Going to drop 10 chapters on the 10th, an NPC said that was Naruto's bday...so yeah...
Chapter 135: Unfair Terms
Why could Naruto so precisely find every deeply hidden Kakashi clone? Although these clones weren't physical entities, the unique life energy aura they simulated—distinct to humans—had fundamental differences from the surrounding natural flora and fauna.
This subtle yet unique "sense of life" was as clear as a beacon in darkness under Naruto's life energy perception abilities gained through Golden Experience.
This perceptual ability made Naruto, in a certain sense, also a "sensor ninja."
Kakashi understood clearly that at this rate, having all his clones rooted out one by one was just a matter of time. Before the last clone was about to be destroyed, he decided to conduct one final test for this group of students.
"Found you! This time it's definitely the real body! Prepare yourself, Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto's clones declared victory as they closed in from all directions, preparing for the final snatch.
Kakashi understood this was indeed the last clone. Watching Naruto charge fiercely once again, this time he no longer deliberately suppressed his strength.
"Lightning Style: Thunderbolt!"
With a low shout, Kakashi rapidly formed hand seals! Brilliant lightning gathered in his hands, and the next moment, violent electricity suddenly dispersed, striking indiscriminately toward all the surrounding Naruto shadow clones at alarming speed!
Faced with Kakashi's sudden full-power strike of "no more pretending," Naruto's shadow clones reacted extremely quickly, immediately scattering to avoid the lightning technique's coverage area.
Kakashi, who originally thought this move would be enough to clear all the shadow clones, had his expression change slightly.
What? Only hit a few? Naruto's battle awareness is even higher than expected...
Just as Naruto's clones were fully focused on dodging the lightning technique, Satsuki, who had been closely watching the battle from behind, caught an opportunity.
The next moment, shuriken threaded with transparent chakra strings shot out from her hands again, targeting the opening Kakashi exposed while releasing his jutsu!
However, Kakashi unhesitatingly dispelled the lightning technique that hadn't fully dissipated and formed hand seals again!
This seal is... Transformation Technique?
A trace of confusion flashed through Satsuki's mind. Why? Transformation Technique isn't any kind of defensive jutsu.
But the answer was revealed the next second—Kakashi's figure rapidly twisted and changed in a puff of white smoke, ultimately taking on the appearance of Uzumaki Naruto!
Whether it was the golden hair or blue eyes, everything was identical to the real Naruto.
Seeing her controlled shuriken heading straight for "Naruto's" face, though Satsuki's brain rationally understood it was just Kakashi using Transformation Technique...
Her body instinctively resisted! Her fingertips controlling the shuriken suddenly trembled, causing an extremely subtle yet fatal deviation in the chakra strings' trajectory.
Whoosh—!
The shuriken grazed past "Naruto's" ear and embedded deeply in the tree trunk behind, failing to hit its target.
Just in that instant of hesitation that caused her to miss the opportunity—
Ring ring ring—!
The preset bell sound clearly echoed throughout the entire training ground.
The time had reached twelve o'clock noon. The exercise... was over.
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In the center of the training ground, the atmosphere was heavy. Sakura was firmly tied to the central wooden post, looking dejected.
Satsuki hugged her legs, silently crouching on the nearby grass with her face buried deep in her knees, obviously still feeling self-blame and distress over her momentary hesitation that caused her to miss the opportunity and ultimately led to failure.
Naruto sat on the other side, thoughtfully weighing the two bells in his hands.
Kakashi stood before them, his heart incredibly complex. He hadn't expected to be thoroughly outmaneuvered by this kid in the end...
Recalling those golden chains that had burst from Naruto's body in that instant, dancing with lifelike flexibility and precisely wrapping around him... that scene was extremely similar to the power his sensei's wife had once displayed.
Who would have thought Naruto could already control the Adamantine Sealing Chains to such a degree...
Kakashi mused silently. Actually, he was quite satisfied with the results of this test. Though Sakura's performance was indeed weak, Naruto's persistence in never abandoning any teammate, and Satsuki's focus—though only on Naruto alone—which resulted in extremely strong concentration and execution, both exceeded his expectations.
However, he decided to conduct one final and most crucial test.
"Well," Kakashi began with feigned gravity, "it seems I've lost. Naruto snatched both bells from this 'real body' of mine at the last moment. Congratulations."
He looked at Naruto and even lightly clapped a few times himself, his tone sounding quite sincere.
The tied-up Sakura couldn't help but look up and glare at Kakashi, her tone filled with dissatisfaction and grievance. "Kakashi-sensei only knows how to lie! Saying things like 'I'm not the real body'... how could you just casually say such lies!"
"Eh? Is that so?"
Kakashi scratched his head with an attitude of not caring about being exposed. "Well, I admit I did lie. But you see, on the battlefield, you absolutely cannot easily trust anything the enemy says. After all, ninja will use all sorts of deception and psychological warfare tactics without hesitation to achieve victory."
His casual words made Sakura lower her head even more bitterly. Naruto got both bells... as expected, I'm the one being eliminated...
Enormous disappointment and unwillingness surged up. Having just become a ninja, was her ninja career about to end like this...
Just then, Kakashi changed his tone and announced a verdict that surprised everyone.
"Now then, I announce that Uzumaki Naruto has successfully passed the assessment and officially becomes a Genin! As for the other two..." He deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over Satsuki and Sakura, "both must return to the Ninja Academy for re-education!"
"What?!"
These words made Satsuki, who had been immersed in self-blame, suddenly look up, her eyes instantly filled with disbelief and panic!
Why?! Naruto clearly got both bells! Though it's a bit sorry for Sakura... but why separate me from Naruto?! This result terrified her far more than mission failure itself.
Naruto also showed surprise and confusion.
Seeing Satsuki's panicked expression and Naruto's bewilderment, Kakashi slowly and smilingly explained.
"Oh right, I forgot to mention the most important point. These two bells are 'qualification bells.' The rule is—only the person who personally takes it from me has the right to use it."
His gaze fell on Naruto. "In other words, Naruto, only the bells you personally snatched are effective for you. If you give one to Satsuki out of kindness..." He looked at Satsuki, whose face had instantly paled.
"Then the bell given to her would immediately become invalid, and Satsuki would still fail."
Finally, he looked at the completely despairing Sakura. "And Sakura, having obtained no bells at all, would undoubtedly also be eliminated."
"These are the final rules."
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SIKKEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! KAKAKA! YOU REALLY THINK I'M GOING TO DROP 10 CHAPS ON THE 10TH? MUAHHAAHHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH
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