Kaguya?

Kaguya watched silently from the shadows, her Byakugan activated as she observed the scene unfold before her. Sasuke, the last one she thought might falter, was buried in the ground, his head the only visible part of his body. Sakura, too, had collapsed in a faint, screaming at the sight of him, and yet Kakashi remained calm, barely breaking a sweat as he surveyed the chaos.

Kaguya's lips tightened into a thin line as she considered the situation. Is that it? she thought, her eyes narrowing. They failed… just like that?

Her thoughts swirled, questioning everything she thought she knew about this test. This guy… Kakashi… he's more dangerous than Mizuki, she mused, watching as Kakashi effortlessly handled the situation. I can't let him get away with this.

Kaguya took a deep breath, a flicker of determination lighting in her chest. If they couldn't beat him, maybe I could.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she quietly dropped from her perch, landing softly on the ground with barely a sound. She was still unseen, still moving like a shadow. Her mind raced, calculating, anticipating. She could feel the pressure of the mission growing. One wrong move and I fail too.

She took another careful step forward, positioning herself in the trees, keeping her eyes locked on Kakashi. His back was turned as he appeared to be surveying the scene, a few steps away from Sasuke's trapped form and Sakura's fainted body. This is it.

In an instant, Kaguya moved. She flowed from the shadows like water, her body a blur of motion as she closed the distance between herself and Kakashi. Her hands moved in fluid, practiced motions—using the speed and precision of her taijutsu, she aimed a series of swift strikes at his body. She attacked with lightning-fast jabs, aiming for his ribs, his stomach, and his head, hoping to catch him off guard.

Her first strike aimed for his side, but Kakashi dodged with ease, stepping to the side in a fluid motion. She didn't stop—she kept pushing forward, using her speed to her advantage. A quick roundhouse kick aimed for his head, but Kakashi ducked, the blow missing by mere inches.

Kaguya gritted her teeth, frustration building. He's too quick. Too skilled.

Despite her best efforts, her blows landed only a few times, striking his shoulder and chest with a satisfying thud, but Kakashi remained largely untouched. Each time she thought she had him, he effortlessly countered, blocking, dodging, or redirecting her attacks with little more than a shift of his weight.

With a swift spin, Kakashi grabbed her wrist mid-strike, twisting her arm behind her back with a flick of his fingers. Kaguya's breath hitched, her body momentarily frozen in the hold.

"You're fast," Kakashi's voice came, calm and detached. "But not fast enough."

Kaguya's breath came a little heavier now, her mind quickly working to assess the situation. He's not invincible, she thought, and I can still make him falter. Her gaze flickered toward the bells at his waist, her target still clearly in sight. She wasn't going to give up just yet.

Behind her back, she formed a quick series of hand signs and then clapped her hands together. "Clone Jutsu!" she whispered, her chakra surging as several Kaguya clones materialized in a burst of smoke. The clones spread out across the area, hiding themselves in the trees and shadows, ready to execute their mission.

She stayed in place for a moment, eyes darting between Kakashi and the clones, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Kakashi, though calm and composed, seemed to have his guard up now. He watched her every move with cautious attention, his sharp gaze never leaving her.

Without warning, Kaguya moved again, throwing a quick punch aimed directly at Kakashi's face. His reflexes were immediate—he ducked under the blow with an ease that made her feel a flicker of irritation, and in the same fluid motion, he kicked at her feet. The force of the kick caused her to lose her balance, and she tumbled backwards, hitting the ground hard.

Damn it, she cursed under her breath, her body already rolling away to avoid a follow-up stomp aimed at her midsection. Her quick reflexes saved her once more, as she leaped to her feet, but the close call made her muscles ache.

She wasn't going to let this be the end, though. As she regained her footing, one of her clones—a perfect replica of herself—popped into view at the right moment. The clone intercepted a blow Kakashi had aimed at her, absorbing the hit that would've otherwise sent Kaguya flying. The clone dissolved into smoke as soon as the blow landed, but it had bought Kaguya enough time.

In that brief moment of confusion, Kaguya's other clone slipped past Kakashi's defenses, brushing its fingers lightly over the bells tied to his waist. It quickly evaporated in a puff of smoke, leaving Kakashi unaware of the brush against his goal.

Kaguya took the opening, charging at him with renewed speed. She aimed a flurry of punches at his midsection, each blow meant to keep him on the defensive. But Kakashi's movements were a blur—he dodged, blocked, and parried with such fluidity that it was as if he anticipated her every move.

"You're persistent," Kakashi said, his tone almost bored as he sidestepped her final punch, his hand coming up to block her strike and counter with a swift palm to her chest. Kaguya's breath left her in a sharp exhale as she stumbled back.

