A New Path

The morning sun bathed the village in a golden hue as Team 7 stood by the training grounds, waiting—again—for Kakashi. The man was late, as always.

Naruto groaned dramatically, flopping onto the ground with a huff. "Why do we even bother showing up on time anymore? At this point, I think Kakashi-sensei just sits around reading his book for an extra hour before showing up."

"You mean two hours," Harry corrected, crossing his arms. "I bet he’s watching us from somewhere, laughing."

Sakura sighed, already resigned to their teacher’s terrible punctuality, while Sasuke just gave a noncommittal grunt.

Before anyone could say anything else, a voice suddenly cut through the air. "Ah-ha! I found you, boss!"

Naruto barely had time to turn before something small barreled into him, clinging to his side like a stubborn tree frog.

"Konohamaru?" Naruto blinked in surprise, then smirked as he looked down at the younger boy. "Eh, you still wearing those goggles, huh?"

Konohamaru beamed up at him, adjusting the oversized goggles that sat snugly on his forehead—the same pair Naruto had once worn religiously before earning his headband. "Of course! I gotta match my idol, dattebayo!"

Harry let out a low chuckle at that. "Looks like you’ve got a fanboy, Naruto."

Before Naruto could respond, Konohamaru’s head whipped around to face Harry with sparkling eyes. "And you! Boss number two! You're just as cool as Boss Naruto! You both took down a whole terrorist group! That’s so awesome!"

Sakura blinked at that, then turned a slow, deadpan stare toward Naruto and Harry. "...Do you guys have a fan club?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, looking oddly proud, while Harry just let out an amused snort.

Sasuke, on the other hand, visibly stiffened at her words. His eyes darkened slightly as an involuntary shudder ran down his spine, and a memory surfaced unbidden—dozens of girls in the Academy forming "Sasuke Appreciation Groups," following him around like a pack of wolves, writing him creepy love letters, and watching him train from behind trees.

He grimaced. "Tch. Don’t even joke about that."

Sakura gave him a curious glance but didn’t press further, while Naruto cackled. "Man, you should’ve seen his face just now! What happened, Sasuke? Bad memories?"

Sasuke shot him a withering glare that very much said, "Shut up."

Meanwhile, Konohamaru had stars in his eyes as he looked between Naruto and Harry. "Boss Naruto, Boss Harry! Teach me something cool! I wanna be as strong as you guys one day!"

Naruto smirked, putting a hand on his hip. "Well, kid, if you wanna be strong, you gotta—"

Before he could finish, a familiar puff of smoke appeared behind them, and an exasperated voice cut through the conversation.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Team 7 turned to see their perpetually late sensei standing there, looking utterly unamused as he took in the sight of Naruto striking a ‘cool guy’ pose for Konohamaru.

Kakashi let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple. "I leave you all alone for five minutes, and you’re already recruiting mini-Narutos."

"Technically," Harry pointed out, "he was already like this before we got here."

"That doesn’t make it any better," Kakashi muttered before waving a hand. "Alright, enough playing around. We’ve got things to discuss."

Konohamaru pouted but quickly saluted. "I’ll see you later, bosses!"

With that, he darted off, leaving Team 7 to refocus on whatever Kakashi had planned. Kakashi sighed, eyeing his team as they refocused their attention on him—well, as much as they ever did. Naruto still looked like he wanted to chase after Konohamaru and continue basking in his newfound fanboy’s admiration, but one sharp look from Kakashi kept him in place.

"Alright," Kakashi began, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Since you all have been so diligent with your training—"

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Diligent? You’ve been absent half the time."

Kakashi ignored that. "—I figured we’d start working on something crucial today: increasing your chakra reserves and stamina."

Naruto perked up instantly, grinning widely. "Pfft, easy! I already have crazy chakra reserves, being an Uzumaki and all!"

He crossed his arms, looking far too pleased with himself. His grin widened, and he took a deep breath, clearly gearing up for a long-winded brag about how he had more chakra than anyone else.

Sakura was having none of it.

SMACK!

Naruto barely had time to react before Sakura’s hand connected with the back of his head, sending him stumbling forward with a yelp.

"Ow! Sakura-chan, what was that for?!" Naruto whined, rubbing the sore spot.

Sakura huffed, crossing her arms. "Because I know you were about to start bragging."

"I was not!"

Sasuke, unimpressed, shot Naruto a look. "You absolutely were."

Harry snickered. "You had your ‘I’m about to say something obnoxious’ face on."

Naruto pouted, muttering something about no respect under his breath while Kakashi, once again, acted as though none of this nonsense was happening.

"Anyway," Kakashi continued, tone light but firm, "while it’s true that Naruto already has an enormous amount of chakra, managing it properly is another story. And the rest of you still have room for improvement."

Sakura nodded in understanding, while Sasuke remained stoic but attentive. Harry tilted his head slightly, considering the implications.

"Chakra reserves," Harry mused. "You mean like expanding how much we can use before we run out?"

"Exactly," Kakashi confirmed. "More chakra means longer endurance in battle, better control over jutsu, and an overall advantage in prolonged fights. And, of course, the bigger your reserves, the more techniques you can learn without exhausting yourself."

Naruto, now recovered from his tragic head-smacking incident, shot his teammates a cocky grin. "Guess that means I’ve already got an edge over all of you!"

Sakura lifted her hand again in warning.

Naruto flinched. "Okay, okay! No bragging! Geez."

Kakashi shook his head in amusement before continuing. "There are different ways to increase chakra reserves, but we’ll be focusing on endurance training today. That means running, sparring, and chakra-enhancing exercises to push your limits."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Sounds exhausting."

