Chapter 9
The classroom was abuzz with chatter as the newly formed teams sat together, waiting for their assigned senseis to arrive. Naruto was sitting between Yona and Sasuke, practically vibrating with excitement. He leaned over, eyeing the clock on the wall.
“Man, what’s taking our sensei so long?” Naruto grumbled, his foot tapping impatiently.
Yona rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh. “Honestly, you’d think a Jonin would know how to be on time.” She glanced at Sasuke, who was leaning back in his chair, looking as disinterested as ever.
Sasuke shrugged. “Maybe he’s just trying to make an entrance,” he muttered, trying to mask his own curiosity.
Suddenly, Naruto’s face lit up with a mischievous idea. “Hey, guys! What if we play a prank on him? You know, as payback for being so late!”
Yona tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “What kind of prank are you thinking of?”
Naruto grinned and pulled out a chalkboard eraser. “Let’s put this on top of the door. When he walks in, it’ll fall right on his head!” He looked at them expectantly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. “That’s childish,” he said, though he made no move to stop him. "And there is no way it would work on a ninja of his calibre."
Yona raised an eyebrow but decided to go along with it. “Fine, if it’ll make you happy, Naruto. But I’m not taking the blame when he gets mad.”
Naruto carefully wedged the eraser on top of the door, then scrambled back to his seat, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. They sat in tense silence, staring at the door, waiting for their sensei to appear.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door slid open. A silver-haired man with a mask covering the lower half of his face stepped in, looking completely nonchalant. The eraser slipped and fell, landing with a soft thud on his head.
There was a pause, and then Kakashi reached up, plucking the eraser from his head. He examined it with a bored look before turning his gaze to the three of them.
“My first impression of you…” he said in a deadpan voice, “…you’re all idiots.”
Naruto tried to hold back his laughter, looking between Sasuke and Yona. Yona couldn’t help the slight chuckle that escaped her, and even Sasuke smirked a bit.
Kakashi looked at them for a moment longer before gesturing for them to follow. “Let’s go. We’ll talk on the roof.”
The trio followed him up, filing onto the rooftop and taking their seats. Kakashi leaned against the railing, arms crossed, as he eyed them with a lazy look.
“All right,” he began, “let’s start with introductions. Tell me about yourselves, what you like, what you hate, your dreams for the future, and your hobbies.”
Naruto blinked, tilting his head. “Uh… Why don’t you go first, sensei?”
Kakashi gave them a lazy stare. “Me? My name is Kakashi Hatake. I have no intention of telling you my likes or dislikes. Dreams for the future… hmm. And as for my hobbies… I have lots of hobbies.”
Naruto looked dumbfounded. “All we learned was his name…”
Yona snickered. “Guess he’s not big on sharing.”
Kakashi pointed at Naruto. “You go first.”
Naruto grinned widely, eager to make a good impression. “I’m Naruto Uzumaki! I like instant ramen, especially the kind at Ichiraku Ramen! But what I like even more is when Iruka-sensei treats me to it. And what I hate is the three minutes I have to wait for it to cook!” He clenched his fist, eyes full of determination. “My dream is to become the greatest Hokage, so the whole village will stop disrespecting me and treat me like somebody important!”
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, nodding slightly. “Interesting.”
He turned to Yona, who looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking up. “My name is Yona Senju. I like training, learning new jutsu, and spending time with friends,” she said, glancing at her teammates. “I’m not too fond of people who judge others without knowing them. As for my dream…” Her gaze sharpened with determination. “I want to honor my clan’s legacy and prove myself as a strong shinobi.”
Kakashi hummed, nodding in approval before turning his attention to Sasuke.
Sasuke leaned back, his gaze fixed on the sky. “My name is Sasuke Uchiha. There are plenty of things I dislike, but not much I like. And I don’t have a dream…” His expression darkened, a cold intensity in his voice. “I have an ambition. To revive my clan and to… kill a certain someone.”
