Chapter 10 – The Bells, the Shadows, and the Choice
The training ground now felt more tense than before. The sun was rising higher, signaling that time kept moving...
Kazuki, Hinata, and Shikamaru hid behind thick bushes, whispering softly to each other.
Shikamaru: (lying down while closing his eyes)
"Hhh… I know this test is not as simple as fighting over 2 bells. But honestly, I'm still too lazy to make too many moves."
Hinata: (nervous, but firm)
"D-don't say that, Shikamaru. We have to fight Kakashi-sensei… even though it's hard, we can't give up just like that."
Kazuki looked at the two of them, his expression full of determination.
Kazuki: "Kakashi-sensei isn't just testing our strength. He wants to know how we act as a team. If we attack separately, the result is clear… we'll definitely fail."
Shikamaru opened one eye, staring at Kazuki.
Shikamaru:
"You sound like you know what's inside Kakashi-sensei's head. So, what's your plan, oh self-proclaimed leader?"
Kazuki fell silent for a moment, taking a deep breath.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"If I follow the story I remember… this test will end when we learn the meaning of teamwork. But… that strange shadow, it keeps bothering me… Something feels different from what's supposed to happen."
He looked at Hinata and Shikamaru.
Kazuki:
"We don't need to snatch the bells at once. We'll keep Kakashi-sensei busy with traps and alternating attacks. Our focus isn't the bells, but how we support each other."
Hinata nodded firmly, while Shikamaru only sighed.
Shikamaru:
"Alright… but if this fails, don't blame me. This plan is troublesome anyway."
---
The First Move
Kazuki gave a hand signal. Hinata activated her Byakugan, her pale white eyes glowing.
Hinata:
"Kakashi-sensei is on the west side… sitting on a tree branch, reading his book again."
Kazuki smiled faintly.
Kazuki:
"Good. Shikamaru, we'll use your shadow to bind his movements. I'll attack from the front. Hinata, keep your distance and give support."
Shikamaru moved his fingers, his black shadow creeping slowly across the ground. Kazuki dashed forward, throwing shuriken at Kakashi.
Kakashi: (closing his book slowly)
"Hm? So you're getting serious now."
Easily, Kakashi deflected the shuriken. But as he moved, Shikamaru's shadow crawled closer.
Shikamaru:
"Gotcha…"
But suddenly Kakashi disappeared, leaving a log tied to the shadow.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Just as I thought… Kawarimi no Jutsu. Kakashi-sensei won't be caught that easily."
Kakashi appeared behind them, his eyes glancing calmly.
Kakashi:
"You're quite coordinated. But not fast enough."
In an instant, Hinata leapt forward, blocking with her Gentle Fist technique, trying to stop Kakashi. The move made Kakashi slightly surprised.
Kakashi: (raising an eyebrow)
"Interesting. Even a shy student like Hinata can jump in first."
Kazuki quickly followed, kicking toward Kakashi. But Kakashi blocked with one hand, pushing Kazuki back a few steps.
Kazuki (gritting his teeth):
"He's too strong… but we can't give up."
---
Cracks in the Plan
The fight went on briefly, but it was clear—the difference in strength was far too great. Kakashi blocked all their attacks without breaking a sweat.
Shikamaru was panting.
Shikamaru:
"Just as I thought… fighting a top-class jounin like this is the same as suicide. I can't hold my shadow longer if he keeps moving that fast."
Hinata looked at Kazuki, her eyes filled with doubt.
Hinata:
"A-Akihiro-kun… can we really…?"
Kazuki clenched his fists, trying hard not to lose spirit.
Kazuki:
"We can. Believe me. This test isn't about who's the strongest… but about who's willing to trust and fight together."
---
The Strange Sound
Just when Kazuki was about to continue with the second plan, his ears caught a faint sound from the forest. Like a metallic chime, different from Kakashi's bells.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"…that sound. It's not part of this test."
He quickly turned his head, and for a moment—his eyes caught sight of a shadowy figure in a black cloak standing among the distant trees. Silent, watching.
But this time… it seemed to move a little closer.
Kazuki stiffened.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Why… why doesn't Kakashi-sensei notice it?"
Kakashi was still standing calmly, as if nothing happened, his gaze focused on his three students.
Kazuki turned his face away, trying to hide his shock. He couldn't tell Hinata or Shikamaru now, afraid to break their concentration.
---
Pressure from Kakashi
Kakashi spoke again in a flat tone.
Kakashi:
"Your time is almost up. If you don't get serious, these bells will remain in my hand."
He shook the bells slightly, their ringing clear.
Kazuki stared deeply at the bells.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Two bells. Three people. But… does one of us really have to fail?"
Suddenly, he remembered Hinata's face when she tried so hard to make the lunch earlier this morning, and Shikamaru's complaints even though he still joined.
Kazuki closed his eyes for a moment.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"No. I won't let any of them fail. If I have to choose… I'll bear it myself."
---
Determination
Kazuki stood straighter, looking at Hinata and Shikamaru.
Kazuki:
"Let's do this together. I don't care if I fail alone, as long as both of you pass."
Hinata's eyes widened, her face turning red.
Hinata:
"A-Akihiro-kun…"
Shikamaru let out a long sigh, but this time he gave a faint smile.
Shikamaru:
"Hhh… you're really stupid, huh. But… somehow, I don't mind joining in your stupidity this time."
Kakashi watched silently, his eyes narrowing behind the mask.
Kakashi (in his heart):
"Interesting. This boy is willing to sacrifice himself for his team. Not selfish at all. But… is he truly sincere, or just mimicking sweet words?"
The three of them prepared again. But before they could move, that strange sound returned—clearer, closer.
Kazuki felt his hairs stand on end. Then he glanced at the forest, and this time… he was sure Hinata felt it too.
Hinata: (whispering softly)
"A-Akihiro-kun… there's… there's something there. That's not Kakashi-sensei…"
Kazuki stiffened.
"So… she can see it too."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, confused.
Shikamaru:
"Hah? What do you mean?"
Kazuki gripped his kunai tightly.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"That shadow… it's getting closer. Is this a coincidence… or is it part of the fate that changed ever since I came into this world?"
---
Kakashi looked at them, noticing something strange in his students' gazes, but not changing his stance.
Kakashi:
"You still have a few minutes left. Will you give up… or show me something more?"
Kazuki clenched his teeth.
Now two tests stood before him—
one from Kakashi, and one from the mysterious shadow.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"If this really is a test… then I must be ready to face both."
Kakashi's bells rang… at the same time as the strange bell from behind the trees.
The sound echoed, bringing a cold air that shouldn't exist in the middle of training.
Kazuki felt his heart pounding.
The bell test wasn't over yet. But the real danger… might have just begun.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…