Chapter 48: The Power of the Ultimate Mind's Eye! Kakashi Shocked! Eat First or Suffer Later!

Before they parted ways, Naruto suddenly remembered something and turned back to remind Sasuke and Sakura.

"Oh yeah, make sure you eat breakfast tomorrow before coming," he said casually, then walked off toward home.

Sasuke and Sakura glanced at each other.

Naruto's warning felt a little out of place.

But…

Sasuke quickly recalled the previous two times Naruto had given advice—and both had proven useful.

Naruto wasn't the type to joke around meaninglessly.

If he said to eat first, then skipping breakfast tomorrow might really be a mistake.

Sakura caught on as well.

Without hesitation, she decided to follow Sasuke's lead and heed Naruto's advice.

Breakfast tomorrow was a must.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning arrived.

Naruto woke up early and treated himself to a hearty breakfast. After eating his fill, he changed into his usual attire and made his way to the designated meeting spot—Training Ground Three.

As expected, both Sasuke and Sakura had also taken his advice and eaten beforehand.

The three genin arrived at the training ground one after another.

The area was spacious, with an open field, clusters of trees, a nearby stream, and distant mountain peaks forming the backdrop.

But…

Their squad leader, Jonin-sensei Hatake Kakashi, was nowhere to be seen.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura waited and waited, watching the sun slowly rise.

Still, Kakashi didn't show up.

"Ugh, seriously! What's with this guy?" Sakura finally snapped, frustrated.

"It's almost noon! And he told us to be here in the morning!"

If not for Naruto's reminder yesterday, the three of them would've skipped breakfast and been starving by now—completely drained before the test even began.

Sasuke was visibly irritated as well.

So this was the caliber of Konoha's elite jonin?

No wonder Naruto warned them.

It was obvious now—Naruto had already gathered intel on this guy.

He knew their sensei was a master of tardiness...

And just as Sasuke and Sakura's patience was about to run out—

Kakashi finally appeared, in his usual laid-back fashion.

He's here at last, Naruto thought.

"You're late, sensei!" Sakura shouted as soon as she saw him, visibly annoyed.

"It's almost noon already!"

"You told us to meet here in the morning!"

Kakashi, unfazed by their complaints, offered a smile and replied casually:

"Well… I got held up helping an old lady cross the road. Took longer than I expected."

Hearing that excuse made both Sakura and Sasuke even more skeptical of this so-called elite jonin.

But Kakashi didn't bother explaining further. Instead, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small alarm clock, setting it to go off at noon.

"This is the test," he said, his tone suddenly more serious. "I have two bells here. Your goal is to take one from me before the alarm rings."

"Whoever fails to get a bell… doesn't eat lunch."

"In fact, you'll have to watch me eat in front of you."

He paused, then added with a chilling smile:

"Oh, and one more thing—whoever fails to get a bell fails the mission and gets sent back to the Academy."

His words hit like a thunderclap.

Sasuke and Sakura were stunned.

There were three of them.

But only two bells.

That meant… at least one of them was guaranteed to fail!

Kakashi's expression darkened as he added:

"Use your shuriken if you want. Come at me with the intent to kill."

"If you don't… you'll never get a bell."

Sakura suddenly grew nervous after hearing Kakashi's words.

"But… isn't that too dangerous?" she asked quickly. Shuriken were real weapons—tools that could kill.

In contrast, Sasuke's expression hardened.

If I can't even take a bell from him...

Then what's the point of talking about defeating Itachi? What dream do I have of reviving the Uchiha clan?

His resolve flared with newfound intensity.

Kakashi noticed this and sighed inwardly.

As expected of an Uchiha... a genius through and through.

From his experience, while Sasuke was still young and lacked polish, he at least felt like a real shinobi.

On the other hand...

The girl, Sakura...

Her focus was entirely on Sasuke.

Is this… a crush? Kakashi thought, exasperated.

But then his gaze shifted to Naruto, who stood calmly beside Sasuke.

The son of my teacher—the Fourth Hokage...

What caught Kakashi off guard was Naruto's demeanor. From the beginning until now, he hadn't reacted at all to Kakashi's warning.

He was composed. Focused.

Could it be? For the first time in six years...

Is there a genin more promising than Uchiha Sasuke?

His thoughts drifted back to Sakura—the only one who had voiced concern. Kakashi shook his head slightly, then spoke to her with a solemn tone:

"Sakura."

"You're a ninja now."

"This isn't some childhood game of playing house."

"If you're already afraid, then it's better to quit while you can."

The words struck Sakura like lightning.

That's right.

We're already shinobi...

Even if one of them might be eliminated today, they had still passed the exam and received their official Konoha forehead protectors.

More importantly...

If I want to stand by Sasuke's side, I can't back down now!

