Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 22: Breakfast Is a Myth, Kakashi Is Real

"So? What do you think?"

"Hm... First impressions? Not bad," Kakashi said after a moment of quiet thought. "None of them seem particularly specialized in ninjutsu or genjutsu, but the team's overall balance is solid."

Might Guy gave a hearty laugh. "I meant, how about a sparring match? Let's see whose students are stronger!"

"..."

Kakashi let out a quiet sigh and turned a page in Make-Out Paradise.

'Why did I think he was asking seriously? That's on me.'

"Not interested."

"Aww, fine then," Guy said, eyes gleaming with a sudden spark. "Then how about letting my team observe yours? Just for fun?"

Kakashi paused.

He tilted his head slightly toward Guy, then let out a soft chuckle. "So that's your real objective."

"Ahem... " Guy admitted with a sheepish grin. "I don't worry about Lee. His physical ability and progress I know well. Nami's not a genius, but she's got solid taijutsu and shuriken skills. She's a good support type."

For once, Guy's tone was serious, even a little subdued.

Kakashi gave a sideways glance. "And Neji?"

"Yeah. That kid's got something to prove. I think he sees Garou as a rival, not officially, but in his mind. So I figured, why not let him witness Garou's abilities for himself?"

Kakashi took a few paces, arms tucked into his pockets. "Aren't you worried it might shake their confidence?"

"Not a chance," Guy said, firm and unwavering. "I trust my team."

Kakashi exhaled. "Well, with that kind of faith, I'd usually say yes, but..."

Guy immediately interjected, "I'll buy dinner. Barbecue. You pick the place!"

Kakashi's eye twitched. He said nothing, just turned and walked away.

After a few steps, he said, "Meet me at Training Ground 44, Forest of Death. Noon."

"You're the best, eternal rival!" Guy called after him, deeply moved. "Changing the time just for me!"

Kakashi didn't correct him. He just kept walking, the book open in hand, content to let Guy believe what he wanted.

---

Forest of Death, Training Ground 44

Garou sat quietly beneath the twisting roots of a massive tree, arms resting loosely on his knees. Tenten was beside him, tossing a kunai up and down with growing impatience. Up above, Kasumi crouched low on a heavy branch, her eyes locked on the treeline like a hawk awaiting prey.

"Relax. He's not showing up anytime soon," Garou called without looking up.

"This guy is always late! When he gets here, I swear I'm whacking him with a staff," Tenten huffed, arms crossed.

She glanced upward. "Kasumi, come down. We haven't eaten anything all morning. We need to conserve strength."

"Alright..." Kasumi landed softly beside them, her movements like a falling feather. She leaned against the tree trunk, conserving her energy, but her gaze remained alert.

The forest was hot and humid, its air thick with the scent of moss and damp bark. Shadows moved as insects buzzed. Noon came.

Finally, a figure strolled into view, posture relaxed, expression unreadable.

Kakashi raised a lazy hand in greeting. "Yo. Sorry. I overslept. Looks like you're still in decent shape. Did you eat breakfast?"

"No!" Tenten barked, clearly frustrated. "And you said morning! It's noon now!"

"Ah, that's right. My bad," Kakashi said coolly, still hidden behind his mask and that eternal, unreadable calm. "Anyway, let's cut the chatter. Time to explain the rules."

Garou had a strong feeling he was smiling behind the mask.

'So shameless,' he thought. Still, watching someone else lose their temper over the same nonsense he'd come to expect from their infuriating sensei brought a quiet amusement.

"These," Kakashi said, holding up two small silver bells that jingled softly, "are the key to today's test."

"Only two?" Tenten asked, eyes narrowing.

"Yup," Kakashi replied. "Only those who capture a bell will become my students. Anyone who fails... goes back to the Academy."

"What?!"

Tenten's jaw dropped. "That's ridiculous! We just graduated. How can one test decide everything?!"

Garou tilted his head slightly.

'The bell test again? Seriously? They have nothing new to throw at us, huh?'

He didn't voice his thoughts, only narrowed his eyes.

"Your team's a bit of a special case," Kakashi added, his gaze shifting toward Garou. "If he decides to sacrifice himself, I'll let you two pass."

He gave the bells a casual toss into the air, clearly directing the comment at Garou.

Garou didn't respond, instead watching how the other two reacted.

Tenten's fists clenched.

"Don't you dare look down on me!" she snapped. "I'm not strong, but I won't let Garou-kun take the fall for me!"

"Exactly!" Kasumi nodded sharply. "We pass together or not at all."

Kakashi rubbed his temple slowly. "Shame. You just gave up your only guaranteed way to pass. But fine... I won't go easy on you. For the record, every team I've tested before you failed and went straight back to school."

"Then bring it on!" Tenten yelled. "We'll get the bells and sort the rest out later!"

Unbothered, Kakashi pulled out his book.

"You've got a few minutes to prepare. When I flip this hourglass, the test begins. Oh, and a word of advice. Come at me like you're trying to kill me. Anything less... you'll regret it."

"Split up!" Garou commanded, raising one hand.

In an instant, all three vanished from the clearing, reappearing deeper in the forest in coordinated blurs of motion.

"Now what?" Tenten whispered, crouched behind a tree.

"We fight first, worry about the aftermath later. Our opponent is the Copy Ninja. Even if he holds back, we're still at a disadvantage. We'll need full coordination."

"Someone has to lead," Kasumi said. "I trust Garou."

"Me too," Tenten said, tightening her grip on a kunai. Her eyes were focused, no hesitation in her stance.

They were up against a jonin, one of the best in the village. The pressure was real. But knowing Garou had once defeated a taijutsu clone of the Third Hokage gave them something solid to stand on. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Alright. I'll attack. Tenten, you provide support from a mid-range position."

Garou turned to Kasumi. "Your clan deals in assassination. Use your training. Stay hidden, move alone, and look for a clean opening."

"Understood," Kasumi nodded without hesitation.

"Just don't wander too far," Tenten cautioned. "We don't want you getting isolated."

"Should we set traps?" Kasumi asked, eyes scanning the terrain.

"Our level's too low for anything fancy," Garou said. "But basic spike traps and wire snares might work as distractions or fallback. We'll make them fast."

He laid out a strategy with quick, precise instructions.

The tension in the air lessened, not because the danger had vanished, but because their leader sounded like he knew exactly what he was doing.

They got to work immediately.

"When Kakashi-sensei approaches, I'll strike first. Don't reveal yourselves until I give the signal."

"Got it!"

They each moved into camouflaged positions among the dense underbrush and trees, silent as shadows.

Back in the clearing, Kakashi turned the hourglass upside down. With his book still casually open in one hand, he strolled into the woods.

His footsteps were light, almost lazy, but every movement was deliberate. His eye scanned everything without pause, mind alert.

'Still... Garou's no ordinary Genin,' Kakashi thought.

'This is going to be interesting.'

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