Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The smell, the taste, the sight—he was drowning in it. Thick as iron, it coated the ground in dark, glistening pools. Bodies fell like broken dolls, their faces frozen in shock, their gasps lost to the chaos. And at the centre of it all, sword in hand, stood the one who had betrayed them.

A brother. Watching as his very own kin became corpses.

"Oh, don’t worry, you’re not worth killing, my foolish little brother."

Itachi.

“Itachi!”

Sasuke burst out of bed in a cold sweat, panting as he wiped his forehead. The sheets tangled around him like chains. It was just a nightmare, Sasuke told himself. But that nightmare had happened. He’d experienced it 518,400 times already. Was that not enough? How many more times would the agony of that moment haunt him and would it ever stop, or would this torment persist endlessly until the day he could finally claim vengeance?

Meanwhile…                                               

 Naruto tossed and turned, drooling about Ichiraku ramen whilst hugging a pillow, face squished against the soft cotton, that was, until he rolled too far and hit the hardwood floor with a thud.
“Ouch-”

Yelping at the impact, he looked around with narrowed eyes as if to locate a non-existent perpetrator that pushed him from his bed. After a stretch and a yawn, he blinked and looked at the wall. There, a calendar hung, circled in red was the 15^th, today, with the words 'Orientation Day'.

“Hmm… ah- I’m going to be late!”

Yesterday had been a whirlwind. After three failed attempts, Naruto had finally passed the Genin exam. The revelation of holding the Nine-Tailed Fox, learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu, exposing Mizuki’s treachery, and Iruka’s sacrifice (as well as his injuries not being fatal) had all made him giddy with excitement. His dream of becoming Hokage felt so close, and he was eager to start his ninja journey, no matter how many more challenges lay ahead.

After scarfing down his ramen, he slipped into his usual orange jumpsuit and tied his shinobi headband with pride.
As he walked through the village, a boy threw off his camouflage and leaped from behind the wooden fence.

“You’re mine Naruto-”

And  he tripped over his own scarf, plummeting to the ground.

“You’re slick, that’s why I respect you as a rival.”

This was Konohamaru, the honourable grandson of the honourable third Hokage. Naruto stared at him with narrowed eyes.

“But… I didn’t do anything.”

Those words simply went through one ear and out the other as Konohamaru held up his hands into the Ram hand sign for a sexy Jutsu.

“Let’s go, me and you!”

Naruto chuckled at his enthusiasm. He saw a bit of himself in Konohamaru—eager, reckless, and determined.

“Sorry, I have to get to the orientation. From this day forward, I’m a real shinobi, believe it!”

With his thumb up, he gestured to the leaf headband, grinning widely.

“So, not today. Catch you later.”

Naruto arrived at the academy, watching all of his other classmates who passed chattering in anticipation and achievement. The moment he stepped through the sliding door, time seemed to freeze. The stares burned into him—those eyes. The same ones he'd seen all his life. Contempt. Fear. Disgust. Like he didn't belong. Like he was something to be avoided. His fists clenched, but he forced himself to keep walking. They watched him like a wolf had entered their chicken coop, each guarding the seat beside them like territory. The only one that seemed indifferent to his presence was Sasuke, who was sat alone on his desk.

Grr… Sasuke. But he’d have to sit next to his rival if he wanted to sit down at all. With his arms on the desk, he laid his head down, his mood soured.

A moment later, Shikamaru walked down the classroom and paused at the sight of him.

“What are you doing here, Naruto? This isn’t the place for drop-outs. You can’t be here unless you graduate.”

Unlike the others, Shikamaru never looked at Naruto with those eyes. His words probably would have hurt, but Naruto earned this. He earned his place here. Smirking mischievously, he gestured his thumb to his forehead.

“Oh, really? Yeah? Yeah? Do you see this? Open your eyes Shikamaru, it’s a regulation headband. We’re going to be training together. How do you like that?”

Shikamaru sighed, thinking how much of a drag it was to be stood there listening to Naruto rant about looking good with his new headband. Shikamaru didn’t care for that. But a purple-haired girl in the distance certainly thought he looked good with it on. Hinata was relieved Naruto finally managed to pass along with the rest of the class.

Sakura and Ino, two other girls in their class raced into the classroom, fighting as they usually did. Now they were blabbering on about who was first to get through the door.

Naruto had a crush on Sakura for a while. Why wouldn’t he? She was so beautiful with her long pink hair, bold and strong-willed, and the most intelligent in their class. He wondered if Sakura would finally like him knowing that he’d passed. Sakura looked in his direction, smiling brightly.

He stood up.

“Hey, Sakura-”

Sakura shoved him to the side, saying “move it” before nervously greeting Sasuke with a blush.

“Good morning, Sasuke. Mind if I sit next to you?”

Ino then returned, fighting with Sakura with deciding who got to sit next to Sasuke before another girl, then another, until all the girls were arguing about getting to sit next to Sasuke. Naruto sat back and watched. Naruto’s gaze hardened, his jaw tightening as he shot Sasuke a steely look. His hands balled into fists, knuckles whitening from the tension. Sasuke had popularity when he never even tried to earn their approval! How is that fair? A gloomy, brooding, antisocial person like Sasuke who never gave a damn about anyone got everyone’s attention and praise whilst Naruto was hated.

Sasuke irked him, and he was about to give Sasuke a piece of his mind. He jumped on the desk in front of him, glaring with intensity. Sasuke lifted his head, opening his eyes and narrowing them at him with the same intensity that it was electrifying. The girls watched with bated breath, except Sakura who yelled at Naruto for his rudeness, much to Naruto’s dismay. But that only fuelled his annoyance further. All this ‘Sasuke, Sasuke’ obsession, what did they even see in him? Now, all the girls were criticising Naruto to put an end to his behaviour.

“Haha, this is great!” The kid in front said to his friend, moving the hand that was resting behind Naruto back to himself, accidentally elbowing Naruto's back.

“Sorry, did I bump you?”

He apologised, just for his eyes to widen at the sight of Naruto and Sasuke’s lips meeting. The entire class was so shocked as the two boys parted, spluttering and coughing.

Sakura and the other girls practically crashed out. Naruto stole Sasuke’s first kiss?!

“I’ll get you Naruto!” Sasuke managed to say whilst clutching his throat, wanting to get the taste of Naruto’s saliva out of his mouth. What the hell was wrong with him? Kissing him like that out of the blue? Was it a tactic to piss him off? He couldn’t know but it was so outrageous he’d do that with such audacity? Or so he thought. Nobody noticed except Tobio, the kid that knocked Naruto forward, that it was a complete accident.

Naruto suddenly got a cold chill rush through his body. Danger. All the girls in the class practically had veins popping out of their forehead.

Naruto’s eyes widened as he realized what had happened. “I—I didn’t mean to—” he stammered, his face burning. Sasuke wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his expression a mix of disgust and disbelief. “You’re dead, Naruto.” Sakura cracked her knuckles, leading Naruto to gulp. He should’ve known this was coming.

They attacked Naruto at once, beating him to a pulp before Iruka-sensei arrived to commence the orientation day.

He was not having a good day. All those slaps and punches had him feeling sore all over as Iruka gave his speech. Only when he mentioned being assigned to three-person teams did everyone perk up. All the girls hoped Sasuke would be on their team. Naruto wanted Sakura on his, and well, anyone else but Sasuke.

The teams would be announced.

When it got round to the seventh team on the list, it was Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. Naruto’s day is just getting worse and worse! He couldn’t just stay quiet about it.

Standing up from his seat, he pointed towards Sasuke.

“Sensei, why is it that a great ninja like me have to be in the same group with a slug like Sasuke!”

Sakura was already beginning to clench her fist. Naruto just couldn’t behave, not for once in his life.

Humming, Iruka put both hands on his hips.

“Sasuke had the best scores out of everyone in the academy. Naruto, you had the worst scores.”

His teacher scolded as the classroom erupted in laughter.

Iruka continued,

“To create a balanced group, with put the best student with the worst student.”

That was not what Naruto wanted to hear.

“Just make sure you don’t get in my way, loser.”

Naruto’s eyes narrowed, and his fists clenched at Sasuke’s cutting remark, each beat of his heart echoing his rising fury. Ugh, he’s so going to pay for talking down on me! Naruto thought as he fought the urge to pounce on him right then and there.

“Hey, what did you say!”

“Hard of hearing?”

He’s had enough of Sasuke’s snark for one day. But before things could escalate, Sakura yelled at him once again.

“Knock it off, Naruto! Sit down!”

Iruka cleared his throat, explaining that after lunch, they’d all meet teachers who were elite jonin before dismissing everyone.

Sasuke had run off the second class was dismissed to eat lunch alone. Naruto watched as Sakura called after him, looking for him from outside the academy. Finding this to be an opportunity to get close to her, he asked if they could eat lunch together.

“Why would I eat lunch with you? You’re annoying.”

His efforts were thwarted once again. Naruto stared at her back as she continued to call out for Sasuke who wanted nothing to do with her either.

