bell test

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Academy, casting golden beams over the assembled students. Excitement buzzed in the air as the graduating class prepared for their next chapter. Iruka stood at the front of the classroom, a proud smile on his face.

"Today marks the end of your time as Academy students," he began, his voice warm. "And the beginning of your journey as genin. Each of you has worked hard to get here, and I'm proud to announce the team assignments that will shape your future as shinobi."

Tobirama sat in the second row, his hands folded neatly on his desk. He maintained a calm demeanor, but inside, he was filled with anticipation. He had been preparing for this day ever since Danzo and Hiruzen orchestrated his transfer to the Academy. This was his chance to prove himself—not just as a shinobi, but as someone worthy of the legacy of his namesake.

Next to him, Naruto was practically bouncing in his seat, his bright orange jacket a stark contrast to Tobirama's muted attire. "I hope I get on an awesome team!" Naruto whispered loudly.

Sasuke, sitting on Tobirama's other side, scoffed. "You'd better hope you're not on my team, dobe."

"Hey! I'd be a great teammate!" Naruto shot back, puffing out his chest.

Tobirama turned his head slightly, offering a measured smile. "Let's see how it plays out. The teams are chosen for balance."

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms, while Sasuke shot Tobirama a glance, his eyes narrowing as if to silently challenge him.

Iruka cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the front. "Team assignments are as follows. Team Seven will consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha..." He paused for effect, glancing at the scroll in his hands. "And Tobirama Senju."

Naruto let out a loud cheer. "Yes! I'm with Tobirama! We're gonna be the best team ever!"

Sasuke groaned, muttering under his breath. "Great. Just my luck."

Tobirama maintained his composure, though he couldn't deny the small spark of satisfaction. Being placed on Team Seven was an opportunity to not only bond with Sasuke and Naruto but also to fulfill the Hokage's vision of bridging the gap between the Uchiha and Konoha.

Iruka continued, "Your jonin instructor will be Kakashi Hatake. Meet him tomorrow at the training grounds at 8 a.m. Don't be late."

As the students filed out of the classroom, Naruto was already making plans. "We should train today, right? Come on, let's get a head start!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You'll just slow us down."

"Hey, I'll show you!" Naruto fired back, fists clenched.

Tobirama placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his voice steady. "Naruto, save your energy for tomorrow. We need to show Kakashi-sensei what we're capable of, not wear ourselves out beforehand."

Naruto looked up at him, a bit surprised, then nodded enthusiastically. "You're right, Tobirama! We'll blow him away tomorrow!"

As they left the Academy together, the three of them—so different yet bound by fate—took their first steps as Team Seven. The road ahead was uncertain, but Tobirama knew one thing: this was his chance to forge his own path, not as a shadow of the past, but as a shinobi of the present.

Training grounds 8 a.m

The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across Training Ground Three. Team Seven stood before Kakashi Hatake, who seemed more interested in his orange book than the three eager faces before him. The bells on his belt jingled faintly as he shifted his weight lazily.

"This test is simple," Kakashi began, his voice disinterested. "Get these bells from me by noon, or you fail and return to the Academy. Oh, and there are only two bells, so one of you will definitely fail."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "What?! That's not fair!"

Sasuke smirked faintly, already formulating his plan, while Tobirama remained calm, his arms crossed. He knew the rules were a ruse, a test of their teamwork, but he didn't speak up. Instead, he studied Kakashi carefully, his calculating mind already outlining multiple strategies.

In a dark cave, Madara Uchiha watched silently, his Sharingan glowing faintly. His gaze shifted between Tobirama and Sasuke, though his attention lingered on the latter.

"Sasuke," Madara muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You move with Izuna's fire, his pride. The way you stand, the way you attack... It's him."

His hands tightened into fists as memories of his younger brother flooded his mind. Izuna's unwavering loyalty, his fierce resolve, and his tragic death were etched into Madara's soul. Yet here, below, was a boy who moved like Izuna, who bore the same fierce determination in his eyes.

