Kakashi was visibly shaken by the strange and overwhelming power that Uzumaki Naruto had just displayed.
However, thanks to the Earth Flow Wall he had used to briefly stall Naruto, Kakashi managed to create some distance and reposition himself.
"No matter what, I'm still a Jōnin," he reminded himself. "I just didn't expect Naruto's explosive power to be this strong… I was caught off guard for a moment. But now that I've regained my footing, it should be easy to control him."
While Kakashi was deep in thought, Naruto smiled at him mysteriously.
"It's wine, Ka Geben Xin Nuo is the clan!" Naruto declared in a bizarre chant.
In the blink of an eye, thousands of Naruto clones appeared, surrounding Kakashi.
Through his Sharingan, Kakashi could clearly see the chakra flowing through each of them—these weren't illusions. They were all real clones!
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?" Kakashi muttered in disbelief. "He actually learned that too?"
Still, Kakashi wasn't fazed. "It's just a trick. I've seen worse during the war," he thought.
After all, he was a genius who had survived the Third Ninja World War, carving a path through blood and steel. He had faced countless enemies and had lived to tell the tale.
Confidence surged in his heart—until the very next second.
All the clones began forming hand seals simultaneously.
Bang!
A burst of white mist erupted, and when it cleared, each clone was holding a shining sword!
"Oh? You want to use weapons now? Interesting..." Kakashi murmured, still unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
He maintained his guard, scanning each direction to predict where Naruto's real attack would come from.
But then it happened.
Thousands of Narutos moved at once.
In that instant, Kakashi felt as though a thousand moonlights exploded before his eyes. The dazzling brilliance overwhelmed even his Sharingan, forcing his blood-red eyes to squint from the glare.
"This… this is—!"
Before he could react, Naruto shouted, "Take this—Konoha Style Sword Art: Dance of the Thousand Suns and Moons!"
Thousands of Naruto clones swung their swords in perfect unison.
Even Kakashi couldn't keep up.
"Ding-ling-ling!"
Just before the blades could land, Kakashi used the Body Replacement Technique to escape. But by the time he reappeared, something was off…
The bell on his waist was gone.
It now rested in Naruto's hand.
So that's what Naruto had been after all along—not to injure him, but to snatch the bell!
Kakashi stared in disbelief.
"This is a Genin-level test? I almost died!"
Uzumaki Naruto stood calmly, bell in hand, his expression cool and unshaken.
According to his calculations, he had a 90% chance of successfully stealing the bell with this tactic. Even if he had failed, he could've relied on the Nine Tails' power. After all, his relationship with the Nine Tails had improved significantly. Charging a little "rent" in battle wasn't a big deal anymore.
"You all passed!" Kakashi finally announced, still catching his breath.
"From today on, you're my adorable subordinates!"
Though masked, Kakashi's helplessness was written all over his body. He had planned to show off, to dominate the fight, but in the end—Naruto completely overwhelmed him.
This Dance of the Thousand Suns and Moons was far beyond what any ordinary Genin should be capable of. In fact, even among Elite Jōnin, very few could handle such a barrage.
"What is the Third Hokage thinking?" Kakashi wondered. "Why would he teach Naruto something so dangerous? And how am I supposed to lead this team now?"
Elsewhere, the Third Hokage was equally puzzled.
"Who the hell taught him this?" he asked, eyebrows furrowed.
"You may not believe me, Kakashi," the Hokage said, "but all I asked Yugao to teach him was the Crescent Moon Dance. Naruto figured out the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique all by himself!"
As Kakashi announced the end of the bell test, Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto with entirely new expressions.
He wasn't just a class clown. Uzumaki Naruto was a true genius.
Sakura, in particular, was stunned. For the first time, her eyes drifted away from Sasuke and onto Naruto.
"If it weren't for Naruto, I would've definitely failed and had to repeat a year," she thought.
"How should I repay him? Maybe I should just pledge my love to him!"
In her heart, Inner Sakura was drooling, her mind full of naughty thoughts.
Yamanaka Ino: "Sakura, you're so shameless!"
When faced with Ino's teasing, Sakura couldn't even argue. She had to admit—her alternate self was being a little too obvious.
But then, she paused to think.
"If I met that world's Naruto in this world… would I feel the same way?"
Better than Sasuke?
Way better fashion sense than our Naruto?
Most importantly, he seemed dependable. Strong. Kind.
That kind of guy… every girl would fall for him, right?
---
Meanwhile, in the viewing realm...
Kakashi: "I actually lost to Naruto in that world?"
Might Guy: "Does this mean my lifelong rival is changing his rival now?"
Namikaze Minato: "Technically, Kakashi didn't lose. His bell was taken, yes, but if it were a real life-and-death battle, Naruto might not have won so easily."
Kakashi: "Teacher…"
Kakashi knew that his teacher was just trying to make him feel better.
No matter what, he was still an elite Jōnin, while Naruto had just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Still, the true purpose of the bell test wasn't strength—it was about teamwork. There were only two bells, meaning one person would be "left out." The real lesson was learning how to make sacrifices and work together.
Back when he was younger, Kakashi hadn't understood that, and his failure to do so had caused a tragedy that haunted him still.
---
Uchiha Obito: "Seriously? Kakashi's gotten this weak?"
White Zetsu: "Lord Obito, the Naruto from that world is incredibly strong—especially as a Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails."
Uchiha Obito: "Hmph, so what? Just wait and see. Whether it's this world or that one, I, Uchiha Obito, will carry out my plan!"
He clenched his fists, a vision forming clearly in his mind.
"I'll create a world with Rin. Then, I'll marry her!"
As he thought about it, a silly smile broke across his face.
Unbeknownst to him, White Zetsu had been watching him the whole time.
"Still the same old loser, Uchiha brat," Zetsu muttered.
---
To be continued...