Bell-Snatching, a Disheveled Kakashi

"All right." Kakashi put away his book and slipped both hands into his pockets. "Tomorrow morning at five, gather at Training Ground 3. We'll be conducting a survival exercise."

"A survival exercise?" Naruto blinked. "Haven't we already passed the graduation exam?"

"That was only the basics." Kakashi's tone was lazy, but what he said made all three of them grow serious. "Tomorrow's exercise will decide whether you're qualified to become my students. If you fail—you'll go back to the Ninja Academy and start over."

With that, he waved a hand, turned, and walked toward the door.

When he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped and glanced back. "Oh, right. Remember not to eat breakfast tomorrow."

"Why?" Naruto asked instinctively.

A nasty glint flashed through Kakashi's dead-fish eye. "Because—you'll throw it up."

Naruto instinctively rubbed his stomach, a conflicted expression on his face. "If I don't eat breakfast—I'll throw up? What's that supposed to mean—"

Hinata also twisted her fingers uneasily, a trace of worry flashing through her pure white eyes.

But just as Kakashi, hands in his pockets, was about to turn and leave the classroom...

"Jonin Kakashi."

Menma's voice rang out, not loud, but clear enough in the classroom.

Kakashi's steps stopped.

He slowly turned his head, his exposed right eye looking toward the boy who had always seemed far too calm.

Menma stood up from his seat and slowly said, "Since it's a survival exercise, why not start today? It would save some time."

The classroom went quiet for an instant.

Naruto was stunned at first, then his eyes lit up. "Yeah, yeah! We don't have anything to do right now anyway! Let's start today!"

Hinata also stood, and though her cheeks were still a little red, her gaze was firm. "I-I have no problem with that either."