"Wait a minute! Qualification bells? Why weren't these inexplicable rules mentioned before we started?!"
Satsuki sprang to her feet, crying out in alarm. She had no idea that Kakashi was currently employing a tactic known as "the right of interpretation belongs to us," a nearly shameless, ultimate move.
Rules are supplemented by the rule-maker at any time, and are always introduced at the most crucial moment.
"I'm sorry, but that's reality."
Kakashi, hands in his pockets, appeared cold and unfeeling, mercilessly rejecting Satsuki's protest. "Mission scrolls for Ninja often don't specify all potential dangers and variables either; you're expected to assess and react to them yourselves."
Although he spoke without mercy, Kakashi's heart was actually filled with anticipation and nervousness. His deep gaze swept over the three in front of him.
In fact, the core purpose of this exercise had nothing to do with snatching bells from the very beginning. Its true meaning was to test—to test whether they possessed the cornerstone of becoming a true squad: teamwork.
Naruto's performance far exceeded his expectations. As expected of his sensei's child, he not only displayed excellent strength and leadership in battle, but even more remarkably, he proactively took on the responsibility of leading the team from start to finish.
As the strongest presence in the squad, he showed not the slightest thought of abandoning Sakura, the weakest, who might even be a hindrance. This persistence in not abandoning any comrades was precisely the quality Kakashi most hoped to see.
And Satsuki... as a genius of the Uchiha Clan, possessing astonishing talent and pride, her performance surprised Kakashi and left him with a subtle feeling. She actually showed an almost absolute trust and obedience towards Naruto?
Kakashi had never seen an Uchiha so obedient, even willing to cooperate with an outsider. While this "obedience" seemed a bit too focused on Naruto alone, in Kakashi's view, this was just a minor issue that needed a little guidance; its core—the willingness to collaborate with recognized comrades—was very valuable.
As for Sakura... she was indeed much weaker, lacking practical experience, and her combat awareness was far from sufficient. But throughout the entire process, she didn't develop the negative thought of "if I can't help, I'll just give up"; she consistently tried to keep up and make a difference. Kakashi saw this effort and struggle.
Therefore, this last, seemingly incredibly harsh rule was the true final test. Kakashi held his breath, waiting for their reactions. How he wished that this time, he could finally have subordinates worthy of entrusting his back to, who truly understood how to cherish their comrades...
He was absolutely determined to pass on that will, named "comradeship," which was inherited from his deceased best friend.
Seeing Satsuki, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth but unable to refute, Sakura, whose eyes were filled with complete despair, and Naruto, whose face was etched with surprise and confusion, Kakashi knew the time was right and finally threw out his true test.
"But there's no need to despair so early."
This sudden remark made Satsuki and Sakura look up almost simultaneously, a glimmer of hope rekindling in their eyes.
Kakashi maintained his calm demeanor and continued, "Given that, apart from Sakura, your overall performance in tracking, coordination, and combat was quite commendable, Satsuki... Therefore, I can make an exception and give you two another chance."
His gaze moved between Satsuki and Sakura. "This afternoon, the battle for the bells will be even more intense and cruel than this morning. Do you understand? This is your last chance."
Immediately after, he changed his tone, proposing a condition that seemed lenient but was actually more stringent. "I'll even allow Naruto to help you. The exercise will continue after lunch."
However, he then raised his hand and pointed at Sakura, who was tied to the wooden stake, his voice suddenly becoming stern. "But—you two are absolutely forbidden to share your bento with Sakura. Not even a single bite."
"Eh?" Sakura was stunned, somewhat surprised to hear this merciless instruction directed at her.
"This is punishment for her naivety and reckless behavior!"
Kakashi's voice was cold and hard, openly pointing out Sakura's mistake. "Despite her own strength being utterly incapable of handling the dangers before her, she merely assumed that because her teammates created such a big commotion, they had achieved an exaggerated victory, and she rashly abandoned her hiding spot and rushed out—this kind of behavior, lacking self-awareness and easily exposing one's position, is not only foolish but fatal on a real battlefield! It will not only kill you but also implicate the entire squad!"