Madara murmured. "You are a shadow of what he could have been—angry, lost, and isolated. If you truly are his reincarnation, you are a pale reflection. Or perhaps, you haven't yet remembered what you are."

Madara's gaze shifted briefly to Tobirama. The boy stood slightly apart from his teammates, his posture composed yet unassuming.

"He's hiding something," Madara murmured. "Pretending to be weaker than he is. Unlike Sasuke, he's too controlled. Too deliberate. The Second Hokage reborn, perhaps? But why conceal his power?"

"Start!" Kakashi's voice snapped Tobirama out of his thoughts.

Naruto charged headfirst, his battle cry echoing through the training ground. "Take this, Kakashi-sensei!"

With an almost bored expression, Kakashi sidestepped Naruto's clumsy punch and flipped him onto his back. "Too slow," he said, his tone dripping with condescension.

Sasuke used the distraction to launch a barrage of shuriken, forcing Kakashi to leap back. Tobirama watched carefully, noting Kakashi's movements and reaction time.

"I'll handle this," Sasuke said coldly, stepping forward.

"Wait," Tobirama interjected, his voice calm but firm. "Rushing in won't work. He's testing us."

Sasuke shot him a glare. "Don't tell me what to do."

Tobirama sighed inwardly but nodded. "Fine. Do as you like."

As Sasuke engaged Kakashi in close combat, Tobirama took a step back, deliberately masking his abilities. He could end this exercise easily—he was faster, stronger, and more experienced than Kakashi suspected. But revealing his true power now would only raise questions he wasn't ready to answer.

From his vantage point, Madara's Sharingan dissected every movement.

"Sasuke," he muttered, his tone dark. "You don't realize it yet, do you? That fire in your eyes is Izuna's. The way you throw yourself into battle, the way you plan your moves... it's all him."

Madara's thoughts turned to the past, to the way Izuna had always challenged him, always strived to keep up. "And yet, he never succumbed to despair. You, Sasuke, are burdened by it. Why?"

Tobirama's subtle movements caught Madara's attention again. "And this one," he murmured. "He is the counterbalance. If Sasuke is Izuna's fire, then Tobirama is the cold calculation of the Senju. He suppresses himself, pretends to be weaker than he is, all while manipulating the battlefield."

Madara's smirk returned. "It's no coincidence these two stand side by side. Fate, perhaps? Or another cruel trick of this world?"

Below, Tobirama subtly guided his teammates, masking his true strength behind calculated movements. He let Naruto's enthusiasm and Sasuke's aggression take center stage, all while observing Kakashi's every move.

Then, for a split second, Kakashi slipped—a small but critical error. Tobirama saw his chance.

He moved faster than Kakashi could react, appearing behind him and reaching for the bells. But just as his fingers brushed the metal, he hesitated. 'No. I can't let him know.'

Tobirama deliberately missed, allowing Kakashi to counter with a substitution jutsu. He stepped back, feigning a frown.

Madara chuckled softly. "He holds the power to crush his opponents, yet he restrains himself. Is this wisdom or fear? Perhaps both."

The battle continued until the sun was high in the sky. By the end, all three genin were exhausted, sprawled out on the grass. Kakashi stood over them, the bells still dangling from his belt.

"You failed," he said simply.

Naruto bolted upright. "What?! No way! We worked so hard!"

"You missed the point of the exercise," Kakashi explained, his tone softening. "It's about teamwork. You were so focused on the bells that you forgot to work together."

As Kakashi dismissed them, Madara lingered in the shadows, his thoughts churning.

"If Sasuke truly is Izuna's reincarnation, then I must test him," Madara decided. "Does he carry Izuna's ideals, or has he become something new entirely? And Tobirama... a reincarnation of a real annoyance. Together, they could reshape this world—or destroy it."

With a final glance at the white-haired genin, Madara disappeared into the forest, his mind clouded by memories and determination.