CH-23. Kakashi is defeated

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There was no doubt that Naruto's home was a mess—expired food and clutter scattered around.

Sasuke had traveled through time and space with the fundamental goal of building a harem while pretending to be weak and later showing his true strength. But seeing Naruto in such a pitiful state, he couldn't help but feel some sympathy.

"From now on, we're a team. I'll cover your living expenses." Sasuke said, "Here's some pocket money. Spend it however you like. If you want to eat Ichiraku Ramen, just go and buy it."

Sasuke was wealthy now, and he was willing to share his money with those who mattered to him.

"Sasuke—" Naruto snapped out of his daze, looking at him in disbelief. Even the monthly allowance given by the Third Hokage was barely enough to survive, and Naruto had to save coupons just to eat Ichiraku Ramen. The Third Hokage had always been stingy with money.

"Sasuke, you're giving me money? Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because from now on, we're partners." Sasuke responded calmly.

Naruto felt conflicted. He glanced briefly at Sakura, then pushed down his confused thoughts.

"Sasuke, I can't take your money." Naruto finally said, his voice firm. Naruto had his pride. If he accepted Sasuke's money, what would that make him? Sasuke's little brother?

Sasuke didn't force the issue, "I'll leave the money at your place. Use it when you need it. If you don't need it, just save it."

As the group settled into their roles, Kakashi, their team leader, spoke up, "So, Team 7 is officially established. But as your leader, I need to understand your real strength."

In the original timeline, Kakashi had tested them to see if they were ready to work together. However, due to Sasuke's special circumstances, Kakashi decided to form Team 7 immediately, turning the test into an opportunity to get to know each other's abilities.

"Kakashi-sensei, what kind of test are you talking about?" Sakura asked curiously.

Sasuke was now letting Sakura live a normal life again, and she cherished this chance. Although she still dreamed of becoming Sasuke's wife, Sakura also wanted to excel as a kunoichi.

Now that she was part of Sasuke's harem, Sakura's main goal was to become a strong female ninja. While her parents were average Konoha shinobi, she didn't want to follow in their mediocre footsteps. Additionally, she hoped to remain a cherished part of Sasuke's life for decades, keeping him by her side.

To make Sasuke happy, Sakura was willing to do anything.

Kakashi noticed Sakura's determination. Despite Sasuke's distractions, she still wanted to be a strong ninja. Kakashi couldn't help but think how powerful Sasuke would be if he applied his ability to influence women in his missions.

"I'll take out three small bells and hang them on my body. Your task is to attack me and grab a bell. No matter how you do it, if you can take a bell, I'll acknowledge your strength." Kakashi explained.

In the original test, Kakashi had used only two bells to encourage Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to betray one another for their own gain, testing the bond between them. This time, Kakashi, aware of Sasuke's potential, didn't see the need for such a challenge. He prepared three bells and planned to assess their strength individually.

Kakashi's gaze lingered on Sasuke as he explained the test. He was eager to see Sasuke's real abilities. Sasuke understood this—he had already copied Kakashi's Chidori technique. If Sasuke used it now, Kakashi would be shocked enough to lose sleep over it. But Sasuke planned to keep a low profile. His goal was simple: take the bell and let Kakashi know they were on the same level. Anything more would be overkill.

Kakashi led Team 7 to the training field. After a brief moment of silence, Naruto stepped forward.

"Kakashi-sensei, let me go first." Naruto said, eager to prove himself.

"Alright." Kakashi replied, smiling, "Naruto, I know you've always been at the bottom of the class, but there was a special reason you passed the exam and became a Genin. I see great potential in you."

Naruto beamed. He was thrilled to receive recognition from Kakashi, "Sensei, get ready. I'm going to take that bell!"

Naruto had secretly learned a forbidden technique when he stole the Scroll of Seals, and he had been practicing it ever since. Now was the perfect time to show off in front of Sasuke and Sakura.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto formed hand seals and created more than a dozen clones, a sight that impressed everyone.

Naruto's passion was contagious as he charged at Kakashi with his clones, determined to grab the bell and prove his worth.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "Shadow Clone Jutsu? So, you did learn that forbidden technique."

