Survival Training 3

The sound of the alarm clock echoes across the training field, marking the end of the test.

Raizen and Sasuke sit next to Naruto, who is tied to one of the log stumps as he was the only one who got caught. Both of them panting, sweaty, and empty-handed.

The bells still hand from Kakashi's hip, untouched.

"All three of you... should quit as shinobi."

Raizen's body stiffens. His exhausted expression immediately twists into one of shock and anger.

"What?! You're joking, right?! Ok ok!! We couldn't get the bells, but why do we have to quit?!!" Naruto yells.

Kakashi looks at him and sighs. "Because all of you... They are just punks who don't deserve to be ninjas.

Sasuke grits his teeth. He suddenly lunges at Kakashi, his hand darting for the bells. But before he can even get close, Kakashi effortlessly sidesteps, grabs Sasuke's wrist, and twists it behind his back.

Sasuke grunts in pain, forced onto his knees. Kakashi doesn't even glance at him.

"That's why you're a punk." He says, surprising the three.

"Are you guys underestimating ninjas? Huh? Why do you think that you were divided into teams and are doing this training?"

"Raizen, I've taught you better than this." He glares straight at Raizen, making him sit up straight.

"Answer me when I'm talking to you."

"Yes, sir," Raizen says, tightening his fists. He knew better but did whatever he wanted to do, and he knew that wasn't what he was supposed to do.

"What does that mean?" Naruto asks as he glances at Raizen.

"You guys are not understanding the answer to this test."

"Answer?" 

"Yes, the answer that helps you pass this test."

"Ah damn it! What's the answer already?!" Naruto yells.

Kakashi looks at Raizen, then at his son's fist.

"Raizen." He says, practically telling him to answer.

"Teamwork..." Raizen says as he grits his teeth.

Sasuke and Naruto's eyes widen as they come to a realization.

"The three of you working together may have gotten the bells," Kakashi says.

"What do you mean by teamwork? There are only two bells," Sasuke grunts as he's still under Kakashi's grasp.

"Yeah!! Even if we work together and get the bells, one of us will still fail. What teamwork? That just makes us fight each other!" Naruto nods.

"Of course! This test is purposely set up to make you fight amongst yourselves."

"Huh?!"

"The purpose is to see whether you can forget your interest... and successfully work together... under these designed circumstances, yet... you guys..."

Kakashi continues as he looks at Raizen. "Instead of helping Naruto out the tree, you were thinking of getting the bell." 

"Naruto! You were just running around by yourself. And Sasuke, you just assumed the others would get in your way and tried to do... everything yourself.

The duties are done by the team. Of course, a superior individual is important to a ninja. But what's even more important is teamwork. Individual play that disrupts the team can put your comrade in danger, and even get you killed... for example..."

"Raizen!! Kill Naruto! Or else Sasuke dies!!" he yells, surprising both Raizen and Naruto.

"You see? If a hostage is taken, you will have tough choices and then die. You will be risking your lives in these duties." He says as he gets up off of Sasuke.

Naruto looks down at the ground, his hands trembling. "T-Then... what happens now?"

Kakashi sighs. "I'm feeling generous. I'll give you one last chance. But after lunch, the test is going to be even harder."

Naruto's stomach growls loudly. Kakashi smirks. "Speaking of lunch..." He suddenly pulls out two bento boxes and hands them to Sasuke and Raizen.

Sasuke takes his without a word. Raizen glances at Naruto before taking his as well.

"What about me?!" Naruto asks, his voice desperate.

Kakashi squats down in front of him. "Oh, you?" He pokes Naruto's forehead. "You don't get any. You got caught first, so you'll just have to sit there and watch while they eat."

Naruto's stomach lets out another loud growl. He looks crushed.

"Oh, and one more thing." Kakashi's voice hardens. "If either of you two give Naruto food… you fail, immediately."

With that, he disappears in a puff of smoke.

For a moment, there's silence. Naruto stares at the ground, his face hidden behind his bangs. Sasuke just looks at his bento, and Raizen taps his fingers against his box, thinking.

A few minutes pass. 

Then, without a word, Sasuke holds out his bento towards Naruto. "Here."

Naruto's head snaps up. His blue eyes are wide with shock. "W-What...?"

"You heard me." Sasuke doesn't look at him. "Eat."

Raizen tilts his head. "What are you doing... he just told us-"

Sasuke glances at him, his expression unreadable. "Without food, he'll just get in the way later, and that will only hurt us."

Raizen lets out a low whistle. "Oh, so that's what this is. A strategic move, huh?" He smirks and shoves his bento in front of Naruto, too. "Guess I'll join in."

Naruto stares at both of them, his hands shaking slightly. "You guys..."

"Just eat before I change my mind," Sasuke mutters.

Naruto swallows hard. He slowly takes the bento, whispering, "Thanks..."

"Don't worry about it, Mr. Dead Last."

The second the words leave his mouth, a violent gust of wind erupts in front of them. Dust swirls around, forming a small tornado, and out of nowhere—

"YOU GUYS!!"

Kakashi's voice booms through the air as he suddenly appears in front of them, his presence making the ground feel heavier.

"AAAHHHH!!" Naruto screams, nearly dropping his food.

Sasuke and Raizen tense up immediately, their bodies ready to move.

But instead of scolding them, Kakashi suddenly relaxes. His tone softens.

"Pass."

Naruto blinks. "Huh?"

Sasuke's head jerks up. "What?"

Raizen leans back, sighing in relief.

"You guys are the first."

"Huh?" Sasuke voices.

"Everyone else would just do whatever I told them. They were all just morons. A ninja must see underneath the underneath; those who break the rules and codes of the ninja world are called trash."

"But you know what?" Kakashi continues.

"Those who don't take care of their comrades... are lower than trash."

Naruto stares at him, his mouth slightly open.

"He's so cool..."

"Well, of course he is; he's my dad," Raizen smirks proudly.

"That end the training. All of you pass!! Ok!! Starting tomorrow, team seven will begin its duties!" Kakashi puts a thumbs up in the air.

Naruto finally grins. "Yay!!! I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! Ninja!! Ninja!!! Ninja!!"

"Yeah, yeah." Raizen stretches his arms. "Don't get too excited, idiot."

Sasuke stands up and dusts himself off, his face neutral, but there's a faint glint in his eyes.

Kakashi gestures for them to follow. "Come on, let's go."

Naruto eagerly starts to follow—only for Kakashi and Raizen to speed up, leaving him behind.

"HEY!! WAIT FOR ME!!" Naruto yells, scrambling after them.

Raizen snickers.