Chapter 47: Team 7 Assembles! Hatake Kakashi Appears!

Snort.

"Three people per team? That just means two more deadweights holding me back," Sasuke thought, arms crossed as he leaned on the desk, a cold look in his eyes.

"I have to be on Sasuke's team!" Haruno Sakura silently prayed, hands clenched together.

Naruto glanced at both of them—Sasuke and then Sakura. Unless something drastically changed, the team assignments should be the same as they were in the original timeline.

After all, back when the original Team 7 was formed, the group allocations had already been predetermined based on certain principles:

Civilian-born genin were generally grouped with other civilian-born.

Clan heirs and shinobi from prestigious families were matched accordingly.

Like the iconic Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Choji—descendants of three allied clans who always operated together.

Or the group that included Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino—each from a well-established Konoha clan.

Of course, there were exceptions—like Sakura, who, through a twist of fate (or carefully arranged luck), was placed on the same team as Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.

If not for that fortune…

Sakura, being from a non-shinobi background with no clan influence, had no logical reason to be teamed with:

The son of the Fourth Hokage,

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, host to the most powerful tailed beast,

And the last loyal Uchiha remaining in the village.

Being placed with Naruto and Sasuke was, in every sense, an incredible stroke of luck.

Just being near such connections could shape Sakura's entire future as a kunoichi.

But decisions like these—about which genin gets assigned where—weren't something that Iruka Umino, a mere Chūnin instructor at the Academy, could decide alone.

Separating the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, for example, would be unthinkable. The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans would never allow it.

Finally, Iruka called out the long-awaited assignment.

"Team 7—Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke!"

Upon hearing her name with Sasuke's, Sakura couldn't hold back her excitement.

"Yes! Awesome!!!" she shouted, practically jumping.

On the other side of the room, Yamanaka Ino clenched her fists in envy—but she had already prepared herself. As a member of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation, she had no chance of being with Sasuke.

Sasuke, meanwhile, didn't react with the same scorn toward Naruto as he had in the original timeline.

Because now…

Naruto had been dominating him for six years straight.

Sasuke had been second place for six straight years.

And while he was still unwilling to accept that, the reality was clear.

He'd already challenged Naruto twice—and both times, he had been decisively defeated.

But Sasuke hadn't given up.

To him, if he couldn't surpass Naruto, how could he possibly defeat that man?

Being in the same squad as Naruto now gave him the opportunity to observe and study him up close.

Maybe, just maybe—he could finally find a way to win.

If Naruto had known what Sasuke was thinking, he probably would've just patted him on the shoulder and said:

"Little brother… if you can beat me, then sure—you can take on a hundred Uchiha Itachis."

Iruka continued reading the next team.

"Team 8—Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino."

Hinata looked over at Naruto shyly, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She'd secretly hoped to be teamed with him.

Naruto noticed her downcast look and gave her a warm smile. He reached over to ruffle her hair gently.

"It's okay, Hinata. We'll still see each other often."

Even if they wouldn't be training together daily, this separation was only temporary.

Besides, Naruto had more pressing matters to attend to.

His preparations were nearly complete.

There was just one final step—to achieve complete trust and unity with Kurama, the Nine-Tails.

Once they crossed that final threshold of mutual understanding…

He could begin taking the next steps:

Accumulating even more power,

And setting his plan into motion—to target the corrupt leadership of Konoha, especially the Third Hokage.

Naruto hadn't suffered and endured all these years just to let things slide.

Revenge alone wasn't enough.

He wanted justice—to make those responsible experience everything he had gone through.

And not just in Konoha.

No—he was aiming for the entire shinobi world.

But first, he had to wait.

Because patience was a powerful seasoning—it made the victory that much sweeter.

After Team 8, Iruka moved on.

"Team 10—Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji."

Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji exchanged unsurprised glances.

Expected.

After all, their families had long made this arrangement part of their legacy.

Once all students had been assigned, Iruka made the final announcement.

"Alright, that's it for this morning. This afternoon, your Jonin instructors will be introduced. You're dismissed for now."

Afternoon.

Naruto didn't head home.

Instead, he walked toward Ichiraku Ramen, eager to grab a bowl.

Elsewhere in the village, the Third Hokage and Hatake Kakashi stood outside Naruto's small apartment.

"This is where Naruto lives?" Kakashi asked, glancing around the modest space.

With silver hair, a slouched posture, and a mask covering most of his face, Kakashi took in the sight of Naruto's neat, organized room.

He looked surprised.

