Chapter | XXI |

Hearing the words, Naruto blinked then smirked.

"I knew it... What a fox you are, Sensei"

The moment Naruto heard the word 'Hatake' he knew something was off, an idea formed in his mind, but he wasn't betting the odds in its favor. But turns out he was right, the bell test was just a decoy... This was the real one.

As if answering to his question, Kakashi stood up and heaved a sigh.

"You catch on quickly, I can tell from the looks in your eyes... Yes, the bell test was nothing but an act, after all, what would teamwork, hard work, and smart work mean anything if you can't even obey your Sensei?... Naruto..."

Kakashi knelt down and patted the blonde's shoulder.

"You've passed... And I'm proud of you"

Naruto couldn't help but grin wider, if he had dismissed the mission like Sasuke or Sakura, the headband he received would've been meaningless, and his efforts would have been gone in dust... However, not backing down or dismissing the mission just because of its stupid contents resulted in his favor.

A cold glint shimmered in Kakashi's eyes.

"As for the other two, I have already sent the letters to their respective rooms as soon as the thought even crossed their mind... Don't even bother with them when they bark at you afterward, those two are nothing but failures, forget their existence, with that weak mindset, they are worthless in this world filled with hardships and ruthlessness"

Naruto nodded in full seriousness. He knew why Kakashi was being so harsh, there was simply no kindness in this vile and brutal world, he knew that all too well... Maybe even better than some. Because the moment they enter the Ninja world with the luxury of 'choice', they would die... Hesitation was defeat, hesitation was death.

Kakashi smiled.

"I knew you would pass, after all..."

His words were cut off shortly as the door was banged relentlessly, snorting, he stood up and opened the door. On the other side were Sasuke and Sakura, flaming with fury. Naruto threw a mocking smirk at their faces and sat on the sofa, leaning back, he enjoyed Kakashi absolutely crushing their feeble ego with his dagger-like words.

His eyes were cold and hollow.

'Look at who's winning now, bitches... You all taunted me for being the last, you showed me no pity or support, well, not that I expected anything. But now that you couldn't even understand your mistake you grew enraged? Pathetic, you are nothing but spoiled children on high horses, it's time for you kids to get down from that saddle'

Because of his heightened emotions, Naruto spilled all that pent up frustration. He couldn't care less about their feelings, afterall, did they ever heed his? No.

But he knew one thing, if not for his recent power-up, he would be in their place... But that alternative was erased from his mind as soon as it popped up. He did not fail and passed, any alternative was just a waste of time. That's what Naruto believed.

After Kakashi was done with them, he closed the door on their faces and sat down opposite to him. Now that everything was calm and quiet again, Naruto decided speak something that lingered on his mind for the past few minutes.

"Sensei... Now that Sakura and Sasuke are out of the picture, who should we replace them with? I mean, a four-man squad is important right?"

'This kid... He has grown'. Inwardly praising the young Uzumaki, Kakashi revealed.

"Right... We have got replacements, after all, taking on missions with only two men is risky, even if we wanted, it's not permitted... So let me introduce you to your new teammates tomorrow"

'I wonder who those replacements could be?'