If she faltered here, she feared Sasuke would leave her behind completely.

"Got it, sensei!"

"I understand!"

Sakura shouted, a surge of determination rising within her. She bowed deeply to Kakashi.

Kakashi blinked in surprise.

Just a few words and she's fired up already?

Maybe I'm a natural at this teaching thing…

He smiled behind the mask, but quickly got back on track.

"All right then," Kakashi said, his tone suddenly sharp.

"The test—begins now!"

Without hesitation, Sasuke and Sakura showed the reflexes of top academy graduates.

The first thing they did was retreat and break line of sight from their clearly superior opponent.

Sasuke vanished into the trees, hiding within the upper branches.

Sakura ducked into the underbrush, carefully concealing herself.

Without saying a word, the two had clearly made the same decision:

Observe first. Watch Kakashi-sensei's movements.

Then make a plan.

Then execute.

Kakashi noted their quick movements and tracked their hiding spots with ease.

Of course, for someone with his experience and sensory skills, spotting two genin was child's play.

But evaluating them as fresh graduates...

Not bad.

Concealing one's presence is the most basic ninja skill…

They're doing well for their level.

He gave a subtle nod of approval.

However...

Neither Kakashi, Sasuke, nor Sakura had expected the next development.

Naruto... didn't move.

He stood there in the open, completely exposed.

Not even attempting to hide.

Kakashi did a double take. He had almost overlooked Naruto out of habit.

What's he doing...?

Given Naruto's test scores—recently higher than even Sasuke's—he had to understand the basics of stealth and strategy.

"Why aren't you hiding?" Kakashi asked.

"Is it confidence?"

"Or arrogance?"

His interest was piqued.

"Naruto… are you planning a frontal assault?" he asked with mild curiosity.

Naruto smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, Kakashi-sensei."

Up in the trees, Sasuke narrowed his eyes, trying to decipher Naruto's intent.

He knows this guy is a jonin. Even if he's weird or unreliable, he's still strong.

So what's Naruto thinking...?

Hidden in the bushes, Sakura also couldn't understand.

This version of Naruto—different from the loudmouth who used to pester her—had always felt strong.

Stronger than me.

Sometimes… even stronger than Sasuke.

But this behavior in front of me...

Sakura truly didn't understand what was happening.

Kakashi, hearing her confusion, smiled with interest beneath his mask.

"A tip for ninja combat: The key to taijutsu..."

"Let me teach you properly."

As he spoke, he casually reached into his ninja pouch to pull out a familiar orange book—Icha Icha Paradise.

But just then...

Naruto grinned.

In the next instant—

Both of his feet sprang off the ground.

Like black lightning, his body shot toward Kakashi!

"Whoosh!"

Kakashi's eyes widened.

"That speed!" he thought.

He reflexively moved to defend himself—

But Naruto's pure physical power exploded at that very moment.

His speed—

Was unreal.

So fast—

Kakashi was caught off-guard. He had no time to react.

"Bang!"

Naruto's kick slammed into the hand holding Icha Icha Paradise.

The book was launched into the air—

Falling and landing on the ground.

Its pages fluttered in the wind with a soft, rustling sound.

In that instant—

It was as if time had frozen.

Naruto held his kicking pose proudly.

Kakashi, eyes wide, stared at the boy in stunned silence.

"That speed… that power…"

The pain in his hand surged up his arm—

And with it, a realization.

"This strength… it's even more terrifying than Lady Tsunade's punches…"

"Is this… the Nine-Tails' power?"

Kakashi was genuinely shaken.

And he wasn't the only one.

Sasuke and Sakura stared in disbelief.

"Naruto actually got him… right away?"

Naruto stepped back and looked at Kakashi with a sly smile.

"One of the tips for ninja combat," he said, mimicking Kakashi's earlier tone.

"Never let your guard down during a fight."

Hearing that—

Kakashi felt a chill run down his spine.

There was something sharp in Naruto's presence now.

Like a blade being drawn from its scabbard—

That unmistakable sharpness of a warrior with purpose.

"Is this… the son of the Fourth Hokage?"

Kakashi's heart trembled.

Meanwhile — at the Hokage Residence

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat watching the test from his crystal ball.

As the ever-curious old voyeur, he wouldn't dare miss a chance to watch his students in action.

He looked up just in time to see Naruto kick Kakashi's beloved book out of his hands.

"He actually knocked Kakashi's book away…?"

Everyone knew how much Kakashi loved Icha Icha Paradise.

He would never drop it unless he was truly caught off-guard.

Even Hiruzen was surprised at Naruto's growth.

Back at the training ground, Kakashi stood still for a long moment.

He had clearly seen it.

Naruto's strength.

The playfulness drained from Kakashi's face.

