The Shadow Hokage [DISCONTINUED]

CHAPTER 10: TEAMWORK TRIALS (EDITED)

"Wake up!" Kurama's voice resounded within Naruto's consciousness, causing the blond to abruptly sit up. "Oh, come on!" Naruto whined.

"Today is the day of your test. I have adjusted your fox alarm clock by two hours to accommodate that brat's perception of time," Kurama remarked.

"Well, it's certainly convenient to have a living alarm clock," Naruto grinned. "Oh, shut up," Kurama retorted.

Naruto got out of bed and called out, "Hey, my loyal assistants, please prepare breakfast for me and those two troublemakers!" His voice echoed throughout the expansive Uzumaki-Namikaze mansion, ensuring that his assistants would hear. He was well aware that they would not partake in the meal. Meanwhile, the original Naruto followed his usual morning routine of brushing his teeth, taking a bath, and having breakfast. His clones took care of the dishes and packed the necessary items.

These were not shadow clones but rather his slaves.

In an instant, his clones vanished as he did, only to reappear outside the main door. Naruto's laziness was on full display.

He stood there for a moment, then vanished again. Fortunately, the seals placed on the mansion allowed him to use chakra from inside to outside the compound. This feature was primarily designed for Minato, who utilized the Hiraishin technique.

Naruto teleported near Training Ground 7, making sure to materialize far enough away that his sudden appearance would go unnoticed. As he approached, he witnessed a priceless scene: Sakura incessantly pestering the brooding Sasuke, who wore an irritated expression. However, the relief on Sasuke's face upon seeing Naruto was palpable, although he managed to maintain his composure and not show excessive joy.

Sasuke's expression faltered when the whiskered boy disappeared from sight.

"What's wrong, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura looked up at him.

"Hn," he responded, turning away as Sakura continued to fawn over him.

Naruto inwardly chuckled. He planned to relish in Sasuke's suffering for a while until the arrival of the scarecrow.

"Yo, my adorable little genin!" Kakashi materialized out of nowhere, wearing his signature eye-smile as he waved.

"You're late!" Sakura screeched.

"Ah, where is Naruto?" Kakashi looked around for the blond. Teehee, too bad I can make my chakra practically invisible, Naruto giggled silently.

The trio spent 30 minutes searching for the blond, who was simply sitting under the tree where Sasuke and Sakura had been relaxing earlier. I know they can't sense me, but how oblivious can they be?!?!

Naruto let out a dramatic and loud sigh, ensuring that everyone heard him. "I've been sitting here for a while. How blind can you all be?" he asked. Yes, I was late, but well, no one knows.

"You're so slow, Naruto-baka!" Sakura exclaimed, her fist poised to strike the tree trunk Naruto was perched on. It had absolutely no effect. It didn't even crack or make a sound. It only resulted in her knuckles bleeding, and she began to cry. Is she really a kunoichi?!?

"Are you truly the Kunoichi of the Year?" Naruto remarked, clearly displeased with the outcome of her attempt.

"I am! What are you going to do about it?" she retorted smugly.

"Damn, how Konoha has fallen. How could they let someone who can't even dent a tree and only cries achieve the title of Kunoichi of the Year?" he commented.

"Shut up! You're the dead last; you shouldn't be talking!"

"Hey, hey, hey~ I was the dead last because I skipped classes, you know what that means, right?" Naruto grinned.