Naruto glanced at Sasuke, his brow furrowing in confusion. Yona looked at him with a quiet understanding, knowing just how much weight his words carried.
Kakashi took a moment, observing each of them with a neutral expression. “All right,” he said slowly, “you each have your quirks, that’s for sure. Tomorrow, we’ll start our first training exercise.”
Naruto’s eyes sparkled. “A training exercise? Awesome! What kind of training?”
Kakashi’s eye crinkled into what could only be a smile. “It’s a survival exercise.”
Naruto blinked, looking puzzled. “But we’ve done plenty of those at the academy.”
Kakashi chuckled, his tone almost menacing. “Oh, this won’t be anything like those. Out of the 27 graduates, only nine will actually become genin. The other 18 will be sent back to the academy.”
Naruto’s face fell, his expression turning into one of horror. “Wait, so we could still fail?”
Kakashi’s voice was calm but firm. “That’s right. So, be prepared. Meet me at the training ground tomorrow at five in the morning. And… don’t eat breakfast.”
Naruto raised a fist, determined. “I’ll be there, sensei! And I’m going to pass, believe it!”
As they stood to leave, Yona couldn’t help but exchange a look with Sasuke. Despite her confidence, she felt the weight of Kakashi’s challenge. But something about it also thrilled her—the unknown, the test of their skills.
“See you tomorrow,” Kakashi said, disappearing in a swirl of leaves, leaving the trio standing together on the rooftop, sharing a quiet moment of anticipation.
Naruto clenched his fists, his face set with determination. “We’re going to pass, guys! Team 7 is going to make it, no matter what!”
Yona smiled, nodding. “That’s the spirit, Naruto.”
Sasuke smirked, feeling a flicker of excitement despite himself. “We’ll see who holds us back.” He shot a challenging look at Naruto, who scowled back at him.
They descended from the rooftop together, already feeling the bond of their team forming as they braced for whatever challenges lay ahead.
--
Kakashi strolled into the dimly lit bar, the faint hum of conversation and clinking of glasses greeting him as he entered. As he made his way to the back, he spotted Asuma, Kurenai, and Gai already seated, sharing a laugh. As soon as they saw him, their eyes lit up with knowing grins.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the legendary Copy Ninja himself,” Asuma smirked, raising his glass. “Finally here to fail another set of hopeful genin, huh?”
Kakashi slumped into the seat across from them, sighing exaggeratedly. “Must you all be so pessimistic? They haven’t even started yet.”
Kurenai chuckled, her red eyes gleaming with amusement. “It’s hard to stay optimistic, Kakashi, when you have a track record as… shall we say, selective as yours.”
Gai, ever enthusiastic, leaned forward, practically vibrating with energy. “Kakashi, my eternal rival! Do you truly plan to put another team through your grueling, soul-crushing test of spirit?” He clenched his fist, eyes blazing. “Or is this the year you’ll finally yield to the springtime of youth?”
Kakashi gave him a sideways glance. “I appreciate your optimism, Gai, but they’re just kids.”
Asuma grinned, lighting up a cigarette. “Kids who’ll probably be sent right back to the Academy like all the others. So who’s the unlucky trio this time?”
Kakashi leaned back, hands casually resting behind his head. “Team 7. Uzumaki, Uchiha, and Senju.”
There was a pause as the names registered with each of them, and then Kurenai raised an eyebrow. “Wait—Naruto, Sasuke, and… Yona Senju? You got all three of them?”
Asuma let out a low whistle. “They really pulled out all the stops for you this time, huh? An Uchiha, the Nine-Tails, and a Senju all in one team? The Hokage must really hate you.”
Kakashi shrugged, his voice calm as usual. “Or he trusts me.”
Kurenai chuckled. “A team like that… it sounds almost impossible. Those are three very different personalities.”
