-At the Hokage Tower.

Kakashi had swiftly went to report to the hokage. He knocked on the hokage's office door a couple of times. As soon as he heard the magic words, he entered the office, bowed and addressed the hokage.

"Hokage-same," Kakashi respectfully said. While Kakashi was notoriously well known to be laid back, a pervert, have crap time keeping skills; he knows when he needed to act professional and respectful when the time calls for it. The hokage acknowledged Kakashi's arrival with a nod and deftly urged Kakashi to make his report.

"How are they?" the hokage asked straight to the point, cutting all pleasantries with his former ANBU head.

"They are different than what was stated in the academy report, particularly Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto, as he had dropped his mask as Sandaime-sama deduced, but also Sasuke. Sakura is exactly as the report says, but she us a typical fan girl of the Uchiha albeit there were efforts tuning it down," Kakashi surmised. The hokage hummed in thought.

"The survival training will be the perfect ground to test them and learn their real selves then. But Sasuke as well? It is good that the Haruno makes effort to change herself though. She is deemed the top kunoichi of the year so if she takes her position as a ninja seriously then she will also have bountiful of potential," Hiruzen had a thoughtful look.

"I had the same reaction as well, Hokage-sama. Sasuke, while he remained emo in nature, he did not seem to have any intention at all to avenge his clan. In fact, from his introduction, he seemed to value those close to him, particularly Naruto as everything he does from hobbies, training and even his dream is related to Naruto," Kakashi continued.

"They're good friends? They were seen like oil and water in the academy," the hokage raised his eyebrow questioningly.

"That seems to be the case, Sandaime-sama. Sasuke did not seemed bothered by Naruto's change in demeanor. This could only mean that he knew that Naruto was wearing a mask and perhaps even cooperated. Sakura did not seemed bothered as well. Maybe they had talked about it and clarified things," Kakashi deduced.

"But, there have not been any indication of when, where and how Naruto and Sasuke had become friends," Kakashi continued, troubled by this fact.

"Perhaps we missed them. It is likely that these two purposely acted like oil and water to mask themselves, deceiving others. But the question here is, why?" the hokage pondered.

"I will try to find out later during the test," Kakashi offered.

"Please do," the hokage nodded in approval.

"Hmmm..., Shikamaru...Naruto...and finally Sasuke...is there some kind of connection?" the hokage couldn't help but come to this conclusion. However, up until Mizuki's case, Shikamaru had never been together with Naruto, much less Naruto with Sasuke. Exactly when did the prodigy last Uchiha met Naruto in the past 12 years and become friends? Seeing how close they are from the report, I can only assume that Naruto is responsible for Sasuke's changes. How else would Sasuke suddenly change his demeanour and intentions in regards to avenging his clan? And seeing how much importance Sasuke placed Naruto in his heart, Naruto definitely played a big part in Sasuke's life. But what?" the hokage ponders silently after he dismissed Kakashi for the day.

-Next day, training ground 7; 7:30 AM

Three Genins can be seen around 3 stumps of wood waiting for a certain silver-haired Jounin. One is an Uchiha, donning calve black pants with bandages covering from his calves down to his ankles, black shinobi sandals, grey tops with his left arm fully bandaged, black arm warmers on his right hand. He had bandages and a kunai pouch strapped to his left thigh and a weapons pouch on his waist. The raven haired genin also had a katana strapped to his waist...Kusanagi. He stood by the middle stump protectively beside a sun kissed blonde boy who is a tad bit shorter than him. The blonde donned his full ninja gear as yesterday though his sword is unsheathed within his hands as he sharpen it. A pink haired kunoichi stood not far from them, slightly nervous as she glance back and forth towards her teammates.

"Kakashi-sensei is late...," Sakura said worriedly. Not for herself or teammates, but worried for their silver-haired sensei. Naruto was not joking yesterday in his warnings about being late. She can already vaguely sense the dark aura surrounding the blonde. All she could think was that she is glad that she is not the one on the receiving end of such an aura.

"Let's not wait around pointlessly here. He won't show up anytime soon anyways. Sasuke!" Naruto called out. Sasuke, out of habit immediately kneeled in front of his hokage, awaiting his orders. This caused Sakura to stare in shock at Sasuke's actions.

