The young man walked leisurely toward Training Ground 7. His silver hair shimmered in the sunlight. One eye was hidden behind a Konoha headband, while the other squinted contentedly at the sun. Despite his good mood, the jonin looked slightly disheveled. Though no bandages remained on his body, he carried a cane, occasionally leaning on it as he walked. Not that he particularly needed it-his legs were perfectly fine. But if he could delay meeting his new team by playing the role of a "shinobi recovering from a dangerous mission," why not?
Like many operatives, Kakashi often left the hospital long before being officially discharged. But this time, the Copy Ninja had gotten more than he bargained for from that bald stranger.
"Remarkable. One slap-and I was out cold," he mused. "At least I managed to reinforce the impact point with chakra. Not that it helped..."
Nothing had helped. Not the Sharingan, not his battle-honed instincts, not his years of experience. He'd made a mistake, relying too heavily on genjutsu. Illusions proved useless against that peculiar shinobi named Saitama. The Chidori only scorched his shirt, leaving his body unharmed. Kakashi had thought he'd bought his former comrades enough time to prepare a barrier and capture the intruder. Imagine his surprise when, days later, he learned that despite the ANBU's efforts, Saitama had shattered their barrier with a single technique and sent them flying-then somehow convinced the Hokage to escort him into the village.
- Maa... that guy's a monster, - Kakashi muttered. - I'd rather not fight him again...
The jonin arrived at Training Ground 7, where he'd scheduled his team's meeting. Two days had passed since his hospital discharge, and today marked their "test." He'd notified his new students in advance via shadow clones-personally fetching each one was too much trouble.
Training Ground 7, assigned to Team 7, was an excellent facility for developing fundamental shinobi skills. Like other genin grounds, it featured dense woods with towering trees (for vertical surface training), a narrow stream (for water-walking practice), and ample open space for sparring, technique drills, and tactical exercises. Multiple teams could train here simultaneously, though they rarely did, preferring to drill their genin in trios until the Chunin Exams.
Kakashi inhaled the warm air, savoring the scent of grass and foliage. Perfect weather-not a cloud in sight, birds singing. Idyllic. A beach day with Jiraiya's latest book would've been ideal, but duty called.
"Well, rest time's over. Now for babysitting duty..."
Tapping his cane rhythmically against the ground, he approached the brunet boy and pink-haired kunoichi waiting by wooden posts.
- Good morning! - he announced cheerfully.
- You're late! - Sakura snapped, snapping out of her thoughts.
The Uchiha boy barely reacted, merely scoffing quietly.
- Now now, Sakura, I'm not exactly in top form after that dangerous mission. Just got out of the hospital, - Kakashi said, hanging his head. The incident from over a week ago wasn't widely discussed. Officially, the Copy Ninja had returned from an S-rank mission involving rogue ninja. But the ANBU buzzed with the truth-Kakashi and the strike team had been humiliated by some bald shinobi.
Sakura's gaze dropped to the cane. A flicker of sympathy crossed her face-until she saw his visible eye crinkle in amusement, realizing he was either mocking them or concocting a ridiculous excuse.
- You're six hours late! - she fumed. - Couldn't you have left earlier?!
- Maa... there's a reason, - he said, tilting his head. - You see, a black cat crossed my path. With this cane, I had to take a long detour.
- Grrr... - the kunoichi growled.
Kakashi cleared his throat to begin, then noticed someone missing.
- Ahem... Where's the blond?
Sakura sighed, crossing her arms.
- Naruto said you'd probably be late and went off to train. For once, the idiot was right.
- Hm? - Kakashi's eyebrow rose. This was a first-usually he was the last to arrive. More intriguing was how the Uzumaki brat knew about his... "punctuality."
Not that Kakashi was chronically late. When it mattered-critical missions, jonin councils, Hokage summons-he arrived early. This wasn't some compulsion. Simply put, he saw no reason to be on time when motivation was lacking.
Here, though, it served a purpose-testing the genin's nerves, disrupting their equilibrium, observing how they'd handle team discord.
His previous would-be students had failed immediately. The core issue wasn't teamwork or betrayal-these were children from different classes, complete strangers. No team could function without understanding each other's capabilities. When given mere days (if that) to adjust, teamwork became impossible. Camaraderie? Out of the question. Such bonds needed time. Add psychological pressure, and failure was inevitable.
Some assumed his strictness stemmed from past losses-an unwillingness to shoulder responsibility again. Others thought his emphasis on teamwork and loyalty made him overly demanding. Perhaps there was truth in both. But the main reason Kakashi had never truly become a proper sensei was far simpler: laziness. Who wanted to mentor brats? Especially untalented ones? He'd made chunin at six, jonin by their age...
