Naruto Gojo

4

Chapter 4: The Test of the Honored One

(A Week Later - Team Placements)

When Team 7 was announced—Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Naruto Uzumaki—the only real reaction came from Kiba.

"No way! How did that dead-last pass?!" he shouted.

"The Hokage made the decision, Kiba. If you have a problem, take it up with him," Iruka said sternly.

Team 7 waited. And waited. Three hours after all the other teams had left, their sensei finally arrived. But Naruto still wasn't there.

"You're late!" Sakura screeched.

"A black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way," Kakashi Hatake said with a lazy eye-smile. "So, where's the third one?"

"Actually," a new voice said, "I'm right here."

All three of them started. Naruto was standing behind them, having appeared without a sound. But it wasn't the Naruto they knew.

The short, orange-clad boy was gone. In his place stood someone tall, with snow-white hair and a black blindfold covering his eyes. He wore a high-collared dark blue jacket, slim black pants, and black boots. The whisker marks were gone. He projected an aura of unnerving calm and overwhelming power.

I couldn't even sense him, was the simultaneous thought of both Kakashi and Sasuke.

"Naruto, you idiot! You're late too!" Sakura yelled, recovering first.

Naruto gave a perfect imitation of excuse. "Sorry, I got lost on the road of life."

Kakashi's visible eye widened in delight. A mini-me! Guy is going to be so jealous!

On the roof, the introductions were a formality. Kakashi was vague. Sakura's entire existence revolved around Sasuke. Sasuke's was about killing his brother.

"Alright, your turn," Kakashi said, pointing to the transformed boy.

"My name is Naruto Gojo," he said, the name dropping into the silence like a stone. "I have likes, dislikes, and hobbies. As for a dream... I had one last night, but I can't really remember it."

Kakashi's smile vanished. This was not the knuckleheaded Jinchuriki he'd been briefed on. This was something else entirely. He announced the bell test for the next morning, warning them not to eat breakfast.

(The Bell Test)

Sasuke and Sakura were tired and hungry. Kakashi arrived three hours late, followed ten minutes later by Naruto, both using the same "black cat" excuse.

When the test began, all three vanished.

Good, they know how to hide, Kakashi thought, pulling out his Icha Icha book. I can sense Sasuke and Sakura... but where is Naruto? It's like he doesn't exist.

Sasuke attacked first, his impressive Genin-level skills proving utterly useless against the seasoned Jonin. He was eventually caught in the Headhunter Jutsu, buried up to his neck. Kakashi then found Sakura and dispatched her with a simple E-rank genjutsu, disappointed by her lack of awareness.

When he returned, Sasuke was gone from the hole. Naruto had appeared, freed him with a single touch, and vanished again.

The test wore on. Sasuke tried and failed again. The timer was ticking down. Kakashi, feeling bored, leaned against a tree to read.

"My, my, sensei," a voice whispered directly into his ear. "You really shouldn't let your guard down like that. You could get killed."

Kakashi spun around, kunai in hand, but Naruto was already ten feet away, hands in his pockets.