Chapter 16: The top-10 anime quotes, action!

Looking at Kakashi's skeptical expression, Sakura explained:

"This is my newly developed jutsu, [Texture Surprise].

It creates a thin film using chakra that disguises an object's appearance, material, and aura.

It's much harder to detect than normal transformation techniques."

Sakura demonstrated by wiping her right hand across her face, transforming her appearance into Sasuke's.

"I dug the hole beforehand and disguised the surface with a thin layer of bark using this illusion."

"You made Sasuke's presence undetectable with your new jutsu?" Kakashi asked, intrigued.

"Yes, after using the Illusion to disguise Sasuke, I covered him with a chakra film that made him blend in with the surroundings."

"[Texture Surprise]?

Sakura, you've developed another impressive jutsu. It seems to require excellent chakra control. The name and effect really fit your style."

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei, I was shocked when I first saw [Textual Surprise] this morning. I didn't realize Sakura was so powerful."

Naruto started dancing around excitedly.

"It's [Texture Surprise], idiot."

Sakura snapped.

"Damn it, Haruno Sakura, I'm gonna kill you!"

Sasuke collapsed to the ground, his face contorted with discomfort. The constant acceleration and shifting directions made him feel disoriented and unstable.

Instead of Kakashi making him sick, it was Sakura's plan that had him feeling this way.

Sasuke, having never been so unsettled, angrily scolded Sakura.

"This was unavoidable. With Naruto's sense of balance, he could have easily been knocked out from the acceleration.

I couldn't deal the final blow due to my physique, so I had to leave that task to you."

Sakura felt a bit guilty as Sasuke had suffered the most from this plan.

"I understand it's been tough. The constant imbalance stimulates the inner ear, making your brain temporarily malfunction due to the information overload.

It must have been very challenging."

Sakura's explanation, while knowledgeable, seemed to mock Sasuke's predicament.

"But compared to that, winning the battle feels amazing! Don't you think so, Sasuke?"

Sakura placed Sasuke's arm over her shoulder and smiled brightly.

"You're such a jerk."

Despite his words, Sasuke's smile betrayed his true feelings.

"Yeah, we won!"

Naruto chimed in, placing Sasuke's other arm on his shoulder.

"Well, I know it's a bit of a letdown, but with only two bells, how will you decide who keeps them?"

Kakashi, who was not sharing in the victory celebration, interjected with a smirk.

The test of grabbing the bells would continue. The perfect teamwork shown so far would now be tested by how the team valued each other.

Kakashi's comment instantly erased the smiles from Sasuke's and Naruto's faces.

However, Sakura smiled slightly.

"Kakashi-sensei, I believe my current teammates are the best. If we can't form a team together, I'd prefer to return to the ninja academy with Naruto and Sasuke and graduate next year.

What do you think?"

She then gave Sasuke a knowing glance.

Naruto, needing no further encouragement, agreed wholeheartedly.

Sasuke, after reflecting on Sakura's hint, thought:

'Sakura is as skilled as I am, but there's no reason to repeat a year for Naruto. Clearly, the best solution is to team up with me and exclude Naruto. Sakura must have seen something!'

Realizing the solution, Sasuke smiled slightly and withdrew his arms from Naruto's and Sakura's shoulders. Feeling better, he stood up on his own.

"I've also decided. We need to find two who can't keep up. Sakura and Naruto's abilities seem better."

"Sasuke, who are you calling a loser!" Naruto shouted, offended.

"Why does everything you say come off as so contemptuous?" Sakura asked bitterly, realizing that Sasuke had understood the hint.

"You guys."

Kakashi approached the three with a serious tone and an unreadable expression on his face.

Sasuke and Naruto gulped, feeling the weight of Kakashi's oppressive presence.

However, Kakashi's expression suddenly shifted to a grin, reminiscent of a Sichuan Opera performer, and he gave the three of them a thumbs-up. His tone became friendly.

"Passed!

In the world of ninjas, a ninja who disregards the rules is trash, but a person who doesn't value their comrades is worse than trash."

Kakashi quoted a lesson he had learned from his own tragic experiences.

"So cool!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Just as expected!"

Kakashi's words caused Sasuke's eyes to twitch. He realized Sasuke had anticipated this outcome all along. Sasuke and Sakura wasn't surprised at all; had they expected this?

Kakashi also noticed Sakura's wink at Sasuke. "You're clearly satisfied with our teamwork. But you only prepared two bells for this survival drill. This was meant to create internal conflict and test whether we would give up our comrades."

Having passed the test, Sasuke shared his analysis confidently.

"Even though Sakura hinted at it, you've seen through it thoroughly. You truly are a genius ninja from the Uchiha clan."

Kakashi praised Sasuke, acknowledging his correct analysis of the exam. Despite Sakura and Sasuke's standard answers, this survival exercise was originally a passing game. Kakashi intended to make them understand the importance of cherishing their companions.

"And that's not all," Sakura spoke up.

Kakashi looked at her with curiosity, wondering if there was more to the test that even he wasn't aware of.

"Kakashi-sensei has been late for two days and clearly challenges the rules. This test was designed to make us question the rules while working together as a team. By making us choose between our teammates and the test, you wanted to teach us not only to value our companions but also to have the courage to question the rules.

Given that the first time Kakashi-sensei and I met was at the Memorial Stone, it's possible that Kakashi-sensei's companions faced a situation where they had to choose between their mission and their comrades."

Seeing Kakashi's expression darken, Sakura quickly added, "I'm sorry for speculating. Maybe Kakashi-sensei just wanted us to understand the importance of our comrades."

"Huh? Sakura, you and Sasuke figured out how to pass the drill! How could you lie to me about repeating the year together? I was so moved just now!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Of course, who'd give up being a ninja for a loser like you?" Sasuke shot back.

"Well, that's enough of the test. To celebrate the formation of Team Seven, let's go out to eat—my treat."

Kakashi forced a smile and changed the subject.

"That's great! I'm starving and could eat a cow!" Naruto exclaimed, trying to drag his teammates back to the village. They however avoided him.

"How about Ichiraku Ramen?" Naruto suggested.

"Idiot, why celebrate with cheap food?" Sakura retorted.

"Ichiraku Ramen is so-so. Why do you act like you're addicted to it, Naruto?" Sasuke added.

Naruto and Sasuke bickered as they walked, while Sakura occasionally spat in annoyance.

Kakashi, meanwhile, observed Sakura with a complex expression beneath his mask. He hadn't put much thought into the survival drill, but Sakura's analysis revealed his subconscious belief that shinobi should sometimes break the rules for the sake of their comrades.

Kakashi felt a pang of regret for requesting t have Sakura as his student. Despite his efforts to disguise his true thoughts, Sakura seemed to uncover his deepest feelings and beliefs. She was like a mirror reflecting Kakashi's most intimate thoughts, making him question whether he could truly hide anything from her.