Gai slapped a hand down on the table, grinning brightly. “Impossible? Ha! There’s no such thing as impossible for a team with the power of youth on their side!” He gave Kakashi a challenging look. “But they will need discipline. The discipline of a true shinobi!”
“Right, because your squad’s such a model of discipline,” Asuma muttered, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Gai pounded a fist to his chest. “Lee’s enthusiasm is an inspiration! He trains harder than anyone else!”
Kakashi shook his head, unable to resist a smile. “So, Kurenai, you’ve got Shino, Kiba, and Hinata, right? How do you think they’ll do?”
Kurenai sighed, brushing her hair back. “I think they’ll do well, but it’s going to be a lot of work. Shino is logical and dependable, but Kiba can be… a bit reckless. Hinata is skilled, but she needs confidence.” She glanced at Kakashi with a smirk. “But at least I don’t have to deal with the Nine-Tails container or the last Uchiha.”
Asuma leaned forward, his tone amused but with a hint of concern. “Seriously, Kakashi. Three of the most high-profile genin? That’s a lot to juggle. You’re really planning to put them through that infamous bell test of yours?”
Kakashi gave him a lazy, nonchalant nod. “Of course. If they’re going to be on my team, they have to show they’re ready. It’s a lot of responsibility, being a genin.”
Gai slapped his hand on the table, nearly spilling Asuma’s drink. “Yes! The bell test! A test of true fortitude and teamwork! Kakashi, you are a genius of motivation!” He paused, his eyes narrowing in realization. “But wait… haven’t you failed every team with that test?”
Asuma smirked. “I think he has. I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to see how long he can avoid actually having a team.”
Kakashi sighed, looking mildly exasperated. “I’m not that bad.”
Kurenai raised an eyebrow. “What happened to that group a few years back? The one with the kunoichi who cried?”
Kakashi waved a hand dismissively. “She was emotionally unprepared.”
“Or the one where the kid tried to hit you with a kunai, because he thought the test was too harsh?” Asuma grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
“He had anger management issues,” Kakashi replied calmly.
Asuma shook his head, laughing. “You really do like failing them. Admit it. It’s almost a hobby for you.”
Kakashi leaned back with a slight shrug. “I’m not failing them for fun. I’m just… selective.”
“Selective?” Gai said, incredulous. “If you were any more selective, you’d be the Hokage’s personal secretary.”
Kakashi chuckled lightly, watching his friends’ expressions. “We’ll see. This team… they might surprise you.”
Asuma raised his glass in mock salute. “Well, good luck, then. With three hot-headed kids like that, you’ll need it.”
Kakashi gave a half-hearted wave, already tuning out their laughter. Despite their teasing, he couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, this team would be different.
--
Kakashi was running late, as usual. As he strolled through the village streets, hands tucked in his pockets, he felt the faintest pang of guilt—not enough to speed up, but enough to acknowledge that, yes, technically, he was supposed to be somewhere. But old habits died hard. Being late had become something of a signature for him, a small but steady way to keep himself just a little bit removed from others. It kept his emotions in check, built a buffer. After everything he’d lost, a little distance felt necessary.
He knew his new team would be waiting—Naruto, Sasuke, and Yona. And he knew they’d be less than pleased. Naruto especially. He could almost hear the kid’s grumbling already.
Ah, they’ll be fine, he thought, casually glancing up at the sky. A little anticipation builds character.
Still, he couldn’t deny there was something different about this particular team. They were the "problem cases" of the class—the last Senju, the last Uchiha, and the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Orphans, each one of them, with heavy pasts they barely understood yet. His presence as their teacher felt both fitting and ironic. After all, he too was an orphan, one who’d seen a lot of pain. Part of him questioned if he could really be what they needed. Another part knew that there wasn’t really a choice. He had to try.
When he finally arrived at the training ground, he spotted his team sprawled out in various states of irritation. Naruto looked the most exasperated, arms crossed and a scowl etched on his face.
“You’re late!” Naruto yelled, his voice echoing across the clearing as he pointed an accusing finger at Kakashi.
