Seeing everyone quickly settle the matter, Naruto started to speak but stopped.
He wanted to say something, but then he realized something.
If he refused, Sarutobi Hiruzen would never stop sending people to pressure him.
The daily harassment would be unbearable.
But if he became the team's instructor, it would be different.
He could take on missions when he wanted and rest when he didn't.
The only drawback… he might be bothered by Sasuke.
How to handle that?
Naruto thought deeply.
This seemed to align perfectly with his preference for quiet, stable days.
Well, so be it.
It would also prevent people from judging him just because he wasn't officially a ninja.
Naruto considered this and asked Hiruzen:
"So… what's the test?"
Hiruzen smiled, happy at Naruto's willingness.
If Naruto agreed, it didn't matter whether he passed the test or not—he would become a ninja.
At the same time, Hiruzen could gauge Naruto's true strength.
The last time Naruto rescued Hinata, everyone had been curious about his power.
He had faced Nine-Tails without fear, which could only mean immense strength.
After some thought, Hiruzen said:
"Naruto, you need to defeat Hatake Kakashi."
At the mention of Kakashi, Sasuke frowned.
Could it be that, if things had gone normally, my future instructor would have been Kakashi?
Sasuke had heard of him—called "Copy Ninja Kakashi" by others.
The name Sharingan might suggest he had the same bloodline as Sasuke, but Kakashi's surname was Hatake, not Uchiha.
…
Still, Kakashi Hatake was an Elite Jōnin.
Was it really reasonable to expect a young ninja trainee like Naruto to challenge an Elite Jōnin?
Sasuke thought not, and so did Haruno Sakura.
Sakura immediately complained unabashedly:
"Hokage-sama! If you don't want Naruto-kun to be the instructor, just say so! Why make him fight an Elite Jōnin?"
"What if Naruto-kun gets hurt…?"
Hiruzen cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed, and didn't respond.
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Hatake Kakashi should be here already, right?"
As if on cue, a feeble voice came from outside:
"I'm…"
Everyone turned to see a white-haired young man in a ninja uniform pushing the door open.
A mask covered most of his face, and his forehead protector hid one eye, as if guarding a secret.
The only visible eye had drooping lids and the classic deadpan look.
His straight posture suggested discipline, but also someone who sometimes overexerted themselves.
Sasuke looked at Kakashi, a little disappointed. He didn't look particularly threatening.
Hiruzen instructed him:
"Kakashi, take this seriously."
Kakashi yawned lazily.
"Of course. After all, these three are my students, and someone actually wants my position as their instructor. I'm… slightly annoyed."
His words stung, but his tone remained casual.
Later, at the training ground outside the school, Kakashi and Naruto faced each other while the others watched.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, noting his calm expression.
He really does look a lot like his father…
Kakashi had heard rumors about Naruto before. He didn't underestimate him and planned to give it his all.
"The little hero who saved his comrades from the Cloud Shinobi… Show me what you've got, Naruto."
Kakashi raised his hand, adjusting his forehead protector.
Outside the field, Sasuke gasped:
"Sharingan?!"
How does he have a Sharingan?
No one could answer that question just yet.
Game start.
Kakashi reached for a ninja tool from his bag. Naruto drew a kunai as well.
But then Kakashi froze, staring at Naruto.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi tilted his head and replied:
"There's an obvious age gap between us. Naturally, I have the advantage in physical strength.
I only need to use Sharingan to copy your movements, and you will never defeat me. Start your attack."
From Kakashi's perspective, it made sense.
He was an adult, and Naruto was still a child. Normal reasoning suggested Kakashi would always be stronger.
Kakashi copied Naruto's every move perfectly.
No matter how skilled Naruto was, he couldn't overpower Kakashi.
Eventually, Kakashi would find a weakness and win.
Off the field, Sakura scowled:
"Hatake Kakashi is so shameless! Just because Naruto is younger doesn't mean he can act so arrogantly!"
Sasuke retorted:
"An enemy is an enemy, no matter the age. Using clever tactics to complete a mission is normal."
Iruka muttered worriedly:
"I don't know how Naruto will handle this."
Naruto calmly formed hand seals. Kakashi did the same—faster than Naruto.
But when he finished, Kakashi's eyes widened.
"What… what's happening?"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A massive cloud of white smoke erupted.
When it cleared, the field was filled with countless Naruto clones, so many they could barely stand.
Sakura reached out, grinning, but her hand passed through a clone.
"…It's Clone Technique."
Not Shadow Clone Jutsu, but the basic Clone Technique.
Even so, the sheer number was overwhelming.
Seconds later, the clones dissipated.
Kakashi was half-kneeling, exhausted.
Sasuke frowned:
"What happened?"
Hiruzen explained:
"Kakashi's Sharingan can copy Naruto's movements—but not the hand seals. Naruto exploited this to summon countless clones.
They have no attack power, but Kakashi must expend just as much chakra to maintain them. Brilliant—he thought of this instantly."
Hiruzen's admiration grew. Naruto had both intelligence and an enormous chakra reserve.
Kakashi could not have imagined it. Naruto's chakra far exceeded his own.
Seeing Kakashi kneeling, Naruto asked:
"Kakashi-senpai, are you okay?"
Kakashi, still catching his breath, muttered:
"There's so much chakra… coming at me first…"
He thought of Kushina. Naruto was her child—it made sense.
Even Kakashi's previous invincible strategies were no match for Naruto's cleverness and chakra.
Finally, Kakashi admitted defeat:
"I lost. Your mind and chakra are more than enough to stand as the instructor of these students."
Sakura cheered:
"Yeah! Naruto-kun!"
Hiruzen nodded, recognizing Naruto's skill and cleverness.
"Alright. Naruto will be your team instructor."
Although official procedures were still needed, Class 7 was temporarily settled:
Instructor: Uzumaki Naruto
Team members: Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura
Sakura, thrilled, asked:
"Naru-kun, since it's the first day of our team, do you want to celebrate?"
Usually, Naruto was surrounded by Hinata or other girls, so this was a rare opportunity for Sakura.
Sasuke frowned:
"Instead of wasting time, we should train properly."
Sakura huffed:
"We're not the captains—we have to follow Naruto for everything!"
Naruto, ever easygoing, smiled:
"Okay! Then we'll listen to Sakura-chan."
Sasuke sighed but didn't argue.
After eating, Naruto said:
"You all must be tired. If there's anything to discuss, we can do it tomorrow."
The next day, Naruto presented the team's schedule:
Monday: Party
Tuesday: Hot springs
Wednesday: Look for tasks to complete
Thursday: Weekly training session
Friday: Team building (meals, hot springs, movies, shopping)
Saturday & Sunday: Off, relax at home
Sasuke looked over the plan, expression a mix of disbelief and admiration.
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