Having his lunch all alone as always, he sat on the roof of the academy. But, he noticed Sasuke eating some rice balls. A lightbulb flashed in his head. Sneaking onto the wooden platform, he pounced on Sasuke, overpowering him with multiple shadow clones and tying him up. Sasuke was surprised. Naruto who couldn’t perform a regular clone Jutsu managed to create multiple solid shadow clones? It’s unheard of. When did he get so strong?

Naruto took the form of Sasuke, tricking Sakura into a conversation to find out her opinion of him. He didn’t like that Sakura saw him as nothing but an annoying troublemaker. But, Sakura tried to kiss him. It was selfish and immoral, he knew. But, he wanted to indulge. Sasuke didn’t like her back, so it’s only fair Naruto could reciprocate her feelings for him! Well, those were the backflips he was doing to justify it to himself. As some kind of karmic retribution, his stomach gargled and he took off to the bathroom whilst Sakura seemed endeared, thinking Sasuke was just being shy. Explosive diarrhoea at a time like this?

Sasuke had managed to escape the ropes and left. Walking along the cobbled path surrounded by the forest trees, there, he saw Sakura.

“Sasuke, you’re back!” She said with eagerness as Sasuke was only observing the area.  She blushed, wide-eyed and gleeful as she held her hands up to her chin. “Don’t be so shy you bad boy. Are you ready now? You know, mentally prepared? Because I am.”

Sasuke walked right past her and she stuttered.

“Hey- wait-”

Finally turning around, Sasuke inquired with a disinterested expression.

“Where’s Naruto?”

 “There you go, changing the subject again.”

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, a smug expression as she began to rant.

  “Anyway, Naruto just picks fights with you. You know why he’s so annoying? Cause he wasn’t raised right. He doesn’t have a mother or father, no one to treat him right from wrong.”

Sasuke continued to scan the area to find Naruto, paying her words no mind, but she continued.

“Think about it. He just does whatever comes into his head. If I did things like Naruto, forget it. I mean, my parents would get mad and I’d get in trouble so ‘course I don’t do it. But if you don’t have parents to tell you, how would you know? He’s selfish and bratty. He’s all alone.”

Sasuke froze. His hands, which had been loosely resting at his sides, balled into fists. The words echoed in his mind, each syllable a hammer strike against the walls he’d built around himself. Alone. Isolated.

For a moment, the world blurred. The training ground faded, replaced by the flicker of firelight and the acrid stench of smoke. The metallic tang of blood filled his nostrils, and the sound of his mother’s voice, soft, comforting, was drowned out by the cold, hollow silence that followed. He could see Itachi’s face, impassive, as he stood over their parents’ bodies. “You’re weak, Sasuke. That’s why you’re still alive.”

Sasuke’s chest tightened, his breath coming in shallow bursts. He wasn’t sure if it was anger or something deeper, something raw and unnameable, that clawed at his insides. He turned to Sakura, his expression darkening, his voice low and edged with something dangerous.

“Alone… isolated…”

Sakura blinked, startled by the intensity in his tone. “Huh?”

“It’s not about your parents scolding you. You have no idea what it means to be alone.”

The words spilled out before he could stop them, sharp and biting. He didn’t mean to say it, didn’t mean to let her see the cracks in his armour. But the memory of Naruto’s face—bright, stubborn, yet always shadowed by the weight of his loneliness—flashed in his mind. It was a reflection of his own, a mirror he couldn’t escape. He always thought Naruto was a strange kid too, but now he understood much too well.

Sakura frowned, confusion flickering across her face. “Why are you saying that?”

Sasuke’s jaw tightened. He wanted to scream, to tell her how it felt to wake up in an empty house, to hear the whispers of the villagers, to carry the weight of a name that no longer meant anything but pain. But he didn’t. Instead, he turned away, his voice cold and dismissive.

“Because… you’re annoying.”

He walked off, leaving Sakura standing there, stunned. But as he strode away, his mind was anything but calm. The image of Naruto: laughing, shouting, always pushing forward despite everything—lingered in his thoughts. It was a strange, unwelcome feeling, this protectiveness. He didn’t want to care. Caring made you weak. And yet… Naruto, still in the bathroom, thought about how he needed to get back to Sakura before Sasuke could break free from the rope. However, the moment he rushed out, he caught sight of Sasuke again.

Stopping in his tracks, he had to ask.

“Sasuke, what are you doing here? How did you get loose?”

“I used the escape Jutsu. No sweat, it’s a very basic technique.”

After a brief moment of smugly expressing his superior ninja techniques, he frowned, needing to know Naruto’s intentions for attacking him in the first place.

“Why did you do that? Transform into me?”

Naruto was getting nervous, gritting his teeth and making an excuse.

“I thought it would be fun to try out my new moves on you, so I did.”

He made a hand sign, performing the shadow clone Jutsu, but was stopped by his upset stomach calling once again. All of his clones rushed to the bathroom, fighting over who got to use it.

Sakura was still sat on the bench, solemn and introspective. It hurt to be called annoying like that by Sasuke when she had such a huge crush on him. She wondered if that was how Naruto felt and decided the next time she saw him, she’d make an effort to be a little nicer.

Naruto returned from his fifth bathroom trip that day, clutching his stomach.

“Maybe I ate something bad today…”

Sakura didn’t think she’d see him so soon. She forced a smile, getting up and waving.

“Hey, Naruto! Let’s walk back to class together!”

“Did she really say that…?” Surprised to say the least, Naruto couldn’t believe Sakura would ever smile at him like that. That must be it! It’s not Sakura at all but Sasuke in disguise!

“Trying to trick me, eh, wise-guy? Well, forget it!”

His stomach acted up again.

“Ah- why is this happening again!?”

He wailed before running off for another bathroom trip, leaving Sakura dumbfounded and irritated that her attempt at kindness towards Naruto was completely underappreciated.

Unbeknownst to Naruto, a jonin of the name Kakashi Hatake and the Hokage were paying his apartment a visit, noticing the empty noodle cup and carton of milk left on the table. The milk was way past its expiration date, the jonin observed.

“One sip of this and he’d be running to the bathroom all day.”

Setting the carton back down, his uncovered eye was fixated on lord third.

“Hiruzen, you check up on Naruto monthly and he hasn’t been taught that milk spoils? That’s quite irresponsible. It’s lucky for him that ramen in a cup doesn’t spoil until the package is unsealed.”

Hiruzen sighed.

“I thought he could learn these types of things on his own. I’ll discuss it with him later on.”

"You better. This was a grave thing you've overlooked, Lord third."

All the other teams had already left with their sensei and team 7 was getting restless waiting for their late teacher.

Naruto was peering out the classroom door, scanning the halls for any sign of their supposed team leader.

“Naruto! Just sit down.” Sakura told him, leaning on the desk.

“I don’t want to. How come our teacher is the only one that’s late? I’m ready to roll, believe it! The other groups already met their new teachers and took off on some adventure or something and Iruka-sensei is gone too.”

Sakura understood how he was feeling. Even she was beginning getting sick of waiting as she tapped her foot on the floor incessantly.

“We know, okay.”

That was when Naruto had an idea. He took a stool, taking the blackboard eraser and placing it atop the sliding door, laughing to himself about it.

“Hey- what are you doing?!”

“This serves him right for being late! Surprise!” Naruto answered with a cheeky giggle as he jumped down from the stool, not the least bit phased by Sakura coming up to him to chide him.

“You’re asking for trouble. You know you shouldn’t do that.”

Sasuke was still sat in the same spot as before, fingers intertwined and giving Naruto a side-long glance.

“Our sensei is an elite jonin. You really think he’s going to fall for a cheap trick like that?”
that?”

Sasuke’s tone was as cool as ever, but he couldn't help but feel a slight curiosity about this new teacher. He wondered if the prank would actually work.

“Sasuke’s right. You’re so clueless, Naruto.” Sakura chimed in. That was Sakura trying to seem well-behaved. Internally, she knew she loved things like this and was dying to see if their new sensei would get caught in the trap.

Not long after, they heard footsteps coming down the corridor. Team 7 waited in anticipatory silence. As the door was pushed open, the eraser fell right on their sensei’s grey hair, the chalk dust blending right in.

Naruto burst into a fit of laughter.

“I got him! I got him! Did you see that Sakura?”

Sasuke wondered if this guy was really a skilled ninja if he couldn’t even dodge such a lame prank.

Sakura attempted to maintain her good girl image when she was fired up that it was such a perfect shot.

“Sorry, sensei. I told Naruto not to do it but he didn’t listen. I’d never do something like that.”

“Hmm…” Their sensei hummed, picking up the eraser with one hand whilst his other hand’s finger scraped lightly at his mask where his cheek would be. Despite most of his face being covered, the skin underneath his eyes lifted to show a smile.

“How can I put this? My first impression of group is… that you’re a bunch of idiots.”

Oh… that one was like a sucker punch to all their egos.

