Chapter 190: Practice

Naruto: Hey, Kakashi-sensei, what's the deal with this forest? And why are you holding a bunny bunny?

Kakashi: It's a hare, Naruto. And we're here for some training. You guys didn't do so well on our last mission, so we're going to work on that.

Homura and Sasuke exchange annoyed glances, memories of their disastrous mission still fresh in their minds. The lack of teamwork among the three boys had made even the simplest tasks difficult.

Sasuke: (grumbling)... (If only these two could stop bickering..)

Homura: (Why is he looking at me? How was any of what happened my fault? it is his fault and his boyfriend's…)

Homura and Sasuke looked at each other as if they wanted to argue but had too much pride to go down that route, they could easily argue with Naruto since he was an idiot and a loudmouth who would never stop talking, but if they argued with each other it would certainly end up in a fight.

Kakashi: (setting the hare down) That's why we're here. Today's training is to catch Ijiri-kun.

Naruto: (confused) But how do we catch it without touching or hurting it?

Sasuke: (impatiently) You really can't pay attention to anything, huh? But I guess that's why you're a hopeless loser.

Naruto: What?! Did you sa-!

Homura: Don't worry Naruto, the rabbit we're after has a Konohagakure leaf symbol on its stomach.

Naruto: Oh! Got it!

Kakashi: your mission is to capture Ijiri-kun without touching or harming him.

Naruto: (protesting) How do we do that?!

Sasuke: (impatient) Stop complaining for once, and use your head already.

Homura: He means to say, we need to build a trap. (He's right though, this guy worries me a little. If wasn't gifted he would certainly die on a real mission.)

Naruto calmed down as he heard Homura's answer but fortunately, he could not read the latter's mind.

Naruto: A trap, huh? (What is his deal today? That jerk acts all the time as if we're holding him back, but if he was so good why did he also fail in the first place…though I probably shouldn't say that right now, if Sakura chan shows up and he is in a bad mood she might take in on me and Homura is sure to make sure of that.)

As Naruto was weighing his actions, Sasuke spoke once again.

Sasuke: (skeptical) And are we supposed to work together again?

Kakashi: It's not necessary, but working together might increase your chances of success. Ijiri-san is quick and agile.

Sasuke grunts in frustration, feeling like their time would be better spent on real missions.

Homura: (thoughts) Sasuke hasn't changed much from childhood. Still as impatient as ever but he still somewhat values Hatake otherwise I don't see this lasting too long.

Homura observes Sasuke's restrained demeanor, noting that while he hasn't changed much, he's become more patient. Meanwhile, Sasuke's frustration is evident, feeling like this training is a waste of time.

Naruto: (determined) Alright, let's do this! I'm ready to catch that rabbit! (I'm going to catch it first and prove it that I was right last time.)

Naruto: (eagerly) So, when do we start, Kakashi-sensei?

Kakashi: (with a wry smile) Well, you could go now, but—

Before Kakashi can finish his sentence, the three boys dash off, disappearing into the forest. Kakashi scratches his head, a bit confused by their impatience.

Kakashi: (sighs) They never wait for me to finish...

...…..

....

…

Kakashi: (sighs) Well, it seems your little adventure didn't quite go as planned.

The tired and disheveled genins return to Kakashi's side, clearly defeated by their failed attempt to capture Ijiri-kun.

Kakashi: (disappointed) It's a shame that three genins couldn't capture a target smaller than themselves…and they were so confident in their abilities… so sad.

The comment Kakashi made stung like hell as the three heard it but they could not say anything to challenge the final result.

Kakashi kneels down and hands some money to Ijiri-kun, thanking the hare for its cooperation.

Ijiri: (nodding) Thanks, Kakashi. Anytime.

The hare spoke in a manly voice that betrayed his cute exterior.

Shocking the tree genins.

Homura: (amazed) (Did that hare just... talk?)

Sasuke: (bewildered)(…No wonder it felt like it was taunting us the whole time. This was all a set up… still I…)

Naruto: Whoa! Did that rabbit just talk?

Kakashi: Oh, boy there is no need to be so surprised.

As Ijiri-kun takes the money and produces a vest seemingly out of thin air, the three boys are left speechless, as they see a leaf shinobi protector plate attached to the back of its vest.

Homura: (So that's how it was...)

Homura realizes that the hare must be a shinobi, as head protectors are only given to those who graduate from the academy or are acknowledged as shinobi by their village. Not even just random pets were given those but only through merit and skill.

Naruto: (protesting) Hey, that's not fair! You didn't tell us anything about this! No wonder he was so hard to catch!

Sasuke:…

Kakashi: (calmly) It doesn't matter. As ninjas, you should learn to see the truth beneath the surface.

The comment annoys the three boys, but they remain silent, their frustration evident on their faces.

Kakashi: For the rest of the afternoon, I want each of you to have an individual training session. You can each work on your own strengths and weaknesses. Go and prepare yourselves. I'll join you shortly.

