Snatching Bells

Sunlight streamed down through the gaps in the leaves, and the chirping of cicadas woke the warm sun hidden behind the clouds.

Konoha in the early morning exuded a cheerful atmosphere. In the training ground, two boys and one girl sat around listlessly.

"Ah... why aren't they here yet? It's already half an hour past the agreed time. Teacher Keiichi is too unreliable..."

Morino Kei said lazily, flopping onto the ground.

"He is indeed too late... I didn't even eat breakfast, and my stomach is empty..." Hyuga Rei rubbed her flat stomach, looking dejected.

"I guess he'll be here soon. I don't really feel like he's just late..." As he spoke, the young man's gaze swept around, a look of suspicion on his face.

"He's probably hiding somewhere, secretly observing us."

From the moment the three of them gathered, Uchiha Kai had sensed a faint feeling of being watched.

"Really? That's a bit creepy..." Morino Kei shivered at the words, looking at the dense trees around them, inexplicably feeling a sense of fear.

Uchiha Kai didn't reply. His ears twitched a few times, and then he suddenly turned his head to stare in one direction, drawing several shuriken from his hand.

"Swish swish!"

The shuriken shot out like meteors tearing through the air, disappearing into the leaves.

"Clang clang clang!" The sound of metal striking metal echoed. The thrown shuriken were blocked by something and flew back in all directions.

"Hmm, there's a more perceptive one. Not too bad..." A cold voice came from behind the leaves.

Aburame Keiichi, wearing a high-necked robe, emerged and nodded slightly.

"As for you two, your vigilance is too low. As ninja, no matter where you are or when, you cannot let your guard down."

Aburame Keiichi turned his head to look at the other two.

"Especially you, Hyuga Rei. As a member of the Hyuga Clan, you've already activated your Byakugan, yet you were completely unaware of my presence. It truly shames me." Aburame Keiichi emphasized the girl.

"Well, Teacher Keiichi, you're too serious. We're still in the village, aren't we?" The girl pouted and retorted.

"Put away such childish thoughts. You are no longer students of the Ninja Academy. This is not a classroom where you don't need to consider anything. Your current identity is that of a ninja."

Aburame Keiichi's tone grew heavier.

"So what if you're in the village? Can you guarantee that no spies will infiltrate or enemies will lurk? Ninja don't act based on guesswork, understand!"

At this, the expressions of those present grew serious.

Only Uchiha Kai inwardly agreed wholeheartedly.

As for Konoha, which is as safe as the Thirteenth District, how many attacks have occurred in the original work? The intelligence division was deaf and blind like a sleeping husband every time, and in the end, Nagato just used Almighty Push for a major demolition.

"Alright, since you've only just graduated, I won't lecture you further. Just remember my words, and don't let it happen again."

Saying this, Aburame Keiichi walked up to the three of them, still carrying a bag whose contents were unclear.

"However, don't get too happy just yet." Aburame Keiichi's tone shifted, and his gaze swept over them.

"You've only passed the Ninja Academy exams. Those childish tests are useless to me." The man showed a playful expression.

"Let me state clearly, as your team leader, if your performance doesn't meet my requirements, I have the right and the ability to send you back to the Ninja Academy to repeat the course." The man narrowed his eyes slightly.

"If the goods don't match, being sent back is only natural."

Hearing this, Morino Kei's expression changed, and he let out a wail.

"Ah?! Really? I don't want to repeat the course!!"

As if remembering the numerous torturous courses at the Ninja Academy, the tall, sturdy boy completely lost it.

Uchiha Kai, on the other hand, was deep in thought, staring at the bag in Aburame Keiichi's hand and the two strings of bells hanging from his waist.

If I'm not mistaken, it's almost time for the bell-grabbing tradition that every graduating class goes through. It's quite a coincidence that our class is also Team Seven.

"Don't worry too much, because worrying is useless. See the bells in my hand?" Aburame Keiichi picked up the bells from his waist.

"Your mission now is to snatch them from me. Those who succeed can enjoy the bento I brought and pass my test."

"How is it? Isn't it very simple?" Aburame Keiichi said with a teasing expression.

"But there are only two bells? What about the person who doesn't get one?" Hyuga Rei asked, raising her hand in confusion.

"It's simple. Then you'll just have to be tied to a stake by me and watch others eat with an empty stomach," Aburame Keiichi said, his tone suddenly turning stern.

"Furthermore, because you failed my test, you will be sent back to the Ninja Academy to repeat the year..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of everyone present changed in unison.

"Meaning, one of us three has to be eliminated," the girl asked, though a hint of suspicion flickered in her eyes.

However, Aburame Keiichi didn't answer her question directly. He simply placed the bento box in his hand on a nearby wooden stake.

At the same time, a series of messages appeared before the young man's eyes, and a cold voice from the panel sounded.

[Triggered Quest: Bonds]

[Quest Content: "Life and death together, words of commitment; holding your hand, growing old together." The distance between people depends on the connection between two hearts. In this battle, prove your strength with your actions and your beliefs with your attitude.]

[Reward: Physical Strength × 0.2, Spirit × 0.1, Ninjutsu: Mirror World Reversal]

He glanced at the mission that appeared on the Panel, and the young man was slightly surprised.

"They've rarely given so many attribute points, and this genjutsu... I remember it was used by Uchiha Itachi in the original work... If I recall correctly, it's a very practical and powerful genjutsu."

Thinking of the man in the original work who personally slaughtered his own clan, that twisted individual with incredibly high talent yet extreme obsession, Uchiha Kai felt a surge of irritation.

"It's fine, with me here, I will absolutely not let such a ridiculous and laughable event unfold." He thought of the news that had spread through the clan a few days prior, about the clan leader's wife about to give birth.

Uchiha Kai muttered coldly, his face as calm as a placid lake.

The next moment, Aburame Keiichi, who was in the center of the arena, turned around and said in a deep voice.

"Now, come with the resolve to kill me to achieve your goals."

"Eight Trigrams Empty Strike!"

Before Aburame Keiichi's words had even landed, Hyuga Rei attacked with a rhythmic stride.

Her hands, imbued with special Chakra, were swung in a specific manner, forming invisible shockwaves that struck towards Aburame Keiichi.

Just as it was about to land on the man, Aburame Keiichi's body suddenly flickered, creating a blurry distortion, and he vanished from his original position.

"Not bad, decisive enough." A faint compliment came from behind the girl.

"Bang!"

Aburame Keiichi casually pushed out a palm. The girl barely managed to raise her arms to block, but the irresistible force struck down, sending a bone-chilling ache through her arms.

After the blow, the girl's arms were raised, leaving her wide open. She could only watch helplessly as the man once again reached out and slowly attacked.

Just as the girl fell into despair, a gust of wind sounded, and a figure appeared behind Aburame Keiichi.

At the same moment, Zhulu was unsheathed and swung a blade at the seemingly defenseless Aburame Keiichi.