Chapter 182: Bell test (part 1)

At 5 am, Homura met Naruto and Sasuke at the designated spot, but Kakashi was conspicuously absent, leaving them waiting in silence. Naruto, growing impatient, vented his frustration.

"It's been over two hours! Where the hell is he?" Naruto exclaimed.

"Do you wear a watch to make claims? Because you don't seem to have the brain capacity to count that far!" Homura retorted, uninterested in Naruto's complaints.

"Shut up! Stop acting cool and pretending it doesn't bother you either!" Naruto snapped back.

"It doesn't bother me and I couldn't care any less," Homura replied dismissively, immersing himself in tinkering with a peculiar contraption designed to launch projectiles.

It was rough around the edges and could only be fired once, though it could be useful as a distraction though Homura already had ideas on how to make it more lethal. His mind wandered to the prospect of acquiring explosive tags now that he was a genin, though he couldn't help but contemplate other possibilities.

"Urgh! What is it with both of you?!" Naruto expressed his exasperation.

"Nobody is bothered but you. Stop making a scene," Sasuke interjected, though he found the situation somewhat odd. He couldn't sense Kakashi nearby and wondered if the test had already begun.

Homura, still focused on his contraption, uttered his thoughts on the situation, explaining it wasn't a test, and Kakashi was likely just running late. Even if it were a test, he asserted that there was no way for them to know Kakashi's location, and the jounin could attack them by surprise at any given he felt so, but there would be no merit for him to do so if he was supposed to test their abilities as a ninja. Naruto, slightly confused, questioned Homura's reasoning, prompting him to argue that it simply made sense.

"If there was a clue that we had to look for him, he would have made sure to cue us on them, or at the very least he would have made it somewhat obvious since he didn't tell us what the test would be about," Homura asserted, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was true. However, he didn't bother sharing that the same scenario had occurred in the anime, having already deduced the goal of the exercise.

After a prolonged wait, the darkish sky transformed into a clear blue, and Kakashi finally arrived with his usual laid-back demeanor.

"Good morning, everyone! Ready for your first day!" Kakashi greeted them casually.

"Y-you!" Naruto stammered, launching into a rant about them having to wait for their would be sensei. The trio prepared for Kakashi to commence the test, during which he explained the rules involving the bells and the penalty of missing lunch.

Homura, lost in thought, pondered the severity of the conditions. "I feel that one of these things is not at the same severity as the others. Probably a clue about this exam's real objective," he mused, lamenting his lack of innate intelligence.

The test began, and as Naruto impulsively attacked Kakashi, the jounin effortlessly caught him. Homura observed the events unfold, noting Kakashi's reflexes as those of a seasoned jounin.

"Don't be in such a hurry. I didn't say start yet," Kakashi calmly remarked, releasing Naruto. While Homura and Sasuke took a step back, Naruto, somewhat shaken, followed suit.

"You actually came with the intention of coming at full strength... I am starting to like you guys! Ready, go!" Kakashi announced as he throws away Naruto's kunai.

Seeing this Homura was shocked, he did feel something approach them but it was too fast for him to fully grasp its movements, much less see him take away Naruto's weapon from his hand.

For someone who was proud of his speed, this was a devastating blow for Homura.

"I wonder if I had my Sharingan activated; I would have caught the whole thing?" Homura pondered, acknowledging the vast difference in skill levels.

As the command to start was given, all three moved at incredible speed, disappearing into the shadows. In the midst of the action, Homura lost sight of both Sasuke and Naruto. Suddenly, a loud voice rang out.

"You and me! Right now! Fair and square! Let's go!"

Naruto faced Kakashi once again, Naruto, standing on a wood log, challenged Kakashi to a one-on-one duel, catching Homura off guard.

Homura who observed the entire scene from afar could not help but be incredibly shocked by the turn of events. 

"Eh?...," Homura uttered, perplexed by Naruto's decision to challenge Kakashi to a one-on-one duel.

Homura: (W-what!? What the heck?!... Naruto is about to fight Hatake alone..?)

His memory of the anime's earlier episodes was hazy, but the unfolding scene shattered any semblance of surprise.

