Chapter 14 – The Final Attack and the Meaning of the Two Bells
The training field was silent.
Only the sound of rustling leaves, swirling wind, and the pounding hearts of the three genin who now stood firmly facing Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi no longer held his book.
Both his eyes were sharp, and the Sharingan in his left eye spun, watching every movement.
Kakashi: "Alright. If you're truly ready, let's end this game. Remember… I won't hold back anymore."
Kazuki gripped the kunai in his hand, his breath heavy. He glanced at Hinata and Shikamaru.
They both nodded—no words, only trust binding them.
---
The Initial Formation
Hinata stepped forward, her Byakugan active.
Hinata: "He's in front… but I can see clearly. His hand movements, feet, chakra flow… everything."
Shikamaru prepared his position, his hands forming a seal.
Shikamaru: "Kazuki, focus. I'll look for the slightest opening. You're the one who has to finish this."
Kazuki nodded.
Kazuki: "Alright. I won't disappoint you."
He dashed forward, facing Kakashi directly.
---
The Battle Breaks Out
Kazuki attacked quickly with his kunai, but Kakashi parried effortlessly.
The clash of metal rang out, "clang! clang!" filling the air.
Kakashi: "Your movements aren't bad. But still far from touching me."
Kazuki smirked faintly.
Kazuki: "Then… let me try something different!"
He quickly formed hand seals.
"Kagebunshin no Jutsu!"
"Pufff!"
Three Kazuki clones appeared, charging from different directions.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
Kakashi: "Hmm. Not a bad trick. But…"
He slashed one clone, dodged the second, then struck the third. The clones vanished in white smoke.
But at that very moment—Shikamaru's shadow caught from behind!
Shikamaru: "Kagemane no Jutsu! Now you're trapped, sensei!"
Kakashi chuckled.
Kakashi: "You really are troublesome…"
But before Kakashi could counter, Hinata appeared from the right, her hands ready to strike chakra points.
Hinata: "Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou—!"
Kakashi turned, blocking Hinata's strikes quickly.
But that was exactly what Kazuki had been waiting for.
---
Kazuki rushed forward, his right hand spinning wildly with unstable blue chakra.
The sound of swirling energy roared loudly.
"WHOOOSH!"
Kazuki: "Rasengan…!"
Kakashi's eyes widened.
("What…?! This kid can already form such a high-level jutsu?")
But the Rasengan trembled unstably, the chakra sphere almost bursting in Kazuki's hand.
Still, he charged forward with a loud shout:
Kazuki: "This… is the power that will open our path!!"
Kakashi tried to leap back, but his movement was hindered by Shikamaru's shadow gripping his left leg.
Shikamaru: "Hhh… I won't… let you escape this time!"
Hinata also advanced, forcing Kakashi to stay on defense with her Gentle Fist strikes.
Kazuki saw the opening—and lunged in with the unstable Rasengan spinning in his hand.
The blue light shone, illuminating everyone's faces.
Kakashi considered using substitution, but…
He held back.
Kazuki: "RASENGAAAN!!!"
"BOOOOOOM!!!"
A loud explosion shook the ground. Dust billowed into the air, birds scattering from the trees.
---
After the Explosion
Kazuki collapsed to the ground, his breath ragged, his hand trembling violently from the unstable Rasengan.
Hinata rushed to him, her face worried.
Hinata: "K-Kazuki-kun! Are you alright!?"
Kazuki coughed lightly, then smiled weakly.
Kazuki: "Hahh… I… I'm fine. But… did we succeed?"
As the dust cleared, Kakashi's figure appeared, his left arm sleeve torn slightly.
But he still stood tall, only minor scratches on him.
In his hand—the bells were gone.
The jingling sound echoed on the ground.
Kazuki turned—and saw two bells rolling, landing right between him, Hinata, and Shikamaru.
Kakashi looked at them with his Sharingan fading back to normal.
Then he slowly lowered his mask just a little, revealing a faint smile.
---
The Meaning of the Two Bells
Kazuki:
"Only two bells? But… there are three of us."
Kakashi looked at them seriously.
Kakashi: "That's the essence of this test. Two bells symbolize choice: who will be left behind. In the ninja world, not everyone can be saved. There are missions, sacrifices, and orders that must be followed."
Hinata fell silent, her face tense.
Shikamaru lowered his head, sighing.
Shikamaru: "Hhh… so that's the meaning."
Kazuki clenched his fists, staring sharply at Kakashi.
Kazuki: "If that's the case… I understand the meaning of this test. No one should be left behind. The three of us are one team. If we fail, then let us fail together."
Hinata gasped at his words. Her eyes trembled.
Shikamaru smirked faintly.
Shikamaru: "Hhh… I knew you'd say that."
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly behind his mask.
Kakashi: "A good answer. That's what I wanted to hear. All of you pass."
---
The three genin looked at each other, then smiled in relief.
Kazuki felt warmth in his heart—not because of the great power he tried to use, but because he had found the meaning of the word team.
Kakashi gazed at them gently.
Kakashi: "From this day on… you are the team I will watch over. Don't forget this: those who break the rules are called trash. But those who abandon their friends… are worse than trash."
Those words etched deeply into Kazuki's heart.
He looked at the twilight sky, whispering inside:
"This is just the beginning… and I will never let go of anyone precious to me."
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TO BE CONTINUED…