Chapter 5 Protecting Everything You CherishNaruto woke up the next day, his head still throbbing. He didn't know when he'd been covered with a blanket.
He got up and was about to prepare some noodles when he found a lunchbox already laid out on the table, along with some fresh fruit. Even the expired milk had been replaced with new.
"Who could it be?"
A warmth warmed Naruto's heart. Although he didn't know who had done it, after thinking it over, it could only be one of those few people.
After breakfast and a quick wash, Naruto rushed to school. Today was the day Team 7 was to meet Kakashi.
When he arrived at the school gate, he found Kakashi and the others already on the platform.
"Naruto, over here!" Sakura waved to Naruto below.
"Coming!"
Naruto dashed up the wall in one breath, landing on the platform in a few leaps.
"Naruto Uzumaki here!"
A barely perceptible look of surprise flashed in Kakashi's eyes. Although Naruto clearly lacked control over his chakra, unable to move effortlessly across the wall, he still executed a series of movements with remarkable skill and finesse, relying on his strength and taijutsu technique.
"When did Naruto become so strong?" Sakura found it unbelievable.
"Just average," Sasuke replied with a haughty expression.
Kakashi: "Hey, hey, hey, your name is Naruto, right? You're so late, do you want to be sent back to the Ninja Academy for further training?"
Although he knew Kakashi was definitely teasing him, Naruto's face still stiffened, and he waved his hands frantically.
"No, no, Kakashi-sensei, my ninja journey has only just begun."
"Alright, alright, hey, let's start with an introduction," Kakashi said.
"What should I say for my introduction?" Sakura asked curiously.
Kakashi shrugged and said, "Like what I like, what I hate, dreams, hobbies, that's about it."
Naruto didn't rush to speak this time, and Sasuke maintained his aloof persona, remaining silent, creating an awkward atmosphere.
After waiting for a while without any movement, Sasuke couldn't help but glance at Naruto. Seeing Naruto looking at Sakura, he also turned his gaze to her.
Seeing that Naruto didn't intend to speak first, Kakashi followed Naruto's gaze and looked at Sakura.
Being stared at by three people at the same time, Sakura felt incredibly uncomfortable.
Sakura weakly raised her hand and asked, "Um... Kakashi-sensei, won't you start?"
"My name is Hatake Kakashi, and what I like and dislike..."
Kakashi paused for a moment.
"I don't want to tell you, but as for dreams... and hobbies, I have quite a few."
Everyone was stunned. Well, it was as if he hadn't said anything at all.
Kakashi: "Alright, now it's your turn, from left to right."
Sakura blushed and said, "What I like is... my hobby is... my dream is, ah~"
Although she didn't say it aloud, her beautiful eyes kept glancing at Sasuke, the meaning was obvious.
Kakashi: "Oh, and who's annoying?"
That guy who always tries to mess with her and ruin her time with Sasuke, Sakura's face immediately fell.
"Naruto!"
"Huh? Uh..."
Naruto suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart. "That hurts! I'm still here, Sakura, is this really okay?" Naruto thought to himself.
"Alright, next."
Sasuke remained as cold as ever, his movements and expression unchanged.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I hate many things, and I don't like anything."
"Also, I don't want to talk about interests or dreams. I have ambitions. One day I will revitalize the Uchiha clan and personally kill that man."
Kakashi's expression behind his mask was solemn. Sakura, naive, thought Sasuke looked cool at that moment, though slightly frightening.
Naruto knew perfectly well who the man Sasuke was referring to was: Sasuke's older brother, Itachi Uchiha, the man who slaughtered his entire clan for the sake of the village, yet couldn't bring himself to harm his younger brother. Itachi's relentless pressure on Sasuke was partly to deter those who harbored ill intentions towards him, and partly to help Sasuke grow stronger quickly so he could protect himself after Naruto's death. However, Itachi underestimated Sasuke's resolve and obsession, ultimately leading Sasuke astray under the pressure.
Unfortunately, Naruto couldn't have informed him of any of this beforehand.
"Yosh, is it finally my turn?"
Naruto clenched his fist, stood up, looked at Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, and declared firmly, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like many things, and I don't particularly dislike anything. My dream is to protect everything I cherish!"
What? Protect everything I cherish?
Sasuke gave a dismissive snort, but what he truly thought remained a mystery.
Sakura's expression was filled with disbelief. These words actually came from Naruto's mouth? Most of her classmates who graduated from the Ninja Academy dreamed of becoming Jonin, Hokage, or revitalizing their clans; very few, like Sasuke, sought revenge. But this was the first time she'd heard Naruto speak like this from someone his age. Although she couldn't fully grasp the meaning of protection, she was subtly moved by Naruto's dream.
Especially since he said these words after Sasuke, the stark contrast was striking. One wanted to kill, the other to protect. The former's words were like ancient ice, aloof and cold, while the latter's were like the sun in the sky, its warm light shining on everyone's heart.
My God, is this still the boy who always hovered around her? Naruto was unaware that his image was undergoing a massive transformation in Sakura's mind.
Not only were they shocked, but even Kakashi was stunned by Naruto's words. As far as he knew, wasn't Naruto's biggest dream to become Hokage? How could his style change so drastically, uttering such profound words?
The important thing is that it seems Naruto's responsibility to protect includes him. Okay, Kakashi admits he was a little touched, just a tiny bit. But as the team leader, he couldn't let himself be looked down upon; he had to put some pressure on these kids.
"Alright, all three of you have unique personalities, very good. Starting tomorrow, let's officially begin our mission."
"Let's start with a mission that only the four of us can do: a survival drill."
Sakura: "It's supposed to be a mission, why start with a drill? We've done tons of drills at school, what's the difference?"
Kakashi let out a cold laugh.
"Hehehe~ I was worried that telling you directly would scare you. Out of the last 27 people who participated in drills, only 9 passed. The rest were sent back to the Ninja Academy."
"This is an extremely difficult test with a 66% elimination rate. I'll judge your pass/fail on the training ground. Alright, assemble at 5:00 AM sharp tomorrow morning. Remember to bring your ninja tools. No need for breakfast."
What could they say? The three left with mixed feelings. Naruto knew that Kakashi's threat to send them back to the Ninja Academy was just a bluff. Tomorrow's test was just to make them value their comrades; they would pass regardless of their performance.
But Naruto had no intention of getting away with it again. He devised a strategy: he had to snatch the bell tomorrow and impress Sakura and Sasuke.
"Hehe, just you wait, Kakashi-sensei."