The evening had passed, and Team 7 was finishing up their meal in Tazuna's home. The air was filled with light conversation, but Kakashi's mind was already turning towards the next step in his plan. He had to keep his students motivated and engaged, but more importantly, he had to ensure that they were improving at a rate that would allow him to use them to his advantage. After all, in his original world, his job was to train them to be ninjas—tools for the future.
But today, he'd switch things up a bit. Instead of the usual training, Kakashi had an idea. He knew that sparring would push his students to their limits, and it would give him a clearer view of how they performed under pressure. Also, sparring would allow him to keep up appearances as a teacher who rewards progress.
"Alright, everyone," Kakashi said, standing up from the table. "It's time for a bit of a change in our routine. We've been doing a lot of team-oriented training, but now we're going to do something different. Today, I want each of you to spar against one another."
The three Genin looked up at Kakashi, a mix of excitement and confusion on their faces. Naruto was the first to speak up, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Sparring? You mean... we get to fight each other?"
"That's right," Kakashi replied with a nod. "This is a chance to test your skills against each other. A chance to see how far you've come. But there's a catch."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura leaned forward, eager to know what the catch was. Kakashi's eyes gleamed mischievously, his tone becoming more serious.
"Whoever wins their sparring match," he said, pausing for dramatic effect, "I'll teach them a C-rank jutsu. Something useful for missions—something that will make you even more powerful."
Naruto's eyes practically sparkled at the mention of a new jutsu. "C-rank jutsu? You'll teach us one?!" he exclaimed, jumping out of his seat in excitement.
Kakashi chuckled. "Yes, but remember—this isn't just about strength. It's about strategy, using your mind, and making the most of your abilities. You may be able to overpower your opponent, but you still need to think."
Sasuke crossed his arms, looking contemplative. "So it's not just about raw power," he muttered, almost to himself.
"Exactly," Kakashi affirmed. "This is a test of how well you've learned to work with your abilities. Now, let's get started."
The room buzzed with energy as the team prepared for the sparring session. The excitement in the air was palpable, but Kakashi's expression remained calm, even somewhat distant. He wasn't just watching them fight for entertainment's sake. He was analyzing them, taking mental notes on their strengths and weaknesses, all while putting on the facade of a teacher who simply wanted to see his students grow.
First up were Naruto and Sasuke. Kakashi gestured for them to move to the open space outside, away from the table where Tazuna's family was still enjoying their meal. The cool night air had settled in, making the environment feel a little more intense, the quiet punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves.
"You two are first," Kakashi said, pointing to the two young ninjas. "Sasuke, Naruto, show me what you've got."
Naruto immediately jumped into action, his usual brash and enthusiastic style on full display. "I'm gonna win this, Sasuke!" he shouted, rushing at his opponent with his signature headstrong approach.
Sasuke, on the other hand, stood still for a moment, watching Naruto's every move. His eyes narrowed, and Kakashi could tell Sasuke was thinking through his strategy. Unlike Naruto, Sasuke was calm and collected—he wasn't going to waste energy or make any unnecessary moves.
Naruto swung his fist forward in a wild attack, hoping to land a hit. But Sasuke was faster. With a quick sidestep, he easily dodged Naruto's punch and countered with a swift kick to Naruto's side. Naruto grunted as he was knocked off-balance, but he recovered quickly, flipping back onto his feet.
"You're too slow!" Naruto yelled, grinning wildly. "Take this!" He leaped into the air, ready to attack with his Rasengan.
But Sasuke was prepared. He had already formed a hand seal, his Sharingan activated. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke called out, launching a massive fireball toward Naruto. The flames roared through the air, forcing Naruto to dive to the side to avoid being hit.
Kakashi watched with interest as the fight continued. Naruto's wild nature contrasted sharply with Sasuke's calculated approach. But Naruto wasn't going down without a fight—he wasn't about to let Sasuke win so easily.
After a few more exchanges, Naruto began to show signs of exhaustion, his breathing heavier as the fight wore on. Sasuke, still calm and composed, took advantage of Naruto's overzealous nature, landing a few more decisive hits.
Finally, Kakashi raised his hand. "Alright, that's enough. Sasuke wins this round," he said, his voice neutral.
Naruto groaned in frustration but nodded, accepting the outcome. "You're too good, Sasuke."
Sasuke didn't say much, only offering a small, almost imperceptible smirk. He was satisfied with his victory, though he wasn't the type to show off.
Kakashi turned to Sakura. "You're next. Who do you want to spar with?" he asked, his gaze shifting from Naruto to Sasuke, both of whom were catching their breath.
Sakura stood up, determination in her eyes. "I'll take on Naruto."
"Alright then," Kakashi said, stepping aside to allow them space. "Let's see what you've learned, Sakura."
As Sakura and Naruto squared off, Kakashi observed how Sakura's attitude had shifted. She was no longer the timid, insecure girl she used to be. She had grown stronger—more focused. The time spent training with her teammates had done wonders for her confidence, even if she still had a long way to go.
Naruto rushed in, just as he had with Sasuke, his energy wild and unpredictable. But this time, Sakura wasn't caught off guard. She quickly used her improved agility to dodge his attacks, landing a solid punch to his gut when he left himself open.
"Not bad," Kakashi muttered to himself. "She's improving."
The fight between the two continued, with Sakura managing to hold her own against the more experienced Naruto. She didn't have the raw power of Sasuke, but she was faster, more agile, and using her head.
In the end, it was a close match, but Kakashi called it to a halt when both students were exhausted.
"You both did well," Kakashi said, giving them an encouraging nod. "But there was no winner here. You both have your strengths. Keep honing them."
As the sun set behind them, Team 7 stood, sweaty and tired but proud of what they had accomplished in the sparring matches. Kakashi observed them all with a critical eye, noting their improvements, and secretly pleased with how well the training was going.
"Tomorrow, we continue," Kakashi said, a smile playing beneath his mask. "But remember, whoever wins next time gets the jutsu. Don't slack off, because you don't want to miss out."
Team 7 was ready. They may have learned the hard way today, but they were one step closer to becoming stronger ninjas—whether they knew it or not.