"Laid out the traps as we planned yesterday. Sakura, help Sasuke. In the meantime, I will personally set up a trap for when Kakashi gets here," Naruto said darkly with a sadistic grin on his face, his bangs shadowing his face as his eyes glinted sharply. Sakura could only shiver in fright as Sasuke nodded acknowledging the orders, standing up.

"Come Sakura," Sasuke said as he took her hand and drag her to place traps around the training ground. Sakura almost squealed in delight at the touch, but hold herself back, muttering to herself that she needed to focus on the plan, but couldn't help but stare lovingly at Sasuke sometimes.

After setting up the traps, Sasuke and Sakura head back to the stumps to report to Naruto to see him nonchalantly resting against one of the stumps while twirling a kunai with his pointy finger. Sakura looked around but didn't see anything suspicious while Sasuke sat himself beside Naruto.

"Umm, Naruto. What did you have prepared?" Sakura anxiously asked. Naruto turned towards his pink-haired teammate and smiled. He stopped twirling his kunai, held it up and point the blunt end of the weapon towards Sakura.

"You will see," Naruto simply said. Sakura could only nod. If one was keen and look closely, one could see a wrapped paper around the handle of the kunai Naruto was holding. The paper actually contained seals that Naruto will use against Kakashi. One would usually place paper bombs around the kunai handle and triggered it to explode once launched towards an enemy so Sasuke who noticed the seal could only raise his eyebrow in question at what his hokage was planning. Noticing this, Naruto smirked in amusement.

After a while, Kakashi finally showed up with a poof of smoke. As if on cue, Sakura screeched as Sasuke and Naruto stood up and walk up closer to Kakashi.

"YOU'RE LATE!"

"Ahahaha, sorry about that. I got lost in the maze called..." Kakashi couldn't finished his excuse as he heard the whiz of a kunai being shot towards him. Kakashi jumped back slightly to see the kunai lodged the ground near his feet.

"Life?" Naruto asked smirking still in his throwing position. Kakashi looked up and narrowed his eyes scrutinizing the blonde only to see him putting up a hand seal and muttered under his breath.

"Constraint," as soon as the words left his mouth, a tessellation of the constraint seal was formed around kakashi's feet, triggered and released from the kunai rendering Kakashi immobilized. Kakashi's eyes widen in shock at this. He couldn't move an inch no matter how much he struggled. He could only shake his body in place, though slight.

"Now, now Kakashi-sensei. Don't look at me like that. Didn't I warn you yesterday about coming late? You are only reaping what you sowed, you know?" Naruto said as he smiled sweetly at the silver-haired Jounin. On the side, Sasuke snickered while Sakura gaped like a fish at the feat in front of her.

"How is this a prank? And what kind of seal is this?" Kakashi questioned. At this Naruto's smile turned into a mischievous grin.

"Oh, this is just the beginning. It won't take long I promise. For your second question, it is a secret. But I can tell you that it's an original seal of mine," Naruto dutifully replied. Then Naruto took out what seemed like a black ink pen from his weapons pouch at his waist and tossed it to Sasuke. The raven caught it with ease. Both of them moved closer to the trapped Jounin who felt dread with every step they took towards him, already have an inkling of what they were about to do.

"Alright kids! It is time for arts class!" Naruto gingerly shouted clapping his hands twice. Kakashi feels cold sweat running down his back as they inched closer. Now, he truly regretted not heeding Naruto's warning. Naruto proceeded to pull down Kakashi's mask and Sasuke started to doodle on his face. Sakura tried her best not to laugh at her sensei's predicament. She also took note not to mess with Naruto seeing what the blonde is capable of.

"Hehehe, this is priceless! But hey, we actually got to see how your face looks like behind that mask. Back in the day...," Naruto trailed off and fell silent. Kakashi raised his eyebrows in question but he knew he won't get an answer. Sasuke nodded satisfied with his work then returned to flank Naruto's left side. Kakashi looked on in silence. Kakashi finally sighed in defeat then Naruto undo the seal thus enable Kakashi to move again. Kakashi ignored the mess on his face which he will have trouble removing later on and pulled up his mask.

