Naruto: Sacred Scroll

"There's a lot of names in this book," Sakura stated, "Why did you fail them?"

"Because they didn't do what you guys did and see the hidden meaning of this test," Kakashi replied. "Teamwork. Naruto was correct in saying that I rigged this test to set you up against each other."

"But why?" Sasuke asked, "If we're a team, why make a test that was aimed to turn us against each other?"

"To see where your loyalties lie," Kakashi explained. "From what I saw yesterday while you three interacted with each other, I didn't think you guys would last long as a team and that you three would be the next batch of Genin I would fail and send back to the academy. Naruto not only prevented that from happening, but showed surprising leadership capabilities and other impressive skills despite his proclaimed dead last status."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"Let me explain," Kakashi continued. "First off, Naruto made useful applications of his kage bunshins, using them as reconnaissance tools while you guys stayed in hiding. He soon realized that it would be best if all three of you would put aside your personal grudges and differences and work together against me. He managed to help you both see through this test and pulled you all together as a team. Those are important abilities that future leaders and ninjas must be able to do.

"Both you and Sakura also demonstrated commendable traits. Rather than trying to pursue the bells yourselves separately, as I had set you guys up to do, you chose to trust and stick with your fellow comrade and work together as a unit in order to complete the assigned mission, or test, in this case, despite whatever doubts you both had at that moment. And that's the most important trait among ninja teams."

"A trait among ninja teams?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, Sakura," Kakashi said. "In the future, there will be missions that will test the loyalties of the three of you to Konoha and one another, and the question of whether or not you three would stick together will be a factor that will often present itself. As important as it is to complete a mission, some missions will be most unfavorable and very dangerous, but for the preservation of our village they're carried out by those who are willing to carry that burden. Remember too, that those who abandon the mission are trash, but those who abandon and betray their comrades are worse than trash."

"We still have some issues to work out, but your performance in today's test showed me that you three have some real potential. Well done, all of you."

"Sweet!" Naruto cheered with his right fist thrown upwards, "We passed! We won't be going back to the academy for more of Iruka-sensei's stupid lectures!"

"For once, Naruto, you actually did something useful that benefited all of us," Sasuke remarked with a smirk.

"That's because you guys actually did something useful that benefited all of us, and that was listening to me for once!" Naruto replied. Sakura was about to smack him but Kakashi intervened.

"Now now, Sakura," Kakashi said. "There will be no need for unnecessary violence here against your fellow teammates. That will only be permitted during spars between team members.

"You guys can have the rest of the day to yourselves, and we'll start our first missions as a team tomorrow. Report to training ground number five at 7 o'clock. Till then, the three of you are free to enjoy the rest of your day."

"What about the boxed lunches and drinks over there?" Sakura asked.

"Oh, those," Kakashi said, "It's up to you guys to decide which two of you three will-"

"They can have them," Naruto said. "I'm sure Sasuke-teme and Sakura are starving and thirsty."

"And what of you?" Kakashi asked.

"I'll be fine," Naruto said with a grin. "No need to worry about me!"

Sasuke shrugged and turned away as he walked off and grabbed one of the boxed lunches and drinks before heading off.

"Wait for me, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called after him as she followed after her love interest after grabbing the other boxed lunch and drink. Kakashi watched as Sakura walked with Sasuke in hopes of starting some form of conversation with him. The Jounin was certain he heard her ask Sasuke if he'd like to go on a picnic together before going back.

"I wonder how long it'll be before she decides to grow out of her senseless infatuation," Kakashi remarked to himself.

"You got me," Naruto replied. The Jounin returned his attention back to Naruto as he acknowledged that he was left alone with him.

"You're free to leave Naruto," Kakashi reminded, "There's no need for you to stay any longer."

"But there is," Naruto countered. "I would like for you to take out that book in your pouch if you will please."

"Naruto," Kakashi said. "We've already been through this. I'm not going to lend you my book before I get the chance to finish it first."

"I never said that the book in your pouch was yours, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto remarked. That statement caught Kakashi's attention.

"Where are you getting at?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"Take out the book, and I'll show you," Naruto suggested. Seeing that he was going to take out and read the book anyway, Kakashi did as he was asked and took out the book.

"Throw the book away!" Naruto warned, "Far from us! Now!"

"Naruto," Kakashi said as looked down at the book, "I will do no such thin-"

Kakashi stopped mid-sentence when he saw chakra radiating from the book. He threw the book far from them, and, as soon as it hit the ground, the book exploded in a large ball of flames, creating a strong gust of hot wind and debris as it cratered the ground where it landed.

"Come at you with the intent to kill, you said earlier," Naruto said with a goofy smile and carefree attitude, "If I did, you'd be dead and blown to burnt pieces by now. But I will admit this: it was really hard making the switch between your actual Icha-Icha Paradise book and my henge bakuhatsu bunshin. During your scuffle with my kage bunshins, I had them keep you occupied with the bells while your precious Icha-Icha Paradise book was left unguarded. I sneaked in and switched your book with my lethal bomb."

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