Chapter 30: Chapter Twelve - Age 12/Year 12 [Part Three]
Time ticked by, slow as a trickling faucet. I hummed a small tune, sword in my lap. I had it for a few weeks, yet it still had that "new" smell clinging to its edge. The sterile scent of steel still stung my nostrils as I unsheathed the blade.
It was a long, double-edged sword. Where most ninjas used Katana, Ninjato or other eastern-themed weapons, I always found swords like this more interesting. Katanas had the "cool" factor, but more traditions, western swords like these had their own appeal.
I stared into its dark-blue surface and smiled at my reflection. At a distance, one might think my sword pitch as black, but even though this is an uncommon weapon, it's still made by ninja. This colour blended far easier in the shadow of night. The swirling, cloud design adorning its hilt and guard were a nice touch. Though, there wasn't much of a guard to actually speak of- at least at first glance.
That was the point, I suppose. At first glance, most things in Konoha- in this world seemed simple. Yet, with a slight twist of my wrist, two jagged spikes would shoot out at the point where the hilt and blade met. You'd have your guard and a hidden weapon to boot.
The sword was like the wind, easilly slicing through anything I tested its edge against. It was clear that this weapon was a mountain that needed to be toppled. My movements tarnished glistening, masterfully crafted blade. This was a weapon made for those who dedicated themselves to the way of the sword and the pricetag reinforced that. The only solution, then, was to get better so as to not bring shame to the wonderful weapon you had been given.
As my reflection smiled up at me, a heavyweight settled upon my shoulder.
"So, pick one yet?" Naruko's lips popped as she gently ran her finger across finely honed metal. "Everyone knows any cool sword has to have a name!"
She exclaimed, neck nearly snapping as she looked to Sakura.
"You think so, right?!"
Our other teammate turned, eyes blinking. Her lip quivered slightly before rising as her eyes shuffled to me then back to naruko.
"If Sasuke thinks it needs a name, then yeah," she said slowly.
I raised a brow, sheathing the gorgeous sword back into its sheath. Even now, I still couldn't help but take it out only to put it back.
"A name, huh?" I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it. "What do you two think would be a cool name?" I joked, lips slipping into a small grin.
Naruko was the first to answer. There was no hesitation or doubt in her voice.
"Death Slicer!" she shouted with a certainty often found when asked about dinner. "Moon cutter!"
Then again, maybe not so much.
"Oh! What about Soul Cutter?!"
I chuckled at that last one. A fun little coincidence, that. Still, I doubted we'd be seeing my sword transform by saying a simple phrase.
"Interesting names," I said with a cough. "What about your ideas?"
Sakura was deep in thought, though, at my words, she looked up.
"Maybe Zantetsuken?" she hazards, eyes wavering as she stared at my blade. "Its the name of a legendary sword."
I scratched my chin, hiding the small smile that was prickling at my lips. With how quiet Sakura was, I thought she might have been a bit upset being on our team. Now, however, I know that to be false. She and Naruko aren't exactly close friends, but their relationship is far less volatile than what could have been. And, while Sakura still gives me odd looks when she thinks I'm not looking- I'm happy she didn't turn out to be the raving banshee she might have turned into.
Honestly, in the last year or so, Sakura's turned into one of the most determined ninja's trainee I knew.
"A name, huh?" I muttered.
==============
After what feels like hours, our team leader finally arrives. The door swings open and in steps a familiar face. There's no chalkboard eraser or prank to greet him, as Naruko had more than enough to entertain herself with. Namely- she had me and Sakura to talk to.
I could feel both my teammates tense up as Kakashi took a spot near the front of the room. The Jonin blew a hum and examined the three of us.
"You're still here?" he said softly. "That's one point I suppose," Kakashi continued lazily.
"Are you our assigned Jonin?" Sakura spoke up, taking the initiative.
While we couldn't see him smile, the way he shut his one visible eye was more than enough for me.
"Correct. Now, let's find a nice spot to introduce our selves," once again, a hum rolled off his lip. "The roof should do."
And with that, he walked out of the room. The three of us shared a look and gave chase, only to see that he'd disappeared.
Show off.
Anyways, it didn't take very long to get on the roof, and as expected, Kakashi was there waiting for us all. The scene had my heart nearly bursting from nostalgia. It was a world away, but this... this was my childhood.
I took a deal breath and listened as he introduced himself. He wanted everyone to give their likes, dislikes, and aspirations.
"My name is Kakashi Hatake," he began. "I like reading, my dislikes are a secret, and there's nothing much I dream of right now."