Impressed with Naruto's progress, Kakashi still knew that, as an elite Jonin, he wasn't someone Naruto could easily defeat. Even with the numerous clones, Naruto couldn't land a hit on Kakashi.

Sakura gasped in surprise. "Since when did Naruto get so strong?"

Despite Naruto's efforts, he couldn't take the bell. There was a vast difference in their strength and experience. Naruto, exhausted from creating so many clones, eventually had to stop.

"You're up, Sasuke." Kakashi said, his tone serious.

Sasuke turned to Sakura with concern, "Sakura, do you want to try first?"

Sakura, having seen Naruto's defeat, hesitated, "I'm not as strong as Naruto... I'm afraid..."

But Sasuke smiled reassuringly, "Don't be afraid. We'll take on Kakashi together. Let's grab all three bells and remind Naruto that we're a team."

With that, Sasuke held Sakura close, and together, they attacked Kakashi. Though Sakura was inexperienced in teamwork, Sasuke's strength and skill made up for it, allowing them to cooperate effectively.

Each move looked simple.

In reality, it was not easy for Sasuke to coordinate with Sakura to attack Kakashi.

However, after dozens of exchanges, not only had Sakura not fallen, she was also uninjured, and even her clothes remained spotless.

The only sign of movement was her pink hair, tousled by the wind.

"Sasuke, is that all you've got?"

As Kakashi was about to get serious, he noticed that Sasuke had been using his Sharingan the entire time while working with Sakura to attack him.

'So that's it. Sasuke has been relying on the Sharingan to predict my moves and mimicking my taijutsu to make up for his lack of combat experience.'

'At the same time, he's protecting Sakura perfectly.'

'A genius, without ait oubt!'

Sasuke looked incredibly cool. He held Sakura in his arms while fighting Konoha's elite jonin, Kakashi Hatake, and he wasn't losing.

"This...?"

Naruto, exhausted from using his Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, was stunned.

Of course, Naruto was aware of Sasuke's strength—he had always been number one in their class. But to see him hold his own against a jonin of Konoha...

Moreover, he was protecting Sakura the entire time. Sasuke was truly powerful.

It seemed Kakashi Hatake was either trying to save face or genuinely wanted to gauge Sasuke's true strength. Kakashi attacked with taijutsu while simultaneously using ninjutsu.

"Sasuke..."

Sakura felt a surge of panic. She could sense that Kakashi was no longer holding back.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

Sasuke pulled Sakura close, forming a seal with one hand and performing a ninjutsu even more spectacular than Kakashi's.

Sakura swung her leg toward Kakashi, who prepared to use the substitution technique to evade.

But Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan caught it.

In the brief moment of distraction, Kakashi was sent flying by Sakura's kick with a resounding crash.

"…"

Sakura was stunned. She, a newly graduated genin, had just kicked away one of Konoha Village's elite jonin.

"…"

Naruto, who was watching, was equally shocked.

Sasuke had actually defeated Kakashi Hatake, even with Sakura as a supposed burden.

Not long ago, Naruto had fought Kakashi himself and knew that Kakashi was a legitimate jonin with profound strength.

"Hey!"

Moving quickly, Sasuke snatched the three bells from Kakashi before he could react.

In the original story, there was no way Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke could have pulled this off.

Here, Sasuke holding Sakura in his arms was part of the strategy's success.

"Sasuke, you're amazing! You're my idol!" Naruto exclaimed.

Kakashi sat up, dusting himself off, "Sasuke, you really are something."

What the Third Hokage had said about Sasuke was no exaggeration.

Especially with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan Sasuke had just revealed—it was incredibly powerful.

Kakashi hadn't been able to resist at all.

Sasuke had been merciful. Had he been more serious, Kakashi wouldn't even be conscious right now.

Just like when Kakashi had been hit by Uchiha Itachi's illusion, **[Tsukuyomi]**, in the original story.

"Here, Naruto. This is your bell."

Sasuke tossed one of the bells to Naruto, who, though surprised, accepted it. With this bell, Naruto was now qualified.

