out of time...”
“Nope.” The ruby eyed boy shook his head a sly smile crossing his lips. “We’re just in over time and we’ve just been punted the ball. Everybody huddle up!”
Kakashi was disappointed, he thought they might have been the ones to pass his little test. All four had such potential, it was a pity they didn’t realize the true answer to the one million ryou question. What was the true meaning of this exercise?
The masked man shrugged. There was always next year. He eyed the four hopefuls lazily hearing their stomachs groan in dissatisfaction. “Hungry are we?” Kakashi raised a brow, throwing boxed lunches at three of the four’s feet. ‘Naruto’ was literally tied down to one of the posts for his transgressions during the test. “Before you young people chow down, I have announcement to make.” He called up their attention, whatever it was it had to be big! “None of you have to go back to the Academy!”
Naruto had an exhilarated expression.
Sakura was more confused than anything. “What? But all I did was faint and fall over. Was that okay?" Her teacher nodded. “Yay!” The pinkette cheered.
Sasuke didn’t look pleased in the slightest. But he accepted it, for now at least.
Dai grinned foxily, digging into his meal.
Naruto squirmed happily in his bindings. “This rocks on so many levels! So that means all of us...”
Kakashi closed his eyes ready to give up his favorite part of the announcement. “You all...” An all too familiar sound sizzled at the man’s feet. It was too late... For the log that is. The letter bomb exploded rendering the log firewood. Kakashi landed nearby while Sasuke made himself scarce. The game was still on!
“Charge!” A formidable army of Narutos stormed into the clearing from all sides of the forest. Kakashi stared wide eyed at the massive orange horde. There’s no way! Genin weren’t supposed to be able to produce this many clones. There must have been a hundred or so. Naruto and his charge must have made nice. The four genin must have done the same Sasuke was long gone and the other three turned out to be shadow clones of Naruto.
The orange army may have had their advantage in numbers, but he had ninjutsu! Kakashi made hand seals at a rapid pace. Snake, Ox, Rabbit, Dragon. “Mizu No Tatsumaki!” (Tornado of Water) Kakashi roared as a rotating beast formed out of the nearby river. It shot out like a bullet zig-zagging in and around the orange menace making the majority of them meet oblivion.
Damn, that was a close one. Dai thought from underwater, he was almost sucked into the current of that jutsu. It was just about time for his neck of the plan. He sensed a number of vanishing chakra signatures. It’s time! The ruby eyed boy made a ram seal. Mizu Bushin!
Kakashi turned to the river when heard loud sloshing, it was a dozen water clones of Daisuke on the shore. Two groups of six made two lines, one standing and the other crouching in front of them. Both lines made different sets of seals.
Dragon, Hare, Ram, Tiger. Suiton: Taihoudan! (Water Release: Large Projectile) The standing line of clones fired powerful streams of water out of their mouths like fire hydrants at Kakashi.
Serpent, Tiger. Suiton: Teppoudama! (Water Release: Bullet) Out of the crouching line’s mouth’s shot a machine gun fire of baseball sized water balls to Kakashi.
For the final touch, Dai came up from the water and started a string of hand seals. Ram, Monkey, Ox, Bird. “Fuuton: Reppushou!” (Gale Wind Palm) The ruby eyed boy roared while slamming his hands together. Gale force winds ripped away the water revealing multiple kunai and shuriken, the winds sped up their progress astronomically. They hit Kakashi making him vanish in a puff of smoke.
“Shit,” Daisuke cursed. “Where did he go?!” Daisuke felt a certain presence behind him. “Your ninjutsu isn’t bad for a genin, Dai-kun. But you still have a long way to go before you can hope to match me.” Dai jumped away from Kakashi making a few hand seals. Boar, Dog, Snake. “Donton: Doro Gaeshi!” (Mud Overturn)
The young Ikari slammed his palms on the ground bringing up a large slab of earth to protect him. It stopped the water burst dead in its tracks, but that was just the first hand. A shaft of earth shot up and hit the genin right in the stomach hard throwing him on the ground a few feet away.
“Daisuke!” Naruto jumped down from his perch and made a cross hand seal. “Kage Bushin No Jutsu!” (Shadow Clone Jutsu) Four copies of the Hokage wannabe appeared on either side of him. Two of the Narutos picked up their comrade and retreated while the others went on the offensive.
Kakashi dispatched the clones quickly with a slight smile. “It seems those guys get it after all.” The masked man vanished without a trace.
A certain Uchiha watched from his perch confused about his uncle’s words. Get what?
“What happened out there?!” Sakura asked worriedly as the Narutos that carried the unconscious Dai set him down. “Did you see Sasuke?!” Naruto rolled his eyes when his copy disappeared. “We have bigger problems, Sakura-chan. Daisuke is out cold and we still don’t have a bell. His jutsu were pretty cool but it still wasn’t enough to take the bell.”
“Wake him up then!” Sakura ordered. “We need the full team if we want to pass.”
“How do we do that?” Naruto squinted. “Can we really get the bell from Kakashi-sensei? Even with Sasuke -teme and Dai-kun.”
“I’ll tell you, Naruto-kun.” Kakashi said sauntering towards them with murder in his bloody eyes. “By doing...” A kunai whizzed past the masked sensei’s head. Sasuke was behind Kakashi with equal murderous intent in his sharingan. “Give up the bells.”
“Actually, Sasuke.” Kakashi turned to his murderous looking nephew and closed his eyes in a cheerful if not mysterious way. “These belong to Team Seven not you.” Everyone looked rather dumbfounded as he passed Sakura and Naruto the bells. “You fail, Sasuke. You don’t deserve the privilege of being a ninja.”
“Please don’t fail Sasuke-kun, Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura pleaded. “He was apart of the plan the entire time!”
“Was he?” Kakashi queried turning back to Team Seven. “Is that the truth, Naruto?” Kakashi’s voice promised pain if the blonde lied. Naruto froze in terror, he didn’t want to be hit with one thousand years of pain again. Sakura’s jade eyes looked into Naruto’s cerulean optics practically begging for him to lie for her. Was the pain worth it? I’d do anything for you Sakura-chan. No matter what the consequences are.