"Looks like you've taught me something, Sensei…"

Kakashi's voice was low, almost regretful.

But then—

He lifted his head.

His expression grew serious.

"In that case…"

"I guess I'll stop holding back."

His words dropped like lead.

In the next instant—

Kakashi's eyes gleamed with cold intensity.

He vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Reappearing right behind Naruto!

With his fingers in a peculiar hand sign—both index fingers extended—

A mischievous red gleam flickered in his eye.

"Another tip for ninja combat…"

"Never show your back to the enemy!"

From the trees and bushes, Sasuke and Sakura watched in panic.

They saw Kakashi forming hand seals—

And immediately assumed the worst.

"Is that a Fire Style jutsu?!"

"He's really going to use ninjutsu on Naruto!?"

"That's cheating!" they thought, in unison.

But—

They were wrong.

Kakashi shouted:

"A secret taijutsu technique passed down in the Hidden Leaf Village!"

"The ultimate forbidden technique!"

"One Thousand Years of Death!!!"

Kakashi lunged forward, attempting to strike Naruto with his notorious surprise attack.

But—

Poof!

White smoke burst around Kakashi.

He hit nothing.

It was a clone.

"When—!?"

Kakashi was shocked.

He hadn't noticed Naruto swapping out with a shadow clone.

Even Sakura, Sasuke, and the Third Hokage watching from afar were stunned by Naruto's quick thinking.

None of them had seen it coming.

And now—

The real Naruto…

Was right behind Kakashi.

"Sensei, that's just dirty fighting."

Naruto shook his head, standing calmly behind Kakashi, who still had his back turned.

To be honest, Naruto knew the Hidden Leaf Village's forbidden taijutsu technique—One Thousand Years of Death—as well.

But just thinking about how it involved jabbing his fingers into someone else's… well, rear, made him reconsider.

Yeah, maybe let's not go there.

Hearing Naruto's voice so close behind him, Kakashi flinched.

He slowly turned around—

And was met with Naruto's disappointed gaze.

Somehow, that look stung more than any punch.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, looking awkward.

"Ah… sorry about that."

But then—

No sooner had he apologized than he suddenly struck again!

Without warning, Kakashi lunged forward.

Swish! Swish!

A rapid sequence of taijutsu strikes flew from Kakashi's hands and feet. His movements were sharp, fluid—textbook Konoha style.

After all—

He was the acknowledged rival of Might Guy, the "Proud Blue Beast of the Leaf" and the village's most formidable taijutsu master.

But—

None of it mattered.

Not against Naruto.

To everyone watching—Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, even the Third Hokage—

What happened next defied belief.

Naruto didn't counter.

He didn't block.

His hands stayed in his jacket pockets the entire time.

He just… dodged.

Every strike.

Effortlessly.

Like a leaf caught on the breeze, swaying in the wind—fluid, natural, untouchable.

His movement was serene, almost lazy, yet somehow always just right.

Thanks to the razor-sharp clarity of his current mental state—

Naruto wasn't just reading Kakashi's attacks.

He was predicting them.

Seconds before they happened.

I've already seen through everything you're going to do, Naruto thought calmly.

To Kakashi, it was like trying to punch a ghost.

Each attack missed by a hair.

He couldn't even graze Naruto's clothes.

Sasuke and Sakura were stunned.

Completely speechless.

Even the Third Hokage stared in silence, his pipe long forgotten in his hand.

When did Naruto become this strong…?

Naruto, still calm and composed, looked at Kakashi, who was clearly starting to get frustrated.

He spoke in a light, almost teasing tone.

"Sensei… you're too slow. Mind speeding it up a little?"

The words hit Kakashi like a slap.

This brat…

He's Minato-sensei's kid, alright.

The irritation on Kakashi's face was undeniable.

How dare this little upstart—

—treat my attacks like they're nothing!?

Fine.

Then let's turn it up.

Without hesitation, Kakashi formed a quick hand seal—

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Two clones appeared beside him.

Now, there were three Kakashis in total, surrounding Naruto from all sides.

From above the treeline, Sasuke, Sakura, and the Third Hokage leaned in.

What they saw next—

Was even more unbelievable.

All three Kakashis attacked simultaneously, launching a relentless barrage of strikes from every angle.

But Naruto?

It was like watching someone cross an empty street at dawn.

Every time, just at the last possible moment, he moved—

And slipped through the smallest opening.

Untouched.

Untouchable.

After dozens of coordinated strikes—

Not a single Kakashi clone had even managed to grab the edge of Naruto's jacket.

He's dodging… everything?

Kakashi's mind reeled.

His movement… it's like he has the Sharingan…

He's reading my every move!

Each strike he launched was already seen, already countered, before it even began.

...

TN:

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