006 - The Bell Hunters {PT. I}

KONOHA

The Next Day.

"YOU ARE LATE!" Naruto declared, pointing an accusing finger at the newcomer. Sakura stood off to the side pouting in disapproval. We stared at Kakashi as he sauntered into the clearing thirty minutes later than the agreed-upon time. Our Jōnin-sensei had a penchant for arriving late it seems. Of course, the silver-haired shinobi had arrived a bit earlier than he let slip, about ten minutes ago, during which he simply hung around, observing us in silence. But that didn't change the fact that he had indeed arrived late.

"Good morning, class," the man said as he approached. He gestured us over, pulling out a scroll from his flak jacket before laying it down on one of three conveniently situated stumps in the clearing. His hands flashed through a series of hand seals and the storage scroll exploded in a puff of smoke to reveal an alarm clock and three bento boxes.

*ping*

"I have set this alarm to go off at noon," Kakashi began. "I have with me here two small bells. Your task is to steal these from me before the timer sounds. Anyone who fails doesn't get any lunch. Instead, you will be tied to this tree stump where you will watch as I eat your lunch in front of you."

Both Naruto and Sakura flanking us paled at the older shinobi's declaration. "So that's why you told us not to eat anything," Sakura said, in despairing realisation. "...But, I am on a diet. I haven't eaten anything since last night…"

Kakashi's eyes squinted as he smiled at her. "No problem. All you need is just one bell… apiece. But, since there aren't enough bells to go around one of you is definitely headed for the stump!"

Kakashi leaned back, straightening his pose as he dropped the intimidation act. It was effective of course. Both Naruto and Saukra positively quivered in their sandals despite how hard they tried to hide it. "You may use any method in your arsenal," Kakashi continued. "Come at me with the intention to kill or you will never stand a chance."

"I won't lose!" Naruto shouted, almost as if to reassure himself.

Our Jōnin-sensei stared at the blonde for a moment before shaking his head as he reached into a pouch by his waist. His hand came out clutching a small orange book with the words "Make Out Paradise" written in a gaudy font on the cover.

"Go," Kakashi said, announcing the start of the exercise.

~KAKASHI~

"The basis of all shinobi art is to become invisible. To lurk in the shadows and strike when the enemy least expects it," Kakashi said, flipping through the pages of the booklet in his hand. His gaze flickered up to regard Naruto and, surprisingly, Sasuke still standing in the field across from him. Both boys had made no attempt at concealing themselves. "I presume Iruka had taught you both at least this much, no?"

"Haha!" Naruto guffawed, knuckles stuck to his waist in what the boy must have assumed was a heroic stance. "Who cares about all that? It's time for the match to begin!" he declared.

"Match?"

"Yeah! A real match worthy of the greatest warriors! Our battle shall be LEGENDARY!"

Kakashi resisted the urge to facepalm. He turned his gaze towards the Uchiha scion. The boy stood stoically in the field, his eyes half-lidded and arms dangling loosely by his side. Relaxed. Sunlight glinted off the metal headband on his forehead. A stiff breeze blew past, ruffling his overgrown hair and loose kimono sleeves, his aura tranquil. "What about you, Sasuke," Kakashi called to the boy. "Are you also waiting to engage in some "legendary" battle against your Jōnin-sensei?"

"Oh," the Uchiha replied, seemingly distracted, his half-lidded gaze flickering to meet Kakashi's. "No," he said. "Unfortunately, I am not interested in that."

"...Then why are you here?" Kakashi asked, confused.

"...But, I am not here?"

"What do you—" another stiff breeze blew through the clearing and Sasuke—or rather his clone—dispersed like a puff of smoke in the wind.

For a split second, Kakashi froze. '...He's gone', the Jōnin realised abruptly. A subtle chill ran down his spine and his alertness cranked up to eleven. The boy left and Kakashi, his Jōnin-sensei, failed to notice when. The copy of Make Out Paradise in his hands snapped shut with a clap. A few seconds later, Kakashi realised he had instinctively retrieved a kunai from his pouch. Embarrassed, he surreptitiously returned it.

"Stop ignoring me," Naruto said, launching a flying kick towards Kakashi's head. The Jōnin leaned to the side letting the boy's attack sail past him. "Ah," Kakashi said rubbing his head, "sorry about that."

Naruto huffed in annoyance before he began to form a series of hand seals. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" the boy shouted as he completed the technique. In a puff of white smoke, fourteen physical copies of Naruto manifested and began racing towards the Jōnin. Kakashi, still subtly scanning the forest shrubbery for any sign of his missing pupil glanced at the approaching Narutos. "Let me teach you your first ninjutsu skill," he said, diverting a portion of his attention away from his search towards his other pupil. "Taijutsu; the art of the trained body!"

The next moment the barrage of orange-haired boys in jumpsuits reached him. Kakashi reached out with both hands, grasping the ankles of two Narutos, and plucking them from the air. The Jōnin swung his arms to the side, using the clones to bludgeon two others out of existence. Leaning aside, he dodged the attacks of four other clones. His attention flickered towards the original Naruto attempting to sneakily flank him from the left. He punched out, dispelling a clone before letting another latch onto his left arm.

"Hehe," the clone chuckled as it held down Kakashi's arm. Another leapt, wrapping itself around his right leg. "Got you!" the first clone said as the original Naruto raced towards the Jōnin from behind, arm pulled back to deliver a punch to the back of his skull. "This is payback for ignoring me!"

The arm struck, knocking out one of Naruto's clone and dispelling it. Kakashi who had substituted his way out of Naruto's binds snuck up into the forest canopy in search of the still missing Sasuke, leaving a confused, orange-haired genin behind in his wake.