The morning sun had already climbed high by the time Naruto dropped flat onto the grass.
"He's late again!" Naruto groaned, staring up at the sky as if it personally offended him. "It's been two hours!"
Sakura checked the position of the sun with a frown. "Two hours and fifteen minutes," she corrected. "A jōnin shouldn't be this irresponsible."
Sasuke leaned against one of the wooden training posts, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded but alert. "If he wanted to test our patience, he succeeded."
The training ground was quiet — too quiet. Even the birds seemed to have given up waiting.
Naruto sat up suddenly. "I swear, if he says he got lost again."
A familiar voice cut through the air.
"Sorry, I'm late!"
The three genin turned toward the treeline.
Obito stepped out first, hands raised casually as if nothing was wrong. Rin followed just behind him, adjusting the strap of her pouch.
Naruto pointed dramatically. "Two hours, sensei! What kind of excuse do you even have this time?"
Obito scratched the back of his head with an easy grin. "We overslept."
Silence.
Sakura blinked. "That's... your excuse?"
Naruto threw his hands in the air. "Really, sensei?! Overslept?!"
Obito waved both hands defensively. "No, no, I'm telling you the truth! Ask Rin."
All eyes shifted to her.
Rin's cheeks flushed faintly. "W-We were just—"
She stopped herself and, without warning, smacked Obito lightly on the back of the head.
"Don't say unnecessary things!" she scolded, flustered.
Naruto stared between them, jaw slightly open. Sakura's expression shifted into something suspiciously amused. Even Sasuke's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Obito rubbed the back of his head. "See? Completely honest answer."
Rin sighed, trying to regain composure. "Let's just focus on today."
Obito straightened, brushing off the moment like it hadn't happened.
"Alright," he said, tone shifting slightly from playful to focused. "Before we start assigning real missions... we're having a test."
Naruto immediately perked up. "A test? Like what kind?"
"The bell test," he said.
"Really, Obito-nii— I mean, Obito... a bell test?" he said with a grin. "I know about this. It's about teamwork, right? After all, it was my dad who used to—"
"Naruto."
Obito's tone shifted just enough to stop him.
Naruto blinked.
"First," Obito said calmly, "you call me sensei." A faint smirk touched his lips. "Second... listen before you decide you already understand."
The air grew a little more serious.
"Yes," Obito continued, lifting the bells slightly so they chimed in the breeze, "this is a bell test."
Naruto puffed out his chest as if he had already solved it.
"But," Obito added, voice lowering slightly, "this one has a twist."
The three genin leaned in instinctively.
"This time," Obito said, "there is only one bell."
Naruto's grin faltered.
"And it will be held either by me... or by Rin."
Obito continued, "Whoever gets the bell... will receive one thing."
Naruto tilted his head. "One thing?"
"Anything," Obito clarified.
Silence.
All three pairs of eyes lit up, even Sasuke's calm expression shifted, interest flickering across his face.
Naruto stepped forward immediately. "Anything? Even ramen? Like... limited edition flavour from Ichiraku?!"
Sakura gasped. "Or access to advanced medical jutsu training?"
Sasuke's voice came quieter, but heavier. "Any jutsu... I want?"
Obito nodded slowly. "Yes."
A beat passed.
"But," he added, tone firm now, "only one of you will get the bell."
The wind moved across the training ground, carrying the weight of those words.
Naruto clenched his fists.
Sakura straightened.
Sasuke's eyes darkened with resolve.
Rin's expression softened slightly, though she said nothing.
"Whenever you're ready," Obito said quietly.
And in the next instant
They were gone.
No smoke.
No sound.
No warning.
Just empty air where they had been standing moments before.
The single bell's faint echo lingered somewhere in the trees.
Naruto swallowed.
"...Okay," he muttered, eyes scanning the forest. "This just got serious."
For a few seconds, the training ground stayed silent.
The trees swayed gently, as if nothing unusual had happened, as if their two senseis hadn't just vanished without a trace.
Naruto slowly turned his head toward Sasuke.
Sasuke glanced at Sakura.
Sakura looked between the two boys.
An unspoken tension passed through them.
Naruto broke it first.
"So... should we follow them together?" he asked, trying to sound confident. "I mean, that's what this is about, right? Teamwork and stuff?"
Sasuke let out a quiet tsk, eyes already scanning the treeline.
"What's the point?" he said flatly. "There's one bell. One reward."
