[After graduating from the Ninja Academy, I could finally be considered a qualified ninja.]
[However, before officially becoming a Genin, there's one final hurdle to overcome: the team leader's test.]
[Early the next morning…]
Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura arrived at their assigned meeting point. Despite the early hour, all three of them looked determined—ready to prove themselves.
Eventually, their squad leader, Hatake Kakashi, showed up... though he appeared suspiciously sluggish. His posture was relaxed to the point of instability, and his steps wobbled like he had just crawled out of bed.
In one hand, he held a little orange book titled "Make-Out Paradise", flipping through it with great interest.
Naruto frowned.
[He doesn't look like someone taking this seriously at all…]
With Kakashi's arrival, Konoha's traditional and time-honored test officially began:
The Bell Test.
---
Namikaze Minato: "Ah, the bell test… how nostalgic!"
Kakashi: "Minato-sensei, I've never forgotten the lessons you taught me."
Jiraiya: "Back in the day, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and I also went through the bell test under the Third Hokage!"
Orochimaru: "Tch. You were a burden back then, Jiraiya."
Even Tsunade, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but recall the past.
Back then, Orochimaru had still been an innocent boy, full of promise. He had the Will of Fire burning brightly within him—and his genius was undeniable.
Throughout history, the leaves of the village always seemed to bloom with talent.
As the older generation reminisced, the screen returned to the present moment.
Naruto's face grew grim.
He had a bad feeling about what was coming next.
Could it be…
Sure enough, the footage began to show that moment.
---
Once Kakashi explained the rules, the tension rose.
There were only two bells for three students.
Whoever failed to grab a bell would be sent back to the Academy.
Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura quickly chose to hide and wait for an opening. After all, going head-to-head with a Jōnin wasn't a smart move.
But one of them thought otherwise.
Standing tall, Uzumaki Naruto stepped forward nervously.
Facing Kakashi's subtle and simple trap, Naruto charged in headfirst.
Just when he thought he had grabbed the bell—
Kakashi suddenly appeared behind him.
"Secret Taijutsu Technique: Thousand Years of Death!"
Before anyone could react, Naruto was launched into the air, clutching his rear in agony.
A collective gasp echoed across the entire ninja world.
---
[In front of every notable ninja…]
[Uzumaki Naruto was… penetrated by Kakashi's finger.]
[Judging from Naruto's pained expression, it was clearly an unforgettable first experience.]
---
Namikaze Minato: "…"
In the Pure Land, Minato scratched his golden hair awkwardly.
He certainly didn't remember teaching Kakashi that technique.
Beside him, Uzumaki Kushina blushed with embarrassment.
Kakashi was truly something else.
Sure, Naruto had been a little reckless—but to use such a move? And with that much force?
The boy had literally been launched!
Maybe Kakashi did go too far...
---
Might Guy: "I never realized Kakashi's taijutsu could be this powerful!"
Terumi Mei: "Poor little Naruto... at such a young age, too."
Jiraiya: "Cruel, devious, and wicked… Excellent qualities for a protagonist! But I'd suggest making Kakashi female—it would make for better reading."
Minato: "...Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya: "Haha! It's just a joke! You know I'm not that kind of man, Minato!"
---
Konohamaru: "I never imagined Big Brother Naruto had to go through such painful enlightenment… No wonder he's so strong now. You're amazing, Big Brother!"
Sakura: "Hey, Konohamaru! What's there to be proud of!?"
Ebisu: "Wha… what just happened? Sorry, I think I blacked out."
---
After the unexpected taijutsu strike, Naruto found himself tied to a tree stump, powerless.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Sasuke, despite their stealth, were both defeated by Kakashi one after the other.
Time passed, and by noon, none of the three had managed to grab a single bell.
Kakashi, unfazed, announced it was time for lunch.
The rules were clear—anyone who didn't grab a bell would go back to the Academy.
As for Naruto?
Since he broke the rules by trying to eat early… he wasn't allowed any food.
Kakashi left to eat, leaving his team behind to stew in uncertainty.
---
As Sasuke and Sakura ate quietly, they heard Naruto's stomach rumble.
Naruto, smiling sheepishly, insisted he wasn't hungry.
But both of them could tell—he just didn't want to drag them down.
Despite his cold demeanor, Sasuke understood something vital: beating Kakashi would take all three of them working together.
Without saying much, he offered Naruto a portion of his food.
Moved by the gesture, Sakura followed suit.
And then—
Kakashi suddenly returned.
---
"You dare disobey the rules I set?"
His voice was thunderous.
The three Genin braced themselves, the overwhelming pressure of a Jōnin descending upon them like a mountain.
But none of them backed down.
They stood firm, side by side, unafraid.
And then… Kakashi's fierce glare melted into a smile.
---
"Congratulations. You've passed the test."
"As a ninja, the most important thing is not strength or skill—it's teamwork and loyalty to your comrades."
"In the world of ninja, those who break the rules are called scum…"
"But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum!"
---
Kakashi's heartfelt message sent waves through the viewing audience.
His earlier antics with Naruto were—somewhat—forgiven.
Because in the end, Kakashi had proven himself worthy of his legacy.
---
Terumi Mei: "Not bad, Kakashi. I really like men like you."
Minato: "Kakashi, you've finally understood what it means to be a true ninja. I'm proud of you."
Ohnoki: "Hmph… not bad, kid."
Hashirama: "Yes! That's what a ninja should be! Only when you understand your comrades can you truly become strong."
Tobirama: "His philosophy is a bit different from mine… but I must admit, this Jōnin of yours, Hiruzen, is quite good."
---
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, looked a little… uncomfortable.
Kakashi's words echoed in his mind:
"Those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum."
It sounded like a direct rebuke of Hiruzen's decisions during the White Fang incident.
Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, had once abandoned a mission to save his comrades.
As a result, the mission failed, the village suffered losses, and Sakumo was shunned.
Eventually, under the crushing weight of public scorn, he took his own life.
According to Hiruzen's understanding of the Will of Fire, a true Konoha ninja should be willing to sacrifice themselves for the village's prosperity.
The needs of the many outweigh the few.
But Kakashi's message—cherish your comrades above all—was in direct contrast to that belief.
Hiruzen wanted to argue.
He wanted to challenge Kakashi's words and defend his own ideology.
But seeing even the usually stern Tobirama nodding in agreement...
He could only awkwardly laugh.
---
"Ah, yes, yes… Kakashi is indeed one of our finest Jōnin!"
---
As the scene came to a close, the future of Team 7 looked brighter than ever.
Three Genin had learned their first real lesson—not just about strength, but about what it truly meant to be a shinobi.
And their leader, Hatake Kakashi…
Had already proven he would teach them more than just ninjutsu.
He would teach them the meaning of loyalty, camaraderie, and the strength that comes from standing together.
---
End of Chapter 21.