Hakuna Matata Ninja (Complete)

Ch 19-Team Seven has a ring to it yes?

A verdict to approach. They need to learn that they aren't the best alone, but together they can do so much more. I tied each of them to a pole and watched on as they struggled.

"You think you deserve to be ninja?" I murmured softly, dangerous intent filling the air. Hatake backed away from me slowly, I smirked slightly before it fell back into what I would now call my dead expression, smart man that one.

"We might have not gotten the bells, but we are strong enough right?? Comeon guys, help me out here!" Naruto shouted, making my eyes narrow at the last part.

"Hn..." Sasuke looks to be deep in thought. I wonder if he will figure it out from what I said to him earlier.

"I..." Sakura is conflicted, I can see it clearly. I sigh, it looks like they f-

"Shiro-nii, the purpose of this test was teamwork wasn't it. We failed in that aspect because in the beginning we separated, and therefore could not reach eachother before you two found us. Naruto worked alone, I thought I was too great to have to work with someone, and Sakura just stood to the side. That is why we were tied up in the first place, wasn't it... Sensei." That may be, no is, the most I've ever heard Sasuke say at one time.

"Indeed." I cross my arms. "Do you think you can truly work together? If you lie, I will fail you. If you cannot, Hatake and I may teach you how... It depends. So, answer your own opinions. Naruto." I bark at him, making him snap to attention.

"Ah... I think, that we uh, wouldn't work together really well cause... um..."

"Hn... Because we each are different and have different viewpoints on everything."

"Yeah! What Sasuke said... And Naruto too!" Well, I suppose I can give them a chance, but Hatake is the final judge. As if answering my silent question, the ropes disappear and he leads us to the memorial stone.

"Do you know what this is...?" He says softly, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Who are all the people on here?" Naruto squinted his eyes as he saw the names, I not-so-subtly told him to shut it, but being who he is, Naruto didn't notice.

"They are heroes of the Leaf." Hatake said simply, but I could hear the silent anguish in his voice.

"Really?! I want to get my name on that stone then too!" I shook my head in exasperation. Naruto, you can be so... dense, sometimes. The tension was palpable, yet he still did not notice.

"They aren't just any heroes, they were KIA, killed in action. This is a memorial stone, Naruto." I say to him solemnly.

"Oh..." Naruto finally seems to notice the depressed atmosphere around us and quiets.

"There was something that each of these ninja had in common... That every ninja in the Hidden Leaf should have in common." I murmured, looking at my mother's name, Kaa-san...

"They all had the Will of Fire. The will to always protect their comrades, to never give up. The Will of Fire is many different things and those are only two of them." Hatake isn't all there right now, I can see it. I walk over to the group and tell them they've passed and to meet back at the training ground at Five a.m., to which they agree and quickly leave. Sasuke and Naruto look back at me, but I shake my head. The black-haired boy leaves, but Naruto stays and walks back over quickly and as quietly as he could I assume, because it sounded like a herd of civilians running around.

"Ne, Shiro... What's up with Kakashi-sensei? You don't look too happy either..." He whispers, which is quite quiet, surprising me slightly, but also making me immensely grateful that Ha-... Kakashi, doesn't have to hear us. For now, I call him by his first name as we will be working together, and may or may not, become friends.