The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rooftop where Team 7 had gathered. The breeze tugged at their headbands and rustled the edges of Kakashi Hatake's orange book, which now featured an unexpected addition—a greasy slice of pizza wedged between its pages.
Kakashi stared at the slice for a long moment. The team held their breath, waiting for his reaction.
Without missing a beat, Kakashi calmly pulled out the pizza slice, examined it as though it were a rare artifact, and took a bite.
The room fell silent.
After a thoughtful chew, Kakashi finally spoke, his voice as lazy as ever. "Hmm. Needs more basil."
Raven Kamizuki burst into laughter, doubling over at Kakashi's completely unfazed demeanor.
"I like you already, sensei," she said between chuckles. "But don't worry, the pranks to come? They're gonna be legendary."
Kakashi closed his book, pizza slice now tucked neatly into his pouch, and his lazy demeanor shifted. His visible eye narrowed slightly, signaling a change in tone.
"You've all passed the Academy," he said, his voice carrying a quiet authority that made the team straighten in their seats. "But don't get too comfortable. Real missions aren't like school."
Naruto's excitement dimmed slightly, but he kept his grin firmly in place.
"Tomorrow, we'll see if you're truly ready to be shinobi."
Kakashi pulled two small bells from his pocket, letting them dangle in the sunlight. They jingled softly, an ominous sound in the quiet rooftop air.
"This is the bell test. Your task is simple: take these bells from me. But here's the catch—there are only two bells. Which means… at least one of you will fail."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "That's not fair! What about me?!"
Sakura's eyes widened in alarm, her gaze flicking nervously to Sasuke Uchiha, who remained cool and indifferent, though his eyes sharpened with focus.
Raven, however, leaned back with a smirk, her mind already racing through strategies. So it's going to be like that, huh?
Kakashi continued, ignoring Naruto's outburst. "The one who doesn't get a bell will be sent back to the Academy. So… I'd suggest you take this seriously."
The team exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Kakashi's words settling over them.
Kakashi's eye crinkled in what might've been a smile—or a warning.
"Oh, and one more thing," he added. "Don't eat breakfast before the test. It'll just make you sluggish."
Naruto's face paled. "No breakfast?! That's torture!"
Raven groaned dramatically. "You're really pushing it, sensei. No pizza? This is cruel and unusual punishment."
Sakura blinked, unsure if they were joking or genuinely distraught over food. Sasuke rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with their antics.
But Kakashi simply waved, turning to leave. "See you bright and early at Training Ground 7."
As the team dispersed, Naruto and Raven lingered, walking side by side through the quiet streets of Konoha.
"So…" Naruto began, glancing at Raven. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That we need to prank Kakashi-sensei so hard he'll never know what hit him?" Raven replied without missing a beat.
Naruto's grin widened. "Exactly."
They spent the walk tossing ideas back and forth—filling Kakashi's sandals with ramen, sneaking pizza sauce into his water bottle, and even rigging exploding food traps.
But every time the conversation drifted towards pranking Sayuri, Naruto would visibly shudder.
"Seriously," he muttered. "Only other people can be pranked. Never Mom."
Raven just laughed, secretly proud of his survival instincts.
The next morning, Naruto sat at the kitchen table, staring longingly at a bowl of ramen. His stomach growled, but Kakashi's words echoed in his head.
"No breakfast…"
Across the room, Sayuri Arata watched him with an arched eyebrow.
"What's this?" she teased. "The mighty ramen warrior refusing his prize?"
Naruto groaned, resting his chin on the table. "Kakashi-sensei said no breakfast. It's part of the test."
Sayuri hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "No breakfast, huh? That's practically criminal." She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Maybe you should sneak a pizza slice in your pouch—fuel for the battle ahead."
Naruto snorted but secretly considered it before deciding against it. Even he knew better than to break the rules on his first day.
Meanwhile, at The Crusty Kunai, Raven lounged at the counter as her parents, Aiko and Hajime Kamizuki, prepared for the next day's rush.
"So, the test is today, huh?" Aiko said, sliding a freshly baked pizza onto the counter.
"Yup," Raven replied, stealing a slice. "Sensei's making us fight for some bells."
Hajime stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with faux wisdom. "Remember, Raven. Life is like a pizza. You've got to balance the sauce of strategy with the cheese of creativity."
Raven rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thanks, Dad. I'll be sure to throw some extra mozzarella into my plan."
That morning, Team 7 gathered at Training Ground 7, the air crisp and filled with anticipation. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the morning sun cast dappled shadows on the ground.
Naruto's stomach growled loudly, earning a snicker from Raven.
"Told you, ramen boy. Should've snuck that pizza slice like I did it can't miss my morning pizza constituanal.
Before Naruto could retort, a familiar voice drifted through the clearing.
"You're all early," Kakashi remarked, appearing out of nowhere, his book once again in hand. He flipped a page and paused, staring at a faint grease stain from the previous day's prank.
Without missing a beat, he tucked the book away and faced the team.
"Let's begin."
Kakashi pulled the two bells from his pocket, tying them to his belt with deliberate slowness.
"Your goal," he said, his voice cool and steady, "is to take these from me. Fail, and you're back at the Academy."
Naruto clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. Raven's grin widened, already plotting her first move. Sakura shifted nervously, glancing at Sasuke, who stood calm and focused.
Kakashi raised his hand.
"Begin."
In a flash, he vanished, leaving only a swirl of dust and the sound of jingling bells.
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