Dream

Chapter 25: Dreams

As Kagami uttered, "That's amazing," Kakashi's kick to him lessened slightly.

Kagami, filled with excitement, just wanted to shout—A sycophant has it all!

Though he thought that, when a footprint appeared on his face, Kagami could only think—May sycophants die a horrible death.

By the end of the morning, none of the three of them had managed to grab a bell, leaving them breathless and exhausted.

Saito Daisuke, still panting, cautiously asked Kakashi.

"Teacher Kakashi, what happens if none of us manage to grab a bell?"

Kakashi's face was cold, showing no mercy.

"Then you all fail!"

"Huh?!"

Saito Daisuke was clearly startled. He hadn't expected the test to be so ruthless.

In reality, Saito Daisuke didn't know that after the morning's battles, Kakashi was already quite satisfied with him, having confirmed their spirit of teamwork.

However, it wasn't enough. This was still lacking something. Kakashi wanted to give them one final test!

"I advise you not to slack off. If none of you have grabbed a bell before breakfast, then you will all fail!"

This time, it wasn't just Saito Daisuke who cried out in surprise, but Kagami and Suzuki Genji as well.

The three of them quickly adjusted their states, preparing to continue the bell-grabbing attempt.

This time, everyone gave their all. Kagami ignored the pain in his body, ignored his rapidly depleting chakra, and launched attack after attack.

Although Kagami recalled from his memories that the bell-grabbing test, as long as the team cooperated, they would pass. However, nothing was absolute. The current Kakashi, according to Kagami's father, should have just come out of the Anbu, out of that dark place. Who knew how much darkness still resided in Kakashi's heart?

Kagami couldn't gamble. He couldn't gamble that Kakashi would let him pass just for teamwork. Therefore, since Kakashi hadn't declared them successful yet, Kagami was getting anxious. He had to grab a bell!

However, the gap in strength was immense. Time eventually ran out, reaching mealtime. Yet, Kagami and the other two still hadn't managed to grab a bell.

Kakashi took the bell from his waist and dangled it in front of Kagami and the others.

"I'm afraid none of you managed to grab a bell. Therefore, I declare you all failed!"

As his words fell, Saito Daisuke's face instantly turned pale. His six-year goal had been shattered.

Suzuki Genji frowned, remaining silent.

Kagami's face showed no emotion, but his heart was filled with anxiety. If he missed this chance to be promoted to genin, how long would he have to wait for the next opportunity?

Would he have to spend another year studying at the Ninja Academy? Kagami was willing to give himself that time, but the Uchiha clan extermination would never give him that time!

But then, Kakashi's tone shifted.

"However, eliminating all of you is a bit too harsh. How about this: you three will duel. The top two will pass, and the last one will be eliminated. This is your final chance, understood?"

The three of them remained silent. The first to speak was Kagami. He shook his head and took a few steps back.

"No, Teacher Kakashi, I will not fight against my comrades. I withdraw from this battle."

Kagami was gambling. He gambled that Kakashi's words were a test. If he won, he would pass. If he lost, then so be it. To be honest, Kagami didn't want to crush Saito Daisuke's dream with his own hands, nor did he want to bully a girl. At worst, he could return to the Ninja Academy. In the future, he would still make significant progress by following Itachi and Shisui.

Saito Daisuke hesitated for a moment, then also took a few steps back, standing beside Kagami.

"Teacher Kakashi, like Kagami, I will not fight against my comrades. I also withdraw from this battle."

Kakashi looked at the two of them coldly, remaining silent.

Suzuki Genji smiled slightly and politely bowed to Kakashi.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Kakashi, my decision is the same as theirs."

With every word the three spoke, Kakashi's expression grew more somber. By the time Suzuki Genji finished speaking, Kakashi's face was already extremely grim. Although his mask covered half of his face, the gloom in his eyes was unmistakable, like the calm before a storm. Kakashi spoke word by word.

"You three! Very good! You three! In that case, I now declare that all three of you..."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly, as if about to deliver a cruel and heartless verdict, but his eyes gradually narrowed into crescent shapes. The grimness on his face vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.

"You three, all of you pass!"

Saito Daisuke: "Huh?!"

Suzuki Genji's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but she didn't show it excessively.

Kagami sighed in relief. Thankfully, Kakashi was still the Kakashi he knew. His gamble had paid off.

Kakashi explained.

"Those who do not cherish their comrades are not worthy of being ninja. You, however, have succeeded in cherishing your comrades. Therefore, you pass."

Saito Daisuke scratched his head and said with relief, "Is that so? Thankfully. Phew."

Afterward, Kakashi carefully explained to the three what the bell-grabbing test was meant to assess.

Then, Kakashi smiled slightly and gave the three of them a thumbs-up.

"You all did very well. Now, I am your official instructor. I learned your names during the battle just now, and I understand your abilities. I would like to ask you now, what are your dreams?"

Kakashi first looked at Suzuki Genji, the girl who had always been so composed.

Suzuki Genji was a little surprised that Kakashi would have her answer first. After thinking for a moment, she spoke.

"I hope... that everything will be alright."

Kakashi was silent for a moment before speaking.

"That probably doesn't count as a dream, but if it's what you wish for, then I suppose it does. You truly have no desires."

After speaking, Kakashi looked at Saito Daisuke.

Saito Daisuke seemed a little embarrassed, unsure if he should say it, but under Kakashi's encouraging gaze, he finally spoke.

"My dream is to become Hokage, a Hokage stronger than the Third Hokage!"

Kakashi smiled knowingly.

"Then you'll have to work hard."

Saito Daisuke: "Of course!"

Finally, it was Kagami's turn. Kagami was a bit at a loss for words. His dream? Did he even have a dream? Ultimately, what was he fighting for? He was fighting to escape the impending Night of the Uchiha Clan Extermination, but could he say that the Uchiha would be exterminated? No!

So, what should he say? Besides escaping the Night of the Uchiha Clan Extermination, what else did he wish for?

Father, mother, Shisui, Itachi. Faces flashed through Kagami's mind. That's right, what he wished for was to protect these people!

With that thought, Kagami spoke subconsciously.

"My dream is for everything to be alright."

As his words fell, Suzuki Genji couldn't help but look at Kagami, pursing her lips, unsure of what to say.

Kakashi chuckled helplessly.

"In that case, you two really do have the same dream, hahaha."

Kagami realized at this moment that his dream seemed to overlap with Suzuki Genji's. Although strictly speaking, it wasn't a dream, it was indeed what Kagami currently wished for.

"If it can be realized, then nothing else matters."