A New Test

"You ready Ori" Naruto called out as he fixed his Hitai-ate around his head.

Looking behind his back, Naruto could see Ori fixing his Hitai-ate to the same spot Naruto had his headband. Seeing that Ori nodded in return, he turned around and opened his door. Letting Ori out first, he shut and locked his door before jumping to and across the roofs of the village.

They both looked at each other as they were jumping on each roof and decided to race to the academy. They would throw cheap shots at each other, trying to make each other lose balance and take the lead. Instead of hate for the move, they would instead laugh together and continue, the race still going on.

Sadly it ended in a tie as they landed in the playground of the academy. They passed the entrance and were soon in front of their classroom. Breathing to himself, Naruto finally opened the door and entered. He ignored the stares of disbelief and annoyance from his other classmates as he was used to experiencing glares outside the academy.

As Naruto sat down, he was soon surrounded by Hinata, Kiba, Shikamaru, Ino, and others who began to ask him on how he passed, when they all saw him fail. Naruto was unable to answer as he couldn't comprehend what's going on. Much to his confusion, even Sasuke was eyeing his way, also interested in how he passed.

Naruto was about to answer until Iruka-sensei marched into the class, forcing everyone to return to their seats. Naruto let out a sigh of relief and began to pet Ori who was not used to the attention they received.

"Alright, welcome back my fellow shinobi. I hope you are excited to work with your new team" Iruka said.

This got a few nods and cheers from a few people while others kept to themselves like Sasuke and Hinata.

"Alright since we're going to assign you to your teams. Do any of you have any questions?" Iruka asked.

One hand rose, and when it was called upon Ino stood up and asked, "Yeah, how did Naruto pass, we all saw him fail."

"We recently discovered that Mizuki's test was rigged for Naruto. So I took the task of letting him test again, which he passed" Iruka clarified before giving a look that dared anyone to ask another question.

With that Iruka began to call out some names and assigned them to a team. Naruto decided it was best to ignore them and began to fool around with Ori. What piqued his interest was when Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji were called to a team, aka Team 10, under the leadership of Asuma Sarutobi the son of the Third Hokage.

Quickly covering Ori's ears as Ino was screaming that she didn't team up with Sasuke. After Ino left, Naruto uncovered Ori's ears and noticed that the classroom was half empty. Naruto decided that he should listen now.

"Alright. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino, you are now officially Team 8 under the leadership of Kurenai Yuhi."

With those words spoken, a woman entered who Naruto presumed to be their sensei. The only thing odd about the woman was that she had red eyes but that was it. Naruto and Ori then looked at Hinata as she did the same. She gave them a wave before leaving the room.

"Now then," Iruka stated.

Iruka smirked to himself as he could see Naruto and Ori giving him their full attention, oblivious to the fact that they were the last three students in the classroom.

"For the final team, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. You will be part of Team 7 under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake, I wish you luck." Iruka stated.

'What does he mean by 'wish us luck'' Ori thought as he eyed Iruka leaving the room.

"Ah yes, I get to be with Sakura!" Naruto shouted.

"No, remember what I said about her," Ori said but Naruto paid no mind as he didn't understand him.

Ori silently cursed his inability to speak directly to Naruto. Ori looked to the middle of the classroom and cursed again as a man with white hair and a Hitai-ate covering one of his eyes. This got the attention of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura as they to looked at the shinobi.

"Well, quite an excited bunch you all are" he claimed. This got an annoyed grunt from Sasuke as he doesn't view himself as excited at the moment.

"Meet me on the roof and quickly if I were you," he stated before puffing into smoke.

All of the members of Team 7 gave each other a look of confusion before they all stood up and began to rush out of the room. Ori decided to climb up the outside walls towards the roof. When Ori finally reached the top, he was surprised to see the mysterious shinobi leaning on a rail. He was reading a book that Ori could make up the words.

Looking up from the book, the shinobi was surprised to see Naruto's pet arrive already. He set the book aside and approached the being. He began to look at the features, its hair, ears, and eyes.

"So your the creature that lives with Naruto," he mumbled to himself.

Ori tilted his head in confusion as to how he knew but thought that everyone knew about him from the academy teachers. He soon turned as he could see Naruto and Sasuke skid to a stop and began to argue who won their race.

'Too bad I won then' Ori thought to himself and hoped over to Naruto's leg.

Naruto self-consciously petted Ori as he settled himself on his shoulders. He stopped arguing with Sasuke and began to look at the shinobi. Looking both ways he could see Sasuke and Sakura eyeing the shinobi as well.

Taking the silence as a cue he began to speak, "Well then, my name is Kakashi Hatake. I like certain things and I dislike certain things and I want you to describe the things you like and dislike along with your names. Maybe your goals as extra."

'He didn't say anything at all,' the rest of team 7 thought.

"Let's start with you," Kakashi claimed to point at Sasuke.

"Hmph, my name is Sasuke Uchiha. I like a few things and dislike a few things. And my goal... No, my ambition is to hunt and kill a certain someone." Sasuke claimed, clenching his fist at the end.