Naruto filled himself with the resolve only a Hokage would have. “Yes, Kakashi-sensei, it’s the gospel truth.”
“Good,” the white maned sensei responded pleasantly. “You all pass. I know that was a blatant lie but that was the point of this exercise was teamwork. Lying for your teammate is apart of that.” Kakashi Hatake’s voice took up a wistful tone. “Like an old friend of mine once said: ‘those who don’t follow orders are regarded as scum, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum’.”
“Now you can all go home, we start our assignments tomorrow though. So meet me on the Nanako River Crimson Bridge at six A.M.”
“What about Dai-kun?” Sakura asked. Kakashi smiled behind his mask, it was nice to now have students. “Don’t worry,” Kakashi waved them off. Daisuke and I have some things we to talk about. Now get going.” The three did as ordered.
Sasuke walked beside Naruto. “Why did you help me out there, dobe?”
“I didn’t do it for you, Sasuke-teme.” Naruto vehemently retorted. “I did it for someone important to me.” Sasuke grunted as the blonde left him in the dust. “Whatever.” It seems I owe you one, dobe.
“Wake up,” Kakashi shook Dai awake, the teen looked at him groggily. “Did we pass?”
Kakashi nodded, Dai had an elated expression. “Great! We should go to Ichiraku’s!” Dai looked around to find his teammates gone. “Where is everybody?” He tried to move but his stomach hurt quite a bit, he hissed in pain.
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. “You look a lot like your father but you have your mother’s eyes and more of her knack for ninjutsu plus genjutsu, Yuki-kun. Your dad couldn’t do either worth a damn. Last time I saw you, you were just a babe.” The white-haired man chuckled. Shock etched the ruby eyed boy’s expression.
“You knew my parents?”
“Yup, and as a matter of fact these eyes are your mother’s.” Kakashi pointed to his ruby optics.
“Come again?” He had a confused squint not unlike Naruto’s.
Kakashi chuckled. “It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you any way...”
Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto franchise or anything else having to do with it. But I do own any characters and/or concepts that come from the depths of my insanity. I also do not own Sora Kousetsu Breaking Water 21 does.
Chapter Five: For Whom The Bell Jingles
As Amaterasu rose from the depths to reclaim her kingdom. A certain pink haired kunoichi watched intently wishing a certain angst ridden Uchiha was there to share the moment with her. Sakura Haruno had come early to the training area to watch the sunrise. She had asked her crush to join her but not much to her surprise he said no again. Sasuke always said no. No matter what she did. Sakura had always gone the extra mile for the younger Uchiha. Making him lunch and baking him cakes. He always partook and just gave her a dull thank you.
She sometimes questioned if Sasuke was worth all the effort. He never reciprocated. Always cold and distant...
She just wished that Sasuke would open up and talk to her. Sakura thought that maybe she could offer some kind of consolation whatever his problem.
Unfortunately his icy heart would not melt that easily. It took time and dedication to do those kinds of things. This wasn’t a fairy tale.
The cherry blossom girl leaped down from her perch. It was six A.M. now, Sakura wondered if everyone else was here by now.
Zzzzzz....Zzzzzz...
Sakura jumped surprised by the sudden sound. The sound was coming from behind the memorial stone, she crept toward the source. The pink haired teen found the sleeping form of her brother in arms, Daisuke Ikari, back propped against the stone holding his sword close.
She smiled slightly, he looked so peaceful. Cute too, Inner Sakura observed. Sakura mentally smacked herself. Shut it! The only person I like is Sasuke. The pink haired kunoichi had to admit she was curious though. Who wouldn’t be?
She wondered why he always wore those sunglasses. Was Daisuke trying to hide something? He seemed normal enough from the way he acted. Ninjas were taught to see underneath the underneath though.
Sakura gathered herself letting out a sigh. Now would be as good of a time as any. She kneeled next the obsidian haired youth and gently shook him. “Time to wa...” She stopped when she felt something cold at her throat. His wakizashi was at her neck ready to part her.
Sakura froze in fear. Was she going to die?
Groggy, ruby colored eyes fluttered open. It had been such a long time since he had such a good night’s sleep. That dream that he had was weird though fighting Kakashi-sensei like that. Like he could keep a jounin on his toes. He snorted mentally.
He felt cold fear radiating to his side. Dai turned to find his blade at Sakura’s neck. The poor girl was absolutely terrified, understandably so. He retracted the blade from her neck, sheathing it. Damn reflexes...
“Are you okay, Sakura-san?” Daisuke inquired gently. A situation like this required careful maneuvering, the last thing he needed was his teammate becoming afraid of him. It wasn’t his fault if the reflex was literally beaten into him since his academy days, was it?
The cheery blossom girl didn’t answer she merely just stared at him fearfully. “Just calm down, Sakura-san.” The ruby eyed boy said soothingly. “I’m really sor...”
“Stay away, you psychopath!” Sakura screeched. She fell back crawling to a near by tree, she used that as leverage to help her get up. Daisuke appeared in front of her putting a hand on her shoulder. “Listen,” he said firmly. “You misconstrue.” A log appeared in Sakura’s place. He sighed mentally. Replacement, not half bad. Dai did his own disappearing act.
Sakura had to run. She had to get away. She didn’t want to die... She saw those eyes they were as red as blood. They weren’t the eyes of a killer though. They were experienced yet warm. Those eyes had probably seen a lot. The boy owned his experience, he didn’t let it own him. Unlike Sasuke...
Sakura wasn’t thinking of that, she was only worried about her own well being. Sakura literally ran into someone familiar. When they collided, they both fell on the dewy greenery backside first. “What the hell is your problem?!” Sasuke demanded.
A ray of hope hit her, Sasuke would be able to help her! “You’ve got to help me, Sasuke!” Sakura pleaded.
Sasuke raised a brow. “With what?”
“H-he’s after me!” The terrified girl stuttered. “H-he’s going to kill me!”