Kakashi simply scratched the back of his head, offering his usual, lazy excuse. “Ah, sorry about that. You see, I got lost on the path of life.”
Naruto’s eyes narrowed, clearly unconvinced, while Sasuke just let out an annoyed huff, and Yona raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
“That’s the best you’ve got?” Yona asked dryly, folding her arms. “I’d have expected something a bit more creative.”
Kakashi gave a small shrug, his eye crinkling in a half-smile. “I’ll try to be more original next time.” Inwardly, he couldn’t help but find their reactions amusing. Each of them was so distinct—Naruto’s open frustration, Sasuke’s quiet disdain, and Yona’s controlled, assessing gaze.
“Anyway,” he said, straightening up, “I trust you three have been getting along splendidly?”
Naruto scoffed. “Sure, if you mean having Sasuke over there act like he’s too cool for everyone, and Yona constantly telling me to ‘calm down,’ then yeah, splendidly.”
Sasuke shot Naruto a glare. “Maybe I wouldn’t have to say anything if you weren’t always shouting about everything.”
Yona sighed, glancing back at Kakashi. “See what you missed?”
Kakashi just chuckled to himself. Yep, this is going to be an interesting team.
“Enough talk,” Kakashi said, pointing to the two silver bells dangling from his belt. “Here’s the deal. You have until noon to get one of these bells from me. Whoever fails will be sent back to the academy.”
Naruto’s jaw dropped. “Wait, but there are only two bells!”
Kakashi nodded with a hidden smile. “That’s right. At least one of you will be sent back. So, I’d suggest you give it your all.”
He pulled out his famous orange book, not even glancing at them as he started reading. “Come at me with the intent to kill.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, clearly insulted by Kakashi’s dismissive attitude. Yona’s eyes flickered to him, and she nodded subtly.
As soon as Kakashi’s signal was given, Naruto charged at him head-on. “I’m gonna beat you, sensei!” he yelled.
Kakashi didn’t even bother looking up from his book, sidestepping Naruto’s attack effortlessly. He pushed him away with a single finger. “You need to work on your speed, Naruto.”
Yona looked at Sasuke. “If we don’t work together, we’re all going to fail this test.”
Sasuke grunted but nodded, clearly reluctant but seeing the logic. “Fine. But stay out of my way.”
They split up, circling Kakashi from either side, coordinating their movements with a silent understanding. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, noting how Sasuke and Yona seemed to anticipate each other’s actions, even without Sharingan. It was a level of synchronization he didn’t often see among rookies.
Yona went in low with a sweep kick, her wind style aiding her speed, while Sasuke darted in from above with a punch aimed at Kakashi’s shoulder. Kakashi dodged Yona’s kick, but the distraction left him open for Sasuke’s punch. He blocked it just in time, but his book was knocked out of his hand.
Kakashi caught the book mid-air and tucked it back into his vest pocket, amused. “Not bad. But you’ll need a lot more than that to get these bells.”
Yona leapt back, landing next to Sasuke. “At least we made him take it seriously.”
Naruto came charging back with a wild determination, shouting as he threw himself toward Kakashi again. Kakashi raised an eyebrow as he quickly dispatched Naruto into the nearby river. “Reckless,” he muttered.
Sasuke clenched his fists, visibly irritated by Naruto’s lack of tactics. “This is pointless if he keeps getting in the way.”
Yona placed a hand on Sasuke’s arm, grounding him. “We’re still in this. Let’s go again.”
They resumed their coordinated assault, using a mix of taijutsu and Yona’s wind style to keep Kakashi on his toes. At one point, Yona managed to create a gust that knocked some dust into Kakashi’s eyes, forcing him to dodge blindly for a split second. Sasuke capitalized, almost grabbing a bell before Kakashi slipped away.
“That was close,” Kakashi said, now genuinely interested. “Maybe you two might have a chance if you keep this up.”