"What about you, pinky," Kakashi asked, ignoring the brooding Sasuke.

"Oh, well my name is Sakura Haruno. What, I mean who I like," she looked at Sasuke and blushed before continuing "who I dislike is Naruto, but that depends. And my goal is for me to..." she looked at Sasuke again before turning a darker shade of red.

"That's enough" Kakashi thankfully added "Now your turn," he said pointing at Naruto and Ori.

"Alright! My name is Naruto Uzumaki dattebayo. I love ramen and my best friend Ori. I dislike people who are jerks. And my goal in life is to be the Hokage!" Naruto shouted at the end.

"My what a goal you have. A shame that it may not be true." Kakashi stated.

Naruto looked at Kakashi in anger and confusion about what he meant. Even Ori didn't understand what Kakashi meant.

"For you to officially become genin. You have to go through a test from me. If you pass you're 'officially' a genin. If you fail, you have to go to the academy again." Kakashi coughed out as he began to read his book again.

Looking up and seeing them standing firm, waiting for this test of his, Kakashi lowered his book and began to explain.

"The test is tomorrow at the practice field. Don't be late and more importantly do not eat anything, you will puke." Kakashi warned at the end. And like the last time, he suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving the kids to themselves.

"So," Naruto spoke, breaking the awkward silence.

"Want to plan on how to win this."

"I don't have time for you losers, see ya" Sasuke answered, turning to leave.

"Wait for me Sasuke" Sakura screeched, now leaving Naruto and Ori by themselves.

Naruto let out a sigh as he didn't expect anything different from Sasuke's antics. Crouching down, Naruto lends out his hand and Ori began to climb upon him. Once setting himself around Naruto's shoulders, Ori began to shower Naruto with hugs and purrs.

"I think we should head home." Naruto declared.

Ori said nothing as he thought nothing would be better than a nice relaxing day, cuddling in the bedroom. So off they went, anticipating what's to come tomorrow.

The Next Day

"This is it, huh?" Naruto said as he looked around the grass field which was the practice field.

"I guess so" Ori confirmed.

Looking around they could see three wooden posts and in front of them were Sasuke and Sakura. He gladly ran up and began to greet them, to which they responded with annoyance. After a few minutes of waiting they were startled to hear their sensei land above the wooden post.

"Well, shall we learn about the test?" he asked which everyone gave a nod in return.

"So the test is simple," Kakashi explained before pulling out a pair of bells hanging on a red ribbon.

"All you have to do is take this from me." Kakashi finished.

Naruto rose his hand and began to ask some questions. As he was asking the questions, Sasuke and Sakura were paying attention as the questions that Naruto was asking were the same as theirs.

"My, so many questions. The only thing you have to do is get the bells. You can come at me with the intent to kill. And finally, whoever doesn't get the bells will have to retake the academy." Kakashi answered.

"Wait what!" Naruto yelled.

Everyone else had the same reaction but few spoke out on it. Sasuke looked at Sakura and Naruto and began to plan on how to get the bell and who he wants the other person the get the other bell. He decided, surprisingly, that he wanted Naruto to stay as he was a 'worthy' rival for him and if he was gone, then how will he complete his main goal.

"3,2,1 start." Kakashi stated suddenly.

Without a beat, and possibly without a thought, Naruto threw a kunai which impaled itself to Kakashi's chest. Naruto's eyes widened as he thought that Kakashi could dodge easily, instead he murdered him in cold blood. Sakura covered her mouth in shock, tears nearly breaking from her eyelids.

*Poof*

They looked on as the body of Kakashi disappeared in a cloud of smoke and its place was a log. And behind the log was Kakashi, striking a laid-back pose.

Sakura and Sasuke retreated to the tree line to plan, seeing that Kakashi handled that surprise attack. Now it was only Naruto and Ori against Kakashi. Ori looked at Naruto, too which Naruto gave a nod of reassurance which made Ori more confident.

'That's right, with us together, nothing can beat us.' Ori thought to himself.

He could feel himself getting excited, he and Naruto fighting together with combos and kunai's. Even they aren't shinobi yet, he feels like he is a shinobi.

With a serious face, Ori faced Kakashi and Kakashi stared back, feeling the tension in the air. He knew that he wasn't going to read anytime soon. With a huff, he got to a more prepared stance and was waiting.

Ori and Naruto nodded to each other and began to circle Kakashi. Ori crawling to Kakashi's left side, while Naruto slowly stalked in his right.

'Let's dance,' Kakashi thought.

In a split second Naruto and Ori jumped and were both in front and behind Kakashi. Naruto attacked high and Ori on the low. Naruto threw a few punches towards Kakashi's head. Kakashi blocked and reflected the punches and noticed the creature climbing up his legs towards his legs.

Kakashi's mind was at three places at the moment. One was helping him avoid Naruto's punches, another was wondering what to do with the creature on his legs and finally trying to avoid the pain as the creature climbed and scratched its way.

'How troubling indeed,' Kakashi pondered to himself.

Quickly he grabbed Naruto's arm and quickly threw him away.