The son of the Fourth Hokage, Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, and the prank-loving Academy misfit…

Had kept his home spotless and orderly.

It was not what he'd expected.

"Mm."

The Third Hokage nodded slowly.

"With you watching over Naruto now, I can rest easy," he said. "And also… the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Sasuke. I'm placing both of them in your care."

Hearing that pairing, Kakashi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This is going to be a handful…

"…Understood," Kakashi replied, expression unreadable beneath his mask.

But he was well aware—this was no ordinary assignment. This wasn't just about guiding new genin.

One was the son of his late sensei, the Fourth Hokage, and a Jinchūriki bearing the most powerful tailed beast—the Nine-Tails.

The other, the last Uchiha in the village, gifted with the potential of the Sharingan.

Kakashi thought about it for a moment.

In the entire village, he was probably the only jōnin qualified to lead such a team.

Afternoon.

Ninja Academy Classroom.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched with increasing impatience as other jōnin instructors came and left, collecting their respective teams.

Only Team 7 remained, waiting.

The classroom was nearly empty now, save for them.

Sakura paced with growing anxiety, while Sasuke sat with his arms crossed, tapping his fingers.

Naruto, however, looked relaxed. He had already seen this coming.

It'd be more surprising if Kakashi wasn't late, he thought with a smirk.

So, without hesitation, he lay back on his seat, hands behind his head, and decided to nap while he waited.

Sakura gawked at him, speechless.

Is this guy serious? she thought. What if the jōnin walks in and sees him like this?!

But her anxiety couldn't change anything. The instructor still hadn't arrived.

Sasuke glanced sideways at Naruto, watching him sleep so comfortably. His jaw tightened.

Hmph… he doesn't care at all. Compared to that, what was the point of me trying to look cool?

His expression darkened. Damn it. I lost again…

Time passed slowly.

Finally, over an hour later…

Click—

The door opened.

A figure with silver hair, a face mask, and one eye covered by his forehead protector appeared at the doorway.

Hatake Kakashi had arrived.

Just seconds before the door opened, Naruto stirred in his seat—he had sensed Kakashi's presence approaching through sheer instinct and chakra perception.

But to Sakura and Sasuke, it looked like perfect timing, as if Naruto had woken up the moment their jōnin stepped in.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted, lifting a hand lazily. "Sorry I'm late… I got lost on the road of life."

He gave them a sheepish look.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He's finally here.

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. If he had taken any longer, she might have lost it.

Naruto, meanwhile, watched Kakashi calmly, his eyes analyzing the man behind the mask.

Hatake Kakashi. Nicknamed "Kakashi of the Sharingan" or "Copy Ninja Kakashi."

Former student of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

A prodigy who became a jōnin at the age of 12.

Kakashi had received the Sharingan from Obito Uchiha, and later, during the war, gained infamy for copying over a thousand jutsu on the battlefield.

Even now, he was respected across the shinobi world.

With his current sharpened perception, Naruto could sense Kakashi's chakra.

Not much chakra volume… but the quality is high. He's near Kage-level.

However, Naruto also noticed the constant chakra drain from the Sharingan hidden under Kakashi's forehead protector.

That eye is eating away at his chakra nonstop. It forces him to manage his chakra output with extreme precision. One mistake in battle… and he could run dry.

To Naruto, the Sharingan was both Kakashi's greatest strength—and his greatest limiter.

It had earned him fame. It gave him the fearsome reputation of the Copy Ninja.

But it had also anchored him, keeping him from reaching his full potential.

After all…

Kakashi's father was none other than the White Fang of Konoha—Sakumo Hatake.

A legendary shinobi whose blade style had once struck fear into the hearts of entire nations.

Kakashi inherited that blood. That talent. He could've surpassed even the Sannin.

But ever since he received Obito's Sharingan… it's like he's been walking with one leg chained.

If Kakashi hadn't transplanted the Sharingan and had instead continued mastering the kenjutsu passed down by his father,

he might have already stepped into the realm of true Kage-level shinobi.

Not just another elite jōnin of Konoha.

Then again…

His father, Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang of Konoha—was feared across the Shinobi World, said to rival even the legendary Sannin.

And what became of him?

Driven to suicide by Konoha's own higher-ups.

By Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō—old men who clung desperately to power, status, and the village's so-called "interests."

In the end, it was their betrayal that killed Sakumo Hatake.

Kakashi had likely been spared a similar fate simply because his strength hadn't surpassed the threshold of "threat."