Naruto frowned. "So?"
"So," Sasuke continued, voice colder now, "only one of us can win."
The words settled heavily in the air.
Before either of them could respond.
Sasuke turned sharply and sprinted in the direction Obito had disappeared, his movements swift and precise.
"Hey!" Naruto shouted. "Oi! Wait!"
But Sasuke was already gone, slipping into the forest like a shadow.
Naruto clenched his fists. "Tch... this guy never listens."
He hesitated for half a second — just enough for doubt to flicker across his face.
Then he dashed after Sasuke.
"Fine! I'll beat you to it!"
Leaves rustled as he vanished in the same direction, chasing rivalry instead of strategy.
Silence returned.
Sakura stood alone in the clearing.
She exhaled slowly.
"These two..." she muttered, brushing her hair back.
Her eyes drifted toward the opposite side of the training ground, the direction Rin had been standing.
If Obito took one side... Rin would take the other.
Sakura's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Alright," she whispered to herself. "Then I'll go this way."
Without another word, she turned and ran toward Rin's direction, her footsteps lighter but determined.
Within moments, the training ground was empty.
Only the wind remained, moving through the grass.
And somewhere deep within the forest, the faint sound of a single bell chimed softly as if amused by the choices that had just been made.
The forest grew denser the deeper Sasuke moved.
Branches snapped lightly beneath his steps, but his breathing remained controlled. His eyes scanned the shadows carefully searching, calculating.
Then
He found him.
Obito leaned casually against the trunk of a tall tree, arms folded, as if he had been waiting the entire time.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"So," Obito said lightly, pushing himself off the bark, "any jutsu you want to learn, Sasuke?"
Sasuke stepped forward, gaze unwavering.
"Your signature jutsu."
Obito's eyebrow lifted slightly. "Oh?"
"That jutsu," he said quietly. "The one where you kill the enemy before he even knows he's dead."
Obito chuckled softly. "You'd have to work very hard for that."
Obito's lips curved faintly. "What if I don't even have the bell?"
The question hung between them.
"You have"
Obito's smirk widened. "And what makes you so sure?"
Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "I know enough about you for that."
The air shifted.
In the next instant, Sasuke moved.
He dashed forward with explosive speed, shuriken flying from both hands in a precise arc. Obito tilted his head slightly, dodging the first two effortlessly while knocking the third aside with a kunai.
Sasuke was already behind him.
A swift kick aimed at Obito's ribs was blocked.
The clash echoed through the trees.
Obito pivoted smoothly, catching Sasuke's wrist mid-strike. "Good instincts," he murmured.
Sasuke twisted out of the hold, retreating only a step before forming hand signs.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames roared forward, lighting the forest in orange.
Obito vanished just before the fire consumed the space.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Too fast.
A sudden pressure struck from above.
Sasuke barely raised his guard in time as Obito's foot connected with his forearm, forcing him back several feet across the ground.
Leaves scattered.
Obito landed lightly, hands in his pockets again. "You've improved," he admitted. "But you're still fighting alone."
Sasuke straightened, jaw tightening.
"I don't need anyone."
"Oh?" Obito's tone carried quiet amusement.
A familiar voice shouted from behind the trees.
"Hey! Don't start without me!"
Naruto burst into the clearing, slightly out of breath but grinning. "You think you're getting that bell before me, teme?!"
Sasuke didn't look at him.
Obito's gaze shifted between the two boys.
"Well," he said calmly, "this just got more interesting."
Naruto cracked his knuckles the moment he stepped fully into the clearing.
"Alright, sensei," he grinned. "Let's see how long you can keep that bell."
With a burst of chakra
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Smoke exploded outward as ten identical Narutos surrounded Obito in a wide circle, each one grinning with the same reckless confidence.
Obito sighed lightly. "Already escalating?"
The clones rushed in all at once.
Obito moved not flashy, not loud, just precise. A palm strike dispersed one clone into smoke. A sweep of his leg shattered two more. He twisted between them as if stepping through falling leaves, barely touched.
Sasuke darted forward through the chaos, using the clones as cover.
"By the way," Sasuke muttered sharply to Naruto mid-charge, "you can get your ramen anywhere."
Naruto leapt past him, forming a rasengan-sized grin instead of a jutsu. "Not the limited edition!"
He lunged from above while two clones attacked from behind.
Obito vanished.
The real Naruto stumbled forward as the space in front of him emptied.
