Even from the comfort of his home, Hyuga Shinichi could see everything unfolding in the Academy classroom through the power of his Tenseigan. By reading their lips, he could follow the conversation of the new Team 7 with perfect clarity.
However, Kakashi's mask was a persistent annoyance. To decipher what the man was saying, Shinichi had to constantly fine-tune his visual field.
He often wondered why Kakashi insisted on wearing that mask day in and day out. While Kakashi had certainly endured trauma in his youth, years had passed; he should have stepped out from those shadows by now.
To Shinichi, a mask was a physical manifestation of a closed heart. Perhaps the habit was simply etched too deeply into Kakashi's soul, and it would take a massive external shock to break it.
As Shinichi's mind wandered, the members of Team 7 finished their self-introductions. Kakashi, having already reviewed their files, listened with a polite, stoic expression.
Not Quite Genin
Back in the classroom, Kakashi looked at his three new charges with a lazy smile.
"Even though all three of you passed the Academy's graduation exam and became Genin... in my eyes, the Academy's standards are incomplete. You cannot yet be called a qualified shinobi."
The blatant denial in Kakashi's tone caused Naruto's expression to flicker.
"Not qualified Genin?" Naruto whispered, his gaze turning inquisitive. While Naruto inherited Kushina's spirited nature, Minato's calm composure heavily influenced his behavior. The initial excitement of meeting his new teacher was replaced by a cool, analytical focus.
Sasuke sat with his hands clasped beneath his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. Deeply influenced by his brother Itachi, Sasuke remained remarkably level-headed when faced with a challenge.
The two boys were rational, but it was Hinata—the high-born heiress—who displayed the least patience.
With a sharp movement, Hinata stood up, her hands slamming onto the desk. Her voice was low and heavy with conviction. "You're saying we aren't qualified? Then tell us, what exactly does it take to be a real shinobi?"
There was no stuttering, no shyness, and no hesitation. At this moment, Hinata's edge was sharper than both Naruto's and Sasuke's combined.
"Mmm..." Kakashi was internally surprised. Naruto and Sasuke's composure was expected—one was the Hokage's son, the other the brother of Uchiha Itachi. But Hinata... her fiery temperament was a far cry from the delicate reputation of the Hyuga.
Kakashi quickly masked his surprise and chuckled. "So, you want to be a qualified Genin? Then let's start with a mission we can complete as a group of four."
As they looked at him in confusion, Kakashi dropped the hammer: "Survival Training!"
Hinata crossed her arms and sat back down, a trace of disdain crossing her face. "Survival training? We've done that a dozen times at the Academy. How is that a mission?"
Naruto nodded in silent agreement. Even the stoic Sasuke looked at Kakashi with a touch of arrogance. They were the top of their class; basic drills were beneath them.
"This isn't your average school drill," Kakashi warned, his eyes scanning their faces. "Of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will be recognized as Genin. The other eighteen will be sent back to the Academy. This is a test with a 66.6% failure rate."
He expected them to be shaken, but to his amazement, their expressions didn't change.
"A 33% pass rate?" Hinata slapped the table again, her voice booming. "That's more than enough for us. When do we start?"
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. The oppressive atmosphere he tried to build had been completely dismantled by Hinata's sheer momentum. "Tomorrow morning. 6:00 AM at Training Ground 3. And... don't eat breakfast. Dismissed!"
Before they could ask anything else, Kakashi vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Naruto pouted at the empty space. "What was that? He just left? I had more questions."
"What's there to ask? It's clear," Sasuke said, standing up and grabbing his bag. "See you tomorrow, Naruto."
"Yeah! See you tomorrow," Naruto waved, then turned to Hinata. He noticed her expression was still uncharacteristically grim. "Hinata? What's wrong? Are you unhappy with the team?"
"Naruto, we have to pass tomorrow," Hinata said, suddenly grabbing his hand. Her face was dead serious. "I don't want to go back to the Academy, and I don't want to be separated from you."
Of the three, Hinata was actually the most anxious. It wasn't because she doubted her skill, but because she couldn't bear the thought of losing her place by Naruto's side. Naruto felt her hand trembling slightly and softened his voice.
"Have some faith, Hinata. We'll pass together. Don't worry."
Behind the Scenes
In his tea room, Shinichi pulled his vision back, his face a mask of bewilderment.
Since when was my sister a delinquent? he wondered. At home, she was somewhat assertive, but in front of outsiders, she was a total powerhouse. And more importantly... Naruto and Hinata... isn't this moving a bit too fast? You guys are twelve! Why do you act like an old married couple already?
Shinichi rubbed his eyes as if he'd seen something he shouldn't have. He looked back at his paperwork, but his mind kept drifting to that hand-holding scene. "What the hell is going on?"
The next morning, before dawn, Hinata slipped out of the estate.
Ever since she graduated, whispers had started within the Hyuga clan about branding her with the Caged Bird seal. Shinichi had ignored the rumors, waiting for them to reach a boiling point before acting. However, to his surprise, the voices had suddenly gone quiet.
After some silent investigation, Shinichi found the cause. Hiashi and Minato had teamed up. Hiashi reported the clan's internal dissent to the Hokage, and Minato had used political leverage—offering positions and benefits to the disgruntled elders—to shut them up. Shinichi decided to play dumb; as long as his sister didn't get the seal, he didn't care how it was handled.
Shinichi sensed Hinata leave, checked his clock, and rolled over to go back to sleep. His perception covered the village; he knew the kids were out, but he also knew Kakashi was still snoring in bed.
The Wait and the Hunger
At Training Ground 3, Hinata arrived first, carrying a massive backpack filled with survival gear and weapons. Naruto and Sasuke arrived shortly after, similarly equipped.
The sun rose. Then it climbed. Then it reached its zenith.
Four hours passed. There was no sign of Kakashi.
Hinata, whose temper was as short as her appetite was long, was vibrating with fury. "He's still not here?! He said 6:00! It's 10:00!!"
By 11:00 AM, a lazy figure finally meandered down the path.
"Sorry, sorry!" Kakashi waved dismissively. "I saw an old lady who needed help, and then I accidentally got lost on the path of life. My apologies, ha... haha!"
Seeing their murderous glares, Kakashi cleared his throat and pulled out an alarm clock. He set it for noon and placed it on a stump.
"Alright, setting is complete!" He then produced two silver bells. "The task is simple: steal these bells from me before noon. Those who don't get a bell get no lunch. Not only that, but you'll be tied to that post while you watch me eat mine."
The trio immediately realized why he'd told them to skip breakfast—and why he'd arrived so late. They were starving and irritable.
"Teacher," Naruto interrupted, "why are there only two bells?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Because with only two bells, at least one of you is guaranteed to fail and be sent back to the Academy. Or... maybe all three of you fail. You're allowed to use weapons. If you don't come at me with the intent to kill, you'll never get them. Now... be—"
Before he could finish the word "begin," Hinata let out a roar. She didn't hide; she didn't wait. She lunged straight at Kakashi's throat.
There are only two bells. One for me, and one for Naruto! she thought.
"Targeting an elite Jōnin with tricks is useless!" Hinata shouted, her palms glowing with chakra. "Naruto! Together! Don't let him pick us off one by one!"
Kakashi's eyes widened behind his mask. Her speed and form were impeccable. This wasn't the level of a Genin.
As expected of the Hyuga, he thought, barely parrying her first strike.
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