The exam room had long since emptied, leaving behind the lingering tension of Anko's dramatic announcement. The Forest of Death awaited them tomorrow, but for now, Naruto was on his way home, bubbling with excitement.
"Hinata, let's go," he said, giving her hand a small squeeze.
Hinata nodded, her face a bit pink as they walked through the dimly lit streets of Konoha. After saying their goodbyes, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura made their way to Kakashi's place.
Naruto Discovers Kakashi's Hidden Talent
Naruto blinked as they arrived.
"Wait… this is where Kakashi-sensei lives?"
Instead of some cool, high-tech ninja compound, it was a simple wooden cabin at the edge of the village. Two large trees swayed gently in the yard, surrounded by a wooden fence. It was peaceful—almost too peaceful for someone as unpredictable as Kakashi.
"Man, I thought he'd live somewhere cooler," Naruto muttered.
Sasuke shrugged. "He's a weird guy."
Sakura knocked on the door.
A few moments later, Kakashi opened it, dressed in casual clothes, still holding his ever-present copy of Icha Icha Paradise.
Naruto's eye twitched. "Sensei… do you ever put that thing down?"
Kakashi flipped a page lazily. "Not if I can help it."
They didn't even need to explain why they came. Kakashi tilted his head slightly.
"I assume you want last-minute advice before tomorrow?"
Naruto grinned. "Yup!"
Kakashi chuckled. "Sorry, can't help you. It's a survival test, after all."
Naruto deflated instantly. "C'mon, at least give us something!"
"Hmm… how about dinner?"
To everyone's shock, Kakashi headed to the kitchen and started cooking.
And when the food arrived…
Naruto froze.
Sasuke, usually composed, actually looked mildly impressed.
Sakura nearly dropped her chopsticks.
"Kakashi-sensei… what the hell?" Naruto stared at the perfectly arranged plates of food. "Where was this skill when we were eating dry rations in the forest?!"
Kakashi, flipping a page in his book, responded casually. "Oh? Did I never mention I'm a great cook?"
"NO. YOU DIDN'T."
Sasuke and Sakura just sighed.
The food was, frankly, amazing. Naruto had to stop himself from inhaling it all in one go.
After a great meal, they said their goodbyes and headed home.
Naruto's Lucky Draw (Unlucky, Mostly)
Back in his room, Naruto flopped onto his bed and pulled up his system panel.
"Alright, let's see what I got today—"
His eyes widened.
[Anger Points: 2168]
"HOLY CRAP, THAT'S A LOT!"
He grinned. Time to roll.
[Anger Value -100]
[Congratulations! You obtained the Water Chakra Attribute!]
A blue light surrounded him, sinking into his body. His chakra felt… smoother? More fluid?
"Heck yeah! I can use Water Release now!"
Eagerly, he rolled again.
[Anger Value -100]
[Congratulations! You obtained the Lightning Chakra Attribute!]
This time, silver electricity crackled over his body.
"OH, THIS IS GONNA BE FUN!"
A tiny spark jumped off his hand and zapped a mosquito out of the air.
Naruto gasped. "I HAVE ALL FIVE CHAKRA NATURES NOW!"
His inner voice cackled. "HAHA! I'M A NATURAL PROTAGONIST, BABY!"
Feeling unstoppable, he rolled again.
[Anger Value -100]
[Congratulations! You obtained an A-rank Lightning Jutsu: Thunder Dragon!]
Naruto grinned.
"A DRAGON?! Oh, this is gonna be SICK!"
He was on a roll! This luck was unreal!
Time for another one!
[Anger Value -100]
[Congratulations! You obtained… a single wooden toothpick.]
Naruto blinked.
He picked up the tiny glowing stick that appeared in his hand.
"…No. No, no, no. This HAS to be a mistake."
He checked the description.
"A regular toothpick. Can be used to remove food stuck in teeth."
"…I swear to god."
Somewhere in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sneezed.
Naruto FLUNG the toothpick out the window.
A passing villager picked it up. "…Aw, sweet! Free toothpick!"
Naruto, still fuming, rolled again.
[Anger Value -100]
[HAHAHAHA! NO PRIZE FOR YOU!]
Naruto blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
He rolled again.
[Anger Value -100]
[OHHH, SO CLOSE! JUST KIDDING! NO PRIZE, LOSER!]
His eye twitched.
"Did… did this thing just call me a loser?"
He slammed the button again.
[Anger Value -100]
[LOL! ANOTHER FAIL! LET'S SEE HOW LONG YOU LAST!]
"…I WILL DESTROY YOU."
Another roll.
[Anger Value -100]
[WOW! SUCH BAD LUCK! HERE, HAVE A WHOLE LOTTA NOTHING.]
His hands shook with rage.
"Okay, I swear, if I don't get something on this next roll—"
[Anger Value -100]
[PFFT—BWAHAHA! NO PRIZE! BRO, THIS IS JUST SAD NOW.]
"…I am going to uninstall you."
The system wasn't done.
[Anger Value -100]
[WHOO, THIS IS ENTERTAINING! DO IT AGAIN!]
Naruto rolled again.
[Anger Value -100]
[DING DING DING—OH WAIT, FALSE ALARM! HAHAHA!]
His fists clenched.
"You're lucky I can't punch a screen."
One more roll.
[Anger Value -100]
[ALRIGHT, FINE. YOU WIN. HERE'S A PRIZE…]
Naruto held his breath.
A single grain of rice appeared.
The system paused.
Then, in the smuggest tone ever:
[ENJOY YOUR MEAL! BWAHAHAHA!]
Naruto sat in silence.
The rice sat in his hand.
"…I'm going to bed."
He flicked the rice out the window.
It bonked a bird.
The bird panicked and crashed into a random villager.
"WHO THE HELL JUST HIT ME WITH A BIRD?!"
Naruto ignored it and pulled his blanket over his head.
Somewhere in his mind, the system was still laughing.
And with that, he slept peacefully… plotting his revenge.
(End of Chapter.)