Bright and early in the morning Ko went out to go to the training field her team was supposed to meet at. She was the first one there and decided to lay on a tree branch to wait for the others. Sasuke was the next to arrive, he looked up at Ko and gave her a slight nod then sat down at the base of the tree getting lost in his thoughts. Sakura and Naruto arrived at the same time looking exhausted indicating that they're not morning people. They all sat around the tree getting frustrated at Kakashi's tardiness as the hours went by. They all had a feeling that this was going to be a regular thing.

Finally, after a few hours, Kakashi arrived giving them an excuse on why he was late but neither of them believed it. Kakashi then took out two bells which made Ko's eyes widen. There had to of been a connection between the Hokage and Kakashi; the Hokage was the one who made up the training exercise. He must've been a disciple of someone who trained with the Hokage. Kakashi explained to them about the bells and told them that they needed to get the bells before the timer runs out or they won't get any lunch and fail.

Naruto tried to blindly attack Kakashi but he caught him in a second.

"Well it seems you're finally prepared to come at me with the intent to kill. So you've finally acknowledged me? I'm beginning to like you guys. Ok, let's get going. Ready, begin," he said.

They all scattered into many directions. Ko hid high in a tree while everyone else was in the bushes except for Naruto; he was in the open. Ko watched as Naruto tried to fight Kakashi but didn't land a hit because of his reckless actions.

"So they all don't realize that this is about teamwork. Father told me exactly what this test was for. I have to pretend not to understand either and attack Kakashi blindly just like the others. It'll be a waste of time trying to get them to work together. Sasuke is a lone wolf, Sakura doesn't want anything to do with me, and Naruto...well he's Naruto. He thinks he can do everything by himself."

Ko noticed that Kakashi pulled out a book. When she looked at it long enough, she knew what it was.

"What a perv, now I know where he got the bell test from, Jiraiya."

When it looked like Kakashi put his guard down while lecturing Naruto, Sasuke took this opportunity to throw shuriken at him. It hit his side revealing it was only a substitution. Sasuke realized his mistake and ran to a new location. Kakashi disappeared and Sakura's scream filled the air. Ko ran towards the scream seeing Sakura on the ground unconscious. She sensed someone behind her and jumped out of the tree and onto the ground.

Kakashi followed in suit landing in front of her. Ko was tempted to use her Kekkei genkai against Kakashi but she knew she had to lose this fight. She ran towards him then jumped in the air trying to punch him as she came down but he easily blocked her attack by grabbing her hand. She maneuvered her body so she went in-between his arm and head. She had her other arm come down and hit Kakashi in the face. Obviously it was only a clone but Ko acted as if she didn't know.

"Crap," she clenched her teeth in frustration.

Kakashi came up from behind her punching her in the back. Ko took a few steps forward then deflected a kick from Kakashi. Out of nowhere a rope shot out from the bushes wrapping around her causing her to gasp in surprise. Another one of Kakashi's clones came out from the bushes then disappeared.

"Now to put you with Naruto." Kakashi said picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.

He carried her over to the three posts to tie her up to one then disappeared.

"He got you too?" Naruto grumbled.

"Yeah, had a clone do it while I was down."

Shortly the timer rang which brought Sasuke and Sakura to the posts. They sat down next to Naruto and Kakashi stood in front of them.

"You guys look really hungry oh and by the way, something about the training, there's no need for the rest of you to go back to the academy," Kakashi said giving them a closed eyed smile.

"Hey," Naruto breathed with relief.

Sakura looked dumbfounded and Sasuke smirked. Then Naruto and Sakura cheered but Ko gave Kakashi a suspicious look.

"Yup the four of you.......Should quit being shinobi!"

They all were scared and confused. Ko's face held nothing but anger at his statement. She was already a shinobi, already capable but she had to make sure to get Sasuke to the chuunin exam. Sasuke's anger rose and ran at Kakashi. Kakashi was too fast so he pulled Sasuke to the ground and sat on him with his foot on Sasuke's head.

"That's why you're a punk." Kakashi said putting more pressure on his head.

"No! Don't step on Sasuke!" Sakura shouted at Kakashi.

"Are you guys underestimating ninjas huh? Why do you think that you were divided into teams and are doing this training?"

"Huh, what does that mean?" Sakura asked.

"Basically you guys do not understand the answer to this test."

"Answer?" Naruto questioned.

"Yes the answer that helps you pass this test."

"So, when are you going to tell us?" Sakura asked him.

"What's the answer already?!" Naruto shouted.

"Teamwork," Kakashi said. "The four of you working together may have gotten all the bells."

