"Kakashi-sensei, since we've already done our self-introductions, doesn't that mean it's time for the Bell Test now?"
Sakura asked, raising her hand. "We don't have anything else to do afterward anyway, and we're feeling great right now. Let's just start the bell training right away!"
"Uh, about that... There's no need for the Bell Test anymore. I trust your abilities. Just go register for your ninja identification numbers tomorrow morning!" Kakashi instantly broke into a cold sweat. He wasn't crazy, after all. The whole bell exercise had only ever been meant as a way to test whether newly graduated students understood the importance of teamwork. Sakura and the others had grown up together, so obviously their team coordination was already solid. If they actually tried to grab the bells, he was afraid these three students—who didn't yet understand restraint—might kill him.
"No way, Kakashi-sensei! Even though you're the Third Hokage's favored subordinate, you can't just give us special treatment. We must follow the rules!" Sakura shook her index finger, smiling. Under the sunlight, that pale, delicate finger made Kakashi feel an inexplicable sense of panic.
"Ah, well... The Bell Test is only meant to evaluate team cohesion. Since the three of you have been close friends since childhood, we can definitely skip this part!" Kakashi laughed awkwardly. He really didn't want to get into any kind of confrontation with these three. Lately, the three young troublemakers had acted suspiciously secretive—something clearly told him they were plotting something, and he mustn't fall for whatever they were planning under any circumstances.
"Kakashi-sensei, a ninja must never lower their guard—that's what you taught us yourself! How come you seem to have forgotten now?" Sakura smiled sweetly, but the words coming out of her mouth made Kakashi look bitterly distressed. "You might've seen us getting along well before, but that doesn't mean we still do. Kakashi-sensei, unless you personally verify it yourself, how can you jump to such a conclusion so easily?"
"Sakura, just tell me straight what exactly you're trying to do," Kakashi sighed in defeat. Today's persistent act meant she clearly wouldn't let him off the hook easily, but if he was going down, he at least wanted to know why.
"You know what, Kakashi-sensei? I don't really want to hold anything against you, but there's nothing I can do—it's something Mr. Ichiraku specifically asked me to do. We've got to come up with every trick in the book to give you what's coming to you!" Sakura said with a smile.
"Eh?!" Kakashi looked stunned, then scratched his head in visible distress, unsure of what to say next.
"To be honest, Kakashi-sensei, I never expected you to be such a quiet flirt who would silently win over Ayame-nee-san without anyone noticing! No wonder Mr. Ichiraku has been giving you the evil eye lately like you two have some deep grudge. Turns out you're the one who snatched away the tender little cabbage he'd nurtured for years!"
To be honest, Sakura herself never expected that Kakashi could actually end up with Ayame. Although in the original anime version, she knew Ayame had liked Kakashi since childhood, yet in the anime Kakashi remained single all his life, finally ending up reminiscing youthfully with Guy in his later years—never showing any affection toward anyone. Yet now, Kakashi silently managed to get together with Ayame, making up for the loneliness and lack of descendants depicted in the original story.
Still, Mr. Ichiraku was feeling quite upset about this. His adopted daughter, raised for so many years, was simply swept away by a masked weirdo. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't feel happy at all. Because of that, Mr. Ichiraku secretly approached Sakura, hoping she could find a way to teach Kakashi a lesson and help him get some payback.
"Oh well, I guess you can only call it destiny!" Surprisingly, Kakashi blushed slightly. He never once thought about dating all those years before. But just a couple of years ago, being teased repeatedly by Sakura calling him "forever alone guy" had somehow prompted Kakashi to start considering having one.
As it happened, he regularly went to eat at Mr. Ichiraku's restaurant, where every time Ayame would personally cook for him. Naturally, things progressed smoothly between them until they eventually became a couple—though they hadn't made their relationship public yet. Recently, after learning what was happening, Mr. Ichiraku had glared at Kakashi angrily from behind the curtain more than once while holding a kitchen knife, which caused even Kakashi himself to feel guilty.
"Ayame-nee-san is very caring; she'll surely help take good care of your home life, Kakashi-sensei. Please don't betray her feelings," Sakura said with an exaggerated serious look. Ayame was the typical kind-hearted, motherly type—a perfect match for Kakashi who had grown used to solitude.
"No, no, definitely not!" Kakashi waved his hands hastily. After all, they were currently in the passionate phase of their relationship, and Kakashi truly appreciated Ayame's nurturing nature. There was no way he'd betray someone like her.
"Yes, although I'm quite pleased that Kakashi-sensei has finally found company, I still must fulfill Mr. Ichiraku's request!" Smiling, Sakura stood up. "Kakashi-sensei, please forgive me for what comes next."
"You really want to fight?!" Kakashi managed a bitter smile. Facing his three students who already assumed fighting stances, he could only reluctantly accept. "Just try not to hit too hard—I promised Ayame we'd watch a movie later!"
"Kakashi-sensei, for Ayame-nee-san's sake, I promise not to punch your face!" Naruto said seriously.
"Then let's begin!"
Kakashi put away Make-Out Paradise carefully; though seemingly lazy, he was actually on high alert. These three students of his weren't simple opponents at all—especially Sakura. God only knows how many Kinjutsu techniques she had taken from the Scroll of Seals? Those were exactly the types of tricks that were hard to anticipate, thus demanding utmost caution on his part.
"Did you know something, Kakashi-sensei?"
"What I really admire about the Second Hokage is his inventions and research. He wasn't like the First Hokage, who didn't possess the Wood Release, nor was he like Madara Uchiha, lacking the Sharingan. But he had an incredibly brilliant mind that created numerous powerful kinjutsu. Such creativity and talent are truly formidable!"
Sakura said. "The Second Hokage used his intelligence to create countless forbidden techniques. All of these techniques and his research notes were recorded in the Scroll of Seals. And I've memorized the entire Scroll of Seals—which means I know every last detail of the Second Hokage's research!"
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