Then Sasuke spoke
"…we all are going back to the Academy."
Naruto blinked. "What?"
Sasuke continued, holding the bells up. "This test… as haruto said is testing our teamwork,If we abandon one of us, we fail anyway. If I have to, I'll give both bells to Kakashi myself."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow under his mask. "Oh? You're willing to fail?"
Sasuke nodded. "If it means keeping the team together, then yes."
Haruto smirked, proud. Naruto gave a loud cheer, grabbing both of them into a hug. "That's my team! Dattebayo!"
Kakashi sighed and closed his eye, his expression softening. "…You pass."
Sasuke and naruto looked up in surprise.
"You understood the point in the end. Those who break the rules are trash… but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash."
He walked toward them, his tone now warm beneath the usual nonchalance. "From now on, you three are officially Genin. Team 7 starts missions tomorrow. Be ready."
Haruto smiled wide. "Finally…"
As Kakashi turned to leave, he paused. "Haruto."
Haruto straightened. "Yes?"
"That Rasengan of yours… don't let the village know about it too soon. And be careful who sees you using it."
Haruto's heart skipped as he stepped in a thoughtful state
"…Got it," he said.
Kakashi disappeared in a body flicker.
Naruto grinned and threw an arm around Haruto. "Man, that was intense! You really came up with all those strategies, huh?"
Haruto chuckled. "And you actually followed through. Good job."
Sasuke gave a soft tch and turned away, but didn't walk off.
"Next time," he said over his shoulder, "you better not hog all the clones."
Haruto smirked. "Deal."
As the sun set behind the trees of the training ground, Team 7 stood together—not as three students—but as one team, their journey just beginning.
----
The next morning...
Sunlight filtered through the canopy of the forest as Team 7 prowled through the undergrowth.
"Did you find the target?" Sasuke asked, crouching beside a tree.
"Affirmative," Haruto replied smoothly. "North, 30 degrees behind the tree with slash marks all over it."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Shall we capture it?"
"Let's… let's go."
Naruto raised a brow. "Wait, why not just use a jutsu? Why make it all dramatic?"
Haruto gave a slight smirk. "Because this is also a test."
In the next instant, Sasuke flickered forward, appearing before the target. But the creature darted away, leaping straight into Haruto's waiting arms.
"Target acquired," Haruto announced calmly as he caught it and began patting the small animal.
"Good kitty."
...
A large woman in a purple dress barreled toward them, eyes brimming with relief.
"Ohhh, thank you so much! You don't know how worried I was!" she cried, her arms flinging wide.
Sasuke stared, expression blank, as the woman smothered the cat in a hug that looked more like a submission hold.
Naruto patted Sasuke's back. "He chose death, Sasuke."
Sasuke glared at him while Naruto grinned proudly, as if to say 'go, brave soldier.'
Just then, Kakashi arrived with three envelopes.
"The mission reward was 5,000 ryo," he explained. "1,000 goes to the village and the jonin sensei. But I didn't take my cut, so the rest is split equally between you three."
Haruto gave a nod. Naruto lit up. "Thanks, Kaka-sensei!"
Everyone stared at him.
...
Days passed. And so did the D-rank missions.
Eventually, even Sasuke looked like he was losing it.
Kakashi strolled in, cheerful as ever. "Morning, everyone! Today's mission is—"
"Please… for the love of all that's holy," Haruto groaned.
Sasuke slapped his own face in disbelief. Naruto walked over to the mission scroll, glanced at it, and put it back on the shelf.
"Sensei," Naruto said flatly, "these missions are a joke! It's always the same—paint the porch, rescue the cat that hates us, cut grass, fetch vegetables—come on, I'm tired!"
"I agree," Sasuke said bluntly.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head. "Alright, alright. Let's take it up with the Hokage."
They nodded, though Naruto looked over to Haruto. "You mad?"
"…No."
"Cool, calm down, bro."
"I said I'm not mad!!"
"Okay, okay…" Naruto mumbled, backing away.
Sasuke, watching the exchange, shivered internally. This guy's got anger issues… and he swears a lot.
...
Later, at the Hokage's office...
Kakashi knocked lightly before hearing Hiruzen's voice from inside. They entered.
"Oh, Kakashi. What brings you here?" Hiruzen asked warmly.
Kakashi began, "Hokage-sama, my—"
"Old man!" Naruto interrupted loudly. "We want a higher-ranked mission!"
Hiruzen raised a brow. "Naruto, your team is still young. You're not ready for—"
Before Haruto could complete his swear, Sasuke quickly covered his mouth and stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, I think we're ready. Kakashi-sensei can vouch for us."
Kakashi nodded. "Their teamwork has improved significantly. Haruto already fights on par with a Chunin, and Naruto and Sasuke are both above-average Genin."
Hiruzen gave a thoughtful nod. "Very well. How about a C-rank escort mission?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Is it a celebrity? A rich merchant?!"
Hiruzen smiled. "He's… a fisherman. You'll be escorting him to the Land of Waves."
Naruto froze.
"...Ah, shit. Here we go again," haruto muttered muttered.
Sasuke facepalmed as kakashi shook his head,the Hokage dismissed them after hearing swears for the second time this morning. They were led out of the office—toward what none of them yet knew would be their first real brush with death.