"You fight as if your a brawler, not a shinobi" Kakashi remarked "it may work against a few who are expecting a less brutal way of fighting but not against me" Kaguya's pulse quickened as the words registered. The chill of his voice sent a jolt through her spine, and before she could even react, the feeling of his presence behind her set her instincts ablaze. She whirled around, but the world seemed to blur in a moment of panic, her Byakugan still active but failing to predict his movements. How had he moved so fast without her noticing?

Her eyes scanned the space, but the distance was too short. Kakashi stood there, a mere breath away, his hand outstretched toward her. The gentle breeze around them seemed to vanish, leaving only the silence of the moment. His eyes, though visible beneath his forehead protector, held no malice. Instead, there was something more unnerving—complete, utter calm.

Before she could form a defensive stance, his hand was on her shoulder, pushing her down to the ground with ease. Her body slammed into the dirt, her momentum halting against the force of his restraint. A gasp escaped her, the wind knocked out of her, and she could barely process how it had happened.

"You fight like you're still stuck in a mindset of overwhelming power, not strategy," Kakashi continued, crouching beside her as she struggled to recover. "You may have speed and strength, but against an experienced opponent, you need more than that. You need to be unpredictable, clever."

Kaguya's chest heaved with frustration, her body still buzzing with adrenaline as she glared up at him. I should've seen it. Why didn't I see it? Her Byakugan was still active, yet she hadn't been able to track his movement fast enough

"I'll show you that there's more to me than just brawn," she said, voice steady but tinged with resolve.

Kakashi didn't respond at first, watching her closely, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. He could see her adapting, her mind sharpening. Not bad. Naruto.. Your learning.

Ring! And at that moment, the sound of the alarm began to ring throughout the training course. Dread filled Sasuke and Kaguya.

Kaguya's fist collided with the dirt, the force of her frustration sending a small cloud of dust into the air. Her breathing was heavy, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. This was it. The test... and we failed, she thought, the weight of it pressing down on her chest.

Sasuke, too, seemed to feel the sting of failure, though his response was less vocal. He stood a few paces away,just having climbed out from his hole, his expression unreadable, but Kaguya could sense the tension in his posture. His pride had been wounded, though he wouldn't admit it. Neither of them had passed the test.

Kakashi stood silently, observing them with his usual calm demeanor. He didn't seem to be upset—almost as if he'd expected this outcome. It was both aggravating and perplexing.

Kaguya's mind was racing. What did we miss? What could we have done differently? She had thrown everything she had at him—her best taijutsu, her clones, her Byakugan—and yet... it wasn't enough. She could feel the sting of not measuring up, but it wasn't the defeat itself that bothered her. It was the thought that she had been outmaneuvered.

Her fingers dug into the earth, her frustration mounting. "Damnit!" she repeated, her voice tense and low. The word felt like a release, but it didn't make the situation any better. They had failed. There was no changing that now.

Kakashi's eyes flicked to her, but he didn't move to comfort or scold. Instead, he merely gave a quiet, assessing look as he crossed his arms, letting the moment hang in the air.

"The timer doesn't lie," he said softly, his voice laced with an almost playful tone. "You were too focused on winning. You need to learn to work together, or this will keep happening. This wasn't just a test of strength or ability. It was a test of how you think, how you adapt, and whether or not you can work as a team." he said as he picked sakura up and promptly tied her up to a pole

Sasuke's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue. Kaguya, on the other hand, turned her gaze back to Kakashi, the words weighing heavily on her. Work together? 

…

Sakura groaned as her vision slowly cleared, the disorienting dizziness fading. Her eyes snapped open to find herself tied to a pole, her hands bound tightly. Her arms ached from the awkward angle, and the midday sun was harsh against her skin. She couldn't remember how she ended up in this position, but the unmistakable presence of Kakashi was nearby. His figure loomed, almost teasing in his usual aloofness.

"Ah, you're awake," Kakashi said, his voice almost cheerful, though his eyes remained serious. He watched her for a moment, as if amused by the sight, before continuing. "You'll have to excuse the inconvenience, but we're going to take a break now. It's lunchtime."

Sakura blinked at him, confused, trying to make sense of the situation. "W-what's going on?" she stammered, still groggy.

"Lunch time," Kakashi repeated casually, as if the situation wasn't bizarre. "But there's a catch. You won't be joining us for lunch. You're tied up, remember? And you can't eat."

Her stomach growled in protest at the thought of food being so close, but she couldn't bring herself to complain. Her face flushed with embarrassment and irritation. "Why am I tied up?" she muttered, trying to squirm against the ropes, but they held her firmly in place.

"I told you. This is part of the test," Kakashi said, now crouching down to meet her eye level. "You need to learn how to think and work with your team. Since you couldn't manage to help Sasuke earlier, you'll be missing out on this meal."

