Morning.
A thin layer of mist hung in the air, the weather cool and damp.
The sun slowly rose, pale golden light piercing through the fog and illuminating the Village.
Today was a day full of excitement.
All the newly graduated Genin were thrilled. They stepped out of their homes full of anticipation.
Because today—
They officially became ninja.
Of course.
Team 7 was the exception.
"So cold… so hungry… so thirsty… so sleepy… I just want to go home and eat instant noodles…"
Uzumaki Naruto lay sprawled on the ground like a dying loach, eyes half-rolled back, lips cracked from dehydration. He looked utterly miserable.
He had woken up at four in the morning.
In a panic.
He had been terrified of being late. What if he lost his Genin status on the very first day?
So he rushed here—
Only to discover something unbelievable.
Renji wasn't here.
Not even a shadow.
That's right.
On the first official day as Team 7's sensei—
Renji was late.
Very late.
Uchiha Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against a tree. His expression was calm and cold.
He glanced at Naruto.
"Idiot."
Naruto weakly lifted his head.
"What are you being so arrogant about? I bet you're starving too!"
He hadn't eaten a single bite of food.
Not even a drop of water.
Since yesterday.
Sasuke raised his chin slightly, arrogance flickering in his eyes.
"I told you. You're far behind me."
Naruto was just about to explode—
"Grumble—"
A very clear sound echoed through the training ground.
Silence.
Naruto and Sakura slowly turned their heads.
The sound had come from—
Sasuke's stomach.
Naruto burst out laughing, clutching his own stomach.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA! Sasuke, your body's more honest than your mouth!"
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said worriedly.
Sasuke's ears reddened slightly. He turned his head away and snorted.
"Hmph. What could someone who's late on the first day possibly teach us?"
He hadn't eaten either.
"Don't say that, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said gently. "Maybe Teacher Renji encountered something very important. Let's wait a bit longer."
On the surface, she sounded understanding.
Inside—
She was cursing.
It was already seven o'clock.
Seven!
They had been here for three full hours!
What the hell was Renji doing?!
This old lady hasn't eaten a single bite since yesterday like you said!
What kind of bullshit is this, you bastard?!
She discreetly glanced at Sasuke.
He was looking up at the sky, hands still in his pockets.
She sighed in relief.
Good.
He didn't notice how bad I look.
Time passed.
7:10 AM.
Three hours and ten minutes.
Naruto lay flat on the ground again.
"That Renji bastard… I'm definitely going to kill him. I should've just slept in."
"Boring. I'm leaving." Sasuke turned to go.
He was out of patience.
Sakura quickly grabbed her stomach and forced a smile.
"Sasuke-kun, wait! If we leave now, we might lose our Genin qualification!"
"Ugly woman," Sasuke said coldly, "are you stupid? Do you only gain power by becoming a ninja? It's those who possess power who are ninja."
Even if I'm not officially recognized—
I will gain power.
The image of the man who slaughtered his clan flashed through his mind.
"Ugly… woman?" Sakura's face darkened.
Her fist clenched tightly.
She almost punched him.
But—
She looked at Sasuke's handsome face.
Gritted her teeth.
And slowly lowered her fist.
Damn it.
He's too handsome.
If Naruto had said that, she would've punched him ten times already.
Suddenly, Sakura froze.
"Wait…" She stroked her chin.
"Teacher Renji is a Jonin. Doesn't it feel strange for a Jonin to be late?"
She looked at both of them.
"What if this is a test? A test of our patience and endurance."
She continued thinking aloud.
"He specifically told us not to eat. Then he shows up late on purpose. Maybe this is to test whether we're qualified to officially become ninja."
"A test?" Naruto blinked.
Sasuke frowned slightly.
"…That does sound like something a Jonin would do."
It was annoying.
But logical.
"Tch. I lost my composure over something so simple." Sasuke punched the tree trunk lightly in frustration.
Naruto looked back and forth between them.
"Huh? What do you mean 'test'? What the hell are you two talking about?!"
Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Idiot."
Sasuke added coldly, "With your intelligence, it's hard to understand, isn't it?"
Naruto shot up.
"HEY! What are you two saying?!"
He felt like the only one excluded from some secret understanding.
Sakura sighed dramatically.
"The reason Teacher Renji is late is to test our patience. If we endure, we pass. Honestly, Naruto, you're too stupid."
"A test, huh?" Naruto clenched his fists.
"I'll endure no matter how long it takes! I'm going to become Hokage! How could I lose to patience?!"
He glared at Sasuke.
"If you can't handle it, tuck your tail and run home!"
"Idiot. I will definitely be stronger than you," Sasuke replied calmly.
He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
It's just endurance.
Ever since that day—
I've been enduring.
If it gives me power, I'll endure anything.
Forty minutes later.
8:00 AM.
"Grumble… grumble…"
The chorus of empty stomachs echoed again.
But neither Naruto nor Sasuke complained.
An invisible competition had begun.
Then—
A cool breeze brushed across the grass.
"Yo. Good morning."
Renji appeared instantly in front of them using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Teacher Renji!" Sakura's eyes lit up with excitement.
He's here!
We passed the test, right?!
Renji clasped his hands together and smiled apologetically.
"Sorry. I overslept. Kept you waiting."