Kiba (Naruto)

"Let's introduce ourselves properly this time," Yamato began, his tone calm but deliberate. "My name is Yamato. As for my likes and dislikes… well, I prefer to keep those private. When it comes to my future plans, I've learned not to look too far ahead. The only thing I truly enjoy is woodworking."

Naruto shot his hand into the air, barely containing his excitement. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I love ramen especially from Ichiraku! and I can't stand waiting three whole minutes for it to cool down! My dream is to become Hokage. No, scratch that the greatest Hokage ever! Believe it!"

A faint smile tugged at Yamato's lips, while Kiba and Sasuke exchanged glances, having anticipated Naruto's enthusiastic declaration.

Yamato gestured toward Kiba, who sat between the others. "How about you?"

'If this were the past, I'd be too shy and push my friend to go first, only to get scolded by the teacher,' Kiba mused, amused by the memory.

"My name's Kiba," he announced. "I like spicy food, and I dislike… well, spicy food that's too spicy." He paused, his expression turning more serious. "As for my dream, I want to fix my clan."

'Using my sister as an excuse won't work anymore. I've already become a medical ninja like her. This is the next best thing. I'll fix the clan before it fades away completely.'

Sasuke's brows lifted in surprise. 'Even after being exiled, he still plans to fix it?'

Naruto tilted his head, puzzled. "Wait, I thought you wanted to be like your sister?"

Yamato also turned a questioning gaze toward Kiba, curious about the shift in his ambitions.

Kiba shrugged, a quiet satisfaction in his voice. "I already achieved that one."

"Okay, next." Yamato turned his attention to Sasuke, waiting expectantly.

Sasuke's gaze darkened as he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate many things, and I only care about becoming stronger. I don't have dreams because I turn them into reality. I will restore my clan… and kill a certain someone."

'Dark,' Naruto thought, suppressing a shiver.

Yamato studied Sasuke carefully, recognizing the familiar shadow in his eyes. 'Just like Kakashi helped me, I'll find a way to pull him out of this.'

Before he could dwell further, Kiba raised his hand. "Yamato-sensei?"

"Yes, Kiba?" Yamato acknowledged.

"Can you teach us the Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Kiba asked, speaking for the entire group.

His eyes flicked toward Naruto, half-expecting him to jump in, if Naruto already knew the technique, he could just teach them himself. But Naruto stayed silent, offering no reaction.

'Damn. If he doesn't know it, I could've asked for a different jutsu.' Kiba stifled a sigh. 'Then again, things have already changed so much because of my choices. Can't expect everything to stay the same.'

Yamato crossed his arms. "I'll teach it, but only after you all pass the final test."

'Perfect. This'll speed up my training.' Kiba rolled his shoulders and began stretching, his mind already racing through possibilities.

Not one to be left behind, Sasuke mirrored his movements, loosening up.

Naruto blinked at them, then grinned and started stretching too, though with far less coordination.

Yamato watched, bemused. "Alright, here's the challenge, land a single hit on me, and you pass. But I want to see real teamwork."

The three exchanged glances, sizing each other up.

Kiba raised his hand again. "Mind if we strategize first?"

"Go ahead," Yamato allowed, stepping back to give them space.

Kiba, Naruto, and Sasuke huddled close, keeping their voices low enough that Yamato couldn't overhear.

"You know the most about Yamato-sensei," Sasuke pointed out, his dark eyes fixed on Kiba.

Naruto leaned in, waiting for Kiba's strategy.

"Here's the plan," Kiba began, keeping his tone hushed but firm. "No Ninjutsu, he's got counters for that. We stick to Genjutsu and Taijutsu." He turned to Naruto. "How's your Taijutsu?"

"Pretty solid" Naruto grinned.

"You mostly use fists or kicks?" Kiba pressed.

"Fists all the way" Naruto confirmed.

"Good, same as me. Naruto, you and I take the front. Sasuke, you cover us from mid-range." Kiba's eyes flicked to the Uchiha. "And when you see the chance, hit him with Genjutsu."

Sasuke gave a curt nod.

"But the second we get an opening, we jump him then pull back fast. He might set traps with his Jutsu," Kiba warned.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What kind of Jutsu makes Ninjutsu useless against him?"

Naruto bobbed his head in agreement, just as curious.

Kiba exhaled sharply. "Wood Style. Like the First Hokage."

Naruto's eyes bulged, his mouth flying open only for Kiba to clamp a hand over it before any sound escaped.

"Quiet," Kiba hissed.

Naruto blinked, then nodded vigorously.

Sasuke finally understood Kiba's earlier disappointment. A Kekkei Genkai like that couldn't be taught, no matter how skilled their instructor was.

With the plan set, they broke their huddle far quicker than Yamato expected.

"Finished already?" Yamato raised an eyebrow.

"Ready when you are," Kiba declared, shifting into a boxing stance.

"Let's do this, dattebayo!" Naruto pumped his fist into his palm.

Sasuke steadied himself, fingers twitching prepared to activate his Sharingan the moment things began.

Yamato's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Begin."

Sasuke's eyes flashed scarlet, the two tomoe in his Sharingan spinning sharply, a testament to two years of rigorous training with Kiba.

Without hesitation, he attempted to trap Yamato in a Genjutsu while Naruto and Kiba charged forward in perfect synchronization.

Yamato expertly avoided direct eye contact, but Sasuke's sharp voice cut through the air. "Yamato!"

The momentary distraction proved costly. Yamato's gaze flickered toward the sound, his eyes glazing over as the Genjutsu took hold.

Naruto and Kiba closed the distance rapidly, fists ready to strike.

Meanwhile, Yamato found himself standing in a nightmarish landscape, a blood-soaked field littered with the bodies of everyone he'd ever killed.

"Adorable attempt," Yamato murmured aloud while mentally calculating. 'Naruto and Kiba are approaching. Need to counter quickly.'

Just as the attackers prepared to land their blows, Kiba's instincts flared. "Naruto, fall back!" he barked.

Both ninja leaped backward just as Yamato snapped into motion, slamming his palm against the ground. A protective dome of living wood erupted around him.

"Sasuke, did he break free?" Kiba demanded, already adjusting his stance.

"He did," Sasuke confirmed through gritted teeth, his Sharingan still active. 'A two-tomoe Genjutsu shouldn't have been that easy to escape...'

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