A minute later the alarm went off, and the Genin went into hiding in the bushes while Kakashi looked like he wasn't paying any attention. Looking up from his book, Kakashi easy spotted both Sasuke and Sakura in the different sections of the bushes where they had chosen to hide.
"That's two of them," Kakashi said in an undertone while still in his crouched position. "Now where's Naruto?"
The Jounin then looked up to see a smiling Naruto standing right in front of him with his hands in his pockets. Sakura smacked the top of her forehead after seeing what Naruto was doing.
"Idiot," Sasuke remarked. "What's that Naruto doing?"
"Hey Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said with the smile never leaving his face.
"You're an odd one," Kakashi remarked, expecting to get an angry reaction out of him.
"I've been called worse things than that," Naruto replied, "Anyway, let's end this ridiculous farce and you can simply hand over the bells to me."
"I heard you're a clown and dead last of your class," Kakashi replied trying to get a reaction out of Naruto, "but I never once believed you to be this brazenly straightforward in your stupidity."
"Nah," Naruto countered, "the stupidity actually lies with you, Kakashi-sensei."
"Is that right?" Kakashi remarked cynically.
"Of course!" Naruto continued with a playful tone, "I mean, really, you're a veteran ninja with years of combat and field experience who also worked alongside the famed Yondaime, who was also known as Konoha's Yellow Flash, and he was your Jounin sensei at one point in time. If my memory serves me correctly, your father was also known as Konoha's White Fang.
"Sasuke-teme, Sakura, and I are newly-graduated Genin with no field experience in or outside Konoha's walls. How do you honestly expect us to beat you one on one, hm?"
Kakashi eyed Naruto carefully. He saw that behind Naruto's playful smile were secrets Naruto kept from everyone about himself.
"I will say, Naruto, that your deduction of me is on the mark," Kakashi said as he placed his book in his pouch. "You evidently know more about me than you let on."
"I do my homework," Naruto replied, "when it really matters, that is. And I had to know what kind of Jounin you really are, Copycat Kakashi."
Kakashi's eye narrowed on hearing that, and he knew that Sasuke and Sakura were listening to their conversation too.
Why did Naruto refer to Kakashi as Copycat, Sasuke wondered, as did Sakura. The Jounin then thought back to what happened yesterday.
(Flashback: Yesterday at the Hokage Tower)
Kakashi was standing in front of Hiruzen's desk as he was telling Sandaime about his expectations of his next team after meeting with them in the park. From what Hiruzen was hearing, Kakashi didn't expect them to pass.
"I know your history with Genin teams, Kakashi," Hiruzen commented, "But perhaps this team will surprise you."
"Like every other Genin team I sent back to the academy?" Kakashi remarked cynically with his hands in his pockets, "I have a Sasuke-obsessed fangirl who hates one of her teammates, an avenger who also dislikes the same teammate and desires the hated teammate's girlfriend, and a hated teammate I'm sorry to say I consider to be the only normal one of the group despite his infamous reputation. My team is completely dysfunctional."
Hiruzen sighed. He knew something like this would happen, as none of the members of Team 7 got along with the others. But that team's set up was based on their ranks at the academy, with personal feelings and differences towards each other removed from the equation.
"You said that you consider Naruto to be the only normal one of the group Kakashi," Hiruzen pointed out. "What was it about him that stuck out to you?"
"Everything he said about himself, his likes, dislikes and future dreams," Kakashi answered. "Plus, he said nothing about disliking any of his teammates despite the fact that they don't like him at all. I can see where Naruto is coming from with his dislike for the majority of the people of this village, but he didn't make that his primary factor.
"His primary factor, besides his dreams of becoming Hokage, is that he seeks to re-establish the Uzumaki Clan and restore their status as seal masters. Add the Byakugan and the Hyuuga fighting style to the revived Uzumaki Clan with the Uzumakis' massive chakra-"
"The new Uzumaki Clan would be stronger and even deadlier than the original," Hiruzen finished for Kakashi.
"So Naruto is aware of his lineage and parentage," Kakashi figured. Sandaime took a puff of his pipe.
"He found it out on his own," Hiruzen said, "There was no point in keeping the rest of what I knew from him anymore. I'm sure he'll approach you about your history with his father, but when he believes he's ready to confront you about it, don't expect him to forgive you with open arms, because he certainly didn't do so with me."
"Be that as it may," Kakashi remarked. "I'm sure I'll be able to handle what Naruto will throw at me. Until then, I'll just wait for him and take my leave now."
Kakashi turned and started walking off.
"Kakashi," Hiruzen called out, grabbed the Jounin's attention as he turned his head to look back at the Hokage.
"For tomorrow's test," Hiruzen said, "I'll give you this one warning: Do not take Naruto lightly. That is all."
Kakashi could only wonder why Sandaime would say that without telling him anything further. Putting that thought to the side, the Jounin turned back around and proceeded on his way out.
(End of Flashback)
Sandaime-sama warned me yesterday in my private briefing about my team not to take Naruto lightly, Kakashi thought, It's clear that there's more to Naruto that Sandaime-sama hasn't told me. He clearly wishes for me to find out for myself.
"Well, Naruto," Kakashi suggested with an eye smile. "Let's get this test started."
Kakashi turned and walked away.
"Hey, I'm not done talking to you!" Naruto yelled as he ran after Kakashi and aimed to grab the bells. Kakashi quickly reacted and grabbed Naruto's arms before twisting them tightly behind Naruto's back.
"Naruto," Kakashi said, "I'm disappointed. After all that talk you gave me, you let yourself get caught this easily?"
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