Kakashi had led them outdoors. The three of them sat down on the stone floor as Kakashi leaned back against the railing. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ground. Both Naruto and Sakura sat on the second step whilst Sasuke sat on the top step, dead in the centre between the two. Sakura sat with her arms holding her knees close to her chest, glancing nervously at Kakashi. Naruto sat like he hadn’t a care in the world with his legs spread apart and hands draping between that empty space, but his eyes were wide with anticipation. Sasuke sat with his legs spread apart, but grounded onto the second step, his elbows on his knees and fingers intertwined, his chin sitting on his folded hands. He looked contemplative, his gaze fixed on their supposed new sensei.

“Alright, why don’t you introduce yourselves? One at a time.” His lacklustre tone made it seem like he was forced to be here and much too tired to take on the responsibility of babysitting a couple of kids.

“Introduce ourselves? Well, what are we supposed to say?” Sakura asked.

Their sensei sat on the flimsy metal railing, holding his arms out in a shrug.

“Things you like, things you hate, dreams for the future, hobbies, things like that.”

“Why don’t you tell us stuff first I mean before we talk tell us about you so we can see how it’s supposed to work?”

With Naruto’s suggestion, Kakashi gave his own introduction.

“Me? I’m Kakashi Hatake. Thing I like and things I hate? I don’t feel like telling you that.” With Kakashi’s disinterested and cool tone, Sakura and Naruto both expressed confusion.

Their sensei continued.

“My dreams for the future? Never really thought about it. As for my hobbies… I have lots of hobbies.” Kakashi looked up towards the sky, arms folded.

Sakura turned her head to Naruto.

“That was totally useless. All he really told us was his name,” and Naruto nodded in agreement.

“Okay, your turn. You on the right, you first.”

Kakashi waited for Naruto’s response. Kakashi could already tell this kid was energetic and hyperactive. As soon as he started talking, his hand would just fidget with his leaf headband, pushing it up into his unruly, spiky blonde hair every few seconds.

“Believe it. I’m Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant ramen in a cup and I really like the ramen Iruka-sensei got me at the Ichiraku noodle shop. And I don’t like the three minutes you have to wait after you pour the water in the ramen cup. My hobby is eating different kinds of ramen and comparing them.”

Kakashi’s eyes were drooped, hoping Naruto would mention something unrelated to ramen. Heck, even his name was related to ramen.

“And my dream is….  to be the greatest Hokage. Then the whole village will stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I’m somebody. Somebody important.”

‘Well, he’s grown up in a very interesting way’… Kakashi thought to himself.

“Alright, next.”

He looked towards Sakura on the left. She’d set her knees down, her hands gripping them as she had a wide smile and a blush on her cheeks.

“I’m Sakura Haruno. What I like- uh… I mean… the person I like is… mm…”

She got more flustered as she continued, curling up her fingers and holding them up to her chin as she looked between Sasuke and Kakashi.

“Uh… my hobby is…. uh…”

She giggled to herself.

“My dream for the future is…” She looked to Sasuke again and got even more flustered, raising her fists higher to her face and muffling a squeal.

“And? What do you hate?”

Kakashi found this introduction unproductive.

“Naruto!” Sakura yelled without hesitation, shattering Naruto’s self-esteem with tears and a pretty comedic wallowing session.

Kakashi wasn’t surprised at Sakura’s behaviour, noting that girls her age are more interested in boys than ninja training.

“Last one.”

Another giggle escaped Sakura’s lips. She’s finally going to hear Sasuke’s introduction!

“My name… is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things… and I don’t particularly like anything.”

Sakura pulled her hands away from her face, eyes widened, eyebrows knitted, and mouth a little agape at the sudden tension in the air and seriousness of his attitude.

“What I have is not a dream… because I will make it a reality.  I’m going to restore my clan… and destroy… a certain… someone.”

The sounds of birds chirping filled their senses as both Naruto and Sakura were stunned into silence.  

“Gee… uh… I hope he doesn’t mean me…” Naruto thought to himself, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek while Sakura was thinking that Sasuke was hot.

Sasuke’s words were just as Kakashi expected.

“Good. You’re each unique and you have your own ideas. We’ll have our first mission tomorrow.”

Naruto’s put his hand to his head like a salute as he spoke up.

“So, what kind of mission are we going to have?”

“It’s a task the four of us are going to do together.”

“What, what, what, what?”

Naruto urged, getting excited again.

“A survival exercise.”

Naruto and Sakura were confused yet again by their new sensei, with Sakura questioning him why they were doing such a thing when they already graduated from the academy.

“This is not like your previous training.”

Naruto raised his hand.

“So uh- so uh…. what kind of training will it be then?”

Kakashi’s body began tremble as he laughed – almost maniacally – at Naruto’s inquiry.

“Hey, hold on. That’s a normal question. What’s so funny?”  Sakura was finding this new sensei to be an enigma. First Naruto and now a weirdo sensei to boot!

“Well, if I tell you the answer, you won’t like it. Of the 27 graduates that came here, only 9 will actually be accepted as Genin. The other 18 will be weeded out and sent back to the academy. In other words, this is a ‘make it or break it’ pass-fail test. And the chance that you’ll fail is at least 66%.”

Naruto felt his jaw would fall off if it could.

“Didn’t I tell you that you wouldn’t like it?”

“That’s crazy! We worked hard to get here!” Naruto cried out, his hands gripping tightly to the step. “Believe it! What was that graduation test for, anyway!”

“Oh that? That was just to select candidate who might become Genin. Or not.”

“Whaaaat?”

“That’s how it is. I decide if whether you pass or fail. Be at the designated training spot at 5am. And bring your ninja gear.”

This was so unfair. Naruto was shaking with anger, gritting his teeth. He was determined not to be weeded out. He was going to become Hokage, after all. He had to pass this test. Believe it. Believe it. He was scared. Scared that his dream could slip away from him if he can’t even make it to Genin.

Even Sasuke’s hands seemed to tremble subtly at the revelation.

“That’s it. Oh, and tomorrow you better skip breakfast. You’ll puke.”

All of team 7 arrived to the training grounds at 5am. Both Sakura and Naruto were half-asleep, seeming like zombies lugging around their ninja gear with a muffled ‘morning’ to each other. Sasuke was as stoic as ever having been used to waking up early. His frequent nightmares made training in the morning a habit.

It was dark when they first got there. The sun had risen and Kakashi was nowhere in sight. Naruto dozed off on the grass and after another hour of waiting, Sakura sat down next to him. It seemed tardiness was something they’d have to be accustomed to.

“Morning everyone. Ready for your first day?”

“Hey- you're late!” Sakura and Naruto yelled in unison at their sensei. Well, yell is generous since they didn’t have that much energy in the moment.

“Well, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way.”

The two glared daggers, grumbling at the pathetic excuse.

Kakashi cleared his throat. “Let’s get started.” He set a timer for noon, the held up two small bells dangling with thin pieces of red string. “Your assignment is simple. You just have to take the bells from me. That’s all there is to it. If you can’t get them before noon, you’ll go without lunch.”

A few feet away were three stumps with equal distances from each other.

“You’ll be tied to those stumps and you’d watch as I eat my lunch.”

Naruto paled at the mere thought of missing a meal. Sakura held both hands to calm her ravenous, gargling stomach, and even Sasuke began to frown with an upset expression realising they’d been fooled to go hungry to make the assignment more difficult.

Sakura then had a realisation.

“Wait a minute- there’s three of us. How come there’s always two bells?”

To make matters worse, Kakashi explained that whoever failed to get the bell would be tied to the post, disqualified, and goes back to the academy.

He reminds them further that all of the could flunk out, too.

“You can use any weapon, including shuriken. Be prepared to kill me.”

Sakura had to protest against such a requirement.

“Those weapons are too dangerous, sensei!”

But Naruto laughed, his arms folded behind his neck.

“Especially because you couldn’t dodge that eraser.”

“Class clowns are usually the weakest links. You can safely ignore them. Lowest scores. Losers.”

His arms fell to his sides, his smirk wiped from his face as that jab fractured his false sense of security. Gritting his teeth, he pulled out his kunai.

Before Kakashi even said start, Naruto's grip on the kunai tightened, muscles coiling as anger surged through him. He wasn't going to be looked down on—not by him, not by anyone. Charging at Kakashi with the full intent to hurt him, the word ‘losers’ echoing in his head, spurring him on in the moment with both Sakura and Sasuke unable to react fast enough.

Then, a hand stopped Naruto’s blow, squeezing on his wrist and pulling his arm all the way to his nape, the cold kunai grazing his skin as another hand pulled at his hair. Sakura and Sasuke hadn't even seen him move. In an instant, he had Naruto locked in place—proof enough that their sensei was the real deal. Naruto struggled but couldn’t break free.

“Don’t be in such a hurry. I didn’t say start yet.”

Naruto’s teammates slowly shuffled back, intimidated by Kakashi’s strength and speed.

“But you came at me with the full intent of destroying me…. so… how can I say this? I think I’m actually starting to like you guys.”

None of them could explain why, but those words had a positive impact on their pride.

“Get ready. And… start.”

Sakura and Sasuke scattered off into the woods, hiding in the vast trees and bushes whilst Naruto remained on the open field, itching for a fight.

“You and me! Right now! Fair and square! Let’s go!”

Sasuke observed from in the tree, resisting the urge to face palm.

