Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

Mei Terumi: "Just like that tsundere fox~"

Heitu: "Like a girl."

【"Um?"】

Sasuke frowned.

[“The opponent is Kakashi... a wilderness survival exercise... no food allowed... inexplicable intimidation…”]

[Watching Naruto and Sakura's retreating figures as they entered the Seventh Training Ground.]

Sasuke took a deep breath.

He knew that Naruto wouldn't be reminding him of this for no reason.

"Calm down...calm down!"

Sasuke patted his head.

Then, a flash of inspiration actually occurred to me.

"The opponent is Kakashi."

"Instructing a Jonin... a Jonin, how could three newly graduated Genin possibly defeat a Jonin?"

Sasuke forced himself to recognize the perspective his current strength should reflect.

"Intimidation, psychological suggestion...if it weren't for Naruto's performance against Kakashi yesterday."

"I'm afraid Kakashi will leave after his self-introduction, leaving behind a cold, indifferent back view."

"So, I might not be the only one who came early this morning."

["The assessment didn't start until noon. We were already at a disadvantage, and then we were hungry..."]

Sasuke's pupils suddenly contracted.

[They seem to have realized what this so-called assessment refers to.]

"Teamwork?"

"That's true. Since there's no hope of winning, which means that strength isn't the primary factor in the assessment, then it has to be something else."

【call--】

Sasuke took a deep breath.

"Although I've noticed something's wrong, sitting here this morning has only made it feel more uneasy."

"Looks like I'm still not calm enough..."

At this moment, Sasuke's gaze towards Naruto held a strange gleam.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I admit, you are indeed very strong. You truly deserve to be the top student in our grade."

"But I'll catch up with you soon and widen the gap."

"Because I am an Uchiha!"

Thus, Sasuke's confidence returned.

The confidence in his eyes was almost tangible.

【...】

The audience: "..."

Mabui: "Actually, it's quite normal for the Uchiha to be confident."

Mabu-i: "Having a withdrawn and aloof personality is perfectly normal."

Mabui: "Imagine being born with talent far exceeding that of ordinary people, and then experiencing a qualitative leap in strength after awakening the Sharingan."

Mabu-i: "In this situation, the consequences would probably be even more dire for an ordinary person."

Mabui: "However, many Uchiha are like that."

Mabui: "Actually, I don't particularly agree with the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's attitude towards the Uchiha clan. Of course, it's normal for the Second Hokage to have such an attitude."

Samui: "Because the only ones who can be compared to the Uchiha are the Senju."

Samui: "Compared to the Uchiha, the Senju seem more normal, but from the outside, the Uchiha are just people who understand love more deeply than anyone else, and cannot be called inherently evil."

That's right, but don't say it again.

The members of Konoha looked at each other in bewilderment.

Without him.

These are the two most elite ninja clans in the ninja world.

All gone.

Around 11:30 AM, outside the Seventh Exercise Field.

Kakashi arrived right on time.

Naruto and his two companions had been waiting for quite some time.

Finally, that lecherous, white-haired old man who loves watching the young imperial uncle has appeared.

Seeing that the three showed no unusual expression, Kakashi nodded secretly.

It's obvious without even thinking that it was Naruto's doing.

Judging from Sakura and Sasuke's behavior yesterday, even someone with the best mental fortitude would probably be a little anxious right now.

However, Class 7 remained completely calm at this moment.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

【"Yo~"】

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"Although I've gotten lost on the path of life again this time, I don't think I'm late, am I?"

Upon hearing this, Sakura's lips twitched slightly.

To be honest, seeing Sasuke's expression, Sakura couldn't help but think of herself. Thank goodness Naruto was there, otherwise there would have been another person waiting hungry and foolishly today.

Sasuke glanced at him expressionlessly, his eyes revealing an undisguised arrogance.

Naruto hasn't changed much; he still sports that smile that could make any girl swoon.

【"snort!"】

"No need for that boring introduction, let's get started," Sasuke said coldly.

Kakashi shook his head. "He's quite ill."

【"good."】

However, there's no need to delay any longer.

Kakashi was also getting impatient.

"Well then, just like Sasuke said, let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point."

As he spoke, Kakashi descended from the height and landed in front of the three.

"Today's assessment task is not complicated; on the contrary, it's quite simple."

"The mission objective is clear."

"Of course, this is also the assessment that most ninjas undergo when they graduate and are trained as Jonin."

"It's just that my assessment was more difficult."

"Before you, no one passed."

"Work hard, Team 7. This team... just like you said yesterday, the last Team 7 consisted of me, my two teammates, and my teacher, the Jonin instructor, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

Then, Kakashi raised his hand, pointing his thumb to the gate of the Seventh Training Ground behind him, and said:

"Let's go inside first and talk."

The three of them, having no objections, followed Kakashi into the Seventh Training Ground.

The four quickly stopped in the central area of ​​the seventh training ground.

"See those three wooden stakes behind me?"

Sakura nodded.

【"very good."】

[Ring ring—]

Kakashi took two bells out of his pocket.

The bell rang out with a clear, crisp sound after striking the air.

"Your mission is to snatch these two bells from me."

"Only those who manage to grab the bell are considered qualified."

"If none of you manage to grab the bell by 5:30 PM... that means you'll have to go back to the Ninja Academy to repeat your studies!"

[In the final sentence, Kakashi once again subtly unleashed his killing intent.]

These newly-minted genin couldn't withstand the killing intent unleashed by a jonin. (Note: This setting disappears later in the story. Essentially, it refers to an ability with genjutsu and immobilization effects, causing chakra imbalances in inexperienced ninjas.)

However, to Kakashi's surprise, Sakura and Sasuke only paused for a moment before returning to normal.

In this situation, there's only one possibility: the two individuals are very confident, causing his interference effect to decrease drastically.

Kakashi's lips curled slightly as he looked at Naruto, who seemed lost in thought.

"Now that things have come to this, the child must be able to see the purpose of this assessment."

【"etc."】

Why are there only two bells?

[Sakura asked.]

"Since it's called an assessment, there must be penalties."

"This wilderness survival exercise was divided into two parts. During the break, the person who didn't manage to grab the bell would be tied up there and watch us eat lunch."

"Like I just said, you pass if you catch the bell."

"However, there are only two bells, so no matter the final outcome, one of them will definitely be left out."

"The one who doesn't get one will naturally be eliminated and have to go back to the Ninja Academy to become a ninja again."