Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Death

Sasuke had to struggle for a while before breaking free. By then, he was utterly furious, and without saying a word, he began searching everywhere for Naruto.

Sasuke arrived at the park by the woods and happened to run into Sakura. With a dark expression, he asked, "Do you know where Naruto is?"

But Sakura threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around Sasuke, catching him off guard for a moment.

Sakura savored this wonderful moment, wishing it could last forever. So this was what Sasuke's embrace felt like—so warm, so intoxicating.

"Huh?" Sakura heard some strange noises. Odd gurgling sounds seemed to be coming from Sasuke's stomach. Since she was pressed against him, she could hear them especially clearly.

Sasuke's entire face turned red. His stomach felt terribly uncomfortable, and he desperately needed to use the restroom.

Sasuke shoved Sakura away and sprinted off without looking back. He rushed into the nearest restroom and had a violent bout of diarrhea.

Ten minutes later, Sasuke emerged from the restroom, only for another strange sensation to strike his stomach. He hurried back inside, and Sasuke's furious roar rang out from the restroom: "Naru--to--!"

On a rooftop not far away, Naruto watched it all with a grin and gave a thumbs-up. "Even handsome guys get diarrhea."

The next day, Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the Ninja Academy classroom early. Sakura kept clinging to Sasuke's side, while Sasuke wore a disgusted expression. He found Sakura far too noisy; she would not let him have a moment of peace.

"Morning, you two. A lone guy and girl alone in a classroom—didn't do anything, did you?" Naruto said as he entered the classroom.

"Naruto! You left yesterday's briefing early." Sakura yelled at Naruto, but inwardly she thought, If you'd come any later, something might have happened between Sasuke and me... Naruto, hurry up and leave...

"Naruto--" Sasuke stood up, killing intent radiating from his entire body. He glared at Naruto with terrifying eyes. "What was that thing you made me drink yesterday?"

"Relax." Naruto replied calmly, "Yesterday's briefing was about putting the three of us into Team 7, led by Jonin Kakashi Hatake. I already knew that."

"How did you know?" Sakura froze.

"Sasuke." Naruto said confidently, "Kakashi-sensei will enter the classroom shortly. Do you believe I can catch him off guard? If I manage to ambush Jonin Kakashi-sensei, our grudge will be settled once and for all."

"Hah?" Sasuke snorted coldly. "You, the dead last, want to ambush a Jonin? That's utterly idiotic."

"Just watch. A Jonin isn't all that impressive." Naruto picked up a blackboard eraser and wedged it above the classroom door. The moment Kakashi pushed the door open to enter, it would fall and hit him on the head.

"Hmph." Sasuke said disdainfully, "How could a Jonin possibly fall for such a crude trap?"

At that moment, Kakashi poked his head through the gap in the door and glanced into the classroom. Then he pushed the door open. The blackboard eraser fell and struck him squarely on the head.

"What?!" Sasuke was stunned. He was beginning to wonder whether this Jonin before him was a fake.

"Ha ha ha ha..." Naruto laughed nonstop, as though he had done something truly remarkable.

"Sorry, Sensei, it was all Naruto's fault. I tried to stop him..." Sakura put on an innocent expression, while inwardly thinking, This is great!

Kakashi said coldly, "You three are very annoying."

"Since you've annoyed me, I've decided to send you back to the Ninja Academy." Kakashi's words were shocking.

Sasuke and Sakura were both stunned. Naruto alone remained unusually calm.

Kakashi said, "Meet at the small forest early tomorrow morning. No one is allowed to eat breakfast. Anyone who disobeys will return to the Ninja Academy for retraining. Dismissed for today."

Early the next morning, Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the small forest. Neither had eaten breakfast. They waited for a long time before Naruto finally showed up late.

"Naruto, you're too late." Sakura complained. "You're not going to make us return to the Ninja Academy, are you? I don't want to go back to school."

"Don't worry, don't worry." Naruto burped loudly. "It's no big deal."

"What?!" Seeing Naruto burp, Sasuke cried out, "Didn't Kakashi-sensei tell us not to eat breakfast?"

"Not only did I eat breakfast, I ate too much." Naruto said. "But you have to keep it secret for me. Don't let Sensei find out."

Sasuke looked deeply worried. He feared Naruto would hold them back. If Naruto got him dragged back to the Ninja Academy for retraining, it would be unbearably unfair.

Sasuke said, "Just don't drag me down."

At last, Kakashi appeared, saying apologetically, "Sorry, everyone. I'm late."

"You're way too late!" Sasuke and Sakura shouted in unison.

"Getting to the point, today's lesson is a survival exercise. This is no ordinary exercise." Kakashi said seriously, "I have two bells on me. Only those who obtain a bell will be considered to have passed the test. In other words, at least one of you three will have to return to the Ninja Academy for retraining. It's even possible that all three of you will go back together."

"Use every means at your disposal. You may use shuriken. In short, take these two bells from me." Kakashi displayed the two bells in his hand. "The time limit is noon. Anyone who fails to take a bell before noon will be punished by going without food and watching me eat."

"Do you understand?" Kakashi said. "Then begin!"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura scattered in different directions, each finding a concealed place to hide.

Naruto did not dare move. He reached down and touched his butt, thinking, Too terrifying. If I go out now, I'll definitely get hit by Kakashi's ultimate technique, Thousand Years of Death. I'd rather fight the Third Hokage one-on-one than face Kakashi alone...

Second by second, time passed. None of the three dared to launch the first attack. Kakashi stood still where he was, so bored that he pulled a book from his waist pouch and began reading.

Kakashi thought, They're all quite patient. They haven't made a move even after all this time. Naruto especially has surprised me. I never expected him to hide so convincingly, like a real ninja.

Kakashi urged them, "It'll be noon soon. If you don't come take the bells now, all three of you will have to return to school."

Two shuriken sliced through the air. Kakashi effortlessly caught them between two fingers. Sasuke was the first to attack, leaping down from a tree and chopping downward from midair at Kakashi's head.

Kakashi simply stepped back, dodging Sasuke's attack. Sasuke threw a rapid series of punches at Kakashi's face and ribs.

Kakashi continued reading, not even giving Sasuke a proper glance. With one hand alone, he neutralized all of Sasuke's attacks.

At that moment, a kunai flew toward them, aimed directly at Sasuke. Sasuke was startled and quickly flipped through the air to evade it.

The suddenly appearing kunai disrupted Sasuke and forced him to change position. His back now faced Kakashi, whose hands formed the Tiger hand seal.

Sakura shouted in shock, "Sasuke! Get out of the way! He's going to use ninjutsu—you'll die!"

Sasuke was alarmed inwardly. What?! This... I don't have time to dodge now...

"Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique--Thousand Years of Death!" Kakashi said casually.