Kakashi’s visible eye crinkled. "It will be."

Naruto groaned dramatically. "Why does it always have to be running? Can’t we do something cooler?"

"You’ll appreciate it when you’re not collapsing from chakra exhaustion mid-battle," Kakashi replied smoothly.

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "It makes sense. If our bodies can handle more chakra, we’ll be able to fight longer and use stronger techniques without completely draining ourselves."

Sakura sighed but nodded as well. "I guess it is necessary. Even if running sounds awful."

Naruto groaned again. "It is awful."

Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Then it’s settled! Today, we run."

Naruto dramatically dropped to his knees. "Nooooo—"

Sakura and Harry grabbed him by the arms and hauled him back up, and with that, Team 7 set off toward their latest challenge. Kakashi led them to an open training field just outside the village, a familiar spot where they had done drills before. It was a large, grassy expanse surrounded by tall trees, with the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the ground.

"Alright," Kakashi said, stretching lazily as he addressed his students, "we’re going to start with laps around the field. Simple enough, but there’s a purpose behind it."

Naruto groaned. "Ugh, more running? Can’t we just spar or something?"

Kakashi ignored him. "As shinobi, one of the most important aspects of our combat ability is our chakra reserve. The larger your reserves, the longer you can fight and the more jutsu you can use before running out of energy. But chakra isn’t just a limitless force—it’s a product of both physical and spiritual energy. If one is lacking, your chakra output will be weak. If both are weak, your reserves will be pitiful."

Sakura nodded, already slipping into her analytical mode. "So by running, we’re strengthening our physical energy, which contributes to our chakra production?"

"Exactly," Kakashi said approvingly. "Chakra is formed by combining physical energy, which comes from the body’s stamina, and spiritual energy, which comes from experience and mental fortitude. A shinobi with strong physical energy but no discipline will burn through their reserves quickly. A shinobi with great control but a weak body won’t be able to generate much chakra at all."

Sasuke crossed his arms, eyes narrowing in thought. "And since chakra regenerates over time, increasing our stamina should, in theory, allow us to generate and hold more chakra long-term."

Kakashi nodded. "Correct. Endurance training forces the body to adapt. The more you push your limits, the more your cells adjust, allowing your chakra network to expand. The same way a weightlifter increases their muscle mass, a shinobi can increase their chakra reserves by continually pushing their body’s ability to sustain energy output."

Harry tilted his head. "So the goal here is to make our bodies more efficient at producing chakra by forcing ourselves to endure high-energy exertion for longer periods?"

Kakashi’s visible eye crinkled in approval. "Exactly. And running is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do that. You’ll be using your chakra while you run, actively reinforcing your muscles with it to increase speed and stamina. But you’ll have to balance it—too much chakra and you’ll burn out too quickly. Too little and you won’t push your reserves hard enough to expand them."

Naruto perked up. "Wait, so we’re running with chakra in our legs? Like how I do when I sprint up trees?"

"Similar concept," Kakashi said, "but this time, you’re sustaining it for longer durations instead of short bursts. It requires precision. If you use chakra inefficiently, you’ll burn through your reserves before we even finish the first set of laps. If you do it properly, your body will gradually learn to maintain a steady chakra flow over long distances, which is the key to increasing your reserves."

Sakura frowned slightly. "How will we know if we’re doing it right?"

"You’ll feel it," Kakashi answered. "Your muscles will burn, but not just from physical exertion—your chakra pathways will as well. If you’re draining too fast, you’ll get dizzy or sluggish. If you’re conserving properly, your stamina will last longer and your body will slowly adapt."

Naruto groaned again. "Ugh, fine! Let’s just get this over with."

Kakashi clapped his hands. "Good attitude, Naruto! Now, I want you all to start running at a steady pace. No chakra at first—just push your bodies naturally."

Sasuke, Sakura, Harry, and Naruto lined up at the starting point and took off, keeping a moderate speed as they began circling the field.

At first, it was easy. Their bodies were well-trained, and normal running wasn’t much of a challenge for any of them. But as the laps continued, their breathing grew heavier, and their muscles started to ache. Kakashi watched carefully from the sidelines, occasionally calling out instructions.

"Keep your breathing steady! In through your nose, out through your mouth!"

"Don’t slouch, Naruto—keep your posture straight or you’ll waste energy!"

"Harry, watch your footing—stay light on your steps!"

After several grueling laps, Kakashi finally gave them the next step.

"Alright, now start incorporating chakra into your legs. Slowly, don’t flood it in all at once!"

The difference was immediate. As Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Harry allowed chakra to flow into their legs, they felt an instant boost in speed and lightness. But as they continued running, they quickly realized the challenge—balancing the chakra flow while maintaining their endurance.

Sakura, with her natural precision, was the first to adjust. She controlled her output carefully, reinforcing her muscles without overexerting herself. She focused on efficiency, letting just enough chakra flow to enhance her speed while keeping her breathing steady.

Sasuke followed next, instinctively adjusting his flow as he analyzed his own movement. His control wasn’t as refined as Sakura’s, but his Uchiha heritage gave him a natural affinity for chakra manipulation.

Harry, still growing accustomed to the way chakra functioned alongside his magic, experimented with different amounts of output. He quickly learned that too much chakra made his steps erratic, forcing him to adjust to a more gradual release.

Naruto, of course, immediately dumped an excessive amount of chakra into his legs.

"Whoa—AHHH!" Naruto yelped as he shot forward, overshooting the track and tumbling into the grass.

Kakashi sighed. "Too much chakra, Naruto."

