Chapter 16: Leo Sasuke
"Kid, you really are something." Rather than getting angry at Naruto's words, Kakashi chuckled. "Looks like you'll have to return to the Ninja Academy then."
"Fine, I'll go back. I'm so strong anyway, I'll still be top of the class." Naruto said carelessly, arms tucked behind his head.
"No! He can't go back!" Sasuke bit his teeth, stepped in front of Kakashi, and held out his bell. "He can have mine!"
"No, Sasuke, you and Naruto can't go back either!" Sakura handed over the bell she'd just earned. "Kakashi-sensei, give mine to Naruto."
"Besides, I can't really help much. It's always Naruto and Sasuke who..."
"Pass. All of you pass." Kakashi suddenly interrupted.
"Eh?" Sakura froze, the bell slipping from her hand onto the grass.
Jingle!
"Pass?" Sasuke was stunned.
"Pass. All of you pass." Kakashi repeated firmly.
...
Hokage's Office.
"That's how it went, Lord Hokage." Kakashi placed three ninja files on the Third Hokage's desk.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing, eyes fixed on the topmost file—Naruto's. He took slow drags from his pipe.
After a long silence, he finally set the pipe down and asked,
"Kakashi, what's your assessment?"
"Lord Hokage, the three of them performed exceptionally well today. Among all the Genin squads I've seen, they're one of the best."
Kakashi stood before the Hokage's desk, hands behind his back, voice detached.
"Naruto seems capable of utilizing a small amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Uchiha Sasuke has mastered Fire Release and has strong chakra control. Sakura shows talent in genjutsu and medical ninjutsu."
"That's why I request additional support to accelerate Team 7's training—so they can become independent sooner."
"You're too impatient, Kakashi." The Third Hokage gently refused. "One is an Uchiha child, the other the village's jinchūriki."
"Sasuke and Naruto are vital to the village's future. Rather than rushing to make them capable alone, it's more important to foster their bond with the village."
Hearing this, Kakashi understood the Hokage's meaning and said no more.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen watched Kakashi quietly leave. Only when the door closed did he sigh softly. He turned the files over in his hand, examining them again.
Elsewhere, Naruto lay on his bed, idly twirling a bell in his hand—a replacement Kakashi had given him, as a keepsake.
The evening breeze drifted through the window, making the bell in Naruto's hand chime, harmonizing with the deeper tone of the large bell outside.
In life, no one can stand alone.
Future missions would inevitably involve Sasuke and Sakura. Bonds would form, whether he wanted them or not. He hoped they'd both grow stronger—missions would be easier that way.
But as for this village... Naruto felt no attachment to it. Being a ninja was just a job; working hard was simply to fill his stomach.
With a soft clink, Naruto set the bell on the bedside table.
Thinking too much wouldn't help. He'd just take things one step at a time. First, earn enough for food—he'd deal with the rest as it came.
With that thought, he closed his eyes.
Time passed quickly as the three continued their routine tree-climbing and water-walking training. With Naruto's chakra imbalance resolved, everything went smoothly.
They trained from dawn to dusk, losing all sense of time, occasionally interrupted by mandatory D-rank missions—standard Konoha protocol.
Genin were required to complete a set number of D-rank missions before taking on C-rank ones, like grinding experience.
D-rank missions were simple, but the pay was barely enough to scrape by. And with training increasing Naruto's appetite, money was always tight.
For these fundamentals—tree climbing, water walking—Naruto didn't rely on the system. Some basics needed to be mastered through hard work.
Thanks to the system, he already had partial Nine-Tails power, Lava Release from Four-Tails, and maxed-out fishing skills. Though he'd abandoned the Shadow Clone Technique, he wasn't worried.
That jutsu—he'd request it from the village once he was stronger. Worst case, learning a basic clone would suffice for now.
Hinata seemed to be in intensive training too; he hadn't seen her in a while. Even if he wanted to increase quest progress with her, he had no chance.
July.
Half-asleep, Naruto thought he heard knocking. Groggily opening his eyes, the knocking grew louder.
Someone really was at the door. Who'd visit this early?
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Urgent knocks pounded, followed by a girl's voice.
"Hey! Naruto, open up!"
"I knew you'd forget! You promised!"
Still bleary, Naruto shuffled to the door. Seeing who it was, he blinked in confusion.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?"
"Ugh!" Sakura was fuming. "You promised me a few days ago! I reminded you just yesterday—and you still forgot!"
"Yesterday?" Naruto genuinely had no idea. After thinking hard, he ventured, "Sasuke's birthday?"
"Mm." Sakura turned her head aside, a bit embarrassed.
"Impressive you remembered the great Sasuke's birthday." Naruto yawned.
"It's in the records!" Sakura huffed from the doorway. "Sasuke-kun's is July 23rd—Leo. Yours is October 10th—Libra."
"Oh." Naruto was surprised she knew his birthday at all, unsure how to respond.
"See? Easy to remember, right?" Sakura asked.
"So what's your birthday then?" Naruto asked.
"March 28th—Aries. Long gone already." Sakura replied. "But guys don't really care about that stuff, do they?"
"Guess not. Shouldn't have agreed in the first place." Naruto muttered. "Training's been brutal. Today's a rare day off."
"Come on, let's go. Help me pick a gift for Sasuke-kun. I can't decide alone." Sakura urged. "As thanks, I'll treat you to barbecue."
"Fine." At the mention of food, Naruto perked up enough to go change.
Team 7's training phase had wrapped up nicely; all three had done well. Kakashi had requested permission for them to take on C-rank missions, but approval would take two days.
Thus, for the first time in over a month, Team 7 had earned a two-day break. When it ended, they'd likely receive their first real mission.
By now, in the Land of Waves, the drunken bridge builder Tazuna should already be on his way to Konoha.