He answered softly. I really couldn't recall if that's was what he originally said, but it felt off. Hmm.
"How about you go next-" Kakashi pointed to Naruko.
With a large grin on her face, my best friend did just that.
"Name's Naruko Uzumaki!" she said loudly, though not obnoxiously so. "I like Sasuke, hate assholes and want to be the best ninja I can!"
I nearly bit my tongue at that first part. That definitely caught me off guard and while Sakura's cheeks were slightly red, mine were anything but amused. Of course, I rolled my eyes and did my utmost to take Naruko's satisfaction away.
Even now, she loved getting a rise out of me.
"I see, I see," Kakashi hummed as his one eye hovered over Sakura. "What about you, pinky?"
Sakura blinked and gave a quick, acknowledging nod.
"I like... learning new things," she started slowly. "I don't like people that betray you and I dream of being a good ninja," she said, giving me a subtle sidelong glance near the end.
Kakashi nodded and then all eyes turn to me.
With a soft hum, I gently place Mugetsu on my lap. A bit cliche of a name, but Naruko thought it sounded cool. Sakura didn't seem to think it was all that bad either.
"What I like, huh?" I toss the words around in my mouth.
"Yes," Kakashi answers. "I do believe that's what I asked." he pauses and blinks. "Are you hard of hearing?"
I bite my tongue and keep any comments I might have to myself. This isn't the man I've seen grow and step out of a lonely spiral of guilt and regret. He's very much still the same, bitter man that began that long, difficult journey.
"I guess I like training," I start, eyes dropping to the onyx sword in my grip. Its surface shines like a mirror. How many people will it take before crimson stains muddle its lustrous shine?
"I also like my family and friend," I continue with a small smile. Naruko chuckles and Sakura looks away, a slightly happy expression on her face as I glanced in her direction.
"Meeting new people is also pretty fun."
Kakashi nods, a curious hum on his lip.
"Quite the talkative one, aren't you?"
Oh?
"I guess people have said that I'm good with words," Shikamaru called me charming once. Or was that Choji? And, of course, Jubei never ceases to use me to trick his friends out of fish.
"As for things I hate-" I furrowed my brow and think. "I guess losing people I care about."
Just thinking about anyone hurting them sets my blood alight.
"And not being able to live up to my potential, I guess," I add as an afterthought. With the challenges coming in the future, I'd certainly hate myself for not doing so. Essentially, that means I'll die along with everyone I cared about.
Kakashi gives an acknowledging nod and waits for my final answer.
"My dream, huh?" How many times have I asked myself this? It feels like it changes slightly every time. The core stays the same, but the fringes warp just a tad.
"I want my friends and I to excel at what we want to do." Be that the path of a ninja, writing, or even cooking- I just want them them to be the best that they can be. "Oh, and for them to achieve their dreams."
Everyone has to have dreams. It makes it so much better when the finally pluck them out from the sky.
Kakashi lets loose a thoughtful hum and nods. It seems like he's just about getting ready to say something. However, just then, a mischievous thought suddenly comes to mind.
"I also want to become the strongest ninja and have a big family to spoil!" I finish with a wink at Kakashi.
The veteran ninja simply blinks absent minded for a second and then rolls his one visible eye.
"Right, right." He stands up and reaches into his pockets. Two golden bells clatter in his fingertips. The ringing echoes through the rooftop. It carries an odd, almost soothing tone.
Kakashi stares at the bells, a contemplative expression on his face. Conflicting emotions clash, and as he takes a breath, the bells vanish back into his right pocket.
"Before you become fully-fledged ninja, there is one final test," Kakashi says, eliciting confused looks from my future teammates.
"What?! Another test?!" Naruko groans. "Didn't we have enough of those already?!"
Sakura nods, caution rising onto her face.
"We weren't told about anything like this..." she says slowly. "It wasn't even in our books."
Kakashi shuts his one good eye, almost mimicking a cheerful smile with that. A friendly smile is the last thing I think is on his face right now.
"I wouldn't be much of a secret test if you could easilly find information about it, right?" I suppose that's true. Though, how do they keep students that fail from just telling other people?
...
Oh. Oh no. I'd like to keep my memories intact, thank you.
"Meet me in training ground three in half an hour or you fail."
He gives us no other warning. He doesn't even wait for any of us to speak before he vanishes in a puff of smoke.
"Hey! Wait!" Naruko shouts. "You can't just leave!"
I was just about ready to try and rally everyone together, but Sakura beats me to the punch.
