Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

Kazuki led the three of them to the same rooftop where Kakashi had once brought his own team. The person who once sat on the ground now leaned casually against the railing.

"Even though you already know me, I'll introduce myself properly. I'm Kazuki of the Gekko Clan, twenty-one years old. I like freedom and strength, and I dislike anything troublesome or anything I don't want to do. My dream is to live life my way."

"Now, follow my example and introduce yourselves. Let's start with..."

"Me, me, Kazuki-senpai!"

Before Kazuki could call on anyone, Kawano eagerly volunteered, a complete contrast to his usual reserved demeanor. Maybe this was the effect of hero worship.

"My name is Gekko Kawano. I'm twelve years old. I like ninjutsu and kenjutsu, dislike being disturbed during training, and my dream is to become as strong as you!"

Young but gifted, with clear aspirations. As long as he didn't meet an untimely end, he could easily become a Special Jounin in the future—like Hayate.

"Good, next."

"I'll go!"

Soryu, usually more reserved, took the initiative for the second introduction.

"My name is Soryu. I'm twelve. I like Granny Ryu's seafood noodles, hate school, and my dream is to graduate and become a ninja to make Granny Ryu proud! Heh, I've already achieved my dream!"

A carefree child content with the simple things. Compared to Kawano, Kazuki preferred subordinates like Soryu—less trouble!

"Um...I'm Rika, twelve years old. I like...I like origami, hate bugs, and my dream is to become a master of origami and open my own shop!"

An ordinary dream for a shy, endearing child, perfect for Kazuki's team.

"So if you want to be an origami master, why become a ninja?"

"Mom said that if I became a ninja, I'd learn even better origami techniques!"

Rika's eyes sparkled with determination. Clearly, she was ready to work hard for her dream—though her mother had likely tricked her. Origami as a ninja skill? Did her mother think she was Konan?

Kazuki, amused, thought he might seek out Konan's training notes someday, just for Rika. Such encouragement was something Kazuki found appealing, especially with a teammate like her.

"Alright, congratulations to you all for graduating from the Ninja Academy and earning your headbands, which means you're now eligible to become true ninja!"

"Wait! Didn't we already graduate? What do you mean 'eligible'?" Soryu, confused, couldn't understand, so Kawano jumped in to explain.

"The Academy's graduation is just a qualification test to see if we're ready. But to truly be ninja, we still need our mentor's approval!"

"That's not fair!" Soryu's excitement deflated, thinking he'd reached his goal only to find it was just the beginning. Rika, equally nervous, clutched her clothes tightly. Becoming a ninja was crucial for her origami dreams, and failure wasn't an option.

"Kawano is right. Graduating from the Academy doesn't make you ninja yet. Passing a few jutsu and a theory test isn't a true test of a ninja's skill."

"So, how do we prove ourselves?" The three of them focused on Kazuki, waiting eagerly for his answer.

Kazuki smiled, turning toward the setting sun.

"Tomorrow morning, be at Training Field 7 at six sharp. Remember—don't eat breakfast."

"You'll throw up!"

Kazuki had learned many things while training under Kakashi, including some of Kakashi's more humorous exams. Now that it was his turn to teach, he could use them on his own students. The dragon slayer becomes the dragon!

The next morning at six, Kawano, Rika, and Soryu gathered at the training field, yawning. Unlike Kawano and Rika, Soryu was munching on a piece of bread, milk in hand, half-asleep.

"Soryu, didn't Kazuki-sensei say not to eat breakfast?"

"Yeah, he said it would make us throw up, but I get hungry. I'd rather throw up later than starve! I'm sure sensei will understand."

Kawano: "..."

"But won't sensei be mad if he finds out you ate?" Rika asked nervously.

"Hey, just don't tell him!" Soryu said, offering them some bread and milk. "Here, I brought extra."

"I'm good," Kawano declined, clutching his sword as he sat down, uninterested in Soryu's offer. Rika hesitated but then politely refused as well.

"Sorry, Soryu. I'm not used to eating breakfast."

With a sigh, Soryu stuffed the extra bread into his mouth. "Fine, but don't tell on me, okay? We're teammates. We should stick together!"

Kawano and Rika didn't respond, leaving Soryu feeling slightly dejected. With these two for teammates—one aloof, the other shy—it was hard to bond! But he'd do his best.

As the sun climbed higher, Soryu and his teammates waited, but Kazuki was nowhere in sight. Kawano, annoyed, finally muttered,

"I should've known! He's probably the latest of all the mentors, and he only told us not to eat breakfast because of this!"

Kazuki's voice rang out, startling them all. "Sorry, sorry! A cute little cat blocked my way for five hours, you know!"

"Who would believe that?!"

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg