"Yuuma, there's a lunchbox Sena-chan made for me inside the bag I brought. Just bring that over," Shiki added, suddenly recalling his current condition and continued with a playful tone, "Also, in my current state, it's not very convenient. How about you feed me instead?"
"No one is allowed to do that! It's a principle!" Hayate Gekko coldly threw those words behind him before walking away.
Yuuma froze.
"A principle..." Seiji ran his fingers along his blade, seemingly lost in thought.
Shiki felt like applauding Hayate's little act just now. Previously, he and Hayate had been on good terms, but now after such words, they were like sworn enemies.
Of course, Shiki knew that obedience was definitely not the real purpose of this exam. The real point of this exam was testing their teamwork.
Perhaps Hayate, noticing that Team Nine's psychological maturity surpassed other students', had intentionally altered the format of the exam.
After all, Kakashi tested Team 7 the same way—would Shiki, Sasuke, and Sakura share their lunches with Naruto or not?
But just one meal really wasn't that important.
To serve the team's interests, sacrificing one meal was a small matter.
By saying what he said, Hayate was directly forcing these kids to decide: abandon the mission, or betray a teammate?
Although Shiki understood the essence of the exam, he remained silent.
Because deep inside, he too wanted to know the answer.
Yuuma Akimoto stayed quiet for a moment. She was an orphan who had been selected into the Ninja Academy because of her talent.
For twelve years, everything she learned revolved around becoming a ninja.
Now, on the verge of finally breaking free from the orphanage and standing on her own two feet, should she give up her chance to become a ninja?
She felt fearful because she didn't know what else life could offer.
Besides, once she grew older, she wouldn't even qualify as an orphan anymore. What then would she do?
Yet she looked helplessly towards Shiki Uzumaki, but Shiki-onii had so much more burden already. And with such great talent, shouldn't he become a ninja instead?
Thinking thus, Yuuma Akimoto reached out for the lunchbox to begin feeding Shiki.
Suddenly, another hand also picked up the white-colored bento box and offered it toward Shiki.
"I genuinely dislike your attitude looking down on our team, but after thinking about it, becoming a ninja isn't particularly important to me. You obviously mean a lot to Yuuma, so here—take it."
The cold tone, tight-fitting black clothes, and a purely white sword hanging from the waist.
Was he showing off?
Yet strangely, something felt rather touching.
"No, truthfully speaking, you both could potentially become strong ninjas. Yet I've only held you back. Eat from my lunchbox instead." Yuuma extended her hands holding the bento forward.
"You guys!" Shiki didn't know whether to feel touched or confused, and fell silent in thought.
What if he truly didn't know that all of this was just part of the exam? How would he have responded?
He couldn't help but feel he'd found an answer within himself, and was about to speak.
"If being a team means following someone else's rules that force me to abandon my comrades, I don't want to be a ninja at all!"
As the voice faded,
Clang!!!
The silver-white blade sliced past Shiki's ear and plunged deep into the wooden stake.
Hayate Gekko appeared almost in sync with the wind itself, his expression still cold. The dark circles beneath his eyes seemed to whisper, "You're nothing but trash."
Yuuma Akimoto felt a pang of fear—perhaps stirred by the lingering insecurity of being an orphan.
But Seiji Ito stared straight back at Hayate Gekko without flinching, his black eyes deep and unreadable.
Perhaps the earlier speed had been too fast, causing the sword to strike the stake with excessive force.
Unable to suppress it, Hayate coughed violently, even spitting out blood.
Yet he started laughing, fresh blood still at the corner of his lips. "You know what? You've really surprised me."
Was this a mocking sneer?
But why did it feel so strange? This is what Yuuma Akimoto thought.
Then Hayate slowly pulled the sword from the stake, narrowing his eyes as he smiled. "You've… passed!"
Chapter 87: D-Rank Mission
Although he already expected such an outcome, Shiki still felt a sudden shock from Hayate's earlier words.
After all, who could accept having someone suddenly appear before them at a speed they couldn't possibly react to, then thrusting a sharp weapon right past their face?
"That's great!" Yuuma was the first to jump up, her face filled with joy.
She never really expected that not one among them would have to be left behind—that they'd all become ninja together.
"Didn't the ninja code say a ninja must never show emotion and always place the mission above all else?" Seiji stood up, leaning on his sword while looking puzzled at Hayate.
"Yeah, that actually is part of the official ninja code. But if we always stick rigidly to old traditions, then we wouldn't be the Hidden Leaf Village anymore! After all, Konoha inherits the Will of Fire."
Hayate bluntly broke through the set rules of being a ninja. Even though the ninja codes circulating across the Ninja World haven't changed, in reality, Konoha absolutely refuses to be placed in the same category as other ninja villages.
Everyone wants to belong to a squad where their teammates are dependable, rather than being ready to abandon one another for the sake of the mission at any moment.
Of course, a truly broad-minded person will immediately choose to sacrifice themselves when they realize the consequences of failing the mission far outweigh their own life.
That's likely why Konoha has become the most respected ninja village of them all.
Thinking about it, a quiet wave of emotion rose within Shiki. In Konoha, the strength of unity and compassion far outweighs the pull of selfishness and cold logic.
However…
Didn't we pass already?
Then why hasn't he untied me yet?
A thick rope, almost heavy enough to serve as clothing, tightly bound Shiki to the wooden post.
Even during his time at the Ninja Academy, he'd studied jutsu like this—one often deemed practically useless.
But tied up this tightly, even he couldn't move a muscle. Unless he unlocked the [Eight Gates Release], it would be impossible for him to break free.
Search for [BookHelper]: Visit the official website at www.kanshuzhushou.com and enjoy lifetime access to millions of popular books, completely ad-free!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>