"I think we should go," she stands up and moves to the roof's edge. "I don't think he was joking."
Naruko reluctantly nods and blows a sigh.
"Like, does anyone know where the third training ground is?"
I smile and raise a hand.
"I do," I'd have to be an idiot not to acquaint myself with such an important place.
"Ok, then let's go there quickly!" Sakura urges nervously.
She doesn't need to say that twice.
----------------
Even running at full force, it takes the three of us about twelve minutes to arrive. That's not counting the small pitstop the three of us had to take because Naruko had to use the washroom. Just to be safe, all three of us did our business so it wouldn't get in the way later.
Had we spent time walking or trying to ask for directions, it would have been much closer. Whatever the case, Kakashi is there, waiting for us.
"That was quick!" he greets the three of us with a small wave. His eyes drop to me, and for a second, it feels like he's peeling me away, one layer at a time. All of that with a simple glance.
I felt naked.
"So, it's quite clear that the three of you are quite good friends," he pauses. "Well, two of you at least."
Sakura's eyes subtly drop.
"Your test is simple-" Kakashi reaches into his left pocket and pulls out a single bell. "Those with a bell pass. The first person to express intention will get this bell and join my team for this test."
What?
Naruko's brow furrows. She looks straight at him and opens her mouth.
"That's-"
"I'll join you!" Sakura shouts almost immediately. She rushes to Kakashi's side
What?!
My eyes go wide, as do Naruko's.
Kakashi smiles. I could feel the smugness in his eye.
"Good," he gently pats Sakura's shoulder and stares back at me and Naruko. Our other friend looks away, shame and guilt on her features.
"The test is simple-" Kakashi holds the bell aloft and gently pins it to Sakura's chest. "-take the bell while I try to protect her."
He pauses.
"If you can't take the bell within four hours, you'll fail." He pauses. "If she can keep the bell safe for those four hours, she passes."
"How are we supposed to beat a Jonin?!" Naruko all but shrieks.
"That's a good question," Kakashi hums and reaches into his poker. Out comes a familiar book. "Let me know when you figure that out."
And just like that, he takes up a protective position in front of Sakura.
Silence. A heavyweight falls over me and Naruko.
This won't be easy...
==================
Sakura turn traitor? I'd like to believe she wouldn't do that.
...
No. I can't say that for certain. This isn't the loud, smart, thoughtless girl I knew a long time ago. She's different.
Sakura is quiet. She's cunning. And she knows how to use her head as something more than a walking encyclopedia.
She's a ninja.
Whether I think she's actually betrayed me or not, nows not the time to doubt my convictions.
"Sakura!" her name burst from my lips. Beside me, Naruko takes a breath and draws a kunai.
A silent gaze passes between the two of us. My Sharingan blazes to life, though to all the world nothing seems different. She's not a clone. She's not an illusion. This is the real Sakura Haruno. A pit begins to form in my stomach.
And in her eyes, I see the twinkling of intelligence. Whether that's a good or bad thing is something I'll have to figure out.
"I told you my dream!" I roared. "I'm not going to be abandoning you anytime soon!"
Kakashi blows a hum, gently patting the young girl and stepping forward.
"Girls don't like it if you constantly push," he says sweetly and flips a page of the book he's holing up.
Naruko grumbles something under her breath and steps up.
"We'll just kick your ass and take all the bells!" She shouts, weapon outstretched toward the Jonin. "I know you have two more in your other pocket!"
Kakashi lets loose a little laugh.
"Noticed that, did you?" He mumbles and glances toward Naruko. "Perhaps you're not far off from being a proper ninja."
He takes a step forward.
"But I'm here to test that, aren't I?"
He vanishes. No, he moves.
His free hand smashes into my gut like a bullet. The only warning I received was the whistling of the wind and a green blur. The next thing I knew, I've gone flying and smashed into the ground.
"Sasuke!" Naruko shouts.
I roll with the fall, finding myself back on my feet in a second. Smart as she is, Naruko had tried to rush Sakura while Kakashi was distracted. Unfortunately, the Jonin was faster. With a kick to her side, Kakashi sent my friend rolling away.
Through it all, he seemed not to have a care in the world. One thing was certain.
None of us were beating him alone. Even with me and Naruko working together, chances seemed slim.
I took a breath and glance at Naruko. My right finger twitched in a very peculiar way. Understanding flickered in her gaze.
I charged at Kakashi, making sure to peek at Sakura while doing so.
Come on. You're smarter than this.
