At the Hokage's Office.
Let's rewind the clock a few minutes, to the moment when Kakashi triggered the real explosive tag trap for the third time.
"You're saying Naruto and the others already returned to the starting point at Training Ground 5?"
The Third Hokage looked surprised.
He turned to Yamato, waiting for an explanation. After all, Yamato hadn't said that Team 7 had failed their trial—and he himself looked a bit shocked.
"Yes," Yamato nodded, his expression a bit odd. "Hokage-sama, Team 7 has already returned to the starting point. After Sasuke stabbed a kunai into the ground, the three of them hid again."
"These Genin nowadays are impressive. This time, even Kakashi-senpai might slip up."
"Oh?" The Third Hokage's face revealed a hint of amusement. "What happened exactly?"
"Well..." Yamato also smiled slightly. "After Kakashi-senpai ordered them to escape, the three of them regrouped immediately after entering the forest. They spent about a minute discussing how to keep their scroll safe from being taken."
"Naruto suggested using some of his shadow clones he'd previously hidden in the forest to set off traps and delay Kakashi-senpai. Then, another batch of clones would create fake trails to lead Kakashi toward Training Ground 8. Meanwhile, the real trio would move between Grounds 5 and 8, hiding and circling back as needed. He'd also keep producing clones to draw Kakashi's attention."
"Mmm." The Third Hokage nodded slowly.
It was indeed a smart use of shadow clones, though only someone like Naruto—with his massive chakra reserves—could pull it off.
"So they just led Kakashi away like that?"
"No." Yamato's face showed a hint of mischief. "After Naruto shared his plan, Sasuke immediately added to it. First, he had Naruto create three shadow clones. Two of them transformed into Sasuke and Sakura. Then, they took all offensive tools from their equipment pouches, leaving behind the pouches themselves. The disguised clones—forming a fake Team 7—ran toward Training Ground 8. Along the way, they picked up Naruto's previously hidden clones, drawing even more attention to themselves and leaving all the false trails in that area."
"However, Naruto also instructed one of his clones to scatter once Kakashi arrived at Training Ground 8 and then run back toward Ground 5 from other directions."
"That's it?" The Third Hokage looked slightly disappointed. Naruto's plan was sound, and Sasuke's addition could buy a little extra time, but letting the clones leave obvious tracks seemed reckless.
Compared to Itachi, Sasuke still had a long way to go.
"Er, not quite. Sasuke didn't stop there." Yamato's tone grew awkward, seeing the Hokage's expression.
The Third took a puff of his pipe, then said calmly, "Continue."
"Yes, sir." Yamato straightened up. "After Naruto's three clones left, Sasuke created one shadow clone himself and had Naruto and Sakura hand over their explosive tags to it. The clone followed the fake team's path to lay traps."
"But just before the clone left, Naruto suddenly stopped it. From the tools they had pulled out earlier, he found a stack of blank paper, then summoned 20 more clones to begin creating fake explosive tags."
"He can make explosive tags?" The Third Hokage's expression changed sharply. Then he reconsidered and asked more mildly, "Wait… you mean…"
"Yes." Yamato looked exasperated. "Naruto made fake tags. In just a minute, he drew 60 of them. He told Sasuke's clone to mix one real tag into a trap, while all the others used fake ones."
"Heh." The Third Hokage chuckled and shook his head. "How many real ones did they have in total?"
"Eighteen. Naruto had the most..." Yamato paused.
"Hm?" The Hokage noticed his hesitation. "How many did Naruto have?"
"Fifteen." Yamato sounded unsure. "He apparently used up all his mission rewards to buy those and said he wanted Kakashi-senpai to really see what he's made of."
"Seems Naruto still believes Kakashi plays favorites." The Third nodded gravely.
Can't really blame him. It's been months since graduation, and aside from shadow clones, he hasn't mastered any other jutsu. Anyone in his position would be frustrated.
But even now, he's strong enough to beat average Chūnin just with shadow clones. If only that Five Elements Seal were lifted...
After a brief silence, the Hokage asked, "And then?"
"That's when Sasuke's real strategy began," Yamato exhaled. "Once Naruto's clones and Sasuke's trap clone moved out, Sasuke set up another trap on the spot. Then, Naruto dismissed all nearby clones, and Sasuke created one more clone."
"Next, the three of them—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—used the Transformation Jutsu to turn into kunai."