Homura: (This isn't your average everyday level of stupidity... this is something else altogether... I can't count on Naruto to make sensible decisions, and I am not exactly sure what is going on inside Uchiha's head either, is surprisingly hard to read. )

While Homura could easily remember details with his skills, recalling entire episodes took time, because they were full of holes since he didn't watch everything. Additionally, his presence introduced subtle changes to events, making him cautious of relying too much on anime knowledge.

Homura: (Now that I've replaced Haruno, my entire future knowledge dropped severely in accuracy. Damn!)

Nonetheless, this was a golden opportunity to copy the shadow clone technique. Homura debated the risk of using his Sharingan, considering Kakashi's ability to detect it. But today, Kakashi wasn't using the Sharingan, presenting the perfect chance. Naruto's impulsiveness might keep Kakashi distracted.

After a brief internal debate, Homura donned his goggles and activated his Sharingan, just as Naruto charged towards Kakashi. However, Naruto abruptly stopped when Kakashi began digging into his tool pouch, revealing a book.

Homura couldn't discern the conversation but witnessed Naruto's attacks lacking cohesion, too obvious for the seasoned Jounin.

Homura: (This is taking forever!)

Homura deactivated his Sharingan, removed his goggles, feeling he misremembered the entire fight. Suddenly, Kakashi appeared behind Naruto, delivering a forceful shove, sending the genin flying into a nearby pond.

Homura: "...That looks painful," Homura noted, observing as shurikens emerged from the water towards Kakashi. The jounin effortlessly caught them with two fingers, all while reading his book.

Homura: (That guy is too strong...His reflexes are sharp, its a good thing that I am not trying to directly look at him or he would have already pinpointed where I am. But the surprising one is Naruto, to think he planned that far as he fell underwater without even taking a glance at Kakashi? I think he can actually be useful, but it will be tricky to fully grasp his moves.)

Soon, Naruto emerged from the pond, engaged in conversation with Kakashi, but suddenly, clones burst out, causing chaos. Kakashi seemed caught off guard as the clones closed in.

Homura: (What's happening now?)

The real Naruto moved in for the win, aiming towards Kakashi's face, but the jounin disappeared, leaving a Naruto punching a clone. The confusion led to a scuffle among the clones until Naruto undid the jutsu, leaving a battered Naruto standing.

Homura: "...This guy. (Stuff like this is why I can't take him seriously.)"

Naruto, catching sight of something, headed towards it.

Homura: (What is he doing now...?! No! He can't possibly be th--!)

Naruto, on the ground, fell victim to an obvious trap as he tried to pick up a bell that Kakashi seemingly dropped on the ground.

He was then left dangling by one of his feet as the rope linked to the trap, lifted him up towards a tree nearby. 

Homura: (... How did this guy ever graduate?)

Kakashi, reappearing, picked up the bell, starting to preach to Naruto.

In a swift motion, he threw a kunai tied to a smoke bomb toward the area where Naruto stood, confusion evident on the genin's face, and Kakashi pondering the motives behind this unexpected turn of events.

"Who did that? What's going on?" Naruto's voice echoed through the smoke.

Homura, observing from a concealed position, mumbled to himself about what their next move should be. In a split second, a kunai sliced through the rope that held Naruto, and a figure swiftly caught him.

Homura's Thoughts: This is it, my chance to make a move.

Naruto: "What the... who the hell?"

Surprisingly, Homura didn't take advantage of the chaos to attack but instead opted to save Naruto. He was certain that Kakashi would have seen through the attack but he had to act fast before Sasuke had a chance to make his move, this would derail the entire thing. 

"Let me go, damn it!" Naruto yelled, his frustration evident.

Kakashi's Thoughts: So he chose to rescue Naruto instead of attacking? Hm, interesting?

To Kakashi's surprise, Homura didn't exploit the chance to attack but instead chose to aid Naruto.

Homura: "Hold on, Naruto. We've got to move."

As Naruto protested, demanding to be let go, Homura skillfully maneuvered between three branches. With a well-calculated throw, he propelled Naruto toward a sturdy tree branch, where the genin landed with a mix of complaints and confusion.

Homura's Thoughts: Gotta keep him safe for now.

