Naruto The Red Spiral Rebirth

"Finally, I still have to meet Kakashi-sensei... what a headache."

Tom sighed inwardly.

Today marked the third day since Naruto's graduation, and it was also the day when Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura would officially begin their journey as genin under the guidance of Kakashi Hatake.

At noon, they were scheduled to undergo the infamous "wilderness survival training" led by Kakashi-sensei. Naruto, in typical fashion, had been so nervous and excited that he'd spent the entire night simulating mock battles, picturing Kakashi as his enemy.

Tom couldn't help but shake his head. From his perspective, it was a completely rookie move.

Yet what really gave Tom a headache wasn't Naruto's energy—it was figuring out how to explain his special assignment to Kakashi. According to Naruto's instructions, Tom's mission was classified. Unless necessary, no one—including Kakashi—could be informed.

And so, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura waited by the training grounds, Tom stayed hidden, suppressing his chakra signature and presence while wrestling with the decision internally.

Eventually, well past 10 a.m., the long-anticipated Kakashi finally arrived at the field.

As usual, he was nonchalant and unapologetically late.

Tom kept his chakra suppressed, watching quietly.

Kakashi hadn't noticed him yet.

When Naruto and Sakura questioned his tardiness, Kakashi lazily offered a half-baked excuse: "There was a black cat crossing my path earlier."

Tom almost laughed. Classic Kakashi.

Kakashi continued, pulling out an alarm clock and two small silver bells.

"Alright," he said calmly. "Here's the deal. I have two bells here. Your mission is to take them from me before noon."

He planted the alarm clock into the ground.

"Those who don't get a bell will be tied to the log and won't get any lunch. In fact…" he paused for effect, "the one who fails may even be sent back to the Academy."

Sakura blinked in confusion. "But sensei… there are only two bells. There are three of us."

"Exactly," Kakashi said, eyes narrowing. "That means at least one of you is guaranteed to fail."

The trio stood dumbfounded.

Tom watched it all, slowly resolving himself to act.

"There's no avoiding it. If I don't come out now, I won't get another chance," Tom thought.

When Kakashi later pulled Naruto aside for an initial test, Tom finally let out a tiny bit of chakra, a whisper of his presence.

It wasn't enough for the genin to notice—but Kakashi, sharp as ever, immediately sensed it. A familiar chakra signature.

The moment he finished instructing his clone to monitor Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, Kakashi silently left his position and walked toward where Tom was hiding.

Moments later, he appeared behind Tom with a faint chuckle. "Yo. Tom. Fancy seeing you here."

Tom stood and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Long time no see, Kakashi-sensei. I've actually come looking for you... and maybe to challenge you."

"A challenge?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "That's rare. You usually avoid unnecessary battles."

Tom grinned. "Well, lately I've made some progress with taijutsu. I thought it would be a good chance to learn from you."

Kakashi's visible eye sharpened slightly. He understood the real meaning hidden beneath Tom's words. "I see. Then let's spar a little."

Tom didn't hesitate.

With a sharp breath, he surged forward, closing the gap in an instant. His right leg swept downward like an axe, powerful and deliberate.

Whoosh!

The force of the kick carried a crashing wave of momentum. Kakashi swore he could hear the roar of a tide.

Kakashi lifted his arm to block, subtly redirecting the blow with a pivot of his elbow. The angle of the kick shifted slightly as Tom twisted midair, correcting his posture.

The leg continued its descent and slammed into Kakashi's forearm with a thud.

"You've definitely gotten stronger," Kakashi said, his tone surprised but calm. "That force… how are you generating it?"

Tom smiled. "I've been training in a turbulent river. The currents are chaotic, and I had to constantly adjust my body to counter them. Over time, I developed a sense for balancing force and redirecting it."

In truth, it was based on tai chi principles—using sticky and flowing energy, merging softness with explosive power.

Kakashi nodded, impressed.

Tom didn't pause.

His body blurred again, darting toward Kakashi with rapid, flowing movement.

Elbows, shoulders, knees, hips—his entire body became a weapon. His movements were sharp and unpredictable, reminiscent of a fish darting through rapids.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

He struck from different angles in rapid succession. Each attack landed with staggering force, heavier than the last.

Kakashi responded gracefully, shifting only as needed, never overcommitting. But even so, his feet began to leave deep prints in the ground from the sheer impact.

If Guy were here, he would've been shocked—Tom's taijutsu was unnatural. The force behind each strike was accumulating, each blow adding to the next like compounding interest.

It was a style designed to overwhelm.

Kakashi, however, remained centered. He absorbed the shock and diverted the power each time without losing his rhythm.

Still, the pressure was building.

In just a short exchange, they had already clashed forty-three times.

Kakashi's internal monologue was full of praise.

"This style is incredible. Each blow is layered atop the previous one, like a rolling tide. A typical jonin would've been crushed by now. But it must be exhausting for the user. How many more of these can Tom perform?"

Suddenly, Tom called out.

"Kakashi-sensei, this next strike will be my last one."

Kakashi's body tensed.

"The forty-fifth blow..."

Tom's entire body coiled as he gathered every ounce of force into his right leg.

Then—he released it.

The air screamed as the leg descended, a thunderous crash accompanying it. The sheer pressure distorted the air itself, and the earth trembled beneath them.

Kakashi's expression grew serious.

At the last second, he stepped forward and redirected the kick with a spiraling motion of his arms. The torque unbalanced Tom's momentum, sending him crashing sideways.

BOOM!!

Tom struck the ground with the force of a meteor. Dirt and rock exploded outward.

A crater nearly five meters wide and two meters deep opened in the earth.

Kakashi exhaled as dust rose around them.

Tom stood up a moment later, panting slightly.

"You're still as annoying as ever, Kakashi-sensei," he muttered.

Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned to leave.

"Guess I'll go now. Good luck with the kids."

As Tom walked off, something tumbled from his clothing—an old notebook, leather-bound and slightly worn.

It landed near the edge of the crater.

Kakashi, curious, stepped forward and picked it up.

Opening the first page, he scanned the contents—and a knowing smile crept onto his face.

"So this is what you've been working on, Tom…"

He didn't say more, but the look in his eye spoke volumes.

pàtréóñ(Gk31)