"At that point, Kakashi was only a minute away. Sasuke's clone grabbed the three disguised kunai and hid. When Kakashi triggered the trap, the clone threw them into the trap zone along with the explosion."
"Impressive!" The Hokage's eyes lit up. "That's a brilliant tactic."
He could already guess the rest—any experienced ninja would see that trap and assume it was just a decoy. Who would've thought to use Transformation Jutsu like that?
"Yes," Yamato nodded in admiration. "The three are currently hiding behind a stone wall near the rendezvous point. No idea how close Kakashi is now. If he doesn't summon help..."
"Kakashi won't summon his ninken," the Hokage smiled. "We reviewed everything yesterday. This trial isn't just a rehearsal for the Chūnin Exams in a few months—it's also a full assessment of their combat abilities."
"Compared to the other squads, Team 7 is exceptional. Especially Sasuke—he has what it takes to lead."
Suddenly, Yamato cut in, "Not good! Hokage-sama, Naruto just fainted!"
"What!?" The Hokage jumped up from his seat. Yamato followed closely, but just as they stepped outside, he halted with a stunned look.
"What is it?" The Hokage's face darkened. "Is it the Nine-Tails?"
"Ah—no!" Yamato's face shifted from panic to embarrassment. "He... he just woke up again."
Meanwhile, at the entrance to Training Ground 6…
The ground cracked open, and Kakashi slowly rose from beneath the surface. His vest was a bit dirtier, but he appeared completely unharmed.
"Heh... Naruto really does have it out for me."
He glanced at the shuriken scattered around and casually stepped into the dense woods.
After a moment, a shuriken in a corner burst into smoke—Naruto emerged from it. He walked forward, picked up a few strands of silver hair from the ground, and vanished with a flicker.
Twenty minutes later.
Behind a two-meter-high rock wall in Training Ground 5, the three members of Team 7 stood silently. Suddenly, Naruto smiled.
"Sasuke-kun~ Look! Naruto's smiling," Sakura whispered nervously near Sasuke's ear.
"Don't get so close." Sasuke frowned and shifted slightly. He glanced at Naruto, secretly annoyed at how well the guy could fake things.
"Ugh…" Sakura looked stiff. She stepped away, then glanced back at Naruto.
But Naruto seemed to notice and turned to flash another smile at her. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away.
They'd successfully tricked Kakashi and reached this hiding spot. Just as her inner self was celebrating, Naruto suddenly collapsed unconscious.
She had frozen on the spot. Sasuke had been the one to move him to safety. That made her feel ashamed—she hadn't been helpful in planning or execution, and when Naruto fainted, she just stood there.
He woke up less than a minute later… and smiled.
But Sakura misunderstood. Naruto wasn't smiling at her—he was watching the clear stream behind her.
The Third Hokage had arrived.
(to be continued in next message due to length)
Here is the continuation and completion of Chapter 147 - Unexpected, Yet Perfectly Reasonable:
Across the stream, hidden beneath tall trees, the Third Hokage stood with Yamato.
"My main body is inside the cliff behind them," Yamato reported. "Naruto's vitals are stable."
"We must find out what caused his sudden blackout," the Hokage said grimly. He'd been in a foul mood ever since he rushed here from the office.
"I'm afraid we'll have to ask Naruto directly," Yamato replied, shaking his head. He had no idea why Naruto had collapsed, only to wake up a minute later as if nothing had happened.
"Who should we send to ask?"
The Third Hokage's voice was calm but carried the tone of an unquestionable order.
"Uh…" Yamato was momentarily speechless.
Who could they send?
Aside from Sasuke and Sakura, only he and the Hokage knew about Naruto's blackout. Neither of them could directly question Naruto about it.
And when Naruto came to, Sakura and Sasuke had already asked—but he had just silently shaken his head.
So who else could ask?
Half an hour passed.
Suddenly, Yamato pressed a finger to his ear. "Hokage-sama, Naruto just reported that Kakashi-senpai entered Training Ground 7 and also used Shadow Clones."
"One hour left," the Hokage said flatly. "If you were Kakashi, when would you realize you'd been fooled?"
"That's hard to say," Yamato admitted. "Team 7's plan is full of surprises. Frankly, I think they've already completed the mission."
"Chasing after Naruto's massive army of clones is exhausting—even for an elite ninja. You waste time figuring out which trail is real and which is fake. Naruto said Kakashi started using clones before even reaching Ground 8."
"Even if Kakashi figures it out, Team 7 can just repeat their earlier trick."
