Morning sunlight spilled over Konoha's Training Ground, and the dampness of dew still lingered in the air. Kakashi Hatake leaned against a thick tree trunk, his silver hair stirred by the breeze, the Sharingan beneath his forehead protector calmly watching the three genin before him, each wearing a different expression. Uzumaki Naruto had his hands behind his head, muttering in obvious resentment, clearly still brooding over his failure in the bell exercise just now. Second Pillar stood off to the side with his arms crossed, his gaze cold, his whole body giving off an aura that kept others at a distance. Haruno Sakura clenched her fists tightly, pink hair hanging at both sides of her cheeks, her eyes filled with both nervousness and admiration for Sasuke.
"I'll say it again. You three don't understand the true essence of being ninja at all." Kakashi's voice was lazy, yet carried an unquestionable seriousness. "In the world of ninja, the team Bond always takes priority over the individual. Just now, all you thought about was stealing the bell. You completely ignored each other's existence. With an attitude like that, you don't deserve to become ninja at all."
Naruto suddenly raised his head, his blue eyes beneath his blond hair full of stubbornness. "But isn't being a ninja about getting stronger? I just want to prove I'm stronger than Sasuke, stronger than everyone! I'm definitely going to become Hokage and make the whole village acknowledge me!"
"Childish." Sasuke coldly spat out the word, his tone full of disdain. "Only weaklings spend all day shouting slogans. Truly strong people speak with their strength."
"What did you say?!" Naruto instantly bristled and was about to rush up and argue with Sasuke, only to be stopped by Sakura's sharp shout.
"Naruto, calm down!" Sakura frowned. "Now isn't