Sakura looked at Naruto angrily and roared: "I... hate... Naruto!"
Naruto rolled his eyes speechlessly and said: "I was just telling the truth."
Sakura still looked at Naruto huffily, but she didn't say anything.
Kakashi felt they had messed around enough and started talking business.
"Starting tomorrow, we will begin taking on missions, but before that, you still have to undergo a Survival Exercise."
Sakura looked at Kakashi in confusion and said: "Aren't they missions? Why has it turned into a Survival Exercise again?"
"This Survival Exercise is completely different from the Survival Exercises you had at the Ninja Academy."
After Kakashi finished speaking, he began to laugh sinisterly, getting creepier the more he laughed.
Sakura's mouth twitched slightly as she said: "Sensei, what's so funny about this!"
Kakashi waved his hand and said: "I just thought about the look on your faces when you're scared, it'll definitely be hilarious. Among the twenty-seven graduating students, only those who are recognized can become Genin, and that number is only nine. The remaining eighteen will be sent back to the Ninja Academy. In other words, this Survival Exercise has a failure rate as high as sixty-six percent."
Sasuke and Sakura were indeed frightened by Kakashi; they didn't expect the failure rate to be so high.
Kakashi laughed loudly and said: "See, see! I told you you'd be scared."
Sakura glanced at Naruto, then at Sasuke. From their usual training, it was clear that the two of them would have no problem passing the Survival Exercise. However, Sakura herself had some doubts about whether she could pass it.
"Sensei! Haven't we already passed the Ninja Academy exam? Can't we become Genin yet?"
"The Ninja Academy exam only tests whether you have the aptitude to become a Ninja; it doesn't mean you will definitely become a Genin."
Hearing this, Sakura said somewhat dejectedly: "So that's how it is!"
Kakashi smiled and said: "Alright, everything that needed to be said has been said. See you tomorrow on the Training Ground. I will determine whether you pass. Remember to bring your Ninja Tools. Gather at the Training Ground at five o'clock tomorrow morning. A friendly tip: don't eat breakfast."
After speaking, Kakashi jumped down from the balcony.
Sakura screamed in fright and hurriedly went to the edge of the balcony to look down, but saw nothing.
Naruto and Sasuke, on the other hand, were much more composed. One turned and left with his hands in his pockets, while the other followed suit, mimicking the style.
Leaving Sakura alone on the balcony in a daze, her outstretched hand unsure whether to call for Naruto or Sasuke.
Before dawn the next day, Sasuke and Sakurawere already waiting at the Training Ground.
Sasuke didn't see Naruto and knew there must be something wrong, but he didn't say much and just sat cross-legged to one side to refine Chakra.
Since Sakura didn't see Naruto, she asked Sasukesomewhat anxiously: "Why haven't Sensei and Naruto arrived yet?"
Without even opening his eyes, Sasuke said: "If they haven't come, then wait. If you're bored, then cultivate. Please do not disturb me! Thank you!"
This was the first time Sasuke had spoken to Sakura so politely.
This made Sakura both happy and dejected. She was happy that Sasuke was willing to speak to her amiably, but dejected because his politeness indicated that he wanted to keep his distance.
Sakura dejectedly said 'Oh' and went to sit to one side.
It wasn't until around nine o'clock that Narutoarrived at the Training Ground carrying two lunch boxes.
Seeing Naruto arrive, Sakura said angrily: "Naruto, why are you just getting here! Sensei said to come at five o'clock. Do you know you're late?"
Naruto curled his lip and said: "I know I'm late! But it seems Sensei is late too, right? So does this count as me being late?"
Sakura glared at Naruto in anger, unsure of what to say. They were clearly being played by Kakashi, yet Naruto had seen through it and hadn't told them.
Actually, Sasuke was also a bit annoyed with Naruto. Since Naruto had seen through it, why didn't he say so earlier! Letting them wait here like fools since early morning.
Naruto smiled and handed the breakfast in his hands to Sasuke and Sakura, saying: "Eat up!"
Sakura said somewhat hesitantly: "But Sensei said yesterday not to let us eat breakfast."
"Then just don't eat! Sasuke, do you want some?"
Sasuke looked at Naruto and asked: "Have you eaten?"
"Nonsense, of course I have! Otherwise, where would I have gotten breakfast to bring to you guys?"
Sasuke nodded, took the breakfast from Naruto, and began to eat.
Seeing Sasuke eating, Sakura hesitantly took the breakfast and began to eat as well.
By the time Sakura and Sasuke finished their breakfast, Kakashi still hadn't arrived.
Sasuke looked at Naruto and asked: "You know why Kakashi hasn't come, right?"
Naruto nodded and said: "Of course I know!"
"Can you say why?"
"I could say, but it doesn't seem to have much point. Better not to say; just train normally."
Sasuke thought for a moment and nodded: "What you say seems to make sense."
So Sasuke stopped asking and went to the side to continue refining Chakra.
Meanwhile, Naruto also created several Shadow Clones and started sparring with each other, accumulating combat experience.
In fact, Kakashi had arrived before Naruto did. Seeing Naruto's series of actions, Kakashi felt somewhat helpless.
"He really knows me well enough! Had I known, I would have appeared earlier; taking the chance to teach him a lesson would have been good too! Well, well! This is going to be troublesome! Whatever! Let's just stick to the original plan!"
It was past eleven, and Kakashi still hadn't arrived, which made Sakura say impatiently: "Kakashi-sensei is too slow."
After dispelling his Shadow Clones, Naruto said: "Kakashi-sensei was probably blocked by a cat, which is why he's late."
Just as Naruto finished speaking, Kakashi appeared and extended a hand to greet them.
However, the greeting hand froze there, and he didn't know what to say because Naruto had already voiced the excuse he was going to use.
Naruto looked at Kakashi with a chuckle and said: "Are you striking a pose?"
Kakashi acted as if nothing had happened and said: "Morning, everyone! Because a black cat blocked my path, I'm late! Sorry about that!"
Sakura looked at Kakashi with a dark expression and said: "Your apology has no sincerity at all."
"Now, now! Don't worry about that."
After Kakashi finished speaking, he took out an Alarm Clock and placed it on a rock, then took out two Bells.