Naruto rebirth! Born again with a system.

Chapter 27: Salvation and Humility.

The blade descended toward Aotaka's exposed throat, its edge catching the morning light like a promise of death. Kōzaru's vision darkened as the Stone chunin's foot pressed against his windpipe, while Yuki's struggles grew weaker in her captor's crushing grip. Tatsuma's lungs burned as water filled them, his desperate thrashing becoming increasingly feeble within the drowning prison.

This was it. This was how Team 15 would end—not in glorious battle, but in a desperate struggle against opponents so far beyond their abilities that the outcome had never been in doubt.

Then the world exploded into motion.

A blur of silver hair and steel appeared between Aotaka and his executioner, the sound of metal meeting metal rang out as two blades clashed with jarring force. The Stone chunin's killing stroke was deflected, though the impact sent both fighters sliding backward.

"Sorry I'm late," said a voice that carried practiced confidence despite belonging to someone who looked to be around the same age as him.

The speaker was a boy with silver hair that caught the light as he moved, his eyes holding a sharpness that spoke of hard-earned experience. A cloth mask covered the lower half of his face, and his tanto moved with precise technique, though he was clearly straining against the older chunin's strength.

Who is this kid? Aotaka thought through his pain and shock, watching with dulled vision as the silver-haired boy engaged his would-be executioner in a fierce exchange of strikes, knowing he had seen him somewhere before.

But the boy wasn't alone.

Three other Leaf shinobi emerged from the treeline with coordinated precision, their arrival timed for maximum effect. A kunoichi with brown hair and medical insignia took position near the wounded, her hands already glowing with healing chakra. A young Uchiha with the distinctive fan symbol on his back moved toward Kōzaru with measured steps, fire chakra beginning to gather around his hands. The third—a Hyūga with the characteristic white eyes of his bloodline—rushed toward the water prison holding Tatsuma.

The silver-haired boy found himself hard-pressed against the Stone chunin, his opponent's superior strength showing as he was forced to give ground steadily. Each of the chunin's strikes carried enough force to crack stone, and the boy had to use every bit of his speed and technique just to avoid being overwhelmed.

"Impressive for a brat," the chunin snarled, pressing his advantage with a series of powerful overhead strikes. "But you're still just a child playing at war!"

The boy didn't waste breath on a reply, focusing entirely on his defence as he looked for an opening. His tanto sparked with chakra as he channelled lightning nature into the blade, the electrical enhancement allowing him to match his opponent's strength for brief moments.

Meanwhile, the young Uchiha had reached Kōzaru, his dark eyes taking in the situation with tactical precision. "Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Technique!" he called out, sending multiple small fireballs toward the chunin strangling Kōzaru.

The Stone shinobi was forced to release his grip and dodge, rolling away from the precisely aimed flames. Kōzaru gasped for air as his vision slowly cleared, feeling the weight that had been crushing his throat release.

I can breathe! Kōzaru's mind screamed as he sucked in precious oxygen, his vision clearing enough to see the young Uchiha engaging his former captor before he crawled over to Yuki who had also been dropped to the ground.

"Y-Yuki... Are you alright?" Kōzaru asked, looking at his hurt puppy.

Riku came and nuzzled into his sister, licking her face to make sure she was alright as she let out a small grown, showing she was alive but hurt.

At the same time, the Hyūga had reached Tatsuma's water prison. "Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!" he called out, striking the water technique with a pressurized blast of chakra that disrupted its structure.

The water prison collapsed instantly, sending Tatsuma tumbling to the ground in a choking, gasping heap as the drowning technique failed.

I can breathe! Tatsuma's mind screamed as he sucked in precious air, his vision clearing enough to see the incredible coordination of their rescuers.

The water-style jōnin who had been maintaining the prison found herself facing the white-eyed man's gentle fist techniques. "Water Style: Water Clone Technique!" she called out, her form splitting into multiple copies as she tried to overwhelm the young Hyūga.

