This Ninja Is Obviously Not Strong but Really Hard to Kill

In the Land of Fire, inside the Leaf Village Theater.

Looking at the three students in front of him, Kakashi felt somewhat of a headache but also had a faint sense of expectation.

"So, let's start with a self-introduction."

"Self-introduction? What should we say?" Sakura asked eagerly, raising her hand, her gaze inadvertently drifting in a particular direction and her face turning red for no apparent reason.

"Just things like what your name is, what you like, what you dislike, your dreams for the future, and any interests you might have."

"Shouldn't the teacher give an example first?"

Kakashi sighed, already feeling a bit irritated.

Although he had left the Anbu for more than two years and had tried to become a team leader as per the Hokage's arrangement, he had not seen any students who caught his eye; almost every time the students assigned to him ended up being sent back to the Ninja Academy.

So, as of now, his experience as a team leader is virtually nonexistent.

However, after his gaze lingered on the other two for a moment, his intuition told him that the old ways probably wouldn't work anymore and that he would inevitably be dragged into a vortex of trouble by these two, unable to extricate himself.

"Jiraiya-sama gave me a tough problem..."

While sighing in his heart, Kakashi scratched his head and said, "My name is Hatake Kakashi. The things I like and dislike... I don't want to tell you."

"As for my dreams for the future... it's a secret."

"And as for hobbies, I have many, just like that."

In the end, only the name was known!!!

Sakura (ノ=Д=)ノ┻━┻

"Next, it's your turn. Who wants to go first?"

Before Kakashi could finish, Sakura eagerly raised her hand to go first.

"My name is... Haruno Sakura~ The person I like is... (Sasuke-kun!), and my hobby is... (cooking for Sasuke-kun), and my dream for the future is... (to become Sasuke-kun's wife~), ugh~ hate!"

Sakura was like a girl with a crush, muttering and sneaking glances at Sasuke, with the final answer only known to herself.

This made Kakashi break out in a cold sweat, thinking, "For girls of this age, compared to ninjutsu, love is indeed more important..."

"Alright, next."

Glancing at Naruto, who was silent next to him, Sasuke showed a helpless expression and spoke, "I am Uchiha Sasuke. There isn't much I particularly like. The person I admire the most is my brother Uchiha Itachi, who is also the person I dream of surpassing."

"There are many things I dislike. Among them, there's one person I despise the most. If I see him again, I will return all the things he did to me tenfold!"

Sasuke became somewhat clenched as he spoke, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memories.

Inside, Kakashi felt a stir, as if he understood something.

And Sakura continued to be smitten, gazing at Sasuke's face with dreamy eyes, "Sasuke looking angry is so handsome~!"

"Very well, the last one."

Lastly, there was only the always taciturn Naruto...

"Uzumaki Naruto, my favorite food is... Ichiraku Ramen."

At this, Naruto paused momentarily, seemingly recalling that man, and then continued, "What I dislike is... waiting."

"My hobbies are training and getting stronger." 

Regarding dreams... My once dream was to become a hero of Konoha and be recognized by everyone. But now, my dream is to become stronger than anyone else and then find that person, defeat them, and show them how much I've grown!"

Naruto spoke these words with an unyielding tone.

In this life, under the alternating guidance of Aoba and Jiraiya, Naruto was far from being the last from the beginning. By graduation, he had finished as a top student on par with Sasuke.

So even though his charm with women wasn't great, in terms of strength alone, he was worlds apart compared to his peers in the original story!

"I see. This kid's growth process is fascinating. But why did Lord Jiraiya want me to become Naruto's teacher?" 

Kakashi had looked into the three of them, Naruto's team, in detail early on.

Regarding Naruto's uniqueness, Jiraiya also gave him a heads-up beforehand.

And he knew that for over these three years, aside from Naruto's time at the ninja academy, almost all of his remaining time was under the direct guidance of Lord Jiraiya.

He thought that after Naruto graduated, he would continue to learn under Lord Jiraiya, but he didn't expect to end up as his student instead.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Lord Jiraiya is so busy every day has complained countless times and even wanted to pass on the position of Hokage to Tsunade. Still, it has yet to work out, so how could he have so much time to continue teaching Naruto?

But then again, everything that needed to be taught was already covered in three years.

The rest is up to Naruto himself to work hard and practice.

As for the person Naruto "never forgets," Kakashi knows who it is.

But that name is taboo; unless necessary, no one would bring it up willingly.

It's a scar in the hearts of Konoha's people, also fragmenting the fire of will passed down through generations.

*Sigh* 

Even now, nobody knows if 'that person' is dead or alive and why they did what they did at the Hokage inauguration ceremony.

Was it a last resort or premeditated?

The truth might only be revealed when 'that person' appears again.

But is that answer really what they want?

Kakashi shook his head, not letting himself think about it anymore, "Now that the self-introductions are done, next is... the survival exercise!"

"Survival... exercise?"

"Yes, but not just any exercise. Among the 27 graduates this time, only nine are truly qualified to become Genin. That means the remaining 18 will return to the academy to continue their studies. This will be an elimination rate of over 66% in a challenging test!"

Sasuke and Naruto were indifferent because such a test was meaningless to them.

If the two of them could pass the test, all of the graduates this year could pass.

They have this confidence and assurance!

On the other hand, Sakura was somewhat anxiously questioning, "Then why hold a graduation exam? There's no point in it!"

"That's merely an initial selection to screen those qualified to become Genin. And don't think just because you did well in your graduation exams, and you can let your guard down and look down upon it. That would show you're too naive."