Survival Exercise II

"What should we do, Sasuke?" Sakura asked. Naruto looked over when he heard her.

Sasuke stood up and said, "Let's go. Today is the day Team 7 was formed, so it's on me. Let's get some barbecue." Without waiting for them, he headed straight for the Barbecue Restaurant.

"Hey, Sasuke, what are you thinking?" Naruto caught up from behind, with Sakura following as well. "I'm not thinking anything. Let's go eat barbecue. I'm starving right now, so I should fill my stomach with meat as soon as possible." He couldn't say anything here. They could talk once they reached the restaurant. What if Kakashi was listening in?

Kakashi had no intention of eavesdropping. He wanted to assess his students, so he had already arrived at the Third Hokage's office. The Jonin had to report their initial impressions of their students to the Hokage, then report again after tomorrow's test. Those who passed would officially become Genin. Although Konoha's ninjas had grown up in a peaceful environment, that did not mean they were incapable. The Ninja Academy's system was highly refined: children with potential were selected into teams and handed over to high-ranking ninja for evaluation, then grew through countless missions under their captain's leadership. Naturally, wartime was an exception.

"Third Hokage." After entering the Hokage's office, Kakashi formed a hand seal and bowed.

"Kakashi, how is Team 7? What are your impressions of them?" the Third Hokage asked as he smoked.

"Sakura Haruno cares more about Sasuke. Naruto is full of energy, but he also has serious problems. His mind is too simple. As for Sasuke, I can't see through him," Kakashi said, giving his impressions of the three.

"Mm, not bad. I can't see through Sasuke either. But I have a feeling Team 7 has the greatest potential. Perhaps the Three Legendary Sannin might appear once again. Heh heh." The Third Hokage smiled mysteriously.

Meanwhile, the trio went straight to Sasuke's Barbecue Restaurant. After entering a private room, Sasuke had the other two order.

"Sasuke, hurry up and tell us." Naruto might seem rash, but he was highly sensitive when it came to his friends, and his trust in them was absolute. He believed Sasuke had a plan.

"There's really nothing much to say. Didn't I tell you that day? The village will definitely test us again. Becoming a ninja isn't that simple. If anyone could become a ninja just by passing a Clone Technique test, then what were we doing at the academy for six years?"

"Mm, that makes sense. Just what I'd expect from Sasuke." Sakura once again looked at Sasuke with hearts in her eyes.

"Keep going," Naruto urged anxiously. He did not want to go back to the academy. That life was far too dull, and only by becoming a ninja could he take another step toward his dream.

"It's actually simple. You can tell from the team assignments. Only three teams in our class have what it takes to become Genin. There's no need to mention Team 7. With me, the genius top student, we're obviously incredibly strong." Sasuke burst into laughter.

"Hey, Sasuke, you should say it's because I'm Naruto, the man who'll become Hokage," Naruto argued indignantly.

"Fine, you're amazing. Then there are Team 8 and Team 10. Those two teams are both made up of children from ninja clans, aren't they? Haven't you heard of the famous Ino-Shika-Cho? Hinata from the Hyuga Clan, Kiba from the Inuzuka Clan, and Shino from the Aburame Clan—Teams 8 and 10 are practically gatherings of famous clans. If they can't become Genin, that would be a huge problem."

"Wow, Sasuke, you know so much. I don't know any of that," Naruto said blankly. Sakura did know what was special about those people, but she had never thought too deeply about it. She came from an ordinary family.

"Sasuke, then what about our team? I come from an ordinary family," Sakura asked.

"There's no need to mention me. Everyone in the village knows about the Uchiha. Sakura, your theory scores are excellent, and your Chakra control is the best. You could develop into a medical ninja. I heard Lady Tsunade, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, is the greatest medical ninja. If you can become her disciple, your future achievements will be limitless."

"Do you really think so?" Sakura was delighted. For some reason, Naruto was not particularly eager to pursue Sakura—or rather, he did not seem to have any such thoughts at all. It was strange. Sasuke had never figured it out over the years. Had the things that were supposed to happen between them not happened because of his arrival?

"Of course. Now, Naruto. I think you should already know what makes you special. The three of us can now be considered representatives of the common people. After all, my clan is a thing of the past. I don't know what clan Naruto comes from, but it must have had its own glory once."

"Ah, why do you think that?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Didn't you look up any information after you went home? The demon fox that attacked the village back then was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, the strongest of the tailed beasts. Its Chakra is said to be limitless. But now it has been sealed, and it was sealed inside your body. Tailed beasts are incredibly powerful beings. An ordinary person's body simply could not contain that enormous amount of Chakra."

"Sasuke, there's something I've always wanted to ask you." Naruto suddenly lowered his head. Sasuke was startled. Why had Naruto suddenly become so serious? "What is it?" Sasuke asked curiously.

"Since you know so much, why aren't you afraid? After all, there's a monster living inside my body." Naruto lifted his head, his expression utterly serious. It was rare to see that look on him.

"Heh heh, why should I be afraid? Do you know what sealing is? Generally speaking, something is sealed because it cannot be destroyed, so it can only be restrained with a Sealing Technique. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was so powerful that the village had no way to destroy it, so they could only seal it. But where could they seal it? An ordinary person's body could not contain that enormous Chakra, yet they chose you. You saved the village. You should be a hero." Sasuke looked at Naruto and spoke seriously.

"Is that so? Then why does everyone look at me like that?" Naruto's mood sank.

"You'll have to ask the Third Hokage about that. After all, many things from the past aren't recorded in books. I can't guess what the village higher-ups were thinking. But I don't think that matters. You're a man who wants to become Hokage, so you must make everyone in the village acknowledge and respect you. You have to make outstanding contributions. If you're afraid of even this little difficulty, then forget about becoming Hokage."

"That's right, I'm the man who'll become Hokage. I fear no difficulty! I'm hungry, hurry up and bring the food! I'm going to fill my stomach, and tomorrow I'll definitely become a real ninja!" Naruto started shouting again, his energy fully restored.