"At the same time," Tsunade continued with a smirk, "I've arranged an opponent for the two of you."
She folded her hands beneath her chin.
"For this reason, I even pulled this person off missions for the past few days."
As soon as Tsunade said that, Naruto already had a good idea of who their test opponent would be. He remembered this moment from the original timeline, and his guess wasn't far off.
Still, he didn't speak. He simply smiled to himself and waited.
Sakura looked puzzled. "Tsunade-sama, you didn't mention anything about a test partner before…"
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office opened with a creak.
Two figures entered. One was the ever-lazy Nara Shikamaru, hands shoved in his pockets, and the other was Temari of the Hidden Sand, her giant iron fan strapped across her back.
"Naruto, you're back," Shikamaru said immediately, recognizing him at a glance. "Man, you've changed a lot."
Temari raised a brow. "So this is the idiot from the Chūnin Exams?"
She crossed her arms and looked Naruto over critically. "Can't believe I almost didn't recognize you. You've grown."
It wasn't sarcasm—Naruto's transformation was so drastic, even someone like Temari, who prided herself on observation, was momentarily taken aback.
Naruto chuckled. "Of course. I'm not the same kid you saw back then."
He turned his attention momentarily to Shikamaru. For a second, he thought Shikamaru might be their sparring opponent—but no. That wouldn't make sense. He knew who was waiting for them.
He'd only been gone for two and a half years, yet his demeanor, posture, and voice had changed enough to throw even familiar faces off. Only Jiraiya had noticed early on and adjusted to the shift. Everyone else still expected the old Naruto.
Tsunade tapped her fingers on the table, then gestured out the large window overlooking the training field below.
"Your real opponent is out there," she said. "Go take a look."
Naruto stepped to the window, eyes narrowing.
In the courtyard stood a silver-haired man squatting beside a tree, holding a small orange book.
Hatake Kakashi.
Kakashi tucked away his worn copy of Icha Icha Tactics and looked up with a single eye visible over his mask.
"Yo," he greeted casually. "Naruto, long time no see. I'm glad to see you've grown."
He had been quietly observing Naruto inside the office through the glass. Even without activating his dōjutsu, he could sense the shift in Naruto's chakra and bearing.
Naruto responded naturally, his tone polite but steady. "I'm happy to see you too, Kakashi-sensei."
This persona was fully integrated now. No slip-ups, no inconsistencies. He was Naruto, both the boy and something more.
Everyone exchanged greetings in the office before parting ways. Temari had arrived in Konoha to help facilitate the upcoming Chūnin Exams—set to include genin from multiple nations. But for now, she and Shikamaru excused themselves, leaving the others to their test.
By midday, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto gathered at Training Ground Three—the same location where Team 7 had their very first mission briefing.
Tsunade and Jiraiya observed from a shaded perch on a nearby hill.
"So, Jiraiya," Tsunade asked, arms folded, "how strong is Naruto really? I can tell he's different, but I want your opinion."
Jiraiya smiled knowingly, leaning against a tree. "Just watch. You'll see for yourself."
To be honest, even he still found Naruto's growth startling. In just half a year, Naruto had not only learned Sage Mode, but achieved perfect synchronization with natural energy—something Jiraiya himself had never mastered.
Compared to his own partial Sage Mode, Naruto's was refined, efficient, and devastating.
Naruto's core strength now lay in Sage Mode. He no longer relied heavily on the Nine-Tails' chakra for power. In fact, with the inner harmony he had begun developing with Kurama, there were fewer situations where he needed the fox's chakra at all.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "You're being cryptic again."
Jiraiya only laughed.
Meanwhile, on the field, Kakashi knew better than to underestimate them. These were no longer the reckless genin he'd tested with bells three years ago. Both had been trained by Sannin—Naruto by himself, and Sakura by Tsunade. Their growth would be exponential.
He reached up, lifted his forehead protector, and revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan.
Naruto noticed immediately.
Of course he would take this seriously.
Inwardly, Naruto reflected. Kakashi doesn't know I can sense chakra flows down to a pinpoint now. He doesn't know about Sage Mode. And he definitely doesn't know I'm aware of what comes after the Sharingan…
He grinned inwardly. The Rinnegan was already on his distant horizon. But that secret was still buried for now.
"All right," Kakashi said, voice sharp and ready. "Naruto, Sakura… let's see what you've got."
Naruto turned to Sakura. "Wanna go first, or should I?"
Sakura gave him a sidelong look. This calm, measured Naruto still threw her off. But it was a good kind of surprise.
"I'll go first," she said confidently. "Kakashi-sensei, don't go easy on me!"
Kakashi blinked. "Are my students really warning me now?"
Sakura shot forward with explosive speed, chakra focused into her legs. In a single leap, she launched herself at Kakashi, her right fist cocked back.
"Take this!"
Kakashi's Sharingan tracked every movement. He dodged her fist easily—at least, he thought he did.
BOOM!
The ground where Sakura struck exploded like a crater hit by a meteor. Stone shattered and dust flew upward in waves.
Kakashi's eyes widened. "Wh-what the hell…?!"
He leapt backward instantly, putting several meters between them.
"That's Tsunade's monster strength," Jiraiya said, impressed. "She taught that one well."
Tsunade smirked. "Sakura's improved more than people think."
Kakashi quickly reassessed the situation. That punch could have hospitalized him if it landed. No more games.
He glanced briefly at Naruto, who still hadn't moved. Calm, patient, waiting.
That was not the Naruto he remembered.
Back then, Naruto would've charged in yelling, acting without thinking. But now, there was strategy in his silence.
Kakashi narrowed his eye. This test… won't be easy.