Whether he could pass this so-called survival exercise was, in Noah's mind, entirely irrelevant.
In the original story, even with Kakashi's brutal methods, the group had passed.
Noah didn't expect to be the unlucky one to fail now that he was involved.
A survival exercise was nothing more than Kakashi flaunting his own skill, teaching arrogant Academy greenhorns a lesson in awe while quietly testing their character.
The final result? Of course they would pass.
Even if some had questionable personalities, they'd likely be approved out of respect for the Great Clans of the Leaf.
At most, the intensity of their specialized training might be slightly reduced. They wouldn't be molded into the future core of the village, just standard, high-output war machines.
Noah saw through it immediately.
Having once held a high-ranking position himself, if he couldn't figure this out, he shouldn't be in the game at all.
After parting ways with Naruto and the others, Noah took a brief rest.
After dinner, he went behind his small wooden cabin.
He sensed a few watchful eyes, though.
He didn't go see Shisui Uchiha.
Instead, he sent a discreet message for Shisui to stay away and spent the night training alone.
He had expected this. It didn't bother him.
Once training was done, he returned to get a proper night's sleep.
The next morning, he didn't wake up early.
Rushing to Kakashi would be foolish-moronic, even, knowing the man's personality.
Besides, Noah had sources of information.
Some unlucky students Kakashi had failed in the past had gossiped.
The Academy's commoner teachers shared anecdotes.
Around ten o'clock, Noah finally strolled onto the training ground.
Sasuke and Naruto had been waiting for hours.
Their eyes ignited the moment they saw him.
"Noah!"
"You knew all along, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
Noah nodded and casually sat in a random spot.
"Isn't gathering intel a basic ninja skill? That white-haired teacher, Kakashi, gave us his name yesterday. Ask around the Academy and you'd have known everything. My old teachers mentioned him too. He's the Leaf's undisputed King of Tardiness. If I'd shown up early, I'd be the real idiot."
He ignored the pale, frustrated looks on their faces.
"Wait... don't tell me you two just sat here all morning without checking anything? Tell me you aren't that thick."
Noah's words struck deep.
No matter their answer, it only proved they really were that thick.
Clenching their fists, Sasuke and Naruto weighed their options against Noah's strength.
They quickly chose to back down.
Both had been humbled by him at the Academy and knew how terrifying he was.
Naruto, having seen Noah subdue a teacher personally, was particularly intimidated.
Just wait until I'm stronger than you! they cursed inwardly.
Kakashi arrived soon after, giving a sheepish laugh.
"Sorry about that. I got lost on the path of life and ended up late."
As if. Sasuke and Naruto scoffed internally.
If you're going to lie, at least make it believable.
Kakashi ignored them.
"Alright, let's begin the test. Those who fail won't get lunch today."
He pulled two bells from his pocket.
Their crisp ringing echoed, followed by a brief explanation and a stern threat.
Failure could send them back to the Academy.
Naruto and Sasuke felt a long shadow descend.
For Naruto, barely graduating was a nightmare; being sent back would be worse.
For Sasuke, it would shatter the Uchiha name-he'd become the clan's laughingstock.
Noah remained composed.
He didn't believe a word of it.
He stroked his chin.
Going all out now... did Kakashi really have some "fifty-fifty" effect? Shaking his head, he chuckled.
That reputation came from style and tactics.
Kakashi liked feeling out patterns first, then countering.
The result often drained his energy.
For now, Noah wouldn't reveal his trump cards.
He'd just test Kakashi with the tools visible on the surface.
"The test begins. Take the bells by any means. Success or failure, at least one person will be eliminated."
The words left his mouth, and Sasuke and Noah vanished with a "whoosh," leaving only afterimages.
Kakashi nodded.
Concealing presence, observing, waiting-exactly what a competent ninja should do.
Then he froze.
Naruto remained standing in place.
Kakashi scratched his hair.
"Why aren't you hiding?"
"Let's settle this fair and square!" Naruto shouted, pumping a fist.
"Is there something wrong with you?" Kakashi asked, dead-fish eyes on him.
He reached into his pouch, but noticed Noah stepping out too.
"And what's your story?"
"I'm frustrated," Noah said, standing beside Naruto.
"As much as this blonde is an idiot, he's my teammate. Besides, you're an Elite Ninja. Hiding won't help. We're likely within your sensory range."
Kakashi scratched his hair again.
The kid had a point.
Noah's logic alone almost earned a pass.
What he hadn't expected: the boy had thought even further.
Kakashi had sensed their locations all along.
Hiding wouldn't work.
Noah's approach seemed foolish but was the most realistic.
Sasuke joined them moments later.
Kakashi's eyes crinkled.
"Well, you've given me a surprise. Let's see what you're made of."
"Naruto, Sasuke-take point. Look for openings," Noah commanded.
He formed hand seals, sensing Kakashi approaching.
The hand seals were mostly for show.
Once he understood energy resonance with techniques, some moves didn't need them.
But appearances mattered.
He slammed his palms to the ground.
A high wall surged up, cutting Kakashi off.
Noah's hands moved in a blur.
A water dragon erupted from the pond, lunging at Kakashi.
A bead of sweat formed on Kakashi's brow.
Water Styles too?
He'd heard Noah had learned many techniques, but hadn't he only used Earth Styles during that incident?
Kakashi took Noah seriously.
At least his speed and energy control were beyond a novice.
Naruto and Sasuke? Dismissed for now.
Kakashi formed identical water seals.
He controlled power carefully, avoiding Naruto and Sasuke.
Using the mist from the clash, he silently moved toward the three students.
Noah noticed immediately.
He warned his teammates, but Kakashi's close-quarters skill was a major problem.
In a flash, Naruto and Sasuke were swept aside.
Kakashi kicked at Noah.
Then something spooked him.
Noah vanished.
Moments later, he was behind Kakashi, blade thrusting at his side.
Such fast Body Flicker?
Noah's movement wasn't untraceable.
Kakashi knew he could use Body Flicker but hadn't expected mastery like this.
For a split second, he almost thought he was facing his late mentor, the Fourth Leader.
But then Kakashi realized: the strike itself was slow.
Is this... holding back? Am I being underestimated?