Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 39 Survival Exercise (2)

Kakashi decisively threw out shuriken, immediately executing a Shadow Clone Technique, and then burrowed into the ground, charging straight towards the direction from which the attack originated. While it's possible that the Naruto who was assisting Sasuke was a shadow clone, Sasuke was definitely the real Sasuke; his chakra reserves weren't large enough to unleash a large-scale fire jutsu after creating a clone.

The Shadow Clone Technique cleared the area in that direction, and a quick-reacting clone also erected an Earth Release: Earth Wall. Neither side had direct visual observation; only perception and experience remained. Naruto grabbed Sasuke and tossed him upwards. Just as Sasuke's feet left the ground, it suddenly cracked open, and Kakashi charged out, punching Naruto in the chin. The Naruto who had protected Sasuke, predictably, vanished.

Sasuke, airborne, had no time to catch his breath. His Sharingan darted around, and he drew a kunai to block the shuriken Kakashi threw before landing. How could Kakashi be caught off guard by such a perfect opportunity for a sneak attack?

The Naruto who had created the Earth Release: Earth Wall turned around. He was the only remaining clone nearby, and he lunged at Kakashi, trying to hold him back. Kakashi ignored this obvious suicidal attack by a shadow clone, kicking Kakashi mid-air and changing his landing trajectory. It was this change that caused the problem. The kicked Naruto didn't disappear; instead, he used Wind Release: Wind Release again, sending Kakashi into the forest before he crashed into the Earth Wall he had created.

He actually used his real body to lure the enemy! That kick he just delivered was no joke! Kakashi was caught off guard and swept into the forest by the wind. Before he even landed, his Sharingan caught a faint glimpse of chakra activity out of the corner of his eye. Damn it, it's an explosive tag!

"Explode!" Sakura, who was observing from the treetop, made her move.

He did intend to say something like, "You'll have to be ready to kill me to get the bell," but he didn't get a chance to say it! These kids are so ruthless! And it seems they even anticipated how he would react...

Several pieces of wood flew out of the smoke from the exploding tags. Kakashi, whose life had been saved by the Substitution Jutsu, did not dare to linger and immediately left his temporary hiding place.

The tree was cut in half by the wind blades, and another Naruto popped out from a corner, pointing the way for his teammates.

"Bang!" The second explosive tag detonated, severing the tree trunk where Kakashi had just been standing. A cunning shuriken flew towards him, instantly avenging the attack he had been in mid-air. Kakashi could tell at a glance that he was doomed as he fell, so he decisively used Lightning Blade. While deflecting the shuriken, he also imbued the kunai with Lightning Release chakra and quickly threw it down.

The explosions were continuous, and the prematurely detonated talismans triggered a chain reaction. The impact of the explosions even blew Kakashi back to a higher place.

A sharp cry drowned out the sound of the explosion. Kakashi looked at Sasuke, who was flying towards him at high speed, with some shock. Sasuke had obviously been thrown over by Naruto. He was fast enough, but he also had many openings.

They're still just kids; this tactic is a bit too risky.

Kakashi was just about to use the branches above for leverage to dodge when another explosion rang out, and the person he was trying to use for leverage was killed.

Kakashi: "..." Is this whole area going to be like this?

Forced to face his signature move, Kakashi intended to give Sasuke a taste of Jonin speed—how could he use such a dangerous technique on his own? However, just as Chidori was about to touch him, the lightning instantly dissipated. Although Sasuke's hand was grabbed, he nimbly swayed his body, using the momentum to kick out. At the same time, with a familiar "bang," Naruto suddenly appeared! He had used the Transformation Jutsu to hide on Sasuke, and then used the lightning from Chidori as cover, thus completely escaping Kakashi's notice. Naruto and Sasuke were moving in completely opposite directions. Naruto, with a clear objective, grabbed the bell at Kakashi's waist, and as he fell, he playfully flashed a peace sign at Kakashi, who was still trying to subdue Sasuke with both hands.

"The exercise is over." Kakashi admitted he'd lost his rhythm a bit. This explosive tag attack was a tactic Naruto and Sasuke hadn't used before. His main focus had been on guarding against the two brats, and he hadn't paid much attention to Sakura's chakra, which allowed the attack to slip through. However, he still couldn't resist stirring up trouble, asking, "Naruto, who are you planning to give the bell to?"

The three children exchanged glances. Naruto and Sasuke seemed completely unconcerned, but Sakura's eyes showed some struggle. She spoke first, "Sasuke, Naruto, you're both the best students in the class. There's no need for you to go back and study it again. Perhaps..."

“Sakura is amazing too! She got first place in the theory class! And she learned to climb trees and wade in water super fast. Sasuke may not say it, but it actually took him several days to fully master them!” Naruto immediately interrupted Sakura.

Sasuke was even more decisive. He snorted coldly, clearly annoyed, snatched the bell from Naruto's hand, and tossed it to Kakashi like trash. "Here, send us back to the Ninja Academy."

"..." What should I do if my child is too rebellious? I need help urgently.

But what good is being rebellious? They're the students I chose.

"You... passed!"

Kakashi abandoned his gloomy facade and, with a grin, sneakily attacked the three kids' heads one by one, ruining their hairstyles as revenge for the children's reckless attacks.

"I hope you will remember today's cooperation. The most important thing for ninjas is teamwork. Entrusting your back to the partner you trust most can even unleash power far beyond your own. I think you should have deeply understood that."

"However, before we disband, you'll come with me to a place."

This is one of Kakashi's regular residences in Konoha. A huge cone-shaped stone monument is densely engraved with names. Although it is not as impressive as the cemetery, it is still incredibly solemn.

Naruto's expression turned solemn, and he stopped smiling. Konoha developed rapidly afterward, and this training ground was designated as a new residential area. However, the memorial stone could not be demolished, so it was moved to Konoha's Heroes Memorial Hall and placed in the most prominent position in the exhibition hall.

Kakashi-sensei didn't trust anyone else with this task, so he finally assigned it to his most trusted student, Naruto Uzumaki. Compared to the unfamiliar names he saw at the moment, the monument in the future had a far greater impact on him. He carefully cleaned the stone tablet, his hands tracing each familiar name.

Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki… Hiruzen Sarutobi… Asuma Sarutobi… Jiraiya… Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka… Neji Hyuga…

Next came the list of those who sacrificed their lives to resist the invasion of the Otsutsuki clan. He didn't even dare to look at those more familiar names one by one, but as long as he lowered his eyes, he could see the end of each name.

Naruto Uzumaki.

……what?

Naruto snapped back to reality, realizing he hadn't heard a word Kakashi had said, while the three people around him were bowing their heads in silent mourning, unaware that he had just been lost in thought. He immediately calmed his breathing, pretending nothing had happened, but his mind was in turmoil, desperately trying to recall that "impossible" memory.

When the memorial tablet was moved, the ninja world had been peaceful for a long time, and he hadn't yet become Hokage. It was impossible for him to see the names of those who died in the battle against the Otsutsuki. Moreover… the memorial tablet was inscribed with the names of fallen heroes…

How could he... possibly be alive and see his own name?

His memories are jumbled? Could it be that he was resurrected after death? Was it Edo Tensei? But there's no reason he shouldn't remember! What's going on?

...What exactly happened with his return to the past?