'Sorry little guy' Kakashi apologized to himself as he backhanded the creature, launching it to a nearby bush.

Kakashi ducked down as Naruto flew throwing a punch. He missed, which was all Kakashi needed at the moment. Seeing Naruto kneeling on the ground and seeing the creature emerge from the bush, this moment could be great.

Pulling his hands together into a combined two fingers, he quickly shoved up somewhere not good. And comically, it launched Naruto in the air and landed, face first, into the ground knocked out. He eyed Ori and questioned if he would continue the fight.

Ori lifted his hands in surrender and moved his way to an unconscious Naruto. Kakashi did as well and began to make sure he didn't do anything wrong to him.

He looked at Ori and ordered not to move him and stay put. He disappeared after that and soon he could hear a screech and then heard something over in the distance and then some silence. Hearing the bushes rustle he could see an unconscious Sakura and a near knock-out Sasuke being carried by Kakashi.

Once reaching where Ori was sitting he began to set both Sakura and Sasuke down but he grabbed Naruto and tied him up to a nearby log. Ori wanted to question what Kakashi was doing but Kakashi wouldn't understand what Ori was asking, thus making Ori quiet about the whole ordeal.

After a few minutes both Sakura and Sasuke were up and were resting on the ground. Ori quickly looked up to where Naruto was tied up and could see him stir.

"Oh, what happened?" Naruto asked, fully awake.

"What happened is that all of you fail. But I will give you a second chance." Kakashi said.

Everyone looked at Kakashi expecting another chance but was shot down as Kakashi pulled out a lunch box and set it between Sakura and Ori.

"Here have some lunch. But whatever you do. Do not feed Naruto." Kakashi ordered before disappearing again.

They all looked at each other, questioning what to do. With a shrug, they all opened the lunch box and began to eat its contents.

"Hey now! What about me, come on!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke could only shrug and continued to eat. He raised a finger, rejecting Sakura's invitation to sit next to him and eat together.

"Not you to Ori!" Naruto shouted again.

Ori looked up at Naruto and stuck his tongue out and slowly ate his portion of the lunch box. It was then that Ori realized his mistake, and decided to grab some food and head to Naruto. A hand blocked his path. Realizing that Sasuke was blocking his way, Ori began to growl.

"Do you want us to fail?" Sasuke hissed.

Ori huffed and jumped over the arm. Once in front of the log, Ori place the food on one hand and began to climb. Once reaching Naruto's shoulders, Ori began to hand feed Naruto while apologizing for taunting him when he was eating.

Ori then froze as a shadow was looming over him. Ori looked at Naruto and confirmed that something was behind them and it wasn't happy. Gulping Ori slowly turned around and shrunk to himself as Kakashi was standing over the both of him.

"What did I say about not feeding him," Kakashi growled out.

He eyed both Sasuke and Sakura, daring them to try and justify their failure again.

"I'm sorry, but I was hungry and I just wanted to eat like a team." Naruto quickly answered.

"You want to eat like a team. Maybe you should've passed the test first then so you could've eaten like with a true team. Now you have to suffer the consequences." Kakashi barked.

"I..."

"Now who is the one going back to the academy?" Kakashi asked.

They all looked at each other and for once had no idea what to do. It was until both voices decided to speak up.

"I'll go back" Naruto and Sasuke stated.

"What, Sasuke you can't" Sakura pleaded.

"No. It's my choice and for you Naruto, as a rival, I see you as a friend. I would like to see you become Hokage one day. But for me, I could pass the academy easily." Sasuke explained.

"No, I won't allow it," Sakura begged.

"Same here," Naruto added.

"Well, what could we do then?" Sasuke asked.

After a moment of silence, Naruto spoke again, "How about we all go back."

"Yeah, let's go with that." Sasuke sarcastically agreed.

"But... why?" Sakura asked.

"Well if one of us goes back then all of us go back," Naruto explained.

"A team can't exist without one member." Sasuke finished.

Sighing Sakura accepted the fact and they all faced Kakashi.

"So you all want to go back. Well, I'm glad to say that in the end, you acted like a true team making you pass the test." Kakashi declared.

All the team members looked at Kakashi with wide eyes and their mouths open. Kakashi chuckled at their response to this and then laughed for a bit.

Kakashi's laughing snapped them out and Naruto shouted, "What, now we pass! What was the test even about anyway!"

"Oh, the test was about teamwork which you showed in the end," Kakashi explained, coughing from laughing.

"I guess that makes sense, right Ori?" Naruto asked too which Ori shrugged in response.

"Well, I guess I'm out of here then," Sasuke mumbled to himself.

"Wait you leaving, then wait for me," Sakura called out running after him.

"Tomorrow is the first team training don't be late," Kakashi called out before walking away, leaving Naruto and Ori by themselves.

"I don't understand what happened, but we're officially shinobi's now," Naruto said before heading home.

"How does ramen sound?" Naruto asked Ori who nodded in return. After Ori settled himself down on Naruto's shoulder, Naruto made haste to taste some delicious ramen after today's test.