Naruto sat up, shaking grass out of his hair. "Ugh! Why can’t I just go full speed from the start?!"

"Because the goal isn’t speed," Kakashi reminded him. "It’s control. If you don’t learn to regulate your chakra, you’ll burn out too quickly in a real fight."

Naruto grumbled but got back up, this time being more careful as he resumed running.

As the training continued, they began to notice a change. Their bodies, while exhausted, were adjusting. Their chakra control was becoming more refined, and their stamina was increasing. The repetitive strain was forcing their networks to expand, their reserves growing bit by bit.

By the time Kakashi finally called for them to stop, all four of them collapsed onto the grass, drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

"Good work," Kakashi said, amused by their exhausted states. "We’ll do this again tomorrow."

Naruto groaned into the dirt. "I hate running."

Sakura, too tired to scold him, simply flopped onto her back.

Harry, despite the exhaustion, grinned. "At least we’re getting stronger."

Sasuke, staring up at the sky, gave a tired smirk. "Hn. We’ll crush the Chunin Exams at this rate."

Kakashi chuckled. "That depends on how much effort you put in. But for now, rest. You’ll need it."

As Team 7 lay on the grass, exhausted but satisfied, they all knew one thing for certain—this training was going to push them to their limits.

And they welcomed the challenge. After a short break from their laps, Team 7 barely had time to catch their breath before Kakashi clapped his hands together.

"Alright, time for the next phase of training—pushups," he announced, watching with amusement as Naruto let out an exaggerated groan.

"Ugh, more exercise?!" Naruto whined, still sprawled out on the grass.

Kakashi sighed. "Yes, more exercise. But this isn't just about muscle strength—this is about endurance. Stamina. Your ability to keep fighting even when your body screams for rest."

Sakura, though just as exhausted, propped herself up. "And this helps with our chakra reserves, too?"

"Exactly," Kakashi confirmed. "Just like running strengthens your cardiovascular system and increases your body's ability to sustain prolonged energy output, pushups train muscular endurance and reinforce the energy pathways within your body that produce chakra. The more you train your muscles to endure stress, the more efficient your body becomes at generating and storing chakra."

Sasuke gave a nod of understanding. "So, in other words, muscle endurance directly affects how much chakra we can use before we hit our limit?"

Kakashi’s visible eye curved in approval. "That’s right. Chakra is formed by the fusion of physical and spiritual energy, but without a strong physical foundation, your body won’t be able to keep up with the chakra expenditure. If your muscles fatigue too quickly, your chakra output will suffer. Building endurance allows you to maintain higher chakra levels for longer without exhausting yourself too fast."

Naruto blinked. "Wait, so if I just keep doing pushups forever, my chakra reserves will be huge?"

Kakashi chuckled. "Not quite. There’s a limit to how much physical conditioning can increase your chakra reserves. You still need to develop your spiritual energy—through experience, mental discipline, and battle awareness. But the stronger your body, the more chakra you can generate before fatigue sets in."

Sakura nodded, piecing it together. "And since chakra is constantly being used when we fight, the longer we can sustain our stamina, the longer we can stay in combat without collapsing."

"Exactly," Kakashi said. "So, get into position."

Groaning but complying, Team 7 positioned themselves on the ground, arms braced, backs straight, and legs extended.

"Start slow," Kakashi instructed. "If you rush and burn through your energy too quickly, you won’t get the full benefits. Controlled movement builds endurance."

With that, they began.

The first few pushups were easy—simple, repetitive motions that engaged their shoulders, chest, arms, and core. But as they continued, the strain quickly became evident.

"Keep your form tight," Kakashi reminded them. "Back straight, elbows at a forty-five-degree angle. If your form breaks down, you waste energy and reduce efficiency."

Sasuke maintained a steady pace, focusing on controlled movements. His arms trembled slightly as fatigue began creeping in, but he grit his teeth and pushed through.

Sakura, though physically weaker than the boys, compensated with precise movements, keeping her core engaged to reduce unnecessary strain on her arms. Her control helped her last longer than she expected.

Harry, adjusting to how chakra flowed through his body alongside his physical effort, found a rhythm. He let his muscles take the strain first before subtly reinforcing them with chakra when necessary—just enough to keep himself from collapsing, but not so much that he wasted energy.

Naruto, naturally more resilient due to his Uzumaki lineage, was doing well—until he decided to add more chakra than necessary.

"Ha! I bet I can do these way faster with chakra!" Naruto smirked, pouring energy into his arms.

Bad idea.

The sudden burst of strength made his arms lock up, throwing off his balance. With a yelp, he lost control and faceplanted straight into the dirt.

Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, what did I just say about control?"

Naruto spit out a mouthful of grass. "…Something about not wasting energy?"

"Exactly," Kakashi deadpanned.

Sasuke rolled his eyes but kept going, sweat forming on his brow as the burn in his muscles deepened. "So how does this help with chakra reserves specifically?"

"Muscle endurance training increases the body's ability to store and process energy," Kakashi explained. “Your muscles are filled with capillaries and mitochondria, which are responsible for producing and distributing energy throughout the body. By strengthening these systems, your body adapts by expanding its ability to store and release energy more efficiently. This directly translates to increased chakra reserves and a stronger chakra network."

Sakura's arms shook slightly, but she kept pushing through. "So… shinobi with higher endurance… have more efficient chakra flow?"

"Yes," Kakashi confirmed. "And that efficiency determines how long you can last in battle. It’s why veteran Shinobi can fight for hours without collapsing. Their bodies are conditioned to handle prolonged energy exertion."

Naruto groaned but kept going, adjusting his pace. "This better be worth it."