Homura couldn't help but sigh, questioning whether he ever thought things through.

Homura: "You need to think strategically, Naruto."

In response, Homura explained the vast difference in skill between a Jonin, the elite ninja Kakashi embodied, and Naruto, a Genin.

Homura: "A head-on fight with Kakashi won't end well for you."

Naruto, however, scoffed at the advice, asserting that he had defeated a special Jonin named Ebisu before.

Naruto: "I've beaten a special Jonin, you know!"

Homura's Thoughts: Ebisu, huh?...(Who's that?)

Homura, momentarily surprised at the revelation of Naruto's claim, quickly dismissed it, before being provided a file by C.

Homura (dismissing): Special Jonin or not, a Jonin is still on a different level.

Internally, Homura couldn't fathom that Naruto believed he had triumphed over Ebisu solely with his infamous sexy jutsu. Even if Ebisu hadn't been serious, Homura doubted he could emerge victorious.

Homura (thinking): This is bad, this idiot won against some nobody with the rank of jonin and now he thinks he can measure with them, not to mention the Mizuki incident...how do I convince him to follow me? This is tiresome, that's why teams are a bother. 

Suddenly, a voice echoed from above, revealing Kakashi's presence. Both Homura and Naruto were startled to see Kakashi nonchalantly squatting on a tree branch.

Kakashi (casually): Are you guys done bickering or should I wait some more?

Naruto erupted into a barrage of protests, while Homura, realizing the need for a strategic move, swiftly retrieved a contraption from behind his back.

Homura (thinking): Time for a diversion. Let's see how Hatake handles this.

Activating a trigger mechanism, the device unleashed a volley of shurikens and smoke bombs in Kakashi's direction, shrouding the entire area in a dense cloud of smoke.

Homura (urging): Naruto, come with me!

Seizing the moment, Homura urged Naruto to follow him. Despite initial hesitation, Naruto complied, and the two agile boys leaped between tree branches, disappearing into the cover of the smoke.

Homura thinks to himself that the test they are being put through is ridiculous; he wonders if Kakashi made some changes to it. Though it doesn't matter at this point.

Homura (thinking): This test is absurd. Did Kakashi modify it? Well, it doesn't concern me much now.

Although he did not want to join Team 7 since it would change history too greatly, Naruto always went on weird missions beyond what a genin was capable of.

Homura (thinking): Naruto's mission log is impossible to fully assess. Joining Team 7 would mean getting entangled in that mess.

That also left the possibility of faking his death much easier in order to leave Konohagakure and act from behind the scenes, the Sasuke retrieval arc or even later missions would ensure that his death won't be questioned or investigated too deeply due to the lack of manpower the village would soon suffer. If he played his cards right, he could meet a certain someone even earlier—the elusive surviving Uzumaki clan member, Karin.

Homura (thinking): If I navigate this right, the chances of me being able to meet Karin earlier will no doubt increase.

Sasuke had managed to run into Karin during the chunin exams, saving her from a threat. Homura who now was part of team 7 had a chance to meet her as well, better didn't have to look for her on his own; it was an unprecedented chance since at the moment Karin and Sasuke met she had no teammates with her with whom could pose a problem. 

Homura thought that if he had access to Karin DNA he could make a major break through to getting stronger. 

He had run experiments using Naruto's and his DNA on mices, although the method was quite crude it did offer some results. Especially those born with patches of DNA from Homura. C was able to use that DNA to ever so slightly cause changes in each subsequent generation. He needed to go as far because he feared that a blood transfusion from Naruto could be fatal, much less use C to bond their DNA together on a cellular level. Homura's DNA bonded too well with those of others, which normally could be seen as an asset but a jinchuriki's DNA was dangerous and potentially lethal. It was hard to explain but it could be seen as akin to poison and even had the potential to impede regeneration to those who were negatively exposed to it. In other words, it was a nightmare to get anything done with it; any small creature exposed to it was sure to almost certainly die.

Even though it took technically six years and he was past the hundredth generation of mice, and none of them was able to exhibit the chakra from the bijuu at will and those who did were normally close to death and the transformation was the final nail in the proverbial coffin. 