Naruko comes to match my pace, and as we neared, Chakra gathers in my belly.
Two shuriken sail past my shoulders. Naruko sprints forward, assaulting Kakashi with a barrage of kicks and punches that he deflects with a single finger. As she tries to jump away, he lashes out with his right foot, hooking her ankle with his heel. Naruko falls flat on her back and the veteran ninja follows up with a kick to her stomach.
The kick never lands, as my own weapons flash out of my hands. He deflects the kunai, giving Naruko enough time to leap away.
A massive ball of fire bursts from my lip. It burns through the air, searing the grass and earth beneath its path. Naruko is long since gone, though I began firing off the jutsu before she had. A simple plan, but one we practiced before.
The move catches Kakashi off guard. He has but a second to react before the flames consume him. Yet, I knew this wouldn't put him down, let alone scratch him. But that's fine. My goal was to distance him from Sakura.
Naruko jumps over the smouldering crater, landing right in front of sakura. The "traitorous" kunoichi draws her kunai, eyes hardened.
She darts forward, swinging away at Naruko.
My friend clicks her tongue and meets Sakura's swing with one of her own. The moment is lost and Kakashi ceases it. His hand burst from the ground.
"W-Wha?!" Naruko's eyes go wide as another hand erupts from the earth and coils around her ankle.
I curse and send a wave of shuriken at Kakashi. Alas, it's too late. He pulls, burying naruko neck-deep in soil. Or so one might believe. With a puff of smoke, Naruko is replaced by a common log.
Kakashi steps out from behind Sakura, surprising the young girl.
A stalemate. He's obviously holding back, but it's clear that the two of us are good enough to push him somewhat at this level.
As he opens his mouth to speak, I draw Mugetsu and subtly focus chakra into my weapon. Its edge is reinforced and honed.
"Not bad," Kakashi mumbles. "I suppose I should give you a bit more rope so you can hang yourselves."
He mumbles and takes a breath. The book he's been reading up till now slides back into his pouch.
"You work well together... but how long can you keep that up?"
His hands blitz through a number of hand signs. Even with my Sharingan, it's all a blur!
"Let's see how you deal with this."
A wave of nausea hits us like a truck. A genjutsu, but not one I really need my Sharingan to see through. Vomit bursts from my lips, staining the ground a darker shade of green.
"R-Release..."
I whimpered, performing the countermeasures taught to us by our school. The feeling of unease and vertigo fades, but the vomit does not.
Unlike me, Naruko doesn't figure it out right away. The second my words reach her ears, however, she follows suit.
The distraction is an opportunity Kakashi doesn't let slip. He's at my side in an instant, fingers slamming into my neck. In a second, he's picked me up and thrown me away like one would a garbage bag.
"Let's take care of your friend first," he says cheerfully. "Don't worry, I'll be back once I'm done."
And like that, he turns his back to me. An instant later, he's next to Sakura, stoping Naruko's attempt to capture her.
What's the game plan here, Sakura?! Did she really-
Our eyes meet. As I gaze deep inside, I see determination. She glances toward Kakashi and then back to me. Once more, she mouths.
There's a great distance between me and them. I'd have to burn a lot of Chakra to close in before he advances on Naruko.
It's a gamble. Should Sakura's true plan be to abandon the two of us, then there'll be no way to turn things around.
A gamble.
A risk.
A chance.
Do I trust Sakura? That is the question that will decide my fate.
As the pink-haired girl desperately stares into my eyes, as if trying to tell you something- I make my choice.
The two of us haven't been that close. Most might call us "friends" but at best we're very good acquaintances. Though, I still consider her a "friend." Not the type of friend one knows a lot about, but someone I can still put some trust into.
And this is that moment.
This is Sakura's time to shine. I have no idea what she's planing or how she's going to do it, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that I can't beat Kakashi alone. Even with the three of us, the battle's outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Yet, this obviously isn't just a test of might. It never was... was it?
I take a breath and rush forward, putting everything I could into my legs. Chakra coils around my muscles, compressing like a spring. It's the simplest of techniques and one used by all ninja to leap great heights.
That's all it is- a simple technique.
Yet, even a branch can be shaped into a deadly weapon with the right mindset.
I grit my teeth, nearly biting my tongue off as the full force of my movements crashes into me. My lungs and stomach slam into my back and air smashes into my face. The ground I stood upon bursts and peppers everything behind me in loose rocks and a small bit of dirt.
I explode from my spot, rushing forward like a missile.
Everything blurs, yet Kakashi's form explodes into view. Where once he was as small as a mouse, now he stands right in front of me.