"Oh, it will be," Kakashi said, checking his stopwatch. "You’ve got twenty more minutes."

"TWENTY?!"

"Better get to it," Kakashi said cheerfully, pulling out his book.

And so, Team 7 continued their pushups, the lactic acid burn in their muscles reminding them of the path they had chosen. Though painful, they knew—if they wanted to be stronger, they had to push past their limits. After what felt like an eternity of pushups, Kakashi finally took pity on his suffering students. He clapped his hands together, signaling a pause.

"Alright, that’s enough for now. Take a break—hydrate, stretch, and eat something light," he said casually, as if they hadn’t just been suffering under his watch.

Naruto flopped onto his back, arms sprawled out as he heaved for breath. "Finally! I thought you were gonna make us do pushups forever!"

Sasuke, though winded, simply rolled his shoulders and sat back on his heels, catching his breath in silence. Sakura stretched out her arms, massaging the soreness in her triceps before sitting cross-legged on the grass. Harry, though still adjusting to shinobi endurance training, shook out his limbs and took deep, steady breaths to slow his heart rate.

From seemingly nowhere, Kakashi pulled out a small basket of sliced fruit and set it down in the middle of the group, along with bottles of cool water. "Eat up. You need to replenish your energy after that."

Naruto perked up instantly. "Oh-ho! Now we’re talking!" He wasted no time grabbing a slice of watermelon and taking a huge bite, juice dripping down his chin.

Sakura huffed, but grabbed a few pieces of apple for herself, nibbling thoughtfully. "I didn’t realize how much chakra and stamina are connected. It makes sense why endurance training is so important."

Harry grabbed an orange slice and nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I always thought chakra was more about control and technique, but it’s really about the whole body working together."

Kakashi gave them an approving look. "Exactly. It doesn’t matter how much chakra you have if your body can’t handle the strain. That’s why even the most powerful shinobi keep up their physical conditioning. Strength and endurance ensure you don’t burn out in the middle of battle."

Sasuke, still chewing on a piece of melon, glanced at Kakashi. "So what about you?"

Kakashi blinked. "What about me?"

Sasuke smirked slightly. "You’re always reading that book. When do you train?"

Kakashi's visible eye curved in amusement. "Oh? Are you implying I’m not in shape?"

Sasuke didn’t say anything, but the skeptical look he gave said plenty.

Naruto, suddenly inspired, grinned mischievously. "Ohhh, I’d love to see Kakashi-sensei do pushups! Bet he can’t even do fifty!"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that a challenge?"

Naruto wiggled his brows. "Maybe."

Without a word, Kakashi set his book down, calmly got into a pushup position, and—before anyone could blink—began moving at an absurdly fast pace. His arms blurred, and within mere seconds, he had done a hundred pushups effortlessly.

Team 7 just stared.

Sakura's jaw nearly dropped. "H-how—"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "That was inhuman."

Harry let out a low whistle. "Alright. I stand corrected."

Naruto’s eye twitched. "Cheater," he muttered under his breath.

Kakashi dusted off his hands, retrieving his book as he stood. "Lesson learned?"

Naruto pouted but begrudgingly nodded. "Yeah, yeah."

Kakashi took a leisurely sip of water, looking at his team with a satisfied expression. "Good. Now finish your break. We’ve got more training ahead."

Groans erupted from all four of them, but despite their complaints, they couldn’t deny that today’s training, while brutal, was actually… fun.

Even Sasuke, who rarely let his emotions show, found himself enjoying the casual banter.

For now, they were just a group of kids—laughing, training, and growing stronger together.

And for a moment, everything felt just right.

After their short break, Team 7 reluctantly got back to their feet as Kakashi stretched lazily, cracking his neck with an audible pop. "Alright, time for the next part of our training," he said cheerfully. "We’re going to do a little sparring."

Immediately, the four genin exchanged wary glances. Sparring with Kakashi was never just ‘a little’ sparring. The last time they fought him seriously, he had buried Naruto up to his neck in dirt, kicked Sasuke into a tree, and had somehow avoided all of Harry’s attacks without even looking up from his book.

Naruto groaned. "Come on, Kakashi-sensei! Can’t we spar against each other instead?"

Kakashi’s visible eye curved in amusement. "What’s the matter? Afraid?"

"Not afraid," Naruto grumbled. "Just don’t wanna get my butt kicked today."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "He is rough during spars."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I don’t know if I’m in the mood to get thrown into a tree today."

Sakura, who had never been subjected to Kakashi’s more brutal sparring style, frowned. "He’s not that bad."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Harry turned to her with the same deadpan expression.

"That’s because you’re his favorite," Naruto muttered.

Kakashi, still pretending innocence, casually flipped a page in his book. "Now, now. Let’s not make accusations."

"It's not an accusation if it's true," Sasuke muttered under his breath.

"Alright, alright!" Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "How are we deciding who goes first?"

Naruto immediately grinned, holding out a fist. "Rock, paper, scissors, obviously."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, but when Harry held out his own fist in agreement, he sighed and did the same.

Sakura shrugged. "Fine by me."

The four of them crouched into a circle, eyes serious as they prepared.

"Alright. Best of one," Naruto announced. "No take-backs!"

"On three," Harry added. "One… two…"

"THREE!"

Four hands shot out.

Naruto had rock.

Sasuke had scissors.

Sakura had rock.

Harry had rock.

Sasuke blinked. Then scowled.

"Damn it."

Naruto whooped, pumping his fist. "Yes! Not me!"

Harry let out a relieved sigh. "Same here."

Sakura patted Sasuke on the back with mock sympathy. "Good luck, Sasuke."