Sakura suddenly recalled the scene where, after seeing the astonishing combined Ninjutsu attack, she thought Kakashi had been killed and instinctively ran out of her hiding place... Intense regret instantly overwhelmed her, causing her to lower her head deeply once again.
Kakashi delivered his final ultimatum, "Listen carefully, these are the rules. If either of you—Satsuki, or you, Naruto—dares to violate the rules and secretly share your bento with Sakura..."
"Then, the rule-breaker will be immediately eliminated! And you, Naruto, don't think that just because you got the bells, everything is fine. If you dare to break the rules, I will immediately strip you of your newly acquired Ninja status and send you back to the Ninja Academy to start over!"
"These are the final rules, there will be no second warning."
——————
Naruto ate the bento Kakashi prepared in small bites; the taste was decent, but not as good as what he made himself.
Looking at Satsuki, who was beside him, heavy-hearted and barely tasting her food, and Sakura, tied to the wooden stake with no bento at all, Naruto hadn't expected Kakashi to actually go through with this classic test...
So, according to the "plot" development, Satsuki should now take the risk and share her bento with Sakura, right?
His thoughts drifted. He recalled that in the original timeline, he was the one tied to the pole. And that outwardly cold Uchiha Sasuke had gambled his future as a Ninja to share his precious bento with him, who was then still a "dead last."
It was at that moment that Sasuke's icy shell first cracked, allowing him a glimpse of the gentleness and kindness hidden beneath.
Such a good kid... yet later, Itachi and hatred gradually forced him into that state...
A complex emotion arose in Naruto's heart. Perhaps, it was from the moment they shared the bento that he truly began to try and understand, and even like, this outwardly cold but inwardly warm Uchiha.
On the other side, Sakura, tightly bound to the wooden stake, felt waves of empty, twisting pain in her stomach. Although she had eaten the sandwich Naruto prepared that morning, by midday, the hunger was still irresistibly surging.
She thought bitterly, hoping that being hungry wouldn't affect her performance in the afternoon's bell-snatching... This time, I really can't drag everyone down again!
However, the body is often honest.
"Grumble~"
A sound emanated from her abdomen at a very inopportune moment, standing out particularly in the relatively quiet setting.
This utterly embarrassing scene, moreover, happened in front of the person she admired... Sakura's face instantly flushed crimson, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into, and she deeply lowered her head once again.
Just then, a hand holding a bento box suddenly reached out to her.
"Here, eat."
Sakura looked up in surprise, only to see that Satsuki had stood up at some point and was offering her own bento.
"Hurry, before that guy comes back," Satsuki added, glancing around.
"W-wait! No, it's fine!" Sakura was overwhelmed, quickly shaking her head in refusal. "If Kakashi-sensei sees it, you'll be eliminated! I... I can't drag you down..."
"Don't overthink it," Satsuki interrupted her. "I just don't want your hands and feet to go soft from hunger this afternoon and drag us down. If that happens, I won't forgive you."
"Satsuki... you really are..."
Sakura looked at the black-haired girl, who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, her eyes welling up slightly, her heart filled with emotion.
Indeed, what Ino said about Satsuki being dangerous and terrifying... it must have been a complete misunderstanding! She's clearly so kind!
Naruto, who had been silently observing from the side, also felt very relieved at this scene. She really... was still that Uchiha Nizhu Zi.
So, Naruto also smiled, picked up his bento, and said, "Hmm, Satsuki's right, you can't fight on an empty stomach. In that case, I'll share my bento with Sakura too..."
"Absolutely not!"
Naruto's words were cut off before he could finish by Satsuki's unusually firm, almost urgent, interjection. Her sudden strong attitude startled Naruto.
Satsuki seemed to realize her lapse in composure and was silent for a moment. Then, she spoke again, her tone softer but still carrying an air of irrefutability.
"How about this... I'm not very hungry this afternoon, so my bento will go to Sakura." She offered the bento in her hand further towards Sakura, then turned to Naruto, proposing a plan that somewhat surprised him.
"Naruto, your portion... let's share it between the two of us."