Sakura's eyes darted to Kaguya and Sasuke, who stood a few paces away, their faces unreadable. Sasuke seemed unaffected, as usual, his gaze distant, but Kaguya... Kaguya's expression was one of frustration mixed with confusion. She didn't seem angry at Sakura, but it was clear she had no idea what to make of the situation either.

"Hey!" Sakura said, desperation creeping into her voice. "Why are you doing this to me? I didn't—"

"Enough, Sakura," Kakashi interrupted. His tone wasn't harsh, but there was a firmness to it that silenced her protests. "You'll have one hour to think about your actions. I'm giving you the chance to learn from this, but only if you reflect on your mistakes. You need to understand how to work with your teammates."

Sakura glared at him, but there was nothing she could do. "What about them?" she asked, motioning toward Kaguya and Sasuke.

"They can eat. Just don't feed you, Sakura," Kakashi said with a nonchalant shrug. "No matter how much you beg, no one is allowed to help you. You're on your own for this one."

Kaguya and Sasuke exchanged glances, but neither said anything. Kaguya's lips tightened, but her eyes softened slightly as she looked at Sakura. She wasn't the type to gloat over someone else's misfortune, but this was different. This wasn't just a punishment—it was part of a lesson they all had to learn.

Kakashi took a few steps back, his arms crossing over his chest as he observed the group. "I'll return in one hour. Use this time wisely. There's still more to come." His voice trailed off as he disappeared into the trees, leaving the three of them alone with the weight of the moment.

Kaguya and Sasuke exchanged a brief glance, their silent understanding shared without a word. There was a brief, unspoken moment where they both considered the situation: Sakura was tied up, hungry, and probably at her most vulnerable. But neither of them truly wanted to leave her in this state, especially since Kakashi's words had drilled in the importance of teamwork. It was true, they would need her at her best to face whatever came next. Ignoring her now wouldn't help them win the test.

Kaguya let out a quiet sigh, her gaze softening as she walked over to Sakura. Sasuke, sensing the same, moved beside her, his expression unreadable as usual but his actions speaking louder than words.

"We're going to feed you," Kaguya said, crouching down next to Sakura with a quiet determination. She glanced at Sasuke, who nodded subtly before reaching into his pouch for a small ration pack. They'd need something quick and simple, but it would be enough.

Sakura blinked at her, clearly surprised. "But... Kakashi said—"

"To work together," Kaguya interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. "And that's what we're doing. We'll need you at full strength if we're going to make it through this. Kakashi's playing games with us, but he's not stupid. He's testing us in more ways than one."

Sasuke sat down across from them, tearing open the ration pack with one swift motion and tossing a small portion of food toward Sakura. She looked at it hesitantly, still unsure, but the hunger in her eyes was undeniable.

"Besides," Kaguya continued, her tone slightly quieter but no less serious, "he had us skip breakfast for a reason. He wants us to fight less hard. To hold back. But I'm not about to do that. If we're going to make it through this, we need to be at our best, all of us."

Sakura glanced from Kaguya to Sasuke, her expression softening as the realization dawned on her. They were... trying to help her. They were thinking of the bigger picture, not just the test.

"I didn't see Kakashi when I activated my Byakugan earlier," Kaguya added thoughtfully, her gaze scanning their surroundings. "If he's nearby, he's hiding. But I didn't feel his chakra at all. It's possible he's testing our ability to think on our own. Or... maybe he's watching from a distance, just seeing what we'll do when left to our own devices."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something passing across his face—acknowledgment, perhaps, or even slight respect. But it was quickly gone, replaced by his usual stoic expression.

Sakura looked up at them, finally taking the food with a grateful nod. "Thanks… both of you. I— I'll try harder next time. I won't let you down." 'so she's not some stuck up bitch' sakura thought her eyes lingering on Kaguya. This having been the most she heard from her yet.

Kakashi's sudden appearance made them all freeze for a moment, his voice sharp with disbelief. Kaguya, Sasuke, and Sakura all looked up at him, caught in the act of helping Sakura eat.

"What is this?!" Kakashi's eyes narrowed beneath his mask as he stepped forward, his gaze flicking from Kaguya to Sasuke and then to Sakura, still tied up but now eating. "I thought I told you not to feed her!"

Kaguya didn't flinch. Instead, she stood her ground, her Byakugan activated and her expression calm but resolute. "You told us to act as a team," she said, her voice steady. "That's exactly what we're doing."

Sasuke, who had remained mostly silent throughout the exchange, chimed in with a soft hum of agreement, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't seem concerned about Kakashi's reprimand. "She needs to be at full strength," he added, his tone flat but firm. "We can't afford to have her weak if we're supposed to be working together."

Sakura, who had been caught in the middle of the confrontation, nervously looked back and forth between Kaguya and Sasuke. She was still chewing slowly, unsure of how to respond to the tension in the air.