Sasuke exhaled sharply, then stood up, rolling his shoulders. "Fine." His dark eyes turned toward Kakashi, sharp and determined. "Let’s get this over with."

Kakashi snapped his book shut, slipping it into his pouch. "Oh? That’s the spirit."

With a lazy motion, he gestured for Sasuke to step forward. "Come at me whenever you're ready."

Sasuke didn't hesitate. He darted forward, eyes locked onto his target, already planning his next five moves.

The spar had begun.

Sasuke lunged forward, his Sharingan spinning to life, crimson eyes locking onto Kakashi’s every movement. Unlike before, when he had struggled to keep up, his two-tomoe Sharingan now allowed him to see more—anticipate more. He could track the subtle shifts in Kakashi’s stance, the slight tensing of muscles before an attack.

But knowing what was coming and reacting in time were two different things.

Kakashi sidestepped at the last second, barely shifting his weight, making Sasuke’s punch graze nothing but air. Before Sasuke could correct his footing, Kakashi retaliated, sweeping his leg out in a low kick.

Sasuke saw it. He knew he should dodge.

But Kakashi was fast.

Sasuke barely managed to jump, avoiding a direct hit, but the aftershock of the force sent him stumbling slightly. He corrected quickly, flipping midair and landing smoothly.

Kakashi tilted his head, unimpressed. "That all?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t even touched Kakashi yet.

He exhaled sharply, fingers forming seals in a blur. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The massive sphere of flames roared toward Kakashi, heat waves distorting the air. But Kakashi remained unshaken. At the last second, he copied Sasuke’s hand seals with one hand and breathed out an equally large fireball, canceling Sasuke’s attack in an explosion of steam and smoke.

Sasuke moved the second the flames met, dashing through the haze, hoping to catch Kakashi off guard. His Sharingan could see through the obstruction, giving him a clear view of Kakashi’s form—just as Kakashi raised a single hand seal.

Sasuke skidded to a stop. A genjutsu?

A moment too late.

Kakashi’s form flickered—then a sharp impact slammed into Sasuke’s gut. He coughed, winded, as Kakashi somehow appeared behind him, sweeping his feet out from under him.

Sasuke twisted mid-fall, catching himself on his hands before flipping back onto his feet. His eyes burned with frustration but also excitement.

Kakashi hadn’t pulled his punches. Good.

Sasuke took a breath and focused. His Sharingan spun faster, processing Kakashi’s movements at a higher level.

Then, Kakashi moved.

I can see him now.

Sasuke’s body reacted faster, mimicking Kakashi’s stance. He blocked a strike, dodged a second, and when Kakashi sent a high kick toward his ribs—Sasuke copied it, mirroring the exact move. Their legs met mid-air, the force of the clash sending both of them back a few steps.

Kakashi blinked. Ah. So he’s reached this level already.

"Not bad," Kakashi admitted, watching as Sasuke caught his breath. "You're using your Sharingan more efficiently now. It’s still not at full power, but…" He tilted his head. "You’re learning."

Sasuke smirked slightly despite himself. He had actually kept up this time.

But Kakashi wasn’t done.

In the blink of an eye, the jōnin vanished.

Sasuke tensed. Where—?!

A sudden presence behind him.

He spun, kunai drawn, just as Kakashi’s own blade pressed against his throat.

Sasuke froze.

The match was over.

"You're improving," Kakashi said lightly, withdrawing his kunai. "But you still rely too much on what your eyes see. Don’t just react. Predict. Control the battle yourself, not the other way around."

Sasuke clenched his fists but nodded.

His Sharingan was powerful, but it wasn’t enough—not yet.

Kakashi patted his head, much to Sasuke’s irritation. "Good job, though. You’ve grown a lot."

Sasuke looked away, scowling—but there was the faintest hint of pride in his eyes.

"Alright," Kakashi turned to the others, who had been watching intently. "Who's next?"

Naruto and Harry immediately pointed at each other.

Sakura just smiled innocently.

Kakashi sighed.

This was going to take a while.

The tension in the air was lighthearted but charged as Team 7 gathered for another game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Naruto, eyes sharp and determined, focused intently on his two teammates, knowing full well he couldn't afford another loss.

"Alright," he declared, stretching out his fingers. "I won’t be next, dattebayo!"

Sakura and Harry exchanged knowing glances, while Sasuke simply sighed.

“Rock, paper, scissors!”

Naruto threw scissors.

Sakura threw rock.

Harry threw rock.

Naruto gaped.

Sakura smirked smugly and Harry grinned.

"What?!" Naruto barked, pointing accusingly. "That was too fast! You guys cheated, I swear!"

Sakura bonked him on the head. “Quit whining. You lost. Get in there already.”

Groaning dramatically, Naruto trudged forward, glaring at Kakashi as the jōnin lazily lifted his book. “Oi, old man! I know you’re getting rough with me since I’m the hardest to take down!”

Kakashi turned a page. "Oh? I thought you liked a challenge, Naruto."

Naruto’s eye twitched. “Tch. Fine! But don’t expect this to be easy for you either.”

Kakashi lowered his book just slightly, his single eye watching as Naruto pulled out a three-pronged kunai—the Hiraishin kunai. He twirled it between his fingers before gripping it tightly.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Kakashi said.

Naruto smirked.

And vanished in a burst of speed.

Kakashi barely had a moment to react before Naruto was everywhere.

The boy’s use of shadow clones had always been unpredictable, but this time, Kakashi could tell there was more purpose behind it. Instead of mindlessly charging in, each clone moved with a specific intent—herding, flanking, and setting up.