“Usuratonkachi…”

Even Kakashi had to tilt his head and squint his eyes, wondering if he was seeing clearly.

“You know, compared to the others, you’re a little… weird.”

“Oh yeah? The only thing weird here is your haircut!”

Naruto began charging at Kakashi full speed yet again. Kakashi’s hand drifted slowly into his back pocket, and Naruto remained vigilant for any weapons he might pull out, stopping in his tracks.

“Shinobi battle technique number one, taijutsu.”

That’s hand-to-hand combat so Naruto found it strange he was reaching for a weapon. Instead of a weapon like Naruto was expecting, Kakashi pulled out a provocative book.

“What are you waiting for? Make a move?”

“Why are you reading that book?” Naruto was sceptical. He had a bad feeling about this.

“To find out what happens in the story, of course. Don’t let it bother you. With your weak attacks, it doesn’t matter if I’m reading… or… whatever.”

Naruto clenched his fist. He was getting tired of this guy underestimating him.

“I’m going to crush youuuu!”

Naruto swung—a quick, fierce punch. But before it could land, Kakashi’s hand was already there, stopping it cold. Each kick and punch was dodged with ease despite his attention being on the book he was reading Naruto’s fist shot forward—but it met nothing.

“Huh?”

Where could he have possible disappeared to?

“Don’t let your enemy get behind you all the time.”

Kakashi was crouched behind him, holding the book between his hands with the sign of the Tiger.

Sakura’s stomach twisted. That hand sign—was he really about to use a jutsu on Naruto? Hand signs focus chakra, and the sign of the Tiger was dangerous.

Sasuke observed that the sign of the Tiger is for fire style jutsu. He wasn’t just toying with Naruto, he’s going to demolish him.

Despite hiding, Sakura jumped from the bush, willing to reveal her hiding spot to yell at Naruto to save himself.

“Naruto, get out of there, quick! He’s going to destroy you!”

The moment Naruto heard her, Kakashi said it was too late. His only visible eye sparked with sudden determination.

“Leaf village secret finger Jutsu!”

He brings his hand up higher and higher, digging into Naruto’s ass. Pain shot through him, but the real damage? His pride. The humiliation burned hotter than any fire style jutsu. Launched into the air like a human shuriken, Naruto flailed before crashing face-first into the water.

 “A thousand years of death!”

“That wasn’t a hand sign at all… he just poked him…” Sakura went back into hiding, disappointed that she exposed her hiding spot for nothing at all. "I can’t believe I wasted my cover for this."

“Those two… are just… total idiots…” Sasuke commented. This exercise was a complete waste of time.

Even if all the odds were against him getting that bell, he was determined. He can’t go back to the academy. Not now, not ever.

He swam closer to the surface and hurled two shuriken. Both swerved at high speed toward Kakashi’s face whilst Kakashi remained immersed in his book.

He lifted his hand, both shuriken holes landing perfectly om his two fingers, their tenacious spin coming to a complete halt as Naruto dragged his soaked body out of the river, inhaling erratically.

“You don’t get lunch unless you take a bell by noon.” Kakashi reminded him, hand on his hip as he stared down at Naruto panting on the ground.

“I know! I know! You told us already!”

“You look pretty wobbly for someone who’s going to surpass the Hokage.”

His stomach gurgled again.

“You told us not to eat breakfast! How can I fight when I’m starving  to death!!”

Both Sasuke and Sakura were feeling the effects of hunger too.

“Breakfast? I didn’t even have dinner last night. Really bad idea to go on a diet.”

Sakura more so.

“You caught me off guard! That’s all it was. Believe it!” Naruto couldn’t handle this anymore. He was so hungry, he didn’t have the strength. But he can’t let that stop him. He’s gotta get those bells no matter what.

“I’ll find the strength somehow. Believe it. I’m going to pass this test and I’m not going back to the academy. I will become a ninja.”

The water seemed to crash more in a single area. Then, seven Naruto shadow clones jumped out.

“Haha, you’re overconfident sensei. That’s why you’re not ready for my shadow clone attack, my specialty.”

As the clones ran, their footsteps resounded against the hard mud.

“What?” Sakura couldn’t believe it. They’re not images. They’re real. “How could he do that?”

“Hm?” Kakashi was mildly impressed. The story that Naruto defeated the Chunin Mizuki with several shadow clones suddenly seemed plausible.

“You talk like you’re the best Naruto but you’re still the worst student. You can’t beat me with this Jutsu.”

The bells on his jacket jingled.

“What?” Naruto got him from behind! He was too preoccupied with the clones to notice! One of his clones snuck out of the river quietly among the commotion of the other clones.

Sasuke and Sakura stared in awe. When did Naruto get so… cool?

Naruto couldn’t stifle a chuckle.

“Didn’t you say ‘don’t let your enemies get behind you’, good advice sensei. Believe it.”

The real Naruto held his fist out for a punch, the drag from jumping in the air bringing down more force.

“A diversionary tactic… nice…” Sasuke thought.

“You’re mine and so are those bells!”

His fist connected. Drops of blood flew into the air, staining the grass.

Naruto punched…. himself?!

He and the clones became confused, believing one of them to actually be Kakashi transformed and fighting each other. After a minute of landing punches on each other, Naruto finally got the idea to undo the Jutsu, only to realise Kakashi was never there. He never transformed into Naruto. He used a substitution Jutsu and got away!

Nevermind… Sakura and Sasuke take back their earlier thoughts. He is so not cool.

“He got you with a replacement Jutsu… Usuratonkachi…” The jonin was so smooth that he made Naruto look like a complete moron.

Just then, Naruto caught a glint of a metal reflecting the sun. It was the bell on the floor. Believing Kakashi had dropped it, he took the bait, landing his feet in a rope trap tying him upside-down to the tree.

Naruto called for help but neither of his teammates came to his rescue. His hands desperately grabbed at the air as if the ground would get closer but Kakashi just took the bell back, sighing.

“Think before you use a Jutsu or else your opponent might use it against you. Oh- and also, if the bait is obvious, don’t take it.”

Naruto flailed his arms around, grinding his teeth together.

“I. Get. It.”

“I’m telling you this because you don’t get it. You think  you get it, which is not the same as actually getting it.”

Sasuke perked up. The jonin had finally dropped his guard—it was time to attack. He threw multiple shuriken with terrifying accuracy, drawing blood and causing the man to drop backwards.

“He just got blasted by shuriken!” Naruto couldn’t believe it. “Are you out of your mind, Sasuke? You went too far!”

Instead of Kakashi’s body, the smoke parted to reveal a log with every thrown shuriken embedded in it. Sasuke took off into the trees. His cover was blown and Kakashi could be anywhere. Sasuke thought Kakashi had lowered his guard, but he had done that on purpose, and Sasuke fell for it.

Sakura ran too, praying Kakashi hadn’t found him. “No, he can’t capture my Sasuke. I won’t let him.”

She noticed that signature grey hair in the distance and hid behind another bush, hoping that she was fortunate enough for Kakashi not hearing her.

“Sakura, behind you.”

She heard a whisper and turned around. It was Kakashi. She screamed. But only for a moment. Soon, everything was quiet. Her senses dulled. The leaves blew around her limp body. She snapped out of it and immediately felt something was wrong.

“Oh my- huh? Huh? Someone there? Ah- I think I felt something. What was it?” She gripped her hair tightly. “Ah- what’s going on?”

“Sakura…”
A familiar voice! She turned around.

“Sasuke!” She yelled in relief.

“Sa-sakura…”

Sasuke was impaled by at least a dozen shuriken, no longer able to stand with the grave injuries and severe blood loss.

“Help me… please, help me!”

She was helpless. Tears pooled in her eyes at the horrifying vision where Sasuke severely maimed—the shock of this nightmarish sight overwhelms her; her breath catches, her scream pierces the silence, and she ultimately faints.

Kakashi believed he may have overdid the Genjutsu, but she has to learn to see through these things.

Sasuke was startled by the sound of Sakura’s voice, turning around, only to see Kakashi had found him.

“Shinobi battle skill number 2, the illusion Jutsu. Sakura studied it in class but she still couldn’t see it coming.”

Genjutsu is simply mind control and Sasuke was not surprised Kakashi had caught Sakura with it.

But…

“I’m not like Sakura and Naruto.”

“Say that after you get one of these bells… my Sasuke…” The sensei teased, echoing Sakura’s earlier sentiment.

Sasuke threw a kunai to set off a trap, causing Kakashi to jump far away to avoid the numerous shuriken that flew his way, but Sasuke appeared behind him, kicking him. Kakashi grabbed his leg, so Sasuke punched him, to be blocked by his hand, Sasuke turned over and kicked with his other foot, to be blocked by Kakashi’s arm.

Smirking, Sasuke reached out for the bell, almost succeeding in grabbing it until Kakashi pulled back.

He was fierce; Kakashi won’t be able to read make-out paradise now.

Sasuke activated fireball Jutsu. Kakashi was surprised. Genin can’t do fire style Jutsu. It takes too much chakra.

