The Bell-Grabbing Trial

Faint light spilled through the gaps between the leaves, while the cicadas' cries awakened the warm sun hidden among the clouds.

Early-morning Konoha exuded a cheerful air. In the training field, two boys and a girl sat around listlessly.

"Ah... Why hasn't he arrived yet? It's already half an hour past the agreed time. Teacher Keiichi is way too unreliable..."

Morino Kei said as he sprawled shamelessly on the ground.

"He really is late... I didn't even eat breakfast, so my stomach feels so empty..." Hyuga Rei rubbed her flat belly, looking dejected.

"I estimate he'll be here soon. Somehow, I don't think our teacher is late..." The boy swept his gaze around, a suspicious look appearing on his face.

"He's probably hiding somewhere and secretly watching us."

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

"Seriously? That's kind of creepy..." Morino Kei shrank his neck at those words. As he looked at the dense forest around them, he inexplicably felt a wave of fear.

Uchiha Kai did not answer. His ears twitched several times before he suddenly turned his head toward one direction and drew several Shuriken.

"Swish, swish!"

The Shuriken shot out like meteors tearing through the air and vanished into the forest leaves.

"Clang, clang, clang!" The sound of metal colliding rang out. The Shuriken seemed to have been blocked by something and flew back in all directions.

"Hm, at least one of you is fairly sharp. Not too bad..." A cold voice came from behind the leaves.

Aburame Keiichi stepped out from behind them in a high-collared robe and nodded slightly.

"As for you two, your vigilance is far too poor. As ninjas, no matter where you are or when it is, you must never let down your guard."

Aburame Keiichi turned his head toward the two people beside him.

"Especially you, Hyuga Rei. As a member of the Hyuga Clan, you've already awakened the Byakugan, yet you were completely unaware of my presence. That is truly embarrassing." Aburame Keiichi emphasized his words with a pointed look at the girl.

"Come on, Teacher Keiichi, you're being too serious. We're still inside the village, aren't we?" The girl pouted as she argued.

"Put away that childish way of thinking. You're no longer students of the Ninja Academy, and this is not a classroom where you can afford to think about nothing. Your current identity is that of a ninja."

Aburame Keiichi's tone grew increasingly stern.

"So what if you're in the village? Can you guarantee that no spies will infiltrate it, or that no enemies are lying in wait? Ninjas do not decide how to act based on guesses. Do you understand?"

At those words, everyone present darkened slightly.

Only Uchiha Kai felt sincere agreement in his heart.

"Konoha is supposedly as safe as the safest Thirteenth District, yet in the original story, it suffered countless attacks. The Intelligence Division was like a sleeping husband, deaf and blind every time. In the end, Nagato directly used Super Shinra Tensei to demolish the whole place."

"All right. Since you've only just graduated, I won't nag you any further. Just remember what I said. Don't let it happen again."

As he spoke, Aburame Keiichi walked in front of the three of them, carrying a bundle whose contents could not be made out.

"However, don't celebrate too soon." Aburame Keiichi's tone shifted as his gaze swept over them.

"You've only passed the Ninja Academy's examination. That childish little test won't count for anything with me." The man wore a playful expression.

"Let me make this clear. As your team leader, if your performance fails to meet my requirements, I have both the right and the ability to send you back to the Ninja Academy for remedial training." As he spoke, the man narrowed his eyes slightly.

"If you're not up to standard, being sent back is only natural."

At those words, Morino Kei's expression changed, and he suddenly let out a howl.

"What?! Seriously? I don't want to repeat the year!"

He seemed to recall the academy's numerous torturous lessons, and the tall, sturdy boy completely lost his composure.

Nearby, Uchiha Kai looked thoughtful as he stared at the bundle in Aburame Keiichi's hand, as well as the two strings of bells hanging from his waist.

"If I'm not mistaken, it's almost time for the traditional bell-grabbing trial every graduating class has to go through. And our class is Team Seven too. What a coincidence."

"Don't worry too much. Worrying won't help. See the bells in my hand?" Aburame Keiichi lifted the bells from his waist.

"Your task from this point onward is to snatch them from me. Those who succeed can eat the boxed lunches I brought and will pass my test."

"How is it? Pretty simple, right?" Aburame Keiichi asked with a teasing expression.

"But there are only two bells. What happens to the person who doesn't get one?" Hyuga Rei raised her hand and asked in confusion.

"It's simple. That person will be tied to a wooden post and forced to watch everyone else eat with an empty stomach." Aburame Keiichi's tone suddenly turned severe.

"Furthermore, because that person failed my test, they'll be sent back to the Ninja Academy to repeat the year..."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present changed expressions.

"So that means one of the three of us has to be eliminated?" the girl asked, a trace of suspicion showing in her eyes.

However, Aburame Keiichi did not answer her directly. He merely placed the boxed lunches on a nearby wooden post.

At the same time, a string of information appeared before the boy's eyes, and the panel's cold voice rang out.

[Quest triggered: Bonds]

[Quest details: Through life and death, I make this vow to you; hand in hand, we shall grow old together. The distance between people depends on the connection between two hearts. Prove your strength through your actions in this battle, and prove your convictions through your attitude.]

[Rewards: Body ×0.2, Spirit ×0.1, Illusion Technique: Mirror Heaven and Earth Turn]

After scanning the quest that had appeared on the panel, the boy showed a trace of surprise.

"Rarely does it give this many attribute points. And this illusion technique... I remember Uchiha Itachi used it in the original story, right? If I remember correctly, it was an extremely practical and powerful illusion technique."

Thinking of the man from the original story who had personally slaughtered his own clan, that twisted person whose extraordinary talent was matched only by his extreme stubbornness, Uchiha Kai felt a wave of irritation.

"It's all right. With me here, I'll never let something so absurd and laughable happen." Recalling the news that had recently spread through the clan about the child the clan leader's wife was about to give birth to, Uchiha Kai muttered coldly, his face as calm as a placid lake.

The next moment, Aburame Keiichi turned around and said in a low voice,

"Now, accomplish your goal with the resolve to kill me."

"Eight Trigrams Empty Strike!"

Before Aburame Keiichi had even finished speaking, Hyuga Rei was already attacking with measured steps.

Special Chakra coated her hands. After she swung them in a particular manner, they formed invisible shock waves that surged toward Aburame Keiichi.

Just as the attack was about to land on the man, Aburame Keiichi's body suddenly flickered, becoming blurred as though distorted, and then vanished from where he stood.

"Not bad. Decisive enough." Faint praise came from behind the girl.

"Bang!"

Aburame Keiichi casually thrust out one palm. The girl barely managed to raise both arms to block, but an irresistible force crashed down, sending a bone-deep ache through her arms.

After that strike, the girl's arms were flung upward, leaving her completely exposed. All she could do was watch helplessly as the man slowly reached out to attack again.

Just as the girl was overcome by despair, the sound of wind rang out, and a figure appeared behind Aburame Keiichi.

At the same moment, Zhulu was drawn from its sheath and slashed toward the seemingly defenseless Aburame Keiichi.