"Okay, so Naruto is composed and mature but can be sly and cunning. He still play pranks, but on a whole different level. He knows sealing jutsu and most likely incorporated it in his combat abilities. I have to watch out for that. But to have his own original sealing technique...he might be a genius...or is it because he inherited it from his mother, specifically the Uzumaki clan?" Kakashi mused.

"Now that that's over and done with, let's move on shall we?" Kakashi asked to which the three Genins nodded. Kakashi brought out an alarm clock and placed it on the middle stump. Then, he pull out two bells from his pockets, holding it up for the others to see.

"You have until noon. Your goal in this survival test is to get these two bells from me. You can use anything in your possession which includes your weapons. Come at me as if you want to kill me if you wish to succeed," Kakashi explained.

"What happens if we fail?" Sakura asked to which Kakashi eye-smiled.

"You will be kicked back into the academy. Also, if anyone of you fail to get a bell, you will be tied to the stumps and watch as I eat lunch in front of you," Kakashi replied.

"So that's why he told us not to eat breakfast. Good thing I listened to Naruto and Sasuke...," Sakura sweat dropped. The three genins nodded in understanding.

"Hmm...not much protest, I see..." Kakashi noted. Then as he was about to raise his hand and shout "START!" Naruto threw a smoke bomb and the three Genins immediately dispersed in different directions to hide and execute their plan. Getting a bell or not, they had already devised a plan to defeat Kakashi, hence they only need to adjust the plan accordingly to get the bells. As soon as the smoke cleared, Kakashi was bombarded with attacks from three shadow clones of Naruto which Naruto left when they dispersed to hide. Masking his chakra, Naruto observed his opponent from on top of a tree branch near the area, Sakura hid under some bushes, Sasuke doing the same.

Kakashi didn't take a long time to defeat the clones. He surveyed the area and extended his senses in search of his students' chakra signature. He was able to easily locate Sakura but not the other two. He could sense their faint chakra but they moved quickly from place to place as if to confuse him so he had to give up. Kakashi was surprised however, at how well Naruto and Sasuke could mask their chakra.

"Just when or where did they learn these things?" Kakashi wondered. Kakashi moved on to take care of Sakura first since she was the easiest target amongst them. Anticipating this, Sasuke and Naruto, from their respective hiding places began to throw some kunais and shuriken towards Kakashi, forcing him to dodge and head to a certain place where the team had placed a trap. Sakura too began to throw her weapons towards Kakashi. What Kakashi did not know was that Sakura was used as bait, since the other two already knew Kakashi was going to target her first, as well as the fact that Sakura couldn't mask her chakra yet. Kakashi evaded and deflected the weapons with ease. But then his left foot was caught on the trap and he was pulled upside down a tree. Sakura immediately dashed towards Kakashi and attempted to take the bells tied to Kakashi's waist but Kakashi quickly reacted as he hauled himself up and cut the rope with his kunai. He back flipped in mid-air and landed on his feet, casting a genjutsu at the same time over Sakura who was near him. Sakura lost consciousness and fell forward but before she could hit the ground, Sasuke swiftly arrived at her side, took her in his arms and left to hide once more. At the same time when Sasuke went to retrieve Sakura, Naruto made a few more shadow clones and have them fight Kakashi in a taijutsu battle, making time for his teammates to get away.

"Hmm, they have good teamwork. I didn't think they'd get along so well...," Kakashi observed as he beat the last of Naruto's shadow clones, leaving him alone in the clearing once again. Kakashi proceeded to take out his porn and decided to wait to see what his students are planning next. Naruto met up with Sasuke who had released Sakura from the genjutsu.

"Alright team, time for plan B," Naruto commented to which the other two nodded. Sakura crept closer and closer under the bushes towards Kakashi, the other two close behind. As soon as they reached a certain distance, Naruto and Sasuke both ran out at the same time for a frontal attack with Kakashi. Kakashi, who did not expect them to come with a direct frontal attack, clicked his tongue, put away his book and began to dodge, evade and counter the punches and kicks from Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura observed quietly from her hiding place, waiting for an opportunity to sneak away the bells.

Sasuke made some distance and began making hand seals. As Kakashi kept his defense against Naruto's unending attacks, his eye widen when he recognized the jutsu, but it was too late.