Sasuke narrowed his onyx eyes. “Who?”
“T-that new guy!” Sakura blurted out.
Sasuke had his suspicions about Daisuke. A spy he might have been but a murderer? No, if he wanted Sakura dead, she wouldn’t be here in front of me. He came to his feet and dusted himself off. “I’ll see for myself.”
“But Sasuke...”
“Quiet.” The raven haired Uchiha said in a stern tone. He sensed a presence it was without a doubt Daisuke. He knew few people who could hide their chakra signature that well.
“Saku...” Daisuke appeared in a swirl of mist. He trailed off when he saw the younger Uchiha’s serious visage his Sharingan was active. “Explain,” Sasuke said shortly, motioning his head to Sakura.
Dai blinked. “Oh?” He said sheepishly. “You see...” The ruby eyed teen explained the whole situation.
Sasuke’s brow twitched. All that hype for nothing? “Hn...” His Sharingan deactivated. “Work this out by yourselves.” He walked passed Dai. “You have interesting eyes.”
Daisuke furrowed his brow. Did I forget my glasses?! He checked his person, no where to be found. Damn...
“Ikari-san...” Sakura said softly she was still on the ground. “I’m sorry about overreacting like that...” Her jade eyes never left the ground.
Dai gave Sakura a sharp toothed grin. “Well you wouldn’t be the first or the last.” Sakura looked up and flinched slightly at his teeth. They were kind of scary, Kiba never really grinned that much. His smile became a bit more restrained “I apologize too. I should try to get that reflex of mine under control.” He offered out his hand to Sakura. “We should get going. By the way, Sakura-san, it’s just Dai to you.”
She smiled slightly. Have to start somewhere... Sakura took his hand. “And it’s Sakura-chan to you, Chigan (Blood Eyes).”
The newly dubbed “Chigan” gave Sakura a questioning look before helping the girl to her feet.
“That’s the last straw teme!” A routine scream erupted from deeper in the forest. “I swear I’m going to kick your ass this time!”
Dai sniggered. “We should stop those two before they kill each other.” He made a half ram seal. “Hold on.” Sakura blinked. “Wha-?”
Chigan and the Cherry Blossom vanished in a swirl of mist and leaves.
“Good morning, everyone!” Kakashi Hatake saluted cheerfully. “I trust that you all are well...”
“YOU’RE LATE!” Naruto and Sakura bellowed. That was the understatement of the century, he was overdue by five hours!
“Sorry about that,” Kakashi said going back into his usual dispassionate tone. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “I saw a black cat and decided to avoid it. So...”
When the team sent death glares, his way Kakashi decided to cut his losses. He cleared his throat. “Let us move on.”
Three out of the four genin watched, slightly confused, as the white maned sensei sauntered over to a random tree stump and plopped a small digital alarm clock on it. “Okay,” Kakashi stated loudly. “This clock is set for noon.” He produced a duo of silver bells dangling on a red string. “The day’s training is for you guys to take these lovely sliver bells away from me.” The man jingled them sweetly. “Those unlucky contestants who can’t do said task have a foodless lunch ahead of them.”
“What?!” Naruto squawked.
Time to go medieval. He thumbed in the direction of a foursome of logs staked to the ground. “Those of you that are lunch less will be tied to those posts and forced to watch me eat their lunch.”
Sadistic jackass, Naruto thought as his stomach rumbled audibly. That’s why he told us not to eat...
Daisuke laughed. “You’re so sadistic, a man after Ibiki’s heart.” Kakashi raised a brow.
“Wait.” Sakura said a bit confused. “Why are there only two bells?”
“As I said yesterday,” Kakashi answered with an expectant grin behind his mask. “‘Since Sasuke is my nephew, I will make it all the more difficult for you’.” He shrugged. “But since you guys are just genin anyway, I doubt any of you will be able to take the bells from me.”
Sasuke shook with anger. Is he second guessing me?!
Kakashi’s usual complacent gaze was replaced with a cold calculating one. “If you wish to gain these trinkets, you must use whatever tactics and tools that are at your disposal. Most importantly, you must come at me with the intent to kill.”
“But sensei,” Sakura protested. “If we use those things, you could get hurt or killed for that matter!”
The blonde prankster laughed. “Yeah, especially since you couldn’t even dodge that eraser!”
Sasuke stared at the two as if they were crazy. Are they stupid?! Prodding a jounin is not a smart thing to do. Especially if he’s Kakashi...
“In society, those that do not have the brass to back up their statements tend to bark more. So ignore the ignoramus with the low scores, he’s pretty much useless.” Burn! Ten points to Kakashi!
“When I say, ‘go’ you may start.” Kakashi glanced at Naruto charging at ramming speed with kunai in hand, screaming.
“You know,” Kakashi said dryly from behind Naruto. He had griped the blonde’s arm positioning it behind his head, Kakashi’s other hand was on the blonde’s head firmly holding him in place. The kunai Naruto held was now replaced by a familiar pair of sunglasses. “You shouldn’t be so ready to die, especially if since I’m a jounin. If you think a kunai would hurt, you should try an ordinary pair of sunglasses.”
Sakura took a step back. Fast...
Dai’s brow twitched. So that’s where my glasses went.
So this is the power of a jounin. Sasuke thought in awe. I barely even saw him with the Sharingan. I need to get it to the next level.
“Looks like you guys do have it in you after all.” Kakashi allowed after releasing Naruto. He smiled behind his mask. This is better, they are either eying me with more respect or fear... He shrugged mentally. But I guess I’ll take that too. “I’m starting to like you all now,” the genin smiled.
“On your mark,” Kakashi hollered. The genin tensed like loaded springs.
“Get set!”
C’mon, Naruto thought in anticipation. I want a rematch!
“And go!” All four students disappeared.
One of the most basic and crucial applications for a ninja is stealth. Kakashi thought assessing this students’ abilities. Nice, I can’t sense them anywhere. “Kudos to everyone.” He sighed mentally. “Save for you, Naruto...” The blonde was standing right in front of him.