Kunai clashed against kunai as Kakashi fended off a direct attack from the real Naruto, only for a clone behind him to slam a sealing tag onto the ground. A barrier seal?

Kakashi flickered out of range before it could activate, but more clones were already moving, scattering across the field—some preparing more seals, others using themselves as decoys.

Naruto had become smarter. No longer was he just brute-forcing his way through fights. He was thinking several steps ahead, using his clones as extensions of his mind rather than just extra bodies to throw at an opponent.

Still, Kakashi was far from impressed.

The jōnin dashed forward, dispatching clones with ruthless efficiency. His movements were precise, sharp—each blow knocking a clone away before they could trigger whatever seals they had planted.

But the real Naruto had disappeared.

Kakashi’s senses flared. Behind me—!

He spun just in time to see Naruto—his real self—already mid-strike.

His Hiraishin kunai was aimed directly at Kakashi’s ribs.

Smart. He used his clones as a distraction while he positioned himself for a decisive strike.

Unfortunately for Naruto—Kakashi was still Kakashi.

At the very last moment, the jōnin twisted, dodging the kunai by a hair’s breadth. He grabbed Naruto’s wrist, intent on throwing him off balance—

Only for Naruto to twist with the motion, using Kakashi’s grip to propel himself upward, flipping over Kakashi’s head. In mid-air, he flung his kunai—not at Kakashi, but at one of the seals his clones had placed earlier, triggering the jutsu.

The moment the kunai made contact, the seal on the ground flared to life, and Kakashi’s feet froze.

Kai—!

Before he could dispel it, Naruto was already coming down at him—his Hirashin Kunai aiming for Kakashi.

Kakashi had to make a decision fast.

With pure strength, he ripped his foot free from the seal’s temporary paralysis, pivoting to avoid the direct hit. But Naruto adjusted—twisting his wrist to graze Kakashi’s vest with the hirashin kunai, sending him skidding back a few meters.

When the dust settled, Kakashi placed a hand on his vest, feeling the light burn where Naruto’s kunai had barely connected.

Not a direct hit. But enough to prove his point.

Naruto grinned, panting slightly. “Heh… told ya, Kakashi-sensei.”

Kakashi straightened, brushing himself off. He observed Naruto for a long moment before sighing.

"You’ve gotten stronger, Naruto," he admitted. "Your use of seals is still basic, but strategic. You’re not just making clones for the sake of numbers—you’re actually using them effectively.”

Naruto’s grin widened.

Kakashi continued, “Your Hiraishin kunai—while you can’t use it the way your father did, you’ve adapted it to suit your fighting style. A solid approach. But…”

Naruto tensed.

“You hesitate at the last second,” Kakashi pointed out. “That hesitation cost you a clean hit.”

Naruto blinked, processing that.

Kakashi softened slightly. “Still. I’m impressed.”

Naruto blinked again—before breaking into a proud, toothy grin. “Heh, well… what can I say? I am awesome.”

As the tension from Naruto’s match settled, Team 7 instinctively prepared for another round of rock-paper-scissors to determine who would face Kakashi next. Or at least, that’s what Harry thought would happen—until Kakashi shattered that expectation with a single, casual word.

"Harry."

Harry blinked. "Huh?"

Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his one visible eye curved in amusement. "You're up."

Harry’s jaw nearly hit the floor. "Wait—what?! I didn’t even get to play rock-paper-scissors!"

Sakura, who had been very ready to throw down for her rightful turn, simply smirked. "Guess that means I win by default."

Naruto, rubbing his bruised ribs, let out a wheezing laugh. "Face it, Harry. Kakashi-sensei totally plays favorites."

Harry groaned, rubbing his face in exasperation. This just proves that Sakura is Kakashi’s favorite.

Kakashi clapped his hands together once, ignoring their antics. "Less complaining. More sparring."

Reluctantly, Harry stepped forward, shaking off his frustration as he drew his katana from its sheath. The polished blade gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting his sharp green eyes as he took his stance. He exhaled slowly, steadying his mind. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a test. Kakashi wanted to see how much he had grown.

Unlike Naruto or Sasuke, Harry didn’t have raw brute strength or the predictive abilities of the Sharingan. But what he did have was speed, instinct, and the ability to fight in ways most shinobi wouldn’t expect. He had spent weeks refining his movements, learning how to move like a bird of prey—light, fast, and lethal.

Kakashi gave no warning before he moved.

Harry reacted instantly, bringing up his katana to block as Kakashi’s kunai slashed toward him. Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. But Harry didn’t just defend—he countered, twisting his body and slashing at Kakashi’s side. Kakashi leaped back, but Harry was already in pursuit, his feet barely touching the ground as he maneuvered unpredictably, much like a falcon weaving through the sky.

Kakashi narrowed his eye. He’s faster.

Harry suddenly shifted his grip, flipping his katana and thrusting forward, the air around the blade crackling with energy.

Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!

Lightning coursed through his blade, extending the cutting power of the katana. Kakashi barely dodged in time, feeling the static charge prickle against his skin as the electrified steel sliced through the air.

Harry wasn’t done.

He twisted mid-motion, bringing his katana down in a fierce arc. The raw speed and precision of the strike made it difficult for Kakashi to counter without taking a hit. Instead of blocking directly, Kakashi threw a kunai laced with chakra at Harry’s feet.

The moment it landed—

BOOM!

A burst of chakra-infused wind exploded outward, forcing Harry off-balance. Kakashi closed the distance in an instant, his own kunai flashing toward Harry’s exposed side.

But Harry didn’t panic.

Instead, he pivoted.

