Naruto is indeed much stronger, and time has advanced a lot.
But it was still too young after all, and in the final collision between the Rasengan and Chidori, Naruto lost miserably.
If Kakashi hadn't saved him from the explosion in time, Naruto might have been seriously injured.
But Naruto does deserve a rating of honor despite defeat!
It is simply a fantasy that a newly graduated genin wants to defeat a jounin, even if he is a strong jounin like Kakashi.
Maybe only the 'tenant' inside Naruto can help him do this.
But with Naruto's growth rate, being a jounin really can't be considered his goal.
The premise is that there is enough time and necessary training!
As for some people's legendary lives, they are simply miracles that cannot be replicated.
After Naruto was defeated, facing Kakashi who was no longer showing off, Sasuke and Sakura couldn't hold on for even a minute before they were all knocked to the ground and tied to a tree together with Naruto.
"Unfortunately, regarding the results of this exercise, I don't think there is any need for you to return to the ninja school."
The three of them were startled at the same time. Does this mean they passed the test?
But why do you start with 'I'm sorry'...
Then they heard Kakashi say with a cold look: "Because you are not worthy of becoming a ninja at all, so forget it!"
"What does it mean to be unworthy of being a ninja?" Sakura, who was shocked, asked tremblingly.
"Even if we failed to grab the bell, we wouldn't say such harsh words. To say that we are not worthy of being ninjas is really too much."
Although Naruto and Sasuke didn't speak, their expressions were extremely ugly, waiting for Kakashi to give them a 'reasonable' explanation.
"In my opinion, you three are just brats who are not qualified to be ninjas."
"Are you... looking down on ninjas?"
"Why do you think we need to conduct drills in separate classes? Do you really understand the true meaning of this test?"
Sakura and the other three were immediately stunned!
The...real meaning of testing?
"Do you even know what a threesome means?"
"Is it... teamwork?" Sakura bit her lip and said with a complicated expression.
"That's right, but it's too late to notice now. If the three of you go up together, you might really be able to grab the bell."
"But how did you do it?"
"Naruto is fighting alone, while the other two are standing aside and watching the show. When Sakura wants to help, Naruto doesn't pay attention at all."
"It is true that ninjas require outstanding individual talents. But teamwork needs to be valued more!"
"A lone ranger who undermines teamwork will only put his companions in danger, or even lose their lives!"
"Just like now, the mission that the three of us could complete by working together failed because of the arrogance of some people and the indifference of some people. If I were the real enemy, you three would have already
died!"
Every word Kakashi said was like a sledgehammer, hitting Naruto's heart hard, making him turn pale.
Although Kakashi didn't name who he was talking about throughout the whole process, it was obvious that he was the lone ranger Kakashi said was arrogant and undermined teamwork, causing the mission to fail and hurting his companions!
Among the three, he is the most popular one, but he is also the one least worthy of becoming a ninja.
This undoubtedly hit Naruto hard!
And Kakashi is indeed right, if the three of them can cooperate from the beginning, they may not have a chance to steal the bell.
"If your companions were taken hostage and you were forced to make a choice, what would you do?" Kakashi asked again.
Another unanswerable question.
Sakura and Sasuke both bowed their heads in silence, but Naruto was thinking about this issue seriously, because he had always suspected that 'that person' was forced to do that kind of thing.
So is it possible that someone is using a so-called 'hostage' to force 'that person' to make a choice?
‘That person’ has already given his answer.
So what is his answer?
If someone forced him to make a choice between 'that person' and the village, what would he choose?
For some reason, Naruto suddenly felt as if he had experienced the state of mind of 'that person' when he made that choice.
If these speculations he had made were true, then he would have to find 'that person' and ask him clearly in person!
But just when all three of them were silent and no longer had any hope, Kakashi suddenly changed the subject and said: "Since you can't answer this question, then tell me the answer with practical actions."
"Although in my opinion, none of the three of you are worthy of becoming a ninja, but now I can give you a chance, and the choice... will be left to Naruto."
Kakashi suddenly untied the bell and placed it on Naruto's head, and then said: "Now you control the fate of the three of you. If you choose to keep the bell for yourself, then I will untie you and agree.
You passed the test. But at the same price, the other two will be sent back to the ninja school for retraining."
"And the second option is that you give up the bell, Sasuke and Sakura pass the test, and you go back to the ninja school alone to start over."
"How you choose is entirely up to you."
"So now, tell me, what is your choice?"
Sasuke and Sakura couldn't help but look over, and Sasuke looked even more ugly. He never thought that one day his fate would be in Naruto's hands.
But neither he nor Sakura said a word.
Just like Kakashi said, the only one who has the right to choose is Naruto himself.
Naruto was completely sluggish at this time, and describing his mood at this time as confused was definitely not an exaggeration.
Should you choose yourself or your companions?
This is just like whether to choose to survive on your own or to let your companions survive during a mission!
Of course Naruto doesn't want to go back to the ninja school to waste time, but Sasuke...and Sakura...can he really be so selfish?
Then he couldn't help but subconsciously put himself into the behavior pattern of 'that person' to think.
If it were ‘that person’, how would you choose?
Then one incident after another about 'that person' began to automatically replay in Naruto's head.
Faced with the pursuit of many Kumogakure ninjas, 'that person' chose to distract the enemy alone and give his companions a chance to survive.
On the battlefield, facing the enemy's siege, even if you are in a desperate situation, you will never abandon any of your companions, even if you almost die as a result!
...
As what 'that person' said to him was replayed, Naruto couldn't help but reveal a tearful smile on his face. It turned out that 'that person' had already told him the 'answer' to this choice!