“Let’s have a fair and square fight,” Naruto challenged like a clean and proper super hero. Kakashi just gawked at him. Is this kid for real?
Idiot, Sasuke and Sakura thought from their respectable hiding spots.
“You’re weird and loud compared to the others,” Kakashi drawled feeling a bit bewildered. He thought his sensei’s offspring would be smarter.
“What’s loud and weird here is your hair,” The blonde spat back. With a battle cry he stormed at Kakashi. Looks like he’s a slow learner, is this kid really yours sensei? He queried as his right hand dove in his belt pouch. That’s fine, I’m going to just going to have to teach him like you taught Obito. When Naruto noticed his sensei’s actions he stopped in his tracks.
“Shinobi skill number one, taijutsu.” The white maned sensei lectured. “I will teach you that first.”
Why is he reaching for a weapon if it’s taijutsu? Wondered Naruto. He shook his head. It does matter, I’m going to kick this guy’s ass!
Huh?! The blonde gazed more than a tad perplexed. Kakashi produced a small orange book that said Make Out Paradise on the cover. The sensei seemed to be automatically hypnotized as soon as he open the book, he let out a perverted giggle. “Why are you reading?”
“Hm?” Kakashi looked up from his book. “Did you say something, Naruto?”
The prankster’s brow twitched. “I recognize that book!” Naruto hollered, jabbing his pointer at Kakashi. “You pervert, I’m going to whip your butt double time now!”
Kakashi just ignored him.
“Look at me when I talk to you!” Naruto sprang at Kakashi, fist ready to knock some manners into him. Kakashi easily caught his fist without looking away from his book. The blonde growled in frustration as he landed and launched a roundhouse kick destined for his face. Kakashi simply squatted never looking away from his favorite piece of literature. Come on! He launched another assault on his teacher only to find him gone.
Huh?! Naruto was bewildered looking left and right.
You forgot the most important rule of prison and life, protect your butt. Behind his student Kakashi closed his book, making a hand seal. Sakura from her hiding place in the bushes recognized the sign. That’s the sign of the tiger! He will be liable to destroy Naruto!
“Naruto, watch out!” Sakura shouted worriedly. “Sensei is going to kill you!”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Kakashi intoned, not giving Naruto a chance to counter.
“Most sacred and secret village taijutsu: ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PAIN!!!” Naruto stood there feeling a pain in his butt, before flying off into the wild blue yonder.
Morons... Sasuke thought exasperated.
Shivers ran up and down Dai’s spine, almost causing him to loose control of his genjutsu. He was hiding in plain sight leaning against a tree. Did sensei just sodomize Naruto? That’s plain wrong...
And with a sudden splash from the near by river, Kakashi sighed in content while going back to his book.
Sasuke reached for his shuriken thinking it was the right time to attack. A pair of shuriken burst of the river whirling to Kakashi. Never even taking an eye of his book the white maned sensei’s arm shot up catching the bladed impalements between his fingers.
The younger Uchiha rested his hand on his holster. This is Kakashi we’re talking about here. I doubt he has any obvious holes in his defense.
The blonde struggled out of the river, coughing and gasping for air. “What’s wrong?” Kakashi sneered watching his student crawl to dry land. “You’ll be going hungry if you don’t get a bell by noon.”
“I know that,” Naruto shot back, looking wet and miserable.
“You always keep babbling about becoming stronger than the Hokage,” Kakashi taunted again. “But your actions sing a different tune. Hypocritical, ne?”
Naruto’s stomach groaned angrily. “How do you expect me to fight when I’m starving to death!”
His teammate’s stomachs growled in agreement.
Kakashi turned around and started to walk away. “I don’t have time for any more for your antics, Naruto. I have other students.” That should get his goat.
Don’t you dare walk away from me. Six exact copies of Naruto erupted from the river. And began to dash at Kakashi. “This is my best jutsu,” one of the clones shouted. “Tajuu Kage Bushin No Jutsu!” (Mass Shadow Replication Technique)
The team analyzed the technique. They’re real!
Very nice, Daisuke thought impressed. Kage Bushin, that’s a jounin level move. Naruto’s better than these guys give him credit for.
“Shadow clones, eh?” Kakashi noted mildly impressed. This must be the jounin level technique he used to defeat the traitor Touji Mizuki. “From your capacity I can say that you won’t be able to keep up that technique for very long.” The sensei deduced as the Naruto bared down on him. “You’re all big talk, Naruto. You won’t be able to catch me off guard.”
All of Kakashi’s sneering and taunts were put rest when he felt someone grab him from behind. “What?!” All of his usual complacency was lost. “How?!”
Holding him place Naruto sniggered. “You shouldn’t let your enemy get behind you,” Naruto chided evilly. “Now who’s the hypocrite?” The six other orange and blue clones grabbed Kakashi by the legs while the last leapt forward fist ready. “I used another clone to sneak up behind you from downstream.” One of the Narutos explained. “Now prepare to be payed back with interest!”
A feint, eh? Sasuke thought admiring Naruto’s plan from his perch. Maybe he isn’t as clueless I thought he was.
Cool plan, Naruto. Daisuke smirked. Maybe I should help reinforce it. He dropped his illusion, taking a stance. Daisuke bent both knees going into a partial crouch, he unsheathed his blade. Drawing the right arm back he extended his left, he grasped the very end of the hilt and rested the fingertips of his left hand near the blade’s tip. Concentrating chakra to his feet, he took off.
Naruto felt a familiar presence pass by him at a very fast pace. It was heading for his target.
“Gatotsu: Ichiki” (Fang Thrust: First Stance) Dai said evenly as he landed the thrust in Kakashi’s shoulder. He usually would hit a more lethal mark but it wouldn’t do if his teacher was dead. Naruto landed a punch as well making the punishment worse for the teacher. It would have hurt Kakashi if it was dealt to him.
“Ouch! Was the hell was that for?!” Daisuke stared a bit confused when the injured Naruto shouted at him. Replacement. The Naruto’s glared at Daisuke. The ruby eyed youth sweat dropped. “Um... Sorry about that...”