"I can see through your clones," the Hyūga said calmly, his Byakugan tracking the real target among the duplicates. "Eight Trigrams: Thirty-Two Palms!"

What followed was a display of precision that left Tatsuma staring in amazement. The boy moved between the water clones with calculated steps, his gentle fist strikes disrupting chakra flow as he systematically destroyed each clone before closing in on the real jōnin.

Meanwhile, the silver-haired boy was still struggling against the Stone chunin, his lightning-enhanced tanto managing to score several minor cuts but unable to land a decisive blow. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the older shinobi's relentless assault pushed him to his limits.

"Lightning Clone Technique!" the boy called out, his form splitting as he created a single duplicate to confuse his opponent.

"Clever, but not clever enough!" the chunin snarled, his earth-enhanced blade cutting through the lightning clone and continuing toward the real target.

The boy barely managed to deflect the strike, the impact sending him sliding backward with his arms trembling from the force.

The remaining Stone shinobi began to realize their tactical situation was deteriorating rapidly. The young Uchiha's fire techniques were keeping the chunin who had been strangling Kōzaru at bay, while the Hyūga was systematically overwhelming the water-style jōnin with his gentle fist techniques, proving a dangerous match for her.

We're evenly matched now, but these Leaf ninja are skilled, the water-style jōnin realized with growing concern. And that man with the insects is still in the fight.

"Tactical withdrawal!" she called out to her remaining team members. "Priority Alpha protocols!"

"Water Style: Water Wall!" she shouted, creating a massive barrier of water that forced all the Leaf shinobi to take defensive positions.

In the chaos of the defensive technique, smoke bombs detonated across the battlefield. When the water settled and the smoke cleared, the Stone shinobi had vanished, leaving only scorch marks and the lingering scent of sulphur.

"Should we pursue?" the Hyūga asked, his Byakugan already tracking the fleeing enemies.

"Negative," the silver-haired boy replied, breathing heavily as he sheathed his tanto. "Mission priority is medical evacuation. They're retreating—that's victory enough."

The way he talks, Kōzaru thought as his breathing slowly returned to normal, like he's in command. But he can't be much older than us.

The medical kunoichi—who introduced herself as Nohara moved between Team 15 with practiced efficiency, her healing jutsu bringing immediate relief to their most serious injuries.

"Fractured ribs, mild concussion," she reported as her hands glowed green over Kōzaru's chest. "You'll be sore for a day or two, but no permanent damage."

Her healing jutsu is really good, Kōzaru thought as the pain in his ribs faded to a manageable ache. Making him wonder if maybe he should have picked that as a skill instead of his wind style.

"Water inhalation, possible lung irritation," she continued, checking Tatsuma's breathing. "The coughing should subside within a few hours."

She's skilled, Tatsuma realized as her chakra helped clear the remaining water from his lungs.

"Puncture wound, minor muscle damage," she concluded as she sealed Aotaka's shoulder. "Clean cut, no tendon involvement. You were lucky."

Lucky. The word hung in the air like an accusation. They had been lucky that this team had arrived when they did. Lucky that their opponents had been more interested in demonstrating superiority than finishing quickly. Lucky that they were still alive to feel ashamed of their performance.

As the medical ninja worked, Aotaka found himself studying the silver-haired boy more carefully. There was something familiar about his stance, his fighting style, the way he held his tanto...

Wait, Aotaka thought, his eyes widening in recognition. Silver hair, that mask, lightning jutsu with a tanto...

"You're Hatake Kakashi," Aotaka said suddenly, his voice filled with awe. Almost slapping himself for not seeing it earlier.

The silver-haired boy—Kakashi—looked at him with that analytical gaze. "Reputation travels fast."

Kakashi, Tatsuma thought, the name hitting him like a physical blow. We were just saved by one of the most famous prodigy in the village. No wonder he fought so well against that chunin.

Kōzaru felt his eyes widen as the realization sank in. That's why he could hold his own against someone older and stronger. He's already a chunin at our age, not to mention a legend in this world already.