"What do you mean by teamwork? There are only two bells! Even if we work together and get the bells two of us would still fail. What teamwork? That just makes is fight each other!" Sakura shouted at him.

"Of course! This test is purposely set up to make you fight amongst yourselves. The purpose is to see whether you can forget about your own interest and successfully work together under these designed circumstances. Sakura, instead of Naruto, who was right next to you, you were only thinking about Sasuke who was far away. Naruto! You were just running around by yourself. Sasuke! You just assumed the others would get in your way and tried to do everything yourself! Ko, you were too busy watching everyone else to help. You didn't even attempt to help Sakura who was down." He scolded giving them a disapproving glance. "The duties are done by the team. Of course superior individual ability is important to a ninja, but what's even more important is teamwork. Individual play that disrupts the team can put you comrades in danger." He pulled out a kunai. "And even get you killed. For example Sakura kill Naruto or Sasuke dies!"

"What?!" Naruto shouted freaked out.

Kakashi slowly got off of Sasuke. "You see? If a hostage is taken, you will have tough choices and then die. You will be risking your lives in these duties."

He walked towards the K.I.A stone while talking about how his best friend's and heroes of the village name's where all carved onto the stone.

"You guys, I'll give you one more chance. But after lunch, I'll make it even tougher to get the bells. Those who still wish to challenge can eat lunch but don't give any to Naruto nor Ko. It's punishment for trying to eat by yourself and for her getting caught by my trap. If anyone gives him any food they will fail immediately." He said then disappeared.

"Heh! I don't need any food I'm fine!" Naruto said while his stomach growled.

"I don't need to eat," Ko assured her team. She's gone days without eating so this was a simple task for her.

Sasuke put his food up towards Naruto. "Here," he said making Naruto's face light up.

"Hey Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei just said," Sakura started to say.

"If we want to get those bells then we need Naruto and Ko at full strength. Without food, they'll be in the way and that will only hurt us." Sasuke told her.

Sakura stared at him thinking about what he said then held out her food for Naruto while Sasuke held his out to Ko. They both fed the two, then Kakashi appeared in a cloud of smoke.

"What is this?! You!" Kakashi shouted. They all freaked out but Ko was calm. "Pass," Kakashi said with a smile.

"Huh?" They all questioned.

"You guys are the first. Everyone else would just do whatever I told them. They were all just morons. A ninja must see underneath the underneath. Those who break the rules and codes of the ninja world are scum, but you know what? Those who don't take care of their comrades are worse than scum. That ends the training, all of you pass! Ok starting tomorrow team seven will begin its missions." Kakashi-sensei said giving them a thumbs up.

"Excellent, now I'll be spending everyday with Sasuke swaying him into seeking out more power."

Naruto and Ko were untied then walked with everyone else back towards the village. They all walked into Ichiraku ramen which Naruto enjoyed and recommended. Sasuke and Ko were forced to stay because of Kakashi. Naruto chowed down on his food while everyone else ate at a normal pace. The team ate in silence but they watched Kakashi out of the corner of their eyes wondering if he was going to pull down his mask.

"Kakashi-sensei," Ko spoke up.

"Yes?"

"Why are you treating us to dinner?"

"To congratulate my new team. Now I have to report to the Hokage so I'll leave you guys to celebrate on your own."

Kakashi left the four alone with their food. Ko looked down at her food then over to where Kakashi was sitting then over at the owner of the little shop. Sakura noticed the change in Ko's facial expression.

"What's wrong Ko?"

"Sensei didn't pay the bill."

They all stopped eating and looked over at Ko.

"Of course he did! He said he was treating us to dinner!" Naruto said still chewing on his food.

"Actually he never said that he was treating us. We said he was treating us and assumed he was. He didn't order anything and didn't stick around long enough to know how much the bill was."

A look of irritation showed on all their faces.

"I-I don't have any money to pay for all of this." Naruto said sadly looking down at the ground.

"I got money Naruto, I can pay for you." Ko said pulling out her wallet.

Naruto's eyes lit up with joy. He jumped off his chair and hugged Ko squeezing her tightly. Ko's body tensed up unsure what to do, she felt the urge to punch him but soon Naruto then let go but Ko was still stiff as a board; she had never been hugged like that before, actually ever.

"Uh Ko, are you alright?" Naruto questioned.

Ko snapped out of it and looked at Naruto.

"I'm fine," she then took out money, "Here, I gotta go."

Ko quickly gave Naruto the money and left the little food place heading home. Once she was home she fell face first onto her bed.

"Just a little longer and I'll be out of here." Ko muttered to herself.

She took deep breaths to calm her down which helped then slowly made her fall asleep.

Edited March 14, 2020