Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 68: The Fifty-Fifty Split of Kakashi

"Nice to meet you," Katsuragi quickly responded.

"I've heard about you from Lord Third. Are you planning to leave with us now, or are you waiting here for Senior Kakashi?" Kurenai asked Katsuragi with a smile.

"Kakashi?"

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances. Now that only their team was left, the Kakashi mentioned by Kurenai was undoubtedly going to be their team leader.

Katsuragi was also considering whether to leave with Kurenai now or wait for Kakashi here, but knowing Kakashi's habitual tardiness, it seemed like it could be a long wait.

Just as he made up his mind to leave with Kurenai, she added, "Actually, I don't think you've met Kakashi before. Why not wait here and get to know him?"

"My test can be done anytime. This is where I live; you can come find me when you're ready."

Kurenai gave an address, leaving Katsuragi feeling somewhat helpless. He regretted his hesitation; he should have agreed to leave right away. Now it was awkward to refuse, so he reluctantly accepted, "I understand, Kurenai-sensei."

"Alright then, we'll be leaving first. Goodbye."

Kurenai waved her hand and left the classroom with Kiba and Hinata, leaving Katsuragi and the others behind.

"Katsuragi, do you think that Kakashi guy is tough?" Naruto, curious, moved closer to Katsuragi after Kurenai left and asked, "Is he like Shikamaru's teacher with a big beard?"

"Uh..."

Katsuragi paused, recalling the always-masked Kakashi, and chuckled, "I don't think so. You'll see in a bit."

"Speaking of which, he's really slow. It's been so long and he still hasn't shown up."

Naruto complained again and then ran to the classroom door, looking out, but after a long wait and seeing no one, he grumbled, "Even Iruka-sensei seems to have gone home."

"That's it, I'm going to find a way to punish him for being late."

Naruto looked around, then ran to the teacher's desk, picked up the eraser, and placed it precariously on top of the door. If someone opened the door, the eraser would fall and hit them on the head, assuming it was just an ordinary person.

"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sakura, concerned about Naruto's actions, warned, "I'm not dealing with whatever happens."

"Idiot, no Jonin would fall for such a trick," Sasuke said dismissively, clearly not convinced by Naruto's trap.

"We'll see about that."

Katsuragi grinned, faintly remembering that Kakashi did indeed fall for it, although it was intentional. From the outcome, Naruto won.

"Haha, Katsuragi, you must think my trap is awesome too," Naruto boasted, clearly proud of himself.

Just as Katsuragi was about to retort, he suddenly heard faint footsteps. He quickly told Naruto, "He's coming," then stepped aside to watch if Kakashi would fall for the trap as in the original story.

"Bang!"

A puff of dust spread as Kakashi, indeed like in the original story, did not avoid Naruto's trap. Katsuragi noticed that Kakashi could have easily dodged it, but chose to use the falling eraser to gauge their reactions.

"It looks like the test has already started."

Katsuragi thought to himself, recognizing Kakashi's approach. Despite his lax demeanor, Kakashi was a prodigious talent and a future Sixth Hokage; if not for certain events, his strength might have been even greater.

"HAHAHA!"

While Katsuragi was pondering, Naruto had already burst into laughter, pointing at Kakashi and exclaiming, "You fell for it, you fell for it!"

Sasuke and Sakura were surprised by the outcome, while Sasuke questioned whether the person really was Jonin Kakashi. Sakura quickly explained the situation, distancing herself from it.

Katsuragi remained silent, stepping next to Naruto and nudging him gently, whispering, "Alright, apologize now."

"How should I put this... I find your first impression quite disagreeable," Kakashi observed everyone, particularly giving Katsuragi a look, hinting that he barely approved of him among those present.

Following this, Kakashi didn't say much more. He led the four to an open rooftop and said, "Let's start with self-introductions. Things you like, dislike, dreams, hobbies, you can talk about anything."

Seeing the trio looking unsure, Katsuragi stood up to demonstrate, "I'm Katsuragi. I like many things, dislike any trouble, and my dream is to be the strongest."

"The strongest, huh?"

Hearing Katsuragi's dream, Kakashi stared at him for a moment, recalling all that the Third had told him about Katsuragi and made a mental evaluation.

After everyone introduced themselves following the original story, Naruto eagerly prompted Kakashi, "It's your turn to introduce yourself, sensei."

"Me?" Kakashi pointed at himself, then said in a lackluster voice, "I'm Kakashi Hatake. I don't really have likes or dislikes…"

"Kakashi-sensei, I heard from Guy-sensei that you really like a book called Icha Icha Paradise. How can you say you have no likes or dislikes? Don't lie to us," Katsuragi interrupted.

"Guy, huh?" Kakashi remembered the vivid image of that green-clad figure with shining teeth and shuddered, "Alright, then. I like Icha Icha Paradise. I don't really have dislikes, and as for dreams and hobbies…"

In the end, Katsuragi didn't get much useful information.

"So, do you know about the thing?" After the introductions, Kakashi began to get to the point, his face turning serious, "Just graduating doesn't mean you're Genin. You must pass a test given by your Jonin instructor."

"This test has an elimination rate of seventy percent. Those who fail will be sent back to the academy."

Watching the trio's faces fall at this news, Kakashi continued with satisfaction:

"Well, that's it. We'll meet at the training ground tomorrow. Make sure to bring your ninja tools. Meet at five in the morning. Don't eat breakfast; you might throw up."

Seeing Kakashi scare Naruto and the others, Katsuragi quickly asked, "What about my test, Kakashi-sensei?"

"You?" Kakashi remembered the Third's report stating that Katsuragi's skills were nearly on par with a Jonin and pondered, "We'll talk about it tomorrow morning. If it's too much trouble, you can join these three. It shouldn't be too difficult."

Katsuragi looked at Kakashi, annoyed. Although Kakashi was capable enough to face Kaguya in the final battle, that didn't mean he could underestimate him.

Katsuragi silently resolved that if he had the chance, he would make sure Kakashi experienced his strength firsthand.

End of Chapter 68