"Kakashi-san," Shibi said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of gratitude that he rarely displayed. "Your timing was impeccable."

"Intel suggested Stone forces were mobilizing for convoy interdiction," Kakashi replied, wiping sweat from his brow as he caught his breath. "We were dispatched to provide overwatch for any medical evacuations."

The young chunin looked at Team 15 with an expression that was neither condescending nor sympathetic—just analytical. "You faced chunin and jōnin-level opponents. Holding formation against such odds shows promise."

"We didn't hold anything," Kōzaru said bitterly, his voice hoarse from the strangling attempt. "We were about to be executed. If you hadn't arrived..."

"If we hadn't arrived, you would be dead," Kakashi stated matter-of-factly. "That is the reality of shinobi life. Sometimes survival depends on teamwork and support."

He's so direct about it, Tatsuma thought, watching Kakashi carefully. Like he's already used to life-and-death situations.

"We were supposed to protect them," Tatsuma said, gesturing toward the wounded shinobi. "Instead, we almost got them all killed."

"The wounded are alive," the Hyūga—who had introduced himself as Tokuma Hyūga observed with typical clan directness. "Mission parameters were maintained despite superior opposition."

Even his teammates are skilled, Aotaka realized, looking at each member of the team that had just rescued them.

"Barely," Aotaka muttered, his left arm hanging in its improvised sling. "We were outclassed from the start. Everything we thought we knew about fighting... it wasn't enough."

Shibi studied his students with eyes that held both understanding and concern. "Team 15," he said formally, "you have experienced real combat against superior opponents. You survived long enough for reinforcements to arrive. In many conflicts, that is the definition of success."

"It doesn't feel like success," Kōzaru said quietly, watching as Yuki and Riku pressed close to him, still shaken from their near-death experience.

"No," Shibi agreed. "It feels like failure. That feeling will serve you well if you allow it to motivate improvement rather than despair."

Kakashi adjusted his mask and looked at each of them in turn. "You want to know what I see when I look at you?" he asked, his voice carrying calm assessment. "I see three genin who maintained team formation under overwhelming pressure. I see shinobi who prioritized mission objectives despite personal danger."

Coming from him, that almost sounds like praise, Tatsuma thought, though the words felt hollow against the memory of his helplessness.

"Most genin teams break apart when facing superior opponents. You held together. That suggests good character."

"Character doesn't stop a blade," Aotaka said bitterly, his shoulder throbbing despite the healing jutsu.

"No," Kakashi agreed. "But it determines whether you learn from defeat or are broken by it. The difference between growth and failure is often just the willingness to accept that strength takes time to develop."

Time to develop, Kōzaru thought, looking at Kakashi with new understanding. He's skilled for our age, but he was still struggling against that chunin. Maybe we're not as far behind as we thought.

With the immediate area secured and the wounded stabilized, the combined convoy began its final approach to the Hidden Leaf. The journey back to the village passed in relative silence, each member of Team 15 lost in their own thoughts about what had just occurred.

We held our own longer than I thought we would, Tatsuma realized as he watched Kakashi's team move with practiced coordination, seeing the Uchiha clan member walking with confidance.

Wonder what would have happened if I had picked the Uchiha clan to start...

The gates of Konoha had never looked so welcoming. The familiar sight of the village walls and the Hokage faces carved into the mountain brought a sense of safety that felt almost foreign after the intensity of combat. As they passed through the main gate, the wounded were immediately transferred to the hospital for comprehensive treatment.

"Mission complete," Shibi reported to the gate guards, his tone carrying the weight of everything they had experienced. "Medical evacuation successful. Eight wounded shinobi delivered safely."

The formal acknowledgment of their success came with the familiar ping of the system, though this time it felt different rather than hollow.

MISSION COMPLETE:

Experience Gained:

Kōzaru: 500 EXP

Tatsuma: 500 EXP

Aotaka: 500 EXP

You have levelled up.

"Another level," Tatsuma said quietly, and there was a note of determination in his voice this time.

