Team 7's Four Members' Individual Changes

"Teacher Kakashi, you... lost."

Naruto's voice was soft, yet it made everyone's expression shift slightly.

This statement left Sasuke and Sakura completely stunned, exchanging bewildered glances, their faces filled with confusion.

Everything Teacher Kakashi had just said seemed perfectly reasonable.

It had even convinced both of them internally.

The ninja world was imperfect, and its rules were cruel.

So why did Naruto suddenly declare Teacher Kakashi had lost?

Upon hearing this, Kakashi didn't get angry. Instead, his interest intensified, and he asked meaningfully, "Oh? Where did I lose?"

"Teacher Kakashi, first of all..." Naruto spoke at a steady pace, looking directly at him, "You and I are not participating in a debate competition. It's not about who convinces whom, or that victory grants you what you desire."

"I'm merely questioning whether the rules you set are inherently unfair, causing many students who should have graduated smoothly to suffer unnecessary 'hardship' instead of effective training."

"Secondly..." Naruto's blue eyes held a maturity beyond his years, as if he could see through Kakashi's heart, "You and I both know one thing: the reason you set these regulations is because of that unforgettable past and unresolved regret in your heart."

"And the question I just posed has actually addressed the true root of your inner regret."

Naruto paused briefly, observing Kakashi's reaction.

With the accumulation of countless Reincarnations, he understood Kakashi too well.

Teacher Kakashi's inner conflict, pain, and buried kindness...

Although Kakashi appeared calm on the surface, the subtle fluctuations in his eyes did not escape Naruto's gaze.

"After my first question, you previously believed that making Genin who didn't understand teamwork repeat the year was taking responsibility for them."

"But in reality, that changes nothing. Those destined to sacrifice will still sacrifice. The only difference is whether they die because of you, or die in front of you."

"But you are not such a cold-blooded, heartless person, Teacher."

"So, your so-called 'personal standard' is more like confirming my true thoughts or 'testing' me?"

This current course of action was something that had never happened in previous Reincarnations.

Naruto wasn't sure how things would unfold next, but that didn't stop him from making this deduction based on his countless past experiences.

This conclusion was precisely what Naruto had reached through countless Reincarnations and his in-depth observation of Kakashi.

"In fact, you've already realized that by clearly emphasizing teamwork in the assessment and incorporating it into all Genin evaluations, and having all Jonin Instructors strictly enforce it, you can reduce ninja sacrifices from the root and prevent past regrets from happening again."

In a sense, Naruto was cheating.

He had experienced too many Reincarnations and had long since grasped Kakashi's true inner self.

He knew what he wanted, what he lacked, and what he truly wished to do.

Therefore, every word Naruto spoke struck Kakashi's deepest vulnerabilities with pinpoint accuracy.

This was why Naruto had said at the beginning, "Teacher Kakashi, you lost."

After listening to Naruto's words, Sasuke and Sakura fell into a long silence, their hearts deeply shaken.

Kakashi also stood frozen, seemingly about to say something...

But Naruto didn't give him the chance.

"Finally..."

Before Naruto could even finish speaking, his body suddenly moved, charging towards Kakashi with a sudden burst.

This time, his speed was several times faster than what he had displayed during their earlier fight.

This was the true, near-limit strength Naruto could unleash with his current, not-yet-fully-developed body.

Even Kakashi, without using his Sharingan, couldn't react.

Kakashi only saw a blur before his eyes, and Naruto was already upon him.

A strong sense of crisis instantly flooded Kakashi's mind.

So fast?

Wasn't Naruto using his full power just now?

Kakashi had no time to think. His body instinctively counter-attacked.

But Naruto, as if possessing precognition, easily neutralized Kakashi's every subsequent move.

Seconds later, Naruto delivered a powerful kick, sending Kakashi crashing heavily to the ground.

Immediately after, Naruto pinned Kakashi's arms firmly with his knees, and a cold kunai was held at the opponent's throat by his right hand.

"Finally, to follow up on some previous issues, I'd like to add something else," Naruto's calm voice came from above Kakashi's head. "Teacher Kakashi, you're right. The ninja world is cruel. Enemies won't give up killing or their ideals just because I talk my way out of it."

"But the same applies to those Genin who were already at a graduation level."

"As 'Genin' deemed qualified in all aspects by the academy, they should have been prepared to sacrifice on the battlefield long ago, rather than you unilaterally deeming them 'unqualified' and making them drop out."

"And then they graduate successfully under another Jonin Instructor with the same abilities, only to sacrifice..."

"The same applies to me."

"Why do I have to convince the enemy? Even if I have to convince them, why don't I beat them down first? By then, even if I say something nonsensical, won't they still have to obediently surrender?"

"Just like we are now."

After speaking, Naruto put away his kunai, slowly stood up, and looked down at Kakashi, who was still half-lying on the ground with an expression of disbelief.

Sunlight streamed from behind Naruto.

"Teacher Kakashi, perhaps you can make a proposal to the Third Hokage."

"Just as Lady Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, once proposed that a medical ninja must be assigned to a four-person team for long-term behind-enemy-lines operations, thereby greatly reducing the casualties of Konoha ninja during missions. You should completely change Konoha's Genin selection and team assessment system."

"Konoha needs reform. Starting with this unforgettable survival exercise is also a good decision."

Kakashi stared blankly at Naruto.

Time was approaching noon, and the dazzling sunlight fell from behind Naruto.

Kakashi looked up, only able to see a figure shrouded in light, whose face was almost indistinguishable.

In that moment...

Kakashi seemed to see the real Yellow Flash.

Even in a moment of daze, he mistook the golden-haired youth before him for his former teacher.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

No...

Perhaps Naruto was even more dazzling than Teacher Minato.

Kakashi thought to himself involuntarily.

After this survival exercise, the inner hearts of the four members of Team 7 had undergone profound changes.

Sakura would no longer think of Naruto as the dead last who only foolishly doted on her.

Sasuke had completely determined that only Naruto could truly make him stronger.

As for this newly acquainted Jonin Instructor?

Irrelevant.

And Kakashi finally understood the true meaning behind Naruto's words.

Yes...

He shouldn't have been constantly immersed in the shadows of the past.

It was time to step out and look forward.

For example, just as Naruto said.

Propose a reform plan to the Third Hokage, fundamentally preventing the tragedies of the past from happening again, instead of deliberately making things difficult for the newly graduated Genin from the position of Jonin Instructor.

Meanwhile, Naruto became even clearer that Sasuke was right.

Not the current Sasuke.

But the Sasuke from the first life, during the Second Battle of the Valley of the End, who told him, "This ninja world needs reform."

In the countless previous Reincarnations, why would a new cycle begin every time Konoha year 68 arrived?

It was precisely because all the changes Naruto had made before, including preventing wars, altering major events, and even resurrecting the dead, were merely superficial changes that never touched the deepest, most corrupt systems of this ninja world.

And in this Reincarnation, Naruto intended to fundamentally change the entire ninja world, making those old, heartless systems a thing of the past.

Perhaps even then, it would not break the cycle of infinite Reincarnation.

But at least...

The actions taken in this Reincarnation were based on Orochimaru's suggestions, re-examining and rethinking countless past details.

Even if he ultimately fell into the next Reincarnation.

Naruto would have no regrets.