The Bell

"Bells? Could this be a test to steal bells? Is this some kind of Konoha tradition?" Shiyu guessed.

"What do you mean?" Kakashi Nao didn't seem to understand why Hizashi had taken out the bells.

Only Hinata Kurenai seemed to understand what her fellow Hyuga Jonin meant. She couldn't help asking, "Could it be...?"

"That's right, Miss Kurenai. You guessed it. There are two bells here, and three of you. That means at least one of you won't get a bell."

"If you don't get one, then I'm sorry, but you'll lose the right to become a Genin." As soon as Hizashi finished speaking, he casually tossed one of the bells into Hinata Kurenai's hands.

"You have two choices: work together to defeat me and get the other bell, though beating me obviously won't be easy, or take a bell from one of your teammates. Either way, you can become Genin. You may begin!" Hizashi hung the other bell from his waist. It was clear that there was no way to get it without defeating him.

"I'll attack you, too! Once you get a bell, shout, 'I got the bell! I completed the mission!' Then congratulations—you'll become a Konoha Genin!" The moment he finished speaking, Hizashi looked at the three of them and shouted, "Begin!"

At his command, Hizashi immediately got serious. Shiyu hadn't expected him to go all out.

"Byakugan!" The veins around Hizashi's eyes bulged at once. He could instantly see the three of them's chakra pathways, nerves, and pressure points.

"Here I go!" As the top student at the Ninja Academy, Kakashi Nao had learned the basic principle of not faltering in battle. He dashed forward, seeming to intend to take down Hizashi on his own.

"Gray Fang!" Kakashi Nao drew his sword and slashed at Hizashi, using the famed Kakashi Sword Style of the Land of Fire.

"Kakashi Sword Style? It lives up to its reputation. Too bad you're far too naive!" As a Jonin with his Byakugan activated, Hizashi instantly found Kakashi Nao's weak point. He struck with a burst of force, sending Nao flying with ease.

"Damn it! So this is a Jonin's strength?!" Kakashi Nao flew backward, deeply frustrated.

"That takes care of one. Now it's your turn." Hizashi looked at Shiyu and Kurenai, showing no sign of holding back.

"This is only training! There's no need to go all out, is there?" Kurenai finally couldn't hold back. After all, they were both members of the Hyuga Clan, so she didn't feel the need to hold her tongue.

"What am I supposed to say to you, Miss Kurenai? Training is combat! Of course you have to go all out. Besides, this is a direct order from Hokage-sama." Hizashi showed no emotion as he spoke, as if simply stating a fact.

"So, are the two of you going to fight back or not?"

"Gentle Fist!" Hizashi lunged at them in an instant.

Seeing Hizashi use the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, Shiyu knew he couldn't delay any longer.

He quickly formed Hand Seals. Even Hizashi was astonished by Shiyu's speed.

"This kid! His Hand Seals are so fast!"

"Earth Style: Earth Style Wall!" Shiyu shouted.

A huge, thick earthen wall quickly rose, protecting Kurenai and Shiyu.

Hizashi was taken aback, then praised him. "This kid only just became a Genin, and he already knows a jutsu of this caliber?! Impressive! He didn't waste a bit of chakra, and he even protected his teammate! Very good!"

But aloud, he said, "Too bad it's useless!"

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!" Hizashi showed no mercy as he struck with all his strength. Even Shiyu's Earth Style Wall instantly crumbled.

"S-so this is a Jonin's strength?!" Shiyu secretly admired him.

"Gentle Fist!" The instant the earthen wall shattered, Hinata Kurenai launched an attack on Hizashi.

"Teacher Hyuga! You forgot about me!" Kakashi Nao suddenly attacked from behind. He swung Gray Fang and slashed at Hizashi.

By sheer coincidence, he and Kurenai had him caught in a pincer attack.

But Hizashi had the Byakugan, so he'd spotted Kakashi Nao behind him long ago. He grabbed Kurenai's wrist with one hand and Nao by the neck with the other, crossed his arms, and threw them both away.

Shiyu naturally wasn't going to waste this opportunity. He charged in close.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Shiyu instantly created two Shadow Clones, and smoke filled the area. One clone rushed at Hizashi.

"Bring it on!" Hizashi said, then struck one of the approaching Shadow Clones with a Gentle Fist. At the same time, the moment Shiyu's other "Shadow Clone" touched the bell, Hizashi punched him. A cloud of smoke instantly billowed up.

Amid the swirling dust, the sound of Hand Seals could be heard.

"Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Tiger! Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

In the distance, Shiyu quickly formed Hand Seals and took a deep breath. Chakra gathered in his throat, and he exhaled with force. A scorching fireball shot straight toward Hizashi.

"He has such a powerful Great Fireball in addition to the Earth Style Wall?! His chakra reserves are boundless! This is a thrilling fight!" Hizashi was brimming with fighting spirit, delighted.

The fireball shot toward Hizashi, but he wasn't alarmed. "Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven!" He spun like a top, whipping up a vortex around himself. Even the powerful Great Fireball was easily repelled by his Rotation.

Hizashi then immediately stopped his Rotation and deactivated his Byakugan.

"All right! That's enough for today!" Hizashi ended the fight at an appropriate moment.

Then his expression changed, and he looked sternly at the three of them. "Kakashi Nao, Uchiha Shigure, your abilities aren't enough to defeat me. And Hinata Kurenai is nothing but a burden. Why didn't you take her bell?"

"Take a bell from a teammate? That's the same as taking their life," Kakashi Nao said coldly. "Besides, she's a girl. No matter what, we're teammates."

"What about you, Uchiha Shigure?" Hizashi asked sternly.

"Teacher Hyuga, I never planned to take a bell from a teammate. And, well, I'm sorry, but the bell from your waist is already in my hands." Shiyu looked at Hizashi with a mischievous grin.

"What?! You got the bell?!" Hizashi was stunned. He clearly saw that the bell was still hanging quietly at his waist.

Kurenai and Nao also stared at Hizashi and Shiyu in confusion.