Chapter 9 – Shadow Test
Morning enveloped the Village of Konoha with warm sunlight that pierced through the gaps of the trees. Dew still clung to the leaves, as if the world had not fully woken up from its sleep.
Kazuki Akihiro stood in front of a small mirror in his room, staring at the reflection of his serious face. His headband was now already worn, though his heart felt heavy.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"The test from Kakashi-sensei… I know this is not an ordinary test. In the story I remember, there are only two bells, for three people. That means… one of us must fail."
His hand clenched.
"If so… can I fight against fate, or will I just be trapped in the same pattern?"
.....
Training Field – Grass Field
Kazuki arrived first. He sat under a tree, with his lunch, trying to calm his mind. Not long after, Hinata came with small steps, carrying a lunchbox she hugged tightly.
Hinata: "A-Akihiro-kun… g-good morning…"
Kazuki gave a faint smile.
Kazuki: "Morning, Hinata. Did you bring lunch?"
Hinata nodded quickly, her face red.
Hinata: "T-this… I made it… I-I thought… if we pass later, I hope we can still eat together… like this…"
Kazuki looked at her for a moment, then smiled more warmly.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"She always tries… even when she's half-dead nervous. This world truly… can be more beautiful because of people like Hinata."
Before the situation became awkward, a yawning sound was heard.
Shikamaru: "Hhh… such a drag. Have you been here long?"
Kazuki shrugged.
Kazuki: "Yeah. And it seems this test will be heavier than we thought."
Shikamaru looked at him lazily.
Shikamaru: "Everything is heavy, if it has to be done. That's why… I prefer peace."
Hinata held back a small laugh, while Kazuki just sighed helplessly.
Suddenly, the wind blew colder. From the direction of the trees, appeared the figure of Kakashi with a small book in his hand.
Kakashi: "You're on time. Good."
He closed his book slowly, then took out two small bells hanging on a string.
Kakashi: "Your task is simple. Take these bells from me before noon. Whoever doesn't get them… will fail, and be sent back to the Academy."
Hinata was shocked.
Hinata: "B-but… there are only two bells…"
Shikamaru let out a long sigh.
Shikamaru: "Knowing that, I shouldn't have come."
Kazuki stared sharply at the bells, his heartbeat louder.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Right. Same as I remember. Two bells… three students. Kakashi is testing something bigger than just strength."
Kakashi put the bells on his waist, then set a small alarm clock on a rock.
Kakashi: "You can attack anytime. But remember… I will not hold back too much."
.....
The Test Begins
Once the signal was given, the three of them immediately disappeared into the trees. Kazuki chose to hide behind bushes, regulating his breathing.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"If this is the same as the story I remember, Kakashi will wait for us to attack individually. He wants to see whether we only care about ourselves… or if we can work together."
Suddenly, a scream was heard from afar.
Kiba? No—it was Shikamaru's voice.
Shikamaru: "Arghhh!!"
Kazuki immediately moved, leaping from tree to tree toward the sound. Hinata also appeared from another direction, her face panicked.
Hinata: "T-that… it's Shikamaru's voice!"
They both arrived at the location, and saw Shikamaru already trapped—his leg tied by a rope, hanging upside down.
Shikamaru: "Just as I thought… such a drag…"
Kazuki looked around. He could feel Kakashi's gaze from behind the shadow of a tree.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"He's here. He's watching us."
.....
Kazuki's Decision
Kazuki turned to Hinata.
Kazuki: "Hinata… we have to free Shikamaru first. Otherwise, he'll just be bait."
Hinata hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.
Hinata: "O-okay!"
The two of them worked together to release Shikamaru. Once he fell to the ground, Shikamaru winced.
Shikamaru: "Ouch… But I think you're right. Teacher Kakashi deliberately made us panic."
Kazuki smiled faintly.
Kazuki: "If we want to survive… we must work together."
Behind the tree, Kakashi observed them, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Kakashi (in his heart):
"This child… Kazuki. He not only realizes the core of this test, but also can influence his teammates. Interesting…"
.....
Mysterious Shadow
But just as they began to make a plan, the wind blew strongly. Kazuki suddenly felt something—a cold gaze piercing from deeper in the forest.
He quickly turned, and for a moment, his eyes caught a black-robed shadow standing still.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"It's him again… That shadow.… even Teacher Kakashi doesn't realize his presence?"
Hinata looked at Kazuki, confused.
Hinata: "A-Akihiro-kun? What's wrong?"
Kazuki quickly shook his head.
Kazuki: "No… nothing. Just focus on this test."
But in his heart, Kazuki knew—that shadow was not part of the test.
.....
Kazuki clenched his fist, looking at his teammates.
Kazuki: "We must work together. Otherwise… we will all fail."
Hinata looked at him with full confidence. Shikamaru sighed, but this time he smiled faintly.
Shikamaru: "Alright. If it really has to be teamwork… I'm in. But don't expect me to run around."
Kazuki nodded.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Kakashi… your test may be about teamwork. But I feel, the real test… will come sooner than you think."
The wind blew, the small bells on Kakashi's waist ringing faintly.
But behind the trees… another bell was heard, foreign, and full of threat.
TO BE CONTINUED…