"Seriously?"
Naruto didn't buy it, and Sasuke also cast a doubtful glance.
He said,
"Itachi and my father both say you're the strongest in Konoha. Kakashi couldn't even dodge a blackboard eraser—how could he possibly fight you to a draw?"
Even though Itachi was a missing-nin, that didn't stop Sasuke from idolizing his older brother. Of course, from what he'd picked up from his parents, there were probably deeper reasons behind Itachi's defection.
"Mm, he can exchange a few moves with just about anyone."
Kiyosuke yawned and said,
"What you should really be worried about is tomorrow. If you don't perform well, he will eliminate you. Naruto, I know Kakashi is your dad's student, but he's not going to go easy on you. In fact, he's probably going to be stricter—because he had to go through this himself back in the day."
"No... you should think of this as a test from the Fourth Hokage."
"Eh? A test from the Fourth Hokage-sama?! How are we supposed to pass that?"
Sakura looked like she'd lost all hope.
"They all got through it, didn't they? What's the problem? You brats today have no sense of urgency. Honestly... looks like you're still too well-fed."
Kiyosuke didn't seem to care at all, speaking with a completely indifferent look.
"Now this is interesting! A test from my old man!"
"Hmph! A trial from the Hokage, huh?"
Sasuke acted like he was totally ready.
Watching the two suddenly light up with excitement, Sakura was helpless.
She had no idea how to keep up with them.
It really was impossible to keep up with these two monsters.
Sakura's sense of despair was more terrifying than a genjutsu cast by Kotoamatsukami.
Naruto and Sasuke, on the other hand, were already raring to go, fully prepared to take on Kakashi's test the next day.
All Sakura could do was go home and get ready... though she honestly had no idea what that even meant.
...
The next morning, before the sun had risen, Kiyosuke was rudely awakened by Naruto.
Squinting groggily, Kiyosuke muttered,
"What is it? Naruto? You're leaving this early?"
"Of course! Kakashi-sensei told us to get there early!"
Naruto sounded wide awake and full of energy.
Kiyosuke replied,
"Then why are you waking me up?"
"Huh? Aren't you supposed to meet up with Hinata and the others too, Kiyosuke-san?"
"No, my group's meeting later in the morning. Not now. Go on, go on—I'm going back to sleep."
"Alright then, I'm heading out."
"Wait."
Kiyosuke stopped Naruto.
"Hmm?"
"Take this steel plate. Strap it to your butt—you'll thank me later."
He pulled a small steel plate from under the bed and handed it over.
"Huh? What's this for?"
Naruto didn't understand the purpose, but still obediently took the plate. After all, Kiyosuke-san had never tricked him before.
With the steel plate in his pack, Naruto headed out.
...
Once it was close to time, Kiyosuke got up, washed up, and headed to the Konoha training field right on schedule.
Seeing the three nervous kids standing there, Kiyosuke said,
"This is a mock exercise. Your mission is to take the bells from me before noon.
If you fail to get them, the mission will be considered a failure, and your fate will be to return to the Academy for more schooling."
He pulled out a single bell and shook it lightly in his hand.
"Wait, Kiyosuke-sensei, I have a question!"
Inuzuka Kiba raised his hand.
"Speak."
"Will we really be sent back?"
"Absolutely."
"But we can't beat you."
"I'll hold back."
"...No further questions."
Kiba looked utterly stressed out.
"Alright, let's begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, the three immediately leapt into the grass in the distance to discuss a plan.
Shino calmly analyzed the situation:
"Kiyosuke-sensei wants to test our teamwork. He will hold back, but even with that, given his strength, it's still going to be very difficult for us to gain any advantage."
"After all, he is the strongest in Konoha."
Kiba was already getting a headache.
Having a teacher like this was a blessing—if they could pass his test.
Just yesterday, as soon as he got home, his dad had told him to learn properly from Kiyosuke-sensei. Otherwise, he'd break his legs.
Thinking back to his dad's terrifying expression, Kiba knew he had to pass.
"Here's the plan. I'll distract Kiyosuke-sensei, Kiba and Akamaru will launch a feint, and Hinata, you take the chance to grab the bell."
Hinata panicked when she realized the pressure was on her.
"B-but I..."
"That's right, Hinata. Kiyosuke-sensei watched you grow up—he won't hit you too hard. So don't worry."
Kiba grinned.
"You've got this. We believe in you."
"Mhm... okay."
Hinata clenched her fists and gave a firm nod.
Just then, the sound of wind rushing past their ears startled the trio.
They leapt aside as several shuriken rained down on where they'd just been standing.
Kiyosuke stood atop a tree, grinning.
"Strategizing, huh? Smart...
But you wasted too much time! Hahaha! Come on—attack me with everything you've got!"
"I'm going in first! Akamaru!"
"Woof!"
Akamaru gulped down a soldier pill.
In a flash, his white fur turned crimson.
Kiba dropped to all fours, focusing chakra into his limbs. His nails grew sharper, arms and legs thickened with power—he looked like a wild beast, brimming with ferocity.
Four Legs Technique!
This jutsu enhanced grip and physical attack strength.
Akamaru leapt onto Kiba's head and—poof!—turned into a clone of him, crouching on his back.
Beast Human Clone!
"Let's go, Akamaru! Fang Over Fang!!"
Man and beast spun at high speed, launching toward Kiyosuke like twin tornados.
"Oh, the classic full-speed Fang Over Fang?"
Kiyosuke's eyes lit up.
This kid could spin like that without getting dizzy?
He made no attempt to dodge.
But at the last moment, Kiba and Akamaru veered off, landing off to the side.
"Sensei, why didn't you dodge?"
"Why would I? Hasn't your old man told you? Taijutsu doesn't work on me."
"Immunity to taijutsu?! That's insane!"
Kiba was dumbfounded.
Akamaru, still in Kiba's form, stuck out his tongue helplessly.
If their trump card was useless... then what were they even doing?
BZZZZZ...
The sound of wings fluttering filled the air.
Kiyosuke turned around. Unnoticed, a huge swarm of insects had surrounded him.
Clapping his hands together, he said,
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
A gust of wind blasted out, scattering the insects completely.
"Also—your sensei can use Wind Style. Bugs are easy to blow away."
Shino grimaced.
If his insects couldn't even get close, then they were completely useless.
"Now then... Entertain me, brats!!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Kiyosuke, laughing like a madman, brandished a huge arsenal of shuriken and kunai.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
...
Screams echoed through the training field.
The three were tied to trees, watching Kiyosuke enjoy his bento.
"Alright, you pass."
After finishing his meal, Kiyosuke said this casually.
"But we didn't get the bell?"
"Oh, that was just to scare you. I planned to let you pass from the start."
"EH?!!!!"