You didn't really think Naruto was in any danger, so you went for the bells. As your kunai supply was completely depleted, you had no choice but to utilize shuriken instead. Leaping off the tree branch, you tossed a flurry of the star-shaped discs at Kakashi's form.

-:-

He heard, saw, and felt you coming all at the same time. Kakashi had done that bell-flicking stunt on purpose, solely to test your regard for Naruto's well-being. If you had loyally continued to work with him, he would have reconsidered his preconceived notions. However, it was clear to him now that he needed to address his concerns about your independence as well as that Uchiha kid's. Come to think of it, he supposed yours was more urgent.

Catching all seven of your shuriken in one hand, Kakashi utilized the body flicker technique to sneak up behind you without you noticing. Much to his displeasure, this move reminded him of Minato-sensei, further reinforcing your resemblance to Kakashi's younger self.

Stifling a groan at his revelation, he prodded you in the back just as you alighted on the ground, whipping your head from side to side in alarm. You jumped violently, and found yourself face-to-face with your sensei.

"Kakashi-sensei…?!" you squeaked, your hand flying to your hip pouch. You had run out of kunai, and now even your shuriken supply was down. Now, all you could rely on was your meagre arsenal of jutsu. You prepared yourself to perform the body replacement.

The alarm suddenly rang, startling both you and your sensei.

"I guess that's it," Kakashi mused, tucking your shuriken into his own pouch. "Time does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it?"

"I-I'm not…" you spluttered, flabbergasted. Kakashi smiled cynically under his mask, but you didn't catch it.

-:-

"Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. You all pass."

You were tied to the log, feeling absolutely miserable. You knew what was coming next. Suddenly you felt woozy.

Read Chapter 23, the return to this page.

"[Name], you fail."

"But sensei…!" Naruto protested indignantly, giving you a concerned glance. "That's not fair!"

Kakashi ignored him and your recent fainting episode. "The rest of the team will start a joint mission tomorrow with Team 8. And [Name], you have one more chance. You will partake in some training…with me."

You stared at him, your mouth agape. His verdict was so unexpected, you felt a flicker of doubt. "But after I'm done training, you'll send me back to the Academy, right?"

"That depends," Kakashi shrugged his shoulders apathetically. "This mission was a training exercise after all. You'll just be embarking on a second, more difficult training exercise. The rest of the team, you're dismissed. [Name], stay here for a moment."

You wanted to tell him that you couldn't go anywhere anyways, seeing as you were tied to the log. But you kept your mouth tightly shut as Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke left the training grounds. Kakashi waited for their chakra presence to be completely out of earshot. Then he cleared his throat.

"By observing your actions, I've concluded…"

You held your breath, waiting in trepidation.

"…well, there's only one way to find out if I'm right, isn't there?"

You were confused. Kakashi handed you a slip of paper, which you took hesitantly.

"Pinch it between your fingers and imbue it with a small amount of your chakra," he instructed. You did as he asked, and to your amazement, the paper began to wrinkle before your eyes.

"Just as I assumed," Kakashi said, groaning inwardly.

"Whoa, that's so cool!" you exclaimed, looking at the crumpled paper in awe. "Why did it do that?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's nothing special. The paper is made from trees that have been fed with chakra, so it can react easily with yours. This wrinkling demonstrates that you're lightning-natured."

"What are you then, sensei?" you asked curiously, sensing his disapproval. What could be so bad about being lightning-natured?

In response, Kakashi pulled out another piece of paper and held it up for you to see. Prominent creases formed on the smooth surface, much like the one in your hand.

"So…so then…" You gazed at the wrinkled paper, open-mouthed.

"That's why," he said, sounding weary. "I will be teaching you. You'll be learning Lightning Release nature transformation, and perhaps technique of my invention that I call, the Chidori."

"And then you'll pass me?" you asked meekly.

"That depends."

You gave him a questioning look.

"You'll have to perfect this jutsu, and I promise you – it won't be easy."

"Got it sensei!" you saluted. "And um…can you untie me now?"

Kakashi gave you an amused glance. Then he pulled a kunai out of his sleeve and handed it to you.

"Thanks…"

Go to Chapter 70.