- Oh, you finally showed up, one-eyed sensei?
Kakashi turned toward the voice. At last, the third member of Team 7 appeared.
Naruto emerged from the woods unhurriedly.
The blond's skin was sun-kissed, his hair slightly bleached, knuckles bruised.
- Naruto-baka! - Sakura erupted. - Where have you been?!
- Hey hey, Sakura-chan! - he defended. - I was training nearby, keeping an eye on you guys! So I'm not late...
- Ahem, - Kakashi interrupted. - Now that we're all here, let's begin. The test is-
- Wait, sensei, - Naruto raised his hand respectfully. - You're our teacher, but we don't know anything about you. When I got home, I just found your note on my bed. Since we're all here, maybe introduce yourself?
Kakashi studied the trio. Seeing their curiosity, he obliged, sitting on the grass and gesturing for them to join. They settled in, eager to listen.
- Hm... Well, I'm Hatake Kakashi. Jonin...
Silence enveloped the training ground. The genin leaned forward, awaiting something impressive. The pause stretched.
- And...? - Naruto blurted. - That's it? What about, like... dreams, hobbies, likes, dislikes?
Kakashi gazed at the wispy clouds.
- Dreams? Hm... - He scratched his masked chin. - Not sure. Hobbies... I have many. Likes and dislikes? I won't tell you that.
A breeze rustled the grass. The silence returned.
- So all we learned is his name and rank... - Sakura muttered.
- Anyway, - Kakashi said. - Your turn. Start with you. - He nodded at the blond.
Naruto grinned widely, adjusting his hitai-ate-one side hastily stitched, as if previously cut. Kakashi mentally chided him for the sloppiness. "A hitai-ate represents a shinobi's pride. Where did he manage to damage it?"
- I'm Uzumaki Naruto, - he began. - I love ramen more than anything. I hate when my whole body aches after training, too sore to reach my bed. And my dream...
He frowned, pausing. Once, his dream was to become Hokage-to earn respect, recognition, greatness... But since meeting Master Saitama, much had changed...
- I don't have a dream.
Sakura and Kakashi stared blankly. The Uchiha merely glanced sideways at
- But I do have a goal I'll definitely achieve! - Uzumaki grinned widely. - I'll become the greatest Hokage in history and the strongest shinobi in the world! That's my ninja way, dattebayo!
The brunet boy quietly snorted at this declaration. Sakura clicked her tongue in irritation but remained silent. They'd heard this boast before and never took it seriously.
- Hm, interesting, - Kakashi murmured almost inaudibly. His visible expression showed nothing, but the skeptical look in his single eye made it clear the blond's speech hadn't impressed him. He immediately turned his attention to the pink-haired kunoichi. - What about you?
- I'm Haruno Sakura, - the girl began. - What do I love... or rather, who...
Her gaze drifted toward the object of her affection. Her cheeks flushed pink as vivid fantasies featuring a certain brunet played through her mind.
- My dreams... - she continued, blushing deeper and sneaking glances at the brooding Uchiha.
- Got it, - Kakashi concluded. This girl had nothing but boys on her brain.
*"Unlikely she'll amount to much. Though maybe that's normal at her age..."*
- And what don't you like? - the jonin asked perfunctorily.
- Naruto! - the girl declared categorically.
Uzumaki slumped dejectedly while Kakashi simply nodded.
- Well, that just leaves you, - Kakashi turned to the last member of the Uchiha clan.
The boy seemed shrouded in gloom. Dark eyes peered sullenly from beneath his bangs. To Kakashi, this demeanor seemed somewhat ridiculous, but remembering what the child had endured, he dismissed such thoughts. Perhaps this one at least would have sensible goals.
- I'm Uchiha Sasuke. There are many things I dislike, but nothing I particularly like. I wouldn't call it a dream, but... - the boy's gaze dropped, his fist clenching. - I must restore my clan... and kill a certain man.
*"Hm, figured as much..."* Kakashi sighed inwardly.
An awkward silence followed Sasuke's declaration. Sakura stared at her beloved in confusion, receiving no acknowledgment in return.
- Alright, that's enough, - Kakashi began rising slowly. The genin quickly followed suit. - Now you'll face a test that will determine your future as shinobi.
- Kakashi-sensei, - Sakura interrupted, emerging from her thoughts. - The handout said this would be a survival exercise. But we've already had plenty of training at the Academy. Why do we need this?
Kakashi folded his arms.
- Have you eaten? - he asked, as if ignoring her question.