In a Konoha rotten to its core…

Those who shine too brightly are often the first to be struck down.

"The bird that sticks its head out gets shot."

"The tall tree catches the wind."

Nowhere is that more evident than in today's Hidden Leaf.

With Kakashi's arrival, Naruto also noticed something else:

the ANBU who had been monitoring him and Sasuke finally dispersed.

It seemed the old monkey—Hiruzen Sarutobi—really did trust Kakashi.

Which meant he was beginning to trust Naruto and Sasuke as well.

That was good.

At the very least, it gave Naruto the freedom to act naturally in front of Kakashi… or hide things if needed.

On the rooftop of the Academy building.

Kakashi had brought Team 7 here for a bit of fresh air and to kick off the introductions.

"Alright then, let's start by introducing ourselves," Kakashi said casually, sitting on the railing with his usual slouch and eye-smile.

He went first.

"My name is Hatake Kakashi. My likes and dislikes… are classified."

"My dreams? I don't have many."

"But I do have quite a few interests."

That was all.

Sakura blinked and couldn't help muttering to Naruto and Sasuke, "That tells us nothing except his name…"

Kakashi ignored the jab and turned to the team. "Now it's your turn. Let's start from the right," he said, looking at Haruno Sakura.

Blushing slightly, Sakura began, "My name is Haruno Sakura. The things I like… well, not things exactly, but someone I like is—"

She glanced shyly at Sasuke and trailed off.

"Um, dreams… should I talk about that?"

She mumbled a while longer without saying anything meaningful.

Kakashi raised a brow.

Girls this age really do care more about love than becoming ninja…

Then it was Sasuke's turn.

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are a lot of things I hate, but not many I like."

"As for dreams…" He paused, voice cold. "I don't think of them as dreams. I have ambition."

"I will restore the Uchiha clan."

"…And kill a certain man."

His words were sharp. Quiet, but full of venom.

Kakashi looked at him silently.

He could feel the dark hatred boiling beneath Sasuke's calm surface.

Then came Naruto's turn.

Naruto glanced at the three in front of him and, with practiced ease, delivered his most passionate and sincere introduction yet.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"

"I like eating good food, and there are a lot of things I hate too!"

"My dream—no, the goal I will accomplish—is to become the next Hokage!"

As he spoke, confidence radiated from every word.

It wasn't just an act.

This was the real Naruto—the one who refused to back down from his path.

Sakura looked at him differently now.

It felt like she was seeing Naruto for the first time—or maybe reintroducing herself to him.

Even Sasuke was a little surprised.

Six years had passed, and Naruto still hadn't given up on becoming Hokage.

As Kakashi gazed at Naruto's bright, unwavering grin,

he couldn't help but see the face of his late teacher—Minato Namikaze.

That smile…

His sensei used to wear it too. A smile that inspired others.

"…Sensei," Kakashi thought quietly.

This is your son.

With the introductions over, Kakashi finally stood.

"The mission starts tomorrow."

"But before that, there'll be a survival exercise."

Sakura tilted her head. "A survival drill? But… we've done those at the Academy plenty of times."

Even Sasuke was waiting for an explanation.

Kakashi's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious.

"Well… the thing is, if I told you everything now, some of you might not show up."

He paused.

"Out of the twenty-seven graduates this year, only nine will be officially recognized as genin."

"The rest?"

"They'll be sent back to the Academy."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Wait, what?!"

"That's right," Kakashi continued. "This test is extremely difficult. The elimination rate is over 66 percent."

Sakura immediately frowned.

If you still need to pass a test, then what's the point of the graduation exam?

Even Sasuke looked puzzled.

This arrangement felt off.

He couldn't make sense of it.

But still…

Hatake Kakashi was a jōnin of Konoha.

There was no room for doubt.

Whatever strange logic was at play, it wasn't for them to question—at least not yet.

Finally, Kakashi gave the three of them a few parting instructions, his voice unusually thoughtful:

"Tomorrow morning, meet me at Training Ground Three. I'll be the one to decide whether you pass or fail."

"Make sure to bring your ninja gear."

"Oh—and don't eat breakfast."

He gave them a small smile beneath his mask.

"Unless you want to throw it all up."

With that—

Poof.

Kakashi vanished in a swirl of leaves.

"…What?"

Sakura stared at the empty space where their teacher had just stood, exasperated.

This was nothing like the ninja life she had imagined.

After Kakashi's abrupt departure, the three new genin glanced at each other.

With no further instructions, they quietly went their separate ways.

...

TN:

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