His one good eye widens, even as I lash out with Mugetsu. It takes all my strength just to lift the previously light weapon. Its as if the air itself is a prison chaining me down. Even the simplest of movements feel like an insurmountable mountain. Nevertheless, I persevere.
By sheer force of will and a lot of luck, I manage to tilt my body enough to perform a simple swing. Mugetsu slices through the air; a loud crack echoing a second after as it cuts through sound itself.
My blade catches flesh. It burrows deep into Kakashi's side, tearing through cloth like butter. Yet, the surge of chakra and puff of smoke spoil my hopes. My sword cleanly slices through a log, not the body of our teacher.
Though, admittedly, that's for the best.
The speed I carried is not kind to me. I barrel forward, tumbling to the ground and digging my foot in the dirt. The sudden stop is far more jarring than I expected and has my head smashing into the ground. I bounced once, twice, and then finally digged my fingers into the earth. A second later, I'm back on my feet and standing next to Naruko.
All things considered, I did rather well and only got a tiny nosebleed.
Naruko is back on her feet a second later and takes a position next to me.
"Quite the daring rescue," Kakashi says with an amused tone. "It might have caught a lesser ninja off guard." He hum, eyes still on the two of us as Sakura hurries to his side.
"Could have even killed a few that underestimate you with that."
Advice? A distraction? Whatever the case, he had ample opportunity to "finish" both me and Naruko off right then.
"Guess you didn't underestimate us then, huh?!" Naruko shouts back, eyes momentarily glancing toward me. She steps just a tad closer.
"No," Kakashi answers. "I didn't." His one eye slowly hovers toward my own. He furrows his brow and lets loose a query hum.
"An Uchiha without his Sharingan, yet one that moves as if he-" Kakashi stops and blinks. "Curious."
What the hell is he going on about? Is he just talking to waste time now or-
"I suppose It's time to end this."
I blink and he's upon us.
A heel smashes into my stomach, pushing me down to the ground. Kakashi pins me in place, easilly grabbing Naruko's arm as she swings. With a clean twist of his body, he slams Naruko to the ground right next to me. Metal flashes from his holster and twin Kunai find themselves pressed against both of our necks.
"And you lose," he says cheerily. "Though, can't exactly have a team with only one person," Kakashi mumbles.
"Tell you what, how about you two fight and the winner gets a bell?"
...
What?
His eye shuts, forming an odd little "smile" as it does so.
"I think it's quite generous, you know?" We just stare at the man's audacity. "Fight each other and the last one standing passes."
"No way am I doing that!" Naruko growls. "I'll kick your ass!"
Kakashi chuckles and shakes his head.
"What about you, Sasuke?" He raises his hand away from my neck and reaches for his pocket. "I'll give you this-"
Only the sound of flesh hitting cloth can be heard. Once again, he pats down his pocket, brow furrowing in confusion. The moment he figures out that there's nothing there, he reaches for his other pocket and finds much the same.
A sigh bursts from his lip.
"Clever girl," He mumbles, releases the two of us and turns to Sakura. "How exactly did you do that?"
Sakura stands a ways away. A large, grin splitting her face.
"I wouldn't make a good ninja if I told you, would I?" she shouts, holding up three golden bells. "I'll be giving two of these to Sasuke and Naruko, so that means we all pass, right?"
How did she get those bells? You didn't see anything either!
The clearing stands silent. Then, slowly but surely, a laugh rubles through the area.
"Well done," Kakashi puts away his kunai, and soon, his clapping ripples through the air. "You three pass!"
"Hell yeah!" Naruko roars, helping me up.
I smile and nod at Sakura, who quickly rejoins the two of us. Bells exchange hands and "Team 7" is born anew.
"No, but seriously, how did you do that?" Kakashi eventually asks again just before we part ways.
"Well, since you're our teacher now-" Sakura wiggles her fingers. I immediately have my Sharingan looking for anything strange. I can just barely make out tiny strands of hairs on Sakura's fingers that are flowing with her chakra. She uses these hairs like a muscle, lifting up her new, shiny bell.
"Can't really lift anything much heavier than that..."
That's amazing! How much control would it take to keep the hair from snapping, let alone using it to lift something?
She's just as scary as Naruko when it comes to potential...
"Very clever," Kakashi responds. I could just feel the grin on his lip. "I foresee great things..."
And with that, we part ways- not as strangers, but as a team.
The future ahead of us would not be easy. But I will try my hardest to make it a bright one.
Prologue End!
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