“You...” A brilliant idea hit the blonde at the wrong time. “You’re Kakashi-sensei! You used a replacement to escape and changed into Daisuke to attack me!” The brothers Naruto Uzumaki leapt at Dai trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Daisuke with avoided the carbon copies with ease, wacking them with the blunt of his sword when they came close enough.
“I’m telling you, I am not Kakashi!” Daisuke juked another Naruto, smacking him with his sheath making that copy poof away.
“You smell like an old man,” A clone retorted. “How can you not be him?!”
“It’s not my fault if I haven’t gotten the chance to take a shower yet!” Daisuke batted away an inbound kunai. “I’m really not in the mood to argue with you.” I don’t want to hurt you either. A distraction will have to do. He made hand seals in quick secession.
Rat, snake, bird, tiger. Magen: Jigoku Gouka No Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Hell Fire Technique)
“Ha!” One of the Naruto’s sneered when nothing happened. “Looks like your technique was a dud, sensei!”
Daisuke kept his cool, this whole fiasco was getting annoying. “One: I’m not our sensei. Two,” He pointed to the heavens. “You might want to move.”
Naruto looked up horrified to a very large sphere of fire falling to them. The Naruto’s sputtered and scattered in all directions. Dai just stood there with a self-satisfied smile as the landing hell fire consumed him.
The Naruto’s blinked, the fire was gone! “Where the hell did it go?” One of the Narutos shouted clearly confused. The clones started to chatter among the confusion all with their own conclusions.
“Maybe it was a time released fire!”
“There’s no such thing as a ‘time release fire,’ you idiot!”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah!& #8221;
“Yeah!”
Sasuke and Sakura sweat dropped. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Maybe I gave you a bit too much credit, dobe.
Sakura sighed. That was a genjutsu, Naruto.
The real Naruto sneezed as another genius idea came to him. “It’s a genjutsu!” Naruto thrust his fist in the air. “Sensei used the illusion as a distraction to escape!”
The Narutos sang their praises. “We are so smart!”
“Our combined genius makes Sasuke-teme look like a complete dumb ass!”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah! 221;
“Yeah!”
“Okay everyone!” One of the Narutos got the rest’s attention. “Let’s split up! We’ll be liable to find him if we search the entire area. Dattebayo!”
“Dattebayo!” All the Narutos cried out as they disbursed. One blonde strangely enough remained behind nodding to himself with a self-satisfied look. I’m such a genius! The narcissistic blonde stopped admiring himself when he saw something shiny at the trunk of a near by tree. Naruto grinned. “It’s a bell!” The blonde shouted gleefully. “Sensei must have been in a rush!”
The blonde sang in a singsong voice as he moved to claim his prize. “Jingle bells, Sasuke smells, Naruto is so great! Naruto beats the bad guys and Sakura loves him for it!” Blonde picked the bell and rang it sweetly. “Naruto’s going be a great Ho...” He felt something tug at his feet. “Ahhh!” Naruto was suddenly hoisted by his feet several feet in the air. Naruto lost his grip on the bell in heat of the moment. “No! My bell!” Naruto futilely screamed as he struggled with his bond.
“Poor Naruto...” Kakashi said as he flickered into existence below his student. “Were you caught in one of Daisuke’s traps?” Kakashi said with faux pity as he picked up the bell. “You should really learn to examine the space around you.”
Naruto ignored Kakashi’s obviously condescending words when he continued thrash about futilely. The sensei rolled his eyes. “Ninja need to look underneath the underneath.”
“I know that!” The blond hollered down at his sensei petulantly.
“I’m only telling you this because you do not get it.” Kakashi told him emphatically, his patience was beginning to run on empty. “Get it?”
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. Kakashi had finally lowered his guard. The dobe is actually useful for something after all. Sasuke grasped multiple kunai and shuriken between his fingers, he thrust his arms forward fanning his the weapons out at multiple angles.
“Your movements are very-UGH!” Kakashi’s grueling lecture was cut short as several kunai and shuriken made home in his brain. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell face first on to mother earth. Naruto stared in horrified at the scene. “Oh Kami! The bastard just killed sensei!”
Sasuke’s eyes widened in realization of what he did. “UNCLE! Are you- Huh?!”
Kakashi’s body turned into a log.
“Shit!” The younger Uchiha cursed vilely . He jumped from his perch moving deeper into forest looking for a new hiding spot. Damn it! How could I fall for such a basic trick!? He left himself open so he could find out my location. Even used our bond to get me to call out. He probably knew where I was the whole time and is just using psychological warfare to toy with me.
Sakura was on the move as well. She ran as soon as she saw the replacement. She also screamed when she saw ‘Kakashi’ take those kunai and shuriken. There was no doubt that he was on her trail.
The Cherry Blossom girl as more worried for her love than herself. Where is Sasuke-kun?! Did sensei already get him? She shook her head. No, Sasuke is way too good to be caught.
She ducked behind a bush. The Kakashi was in a clearing about ten feet ahead of her reading his award winning literature. The avid reader seemed too engrossed in his tome to notice the pinkette. She sighed in relief. Good he doesn’t notice me.
“Yo.” She spoke a bit too soon. She recognized that lackadaisical voice anywhere. She turned around to find the white maned source squatted with tome in hand. He waved lazily. “How’s life treating you?”
Wind swirled around her kicking up leaves.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
Sasuke turned his head to the side. He knew who the source was. Hn... He must have just gotten Sakura.
“Genjutsu,” The last of the Uchihas froze at that familiar. “The second Shinobi Battle Tactic. For someone with such high marks in that subject she fell for it pretty easily.”
Sasuke snorted. “Simple mind control. It doesn’t surprise me that a loser like Sakura fell for that. I’m different though, I won’t fall for such simple tricks.” His Sharingan ignited.
“You can say that when you get a bell, Nephew.” Kakashi said from behind him, leaning up against a tree. He sauntered to Sasuke who turned to him. Red eyes locked. “Let’s see how much you have progressed.”