"Fire-Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke placed his index finger and thumb around his mouth and blew a moderate-sized fireball Jutsu towards Kakashi. Naruto kicked the ground and jumped away while Kakashi only managed to make his escape using a substitution jutsu. Kakashi appeared near Sakura's hiding place. Seeing this, Naruto made twenty clones of himself and have them jumped all over the Jounin, locking him in place. Sakura did not miss this opportunity and sneakily took the bells from Kakashi's waist and dashed towards Sasuke. Naruto's clone dispelled and the real Naruto jumped from the tree branch near his teammates and stood beside them grinning widely. Kakashi was left dumbfounded and bewildered. The jounin sighed.

"You pass," Kakashi finally relented and eye-smiled. The three genins smiled and high-five each other.

"Yatta! We did it!" Sakura expressed in delight. Sasuke smirked while Naruto had a foxy grin. Kakashi moved closer to his students.

"Good job. You have great teamwork...," Kakashi began ranting about the importance of teamwork and about the importance of saving your comrades instead of missions and all that as the original timeline. Then they sat together near the stumps and had their lunch.

"Naruto...Sasuke, you acted differently from when you were in the academy. I read your reports. I thought you two are rivals, but from your introductions and teamwork today, you two seemed pretty close. Mind telling me why?" Kakashi dared himself to ask. It's gnawing at him and killing him inside. He had to get some answers one way or another. He tried his luck by asking, maybe they would gladly tell him. At this, Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other. Sasuke looked at Naruto as if asking "What are you going to do?" Naruto shrugged in response then the two returned to look at Kakashi who waited patiently. Sakura continued to eat her food but had her ears perked up as she was curious as well.

"That's simple, Kakashi-sensei. We're friends. We are as close as real brothers," Naruto replied.

"When did this happened? Then why did you two seemed like oil and water in the academy?" Kakashi continued.

"We met sometime in between the Uchiha massacre and our second year in the academy. We put up masks to end up on the same team," Sasuke lied through his teeth. (Sasuke was referring to the time when they accidentally met each other at the docks, but instead of Naruto walking away and Sasuke who was sitting at the docks ignoring Naruto, Sasuke versioned the story with them becoming friends and filling each other's loneliness and emptiness. Becoming each other's support). This is all to cover up their relationships from the truth of them being time-travellers. Kakashi nodded his head, accepting the story. Sakura's eyes bawled out in surprise at the revelation. She started to feel downtrodden about Sasuke hating her since she treated his friend/brother Naruto poorly in the academy years.

"Alright, as of now, we are officially team 7. Report at the mission assignment desk tomorrow at 7 AM. We will have our first mission," Kakashi said cheerfully.

"Now then, see you tomorrow, I need to report your passing to the hokage," Kakashi said but before he could poof away, he was again stopped short by Naruto.

"Ah, Kakashi-sensei, remember to come on time? Or else...," Naruto trailed off, a dark glint flashed dangerously in his electric blue eyes, causing the silver-haired Jounin to sweat buckets.

"Sure, Naruto-sama...," Kakashi replied and poof away, not wanting to hear the rest. Naruto snickered while Sasuke simply shook his head in amusement. Sakura had a small smile on her face as she observed everything, secretly hoping not to get involved with the blonde's pranking schemes. Naruto, being Naruto, noticed her disturbed feelings.

"Is something wrong, Sakura?" Naruto asked good-naturedly. Sasuke turned his head to look at Sakura as well. Sakura slightly startled at the attention she received became flustered.

"Eh, no! Nothing's wrong...," Sakura's voice became smaller as she continued, looking down at the ground. Naruto sighed while Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her.

"Spit it!" Sasuke growled. Sakura flinched and further shrink herself, if it was possible. Naruto gently patted his best friends' shoulder to calm him down knowing that the Uchiha also felt worried about their pink-haired teammate albeit not expressing it in the best way. It's Sasuke after all.

"Sakura, this isn't like you. You are smart and very bright kunoichi. If you think you need help, don't hesitate to ask. We will help you. We like you to be the strong and confident kunoichi that we know you will become. We have faith in you. So chin up!" Naruto reassured. Sasuke grunted in agreement. Hearing this, Sakura couldn't help but smile. She looked up at her teammates and stilled herself.

