Naruto :Uchiha's Reincarnation

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"Haruto, Nami, Ryo."

At training ground 14, a blue-haired, handsome man leaning against a large tree waved to Haruto and the others, who were fully equipped. This man was Kato Dan.

Today, Haruto brought a wakizashi, purchased with the hundred thousand taels that Fugaku had funded a few days prior. The wakizashi was chosen because it was less expensive than a standard katana and had a shorter blade, better suited to Haruto's current build.

After several days of practice, guided by Uchiha Retsu, Haruto had barely mastered the first part of the Uchiha-style swordsmanship. According to Retsu, the entire first chapter of the style served as a foundation for the advanced techniques that followed. If perfected, the Uchiha-style swordsmanship could create one of the strongest ninjas in the world. Yet, most Uchiha preferred to focus on enhancing their Sharingan rather than polishing their sword skills.

"Teacher Kato! What's the requirement for today's exercise? Tetsumaru and I are ready!" Ryo Inuzuka was eager to display his skills, while the small dog Tetsumaru barked happily at his feet.

"The objective of today's exercise is this." Kato Dan raised his hand, revealing two small bells dangling from his fingers.

It's really the bell-grabbing test, Haruto thought. This is an old tradition in Konoha, first used by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to teach teamwork and cooperation. It was later passed down to Minato by Jiraiya, and then to Kakashi, who would teach it to Naruto and his team. This method had become popular among the jonin leading new genin teams, as it effectively assessed their abilities and attitudes.

Haruto guessed that at the same time, other teams, like Jouta's, were probably undergoing similar tests.

"The goal of this exercise is to take these two bells from me. Only those who manage to get one are considered qualified." Kato Dan's bright smile took on a mischievous edge.

"So, only two of us can pass," Nami Aburame observed as she adjusted her sunglasses.

Kato Dan smiled and nodded. "Exactly, Nami. Now, you can start. Although your sneak attack skills are excellent, they won't be enough against a jonin." As he spoke, he dodged a sudden assault from a shadowy swarm of insects that Nami had sent his way.

"Alright, if we've begun, then Tetsumaru and I..." Ryo began, but Haruto stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Sensei Kato is a jonin. If we don't use the right strategy and attack directly, we won't stand a chance. It's better to avoid exposing our abilities before we know more about him."

Ryo scratched his head, realizing Haruto's logic. "That makes sense, I guess."

"Oh? So you won't even try testing me? But remember, I know a lot about you from your graduation exams. How do you plan to tackle this?" Kato Dan asked with a smile.

"Kato-sensei," Haruto met Kato Dan's blue eyes, "an elder in my clan taught me that testing is part of any good strategy. And knowing that the enemy knows some of your information can be just as valuable."

Haruto recalled some advice that Uchiha Retsu had shared while reminiscing about his younger days. The words weren't exactly the same, but the meaning matched. Haruto wasn't just making things up.

"Seems like you've learned from a wise elder, Haruto. But how long will you need to plan? Fine, I'll give you an hour while I take a nap." Kato Dan casually walked away, giving the team some space.

Haruto quickly gathered Ryo and Nami in a secluded spot to discuss their strategy.

"Let's share what we know first," suggested Nami, surprising them with her proactive approach. She wasn't usually so talkative.

Ryo, who had been playing with Tetsumaru, looked a bit lost. He hadn't considered gathering intel before attacking.

"Sensei Dan has a strong reputation in the village. My father says he's one of the few jonin second only to Konoha's White Fang. He has completed 22 S-rank missions, 103 A-rank missions, and 211 B-rank missions. Judging from his mission record, it's clear that Sensei Dan is a formidable opponent. Taking a bell from him won't be easy," Nami shared.

Haruto nodded in agreement. "That aligns with what I've heard too. It's said that Sensei Dan has knowledge of some forbidden techniques, though he likely won't use those on us. The fact that he's even testing us like this means he's giving us a chance to pass."

"Now, let's each talk about our abilities so we can come up with a strategy," Haruto suggested, looking between Ryo and Nami.

He knew that the true purpose of the bell test was to gauge their understanding of teamwork. And since Hatake Sakumo's downfall hadn't yet occurred, this test hadn't evolved to emphasize the importance of comrades.

Understanding Kato Dan's intentions, Haruto was confident he could guide the team through the challenge—assuming his teammates didn't go rogue. Fortunately, Nami was reserved but practical, and Ryo, though boisterous, had been well-trained and wasn't reckless like Naruto.

Had they been like Team 7 or Minato's group with their clashing personalities, coordinating for this task would've been much tougher. And in wartime, survival on the battlefield required more than just strong wills and individual skill.

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