Naruto: I Am Uchiha Sasuke!?

Deep in the forest, Sasuke held his breath, sharpening his focus on his surroundings. Yet, everything remained eerily still—no disturbances, no movements.

"Tch, my training in the Moonlight Divine Forging Technique is still lacking," Sasuke thought, his brows furrowed.

Despite dedicating days to it, he had yet to fully master even the New Moon chapter. While his sensory abilities had improved, they remained crude, and his range was still too limited. A ninja of Kakashi's caliber could easily conceal his presence, far beyond what Sasuke's current level of perception could detect.

Still, he found solace in his progress. Just days ago, he had merely been a competent Genin. Now, his strength had surpassed many Chūnin, and he was improving at a steady pace.

Time passed, and soon, the sun hung high in the sky, signaling noon.

"Hmm? Something's moving..."

Sasuke's ears twitched as he caught the faint sound of rustling. Without hesitation, he advanced quietly.

"Ahhh! Damn it! Let me down!" Naruto's loud complaints filled the air.

Under a massive tree, Naruto dangled upside down, caught in a snare trap.

Sasuke smirked from his hiding spot. "Hah, just as I expected. That idiot walked straight into a trap."

As he observed, a single leaf fluttered down. Naruto's eyes trailed its descent, his expression turning dazed.

"Mmm... smells so good... Ichiraku ramen... so delicious..." Naruto mumbled, drooling as he spoke in a trance.

"Genjutsu?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

A short distance away, Sakura appeared, scanning the area cautiously. Sensing his approach, she tensed before relaxing upon recognizing him.

"Sasuke!"

"Naruto's under a genjutsu," he stated. "You handle dispelling it. I'll cover you."

Sakura nodded and swiftly formed a hand seal. A moment later, Naruto snapped out of his trance, blinking in confusion.

Before he could react, the distant ringing of an alarm clock echoed through the training ground. Kakashi suddenly appeared, arms crossed.

"Well, well. Sasuke, you might as well step out too."

The trio tensed, standing at the ready.

But instead of attacking, Kakashi pulled out a few lunchboxes. "It's lunchtime. Take a break."

Naruto's face lit up. "Finally! I'm starving!"

Kakashi, however, raised a hand. "Rules are rules. Naruto, since you failed earlier, you won't be eating. And that means Sasuke and Sakura, you two can't share with him either. Those who break the rules..."

"Will be sent back to the Academy," Sakura finished, sighing.

Naruto groaned loudly. "C'mon, that's cruel!"

Sakura eyed the lunchboxes. "Kakashi-sensei, you even prepared meals for us?"

"I bought them in town earlier," Kakashi replied casually. "Took a while."

Sakura choked on her food. "You... went to the village?! While we were searching for you?!"

Sasuke shot him an exasperated look. "So that's why we couldn't find you anywhere."

A short while later, Naruto sat against a log, stomach growling.

"Ugh, I'm dying here..."

Sasuke silently reached out, offering his lunchbox. "Here."

Sakura gasped. "Sasuke! But Kakashi-sensei said—"

"Doesn't matter. He's not around. Besides... he'll be more pleased if we do this."

Naruto hesitated. "But the mission—"

His stomach growled again. Loudly.

"Just take it," Sasuke muttered.

Naruto grinned. "Then... Sakura-chan, can you feed me? I can't move my hands."

Sakura twitched. "You wish!"

Bang!

Naruto yelped as Sakura punched him in the head.

A few meters away, hidden behind a tree, Kakashi observed them with a satisfied smile.

When he saw them nearly finished with their meals, he appeared in a blur.

"You guys..."

Naruto and Sakura froze, panic flashing across their faces.

"Oh no, he saw us—!"

Sasuke immediately stood, bracing himself.

But instead of reprimanding them, Kakashi's stern expression softened.

"You're all qualified."

A beat of silence.

"Eh?!"

Naruto and Sakura exchanged bewildered glances.

"But— Kakashi-sensei, you said breaking the rules—"

Kakashi crossed his arms. "Yes, rules are important. But in the real world, people matter more. A shinobi who abandons their comrades is worse than scum."

Sasuke's eyes darkened as the image of Itachi flickered in his mind.

"People who discard their bonds for the sake of rules... are just weaklings," he murmured.

Kakashi watched him carefully. "Sasuke, hatred can consume you. If you let it, you'll only spiral into darkness."

Sasuke's Sharingan gleamed for a split second before he spoke again, his voice steady.

"A true shinobi doesn't succumb to hatred. They control it."

Kakashi sighed. He had heard similar words before—words spoken by someone he once knew.

Naruto and Sakura, meanwhile, looked utterly lost.

"What are you two talking about?" Naruto asked, scratching his head.

"Nothing important," Kakashi dismissed. "Anyway, from today onward, Team 7 is officially formed. Congratulations."

"Really?!" Naruto beamed. "Does that mean we're getting missions now?"

"Starting tomorrow, you'll begin your duties as shinobi of Konoha. Work hard."

Kakashi pulled out a camera. "Before that, though, let's take a commemorative photo."

Click!

In the photograph, Sasuke stood stiffly on the left, looking reluctant. Naruto, on the right, was glaring at him playfully. Sakura stood between them, hands clasped excitedly. Meanwhile, Kakashi rested his hands on their heads, exuding a sense of resignation.

And thus, the journey of Team 7 officially began.