Konoha: The Honored One

"Stupid." Gojo muttered, disappointment flickering behind his dark sunglasses as he stepped lightly on the ground.

A crack shot through the earth beneath him, and a gust of wind sent Naruto tumbling through the air.

Of course, Gojo held back.

"Cough, cough!" Naruto landed heavily, his clothes torn and his body marked with small wounds. Blood seeped from multiple cuts, and he choked out a mouthful of it.

"Naruto!" Sakura cried, her eyes wide with concern as she glanced at her injured teammate.

This overwhelming chakra and the terrifying killing intent were palpable. Gojo-sensei was serious; if they didn't choose to return to Ninja School, their seventh class might meet a grim fate at his hands.

"Gojo Satoru…" Sasuke's expression darkened as he locked his gaze onto Gojo, the tension crackling in the air.

In a blink, Gojo vanished and reappeared behind Sasuke, grabbing his hair and slamming his face into the ground.

"Bang!" Before Sasuke could react, he was pressed harshly against the dirt, his face sinking into the ground.

"Sakura Haruno , kill Naruto, or I'll kill Sasuke," Gojo said, straddling Sasuke's back while holding his head down. He picked up a kunai from the ground and tossed it at Sakura's feet.

"Too fast!" Sasuke's mouth bled as he stared at Gojo, his Sharingan activated. His heartbeat quickened; he felt the icy grip of death lurking close.

Sakura knelt, her legs trembling, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Sasuke, fear etched across her face.

Kill Naruto to save Sasuke? While she liked Sasuke and had her issues with Naruto, could she really bring herself to do that?

"Sakura Haruno , your hesitation is pathetic," Gojo scolded, disappearing once more, this time reappearing behind Naruto.

"Listen, fox kid. Swear to give up being a ninja, give up your dream of becoming Hokage," Gojo said, his foot pressing down on Naruto's head, forcing it deeper into the ground. "Do that, and I'll spare Sakura and Sasuke."

With his hands in his pockets and a cold tone, he added, "Swear to me, brat. Don't waste my time. Otherwise, you'll all die." He increased the pressure on Naruto's head.

"Ahem…" Naruto coughed up more blood, enduring the pain. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out.

"Sasuke, kill Sakura and Naruto, and I'll grant you the power you need for revenge," Gojo said, his indifferent gaze fixed on Sasuke.

Sasuke hesitated, torn between his desire for power and the memories of his friends. If abandoning Naruto and Sakura meant strength, was it worth it?

I want power! I want to avenge my clan!

But as he gripped the kunai, Naruto's silly smile flashed in his mind—Naruto, who had once reached out to him and said, "Let's be friends."

Gojo was surprised that Sasuke, consumed by revenge, still felt concern for Naruto and Sakura. The darkness hadn't fully enveloped him yet.

"I swear, I'll never give up being a ninja! I'll never abandon my dream of becoming Hokage! If I can't even protect my friends, what right do I have to call myself Hokage?" Naruto yelled defiantly, raising his head, his eyes slightly red with determination.

"I won't stop until I earn everyone's approval! Even if I'm never a ninja, I'll fight to become Hokage!"

"Naruto…" Sakura's voice broke as she listened, torn between her feelings.

"Dumbass." Sasuke scoffed, but there was a hint of admiration in his tone.

Gojo, seeing their resolve, smiled slightly. "You're qualified," he said, impressed by their determination.

These two brats weren't as annoying as he thought.

But Sakura… she hesitated, waiting for someone else to decide. Perhaps it was because her past hadn't been as tragic as Sasuke's and Naruto's.

"It's okay to back down in the face of danger," Gojo said, his demeanor shifting back to his usual lighthearted self as he chewed on some candy. "When you encounter an invincible enemy, your first instinct should be to survive."

"Remember this fear, remember this despair; it's something you might face again."

He waved them over. "Come here; I'll treat your wounds."

The seventh squad stood frozen, still processing the fear and despair they had just experienced.

Was that really just an assessment? They genuinely thought Gojo was going to kill them.

"Passed…" Sakura's voice was shaky, her legs giving way as she knelt. She stared blankly at Gojo's playful smile, her eyes reflecting lingering fear.

"Don't be shy." A light blue chakra glowed from Gojo's palm as he pressed it onto Naruto's head, ruffling his hair.

Naruto's wounds healed, and it was as if he had never been harmed at all.

"Bastard! You scared me half to death!" Naruto glared at Gojo, his eyes red with anger.

After all that bravado, it turned out to be just the final assessment.

Soon enough, Gojo healed Sakura and Sasuke, and relief washed over the group.

That had been terrifying.

Gojo ruffled Sasuke and Naruto's hair, grinning. "Don't be angry. Let's go grab some barbecue!"

"Gojo-sensei, I…" Sakura's voice faded as her gaze fell.

"It's okay. Change takes time; you'll grow stronger," Gojo reassured her, waving off her concerns.

"I'll be firm," Sakura promised, determination replacing her earlier fear.

Naruto grinned. "Don't worry about it, Sakura! Let's eat and empty Gojo-sensei's wallet!"

"You guys go ahead. The fox kid stays for a bit; I'll catch up in three minutes," Gojo said, lifting Naruto effortlessly.

"Which place?" Sakura asked, curious.

"Supreme." Gojo replied.

"Yeah! Long live Gojo-sensei!" Sakura cheered, excited about the treat.

The top barbecue spot? The prices there were outrageous. Gojo-sensei was incredibly generous!

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Why is the dead-last staying behind? You planning to teach him something alone?"

"Secret." Gojo held a finger to his lips.

"Let go of me! I want to eat!" Naruto squirmed in Gojo's grasp.

"Don't worry, we'll see you later," Gojo said, disappearing with Naruto in a flash.

He was going to test the power of the Nine Tails.