Naruto Uzumaki naturally wasn't foolish enough to get up early for the next day's meeting.
Having fully grasped Kakashi's personality, if he fell in the same place twice, he wouldn't be stupid—he'd be an idiot.
After leaving, Naruto also gave Hinata a heads-up. The two of them didn't arrive until ten o'clock, by which time Sasuke had already been waiting miserably at the training ground for several hours.
When Sasuke saw Naruto and Hinata appear, his eyes nearly burst into flames. "Naruto, you knew all along, didn't you?"
Naruto blinked at him, looking utterly innocent. "What are you talking about, Sasuke? I have no idea."
Sasuke clenched his fists in secret, but after weighing the difference in their strength, he decisively chose to let it go.
Just wait until I'm stronger than you.
Sasuke thought bitterly.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait much longer. Kakashi appeared in the square and gave an awkward chuckle. "Sorry, I got lost on the road of life and ended up late."
Who are you trying to fool?! Sasuke grumbled inwardly. Even if you're making an excuse, at least make it believable.
Kakashi clearly had no intention of caring what they thought. He simply said, "All right, the test can begin. Anyone who fails won't get lunch today."
As he spoke, he took two bells from his pocket. Their crisp ringing echoed through the field. After giving a brief explanation, he solemnly threatened that they might be sent back to the Ninja Academy to start over, leaving quite a shadow in Sasuke's heart.
As for Naruto, he yawned toward the sky and watched the white clouds drifting overhead, feeling utterly helpless.
He'd be damned if he believed Kakashi's nonsense. Besides, let alone a bell-grabbing test, even an actual combat mission above S-rank would pose no