Naruto climbed back onto the field, dripping wet and determined. “I’m not giving up yet!” he yelled, charging forward with a loud battle cry.
Kakashi sighed. “Fine. Shadow Clone Jutsu, was it?”
Naruto’s clones erupted around him, filling the field with an army of Narutos. “You’re gonna regret underestimating me, sensei!”
Kakashi dodged each one expertly, but as Yona and Sasuke took advantage of Naruto’s distraction, they managed to close in on him. Kakashi managed to evade them, but it was clear the trio was giving him a challenge.
Finally, as the test came to an end, Kakashi gathered the team around. “You all showed some skill. But there’s one thing you still need to learn…”
He gave his lecture on teamwork, explaining that the exercise was never really about the bells. He looked at each of them in turn. “You’ll pass…if you can prove you understand what it means to be a team.”
Naruto, Sasuke, and Yona exchanged glances, the lesson settling in. Yona smiled softly.
“Looks like we’re not going back to the academy after all.”
--
The air was still tense as Team 7’s bell test neared its conclusion. Kakashi had caught them off guard, reading each of their strengths and weaknesses with an unnerving ease. Naruto, who had stubbornly refused to give up despite Kakashi’s warnings, was now tied to a post. Exhausted, he glared at the lunchboxes Kakashi held out, his stomach growling audibly.
Kakashi’s eye crinkled with faint amusement as he looked at the trio. “Now, here’s the deal,” he said, holding up the boxed lunches. “Yona, Sasuke—you both can eat. But Naruto? You’re not allowed to have any.”
Naruto’s face twisted in dismay. “What?!” he exclaimed. “Why do they get to eat, and I don’t? I tried just as hard as they did!”
Kakashi sighed, crossing his arms. “This is what happens when you act recklessly. You’re still tied up because you refused to listen and tried to handle things on your own.”
Yona looked over at Naruto, empathy evident in her eyes. She could practically feel his frustration, and her own stomach twisted with guilt. Naruto’s shoulders slumped, and he seemed to shrink in defeat.
“And don’t even think about giving him any food,” Kakashi added, giving Yona and Sasuke a pointed look. “If any of you break this rule, you’ll all fail. Understand?”
Sasuke, expression unreadable, accepted his lunchbox and sat down a short distance away, silently opening it. Yona hesitated, watching Naruto’s shoulders drop even further as he looked away, trying to mask his disappointment.
Naruto’s stomach rumbled again, and his face turned red. Kakashi had retreated a short distance to “read,” but Yona could still feel his gaze on them, watchful and testing.
After a moment, Yona made up her mind. She knelt beside Naruto, offering him a small portion of her food. “Here,” she said softly. “You need to eat too, Naruto.”
Naruto’s head jerked up, shock in his eyes. “But... Yona, if Kakashi-sensei finds out—”
She gave him a reassuring smile. “He said we’re a team, right? And I think that means looking out for each other.”
Sasuke, having overheard, sighed. After a moment of hesitation, he broke off a piece of his own meal and handed it to Naruto. “Just take it, dobe,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’re going to be useless if you pass out before our first mission.”
Naruto blinked, looking between his teammates. A mix of surprise and gratitude softened his usual wide grin. “Thanks, you guys…”
At that moment, Kakashi’s voice interrupted, cool and sharp. “You… broke the rules.”
Yona and Sasuke looked up, momentarily frozen as Kakashi walked over, his expression unreadable. Naruto swallowed, but Yona took a deep breath and met Kakashi’s gaze. “We’re a team,” she said firmly. “And a team means looking out for each other, even if it means breaking a few rules.”
Kakashi studied them in silence for a long moment before a faint smile formed under his mask. “Congratulations,” he finally said, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth. “You pass.”
They stared at him, disbelief mingling with confusion. Naruto was the first to break the silence. “We… we pass?”