"Mm." The Hokage nodded, then asked, "What if Kakashi is the one to question Naruto about the blackout?"
Yamato's eyes lit up. "You mean…"
"As teammates, Sasuke and Sakura must report Naruto's condition to their sensei," the Hokage said slowly.
"As their instructor, Kakashi will definitely follow up. If Naruto refuses to answer, then Kakashi can report it to me—and when that happens, I believe Naruto will choose to tell me himself."
At 3:00 PM, Kakashi returned to the rendezvous point at Training Ground 5. He looked down at the kunai stuck in the ground and smiled. Then he pulled out a flare.
Whoosh—
A bright red mist exploded in the sky.
Moments later, Team 7 jumped out from behind the rock wall and gathered at the meeting spot.
"Well done," Kakashi said, eyes expressionless. He pulled the kunai from the ground and handed it to Sasuke—but his gaze was locked on Naruto.
"Trying to blow me up with a shadow clone carrying explosive tags? Clever. But ineffective. And if you rely on that move too often—you'll die."
Sasuke stiffened. So that's why Naruto faked collapsing—this guy never gives anyone a chance to spot a flaw.
Sakura also realized what had really happened. She had been considering whether to tell Kakashi about Naruto's sudden fainting spell.
"I got it," Naruto nodded casually, though he didn't look concerned. "Kakashi-sensei, can you tell us the next part of the mission now?"
Kakashi stared at him. "Simple. The next mission is to fight me directly. Same rules—use any means necessary."
"Fight you?" Sakura tensed up. Even though she had learned several jutsu, she was still the weakest on the team.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "When do we begin?"
Kakashi turned to him. "The moment I finish talking."
As soon as he spoke, the three leapt into action.
Naruto instantly created five shadow clones as he landed. Sasuke had already finished weaving hand signs.
BOOM!
A massive Fireball Jutsu rolled toward Kakashi.
Sakura was a bit slower, but right after Sasuke unleashed his jutsu, she smashed her fist into the ground—three sharp earthen spikes burst out behind Kakashi from multiple angles.
Kakashi didn't move.
Their attacks hit.
Boom!
Dust filled the air. Sasuke immediately jumped back. A hand had suddenly reached up where he'd just stood.
Sakura's eyes widened and she jumped too. Then she grit her teeth and performed another jutsu—one that would almost drain her chakra.
"Earth Style: Fracture Palm!"
The ground cracked wide open beneath them. Still no sign of Kakashi.
Holding her breath, Sakura regrouped next to Sasuke—just as dozens of Narutos surrounded them.
"Why so many clones, Naruto?" she asked, puzzled.
"Because Shadow Clones are all I know," said one Naruto seriously. "You two used all those flashy jutsu—and still missed. Especially you, Sakura. You can use Earth Style, so why didn't you hide yourself first?"
As soon as he spoke, the surrounding Narutos finished weaving hand signs—POOF!
Now the area was filled with multiple Sakuras and Sasukes.
"Uh…"
Sakura was stunned. She had only been thinking about helping Sasuke.
"He's right," one of the Sasukes nodded. "Besides, we're using jutsu he taught us."
"Why complicate things?" another Sasuke chimed in. "We should split into groups of three and run in different directions."
Sakura's eyes lit up. "Good idea!"
"Heh…" Kakashi's voice echoed suddenly. "I can't let you all just scatter."
A breeze rose.
Leaves began falling, covering everything like rain. One by one, the clones fell unconscious. In the end, only one Sasuke remained standing.
"A genjutsu!"
The real Sasuke realized it immediately and focused his chakra.
"Sharingan! Release!"
"What!?"
Both Kakashi and Yamato, still observing from afar, were shocked.
Kakashi emerged from underground in disbelief—just in time to see Sasuke's eyes glowing red, with one tomoe in each iris.
"You've awakened the Sharingan?" Kakashi's voice carried a mix of surprise and something deeper.
"I don't know exactly when it happened," Sasuke answered calmly, though he was now on full alert. "But ever since I saved Rock Lee from that cliff, I've had it."
"Just as I thought…" Kakashi sighed inwardly, recalling how Obito awakened his Sharingan while saving him from the Stone Ninja.
Back at the Hokage's Office...
After receiving the message, Yamato turned to the Hokage with wide eyes.
"Hokage-sama! Sasuke has awakened the Sharingan!"
The Third Hokage paused, quill in hand.
"What… did you say?"
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