"Well?"
"How was it?"
"Mhm. First impression… The team seems decent. No one's particularly skilled in elemental ninjutsu or genjutsu, but they're well-balanced in other areas."
Kakashi spoke after a moment of thought.
Might Guy, however, grinned ear to ear.
"I wasn't asking that. I meant—how about another duel? Let's see whose students are stronger!"
"..."
Why did I think he was asking a serious question?
Kakashi sighed inwardly, then silently raised his copy of Icha Icha Tactics.
"No thanks."
"Then… fine. Can I at least have my squad watch your test?"
Guy's eyes glittered with ulterior motives.
Kakashi paused.
He tilted his head at Guy, then chuckled.
"Ah. That was your real goal, wasn't it?"
"Ahem—yes. Lee doesn't worry me. I know his level well. Maya's talent is average, but her taijutsu and kunai work are solid. A good support type."
Guy spoke unusually seriously.
Kakashi rubbed his chin. "And Neji?"
Guy nodded.
"Right. For whatever reason, that kid has started treating Souma as an imaginary rival. So I figured—why not let him witness Souma's strength firsthand?"
Kakashi walked a few steps away, thinking.
"You're not worried they'll all get discouraged?"
"Impossible! I believe in my subordinates!"
Guy declared, utterly unwavering.
"…You're impossible," Kakashi murmured.
"Honestly, I should refuse. But—"
"I forfeit!" Guy immediately declared.
"That's not what—"
"I'll treat you to grilled meat after the test! Please!"
Guy clasped his hands together as if begging a god.
Kakashi sighed helplessly and waved him off before walking on.
Several steps later, he added without turning back:
"Forest of Death. Training Ground 25. Noon."
"Ahhh! As expected of my eternal rival—shifting the time to noon just for me!"
Guy looked genuinely moved.
Kakashi's mouth twitched.
I didn't do it for you…
He kept walking, book in hand.
Forest of Death – Training Ground 25
Souma and Tenten sat together. Kasumi was perched in the shade of a tree, eyes locked intensely in the distance.
"Come down," Souma said lazily. "He's not coming anytime soon."
"Ugh! That chronically-late teacher… I'm gonna whack him with a stick when he shows up!"
Tenten growled before glancing up.
"Kasumi, come down. We didn't eat breakfast—we've gotta conserve energy for the test."
"…Okay."
Kasumi dropped down and rested with them.
By the time the sun reached its peak, a lone figure finally approached.
Kakashi waved casually, eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Sorry. Overslept. Anyway, you all look fine. Did you eat breakfast?"
"No!! And it's already noon!" Tenten shouted. "You said morning!"
"Oh my, oh my. I could've been earlier, but I accidentally got lost. Anyway, let's skip the chatter. Time for the exam details."
His face was hidden behind the mask, but Souma was certain—
The man was smiling too happily.
So mean.
Not that Souma could judge—he liked watching kids verbally combust too.
This time, it was just his own teammates.
"These two bells—see them?"
Kakashi shook the bells; they chimed crisply.
"Only two?" Tenten's jaw dropped.
"Yes. Only those who get a bell become my subordinates. Anyone who fails goes back to the academy for another year."
"What!?"
Tenten felt the world collapse.
They just graduated—now they might be thrown back?
Souma raised a brow.
The bell test… Fire Country's most overused tradition.
Seriously—no new ideas?
"Of course," Kakashi continued cheerfully, "your squad is special. If Souma is willing to sacrifice himself, I'll allow both of you to pass. Only Souma will return to school."
He stared directly at Souma while shaking the bells.
The unspoken message was clear—
Don't say a word.
Souma stayed silent and looked at the girls.
Tenten clenched her fists.
Kasumi's eyes burned.
After a few seconds—
"Don't insult me!" Tenten snapped. "Even if I have to go back, I'd never sacrifice Souma-kun!"
"Agreed," Kasumi said firmly.
Kakashi adjusted his forehead protector.
"Very well. You refused your only guaranteed path. Admirable spirit—but I won't hold back. Oh, and for the record—no team of mine has ever passed. All of them went back to school."
Tenten gritted her teeth.
"Bring it on! We'll talk about who stays or leaves after we get the bells!"
Kakashi opened Icha Icha and said calmly,
"I'll give you time to prepare. Once I flip the hourglass, the test begins. Friendly reminder—come at me with the intent to kill. Otherwise, you will regret it."
"Scatter."
Souma raised his hand.
In the next instant, all three vanished into the forest and regrouped farther away.
"What do we do?" Tenten asked.
"Same as Kasumi suggested," Souma said. "We discuss who leaves after we get the bells. Our opponent is the Copy Ninja. Even holding back, the gap is immense. We must cooperate."
Kasumi nodded.
Tenten swallowed hard.
"Cooperation needs a leader," Kasumi said. "I follow Souma-kun's commands."
"Me too," Tenten agreed, tightening her grip on her kunai.
"Good," Souma continued. "I'll take the offensive. Tenten, provide support. Kasumi—your clan specializes in assassination, right? Look for an opening and strike."
"Yes!"
"But don't stray too far," Tenten warned. "Or he'll take you out first."
Kasumi nodded.
"So… traps first?" Tenten asked.
"We're too inexperienced. Ordinary traps won't work on a jōnin," Souma said. "But we can make a few spike traps for retreat and cover."
Both girls nodded—his reasoning made perfect sense.
They got to work quickly.
Afterward—
"When Kakashi-sensei comes," Souma said, "I'll attack first."
"Yes!"
Soon, they were all hidden in their positions.
At the same time, Kakashi flipped the hourglass and strolled into the woods—reading his book as he walked.
Even distracted, a jōnin was still a jōnin.
But…
Thinking of Souma, Kakashi grew more alert.
That kid is not going to be easy…
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