Kakashi nodded. “Yes. The test wasn’t really about the bells. It was about teamwork. You see, ninja who break the rules are scum... but those who abandon their comrades are even worse than scum.”
Naruto’s face split into a wide, gleeful smile. “So… I’m not going back to the academy?”
Kakashi chuckled softly, nodding. “That’s right, Naruto. You’re all officially part of Team 7.”
Relief and pride washed over Yona as she shared a brief, warm smile with Sasuke, who managed a faint nod of acknowledgment in return.
Kakashi looked at the three of them, a glimmer of pride in his eye. “Good work, all of you. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be doing real missions, so get some rest.”
As he walked off, he paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Oh, and… nice teamwork.”
--
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village, the group of Jonin instructors gathered at their favorite tavern, a place for unwinding after a long day of training. Kakashi strolled in last, the familiar slouch of his shoulders and the lazy half-lid of his eye suggesting he might have indulged a bit too much in his latest Icha Icha novel.
“Ah, Kakashi, the eternal latecomer!” Asuma greeted him with a playful smirk. “What’s your excuse this time? Did you get lost in one of Jiraiya’s books again?”
Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly, “Had to make sure my team was ready for their first mission.”
“Yeah, right,” Kurenai chimed in with a teasing tone. “We all know you’re just trying to avoid the judgment from your new team.”
Kakashi rolled his eye beneath his mask. “They’ll be fine. It’s not like they’re complete orphans… Oh wait.” He smirked, referencing his new squad of Naruto, Yona, and Sasuke. “Three orphans of the year, assigned to me. Am I cursed or blessed?”
Just then, Jiraiya sauntered over, an air of casual confidence surrounding him. He raised a glass of sake in a mock toast. “What’s up, Kakashi? I’m just here for some research for my book. The tavern atmosphere is quite inspiring, don’t you think?”
Kakashi arched an eyebrow, smirking slightly. “Sure, Jiraiya. Just research, huh? You wouldn’t happen to be here for any information on my team, would you?”
Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively, though the grin on his face gave him away. “Me? Snooping? Never! I’m simply conducting thorough research on the various personalities in this fine establishment.”
“Uh-huh,” Kakashi replied, leaning back in his chair. “You just happen to show up right after the test? You can’t fool me. What do you really want to know?”
Jiraiya chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Alright, you got me. I’m a little curious about how they did. I’ve seen that Naruto kid in action; he’s got potential. And Yona? She’s a real gem. But Sasuke…” His tone shifted slightly, a hint of seriousness creeping in. “I worry about him.”
Kakashi nodded, appreciating Jiraiya’s concern. “He’s talented, but there’s a lot of weight on his shoulders with the Uchiha name. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“I just hope he doesn’t end up like… well, you know,” Jiraiya replied, his voice dropping to a more somber note. “The pressure can break him if he’s not careful.”
Asuma interjected, trying to lighten the mood, “Hey, if anyone can handle a team of misfits, it’s Kakashi. He’s practically a pro at failing teams!”
Kakashi shot Asuma a deadpan look. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Jiraiya laughed heartily, his smile broadening. “But seriously, Kakashi, your new little team does have potential, don't they?”
“Yeah, they are resourceful,” Kakashi admitted, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. “But let’s not forget about Naruto’s antics. That kid is going to drive me insane.”
“Ah, the blonde ball of chaos!” Jiraiya laughed. “But I have to say, he’s got potential, especially with the right guidance.”
Kakashi tilted his head, a small smile forming beneath his mask. “Are you sure you’re here just for research and not trying to find inspiration for your next ‘romantic adventure’?”
“Of course! Nothing but research!” Jiraiya declared, raising his glass again, and the other instructors chuckled.
As the night wore on, laughter and teasing filled the air among the instructors, but Kakashi’s thoughts remained on his team and the journey that lay ahead. With Jiraiya’s unexpected insights in mind, he felt a renewed determination swell within him. Whatever came next, he would ensure each of them found their way.