"We earned this one," Kōzaru said, his ribs still aching but his voice carrying new resolve as he held Yuki on his good side.

"You earned it by persevering," Shibi said firmly. "Experience comes from facing challenges that push your limits. Today you learned what real combat looks like. That knowledge will serve you well." Shibi said, having overheard them talking about experience.

"Y-Yeah, thats right." Kōzaru suddenly said, knowing if anyone overheard them talking about a system they had it would sound crazy.

Aotaka flexed his injured shoulder, testing the range of motion. "So what now? We just... go back to training?"

"You go back to training with new understanding," Shibi corrected. "You think about what you witnessed today—both your limitations and your potential. You decide whether that knowledge motivates you to grow stronger."

The gap between us and them, Aotaka thought, his mind still replaying Kakashi's precise techniques and his teammates' coordination. It's significant, but it's not insurmountable.

The team stood at the mission desk, the weight of their experience settling over them like a teacher rather than a burden. They had completed their objective and gained valuable insight into what real strength looked like.

"Team 15," Shibi said, his voice carrying the tone of a teacher rather than a commander. "Meet me at Training Ground 10 in two days, once you have recovered a little. We have work to do."

"More advanced training?" Kōzaru asked, hope evident in his voice.

"Targeted improvement," Shibi replied. "Today showed us your current capabilities and your potential for growth. Tomorrow we begin bridging that gap."

Potential, Kōzaru thought. I held on longer than I thought I could. Maybe that's something to build on.

As they prepared to part ways, Kakashi approached them one final time. "A word of advice," he said, his eyes serious. "Don't let today's experience discourage you. I've seen promising shinobi give up because they focused on their failures instead of their progress."

"You made it look easier than it was, didn't you?" Tatsuma said, not accusingly but with growing understanding. "Against that chunin, I mean."

Kakashi's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his posture. "Every fight is difficult when the stakes are real. I've been training intensively since I was very young, but even with experience, battles like today push me to my limits." He paused, his eyes distant. "Skill means nothing without dedication. And even with both, there are always stronger opponents."

He's been training longer, since he was a kid Tatsuma realized with something like hope rather than despair. But he's still working to improve, still being challenged. Maybe the gap isn't as impossible as it seemed.

With that, Kakashi turned and walked away with his team, leaving Team 15 to contemplate his words.

As they made their way through the village streets, each member of Team 15 carried with them the weight of their first real defeat—but also the knowledge that they had performed better than they'd initially thought, and that improvement was possible.

There are other skilled shinobi our age, Aotaka thought as he watched civilian children running through the streets. But we held our ground longer than most genin probably would have. That has to count for something.

"See you tomorrow," Tatsuma said quietly as they reached the point where their paths diverged, and there was anticipation in his voice.

"Tomorrow, same spot." Aotaka agreed, his injured arm a reminder of how much room he had to grow.

"Tomorrow," Kōzaru echoed, Yuki and Riku pressing close to his sides as they sensed his determined mood.

Each of them walked home alone, carrying the knowledge that they had been tested and found wanting—but also that they had potential worth developing. They also carried the memory of what dedicated training could achieve, and the understanding that such skill was attainable with enough effort.

Kakashi didn't become skilled overnight, regardless of how amazing he was Kōzaru thought as he made his way through the Inuzuka compound. He's been training intensively for years, but he's still working to improve. Maybe we can reach that level if we're willing to put in the work.

The war continued around them, indifferent to their struggles and growth. But for Team 15, today had marked a turning point—the moment when they truly understood both what it meant to be shinobi in a world where strength mattered, and what was possible with enough dedication and proper guidance.

Whether they would rise to meet that challenge remained to be seen. But one thing was certain. They would never again mistake academy exercises for real combat, and they now had a clearer picture of what they needed to work toward.

The price of education had been paid in blood and humility. Now came the task of learning from both, and deciding whether they had the dedication to reach the heights they had glimpsed.

Tomorrow, each of them thought as they entered their homes, tomorrow we start getting stronger.