Exercise Begins

The next day, Kakashi woke up early as usual.

The sky had not yet fully brightened.

Kakashi was already standing in the center of Training Ground 3.

It was quiet all around, with only the occasional rustle of leaves from the cold morning breeze.

Kakashi looked around, his expression unreadable.

Even though it was long past the originally scheduled 5 AM meeting time, he didn't seem surprised or angry that the three members of Team 7 hadn't arrived.

The next second, Kakashi's figure appeared silently before the memorial stone not far away.

The stone was covered with names, each representing a hero who sacrificed for Konoha.

Kakashi's gaze finally settled on the name "Obito Uchiha."

Kakashi stood there quietly, as if simply standing there day after day could somehow make up for the… regrets he had caused.

Finally, as dawn broke, Kakashi heard Sasuke and Sakura arriving one after another, and only then did he turn and leave.

At precisely 10 AM, Kakashi appeared at Training Ground 3.

Sasuke and Sakura had arrived a little earlier and were waiting for Kakashi, their expressions anxious.

After all, the time mentioned earlier was 5 AM, and it was now five hours late.

But it seemed Naruto was right.

Teacher Kakashi really hadn't shown up.

As for Naruto…

He arrived right on time, at exactly 10 AM, at the entrance to the training ground.

He even greeted Kakashi with a smile.

Kakashi stared at Naruto and asked with a slightly serious tone, "Naruto, why are you late?"

"Sorry, Teacher Kakashi, I got lost on the road of life, I really got lost!"

Naruto replied with a sincere expression, not even blinking.

Kakashi froze for a moment, his expression under the mask struggling to remain composed. "Wait, this line sounds so familiar… No, this is my line!"

He couldn't help but inwardly complain, Did he even find out about this line?

Naruto really has some skill, and his intel network is quite impressive.

Afterward, Kakashi shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it.

He walked to the center of the training ground with Naruto and took out an alarm clock from his pocket.

"Let's set the time to 12 PM," Kakashi said, placing the alarm clock on a wooden stake. He then jingled two small golden bells in his other hand. "Today's exercise is to snatch these two bells from me. The two who get the bells will pass the test."

Sakura instinctively asked, "But there are three of us and only two bells. What happens to the one who doesn't get one?"

Kakashi deliberately put on a sinister expression. "So, the one who doesn't get a bell will be tied to that stake over there, forced to watch the other two eat lunch, and then… be held back at the Ninja Academy!"

"..."

Sasuke and Sakura were speechless.

Sasuke's inner thought: It was indeed right to listen to Naruto. If I hadn't eaten breakfast, wouldn't I be in an even worse situation now?

Sakura's inner thought: Naruto guessed correctly twice in a row, but… Teacher Kakashi is really too much!

"Hey, hey, this rule is pretty brutal!"

Seeing their disdainful looks, Kakashi thought for a moment and added, "You won't be able to get the bells unless you have the determination to kill me."

Hearing this, Sasuke and Sakura's expressions became slightly more serious.

However, Naruto's expression remained as indifferent as ever.

I really hope he's still like this at the end.

"Alright, the exercise begins!"

With Kakashi's command.

Sasuke and Sakura immediately darted into the surrounding bushes.

Their movements were clean and swift.

They were indeed excellent students from the Ninja Academy.

Kakashi nodded with satisfaction. "Hmm, well hidden. It seems your basic stealth skills from the Ninja Academy are pretty good…"

But Kakashi looked around and suddenly realized Naruto hadn't moved at all. He was still standing there, looking like he had no intention of moving.

"Are you always this brave?" Kakashi asked, slightly bewildered.

Naruto smiled slightly and said, "Teacher Kakashi, remember what I said yesterday? I'm going to give you a surprise."

Kakashi's face was expressionless. "The surprise is that you've forgotten the basic survival rules taught at the Ninja Academy?"

"No," Naruto shook his head, his tone relaxed yet confident. "The surprise is that I'll snatch the bells from your hands cleanly and graduate with Sasuke and Sakura."

"Oh? Is that so? But there are only two bells. Someone among you is destined to fail and repeat the year."

Kakashi responded indifferently, but inwardly, he was dismissive.

He admitted Naruto might have some skill; dealing with Mizuki was indeed not simple, but that was all.

In Kakashi's opinion, Naruto's current confidence stemmed purely from a bit of talent and a lack of experience in the harsh ninja world.

He simply didn't understand the vast difference between himself and Mizuki.

"There's a way for all of us to pass, and..." Naruto suddenly asked, "Teacher Kakashi, aren't you going to read 'Icha Icha Paradise' anymore?"

"I was just about to. I'm really looking forward to the next part of the story."

As Kakashi spoke, he actually pulled a certain adult novel from his pocket.

While flipping through it, he thought, This kid has only met me a few times, and he's already figured out my reading habits.

His observation skills are pretty good...

But I still need to teach you a harsh lesson.

Just as Kakashi lowered his head to carefully read the contents of the book.

Naruto suddenly moved.

He was as fast as the wind, closing in on Kakashi almost instantly!

His fist shot straight towards the bells on Kakashi's waist.

Kakashi's heart leaped in surprise, and he quickly raised his hand to block.

"Bang!"

A soft sound, and Kakashi was sent staggering back several steps by the punch, the book in his hand falling to the ground.

Kakashi barely managed to steady himself, his eyes finally serious. "That last attack... was that speed really that fast?"

"Teacher Kakashi, do you believe me now? And I wasn't even using my full strength."

Naruto, however, still looked relaxed.

"Not using your full strength?!"

Kakashi almost lost his composure. That attack just now was definitely at the Jonin level. And you're telling me you weren't using your full strength?

Hiding in the bushes, Sasuke's pupils contracted, and he was deeply shocked. Is this Naruto's true strength? It's like night and day compared to when he fought me. So that's it, the gap between you and me is actually this big...

Sakura went even further, covering her mouth, her green eyes wide. "Naruto's this strong? No, Teacher Kakashi must be too weak, right? I remember when we were at the Academy, Sasuke-kun could fight Naruto to a standstill... Could Sasuke-kun and Teacher Kakashi be on a similar level?"

After much thought, Kakashi sighed and finally put away his underestimation of Naruto. "It seems I can't hold back against you anymore."

However, Kakashi still had no intention of using his Sharingan. If I have to use the Sharingan against a Genin who just graduated from the Ninja Academy, what will happen to my reputation as the Copy Ninja?

Naruto took a stance, ready to attack again, and warned, "Teacher Kakashi, are you ready? I'm coming again."

"Naruto, let me give you your first lesson after graduating from the Ninja Academy. The first thing is not to be arrogant."

Kakashi's eyes were solemn, and his tone deepened.