"Naruto...Sasuke-kun. I am sorry. I...I will do my best from now on!" Sakura sincerely apologized and brightly said that she will do her best to improve. Naruto grinned while Sasuke smirked.

"That's more like it!" Naruto beamed.

"Now then, Sasuke. I will leave her training to you. I have appointments to keep up. See ya!" Naruto swiftly left the area leaving his two teammates dumbfounded. The Uchiha was fuming in anger.

"DOOOOBE!" Sasuke shouted, causing the crows in the area to flutter away into the distance.

-At the hokage tower.

"Hmm? Did you hear something?" Hiruzen curiously asked. He could have sworn someone shouted something in the distance.

"No?" Kakashi's answer came out more like a question. He just arrived to give his report. Hiruzen shook his head then turned his attention to his former head ANBU captain.

"Well, then. Let's hear it," Hiruzen urged. Kakashi nodded and handed over his written report then began to surmise.

"Team 7 passed the test. They have great teamwork. Sakura showed effort to improve herself. Sasuke is extremely loyal to Naruto. It seemed that they shared some kind of past together though they did not explain the details, they mentioned they met and became friends sometime in between the Uchiha Massacre and the second year of academy. I also noticed that they both have an arm fully bandaged. Sasuke his left while Naruto his right. It was confirmed that they plan ahead of time to wear a mask at the academy so they could end up in the same team," Kakashi paused as he waits for the hokage to digest all this information.

"Disappointingly, Naruto did not showcase much of his abilities and skills but otherwise commanded good teamwork from his teammates. Naruto is also adept in Fuuinjutsu as he had even created an original seal," Kakashi continued. Hiruzen raised his eyebrows.

"Original seal?" the hokage questioned.

"Yes, he...um, used it to prank me," at this Kakashi could only laughed sheepishly. The hokage raised his eyebrows further if it was even possible.

"...What kind of seal?" Hiruzen asked. Kakashi nodded and continued with his report.

"It is a type of binding seal. I was not able to move an inch," kakashi supplied.

"I see, that explains the doodles on your face. I was wondering since you arrived how it happened. Now it all makes sense," the hokage nodded in understanding, much more to himself. Inwardly, the hokage was laughing his face off.

"Yes...well...*cough*," Kakashi cleared his throat as he tried to wash his embarrassment away. If it wasn't for his mask covering most of his face, his flushed face would have been obvious.

"Anyway, both Naruto and Sasuke were seen to have a katana with them, but none used it in the test. So their true combat abilities have yet to be fully tested. I reckon that they have more tricks up their sleeves. I continued to observe them after I seemingly left. Naruto cheered Sakura up then up and leave the other two to continue training. I did not follow Naruto as I was shocked at what the other two did afterwards," Kakashi elaborate. This caught Hiruzen's interest.

"What do you mean, Kakashi?" Hiruzen perked up.

"The other two went and dismantled the other traps they laid around the training grounds. I was surprised at the sheer amount of it. It was evident that they had them prepared beforehand. It also means that they had many alternative plans played out against me for the test," Kakashi was inwardly relieved that they did not get to have a chance to use the other traps since they succeeded at plan B. Some of them are no joke.

"I see. Looks like they have good potential. See to it that they receive sufficient training. I will fit in two to three D-rank mission every week for them for now. Just in case, keep watch over Naruto and Sasuke. I had Shikaku observe his son Shikamaru as well. My hunch tells me that there is some kind of connection between them," Hiruzen started.

"Connection? Those three?" Kakashi inquired.

"Yes. It is uncertain for now. That's why I need you to keep an eye on them and report to me of anything suspicious," Hiruzen concluded.

"Hai, hokage-sama," Kakashi acknowledged. Kakashi was dismissed by the Sandaime and continued to indulge himself in his porn. What they did not notice however, was the bird that sat perched on the window sill of the hokage's office, watching and listening to their every word. Soon, the bird flew off into the distance only for it to disappear in a puff of smoke, indicating that it was a transformed shadow clone. A certain hyperactive blonde merrily eating his favorite ramen at the Ichirakus' twitched slightly at the newly gained information that he received from his one-man spy network.

"He he, they got their eyes on us, huh. Need to be more careful from now on...sigh," Naruto secretly thought to himself as he looked up at the bright blue sky.