His footwork was sharp—birdlike—as he twisted mid-air, his katana swinging in a fast, curved motion, nearly catching Kakashi’s wrist. Kakashi barely managed to pull back, his eye gleaming with subtle approval.

Harry landed lightly, exhaling through his nose. No hesitation. No overthinking. Just instinct.

Kakashi let a small smile slip. "You’re not hesitating as much anymore."

Harry scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Well, considering hesitation almost got me killed last time, I figured I’d start fixing that."

Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the truth behind his words. "Good." Then, his stance shifted. "But you still need to push yourself further."

In a blur, Kakashi vanished.

Harry’s instincts flared—he twisted, raising his katana just in time to block Kakashi’s next attack. But the sheer force sent vibrations through his arms, and he gritted his teeth.

The real fight had just begun.

Harry’s arms tensed as Kakashi’s kunai pressed against his katana, sparks flying between them. The sheer strength behind Kakashi’s strike forced him to skid back slightly, his feet digging into the dirt. But instead of resisting the force, Harry used it—flowed with it.

He suddenly let his stance loosen, allowing Kakashi’s pressure to push him back further than expected. In that split second of false retreat, Harry twisted his grip and redirected the force of his katana in a sharp, slicing arc aimed at Kakashi’s exposed side.

Kakashi barely tilted his head back, dodging by a hair’s breadth. He’s adapting.

The silver-haired jonin vanished again, and Harry’s eyes darted around, scanning for the slightest movement. Above!

He rolled to the side just as Kakashi came down in a blur, kunai stabbing into the earth where he had been standing. Before Kakashi could recover, Harry was already retaliating—his katana crackling as he channeled lightning chakra once more.

He surged forward, his movements sharp, precise. With his katana infused with Lightning Release: Chakra Flow, each strike carried a dangerous edge, forcing Kakashi to take him seriously.

He’s not just swinging wildly. He’s striking with purpose.

Kakashi moved fluidly, evading with minimal effort, but Harry wasn’t giving him any breathing room. His blade whistled through the air, each slash coming faster than the last, his footwork light and unpredictable—like a hawk circling its prey.

Kakashi ducked under a horizontal slash and retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at Harry’s midsection. Harry twisted at the last second, absorbing the impact and rolling with it instead of fighting against it. He landed on his feet, but he didn’t stay still—he launched forward, feinting a downward slash before suddenly switching to a thrust aimed directly at Kakashi’s center mass.

Kakashi dodged—but not fast enough.

A single strand of his silver hair was severed, floating to the ground.

Harry smirked. "Gotcha."

Kakashi’s eye curved in amusement. "Not bad."

And then—he vanished again.

Harry barely had time to react before he felt the pressure of a kunai at his throat from behind. Kakashi had moved too fast.

"You’re good," Kakashi murmured, standing behind him, "but not good enough."

Harry clenched his jaw. His breathing was slightly heavy, his muscles burning from exertion, but there was something in his stance—something different from before. He wasn’t frustrated like he would have been in the past. He wasn’t doubting himself.

He was just focused.

And that was exactly what Kakashi had wanted to see.

With a hum of approval, Kakashi stepped back, lowering his kunai. "You’re improving."

Harry sheathed his katana, exhaling deeply. "Yeah, well. Can’t stay weak forever."

Kakashi chuckled. "No, you can’t."

Harry gave him a look. "So… I didn’t lose as badly as last time, right?"

Kakashi shrugged. "I’d say you survived longer. That’s something."

Harry groaned. "That’s not a compliment."

Kakashi merely ruffled his hair, much to Harry’s annoyance. "You’re getting there."

As Harry walked back to the others, rolling his sore shoulders, Naruto whistled. "Damn, that was intense."

Sasuke gave a short nod, his sharp eyes analyzing every move Harry had made. "You didn’t hesitate. That’s good."

Sakura crossed her arms. "Kakashi-sensei was still holding back."

Harry sighed, flopping down on the ground. "Obviously."

Kakashi turned to his last student, his eye crinkling. "Well, Sakura, you’re the last one."

Sakura smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Finally."

Harry groaned. "Oh great. Kakashi’s favorite is up now."

Kakashi tilted his head. "Am I that obvious?"

Naruto and Harry both deadpanned at him.

Sakura just smirked. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

Sakura rolled her shoulders, stretching her arms as she stepped into the sparring area. Unlike the others, she wasn’t nervous—she had been waiting for this. She cracked her knuckles, watching as Kakashi took a relaxed stance across from her. His posture was deceptively casual, but she knew better. He’s always watching. Always analyzing.

Fine. She could play that game too.

Kakashi gestured lazily. "Whenever you’re ready."

Sakura didn’t waste a second.

In a blur of movement, she surged forward, chakra already flowing through her legs to enhance her speed. She knew she wasn’t naturally as fast as Sasuke or as unrelenting as Naruto, so she compensated—with precision.

Kakashi sidestepped just as she expected, and she used that instant to pivot on her heel, twisting her entire body into a strike aimed at his ribs. Her fist, reinforced with chakra, whistled through the air with terrifying force.

Kakashi barely dodged. Instead of taking the full brunt of her enhanced punch, he twisted his body to lessen the impact, using her own momentum to push himself away. But Sakura didn’t let up—she was already on him again, closing the distance before he could fully regain his footing.

Kakashi raised his kunai to block, but Sakura didn’t fall for it. Feint. Instead of going for the expected direct strike, she dropped low at the last second, sweeping her leg out in a sharp, precise arc.

Kakashi leaped over it effortlessly. But the moment he landed, she was already moving again.

A feint, a jab, a quick step to the left—she was studying him, mirroring the way he moved, adjusting her attacks as she went.