Their fight did not go as he’d expect. Kakashi disappeared, hiding underground before he struck by pulling Sasuke’s leg, utilising earth-style Jutsu to trap Sasuke so only his head was sticking out.

“Right under your feet. Earth style, head hunter Jutsu. Can’t move? That was ninjutsu, the 3^rd Shinobi battle skill. You have talent and you’re right, you are different from the others but different doesn’t always mean better. They say the nail that sticks up is the one that's hammered down first.”

Kakashi walked away, heading towards the centre of the training grounds where Naruto had been left previously.

Naruto managed to escape, about to eat the lunches early.

“It’s chow time!”

Holding the chopsticks, he suddenly heard another voice.

“Hi there.”

He screamed, gulping. He was so screwed.

“I was just… joking sensei…”

“Nice try.”

Meanwhile, Sasuke was still in the ground, unable to get out. Sakura was running through the forest when she froze at the sight of him.

“Sakura?”

It seemed like she was holding herself from puking, but hearing Sasuke speak, she lost it.

“Ahhhh! Sasuke’s just a head without a body!” And she fainted again.

“And that’s my partner…”

After much difficulty, Sasuke managed to break himself free, hovering over Sakura’s body as she regained consciousness.

“Sasuke? You’re okay!”

She clung to Sasuke’s neck, gasping unevenly.

“Hey- hey- cut it out!!”

Sasuke was still determined to get the bells but time was running out. Sakura didn’t want to fail and lose the chance to be on Sasuke’s team.

“Maybe we should just give up and try again next year.”

Sasuke glared, and Sakura immediately shut her mouth.

Sasuke couldn’t help but envision Itachi. Those red eyes…

“I’m the only one… who can destroy that person. That day… I was crying.”

“What? What happened to you?” Sakura didn’t know what was going on. He was being too cryptic.

“I… am an avenger. That means I must be stronger than my prey. I need this training, there’s no time for setbacks.”

The alarm went off. It was now noon, and Naruto had been tied to the stump with Sasuke and Sakura sat beside him on the ground. Two bento boxes lay in front of them.

Each of their stomachs growled.

Kakashi spoke to team 7.

“Uh-oh. Stomachs growling. That’s too bad. By the way, about this exercise. I’ve decided, I won’t send any of you back to the academy.”

Naruto smiled widely, with Sakura and Sasuke sighing in relief.

“What? I passed? All I did was faint and fall over? Do you get points for that?” Sakura was puzzled but a win is a win.

Both Naruto and Sakura were jumping for joy.

“Yes… all three of you are being dropped from the programme. Permanently.”

Their cheering stopped.

“You can’t just change your mind and kick us out! Why would you do that!” Naruto shouted, kicking his legs and clenching his fist, still bound to the stupid stump.

“Because you don’t think like ninja. You think like little kids. Like brats.”

This time, Sasuke charged towards Kakashi to deliver a blow, only to end up pinned to the ground by Kakashi.

“Sasuke!” Sakura cried out.

“You think it’s all about you.”

Sakura blew up.

“Let go of Sasuke! You can’t step on him like he’s some bug!”

“You don’t know what it means to be a ninja. You think it’s a game, huh?”

Tensions began to rise as Sasuke writhed and struggled and neither of them could speak.

“Why do you think we put you on squads? Did you consider that question for one moment?” Kakashi’s patience was running thin.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Sakura spoke cautiously.

“I mean you never realised what this exercise is all about. Not even close. That’s what determines whether you pass or fail."

“But that’s… I mean I wanted to ask you about that from the very beginning…” Sakura managed to say through a slight stammer.

“Use your head. Three people on a squad. Why do you think we would do that?”

Naruto was livid, the blood rushing to his head.

“Aghhh, how are we supposed to know why you picked three people? We didn’t make the rules.”

“It’s so basic. Teamwork! It’s too late now but if all three of you had come at me, you might have been able to take them. Well, anyway, it’s over.

“But there’s only two bells and three of us! Even if we worked together, only two of us could pass, and that would lead to group conflict and us breaking up.” Sakura pointed out.

“Exactly. I purposely pitted you against each other. I wanted to see if you could overcome that and put the squad ahead of yourselves. A Genin should have a natural feel for teamwork. But you, it never even crossed your mind.”

Kakashi relentlessly revealed his observations.

“Sakura! You obsessed about Sasuke who was gone while Naruto was right in front of you, and you wouldn’t lift a finger to help him. Naruto! You do everything on your own. Everything. And you, Sasuke, thought the others were so far beneath you that they were worthless. Arrogance. Ninja missions are carried out in squads. Of course, you need individual skills, but teamwork is the most essential element. Every shinobi understands this. When individuals put themselves above the squad, it leads to failure and death.”

Kakashi slipped his hand into his back pocket, pulling out a kunai and holding it to Sasuke’s neck.

“For example. Sakura, kill Naruto or Sasuke dies.”

Sakura gasped and Naruto looked back and forth between her and Sasuke with panic.

“That’s what happens on a mission.” Kakashi retracted his kunai.

Sasuke’s body trembled beneath the weight of Kakashi’s effortless grasp, his chest tight with both physical restraint and internal rage. The shock of being so easily subdued cut deeper than the humiliation—it was a bitter reminder that despite his pride and ambition, he was nowhere near the formidable warrior he strived to be. Anger simmered as he watched Kakashi’s calm face. This test wasn’t about proving himself in a display of strength; it was about surviving in a world where lives were always on the line. Beneath the layers resentment, Sasuke’s mind raced with an overwhelming, cruel realisation: the path to vengeance was steeper than he ever imagined. He squeezed his eyes tight.

“Oh boy, that was really scary.” Sakura spoke and both she and Naruto exhaled deeply.

“The enemy takes a hostage, and you’ve got an impossible choice.” He explained, spinning the kunai on his finger. “And someone ends up dead.”

Kakashi pocketed the kunai. “On every mission, your life is on the line.” He stood up, leaving Sasuke as he approached a memorial stone.

“Did you look at this stone? The names engraved on it? They are all ninja who are honoured as heroes in our village.”

Naruto spoke up with a sudden eagerness, moving his hands as best he could.

“That’s it, that’s it, that’s it. Now I know. I decided I’m going to have my name engraved on that stone. I’m not going to live and die for nothing like a dog. I’m going to be a hero. A hero.”

Sasuke picked himself up from the ground, hands in his pockets as he returned to where his teammates were.

“They are… a special kind of hero.”

“Huh? What kinds of heroes are they? Come on! Tell us. Well… well…”

“They’re all KIA.”

“Oooh, that sounds real cool.”

Sakura turned in him. It was sometimes unbelievable how clueless Naruto can be.

“It means killed in action. They all died.”

Naruto’s goofy smile faded as his eyes widened and looked away to the side. His brows furrowed. Each name on that stone isn’t just a mark of honour, but a stark testament to the lives sacrificed in battle. In that split second, his earlier, naive excitement crumbles into shock; the dream of fame collides with the grim reality of death. A bead of sweat trickles down his temple as fear and vulnerability flash across his face, mingling with a dawning sense of guilt and disillusionment.

Solemn tension lingered.

Kakashi continued after a beat.

“This is a memorial stone. The names of my closest friends are engraved here.”

Sakura looked up, a melancholy expression on her face.

Their sensei turned around after what felt like an eternity.

“Alright. I’m going to give you one more chance. But I’m going to make it much harder on you. You’ll have three hours to get a bell. Eat up now to build up strength. But, Naruto doesn’t get any. It’s your punishment for breaking the rules and trying to eat by yourself. And if anyone tries to feed him, that person will immediately fail. I make the rules,  will immediately fail. I make the rules, you follow them. Got it?”

As Sakura and Sasuke began eating the rice from the bento box, Naruto’s stomach continued to growl.

“This is no big deal! I can go without eating for days! For weeks! Believe it! This is no big deal.”

Naruto’s empty stomach gnawed at him and any attempt to brush it off was failing. With less conviction and a lowered head, he mumbled, “no problem…”

Beneath his cold, determined exterior, Sasuke wrestled with a turbulent mix of duty and a newfound protectiveness. Breaking Kakashi’s rule carried the weight of potential failure, yet in that moment, his instinct to ensure Naruto’s well-being overrode all protocol. Sasuke’s hand hesitated for a moment before offering the bento, his jaw tightening as if annoyed by his own gesture.

“Hm… here.”

Naruto couldn’t even fathom his actions.

“Huh?”

“No Sasuke, you can’t do that!” Sakura protested, doing another double take of their surroundings to see if Kakashi was near. “You heard what the sensei said.”

“Kakashi’s gone.  We need to get those bells as a team. If Naruto’s hungry, he’ll be weak and ineffective. That hurts the team and jeopardises the mission.”

“Um…” Naruto was a speechless. He never expected Sasuke to trust in his abilities enough to feed him, ignoring Kakashi’s clear order.

Sakura swallowed, holding out her bento box too. Seeing Naruto’s touched expression, she smiled.

“Okay, thanks.” Naruto said quietly, though the nerves were building up.

“Don’t thank me, just eat.”

“But isn’t that your lunch?”