Kakashi's gaze softened slightly, but the disapproval in his voice was still clear. "You misunderstand," he said, his tone slightly more controlled now. "This test isn't just about being together physically. It's about trust, and understanding your limits. You can't just bend the rules whenever it's convenient. The challenge here is learning to make the right decisions, even when you don't have all the answers."

Kaguya tilted her head slightly, as if pondering his words. "And what was the right decision?" she asked, her voice cool but inquisitive. "You want us to be a team, but you don't let us help each other when it counts. If we let her starve, we wouldn't have been any closer to passing your test. We would've been too weak to fight at all."

Sasuke nodded again, clearly agreeing with Kaguya's point. He didn't want to argue with Kakashi, but there was a certain logic to Kaguya's words that made sense to him. "The point of teamwork is to make each other stronger. If we don't look out for each other, we'll never pass."

Kakashi's silence stretched for a moment, the words hanging in the air. It seemed as if he was weighing their responses. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing as he took a step back. "You're right, of course," he admitted, though his voice still had that hint of playfulness. "You all pass" he says raising his hands to his face with his one eye smiling at them.

"Huh?" Kaguya, Sasuke, and Sakura all blinked in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief as Kakashi's words registered.

"Wait, what?" Kaguya asked, her tone flat as she shot a glance at Sasuke, who seemed equally confused. "We pass?"

Sakura, still catching her breath, looked between the two of them before returning her gaze to Kakashi, her brows furrowing. "But… we didn't complete the test. We failed, didn't we?"

Kakashi's one visible eye sparkled with amusement, his trademark smirk playing on his lips. "You were tested in ways you didn't expect. It wasn't about the bells. It wasn't even about whether you fed her or not."

Kaguya tilted her head, trying to understand. "Then… What was the test?"

Kakashi led the group to the Memorial Stone, a silent and somber place that held the names of those who had sacrificed their lives for the village. It was a place that carried weight—a reminder of the cost of being a shinobi. The trio walked in silence, unsure of what to expect.

Once they reached the stone, Kakashi stopped, turning to face them. His expression had shifted, now serious and unwavering, a sharp contrast to his usual nonchalance.

"Untie Sakura," Kakashi ordered, his voice calm but firm. Sasuke, without a word, untied her, and she stood up, rubbing her wrists with a mix of relief and confusion.

As the group gathered around Kakashi, he placed a hand on the stone, staring at it for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice low and thoughtful.

"Those who break rules are scum," he said, his gaze never leaving the stone. "But those who abandon their teammates... are worse than scum."

The words hit harder than expected. Sakura flinched slightly, glancing at Sasuke and Kaguya, but neither of them said anything.

Kakashi turned to face them, his eye serious. "You can't succeed as a shinobi if you abandon your teammates. They are your foundation. Your strength. Without them, you are weak. Your actions, your decisions, have consequences. Not just for yourself, but for those who rely on you." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "There will come a time when you'll be tested again, when you'll have to choose between doing what's easy and doing what's right. And when that time comes, remember this moment. Don't ever forget that the bonds you share with your teammates are what will carry you through."

Sasuke, ever the skeptic, remained silent, but there was a flicker in his eyes. He didn't let it show, but something inside him shifted, something that might have been a reluctant acceptance.

Sakura, finally processing what Kakashi meant, looked up at the Memorial Stone. The names etched into it weren't just reminders of loss—they were also reminders of the sacrifices made by the village's shinobi, their comrades. And now, she understood that she couldn't afford to be selfish in a world that demanded so much of them.

Kakashi finally broke the silence, his voice soft but stern. "Remember this, all of you. It's easy to become a shinobi. But being a true shinobi takes heart. Never forget your teammates, because they are the ones who will help you succeed and keep you grounded when everything else seems impossible."

Kakashi's tone shifted back to his usual playful, carefree demeanor as he gave the group one last look. "Now that that's over, meet me at the Hokage's office tomorrow morning at noon. We begin our first missions as shinobi!"

There was an almost mischievous gleam in his eye as he said it, as if he were already anticipating their reactions. The weight of the training test, the serious words about teamwork, seemed to dissipate in the face of what was coming next. Kakashi turned on his heel and began walking back towards the village, his hands tucked casually in his pockets, his pace leisurely.

Sasuke stared after him, his jaw set, clearly not thrilled with the idea of another mission already. His mind seemed elsewhere, maybe still grappling with Kakashi's earlier lessons.

Sakura, however, was bouncing with energy at the thought of their first real mission. She glanced at Kaguya, her eyes bright. "Can you believe it? We're really going on missions now!" she said, her voice a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

With a small sigh, Kaguya walked past Sakura, the weight of her thoughts heavy but controlled. 'I am not ready for tomorrow'