"Come on, you must be tired from the fight. Let me treat you to a meal."

Sasuke, being wealthy and generous, kept Sakura close, his hand gently caressing her soft figure outside her clothing.

"Sakura, what would you like to eat?"

"Ichiraku Ramen or barbecue?"

Kakashi stood up and said, "Even though Sasuke might be my equal in strength, I'm still the leader of Team 7. I'll pay for this first meal."

Sasuke grinned, "Alright, that works."

Sakura thought for a moment, "I want to eat barbecue."

Sasuke looked at Naruto, "Naruto, you're probably craving Ichiraku Ramen, right?"

Naruto would never have guessed that Ayame from Ichiraku Ramen was one of Sasuke's women now.

Naruto smiled awkwardly, "I'm fine with anything."

Kakashi made the final decision, "Alright, let's go for barbecue."

As Kakashi spoke, he continued to observe Sasuke closely. Despite his intimacy with Sakura, Sasuke showed no signs of embarrassment or hesitation.

'This Sasuke... he's truly extraordinary.'

Kakashi found it hard to believe that Konoha had produced such a terrifyingly talented genin like Sasuke.

At the barbecue restaurant in Konoha, the newly formed Team 7—Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi—gathered for their first meal together.

Kakashi, while impressed by Sasuke's relationship with Sakura, was far more concerned about Sasuke's incredible strength.

What would a ninja as powerful as Sasuke mean for Konoha's future? Such a terrifying force could either bring great prosperity or utter destruction to the village. Kakashi's real concern was how Sasuke's future decisions would shape Konoha.

The bonds among Team 7 were slowly forming.

Despite Sasuke's overwhelming ambition for his future harem, he still valued friendships and sought a semblance of a normal life.

After dinner, unlike the original story where Kakashi arranged small missions like finding cats or picking up litter for Team 7, things took a different turn here.

Having witnessed Sasuke's strength and unique personality, Kakashi decided against following the usual mission plan.

Sasuke's time was valuable, and assigning menial tasks would likely frustrate him.

So Kakashi told Naruto, "Naruto, since you're single, you'll handle the minor missions for Team 7."

Naruto blinked, confused, "What? Alone?"

Kakashi clarified, "Yes, just the small tasks. Finding cats, weeding, picking up litter—you can handle all that solo."

"As for Sasuke and Sakura, they have more... personal matters to attend to."

"…"

Naruto was speechless but didn't argue. Rather than watch Sasuke and Sakura flaunt their relationship, it was better for him to train harder under Kakashi's guidance.

He wanted to get stronger.

No matter how powerful Sasuke was, Naruto would never give up.

'I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I never give up!'

Kakashi and Naruto left.

"Sasuke, let's... wait until we get home." Sakura murmured, her face flushed with embarrassment as Sasuke was molding her a*s.

But her reason told her to avoid public displays of affection for now.

"Of course." Sasuke agreed with a smirk.

__________

The day had been full of experiences—from snatching Kakashi's bells to forming Team 7 with Naruto.

These were all memories that strengthened Sasuke and Sakura's bond.

Konoha Village was large, making it difficult to locate someone precisely.

But Sasuke had an edge—a system plug-in!

Using the **[Danger Warning]** function, Sasuke had already marked the names of his harem prospects. All he needed was to locate **[Yamanaka Ino]** through the system to find her instantly.

It was now evening, and Ino was out celebrating with her team: Asuma Sarutobi, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi from Team 10. They were bonding over barbecue.

Because Shikamaru loved barbecue.

As a member of the **Ino-Shika-Chou** trio, Ino was in no danger of being bullied in her team.

"Ino, someone's here to see you." Shikamaru said, noticing Sasuke approaching.

Shikamaru was surprised that Sasuke had found them so accurately, as if he knew exactly where they were.

"Sasuke—!"

Ino's heart skipped a beat. She was surprised, happy, and a little shy all at once.

"Uchiha Sasuke?" Asuma Sarutobi looked at Sasuke with a complicated expression.

While the Third Hokage hadn't explicitly told Asuma everything about Sasuke's situation, Asuma had heard enough.