"Wait a minute! Qualification Bells? Why didn't you mention this inexplicable rule before starting?!"
Satsuki suddenly stood up from the ground and shouted in panic. She was completely unaware that what Kakashi was using at this moment was an almost rogue ultimate method called "the right of interpretation belongs to us".
Rules are supplemented by the makers at any time, and are always thrown out at the most critical moment.
"Sorry, this is reality."
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets, appearing cold and inhumane, and rejected Satsuki's protest without mercy, "Ninja's mission statement often does not specify all potential dangers and variables, and you need to judge and deal with them on your own."
Although he said merciless words, Kakashi's heart was actually full of expectations and tension. His profound gaze swept over the three people in front of him.
In fact, the core purpose of this exercise has nothing to do with snatching the bell itself from the beginning. What it's really about is testing - testing whether they have the building blocks of a real squad, teamwork.
Naruto's performance far exceeded his expectations. He is worthy of being a teacher's child. Not only did he show outstanding strength and leadership during the battle, but what's even more rare is that he took the initiative to take on the responsibility of leading the team from beginning to end.
As the strongest being in the team, he has not even the slightest thought of giving up on Sakura, who is the weakest and may even be a hindrance. This persistence in not abandoning any of his companions is exactly the quality Kakashi hopes to see most.
And Satsuki... As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, she has amazing talent and pride. Her performance surprised Kakashi and was a little subtle. She actually showed an almost absolute trust and obedience to Naruto?
This is the first time Kakashi has seen Uchiha who is so obedient and even willing to cooperate with foreigners. Although this kind of "obedience" seems a bit too focused on Naruto alone, from Kakashi's perspective, this is just a small problem that needs a little guidance. The core of it - the willingness to cooperate with recognized peers is extremely valuable.
As for Sakura... she is indeed much weaker than Jie Duo. She lacks actual combat experience and her combat awareness is far from sufficient. During the whole process, she did not have the negative thought of "just give up if I can't help". She always tried to keep up and tried to play her role. Kakashi also saw this intention and struggle.
Therefore, this last, seemingly harsh rule is the real final test. Kakashi waited with bated breath for their reaction. How he hopes that this time, he can finally have subordinates who are worthy of entrusting his support and who truly know how to cherish their companions...
He absolutely wants to pass on to himself the will of his dear friend who passed away, called "companion".
Looking at Satsuki who clenched his fists and gritted his teeth but was unable to refute, Sakura whose eyes were completely desperate, and Naruto whose face was full of surprise and confusion, Kakashi knew that the time had come and finally threw out his real test.
"Yes, I don't despair so early."
These sudden words made Satsuki and Sakura raise their heads almost at the same time, with a glimmer of hope rekindled in their eyes.
Kakashi maintained the surface calm and continued. "In view of the fact that apart from Sakura, Satsuki, your previous tracking, cooperation and overall performance in the battle are quite remarkable... Therefore, I can make an exception and give you two another chance."
His eyes moved between Satsuki and Sakura, "This afternoon, the battle for the bell will be more intense and cruel than in the morning. Do you understand? This is your last chance."
Then, he changed the topic and put forward a condition that seemed to be relaxed but was actually more stringent. "I even allowed Naruto to help you. The exercise will continue after lunch."
Then, he immediately raised his hand and pointed at Sakura who was tied to the wooden stake, and his voice suddenly became stern. "Yes - you two are absolutely not allowed to give Sakura the bento to eat. Not even one bite."
"Eh?" Sakura was stunned, somewhat surprised to hear this merciless instruction directed at him.
"This is punishment for her naive and reckless behavior!"
Kakashi's voice was cold and hard, and he pointed out Sakura's mistake without hesitation, "Obviously, my own strength cannot cope with the danger at hand, but just because my teammates made too much noise, I thought I would win. Leaving the hiding spot without permission and rushing out after being overly threatened - this kind of behavior without any self-awareness and easily revealing your position is not only stupid on the real battlefield, but also fatal! It will not only kill you, but also affect the entire team!"
Sakura suddenly recalled the scene when she thought Kakashi had been killed and subconsciously ran out of the hiding place after seeing the astonishing compound ninjutsu bombardment... Strong regret instantly overwhelmed her, causing her to lower her head deeply again.
