Chapter 45 45: Icha Icha Paradise.

"Then why don't I just learn from Kaito? What's the point of learning from that loser Sasuke!" "Shut up, Naruto. If you keep spouting nonsense, your ninja qualification will be revoked. There's an extra person in this graduation exam, so you can repeat a year in the Ninja Academy!" Iruka roared. Hearing this, Naruto, who had been shouting loudly, instantly went silent and sat down like a good kid. As for Haruno Sakura, she was stunned by the unexpected news. Both Sasuke and Kaito were top of the class in terms of both looks and ability. She glanced at Sasuke, then at Kaito, a crazed smile blooming on her face. "Damn it! Sakura's so lucky. Why can't Hinata, Kaito, and I be on the same team?" Ino grumbled, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Hinata felt the same. Her expression fell. Team 8: Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Hyuga Hinata! Team 9: ... Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji! Without Naruto causing any interruptions, Iruka quickly finished announcing the rest of the teams. "Alright! Your jonin instructors will come get you shortly. I wish all of you the best on your path as ninja! Aim to surpass even your teachers!" Iruka said, his tone uncharacteristically emotional. With a trace of reluctance, he turned and walked away. Soon after, one by one, the jonin instructors arrived to pick up their students, as if they had planned it beforehand. "Team 8, follow me," Kurenai Yuhi said coldly before turning and walking out. Shino, Kiba, and Hinata quickly got up to follow. "Kaito, I'm heading out now," Hinata whispered with a trace of reluctance in her eyes. "Alright, go on. I'll visit you and Ino when I have time," Kaito said gently, patting her head. "That's right, Hinata! Don't worry—we're all in Konoha. If we miss him, we can just go to his house! Didn't Kaito give each of us a spare key?" Ino added. "Mm!" Hinata nodded enthusiastically before heading out with her team. "Team 10, follow me," Asuma said as he walked in, a cigarette hanging from his lips. Ino and the others waved goodbye to Kaito before leaving with Asuma. Before long, only Kaito, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura remained in the classroom. Kaito glanced at the clock. It was still two hours until noon. Knowing Kakashi's chronic lateness, there was no way he'd show up before then. So Kaito casually laid his head on the desk and took a nap. Time passed. Eventually, he was awakened by Naruto's shouting. Kakashi finally arrived—nonchalant as ever—with an eraser balanced on his head. "How should I put this... My first impression of you guys? A little disappointing," he said casually. "Follow me." On the Academy's rooftop, Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets. "Since you're all in the same squad now, let's start with introductions." "I'll go first. I'm Hatake Kakashi. I don't feel like telling you my likes or dislikes. My dreams? I don't have any." "What?! All we learned was his name!" Sakura complained. "I'll go! I'll go!" Naruto shouted. "I love eating instant noodles! I hate waiting the three minutes for them to cook! My dream is to become Hokage and be acknowledged by everyone!" "My name is Haruno Sakura. My hobby is..." She glanced shyly at Sasuke and Kaito. "My dream is..." Her eyes shifted between the two again. "I hate Naruto." "Eh?! Sakura, why do you hate me? I didn't even do anything!" Naruto protested. "Hmph." Sakura turned away, ignoring him. "My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I hate a lot of things, and I don't have any particular likes. My dream... is to kill a certain man and restore the Uchiha clan." His voice was low, his expression cold. After the three of them had finished, all eyes turned to Kaito. "My name is Ayanami Kaito. Hobbies?" He shot Kakashi a cheeky look. "Reading the latest edition of Icha Icha Paradise." "I don't really hate anything, but my dream is to marry both Hinata and Ino." Kakashi: [...] Naruto: [...] Sasuke: [...] Sakura: Heartbreak noises Kakashi had originally thought Naruto and Sasuke were the problem children. After this round of introductions, he realized all four of them were going to be a handful. [Lord Hokage, what kind of team have you saddled me with?] he thought. [What the hell is a kid doing reading Icha Icha Paradise?!] "Now that introductions are out of the way, let me explain the test we'll be doing tomorrow," Kakashi continued after a pause, noticing the confusion on Naruto's face. "Don't think you've become full-fledged ninja just because you have a forehead protector. Tomorrow's survival training is actually a test for all of you!" "Only those who pass will be considered real ninja. Those who fail will be sent back to the Academy to repeat the year." "There were 27 graduates last year... but only 9 passed the test. That's a 66% elimination rate." As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, Naruto and Sakura both turned pale with anxiety. Without giving them time to complain, Kakashi turned and left after tossing out one final message. "Tomorrow's test will be held in the woods behind the school. A friendly reminder: don't eat breakfast... or you'll throw it all up." --- (☞゚ヮ゚)☞ Support me by sending powerstones. More Powerstones = Bonus Chapters. Win Win.