The response came in the form of glares from Sasuke and Sakura, accompanied by growling stomachs. Naruto tried to stay inconspicuous-he'd only skimmed the handout, noting just the time, date, and instruction to bring weapons. Consequently, he'd eaten a hearty breakfast. Though memories of the juicy rabbit meat waiting in his fridge made him salivate involuntarily, his stomach rumbling in unison with his teammates'.
- Wonderful, - the masked shinobi smirked. - Then you won't vomit. As for the 'training,' Sakura, I misspoke. This is an incredibly difficult aptitude test with a sixty-six percent failure rate. Of twenty-seven Academy graduates, only nine will become full-fledged genin. The rest will return.
Sakura paled at these words, swallowing nervously before casting a frightened glance at the Uchiha. Sasuke's frown deepened, while Naruto just grinned.
The blond's reaction struck Kakashi as odd, but he dismissed it.
- Well, we're running late, - Kakashi produced an alarm clock. - I've set it for noon. Your task is as follows...
He placed the clock on a wooden post.
- Here are two bells, - the shinobi pulled a pair of jingling bells from his pocket. - You must take them from me before noon. Those who fail won't get lunch. As punishment, I'll tie you to one of these stumps and eat right in front of you.
- Ehhh?! - came the collective gasp from the genin, their stomachs growling in protest.
- Wait, there are three of us but only two bells! - Sakura was first to notice the catch.
Kakashi's eye crinkled in amusement as he explained:
- One of you must go without lunch and be disqualified. Whoever fails returns to the Academy... Though you could all go back together.
He chuckled, raising the bells to eye level.
- You may use anything, including shuriken or kunai... - Naruto grinned in anticipation at this. - You must come at me with intent to kill to take these bells. Otherwise, you'll fail.
- But sensei, that's dangerous! - Sakura protested.
- Heh heh... - Naruto chuckled.
- What's so funny? - the girl snapped, turning on him.
- Nothing, Sakura-chan, - the blond folded his hands behind his head, eyes half-lidded. - It's just... even if every Academy graduate tried to kill one-eyed sensei here, they'd fail. Because he's a jonin. The difference between us is like a kitten and a tiger. I can't even imagine beating a jonin without traps...
Sasuke snorted while Sakura gaped in surprise. The girl truly had no concept of an elite shinobi's capabilities. She'd assumed the Academy taught them everything, and being a genin was merely practice.
- Maa... what a clever boy, - Kakashi drawled. - Don't worry, I won't fight at full strength. Your objective is the bells. As I said, use everything you've learned. My task is determining who's worthy to walk the shinobi path-and who's a loser.
Sasuke and Sakura sighed in relief, their gazes drifting toward what they considered the weakest link-Naruto, who'd had the worst exam scores and showed no outstanding practical skills.
- One warning, though, - Kakashi added. - Every team I've tested has failed this exam.
- What?! - Sakura and Naruto exclaimed in unison, joined by Sasuke's indignant "Hmph."
- Heh heh, alright. Enough talk, - Kakashi attached the bells to his belt. - Ready or not, the test begins now...
***
Sarutobi puffed his pipe, studying the bald man lounging in the chair opposite him. Besides Saitama and the Hokage, Anko also stood in the office, head bowed and lip bitten. She'd already been reprimanded for negligence in supervising her charge.
The picnic in the Red Zone had proceeded surprisingly without incident. The Hokage had cursed internally upon learning the bald hero and jinchuriki had simply gone hunting. The dangerous monsters were meant to be training fodder for Naruto, while the free game would let Saitama save money for a television. Their presence in the Zone had been accidental-Saitama had been practicing tree-running and likely breached the Uzumaki-crafted barrier during a failed jump.
Two days had passed since then-time the Third had given Saitama to consider his offer...
- One doesn't refuse such offers, Saitama, - the Third said. - Especially since you admitted wanting to earn money. I see no reason to decline. You'd gain only benefits, plus official village status.
- Old man, - Saitama drawled, - being some jonin sounds cool, and I do need money, but... Maybe I could just be a temporary mercenary? Give me some mission. Isn't that what ninja do?
- Hm... - Hiruzen frowned.
They'd been at an impasse for half an hour. The Sandaime wanted to establish Saitama in Konoha-grant him documents and tokubetsu jonin rank, legitimizing him as a Leaf shinobi. Despite Root's halted assassination attempts, the Hokage doubted the man could remain vigilant indefinitely. Danzo wouldn't relent-he might hire outside help to eliminate Saitama when his guard dropped. But as a full Konoha citizen, especially one introduced to the Jonin Council, Saitama would be harder to remove discreetly.
