Chapter 40: Facing Kakashi Again

The next day, Tetsuya woke up early but didn't rush to the training ground immediately. He knew Kakashi well, and he also knew the plot. This old boy loved to mess with people and specifically mentioned skipping breakfast—a proper trickster.

Tetsuya had a hearty breakfast and practiced the ninjutsu he had memorized from the Scroll of Seals before leisurely making his way to the training ground.

When he arrived, he found Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura barely hanging on. They had dark circles under their eyes and looked starved and exhausted.

"Tetsuya, why are you here so late?" Naruto exclaimed, his voice full of grievance.

What people feared most was inequality. The three of them had suffered while Tetsuya looked perfectly at ease. Even Naruto couldn't accept this.

Sasuke and Sakura also looked at Tetsuya with resentment.

Tetsuya shrugged. "Kakashi is the famous late king of Konoha. I think I'm actually a bit early."

"What?!" Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura cursed Tetsuya under their breath.

"I can't pretend I didn't hear that…" came Kakashi's voice from behind Tetsuya. He appeared with a smile, "I just got lost on the path of life for a while."

"Kakashi-sensei, you're five hours late! We're starving!" Naruto complained, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not hungry. I ate before I came," Tetsuya said with a smile, rubbing salt into the wound.

The trio's spirits plummeted even further.

Kakashi sighed. He had hoped to catch Tetsuya off guard, but it seemed he had failed. Taking out two bells, he tied them to his waist and introduced the rules of the exercise.

"There are two bells today. Only those who get a bell will pass my test, which means at least one of you will be eliminated."

"Ah!" Naruto clutched his head. "Does that mean we have to eliminate two people? Can we just eliminate Sasuke?"

Naruto wanted to team up with Tetsuya and Sakura. Even Sasuke, usually confident, clenched his fists nervously.

"No," Kakashi shook his head, "this test is only for the three of you. Tetsuya's test is separate."

Although puzzled, Naruto and the others focused on their own task. Kakashi turned to Tetsuya, "You can watch for now, or help them strategize."

Tetsuya shook his head. "I've seen enough. Let's begin."

By the time they started, Sasuke and Sakura had already hidden. Sasuke was in a bush, ready to strike at any moment, while Sakura executed a textbook hiding technique. Though not the strongest, she had excellent theoretical knowledge.

Naruto, however, stood boldly in front of Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, let's fight!"

Kakashi ignored him, quickly noting the hiding spots of Sasuke and Sakura. "Not bad," he mused. "They have potential for Genin."

Tetsuya moved to the stake, gesturing to Naruto. "Go ahead."

Naruto grinned, giving him a thumbs-up. "Watch me take down Kakashi-sensei!"

He charged at Kakashi with a straight punch. Despite Tetsuya's occasional guidance, Naruto's moves were still amateurish. Kakashi dodged effortlessly, making Naruto increasingly frustrated.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered from his hiding spot. "Kakashi is at least a Special Jōnin. Don't be reckless."

Kakashi sighed, taking out his book, "Make-Out Paradise."

"Kakashi-sensei, why are you reading a book?" Naruto paused, confused.

"Ah, I think one hand is enough to deal with you," Kakashi replied, his focus mostly on the book.

"Damn it!" Naruto was infuriated and attacked more fiercely, but his flaws became more apparent. Kakashi easily exploited an opening, appearing behind Naruto with a Tiger Seal.

Sasuke and Sakura watched in horror. The Tiger Seal was used for powerful techniques.

"The Secret Technique of Konoha—Thousand Years of Death!"

Under Tetsuya's amused gaze and the stunned eyes of Sasuke and Sakura, Kakashi sent Naruto flying into the air. Naruto's expression changed from shock to pain to... something else, before he landed in the river, motionless.

Kakashi turned to deal with Sasuke, only for Naruto to reappear. The outcome was the same—Naruto was tied to a post. Sasuke took advantage of a momentary opening to engage Kakashi, showing impressive skill but ultimately falling to Kakashi's Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu. Sakura, seeing the technique, fainted immediately.

Kakashi had dispatched the trio using Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu respectively. Naruto was the worst off, tied to the post, while Sasuke and Sakura were disheartened by the vast gap between them and a Jōnin.

"Well, let's deal with you two later," Kakashi said, turning to Tetsuya with a serious expression. "Let's see how much you've improved, Tetsuya."

Tetsuya smiled, using the Body Flicker Technique to appear on the training ground. His speed made Sasuke's eyes widen in surprise.

"Kakashi-sensei, please guide me," Tetsuya said, ready for the challenge.