Chapter 18…

"Hey, don't speak to Sasuke that way!" Sakura said defending her crush.

"Look, just think for a minute. Alone, we can't beat him. He's a jōnin for a reason. To get the bells, we might have to work together." Naruto said calmly.

"I don't need either of your help. I touched the bells and next time I'll get them." Sasuke said.

"Yeah, besides, why would we team up with you? Once Sasuke and I get the bells, you'll go back to the academy and they'll put you with another bunch of losers for a team." Sakura crowed. Naruto was about to explode when something stopped him. The word 'team' just kept going through his head. That's when he remembered something. Konoha based its' strength by working with each other. That meant that this test wasn't about the bells, it was about teamwork.

"That's it. Hey, I know what the real purpose of this test is!" Naruto exclaimed. However, the alarm went off, signaling the end of the test. Kakashi appeared before the genin.

"Is that so Naruto? Maybe you can explain it over there." Kakashi said.

XXX

Kakashi was standing in front of everyone. He saw as Sakura struggled to free herself from the post, Sasuke was glaring at Naruto and Naruto just ignore everyone. He then faced Naruto.

"So Naruto, care to tell me what the true purpose of this test was?" Kakashi asked.

"The word 'team' just kept running around in my head. That's when I realized that Konoha's strength is based on our shinobi working together with each other. The bells were a mislead. You wanted to see how we did as a team. So, the way to pass the true exam is to show our teamwork." Naruto answered. After a few seconds, Kakashi clapped his hands.

"Very good, very good, I'm glad that you caught that Naruto. It proves that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Seeing that you got the point of the test, I will see what I can do to get you on a current team. To send you back to the academy would be a waste of talent." Kakashi said.

"What about us sensei?" Sakura asked.

"Oh, you two need not worry. I'm going to the Hokage and get you two removed from the shinobi forces." Kakashi stated in a matter-of-fact way. Sakura was shocked at that and Sasuke was angry. He charged at Kakashi but quickly found himself on the ground with Kakashi's foot on his head, his arm twisted in a painful lock.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura screamed.

"That's exactly why you and Sasuke do not deserve to be shinobi. Sakura, you were so concerned with Sasuke that you totally ignored Naruto. Even after he saved you and was attempting to get your help in figuring out the purpose of the test, you scorn him. Weren't you the 'Top Kunoichi' and smartest girl in the academy?" Kakashi asked harshly. Sakura bowed her head in shame. He then faced Sasuke. "You thought that they couldn't help you, that they would just get in your way. Still, you were saved by Naruto and taken to safety. He offered you help but you also scorned, arrogantly thinking that you were a match for me." Sasuke let out a breath of annoyance. Kakashi got off him and let him go. Sasuke made his way back to lick his wounds.

"You see this stone here?" Kakashi said and pointed to a stone. They could see that there were some names on the stone. "Those names are the names of Konoha's heroes. They get on this stone for their service to the village, may their souls rest in peace." That surprised all of them. "Remember this, those who disobeys the rules are trash but those who abandon their teammates are worse than trash." He said to them. He waited a while to allow it to sink in. "Okay, because of Naruto, I'm going to give you another chance. You two can eat the lunch I brought but Sakura get none of it. I'll be back in a moment." He said and left.

The two boys dug into the lunches and began to eat. Naruto stopped eating and looked around to see if Kakashi was around. Seeing no trace of him, he walked up to Sakura and freed her. Sakura looked at him like he was crazy.

"What are you doing?" Sakura exclaimed.

"Would you keep your damn voice down?" Naruto hissed. He then shoved his lunch forward. "Here, eat this and get your strength back."

"But Kakashi-sensei said not to eat." Sakura said.

"'But Kakashi-sensei said not to eat'. For once, will you just listen? We need you to help us get the bells and you can't help us if you're hungry. So eat." Naruto said. Sasuke followed Naruto's lead and shoved his half eaten lunch in front of Sakura.

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