“I- I’m on a diet… I- I mean… I don’t eat as much as Sasuke so… just take it Naruto!”

“I can’t take it because I can’t move my hands so you have to feed me.”

“Huh?!” Sakura was not having it.

“Hurry up, he could come back any minute.”

With Sasuke urging her on, she firmed it, using the chopsticks to feed Naruto the rice.

“Ugh- this is one time only! That’s it! Is that clear?”

“Clear as a bell Sakura.” Naruto grinned. Maybe this team wasn’t so bad after all.

Smoke expanded in front of them, a booming authoritative voice addressing them.

“You!”

Naruto began to panic, squirming in his restraints as Sakura feared what was to come.

“You broke the rules. I hope you’re ready for the punishment.”

Kakashi formed some hand signs. The sky began to grey, a storm coming along. Thunder sounded and lightning crashed.

“Any last words?”

Naruto’s teeth chattered, but he spoke up.

“But- you said…”

“Yes…?”

“You said that there were three of us! That’s what you said! That’s why… Sasuke… and Sakura…”

Sasuke then continued.

“We’re all in this squad and we’re all in this together.”

Sakura pulled herself together, standing up.

“Yeah, that’s right! We gave our lunch to him because the three of us are one!”

Naruto anxiously watched the two of them and cried out another time.

“Yeah! Yeah! Believe it!”

“The three of you are one? That’s your excuse?”

Kakashi took a couple steps forward, bending down to stare them in the face.

“Hm, you pass.”

He said with a smile.

Huh?

Sakura and Naruto were caught off-guard, befuddled whilst Sasuke remained in a defensive pose.

“What do you mean? How’d we pass?” Sakura asked.

The clouds began to part, the afternoon sunlight beaming down on the training grounds.

“You’re the first squad that ever succeeded. The others did exactly what I said and fell into every trap. They couldn’t think for themselves. A ninja must see through deception. In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum, that’s true. But, those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."

Sakura and Sasuke smiled, finding wisdom in his words.

Naruto began tearing up, his eyes twitching.

“You… you know… he’s… kind of cool…”

“The exercise is over. Everyone passes. Squad 7 starts their first mission tomorrow.”

“I did it! I did it! Believe it! I’m a ninja! Ninja!”

It was a childish way for Naruto to act but in this moment, neither Sakura, Sasuke or Kakashi were irritated. They’d all officially become a team and nothing could trample how elated they were.

“Let’s go home.” Kakashi said. And just like that, they walked into the setting sun, swelling with pride.

Well, not all of them.

“UGH- I knew they’d do this! It happens everytime! Believe it!”
he kicked is feet around, eyes red and canines resembling that of a beast.

“YOU GUYS FORGOT TO UNTIE ME!!!”

As dusk deepened into a gentle, fading light, Sasuke wandered near the training grounds, his eyes inadvertently catching the silhouette of Naruto still tied to the post. There he was, slumped in an exhausted sleep, remnants of bento boxes scattered around him. Sasuke’s lips twitched into a barely perceptible smirk as he pieced together the odd scene: Naruto, undeterred by his predicament, had clearly managed to eat his meal using his agile feet: kicking the boxes up, catching them with his chin, and savouring each bite with nothing but his mouth.

Discreetly, Sasuke stepped closer, careful not to disturb the tranquil evening too abruptly. He knelt beside the post and, with practiced efficiency, untied the ropes that had bound Naruto throughout the test. Before retreating, however, Sasuke reached out and gave Naruto a gentle, yet firm shake. The rough contact stirred Naruto awake, his eyes fluttering open to meet the soft glow of the moonlight and the vague outline of Sasuke’s figure.

Naruto blinked in confusion, still drowsy and disoriented. Sasuke quickly averted his gaze, his eyes darting away.

In a low, almost soft, begrudging tone, Sasuke murmured, “Don’t get the wrong idea…I’m only doing this because… it’d be annoying if someone else had to.”

With that, Sasuke slipped silently into the trees, his footsteps muted by the crunch of fallen leaves, leaving Naruto to collect his scattered thoughts.

Naruto stared at the spot where Sasuke had been, his mind racing. Did Sasuke actually care? Or was he just being his usual aloof self? Either way, Naruto couldn’t shake the warmth that had spread through him when Sasuke remembered to set him free. It was strange—Sasuke was his rival, his enemy, but today, for a moment, he felt like something else. A friend, perhaps?

As Naruto sat there, the quiet of the evening settling around him, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness. It wasn’t the same as before, though. For the first time, he felt like he wasn’t completely alone. Maybe, just maybe, Team 7 could be his family.

With a determined grin, Naruto stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. “Tomorrow’s gonna be even better,” he said to no one in particular. “Believe it!”

Chapter Text

Since the bell test, Team 7 had been waiting for the Hokage to allocate their very first D-rank mission. However, Kakashi was being unusually picky in deciding their first assignment. Iruka and Kakashi sat in the Hokage’s office, skimming through the scrolls of available D-rank missions. Correction: Iruka was skimming through the scrolls. Kakashi, on the other hand, was flicking through each page of Make-Out Tactics, rejecting every mission without a second thought.

Babysitting a noble’s niece.
“Too boring,” Kakashi muttered, flipping the page.

Iruka’s knuckles whitened around the mission scroll. “For the last time, Kakashi! Pick one.”

Termites, then. Basic pest control.
A shudder rippled through Kakashi’s shoulders. Subtle, but Iruka caught it.
“Too tedious. Would take too long,” Kakashi drawled, his eye still glued to his book.

Delivering the new stock of magazines to the corner shops.
“Not challenging enough.”

Gathering herbs and berries from the woodland.
“Nope.”

With each suggestion being turned down, Iruka was like a kettle about to boil over. He slammed the scroll down on the desk.
“Kakashi, why are we thinking so hard about this?! Make them do some kind of community service. Pulling out weeds. Walking someone’s dog. Picking up rubbish floating down the river. That’s what all Genin do!”

Kakashi chuckled, shaking his head as his finger scratched at the tip of his mask. “It’s not about that. Of course, they’re going to do the same missions as all the other Genin. I’m looking for a mission that would tackle their biggest issue head-on.”

Iruka’s eyes twitched. What is he even talking about? he thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. They’re just kids. They need to learn the basics first, not some convoluted lesson about... whatever Kakashi’s on about now.

Abruptly, Kakashi stood, the legs of the chair screeching against the hardwood floor. Then, he disappeared, along with the book, a small gush of air hitting Iruka’s cheek as Kakashi reappeared right behind him. As an elite Jonin, he was light on his feet and swift in his movements. Iruka recoiled, only to bump into the grey-haired ninja.

It’s as if he’s wordlessly reminding Iruka that he’s his superior. Higher in rank. In reputation. In skill. And, apparently, in knowing better than me.

“None of these missions are satisfactory,” Kakashi said, his tone calm but firm. “I’ll be back tomorrow to search the new requests. Oh, and be careful not to blow a fuse. You’ll stress yourself into an early retirement.”

With that, Kakashi meandered towards the exit, leaving Iruka slumped in his chair. One could never understand what Kakashi was thinking, Iruka rubbed his temples. If he’s searching for a D-rank mission of all things, why is there a need to be so specific? But Iruka couldn’t intervene. Kakashi was entirely accurate, as irritating as that fact was. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto—they weren’t under his tutelage anymore. The only thing he could do was trust in Kakashi. He was forced to do so.

“Any word from sensei about a new mission?”

Sakura asked, searching Sasuke’s eyes with the utmost focus, but he ignored her inquiry, dodging her gaze and walking ahead of both her and Naruto. Sakura had tried to convince Sasuke to train with her. Unfortunately, Naruto overheard and tagged along. The young Uchiha wanted to train in solitude, but  Sakura was relentless. But with Naruto there, Sakura’s attention shifted from fangirling to bickering: a trade-off Sasuke would gladly endure.

“I’ll take that as a no…”

Arriving at the training site, Sasuke set his bag down near a tree, observing that the wind speeds were high.

“Naruto.”

Hearing Sasuke call out his name so suddenly caused him to jump.

“Ah- uh… what? What did I do now?”

“I want to practice aiming my fireball Jutsu without the wind knocking off my accuracy.” He explained with a levelled tone.

Naruto’s nose scrunched. “What’s it gotta do with me, teme?”

“Grrrr…” Sakura punched Naruto right in the head, earning a loud “OWW!” as his hands shot up to the top of his head in case he needed to block another punch.

“What was THAT for?!”

“Are you dumb? Not only did you intrude on my quality time with Sasuke, you’re not even going to help him train?!”

She raised her fist again, only for Naruto to raise both hands in surrender.

“Stop it- alright, I get it! Believe it!”

Waiting for the two to stop squabbling, Sasuke continued.

“We don't have all day. If you're ready then let's do it."

With a nod, their training commenced.

Sasuke, made the necessary hand signs, inhaled deeply, and Sasuke’s first fireball tore through the air with Naruto dancing aside, cackling.

“Too slow!”

The second singed Naruto’s sleeve.

“Hey- lucky shot!”