Due to these issues, he had made very little progress.

It was almost impossible to mitigate a natural reaction, it was natural after all. It was simply how they were designed.

Homura (thinking): The Uzumaki blood is tricky part of this problem, far more than nine tails. The mice usually die after the Nine-Tails chakra manifested itself, like some sort of chemical reaction. I doubt that even if took me another hundred years; I'd get results...at least without having to experiment and dissect a live subject with similar properties.

Even though they made progress, Homura thought that since mice are tiny and with short life spans, they ultimately had very little vitality overall. Which was a huge problem, vitality was one of the key reasons as to why the Uzumakis were chosen to be the hosts of the nine tails.

Homura theorized that no mice could ever be born that could truly be born able to use the power of the nine tails due to that very reason, all the mice that were born dead during each generation; were the ones closest to being able to awaken that power; though it was just a speculation since genetically they were close to identical to their siblings.

Though it had merit since those who would tap into that power, would soon die after the chakra of the Nine-Tails manifested.

Homura (thinking): The chakra's impact is too much for small creatures. We need a more robust source.

Nothing could be done about it. Chakra was a strange power, and although both Naruto and the Kyubi had different chakra sources, it seemed that both chakras influenced Naruto's body.

Homura (thinking): Naruto's chakra is unique. The Nine-Tails' influence is undeniable...it may even lie dormant within his cells which I can't exactly tell if that's the case. This would make it impossible to separate the influence of one from the other without extracting the chakra itself.

Naruto's blood, even if he did not utilize the Nine-Tails, healed fast—faster than it should. The seal placed on him leaked the Nine-Tails chakra at all times, meaning some amount of that chakra was always present within Naruto's body.

Homura (thinking): If Karin possesses a similar chakra and the strong vitality of the Uzumaki... then perhaps...

Perhaps the flaws currently within homura's methods could be mitigated, especially since she was born with the ability to pass her chakra onto others to heal them, it wasn't even a jutsu but purely bodily functions.

Sasuke was the only person who met Karin during the Forest of Death out of all the main Konoha genins, which meant that the chances of it happening were far larger than going on his own. If he wanted to meet her earlier than that point, several factors would simply make it difficult.

So this was a chance for him to become much, much stronger. 

As Homura and Naruto kept leaping from tree branch to tree branch, Naruto grew tired of Homura's persistent silence. Frustrated, he called out to Homura once more.

Naruto: Hey, are you gonna keep quiet the whole time? What's your deal?

Homura finally relented, sensing Naruto's impatience.

Homura: Fine, fine. Let's talk. We should work together on this.

Naruto, initially reluctant, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Naruto: Work together? If that was an option, don't you think we would have done that?

Homura: (muttering to himself) (Patience is definitely not his strong suit). Alright, here's the deal. He's too fast and he was able to track us with no effort. We can't win on our own...

Naruto:...

Homura: But there are two bells, and there are two of us. If one of us manages to even catch one of them, the chances are we can catch all two of them, this would leave us with a greater chance to get the job done. If we can pull this off, and we both win.

Naruto, skeptical, crossed his arms.

Naruto: And why should I trust you?

Homura: Trust or not, it's your best shot. Besides, you're the main key to us getting those bells; I won't be able to pull off my plan without your help.

Naruto frowned, not fully grasping Homura's plan.

Naruto: How am I the key? What's your big idea?

Homura: Shadow clones. You can make as many as you want. Use them to give us cover. Kakashi will be busy dealing with your clones, expecting more. Meanwhile, I hide within them and use a special technique I've been working on for the past year. If we time it right, we can catch Kakashi off guard.

Naruto, intrigued, asked the obvious question.

Naruto: Is your jutsu that powerful?

Homura: Powerful enough. But, there's a catch.

Naruto: A catch?

Homura: If I use it, you might end up with some small injuries. But I won't be able to use my arm for a while. If we fail that would be the end for me. That's why this will be a gamble for me too. You in?

Naruto, seeing the determination in Homura's eyes, gripped his fist with excitement, his face showing agreement.

Naruto: Alright! Let's do this!

Homura: (smirking) Alright, here's the plan...