"No, I wouldn't have," said Sasuke honestly. "And I probably won't in the future. You're the dobe for a reason and just because you were right this one time doesn't mean you'll ever be right again. So after we try to pass this test as a team I expect you to keep your mouth shut and stay out of my way."
Naruto had to take several deep calming breaths after that little speech from the teme. It was even more difficult to not accidentally stab him with the kunai he was using to dig him out.
"You're out, now you can wake up Sakura and explain to her what's happening 'oh great and fearless leader'," he spat sarcastically.
"Hn," he grunted, walking over to the girl and nudging her with his foot.
"Sas . . . Sasuke-kun!" she mumbled at first before springing to her feet and hugging the boy rather suddenly.
"Get off," he ordered simply.
Sakura, realizing what she was doing, quickly released Sasuke and took a step back from him, blushing furiously.
"What happened? Are you okay?" asked Sakura.
"We don't have time for this, we're going to work together to fight him."
"But why?" asked Sakura.
"Because it was all a trick, now shut up and follow my orders," said Sasuke coldly.
Naruto wanted very badly to punch Sasuke's lights out but refrained for the sake of the test.
Sasuke laid out a very simple plan that had Naruto attack from in close while Sakura pepped the man at range allowing Sasuke to sneak in and take the bells.
"Hell no, don't take this the wrong way but that plan fucking sucks, actually you can take that however you want. I have no problem with going toe to toe with Kakashi-sensei but asking Sakura to provide ranged support is epically stupid. She has neither the speed nor the strength for it where as you do plus you have katon jutsu you can use from range."
"Are you challenging my authority?" asked Sasuke.
"Fuck yes I am, you're an arrogant asshole who will take the bells only to keep them for himself if for no other reason than to try and set yourself up with just you and Kakashi getting the two of us sent back to the academy. So Sakura will take the bells, you'll provide range support and I'll keep his attention." Naruto turned and moved to attack their waiting sensei.
"Sakura, you will follow my orders," said Sasuke.
Sakura looked doubtful for a moment. She knew that Naruto's strategy was more sound but she also knew Sasuke would hate her for agreeing with Naruto. On the other hand, she couldn't help but feel Naruto may have been right about Sasuke trying to screw the both of them over. She also remembered that Naruto tried to help her the day before while Sasuke just told her not to get in his way. "I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. Naruto's strategy is better. He's right that I don't have the speed or strength to provide adequate ranged support."
Sasuke sneered. "You'll do as your told." He then stalked off to prepare to steal the bells as per his plan.
Sakura frowned but followed after to fulfill her roll per Sasuke's plan.
Naruto was fuming when he engaged Kakashi-sensei. From the ranged support Sakura was providing it was clear she folded to Sasuke pressuring her. So when Naruto saw Sasuke rushing onto the field, foregoing all stealth he was half tempted to adjust and block his path but passing this test was more important so he kept Kakashi's attention.
Sasuke snagged the bells and kept running out the other side of the clearing. It wasn't two minutes later that the alarm clock rang ending the test.
"Well done, you managed to get the bells," said Kakashi. "So, Sasuke-kun, who will you be giving the other bell to?"
"Neither of them deserve it. She's weak and he's stupid. They will both just slow me down as a result. They both should be sent back to the academy."
"I see," said Kakashi. "Well then, I have some good news, none of you will be sent back to the academy, I'm ordering all three of you be dropped from the shinobi program permanently.
"What?" demanded Sasuke. "I got the bells, you have to pass me."
"You only got the bells because Naruto and Sakura kept me distracted so you could steal the bells like a thief in the night. That was your plan the whole time wasn't it? I watched you plan, I saw how Naruto manipulated you into realizing the true purpose of the test then I watched as you crafted a plan to stab him and Sakura in the back all so you could have the glory. Then when Naruto called you on it you forced your plan on Sakura who was too afraid of hurting the feelings of the boy she's crushing on. The only one of you that deserves a chance is Naruto but because of his age I have no choice but to force him out. Congratulations, all of you on such a splendid display of absolute failure."
"Pass Sasuke and Sakura, drop me but pass them," said Naruto, hoping that it might save them.
"No, pass Sasuke-kun and Naruto, they did the most," protested Sakura.
"Anything to say Sasuke?" asked Kakashi, seeing the third member of the team remaining silent.
"Fail them both and pass me, it's pretty simple. I'm the last Uchiha, if you fail me, I'll go to the council and see you brought up on charges of negligence."
"Oh Sasuke, you say the silliest of things. The council doesn't give two shits about you. They tolerate you because of your Sharingan, they could care less if you're a shinobi or not so long as you repopulate your clan. They don't care if you kill Itachi, they never have and they never will. To them, you're just breeding stock right now, you haven't done anything yet to prove otherwise."
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