Sasuke smirked, flinging kunai and shuriken at his Uncle. Kakashi dodged to the left, skidding a few feet. “Normal attacks are useless.” He chided. Sasuke’s smirk grew thinner, he threw a new shuriken at a hidden rope severing it.
The white-haired sensei jumped out of the way the dozen flying sharp implements. As he landed Sasuke appeared behind him. What?! The raven haired genin lashed out with a kick from his left only to have blocked by Kakashi’s left. He snaked around with his other hand grabbing the offender’s ankle. Sasuke was far from done. Twisting sideways in midair, he sent an authoritative punch to his teacher’s face which was blocked by his free hand. Twisting again until he was upside down, Sasuke whipped his free foot at Kakashi, forcing him once again to block with his left elbow over his face.
The bells rang merrily with Sasuke staring right at them. He smirked as he lanced at the bells with his unrestrained hand. Kakashi’s ruby eyes widened. He quickly disengaged with Sasuke jumping back a few feet. Sasuke landed with an odd mix of frustration and satisfaction. Close but no cigar...
He’s fierce for his age. Kakashi had a hidden grin, he was happy that Sasuke was so far along. He has chuunin level taijutsu, I can’t just go on reading Make out Paradise. He was proud of his nephew but he couldn’t just pass him that easily. Gai wouldn’t, and he couldn’t let that fruitcake out class him. “I will admit you are different from the others.” But different isn’t always better.
Normal attacks won’t work. He thought as he ran through a pair of seals he knew by heart. Time to turn up the heat!
Bird, tiger. Kanton: Hosenka No Jutsu! (Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique)
The younger Uchiha ejected several dozen fire projectiles from his mouth aimed for his uncle. Kakashi danced around the fireballs gracefully while meticulously picking out kunai from select fireballs. He was impressed, normal genin couldn’t do this kind of move. He batted away the remaining ones with dual kunai.
Sasuke took a deep breath and made hand seals. Horse, tiger.
---
Sakura woke up lying on the dewy grass of the clearing. She groggily shook her head, when realized where she was she gasped.
Sasuke-kun was bleeding to death and I... The pinkette paused. “Fell for the trap...”
“It was just an illusion.” She kicked her self mentally, she couldn’t believe she fell for that! Genjutsu was supposed to be her best subject! Shannaro! She came to her feet. I won’t fall for that twice!
She felt someone tap her on the shoulder. “Help us, Sakura-chan...” A familiar voice said weakly.
A shiver ran up and down her spine, she didn’t want to see it. She closed her eyes. “Please Sakura...” Another equally familiar voice pleaded. Don’t listen to them! Just an illusion! She made a hand seal.
“Kai!”
It had to be gone now, she opened her eyes. Sakura sighed in relief. She fell back onto the grass and laughed. All just an illusion...
“Help us, Sakura...” Two familiar voices chorused faintly. Mutilated bloodied versions of Naruto and Dai looked down on the pinkette. Both were riddled with kunai and shuriken, Daisuke’s sword was impaled in his gut.
“Is everything copacetic, Sakura-chan?” Daisuke inquired not seeming to mind his injuries.
“Please Sakura...” A voice said from above. She looked up to see Sasuke lynched blowing in the wind.
“Please Sakura...”
“Help us...”
“We’re dying...”
“AAAAAAHHHHHHH!” Darkness reclaimed her.
Kakashi sighed, looking down from his perch. “Maybe that was a bit much...” ‘Kakashi’ poofed away.
---
“Kanton: Goukayuu No Jutsu!” (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)
A large stream of fiery chakra shot out of the younger Uchiha’s mouth to his uncle. It impacted scorching the ground at a five meter radius. Kakashi was gone no smoldering remains present.
Sasuke cursed mentally. He must have avoided my jutsu. Keeping his combat stance, the raven haired boy looked in all directions. “Where could he be?” He growled.
“Where you least expect me!” A voice cried out from below. Sasuke felt something tug at his feat as he was pulled underground. Only his head wasn’t buried. Kakashi kneeled down eye level with the emo prodigy. “You disappoint me, nephew.” Kakashi poked Sasuke’s forehead. “All the lessons I taught you and advice I gave you since you were a scared little pup.” Kakashi poked him again. “I guess it was all for not.”
“Stop that!” He glared distastefully at man he called uncle. Kakashi kept his lackadaisical gaze. “You’re acting like I’m not doing anything!”
Kakashi sighed. “You just don’t get it, do you? Living for only vengeance won’t get you anywhere in life.” His ruby eyes gleamed with disappointment. Kakashi faded away.
Sasuke’s looked down the look in Kakashi’s eyes was sending him on a guilt trip. Damn it!
Sakura ran out of the bushes in front of him terminating the younger Uchiha’s brooding. She slammed on the breaks. “Huh?!” The pinkette stared bug-eyed with dread. She fought the urge to faint. Just a genjutsu! Kai! She closed her eyes making a hand seal. “Kai!”
The little raven blinked. What’s her problem? “Sakura?”
Sakura looked wearily at her trapped teammate. “Sasuke’s just a head and he’s talking...” A familiar figure flashed into existence catching her. Daisuke chuckled. “You really know how to make the lasses weak in the knees, little crow.”
The orange clad lad beside him grinned foxily. “How the mighty have fallen!”
---
“Hee hee hee!!!” Naruto grinned, this plan was perfection.
After chasing Dai around the forest for most of the test the former rogue ninja finally convinced the prankster of his identity. By destroying his clones and pining him to a tree with kunai. The two came up with a plan: distract Kakashi by sending a shadow clone to take the lunches then launch an attack. The real Naruto didn’t know what he was missing out on, he placed the lunch in front of him with chop sticks in hand. He leaned against the monument. “Ikadakimasu!” Naruto opened up the lunch box. “What the hell?!”
He threw the lunch aside, dirt and worms splattered on the ground. “Where’s all the delicious food?!”
“Behind you,” a voice drawled in said direction. Naruto slowly turned his head to find Kakashi holding the true lunches. His ruby eyes were wrathful. “What was that about eating, hmm?”