A whisper of movement behind them—
Sasuke spun just in time to block a kick, sliding backwards across the dirt.
"You're both predictable," Obito said calmly. "Ambition and appetite."
Naruto growled. "Stop analysing us and fight properly!"
"Oh," Obito replied softly, stepping back into shadow, "I am."
Sakura moved carefully between the trees, senses heightened.
She felt it before she saw her.
Rin stepped out from behind a tree, calm and composed.
"So," Rin said gently, "you want to become a medical ninja?"
Sakura straightened. "Yes. Just like you."
Rin's smile softened.
"That's admirable."
A quiet breeze passed between them.
"But..." Rin continued, tilting her head slightly, "I'm not just a medical ninja."
Sakura's brows furrowed.
In that instant
The air shifted.
Rin's chakra flared, not violently, but with quiet intensity. The ground beneath her feet cracked slightly as her presence deepened, warm kindness giving way to something far more focused.
Her smile didn't disappear.
It changed.
Subtle. Controlled.
"But healing isn't my only strength."
Sakura swallowed.
The atmosphere around Rin felt heavier now, not cruel, not hostile... but powerful.
The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Rin stepped forward.
"Let's see what you've learned."
And for the first time since the test began, Sakura understood something clearly.
This was not going to be easy.
Smoke cleared slowly across the clearing.
Naruto groaned.
Sasuke exhaled sharply.
Both of them were tied tightly to a tree trunk with thick rope, arms pinned, backs pressed against rough bark.
Obito stood in front of them, hands on his hips, laughing openly.
"You two really thought charging in separately would work?" he said, shaking his head. "I'm almost disappointed."
Naruto struggled against the rope. "You cheated!"
Obito smirked. "No. I adapted."
Sasuke remained silent, jaw tight.
Obito turned away. "Reflect on your mistakes."
And in the next second
He vanished into the trees.
Silence fell.
Naruto sighed dramatically, slumping slightly against the trunk. "I told you... This is about teamwork."
Sasuke glanced sideways at him. "...Yeah."
Naruto blinked. "Wait. You're agreeing with me?"
Sasuke didn't look at him. "We fought together."
Naruto scowled. "You didn't fight with me. You used me."
A pause.
Sasuke's expression hardened, but he didn't deny it.
Naruto twisted his wrist carefully, focusing chakra into his palm. After a moment, the rope snapped with a sharp tear.
He stepped free and rolled his shoulders.
Sasuke watched, surprised for half a second before masking it.
Naruto crouched in front of him, grinning. "Tell you what."
He extended his hand.
"You buy me ramen sometime... and you get to learn that jutsu you want."
Sasuke stared at the offered hand.
The forest wind passed quietly between them.
After a brief hesitation
He took it.
Naruto pulled him to his feet.
"...Deal," Sasuke said quietly, giving a single nod.
Naruto smirked. "Alright then. First step, we find Sakura."
They moved swiftly through the forest, senses sharpened now not by competition, but intention.
It didn't take long.
Sakura stood a short distance away in a small clearing, eyes unfocused, body rigid.
"...Sakura?" Naruto called cautiously.
No response.
Sasuke's gaze narrowed instantly. "Genjutsu."
He stepped forward, forming a quick seal before pressing his fingers lightly against her shoulder.
"Release."
A faint shimmer passed through the air.
Sakura gasped, stumbling forward slightly before catching herself. "W-What...?"
Naruto grabbed her arm. "You okay?"
She blinked rapidly, breathing unevenly. "I thought I was still fighting..."
Sasuke scanned the trees. "She's close."
Sakura steadied herself, expression shifting from shaken to determined. "Rin-sensei."
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Alright. New rule."
"No more splitting up," Sasuke finished.
The three of them exchanged a brief look.
No rivalry. No ego.
Just understanding.
Naruto grinned slightly. "Okay. We need a plan."
Deeper in the forest, Obito dropped lightly from a branch and landed beside Rin.
She was already there, seated on a fallen log, brushing leaves from her sleeve.
Obito stretched his arms behind his head. "So... where are they?"
Rin laughed softly. "You tied two of them to a tree."
Obito shrugged. "They're resourceful. But they're still taking a lot of time."
"And I placed Sakura in a mid-level genjutsu," Rin added calmly. "She should've been disoriented for a while."
Obito hummed thoughtfully. "Then why is it so quiet?"
As if answering him
A distant shout echoed through the trees.
"You bastard!"
