29. An Accidental Prank

(A/n- Guys we are still in 37th Position, Let's aim for the Top 25 before tomorrow! The Fic is really getting boosted, Yesterday's stats were crazy, so Vote!)

Suddenly, an idea struck the clone. With a mischievous grin that would have made the real Sora proud, it transformed into a perfect copy of Kakashi, complete with his signature orange book.

"This ought to liven things up," the disguised clone muttered, before sauntering into the classroom.

The reaction was immediate. Naruto jumped to his feet, pointing dramatically. "You're late!"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, recognizing the silver-haired Jounin from his and Naruto's destructive spar months ago.

Before any of them could say more, 'Kakashi' held up a hand. "Maa, maa, settle down. We have important business to discuss."

The three Genin-hopefuls leaned forward, curiosity overriding their irritation.

"You see," the clone continued, its visible eye crinkling in a smile, "you're not quite Genin yet. There's one more test you need to pass."

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed. "But we already passed the graduation exam!"

'Kakashi' chuckled. "That was just to select candidates who might become Genin. This test will determine if you actually have what it takes. And I should warn you... it has a 66% failure rate."

The shock on their faces was priceless. The clone wished the real Sora could see this.

"Your test is simple," it continued. "You have to take this book from me." It held up the orange novel. "The entire village is your testing ground. You have until sunset. Begin!"

With that, the clone dispelled itself in a puff of smoke, leaving behind three very confused and determined Genin.

Back with Team 8, Sora and Hanabi were thoroughly enjoying their covert observation. They'd followed the team through the market, past the Hokage Tower, and even near the hot springs (where Kiba had to be forcibly dragged away from trying to peek).

"They're actually working quite well together," Hanabi noted, a hint of pride in her voice as she watched her sister coordinate with her teammates.

Sora nodded, impressed despite himself. "Yeah, they're not bad. Your sister's really stepped up."

Just then, Sora received the memories from his dispelled clone. He couldn't help it - he burst out laughing.

Hanabi shot him a glare. "Quiet! You'll give us away!"

Sora clapped a hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. When he finally got himself under control, he filled Hanabi in on what his clone had done.

To his surprise, Hanabi giggled. "I wonder what the real Kakashi-san will do when he realizes what happened."

Sora's eyes widened in mock horror. "Are you kidding? He'll probably use me for target practice for a month!"

Their amusement was cut short as they noticed Team 8 on the move again. Quickly, they resumed their stealthy pursuit.

Across the village, chaos reigned. 

Kakashi Hatake, blissfully unaware of the impending storm, was enjoying a leisurely stroll through Konoha. His nose was buried in his beloved Icha Icha, occasional giggles escaping as he turned the pages.

Suddenly, a shiver ran down his spine. Years of shinobi instincts screamed at him that something was very, very wrong.

Before he could pinpoint the source of his unease, a cry split the air. "Found him!"

Kakashi's head snapped up just in time to see a Naruto clone dispel itself. His visible eye widened in alarm.

"What in the name of the First Hokage...?" he muttered.

Not waiting to find out what was going on, Kakashi employed every ounce of his ANBU training. He Shunshined away at top speed, barely remembering to throw up a Transformation Jutsu as he reappeared among a group of civilians.

For a moment, all seemed calm. A Naruto clone walked past, glancing at him without a second thought. Kakashi allowed himself a sigh of relief.

That relief was short-lived.

Within seconds, he found himself surrounded by a veritable sea of orange-clad blondes, all staring at him with uncomfortably intense focus.

"How...?" Kakashi breathed, genuinely bewildered.

He didn't have time to ponder further as the clones lunged for him en masse. With a yelp that was most un-Jounin-like, Kakashi took to the rooftops, a tsunami of Narutos hot on his heels.

Civilians watched in amazement as the Orange Wave swept through Konoha. Some even cheered, remembering the spectacular 'Village Hidden in the Orange' incident from a few months back.

Kakashi, however, was not amused. As he dodged, weaved, and occasionally batted away grabby clone hands, his mind raced. How had Naruto found him so quickly? And why were they after him in the first place?

Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour (and that he really didn't want to level half the village trying to escape), Kakashi made for the training grounds. At least there, collateral damage would be minimal.

As he touched down in Training Ground 7, Kakashi allowed himself a moment to catch his breath. That moment was all he got before Team 7 burst into the clearing, Naruto's clones forming a perimeter to prevent escape.

"Ha!" Naruto crowed triumphantly. "Told you you wouldn't be able to escape now!"

Kakashi blinked. "Escape? What are you talking about? Why were you chasing me all over the village?"

The Genin looked at him like he'd grown a second head. "Isn't it obvious?" Naruto asked.

For a moment, Kakashi thought they might be upset about him being late. He opened his mouth to give one of his patented excuses, but Sasuke cut him off with a nod to his teammates.

What followed was a bewildering flurry of attacks, all seemingly aimed at... his book?

As he dodged a particularly vicious swipe from Naruto, Kakashi's mind whirled. Something was very wrong here. This wasn't standard Genin behaviour, even for a test. And why were they so fixated on his precious Icha Icha?

Despite his confusion, Kakashi's body moved on autopilot. He dispelled clones left and right, narrowly avoided several that exploded and dismantled Sasuke's admittedly impressive Taijutsu with ease.

He had to admit, he was impressed by their teamwork. Sakura's support with kunai and explosive tags was well-timed, forcing him to create openings that Naruto and Sasuke were quick to exploit.

Then came the fireball. Kakashi's eye widened as he saw Sasuke form the hand seals for the Uchiha clan's signature jutsu. But it was Naruto's addition that really caught him off guard.

The wind chakra merged seamlessly with the fire, turning a C-rank technique into a roaring inferno worthy of an A-rank classification. Kakashi barely had time to dive underground, the heat of the flames singeing his hair.

'When did Naruto learn wind manipulation?' Kakashi wondered, genuinely impressed. 'And that level of coordination at this age! Impossible!'

If Kakashi knew that this was Their First time Doing a Combination Jutsu, His reaction would have been...

His underground refuge proved short-lived as he sensed Naruto's clones closing in. Apparently, the unpredictable ninja had thought to place clones underground as well. Kakashi grimaced as he realized he was boxed in.

'No choice but to surface,' he thought, pushing chakra to his feet and bursting back into the open air.

He aimed for Sakura, figuring she'd be the easiest target to use as a hostage to end this madness. But once again, Naruto's clones were there, buying time for their teammates to regroup.

Kakashi found himself engaged in a fierce taijutsu exchange with Naruto and Sasuke, their movements surprisingly coordinated for a newly formed team. As he blocked a kick from Sasuke and dodged a punch from Naruto, he caught sight of them beginning to weave signs again.

'Oh no, not another combination jutsu,' he thought, quickly body flickering deeper into the forest.

As he moved, Kakashi's tactical mind kicked into overdrive. He needed to separate them, especially Naruto and Sasuke. Their teamwork was proving far too effective for his liking.

With practised ease, he created three shadow clones, each with more chakra than he currently had in his own body. As they split off in different directions, Kakashi took a moment to breathe deeply.

'Time to try something new,' he thought, closing his eye in concentration.

Kakashi had never needed to completely mask his chakra before. As an elite jounin and former ANBU, most of his targets were non-sensors who fell to his techniques before they could even sense him. But Naruto's unexpected sensor abilities were forcing him to adapt.

According to his observations, Naruto can sense anything in a one-kilometre radius, now that is not really that impressive, but the fact that he can create Hundreds of clones each having their own One-kilometre radius, makes Naruto almost unmatched in terms of sensing range in the whole Konoha.

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Thank you to Desire96, J4F, Kennchan, LittleFatGuys, Pheathon, Kay_smiles101, Crimson_Star96(A fellow 96 :), arkxz_, Rolifps, DaoistHE, Den_Palada, Tsniper, novel_99, igniziousz, knightwolf225, Osas_Destiny_4852, God_of_War412 , Unique_Sovereign, God_of_War412, Ranu_Adila, Kairo_, For the Powerstones

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