Kakashi noticed immediately. She’s not just throwing punches—she’s calculating. Copying. It was different from the way Sasuke had copied him, there was a natural talent that Sakura had, a gift that made her able to analyze someone without the use of a dojutsu.

Sakura had always been observant, but this was different. This wasn’t just her noticing things—this was her using them. Every small movement Kakashi made, every shift in weight, every slight twitch of his muscles—she was committing it to memory, tweaking her movements to counter him before he could fully react.

But Kakashi was Kakashi. And he was fast.

One second, she was pressing forward, forcing him on the defensive. The next—

He was behind her.

Sakura’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t let herself panic. Instead—

Her eyes narrowed sharply, as if she’d expected him to do that.

Without looking, she twisted, slamming her chakra-enhanced fist into the ground. The earth exploded, debris flying in every direction.

Kakashi had to jump to avoid the shockwave.

And that was all the time she needed.

Sakura didn’t hesitate—she launched herself at him midair. And in that split second, she locked eyes with him.

Kakashi’s vision blurred.

A genjutsu.

It was simple—just a flicker of movement, a shadow shifting in the wrong direction, making him think she was still below him when she was already coming from above. But for half a second, it worked.

And in battle, half a second was everything.

She was already swinging her leg down, aiming a brutal axe kick at his exposed side—

But Kakashi was still Kakashi.

In the blink of an eye, he broke the illusion with a quick pulse of chakra, twisting his body midair to narrowly avoid her strike. She barely had time to react before his hand snatched her wrist—

And then she was the one hitting the ground.

Hard.

She gasped, but before Kakashi could fully pin her down, she rolled, breaking out of his grip and flipping to her feet in one fluid motion. Her breathing was heavier now, but her green eyes were alight with sharp focus, her fists still tight, her stance still steady.

Kakashi watched her for a moment.

Then, to her surprise—

He chuckled. "You’re dangerous."

Sakura grinned, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "Took you this long to figure that out?"

Kakashi shook his head, amused. "You’re not the strongest. You’re not the fastest. But you think. And that makes you very dangerous."

Sakura huffed. "Damn right."

Kakashi hummed, tilting his head. "That basic genjutsu trick of yours—smart, but predictable once I caught on."

Sakura rolled her shoulders. "It was worth a shot."

Kakashi’s eye crinkled. "It almost worked. That’s the scary part."

Sakura’s smirk widened. Almost wasn’t good enough. But it meant she was on the right path.

She exhaled, lowering her fists. "So, did I pass?"

Kakashi gave her an unimpressed look. "This wasn’t a test."

Sakura repeated herself, more slowly this time. "Did I pass ?"

Kakashi sighed. "Yes, Sakura. You passed."

She grinned. "Knew it."

From the sidelines, Naruto snickered. "Look at her, getting all cocky."

Harry smirked. "I mean, if I was Kakashi’s favorite, I’d be cocky too."

Sasuke crossed his arms, nodding approvingly at Sakura’s performance but stayed silent.

Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Alright. That’s enough for today."

Naruto groaned in relief, flopping onto the ground. "Finally!"

Kakashi ignored him. "Tomorrow, we’ll focus on refining your chakra control even more. The Chunin Exams aren’t just about fighting. They’re about endurance, strategy, and skill. So don’t get comfortable."

Naruto groaned again. "You’re the worst, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi hummed. "I try."

Sakura, despite the soreness creeping into her muscles, only smiled. She was getting stronger. And she wasn’t stopping now.

As Team 7 made their way off the training field, their bodies sore but their spirits high, Naruto suddenly perked up with an idea.

"Hey," he said, slinging his arms behind his head, "since the Chunin Exams are coming up, we should probably get some new weapons, yeah?"

Sasuke gave him a side glance, skeptical. "We already have kunais and shurikens."

"Yeah, but like, custom weapons," Naruto emphasized, grinning. "The best of the best. On me."

Sakura blinked. "Wait, what?"

Naruto puffed his chest out, clearly proud. "I've got the money for it. Uncle Hayato left me a nice inheritance—plus, I haven’t really spent much of it."

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "You just want an excuse to spend money, don’t you?"

"Hey, we already have good weapons," Naruto shot back, gesturing between himself and Harry. "My Hiraishin kunai are plenty, and you've got your fancy lightning katana or whatever."

Harry snorted. "Lightning katana? That's what we're calling it now?"

Naruto waved him off. "Point is, Sakura and Sasuke should get some cool weapons too. It’s only fair!"

Sakura frowned slightly, considering the offer. "I mean… I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have something new. But Naruto, are you sure? Custom weapons aren’t cheap."

"Cheh, don’t worry about it! If it helps us win the Chunin Exams, it's worth it," Naruto said confidently. Then he smirked, elbowing Sasuke. "You in, Teme?"

Sasuke hesitated. On one hand, he didn't like accepting things from others, especially something expensive. But on the other hand, Naruto did have a point. The Chunin Exams weren’t just about basic skills—better equipment could mean the difference between winning and losing.

"...Fine," he muttered. "But nothing excessive."

Naruto grinned triumphantly. "Alright, awesome! We’ll go tomorrow and get you guys the best weapons money can buy!"

Sakura sighed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You’re really something, you know that?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Naruto said, waving her off. "C'mon, let’s go home."

As the four of them walked through the village, the setting sun casting golden hues over Konoha, there was a lightness in the air—a sense of camaraderie. Even with the looming pressure of the Chunin Exams, they were facing it together.

And with that, Naruto's impromptu gift felt less like a simple act of generosity—

And more like a promise.