Kakashi issued an ultimatum, "Listen, this is the rule. If the two of you - Satsuki, or you, Naruto - dare to violate the rules and secretly give the lunch to Sakura..."
"Then, the violators will be eliminated immediately! And you, Naruto, don't think that everything will be fine just because you got the bell. If you dare to violate the rules, I will immediately deprive you of the Ninja identity you just obtained, and let you go back to the Ninja Academy and rebuild!"
"This is the final rule, there is no second warning."
Naruto ate the bento prepared by Kakashi. It tasted pretty good, but not as delicious as the one he made himself.
Looking at Satsuki next to him who was feeling heavy and barely able to eat, and Sakura who was tied to a wooden stake and didn't even have a lunch box, Naruto didn't expect that Kakashi would eventually conduct this classic test...
So, according to the development of the "plot", Satsuki should take the risk and give his lunch to Sakura, right?
His thoughts couldn't help but wander far away. Looking back, in the original world line, it was me who was tied to the pillar. The indifferent-looking Uchiha Sasuke was betting on his own Ninja future and gave the precious lunch to him who was still "Dead Last" at the time.
It was at that moment that the ice-like shell of Sasuke cracked for the first time, allowing him to glimpse the gentleness and kindness hidden underneath.
Such a good child... but later he was forced to look like that by Itachi Uchiha and hatred step by step...
Naruto felt a complicated emotion in his heart. Perhaps, it was from the moment when I shared the bento that I began to really try to understand and fall in love with this Uchiha, who is cold on the outside and hot on the inside.
On the other side, Sakura, who was tightly tied to the wooden stake, was feeling empty cramps in his stomach. Although I ate the sandwich prepared by Naruto in the morning, at noon, I still felt uncontrollably hungry.
She thought bitterly, hoping that being hungry would not affect her performance in grabbing the bell in the afternoon too much... This time, I really can't hold everyone back anymore!
, the body is often honest.
"Gu~"
The scream came from her abdomen at an extremely inappropriate time, and it seemed particularly abrupt in this relatively quiet venue.
This extremely embarrassing scene happened in front of the person he admired... Sakura's face instantly turned red, and he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in, and lowered his head deeply again.
At this moment, a hand holding a lunch box was suddenly handed to her.
"Here, eat."
Sakura raised his head in surprise and saw that Satsuki had stood up at some point and was handing his lunch to her.
"Hurry up before that guy comes back." Satsuki added, looking around.
"Wait, wait a minute! No need!" Sakura was flattered and quickly shook his head to refuse, "If Kakashi-sensei sees it, you will be eliminated! I, I can't hurt you..."
"Don't think too much." Satsuki interrupted her, "I just don't want your hands and feet to become weak in the afternoon because you are hungry and hold us back. In that case, I can't spare you."
"Satsuki... you really..."
Sakura Looking at the hard-spoken and soft-hearted black-haired girl in front of her, her eyes couldn't help but feel moist, and her heart was filled with emotion.
Sure enough, what that guy Ino said about Satsuki being dangerous and scary... was a complete misunderstanding! She is so good!
Naruto, who was observing silently from the side, felt very relieved when he saw this scene. She really... is still the same Uchiha Sasuke.
So, Naruto also smiled and picked up his lunch box and said, "Well, Satsuki is right, you can't fight when you are hungry. In this case, I will also share my lunch box with Sakura..."
"Absolutely not!"
Before Naruto finished speaking, he was interrupted by Satsuki's extremely firm and even a little eager shout. The sudden tough attitude shocked Naruto.
Satsuki seemed to be aware of her own situation and was silent for a moment. Then, she spoke again, her tone softened, but still with a meaning that could not be refuted.
"Let's see... I'm not very hungry at noon today, so I'll give this lunch to Sakura." She handed the lunch in front of Sakura, then turned to Naruto, and proposed a plan that surprised Naruto.
"Naruto, your share... let's share it between the two of us."
(Some readers say they are not interested and will write some explosive plot soon instead of rigidly following the original work.)
(It's still the third update at night)