Gift

Kakashi simply could not understand how Naruto had done it.

Eightfold Reversal, an ability that controlled magnetic fields. Within its range, it could manipulate an invisible force field.

If used in a surprise attack, it could even directly destroy a person's internal organs.

As a jonin, Kakashi was very confident in his own strength, and his gaze could not help shifting to Naruto.

"It should have been this kid. He's the only one here with that kind of strength."

"Alright, gather on the rooftop."

With that, Kakashi vanished.

The three of them were all stunned. Even Naruto was somewhat surprised. Although he knew this was Kakashi's personality, seeing it for real still caught him off guard.

"Did Teacher Naruto get angry?"

Hinata looked worried.

"It's nothing."

Naruto did not care in the slightest.

The three made their way to the rooftop. Kakashi was already sitting there waiting, holding a little yellow book in his hand.

"Give a simple introduction of yourselves."

Kakashi raised his head.

"Teacher, you should go first."

"My name is Kakashi Hatake. I have nothing I like and nothing I dislike. Alright, next."

Kakashi said it casually, then lowered his head and continued reading.

All three of them twitched at the corners of their mouths.

It felt like they had just listened to a load of nonsense.

Other than his name, they had learned nothing.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like delicious food, I have nothing I dislike, and my dream is to surpass the Hokage."

Naruto raised his head and introduced himself calmly.

Kakashi's eyes flickered. Surpass the Hokage.

"My name is Hinata Hyuga. I like... delicious food. I have nothing I dislike, and my dream is to keep up with Naruto."

When she mentioned what she liked, Hinata glanced at Naruto and changed her words to delicious food. But if she did not even dare say her dream aloud, then she did not deserve to have one.

Finally, the three turned their eyes toward Sasuke Uchiha.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. There's nothing I like. As for what I dislike, it would be more accurate to say there are people I dislike."

As he said that, Sasuke looked at Naruto.

Naruto was baffled. He did not seem to have any grudge against him, did he?

"My dream is to revive the Uchiha Clan."

After saying that, he looked at Naruto provocatively.

Naruto was speechless. Was something wrong with this kid? Did I have a grudge against him?

"Alright, I'm not interested in whatever is going on between you. Get ready. Tomorrow..."

"Didn't we already graduate? Do we still have to play this pointless game?"

Naruto was curious. Kakashi should have known his strength, so why go through this unnecessary trouble?

"Naruto, this is a test. If you fail, I'll send you back to the Academy."

Kakashi spoke sternly.

Naruto said nothing more. Since the other man wanted to play, he would play along.

"And remember, don't eat anything. You might throw up."

Kakashi did not forget to give them that reminder before leaving.

"Boring."

Sasuke Uchiha snorted and turned to leave.

"Naruto."

Hinata was a little worried.

"Don't worry. Get some rest."

Naruto comforted her. He knew the purpose of the bell-grabbing test.

Come to think of it, this seemed to be Team 7's tradition. The Third Hokage had done it, Minato had done it, and now it was Kakashi's turn.

On the way, Naruto suddenly remembered something.

"This is for you. A graduation gift."

Naruto took a scroll from his clothes.

Hinata froze, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. It seemed she had forgotten to prepare a gift herself.

"Um, I..."

For a moment, Hinata hesitated.

"It's repayment for breakfast."

Hinata took the scroll and opened it.

"This is a summoning beast contract scroll. Sign your name on it."

Naruto explained.

"Isn't this too precious?"

The moment she heard it was for a summoning beast, Hinata was startled. In the Shinobi World, it was very difficult to obtain a powerful summoning beast. The reason Jiraiya and the other two had become so famous was also related to their summoning beasts.

"Don't worry."

Naruto did not explain further.

Seeing the look in Naruto's eyes, Hinata stopped hesitating. She bit her finger and signed her name on the scroll.

"Want to try it?"

"Mm."

By then, they had happened to reach the area near Naruto's home. There was no one around.

[Summoning Technique]

Hinata formed hand seals and slapped one palm against the ground.

A cloud of smoke rose up.

"Woof woof!"

A huge red wolf king appeared in the open space.

Having already formed the contract, the wolf king knew who its master was. It immediately ran over, its red tail wagging back and forth.

"Th-this... Naruto, where did you get such a powerful summoning beast?"

With her Byakugan, Hinata could clearly tell just how powerful this creature was.

"I got it by accident."

Naruto did not want to explain.

This wolf king was the product of Naruto's experiments. It might look foolishly adorable, but it possessed the Nine-Tails' chakra and the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan.

Hinata knew Naruto was hiding secrets from her, but a smart girl would not ask too many questions.

Hinata began bonding with the dog.

"Stupid dog, look carefully. Protect her properly, or I'll kill you."

Seeing the stupid dog's appearance, Naruto could not help giving it a kick. Perhaps due to the Nine-Tails' chakra, although it possessed immense strength, its intelligence was no different from that of an ordinary animal.

"Naruto." Hinata could not help feeling sorry for the little dog.

"Alright, alright. I won't scare him anymore."

Naruto was speechless, but he still shot the wolf a fierce glare.

The wolf king was so frightened that it hurriedly hid behind Hinata.

After seeing Hinata off, Naruto felt a little sleepy as well and prepared to rest.

Meanwhile, over at Root, Danzo learned that his Mangekyō Sharingan had disappeared again, and his eyes immediately blazed with fury.

"Damn it! What exactly is going on?"

Danzo had begun to suspect that there was a traitor within his own ranks.

But after checking and finding that everyone's Cursed Tongue-Root Seal was intact, Danzo was completely at a loss.

"Who could it be? Itachi Uchiha?"

Danzo could not help becoming suspicious. The first person he suspected was Itachi Uchiha.

The next day.

Naruto was awakened early in the morning by knocking at the door.

Naruto knew Hinata had arrived and reluctantly got out of bed.

Still in his pajamas, he went to open the door.

Sure enough, Hinata was already waiting outside.

"Naruto, why are you still not up? We have a test today. Hurry up and wash up."

As she spoke, Hinata held out the breakfast in her hand.

"Alright, Hinata, don't rush."

Naruto could not exactly tell her the truth, so he pulled her inside and guided her onto the sofa.

"Rest for a bit. Kakashi is famously always late, so there's no need to hurry."

"Really? How do you know?"

Hinata did not believe him.

"Don't worry. I know that guy."

Naruto said it casually.

Only then did Hinata feel relieved.

Naruto slowly washed up, ate breakfast, and changed into his clothes.

It was not until Hinata was starting to get anxious that Naruto finally strolled out at an unhurried pace.

"Won't we be late?"

Hinata was worried.

"Don't worry."

Naruto led Hinata to Training Ground Seven.

It was nearly noon by then. Under the blazing sun, Sasuke Uchiha sat there alone.

His mood had already hit rock bottom.

"Damn Naruto."

Never mind the squad leader—why had Naruto not shown up either?

At that moment, he even wondered if he had heard the location wrong.

Naruto finally arrived with Hinata, strolling over lazily.

"Bastard, you're late."

The veins on Sasuke's forehead throbbed.