Uchiha Sasuke leaped onto a large tree, cautiously surveying his surroundings while softly reassuring his two teammates: "Kakashi-sensei will definitely be late."
"..."
Haruno Sakura immediately crouched on the ground with her backpack in hand.
"You guy..."
Naruto Uzumaki mumbled something, but feeling a bit sleepy and not wanting to argue with Sasuke, he could only crouch on the ground with his backpack, hugging his legs and falling asleep.
Until nearly noon, a white-haired man with an eye patch showed up at last, grinning as he looked at the three sleepy little guys, loudly greeting them: "Good morning everyone, I got lost on the road of life..."
"It's too late!"
Naruto Uzumaki rubbed his eyes, stood up angrily, and loudly accused the tardy Kakashi Hatake.
"Yeah..."
Haruno Sakura chimed in as well.
"Life always has many interesting surprises..."
Kakashi Hatake waved his hand to signal to his two subordinates not to mind his lateness, then looked around for a while before spotting Uchiha Sasuke lying on the tree, keeping watch.
"Is it an accident?"
Kakashi Hatake's eyes slightly darkened; he was surprised to see where Uchiha Sasuke was, thinking to himself: "Or rather, as expected of the top graduate from the Ninja Academy, even when his companions are all asleep, he found the most suitable position to stand guard..."
"Training exam or whatever..."
Uchiha Sasuke leaped down next to Naruto Uzumaki, with his hands in his pockets, softly saying: "Let's start quickly, Kakashi-sensei..."
"In a hurry, aren't we..."
Kakashi Hatake mumbled while taking out some bells from his pocket, secretly glancing at Uchiha Sasuke's attire, reminiscing about his past subordinates.
"Uchiha Sasuke looks just like his brother Uchiha Itachi at twelve years old, fully armed in combat gear..."
Kakashi Hatake sighed at the resemblance between the brothers, slowly explaining his exam rules: "If you can snatch the bells from my hands, you'll pass the graduation exam..."
"This test allows the use of any means, even shuriken, kunai, or ninja swords, but there are only two bells, and there are three of you, so one person will definitely be eliminated and sent back to the Ninja Academy for another year..."
"The elimination rate of this exam is as high as 66.7%. Speaking of which, I think the top-ranked student should be able to pass; the one at the bottom of the class is most likely to be eliminated..."
"The one at the bottom..."
Twelve-year-old Naruto Uzumaki instantly became agitated!
As the class's dead last, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't stand having someone reveal the facts in front of him. A kunai swiftly twirled in the boy's fingers, ready to be thrown at Kakashi Hatake!
The next moment!
Naruto Uzumaki's arm was suddenly restrained!
Kakashi Hatake appeared behind Naruto Uzumaki in an instant, pressing down on Naruto's arm, inverting Naruto's wrist and maneuvering the kunai in Naruto's hand to reverse-stab towards Naruto's neck!
Yet...
A dazzling glint flashed!
Kakashi Hatake's attack was halted instantly!
The ninja sword behind Uchiha Sasuke suddenly unsheathed, raising up to block Kakashi Hatake's wrist, thwarting Kakashi's attempt to subdue Naruto Uzumaki!
"Don't be so hasty..."
"I haven't even called out 'start' yet..."
Kakashi Hatake, one hand restraining Naruto Uzumaki, glanced at the relaxed-looking Uchiha Sasuke beside them, praising him: "Impressive kenjutsu, so fast I almost couldn't react..."
While saying this...
A drop of cold sweat slowly dripped down Kakashi Hatake's forehead.
Because...
Uchiha Sasuke's speed was truly incredible!
Kakashi Hatake looked at the sharp edge near his wrist, almost getting his wrist slashed by the ninja sword, he could even feel the chill from the blade!
"Just a little trick..."
Uchiha Sasuke casually shook his head, still holding the ninja sword: "Kakashi-sensei, can you let go of that idiot Naruto now?"
"Of course..."
"Speaking of which..."
"The top student from today's Ninja Academy is truly intimidating..."
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but praise a bit more, admitting that Uchiha Sasuke was more outstanding than anyone he had seen!
Not only did he swiftly detect his intention to attack Naruto Uzumaki, but he also immediately found a way to counter it, neutralizing the threat he posed to Naruto!
"I think I'm starting to like you guys a bit..."
Kakashi Hatake became more vigilant, releasing Naruto Uzumaki's wrist, still talking leisurely: "Okay, maybe more than a bit. So... let's officially start now!"
"Ready... Start!"
Kakashi Hatake's body instantly stepped back!
Because in his sight, he already saw Uchiha Sasuke charging towards him wielding a ninja sword, the boy's kenjutsu was surprisingly fierce!
Just like...
His brother!