"Get off me, you little shit!"
The voices grew clearer, unmistakably Naruto and Sasuke.
Obito blinked. "...Seriously?"
Rin stood up. "Let's check."
They moved toward the noise, stepping carefully through the brush.
The shouting became louder.
When they reached the clearing
Naruto was on top of Sasuke, pinning him to the ground. Sasuke struggled beneath him, dirt smeared across both their faces.
"You started it!" Naruto yelled.
"You're the idiot!" Sasuke shot back.
Sakura stood beside them, trying to pull Naruto off. "Stop it! Both of you!"
Obito and Rin sighed at the same time.
"Stop this," Obito called out, stepping forward. "You're wasting—"
Before he could finish
Sakura smirked.
And with a swift motion, she threw a kunai behind them.
It sliced cleanly through a barely visible wire.
The ground beneath Obito and Rin collapsed.
They dropped instantly into a deep, concealed pit.
"Rin—!" Obito barely managed before landing hard.
Something wriggled against his leg.
The pit was filled with worms. Insects. Crawling movement against skin and fabric.
Rin gasped sharply in shock. "Ah—!"
Above them
Laughter.
Naruto leaned over the edge, grinning wildly. Sasuke stood beside him, arms crossed but clearly satisfied. Sakura dusted off her hands proudly.
Obito tried to climb the wall, but it was slick and sloped inward. His fingers slipped, and he fell back down into the mess with a grunt.
Naruto laughed harder. "How's that for teamwork?!"
Obito brushed insects off his sleeve and looked up, half-annoyed, half-impressed.
"Okay," he called out, raising his hands slightly. "You got us."
He glanced at Rin, who was trying very hard not to panic.
"But this isn't funny," he added. "You know Rin's afraid of this stuff."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Yeah? Then if you want out... give us the bell."
Silence fell.
Obito and Rin looked at each other.
Rin sighed softly.
Obito exhaled, shaking his head with reluctant admiration.
"...Alright," he said. "You win."
Naruto's grin widened. "That's what I like to hear."
Sasuke tossed down a rope.
Sakura secured the other end around a sturdy tree.
One by one, they helped pull their sensei out of the pit.
Obito landed back on solid ground, brushing dirt from his clothes.
Rin steadied herself, taking a deep breath.
Obito looked at them for a long moment.
"...Not bad," he admitted.
Naruto stepped forward eagerly, hands on his hips.
"Alright! We won fair and square. Now give us the bell!"
Obito reached toward his waist confidently.
Rin did the same.
Their hands paused midair.
They slowly looked at each other.
"...You give it," Obito said casually.
Rin blinked. "I thought you had it."
Obito's smile stiffened. "No, I thought you had it."
A long silence.
The three genin stared at them.
Obito scratched the back of his neck.
Rin adjusted her pouch.
They both avoided eye contact for a second too long.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "...Don't tell me."
Sakura crossed her arms. "You both forgot to bring the bell."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "You're joking, right?"
Rin coughed softly. "It was... a busy morning."
"And you're both jōnin," Sakura added flatly.
Naruto inhaled sharply, ready to explode—
Before he could
Obito pointed immediately at Rin. "It's her fault."
Rin slowly turned her head toward him.
One eyebrow rose.
"...Excuse me?"
Obito hesitated.
"...Okay. It was my fault."
Sasuke let out a quiet sigh of disbelief.
Naruto threw his hands in the air. "WE DID ALL THAT FOR NOTHING?!"
Obito clapped his hands together suddenly. "How about we celebrate teamwork instead?"
Rin blinked. "Celebrate?"
"With food!" Obito declared brightly. "We'll eat something together."
Naruto froze mid-rant. "...Food?"
Rin gave Obito a look, half-annoyed, half resigned.
Without another word, Obito grabbed her hand.
"Retreat!" he announced dramatically.
And the two of them dashed into the trees.
"HEY!" Naruto shouted immediately.
"GET BACK HERE!" Sakura yelled.
Sasuke closed his eyes briefly. "...Unbelievable."
The three genin sprinted after them.
"You promised a reward!" Naruto screamed.
"You can't just run away!" Sakura added.
"Obito!" Sasuke called out sharply.
Ahead of them, Obito's laughter echoed through the forest, Rin's softer voice trying (and failing) to scold him as they disappeared between the trees.
And just like that
The training ground fell quiet again.
The bell test had ended.
But the chaos... had only just begun.
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