Chapter 56 – Sensei, Let's Snatch the Bells
Kakashi's dead-fish eye swept over the three of them.
"Who wants to go first? Tell us about your hobbies or your dreams."
Naruto didn't speak up.
He didn't have the original's gung-ho attitude.
Sasuke, seeing how calm he was, stayed silent as well.
The look on his face said, "You can't out-cool me."
Sakura was about to speak, but catching sight of Sasuke, she swallowed her words.
The scene turned awkward.
"..."
Kakashi ruffled his silver hair and called, "Sakura, you first."
"Oh, okay."
Since she'd been picked, Sakura couldn't copy Sasuke any longer, yet her eyes stayed glued to him.
"I'm Sakura Haruno. The person I like is… ahem."
She didn't say it outright, but everyone present knew exactly who she meant.
Those who get it, get it.
Naruto kept gazing at the sky.
Sasuke was quietly competing with him.
Kakashi felt mentally exhausted.
What was wrong with these two?
Where was the youthful energy?
"Sasuke, your turn."
"Uchiha Sasuke. I seek strength, hoping one day to defeat that man and Naruto."
With that, Sasuke glanced at Naruto.
"..."
Naruto sighed.
Why look at me? Look at your future wife beside you.
What, am I supposed to look at Sakura next and complete some love-triangle stare loop?
Hmph, I'm no single dog.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I like farming, good food, and making money. Nothing I hate. Small goal—earn a hundred million first."
Naruto hadn't forgotten he was still in debt.
Kakashi blinked.
This wasn't in the script.
Where was your perfect Will of Fire?
Weren't you supposed to become Hokage?
Kakashi realized this Naruto might not be the one he remembered.
"Anything else to add?"
"No×3."
"Fine. Tomorrow at seven, Training Ground Three."
Kakashi body-flickered away, leaving the three standing there.
"By tradition, there'll be a survival exercise tomorrow."
Naruto recalled the bell-snatching from the original.
Though Kakashi had rushed off without mentioning it, he was looking forward to it.
"What's a survival exercise?"
Sakura tensed at the word "survival."
"It's the team leader's test. Fail and you repeat the year."
Naruto reassured her. "Relax, we're top-ten students. Passing won't be hard."
In theory and Ninjutsu, Sakura ranked in the top ten.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata held the top three spots.
A huge gap—top ten isn't created equal.
"Easy to guess: three of us versus Kakashi."
Naruto sighed—having foresight was great.
Knowing the outcome makes the process simple.
Uh… math excluded.
"All right, stock up on food, medicine, ninja tools."
Naruto stood, ending the analysis.
Nothing much to analyze—Sasuke alone could fight Kakashi evenly.
"I'll skip lunch with you guys."
Naruto shot Sakura a meaningful look.
Good job!
So considerate!
I've got your back!
Sakura's heart leapt; she gazed lovingly at Sasuke, about to speak—
"I'm off to train."
Sasuke vanished.
"..."
Sakura watched her teammates leave, icy rain slapping her face.
Inner Sakura raged, fists flying.
Back in the Treehouse, Naruto felt he'd forgotten something.
Next morning he remembered: he hadn't told Sakura to come late—Kakashi wouldn't show until noon.
But he miscalculated.
Because Naruto was Minato's son, Kakashi wanted to make a good impression—so he arrived early.
He and Sakura stared at each other for four long hours.
Naruto and Sasuke showed up late.
"Why are you two so late?"
Kakashi couldn't help asking.
"Oh, a black cat blocked the road."
Kakashi almost coughed blood.
You think I'll buy that?
I used that excuse ages ago!
"Sensei, let's start the survival exercise."
Naruto looked eager.
"Survival exercise? Did I say we were doing one?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No such thing today."
Survival my foot!
With you two, I'd be the one surviving.
Can't we just step back from something this dangerous?
"Huh? Third Grandpa told me you always do a bell-snatching survival drill with your students. It's tradition."
Naruto blinked.
Canceling would be such a waste.
"There is that tradition."
With the Hokage cited, Kakashi had to admit, "But I didn't bring bells today—so we'll skip it. I believe in your strength anyway."
"Bells? I've got some."
Naruto pulled two bells from his pouch and jingled them.
"???"
Kakashi's eyes were as wide as saucers.
Did I offend you, kid?
Tell me and I'll fix it—no need for this!
"I think…"
Kakashi started, then stopped.
Dear lord, why did I use the "no bells" excuse?
Never dreamed Naruto would bring his own.
This really might get me killed.
"Sensei, the three of us admire Jonin greatly, so please don't hold back."
Naruto pressed the bells into his hand. "Right, Sakura?"
"Oh—yes!"
Startled at her name, Sakura dragged her eyes off Sasuke and nodded. "Please go easy on us, sensei."
She knew her teammates were strong, but they were only Genin—no way stronger than Kakashi-sensei.
And the survival drill was her chance to shine.
Apart from combat, she excelled in every tactic.
She'd make Sasuke take notice!
"..."
Kakashi clutched the bells like a live bomb.
"Sensei, let's snatch the bells."
Naruto glanced at Sakura.
He was taking the first step to reshape her: let her see the gap between her and Sasuke, so she'd strive instead of moping and obsessing over romance.
Sasuke already drew his thunder fire sword.
Unlike Naruto, he genuinely wanted to spar with Kakashi—he craved worthy opponents.
Kakashi was his teacher and stronger; Sasukewouldn't miss this chance.
"Naruto, I'll move first."
Kakashi sighed at the words.
Seems this calamity is fated.
"Very well—let's begin. Rules are simple: the three of you take these bells and you pass."
He hung the bells at his waist, stepped back, pulled off his forehead protector, and revealed his Sharingan.
If he didn't go all-out, he feared he'd be the one carried out.