Menma couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
His original plan was to use that coordinated assault on Kakashi to demonstrate their united front. Then, in the next attack, as long as Sakura just stood there and didn't mess things up, it could barely count as a completed teamwork exercise.
This way, they would have met Kakashi's minimum requirement. Getting the bells would be the best outcome, but considering their current strength—even with Kakashi holding back—it wasn't guaranteed. Showing tacit teamwork was their only viable path to passing the test.
As long as Sakura didn't go out and "court death"!
Kakashi definitely wouldn't target Sakura first.
Unfortunately, plans never survive contact with reality.
She really is a ninja with absolutely zero ninja awareness!
Menma thought helplessly as he watched Kakashi charging straight toward the three of them.
Bam.
Smack.
Rumble!
Using only a tenth of his strength—maybe even less—Kakashi effortlessly toyed with the three of them in the palm of his hand.
Not to mention the vast gulf in experience and technique between them. It was like heaven and earth.
In just one exchange.
Sasuke was easily taken down by Genjutsu.
Then, with a simple Wind Style jutsu...
Whoosh!
Naruto was blown away.
Finally, using Taijutsu, he cleanly subdued Menma.
All within less than ten minutes. Kakashi made Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke understand what an insurmountable gap in strength truly looked like.
And this was with Kakashi playing along earlier to see how much teamwork the three of them had.
Otherwise, it would have ended even faster.
"It seems you're still far from ready. You couldn't even last ten minutes, let alone snatch the bells from me!"
Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at the four students sitting cross-legged on the ground with an expression of disappointment.
"No way! That didn't count, Big Brother Kakashi! We were just careless earlier. Give us another chance! We can definitely get the bells this time!"
Hearing Kakashi's words, the impatient Naruto jumped up immediately, putting his hands on his hips and shouting loudly.
If he was declared a failure right here and sent back to the Academy, where would he put his face?
That was absolutely unacceptable.
Sakura looked extremely nervous, and Sasuke frowned deeply.
"Give you another chance? Naruto, what do you think being a ninja is? Playing house? A failed mission is a failed mission! So, just as I said before, all four of you will obediently go back to the Academy to study!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, deliberately looking at Naruto with displeasure.
His decisive demeanor made Naruto freeze, his eyes widening like a startled cat.
"However... seeing that your performance earlier was actually quite decent, I suppose I could give you one more chance."
But at the end of his sentence, Kakashi changed his tone.
"Eh? Really?! Big Brother Kakashi?"
This immediately grabbed the attention of Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke.
"Heh, of course. But for this chance, I'll only give it to three people. There are three bells here. Decide amongst yourselves how to distribute them. Whoever holds a bell gets to take the second test. The one without a bell goes straight back to the Academy."
Kakashi smiled faintly, taking the three bells from his waist and tossing them lightly. Naruto caught them instinctively.
The words Kakashi deliberately spoke caused the three—excluding Menma—to look stunned.
"What's wrong? Can't decide? Or how about you solve it with a battle royale right now? My suggestion isn't bad, is it?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone sounding aggressive and pressing.
Both Naruto and Sasuke looked unnatural.
Sasuke stared intently at the bells in Naruto's hand. His right hand twitched as if wanting to reach out, but he restrained himself.
That was enough to show his inner conflict.
Standing on the other side, Sakura looked at the three bells in Naruto's hand with endless hope and anxiety in her beautiful eyes.
She really wanted to graduate.
She didn't want to go back to the Academy.
Even if this was just a chance for a second test.
But...
She didn't seem to have any strong reason or qualification to claim a bell.
In this moment, Sakura's heart was filled with despair.
Not just "maybe."
It was 100% certain she would be going back to the Academy. After all, she didn't have the courage to ask for a bell.
Menma, Naruto, Sasuke—weren't they all far better than her?
Naruto's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. The atmosphere was deadly silent.
It felt like a trick question designed to kill them.
As the silence stretched on, Kakashi's expression seemed to grow more impatient.
"Heh. It's a simple problem. Just give the bells to the three of them. I don't need this second chance, Kakashi-sensei."
Menma, standing to the side, smiled faintly and spoke softly.
"Oh?"
"Eh?"
"Menma, you?"
"Menma-kun!"
To Sakura, Naruto, and the others, these words sounded like a thunderclap.
But a look of "I knew it" flashed through Kakashi's eye.
This kid... his reaction speed is really fast...
In almost an instant, Kakashi realized that Menma had seen through his intentions completely.
However, on the surface, Kakashi feigned confusion and asked, "Oh? Are you sure, Menma? Once you miss this chance, you'll have to go back to the Academy for at least another year. You won't get another shot at graduation until next year. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? Distributing the bells based on hard power... that's the fairest way, isn't it?"
He deliberately glanced at Sakura as he said this.
Sakura trembled.
Filled with infinite conflict and anxiety, Sakura gritted her teeth a moment later and spoke up.
"Menma-kun, you three should take the bells. My grades were the worst among the four of us anyway. Based on merit, it would never be my turn. You three should take the chance for the re-test. I... I... I'll just wait until next year!"
It felt like she had used all her strength just to say those words.
But after saying them, the heavy pressure on Sakura's heart vanished into thin air. She knew clearly that fighting for something she couldn't win was meaningless.
Taking a step back here was the correct move.
Don't forget, this was only a qualification for a second test. Getting a bell didn't guarantee passing. Sakura had zero confidence that she could pass whatever test Kakashi threw at them next.
So why embarrass herself further?