Eliminating an undocumented outsider was one thing; killing a known village shinobi that clan heads would recognize was another. Though recalling the Uchiha massacre, the Sandaime wasn't entirely confident. Danzo's rationality couldn't be trusted-only Saitama's strength and experience offered hope.
Currently, only select ANBU, the Third, and a few others (excluding Root operatives) knew of the bald hero's existence. This presented a dilemma: keeping Saitama's power secret prevented other villages from targeting or recruiting him, but Konoha's clans needed to know they had a Kage-level (or beyond) asset before the coming war.
- This is for your own good, - Sarutobi pressed. - Why refuse Konoha's offer?
- You're not getting it, old man, - Saitama shook his head ruefully. - I want to settle down, but... - he trailed off.
In his world, Saitama had been a hero-saving people, slaying monsters and gods, defeating villains. It had been boring, but he'd been needed. Here, beyond "training" Naruto, he felt aimless. Tree-running and taking orders seemed pointless-it wouldn't save anyone or benefit society.
- Old man, I do want to stay, - Saitama repeated. - If you had construction or office work... anything, really, I'd take it. But playing ninja? In those stupid green jumpsuits? Seriously?
- Er... what's wrong with the uniforms? - The Hokage set his pipe aside, steepling his fingers. - Fine, forget the jumpsuits-wear what you want. I'll gift you a red-and-yellow combat outfit myself. But what's wrong with operative work?
Saitama scratched his head. Anko had described the tedium of stakeouts or escorting merchant caravans, surviving on bland ration pills. Only experienced jonin with exemplary records received interesting high-rank missions-Anko herself had never undertaken an S-rank, with A-ranks being rare.
- Alright, Saitama. Accept, and you'll receive double a jonin's monthly salary-mission pay excluded. Plus a house in the Sarutobi clan district...
The bald hero's eyes widened. His usual indifferent expression gave way to bewilderment. This offer seemed too good to be true.
Sarutobi smirked at his reaction, pausing to let the proposition sink in before delivering the clincher:
- And as the cherry on top, unlimited hunting rights in the Forest of Death-that special zone. - The Hokage winked as understanding dawned in Saitama's eyes. - Work as a shinobi for one year, and I'll buy you that television...
- Deal! - Saitama jumped up. - Where do I sign?
Sarutobi grinned, refilling his pipe.
- Not so fast. You'll get the documents tomorrow. But there's a catch.
Saitama tensed. He'd known it couldn't be that simple.
- A shinobi must be strong, but also... - the bald man gulped. - Hm... knowledgeable.
The Hokage glanced at Mitarashi.
- Mitarashi Anko, - he said firmly. The kunoichi straightened. - You're now Saitama's tutor.
- What now? - the hero blinked.
- Ehh?! - Anko squeaked.
- Let me explain, - Hiruzen smiled at their reactions. - To qualify as jonin, Saitama, you'll need basic knowledge of our world. Starting tomorrow, alongside Naruto's training, you'll study the same subjects. Anko will teach you. Understood?
By the speech's end, Anko's eye twitched violently. Saitama stood frozen, eyes rolled back in contemplation.
*"That crafty old bastard... So now I have to babysit AND teach?"*
Silence filled the office. Beyond her twitching eye, a vein throbbed at Anko's temple. Regaining some composure, she managed:
- That's all?
- Yes, - the Hokage nodded. - You're both dismissed.
Anko dragged Saitama out by the hand-he'd gone completely stiff. The hero shuffled after her mechanically, the "training" news clearly a shock. Whether pleasant or not remained unclear.
Smoking contentedly, Hiruzen smiled. He'd done everything to push these two together. They'd make an excellent couple-Konoha could use new blood and a powerful new clan. Of course, that was long-term planning...
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
- Hokage-sama, your client from the Land of Waves is here. Shall I send him in? - a young secretary asked.
- Yes, we met yesterday. Let him enter...
A large, bespectacled man with gray hair and beard entered moments later. He wore a brown sleeveless shirt and matching pants, with an obi around his waist and a light towel around his neck. In one hand he clutched a pointed hat resembling a sliced onion.
- Hokage-sama, about my escort team? - the man asked. - Have you found someone?
Hiruzen chewed his pipe thoughtfully before nodding.
- Yes, Tazuna-san. There's a genin team with a jonin instructor available-probably training now. They're... unorthodox, but...
The Sandaime hesitated briefly before continuing:
- Regardless, you'll be perfectly safe with them. I'll summon them immediately. Please wait here...