Chapter 11 – The Bells Ring, Shadows Lurk
The training ground grew increasingly silent. Only the sound of the wind could be heard among the leaves. On one side, Kakashi Hatake stood calmly, two small bells swaying in his hand, reflecting the sunlight.
On the other side, Kazuki, Hinata, and Shikamaru breathed heavily, their bodies slightly dirty from the short battle earlier.
But there was something unseen by Kakashi—or perhaps he deliberately chose not to show that he noticed.
A strange shadow behind the trees became increasingly distinct.
.....
Rising Tension
Kazuki looked at Hinata. The girl's Byakugan eyes trembled, as if rejecting what she saw.
Hinata (whispering, nervous):
"S-something… is behind the forest. It's… moving. But… it's so strange. I can't see its chakra clearly…"
Shikamaru, who had been only half-serious, now straightened up. He looked at Kazuki.
Shikamaru:
"Oi, Akihiro. You know something, don't you? Since earlier, your face looks like someone hiding a secret."
Kazuki fell silent, his heartbeat racing. Inside, that voice echoed again.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"That shadow… I've seen it since the first day I came to this world. Why is it showing itself more clearly now? Is this a coincidence… or part of a fate different from the original story I remember?"
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with new resolve.
Kazuki:
"Listen, Hinata, Shikamaru. Maybe soon we'll face something more than just this bell test. So from now on—don't let your guard down even a little."
Shikamaru let out a long sigh, his face annoyed, but also serious.
Shikamaru:
"Hhh… what a drag. But if this isn't just training… then we've got no choice."
.....
Back to the Bell Test
Kakashi raised his hand, shaking the small bells until they rang.
Kakashi:
"Your time is almost up. If you don't try harder, these bells will remain in my hand. And you know what that means… you fail."
His single eye looked sharply from behind the mask. Though relaxed, his aura pressed down on the three genin.
Kazuki stepped forward, kunai in hand.
Kazuki:
"Hinata, Shikamaru… let's try again. But this time, don't get too fixated on the bells. Keep him busy. I'll try pressing Kakashi-sensei up close."
Hinata gritted her teeth, then nodded firmly.
Hinata:
"Alright!"
Shikamaru only shrugged, then his hands began forming the shadow jutsu.
.....
A More Serious Attack
Kazuki dashed forward, moving swiftly among the tree trunks. He threw three shuriken at once, forming an angle to force Kakashi to dodge in a certain direction.
At the same time, Shikamaru's shadow crept across the ground, ready to trap.
Kakashi closed his book, this time actually putting it away.
Kakashi (faint smile):
"At least you're starting to show some seriousness."
With incredible speed, he deflected two shuriken, then leapt into the air to avoid Shikamaru's shadow. But at that moment—Hinata was already waiting with her Byakugan open, striking with Gentle Fist.
Hinata:
"Haaah!"
Her hand almost touched Kakashi's stomach, but with a light movement, Kakashi deflected it and pushed Hinata back.
Kazuki immediately followed, swinging his kunai at Kakashi from behind.
Kazuki:
"Now!"
Shikamaru moved his fingers at once. Kazuki's shadow suddenly linked with Shikamaru's, extending the trap's range.
For a split second, Kakashi was almost caught by the shadow. But his reflexes were unbelievably fast—he threw a kunai to the ground, creating a distraction, then leapt aside again.
Shikamaru (sighing):
"Tsk… like trying to catch smoke. No way we can hold him for long."
Kakashi stood on a tree branch, eyes narrowing, this time not entirely relaxed.
Kakashi (in his heart):
"Their teamwork is beginning to show. Especially that boy Kazuki… he keeps pushing the others to trust one another. That's different from most students I've trained…"
.....
The Foreign Bell
As the skirmish heated up, suddenly—
kring… kring…
A bell rang from within the forest. Its sound was clearly different from Kakashi's bells. It echoed long, bringing a chill that made goosebumps rise.
Hinata froze, her eyes widening.
Hinata (trembling):
"It's that again… that sound…"
Shikamaru turned, face confused.
Shikamaru:
"Hah? I hear it too now. Don't tell me… someone else is watching us?"
Kazuki clenched his fist.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"No mistake. That shadow is getting closer. Even Shikamaru can hear it now. That means… something is really going to happen."
Kakashi descended from the tree, his eyes calmly facing the forest.
Kakashi:
"Don't lose focus. If you're scared just because of another bell's sound… how can you ever be true ninjas!"
But his tone was slightly different—as if he too sensed something unusual, but did not want to show it to his students.
.....
Kazuki's Resolve
Kazuki looked at Kakashi, then at his teammates.
Kazuki:
"I don't know what's really happening. But I'm sure of one thing—this test isn't just about the bells. Maybe something much bigger is waiting for us."
He gripped his kunai tightly, his eyes full of resolve.
Kazuki:
"Whatever it is… I'll stand at the front. I won't let Hinata or Shikamaru get hurt."
Hinata looked at him, her face faintly flushed despite the tense situation.
Hinata (softly):
"Akihiro-kun…"
Shikamaru snorted lightly.
Shikamaru:
"You really are an idiot. But… for some reason, I believe you're dead serious."
.....
The Battle Continues
Kakashi raised his hand, staring at the three.
Kakashi:
"Then prove your resolve. Show me… whether you deserve to be called a team."
The three immediately got ready again. Hinata on the left, Shikamaru behind, Kazuki at the front.
Yet amid the tension, the foreign bell rang again… closer, clearer.
Kazuki glanced quickly at the forest, and this time he saw clearly—a cloaked shadow stood, its body faint, face hidden.
As if waiting for the right moment to interfere.
Kazuki (in his heart, tense):
"Why… why does it keep following me? Is it an enemy? Or… something more than that?"
Kakashi hadn't turned yet, but somehow—Kazuki felt his sensei also realized the presence of that shadow. Only… Kakashi didn't want to show it.
The battle was about to resume. Kazuki charged forward, Hinata prepared her Gentle Fist, Shikamaru stretched his shadow.
Kakashi moved swiftly, leaping down with his Sharingan faintly opening.
But at that moment—
kring… kring… kring…!
The foreign bell rang louder, echoing across the entire training ground.
The cloaked shadow stepped out from the forest, only a few meters away from them.
Hinata covered her mouth in shock, Shikamaru instantly broke into a cold sweat.
Kazuki froze, eyes widening.
Kakashi stared at the shadow, his face no longer calm for the first time.
Kazuki (in his heart, frozen):
"This is no longer just a test… This… is the beginning of something far greater."
TO BE CONTINUED…