The boys exchanged glances, confusion was evident in their eyes. Unlike before, they are cautious this time, not wanting to make any more mistakes, and leave quietly without rushing.

Homura: (to Naruto and Sasuke) Whatever.

Naruto: (nods) Maybe it's for the best.

Sasuke: (grudgingly).

Kakashi: Since our teamwork didn't go so well today, let's focus on individual training.

As the boys leave, Kakashi watches them go, feeling a sense of responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders. He opens a tiny book, contemplating the challenges of being a teacher.

Kakashi: Being a teacher sure isn't easy. But at least they've learned from today's experience…I think so…

...

....

…

Kakashi: (to himself) Alright, it's been enough time. Time to check on their progress.

Kakashi closes the book he was reading and performs the Shadow Clone Technique, creating two clones. One clone heads towards Naruto's location, while the other heads towards Homura. Kakashi himself decides to check on Sasuke.

Kakashi Clone 1: I'll go see how Naruto's doing.

Kakashi Clone 2: Alright, I'll go check on Homura.

Kakashi: (thoughtfully) That leaves Sasuke for me.

The three Kakashis disappear, each heading to their respective destinations. The scene then shifts to Naruto's training area in the forest.

Naruto: (angrily) "Don't get in my way, loser!" You're the loser!

Naruto continues to hit a makeshift training pole with a poorly drawn image of Sasuke on it. Kakashi observes from a distance, hidden in the bushes.

He knew it would take a lot more before Naruto and Sasuke could work together effectively, but he was pleased to see Naruto's progress.

Kakashi: (thinking to himself) It'll take more than just physical strength for those two to work together. But Naruto's determination and stamina are still impressive. He's been training for hours and shows no signs of slowing down.

Naruto still continues to hit the Sasuke dummy even while tired.

Kakashi: (to himself) He's definitely improving, adapting...

After observing Naruto's training for a while, Kakashi wonders about how well the others are fairing.

...….

,…..

,,,,

The real Kakashi watches Sasuke, who was training nearby. Sasuke had his eyes closed, completely focused on his training.

Suddenly, a kunai came flying towards him from behind, followed by a barrage of shuriken raining down from above.

Sasuke: (focused) One... Two... Three...

He avoids each shuriken with careful movements, seemingly practiced to the point of being close to perfect.

Sasuke moved with precision and agility, dodging each projectile with calculated movements. However, he couldn't avoid them all, and his shoulder was grazed by the 20th shuriken.

Sasuke: (frustrated) Not good enough...

He then reached into his pocket and threw a kunai towards a nearby bush, causing a squirrel to scurry out. Realizing he had overreacted, Sasuke refocused on his training, unaware that Kakashi had caught the kunai.

Kakashi: (sighs) He's too serious... but at least he somewhat felt my presence. I need to be more careful in the future.

The scene shifts to Homura's training area, where he's deep in concentration, practicing various jutsu.

Homura: (focused) Just a little more... I almost have it.

Kakashi's clone approaches, watching Homura's progress silently. He notices Homura's dedication and skill, but decides to do nothing about it.

Kakashi Clone: (thoughtfully) If anything…his determination is commendable. Though I have no idea what he is doing… what kind of jutsu uses those hand seals?

Kakashi thought Homura had many masters, he already knew that Guy had trained him somewhat and that he worked at a clinic prior but he wondered if he would have to ask more questions in the future, it seemed that Homura was focusing on many thing at once.

Homura appeared to be engrossed in practicing a jutsu, but eventually stopped, clearly fatigued. He then shifted his focus to using a short wooden blade for training, slashing towards a wood log dummy he had set up.

Kakashi Clone: (to himself) Hmm, he's quite skilled with that blade. I wonder who taught him those techniques. There's nothing in his files about him learning kenjutsu beyond the basics.

As Homura continued his training, Kakashi's clone noticed a change in his demeanor. Homura suddenly stopped moving, standing still for several minutes. Kakashi's clone approached cautiously, observing the young boy. To his surprise, he realized that Homura was sleeping while standing.

Kakashi Clone: (impressed) Well, that's a new one.

Deciding to wait and see what Homura would do next, Kakashi's clone settled on a nearby tree branch, keeping a watchful eye on the young genin. After a while, Homura stirred, and Kakashi's clone wondered if he was done resting. However, what happened next took him by surprise.

Homura suddenly struck a pose, and in a swift motion, unleashed three flashes of light with his blade, striking the wooden log dummy with incredible speed and precision. The force of his strikes caused the wooden blade to splinter into several pieces.

Homura: (to himself) Not fast and strong enough...(if unleashed my limiters...I could go faster.)

Inside his head, Homura ran through thousands of simulations for that single move, thanks to the AI support provided. However, Kakashi's clone could not know this. To him, what he witnessed was nothing short of impressive.

Kakashi Clone: (impressed) I didn't think a genin would be capable of such a feat. These graduates really are something else. No wonder Homura, Naruto, and Sasuke are so confident in their abilities.