It was just as Sasuke thought. He wasn’t adapted to attacking in the changing weather. Leaves whipped past Sasuke’s face, the gusts scattering his fireball into embers that singed the grass.

Again.

The training ground was deserted save for crows. Sasuke ignited another fireball, its edges fraying in the wind. Pathetic. Itachi’s flames had been precise, relentless, even in the worst conditions whilst his own sputtered like candlelight.

“AGH— watch where you're firing that thing!” Naruto yelped, dodging a stray ember. “Watch where you’re aiming!”

“Then move faster,” Sasuke snapped, but his hands trembled. Weakness. Always weak.

Again.

Naruto froze mid-dodge, eyes locking onto the treeline. A shadow flickered. Far too large for a bird, and too sinister for an animal.

“Naruto!” Sakura screamed as he toppled back into a nearby tree, denting the trunk.

"Are you alright?" She asked, rushing up to where he was, interrupting the match.

Groaning, he scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine Sakura. Barely a scratch.” For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on the tree where he saw… whatever that was. The shadow had vanished as quickly as it emerged, leaving only a faint rustle in the bushes. “I got distracted. No big deal.” Grinning, he pat his jacket.

Sasuke followed his gaze, frowning. He sensed something was amiss but couldn’t see a thing. So, he dismissed it.

“You look like a roasted tomato,” Sasuke muttered.

“Hey! I do not!” Outstretching his arm, he pointed his finger directly in Sasuke’s face, causing the Uchiha to smack his hand away and smirk.

Before Sasuke could get another word in, Sakura interjected.

“Maybe we should call it a day?” Sakura suggested, rising to her feet and dusting off the grass that clung to her attire.

Naruto nodded, stretching his arms with a yawn. “Yeah, I’m beat. Believe it!” He wiped the tip of his nose with his finger, his energy seemingly drained after the day’s training.

Sasuke slung his bag over his shoulder. Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving Sakura to trail after him with a hopeful smile.

Unseen in the trees above, a sleek black cat watched the trio depart. Its tail lashed once—a metronome of malice. The cat’s glowing eyes lingered on Naruto as he trudged off toward the village, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Sakura returned home to her parents, her mind already racing with plans for the next day. Sasuke disappeared into the Uchiha compound, and Naruto, stomach growling, made his way to Ichiraku ramen, unaware of the shadow trailing him.

“Old man! Serve me up some pork miso ramen, I’m starving.”

The owner of the shop chuckled. In under a minute, a hot bowl of ramen was served.

“Aha, this looks great! Thanks!”

Clasping his hands together, he quickly showed gratitude for the food before digging in and slurping up the noodles. As he was enjoying his meal, a weight pounced on his shoulder.

“Ack-!”

The stool toppled. Naruto hit the floor as the owner and his daughter watched with collective surprise. A shiver ran down Naruto’s spine as a cat stared at him. Not at his face, but at his stomach.

A cat with pure black fur stood on the counter, knocking his bowl of ramen on the floor.

“Nooooo! My ramen!!!”

Naruto wailed, staring at the overturned bowl. His stomach growled in protest, and his hands clenched into fists. “Stupid cat!” he shouted, his voice cracking with frustration.

The black cat perched on a nearby roof, licking its paw with a low, rumbling purr. Its tail flicked once—a challenge—before it vanished into the shadows.

“You’re still paying for that, you know?” the ramen shop owner said, his tone firm.

“What? But—old man!” Naruto protested, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He dug into his pockets, only to find them empty. “Great. Just great.” Bad luck...

As he trudged away, the cat’s glowing eyes followed him from the shadows. Naruto spun around, kunai drawn, but the streets were desolate. “I’m so losing it,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. 

Naruto grumbled, kicking a pebble as he trudged home. He couldn’t shake the memory of those glowing eyes. Why did it feel like it was watching…?

Reaching his apartment, he unlocked the door, looking over his shoulder before turning the knob and settling in. His routine continued as usual. He would have avoided running himself a bath, but his clothing was unsuitable for the next day and he figured Sakura would have a go at him for looking so untidy.

His apartment didn’t have the most luxurious bathing facilities. It consisted of a small tub where only one person could fit. If he wanted a warm bath, he’d have to boil the water in the kettle and fill it. But, that was tedious and he didn’t feel like doing so at the moment.

After his bath, he slipped on his pyjamas and called it a night.

Or so he thought.

Naruto’s eyes snapped open. The silence pressed too heavy, the kind of quiet that hummed with secrets. Moonlight bled through the curtains, carving jagged shadows across the floor. Something skittered against the windowpane. Insistent. He crept closer, breath held, and traced his finger over fresh gouges in the wood; parallel, deliberate.

The black cat rested on Naruto’s windowsill, its claws etching fourteen parallel lines into the wood. What are they? They look like tally marks.

Naruto’s breath hitched. “Ghosts aren’t real… right?”

The cat’s eyes glowed, pupils slitting into knives. It vanished into the night, leaving Naruto alone with the eerie silence. Over the next few hours, the scratching grew louder, more insistent. He tossed and turned, his exhaustion deepening. By dawn, the tally marks remained.

The next day was even worse. He wandered the village, making the most of his training, only for nothing to go as intended. He lost all of his training tools and had to purchase new ones but when he’d gotten to the till, his frog wallet was empty when he swore it was full the other day, and was kicked out of the store.

At noon when he planned to have lunch at his apartment. His kettle was broken. Tired and hungry, this was his nightmare. It was still another week until Hiruzen will give him an allowance. Should he try to eat the ramen straight out of the packet? No, that’s vile!

Team 7 loitered outside the Hokage’s office, waiting for Kakashi to arrive with their first mission. Naruto slumped against the wall, dark circles bruising his eyes. Sakura paced back and forth, her shoes scuffing the dirt. Sasuke stood apart, his arms crossed.

“Why does time management never seem to cross his mind?” Sakura asked, searching Sasuke’s eyes with the utmost focus. But he ignored her inquiry, dodging her gaze.

Naruto yawned loudly, stretching his arms. “Maybe he’s stuck reading that stupid book again…”

Sasuke’s scrutiny shifted to Naruto. “And what’s up with you? You look like a mess.”

“Nothing!” Naruto straightened too quickly, wobbling. “Just… stayed up all night training! Believe it!”

Liar, Sasuke thought, his eyes narrowing. Something’s off with him.

In a swirl of leaves, Kakashi materialised with a mission scroll in hand, his lone eye crinkling with amusement as the team straightened. Naruto nearly toppled mid-yawn.

“Okay, Squad 7, listen up,” Kakashi commanded, his tone measured.

Instantly, excitement sparked. “We’ve finally got our first mission, right, sensei?” Sakura asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yes. For your first mission, you will… deliver supplies to a local festival! Fun, isn’t it?”

Sasuke frowned. A festival? How is this supposed to help him get stronger? How is this going to get him any closer to defeating Itachi?

“I don’t see how this would benefit us as shinobi…” Sasuke muttered, his voice low.

Kakashi sighed. “We’d be quite an irresponsible village to throw kids head-first into battles as a first mission. These small missions help you grow while keeping our village financially stable. Is that enough to convince you that it’s worth your time?”

Sasuke sighed, begrudgingly accepting his reality. “I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

Naruto jolted, “HUH- who? What? Where? …Yeah, sure, sounds good.”

Before anyone could speak, Sasuke’s cool tone cut through the air. “Idiot. You do realise how bad it’d look if our first mission flopped because you fell asleep?”

“Who said I’m going to fail?!” Naruto snapped, gripping Sasuke’s shirt as their faces drew close. Sasuke simply turned away, his features inscrutable.

Why does he always have to pick fights? Sasuke thought, his jaw tightening. He’s so… exhausting.

“Naruto! How many times have I told you not to put your hands on Sasuke!” Sakura scolded, stepping forward with a clenched fist. Her cheeks flushed with anger, though a part of her couldn’t help but admire Sasuke’s calm demeanour.

Naruto threw his hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright! I get it, Sakura-chan!”

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re always causing trouble. Can’t you just behave for once?”

Sasuke turned away, his expression unreadable.

Playing peacemaker, as any responsible sensei should, Kakashi intervened. “Now, now, the two of you please calm down. Even if Naruto falls asleep, this isn’t a high-risk mission, so there should be no fear of failing. You can’t be that incapable.”

“I said I’m not falling asleep!” Naruto repeated, his voice trembling with determination as much as fatigue. “I’m not! I’m not!”

Kakashi rubbed his temple with his palm, brushing some hair out of his face. These kids are going to be the death of me, he thought, his eye crinkling with amusement. But they’ve got spirit. That’s something.

“Let’s get going. We don’t want to keep our client waiting.”

The group left the village and soon arrived before their client—a tall, striking woman with long black hair and, at first glance, eyes that seemed to glow yellow. Naruto blinked, sure his exhausted mind was playing tricks, until he realised her eyes were a deep, warm brown. Phew, he thought, relieved. For a second, I thought she was some kind of demon or something.

Sasuke shot him a brief, curious glance, noting the rarity of such an expression. What’s wrong with him? Sasuke wondered, his brow furrowing. He’s been jumpy all day. Did something happen?