Naruto laughed nervously. “I was just kidding, sensei...” Where are you guys?
“Yeah right!”
---
Sakura awoke to the mixed smell of ammonium carbonate and perfume, other wise known as smelling salts. The smell irritated the membranes in her nose and lungs causing her jade eyes to flutter open almost automatically. She latched onto the first form she saw, thinking it was Sasuke.
“You’re okay, Sasuke!”
“Sakura...” Daisuke said struggling for air. “I can’t breathe...”
“Oh, sorry...” Sakura flushed, letting him go. She speared her real target or at least she thought it was. “I didn’t know you cared, Sakura-chan.” Naruto’s cheeks glowed red like the Sharingan. The second forced Kawarimi’s prize was a lump on the head.
Her third, fourth, fifth, and sixth attempts ended with her bringing tree hugging to a literal level.
“Get off me!” Sasuke commanded prying himself from the pinkette’s loving embrace. After a few minutes of struggling, he stood up and turned in the direction of the logs they began their test at. Dai sniggered. The Kavorka is strong in this one.
“Time’s running out,” Sasuke noted the position of the sun. “I’m off.”
“Are you still going after the bell, Sasuke-kun?”
He turned to Sakura. “I managed to touch the bells. Next time I will take them.”
“What?!” Naruto and Sakura hollered. Dai crossed his arms carefully analyzing the situation. The only chance we have of getting the bells is working as a team. I can’t very well take on a jounin all by myself. This won’t be a cake walk though getting these guys to work together, he shrugged. But things worth doing are seldom easy.
“Wow!” Sakura plastered a fake smile on her face, she was quite worried about getting a bell. “You are really amazing, Sasuke-kun!” She made a suggestion. “Um... Since there is so little time left, we should maybe quit now and try again next year...”
Sasuke locked angry burning crimson eyes with Sakura. As the younger Uchiha began to tread his path, the cherry blossom girl looked down in shame. “That night,” Sasuke stopped. “I was crying...”
“About what?” Sakura inquired, Naruto and Dai looked curious as well. None of them knew much about Sasuke, he didn’t talk very much about himself.
“That man,” Sasuke clenched his fist. “I will make him pay for what he did to them. That’s why I became an avenger, a pure weapon forged by my hate for him.”
“Really?” Dai smiled, “that’s why my aniki had Griever fashioned for me.” He stroked Griever’s hilt lovingly, a sad expression crossed his eyes. He kept his smile fake smile, hoping to the Yondaime that it wouldn’t crack. “It’s nice to know someone who wields the same blade I do.”
He has a brother too, Sasuke turned to Dai. “Just what do you know about being an avenger?”
“Enough to know when I need help,” Dai answered. “Asking for help doesn’t exactly mean you’re weak.”
“Asking for help doesn’t mean strength either.” Sasuke countered.
“You aren’t exactly strong yourself, Sasuke.” Naruto sniped, Sasuke’s obstinate attitude needed a few holes blown into it.
Sasuke snorted. “If I’m not strong, dobe, you must be powerless.” Sasuke smirked, he knew how to press the blonde’s buttons.
“Teme!” Naruto said vehemently. “I’m gonna...”
Whack!
“Ow!” Naruto held the lump on his head tenderly. Why does stuff like this keep on happening to me?!
“Stop it, Naruto!” Sakura scolded. “You’re only making things worse!” She turned to Sasuke. “Dai-kun has a point, we need to work together in order to get the bells. Just look at how well each of us did before alone.”
“Hmph,” Sasuke scowled. “If you think you all think working together will yield such great success just go ahead without me. I won’t work with weaklings.” He walked off vanishing into the forest.
“Bastard,” Naruto said under his breath. “We don’t need him.”
Dai nodded, tapping the hilt of his Griever. “It would have helped to have him around though.” He said thoughtfully.
“Do we have a plan?” As Sakura spoke the alarm rang loudly throughout the woods. “We’re out of time...”
“Nope.” The ruby eyed boy shook his head a sly smile crossing his lips. “We’re just in over time and we’ve just been punted the ball. Everybody huddle up!”
Kakashi was disappointed, he thought they might have been the ones to pass his little test. All four had such potential, it was a pity they didn’t realize the true answer to the one million ryou question. What was the true meaning of this exercise?
The masked man shrugged. There was always next year. He eyed the four hopefuls lazily hearing their stomachs groan in dissatisfaction. “Hungry are we?” Kakashi raised a brow, throwing boxed lunches at three of the four’s feet. ‘Naruto’ was literally tied down to one of the posts for his transgressions during the test. “Before you young people chow down, I have announcement to make.” He called up their attention, whatever it was it had to be big! “None of you have to go back to the Academy!”
Naruto had an exhilarated expression.
Sakura was more confused than anything. “What? But all I did was faint and fall over. Was that okay?" Her teacher nodded. “Yay!” The pinkette cheered.
Sasuke didn’t look pleased in the slightest. But he accepted it, for now at least.
Dai grinned foxily, digging into his meal.
Naruto squirmed happily in his bindings. “This rocks on so many levels! So that means all of us...”
Kakashi closed his eyes ready to give up his favorite part of the announcement. “You all...” An all too familiar sound sizzled at the man’s feet. It was too late... For the log that is. The letter bomb exploded rendering the log firewood. Kakashi landed nearby while Sasuke made himself scarce. The game was still on!
“Charge!” A formidable army of Narutos stormed into the clearing from all sides of the forest. Kakashi stared wide eyed at the massive orange horde. There’s no way! Genin weren’t supposed to be able to produce this many clones. There must have been a hundred or so. Naruto and his charge must have made nice. The four genin must have done the same Sasuke was long gone and the other three turned out to be shadow clones of Naruto.
The orange army may have had their advantage in numbers, but he had ninjutsu! Kakashi made hand seals at a rapid pace. Snake, Ox, Rabbit, Dragon. “Mizu No Tatsumaki!” (Tornado of Water) Kakashi roared as a rotating beast formed out of the nearby river. It shot out like a bullet zig-zagging in and around the orange menace making the majority of them meet oblivion.
