Chapter 22: Kakashi's Bell Test

A gentle breeze entered the room.

Sasuke left without a word.

Sakura clenched her fists, feeling frustrated. If it weren't for Naruto's sudden and inexplicable comments, she would have had a good chance to be alone with Sasuke, but now it was all ruined.

Three hours later.

At the entrance of the ninja school, the three of them met.

"Have you all gathered the information?" Naruto asked softly, "Let's start with Haruno-san."

Haruno...

This address made Sakura pause.

There was a time when she always wanted Naruto to call her that instead of repeatedly calling her "Sakura-chan."

But now that he used this address, why did it feel... strange?

"I went back and asked my father," Sakura replied. "He said that Hatake Kakashi is a very powerful Jonin."

"He is known as the 'Copy Ninja', 'Konoha Technician', and 'Sharingan Kakashi'."

Sasuke nodded, his tone serious. "What I gathered is similar to Haruno's."

His brows furrowed in deep confusion, ignoring Sakura's shy remark, "Just call me Sakura."

Sharingan...

This is the unique Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan, an ability that only those with Uchiha blood can possess. How could someone with the surname Hatake have it? Could it be that there is more than one Uchiha in Konoha?

"The information I collected is slightly more detailed than yours," Naruto said, pulling out a piece of paper.

"Hatake Kakashi, 26 years old, is the most talented ninja in Konoha's history."

"He graduated from the academy at 5, became a Chunin at 6."

Sasuke couldn't help but look up.

Chunin, at what age?

Six?!

"Is he really that amazing?" Sakura exclaimed. She couldn't quite grasp it just from her father's description, but having this age reference made it all clear.

Naruto continued reading, "His father is Sakumo Hatake."

"After graduation, his mentor was… Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage."

"His teammates were Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito."

At this point, he paused, staring at the name "Namikaze Minato."

As expected.

It's related to his father; he was his student...

Sasuke clenched his fist upon hearing the name of his clansman.

The source of the Sharingan?

"At 12, he became the youngest Jonin in Konoha's history."

"After 14, his record is blank, hidden away." Naruto continued reading, "He reappeared at 20 and quickly earned the titles mentioned by Haruno with his immense strength."

"He knows over a thousand jutsus."

"His summoning contract is with ninja dogs."

Sakura stared at the piece of paper in Naruto's hand and suddenly realized why she felt something was off. "Naruto, where did you get such detailed information? What is that piece of paper?"

Naruto remained calm, "I took out Kakashi-sensei's file."

The two were stunned.

Stealing files?

Is that even possible?

"Naruto, this isn't right," Sakura said, a bit flustered.

Naruto responded confidently, "This is the most convenient and accurate source of information."

Before Sakura could say more, he handed the paper to Sasuke, "Normally speaking, newly graduated Genin, even if they team up, can't possibly match an elite Jonin like him."

"The survival test is likely to assess our skills and mindset."

He habitually thought from the perspective of a "lieutenant" and "manager."

"Knowing what type he is and preparing accordingly, passing the test shouldn't be a problem."

No matter how harsh it is.

They wouldn't expect three Genin to defeat a battle-hardened Jonin.

Sasuke did not hurry to look at the files and couldn't help but scrutinize Naruto.

What does "normally speaking" mean...

Judging from his tone, does he have the confidence to face Hatake Kakashi?

"Remember the information on these," Naruto stood up. "I'm heading back now."

He began to look forward to tomorrow.

To look forward to Hatake Kakashi, a person directly related to his father.

The next day.

Third Training Ground.

Kakashi was late again.

Faced with Sakura's reproach, he smiled innocently, feeling no shame, and took out a clock from his backpack, placing it on a stump.

The hour and minute hands pointed to the current time, 10:15 AM.

"I mentioned yesterday that we have a task to perform."

"Now let's discuss the task objective."

Kakashi pulled out two bells from his pocket: "I have set the alarm for 12 noon."

"Your task is to snatch these bells from me before it rings."

"And—"

"Did you notice the number of bells?"

He gently shook them, producing a jingling sound.

"There are only two."

"This means... one of you is destined to fail the task and be eliminated."

Naruto and Sasuke's expressions didn't change.

Sakura was stunned, the mere pressure from his words left her uneasy.

"Those are good expressions, but they are not enough." Kakashi lifted the bells, "Naruto is quite bold, even daring to steal my file."

"But this way, you all understand what kind of ninja I am."

Naruto was not surprised that he knew.

When he went to the Hokage Building yesterday, aside from Sarutobi Hiruzen, there were four other chakra sources monitoring him.

Kakashi tied the bells to his waist, speaking lightly: "In light of your excellent performance, here's another hint."

"Without the resolve to kill me, you won't succeed."

"So..."

"Let's begin."

As soon as he finished speaking, two figures leaped up, disappearing into the woods behind the training ground to hide.

Naruto didn't move.

Kakashi looked at him: "Aren't you going to use the same strategy as them?"

"Concealment and hiding are basic skills."

Naruto shook his head and said softly, "Kakashi-sensei, the task is to get the bells, which are on you."

"You also knew about our existence beforehand and knew we would come for you."

"Hiding or not hiding makes no difference."

Kakashi murmured: "Is that how you think?"

"But I am a Jonin, facing me head-on is disadvantageous for you."

Naruto smiled gently: "Maybe I will surprise you, Sensei."

He slowly drew his sword.

Unlike in the ninja academy, he carried both swords, hanging them on his waist.

"A sword?" A hint of nostalgia flashed in Kakashi's only visible eye, "I didn't know you could use such a weapon."

"And you brought two."

"Is the other one a backup? Isn't it cumbersome to carry both?"

"They look nice."

"But... mastering swordsmanship isn't something that can be done in a few days."

"And for a ninja sword, it's too long."

Naruto grinned, chakra gathering at his feet.

With a swoosh—

He stepped forward in a flash.

Kakashi's eyes turned sharp.

It was different from the "Body Flicker Technique," a kind of instant movement technique.

Faster than what he saw half a month ago.

Clang!

Naruto swung his sword, and Kakashi blocked it with two kunai, sparks flying as the blades clashed.

Kakashi's eyebrows twitched.

One kunai's blade was bent, and the other in his right hand had a crack.

It wasn't due to strength.

It was the sword.

This dark red sword was a masterpiece.

Where did he get it?

There's probably no better sword in all of Konoha.

Naruto twisted his body and slashed again.

After just a few rounds, Kakashi was shocked.

Naruto's swordsmanship wasn't extremely powerful or perfect, but it was proficient and had almost no major flaws.

This wasn't something that could be achieved overnight.

Even he, under his father's guidance, took four to five years to reach such a level of swordsmanship.

Sarutobi Hiruzen never mentioned that Naruto secretly practiced with a sword.

So it must be...

Talent?

Are all blondes monsters?