Their task was simple: transport crates filled with fireworks and musical instruments for the festival. Sakura and Sasuke each hefted a crate of fireworks, while Naruto was burdened with the box of instruments.

“Sensei, are we going to stay to watch the festival?” Sakura asked eagerly, clearly thrilled at the thought of spending more time with Sasuke.

After a thoughtful hum, Kakashi smiled faintly. “I don’t see why not.”

Sakura cheered. As she did, Naruto’s eyelids felt heavy and drooped. All of a sudden, he startled at her enthusiasm. His box of instruments slipped, careening down a ravine.

“Ahhhh! Sakuraaaaa!” he screamed, snapping back to reality, panicking over the fact he’d managed to mess up on such an easy mission after all!

“Hey, that was entirely your fault, idiot,” Sasuke remarked dryly, making Naruto grit his teeth.

With a determined leap, Naruto chased after the falling box, managing to grab it with one hand while his other hand clutched at a jagged rock for support.

“Naruto!” Sakura cried out, and the rest of the group halted. “That’s dangerous! You could’ve gotten hurt!”

“I’m fine, Sakura. Really. Believe—” Naruto started, only to be cut off as the rock beneath his fingertips crumbled. Now, he was plummeting closer and closer to the ground.

Shit.

Sasuke hurled his wire, expertly wrapping it around the thickest branch of a nearby tree. With a swift jump down the cliff, he grabbed Naruto’s wrist. “Usuratonkachi!”

The wire snapped taut, yanking Naruto back. Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling.

“I had it!” Naruto lied, his pulse rabbiting.

Sasuke’s jaw tightened. Pathetic, he thought, his grip firm on Naruto’s wrist. Wasting my time with this idiot.

“You’re not fooling anyone,” Sasuke said, his voice cold and dismissive.

As annoyed as he was, Naruto couldn’t argue that he wasn’t at his best today and bit his tongue. Bitterness and relief mingled in his silence as Sasuke slowly began retracting the wire, pulling them both up. Miraculously, none of the instruments had been damaged, and soon they were back on track.

“Great job, Sasuke,” Kakashi praised.

“It was nothing,” Sasuke replied, his tone indifferent.

If it truly was nothing... why did his chest swell with pride? He couldn't understand it, so, he dismissed it.

The festival was a riot of colour and sound. Lanterns hung from every rooftop, their warm glow casting flickering shadows on the cobblestone streets. Stalls lined the pathways, their owners hawking sweets, trinkets, and games. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meat and sugary treats, mingling with the faint tang of smoke from the fireworks.

Naruto’s stomach growled as he passed a stall selling dango. “Man, I’m starving…”

“Focus Naruto,” Sakura chided, though her own gaze lingered on a stall selling hair ribbons. “We’re here to deliver supplies, not stuff our faces.”

Sasuke walked ahead, his hands in his pockets. 

Kakashi watched them from the sidelines, his book momentarily forgotten. These kids, he thought, shaking his head. 

The group made their way to the festival committee’s tent, where a bustling crowd of villagers was preparing for the evening’s festivities. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, the clinking of instruments being tuned, and the occasional pop of a firework being tested. Naruto’s stomach growled loudly as they approached, earning a disapproving glance from Sakura.

“Naruto, can’t you think about anything other than food for five minutes?” 

“Hey, I’m starving!” Naruto protested, clutching the box of instruments tighter. 

Sasuke rolled his eyes, hefting his crate of fireworks with ease. “Focus, idiot. We’re here to deliver these, not complain about your stomach.”

The festival committee leader, a cheerful woman with a clipboard, greeted them with a wide smile. “Ah, you must be the shinobi from Konoha! Thank you for delivering the supplies. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

Naruto grinned, puffing out his chest. “No problem! That’s what we’re here for, believe it!”

Sakura stepped forward, handing over her crate of fireworks. “Where would you like us to put these?”

The woman gestured to a nearby table. “Just set them down over there. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Later that evening at the festival, under a sky strung with glowing lanterns, Kakashi gathered the trio near a small wooden table adorned with paper and ink.

“Write a wish,” Sakura suggested ecstatically, handing out rice paper.

Naruto scrawled HOKAGE in jagged strokes. This is it, he thought, his chest swelling with determination. This is the year I prove myself. I’ll show everyone I’m not just some loser.

Sasuke’s brush hovered, then etched a single kanji. Kill. Itachi, he thought, his jaw tightening. This year, I’ll get stronger. I’ll avenge my clan.

Sakura’s wish was Let true love prevail before she folded it. Maybe this year, Sasuke will finally notice me, she thought, her cheeks flushing.

“Tradition also says these lanterns are for reconciliation,” Kakashi added, his eye crinkling with amusement.

Naruto crossed his arms, scowling. “We don’t need to reconcile. Right, Sasuke?”

Sasuke’s scoff was answer enough.

Sakura stepped forward, her hands on her hips. “But sensei, if they don’t want to—”

“No, it’s whatever. We can do it,” Naruto interrupted, though his tone was more grudging than enthusiastic.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “You’re the one who said we don’t need to.”

“Yeah, well, I changed my mind! Believe it!”

Kakashi chuckled. These kids, he thought, shaking his head. They’ve got a long way to go, but they’ll get there. Eventually.

Naruto’s brush hovered, ink dripping. After pondering, he settled on:
Keep up.

Sasuke’s lip twitched as he wondered what to write. He was never one for sentimentality.
Don't die.

Kakashi’s laughter was light. “Poetry.”

Sakura tied their lanterns together with red string. As they released them, the paired lights clashed, then steadied.

But the lantern containing Naruto and Sasuke’s combined wishes crashed to the ground. The black cat pounced, shredding the paper with claws like kunai.

“You again!” Naruto lunged, but the cat darted behind Sasuke, curling around his ankles with a low, rumbling purr. “You have got to be kidding me!” He slumped to the ground, defeated.

“What’s wrong?” Sakura asked, completely puzzled. She was always quite fond of animals and crouched, scratching the cat’s chin. “Aw, it’s just a stray!”

Naruto threw his hands up, exasperated. “Aw?! That thing’s been haunting me for days! It’s knocked over my ramen, clawed up my apartment, and now it’s tearing apart our lanterns! And you—” He jabbed a finger at Sasuke, who stood aloof as the cat rubbed against his legs. “Why’s it acting like you’re its best friend all of a sudden?!”

Sasuke glanced down at the cat, his expression blank. “Maybe it just has better taste.”

“Teme!” Naruto’s voice cracked. “This isn’t a joke! That thing’s been following me, watching me. It’s like it’s making fun of me!”

Kakashi put a hand to his chin, actually considering why the cat would be so hostile to Naruto and so friendly to Sasuke. Could the demon fox have something to do with it? he wondered. Or is the answer far simpler?

Sakura frowned, her hand stilling on the cat’s head. “Naruto, are you sure you’re not just… overreacting? Cats are weird. They do weird things.”

“Overreacting?!” Naruto’s eyes widened, his voice rising. “Sakura! I’m not making this up!”

The night was winding down, the lanterns still glowing softly in the sky as the village prepared for the last performance of the festival. Traditional music echoed from the stage, and people gathered around to watch. Naruto, still tired from the long day and the past few sleepless nights, found himself sitting down on a bench with the others. “I’m just gonna rest for a minute…” he muttered, rubbing his eyes.

“Yeah, you’ve been saying that all day,” Sasuke replied, a hint of amusement in his voice as he leaned against a nearby pillar.

Sakura bounced excitedly, clearly entranced by the music.

“Isn’t this festival amazing? I love the atmosphere!”

Kakashi, always the observer, smiled behind his book. Festivals always bring a nice energy, he thought, his eye crinkling with amusement.

Half-listening, Naruto's eyes already fluttered. The sound of the music, the warm night air, and the fact that he’d been running on fumes for days finally caught up with him. Before he could even fight it, his head drooped, and in a split second, he was leaning against Sasuke’s shoulder again, this time fully asleep.

Sasuke blinked, looking down at him in surprise. His brow furrowed slightly, as if he was about to push Naruto off—but instead, he stayed still, glancing away with a quiet, almost reluctant sigh.

Why do I even bother? He’s so… annoying.

Sakura giggled softly. “I guess he really did need the rest.”

Kakashi, peering over his book, raised an eyebrow. “You two are surprisingly amicable tonight.”

Simply sat there, looking down at the peaceful, snoring figure beside him, the young Uchiha said nothing.

When the performance came to a close, Sakura nudged him. “Are you gonna let him sleep like that?”

Naruto slumped against Sasuke’s shoulder, drool seeping into his shirt. Sasuke’s jaw clenched. Pathetic. Annoying. He shoved Naruto to the ground.

“I was awake!”

Naruto scrambled to his feet as Sakura giggled again. He rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

However, his grin quickly faded as he felt a familiar prickle on the back of his neck. His eyes darted upward, locking onto the shadowy figure perched on a nearby rooftop. There, the black cat watched him with unblinking eyes, staring down at him, its tail swinging from side to side.

It seemed to whisper, though no sound escaped its lips.

Fourteen days left.