Damn, that was a close one. Dai thought from underwater, he was almost sucked into the current of that jutsu. It was just about time for his neck of the plan. He sensed a number of vanishing chakra signatures. It’s time! The ruby eyed boy made a ram seal. Mizu Bushin!
Kakashi turned to the river when heard loud sloshing, it was a dozen water clones of Daisuke on the shore. Two groups of six made two lines, one standing and the other crouching in front of them. Both lines made different sets of seals.
Dragon, Hare, Ram, Tiger. Suiton: Taihoudan! (Water Release: Large Projectile) The standing line of clones fired powerful streams of water out of their mouths like fire hydrants at Kakashi.
Serpent, Tiger. Suiton: Teppoudama! (Water Release: Bullet) Out of the crouching line’s mouth’s shot a machine gun fire of baseball sized water balls to Kakashi.
For the final touch, Dai came up from the water and started a string of hand seals. Ram, Monkey, Ox, Bird. “Fuuton: Reppushou!” (Gale Wind Palm) The ruby eyed boy roared while slamming his hands together. Gale force winds ripped away the water revealing multiple kunai and shuriken, the winds sped up their progress astronomically. They hit Kakashi making him vanish in a puff of smoke.
“Shit,” Daisuke cursed. “Where did he go?!” Daisuke felt a certain presence behind him. “Your ninjutsu isn’t bad for a genin, Dai-kun. But you still have a long way to go before you can hope to match me.” Dai jumped away from Kakashi making a few hand seals. Boar, Dog, Snake. “Donton: Doro Gaeshi!” (Mud Overturn)
The young Ikari slammed his palms on the ground bringing up a large slab of earth to protect him. It stopped the water burst dead in its tracks, but that was just the first hand. A shaft of earth shot up and hit the genin right in the stomach hard throwing him on the ground a few feet away.
“Daisuke!” Naruto jumped down from his perch and made a cross hand seal. “Kage Bushin No Jutsu!” (Shadow Clone Jutsu) Four copies of the Hokage wannabe appeared on either side of him. Two of the Narutos picked up their comrade and retreated while the others went on the offensive.
Kakashi dispatched the clones quickly with a slight smile. “It seems those guys get it after all.” The masked man vanished without a trace.
A certain Uchiha watched from his perch confused about his uncle’s words. Get what?
“What happened out there?!” Sakura asked worriedly as the Narutos that carried the unconscious Dai set him down. “Did you see Sasuke?!” Naruto rolled his eyes when his copy disappeared. “We have bigger problems, Sakura-chan. Daisuke is out cold and we still don’t have a bell. His jutsu were pretty cool but it still wasn’t enough to take the bell.”
“Wake him up then!” Sakura ordered. “We need the full team if we want to pass.”
“How do we do that?” Naruto squinted. “Can we really get the bell from Kakashi-sensei? Even with Sasuke -teme and Dai-kun.”
“I’ll tell you, Naruto-kun.” Kakashi said sauntering towards them with murder in his bloody eyes. “By doing...” A kunai whizzed past the masked sensei’s head. Sasuke was behind Kakashi with equal murderous intent in his sharingan. “Give up the bells.”
“Actually, Sasuke.” Kakashi turned to his murderous looking nephew and closed his eyes in a cheerful if not mysterious way. “These belong to Team Seven not you.” Everyone looked rather dumbfounded as he passed Sakura and Naruto the bells. “You fail, Sasuke. You don’t deserve the privilege of being a ninja.”
“Please don’t fail Sasuke-kun, Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura pleaded. “He was apart of the plan the entire time!”
“Was he?” Kakashi queried turning back to Team Seven. “Is that the truth, Naruto?” Kakashi’s voice promised pain if the blonde lied. Naruto froze in terror, he didn’t want to be hit with one thousand years of pain again. Sakura’s jade eyes looked into Naruto’s cerulean optics practically begging for him to lie for her. Was the pain worth it? I’d do anything for you Sakura-chan. No matter what the consequences are.
Naruto filled himself with the resolve only a Hokage would have. “Yes, Kakashi-sensei, it’s the gospel truth.”
“Good,” the white maned sensei responded pleasantly. “You all pass. I know that was a blatant lie but that was the point of this exercise was teamwork. Lying for your teammate is apart of that.” Kakashi Hatake’s voice took up a wistful tone. “Like an old friend of mine once said: ‘those who don’t follow orders are regarded as scum, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum’.”
“Now you can all go home, we start our assignments tomorrow though. So meet me on the Nanako River Crimson Bridge at six A.M.”
“What about Dai-kun?” Sakura asked. Kakashi smiled behind his mask, it was nice to now have students. “Don’t worry,” Kakashi waved them off. Daisuke and I have some things we to talk about. Now get going.” The three did as ordered.
Sasuke walked beside Naruto. “Why did you help me out there, dobe?”
“I didn’t do it for you, Sasuke-teme.” Naruto vehemently retorted. “I did it for someone important to me.” Sasuke grunted as the blonde left him in the dust. “Whatever.” It seems I owe you one, dobe.
“Wake up,” Kakashi shook Dai awake, the teen looked at him groggily. “Did we pass?”
Kakashi nodded, Dai had an elated expression. “Great! We should go to Ichiraku’s!” Dai looked around to find his teammates gone. “Where is everybody?” He tried to move but his stomach hurt quite a bit, he hissed in pain.
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. “You look a lot like your father but you have your mother’s eyes and more of her knack for ninjutsu plus genjutsu, Yuki-kun. Your dad couldn’t do either worth a damn. Last time I saw you, you were just a babe.” The white-haired man chuckled. Shock etched the ruby eyed boy’s expression.
“You knew my parents?”
“Yup, and as a matter of fact these eyes are your mother’s.” Kakashi pointed to his ruby optics.
“Come again?” He had a confused squint not unlike Naruto’s.
Kakashi chuckled. “It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you any way...”