Bell Representing Intent, Not Sound

The Third Hokage took something out of his pocket.

It was a small bell, about the size of a thumb joint. The top of the bell had an exquisite leaf-shaped clasp, which could be tied to a backpack or belt.

The most special thing was that it was solid and wouldn't make a sound.

The Third Hokage handed the small bell to Shin-chan. "This is the Shouye Bell."

Shin-chan took it and looked at it back and forth, saying a little strangely, "It doesn't ring."

"Mm," the Third Hokage nodded. "It's solid, it doesn't ring."

"Then why is it called a bell?"

The Third Hokage paused, then smiled. "Because it represents intention, not sound."

He said this while pointing to the subtle patterns on the bell's surface.

"Look, these are 'fire' patterns, and these are 'leaf' patterns. Together, they symbolize the Will of Fire."

Shin-chan leaned closer to look. Indeed, those seemingly random engravings, when looked at closely, revealed the shapes of flames and leaves.

"The day you graduate from the Ninja Academy," the Third Hokage said, "bring it to me, and you can exchange it for a mysterious gift."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "What mysterious gift?"

"If I tell you, it won't be mysterious anymore."

"Just a little bit?"

"No."

"Just a tiny bit."

The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head, not answering.

Beside them, Kakashi's gaze fell on the small bell, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Uchiha Toru also watched, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes.

The Third Hokage patted Shin-chan's head. "Keep it safe."

"Okay," Shin-chan clutched the bell in his palm.

It was warm, as if it had been sun-dried.

When he returned to the classroom, the children in his class immediately surrounded him.

"Shin-chan, what did Hokage-sama give you?"

"Let me see, let me see!"

"Wow, it's a bell."

"So pretty!"

Shin-chan held up the small bell and shook it proudly: "Third Grandpa gave it to me, he said I can exchange it for a mysterious gift after graduation."

"Really?"

"I want one too!!!"

"Why do only you have one!"

Amidst the chattering voices, there was envy, curiosity, jealousy, everything.

Obito also came closer, his eyes wide: "Shin-chan, can I see it?"

Shin-chan handed it to him.

Obito held the bell in his palm, observing it carefully, muttering: "Something Hokage-sama gave... something Hokage-sama gave..."

Rin also came to look, saying softly: "It's so exquisite. The leaf-shaped clasp is so cute."

"And it's a bell that doesn't ring," Shin-chan added, "Third Grandpa said it represents a heartfelt gesture, not sound."

Might Guy's youth had already ignited: "This is the gift of youth!"

Kakashi stood outside the crowd, watching the scene, silent, but his gaze lingered on the small bell for a long time.

The commotion slowly died down.

Shin-chan tied the bell to his schoolbag, occasionally looking down to make sure it was still there.

Uchiha Toru, standing beside him, had been silent the whole time, just looking down at his textbook, but he kept flipping back and forth between the same two pages.

Shin-chan noticed his abnormality, tilted his head, and looked at him for a while: "Xiao Che."

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

Uchiha Toru didn't look up, his voice muffled: "Nothing."

Shin-chan blinked and leaned closer: "You seem unhappy."

Uchiha Toru's movements paused. After a long silence, he finally looked up.

"Shin-chan."

"Hm?"

"Do you think... Hokage-sama doesn't really like me?" Uchiha Toru pursed his lips.

"Why do you think that?" Shin-chan scratched his head, not quite understanding.

"He spent a long time instructing both you and Kakashi, but only a little while with me." Uchiha Toru's voice grew softer. "And he gave you a Bell. Is there something I'm not doing well enough?"

After speaking, his gaze lingered for a moment on the Bell on Shin-chan's schoolbag, his eyes full of envy, before he quickly averted his gaze and lowered his head again.

Shin-chan saw that look and suddenly remembered what Third Hokage had said earlier.

"It represents intention, not sound."

Shin-chan tilted his head and thought.

If it could make Xiao Che happy, then that would be intention, right?

Although he was a little reluctant, Shin-chan still unfastened the Bell from his schoolbag and handed it to Uchiha Toru.

"Here."

Uchiha Toru froze. "Wh... what?"

Shin-chan pushed the Bell into his hand. "If you like it, I'll give it to you."

Uchiha Toru's eyes widened as he looked at the small Bell in his palm.

It was given by Third Hokage.

It was something everyone envied.

It was something he had secretly glanced at just now.

"Are... are you crazy?" Uchiha Toru stammered. "That was given to you by Hokage-sama."

"Yeah."

"Then how can you just give it away?"

"Why can't I?" Shin-chan tilted his head. "If it's given to me, it's mine. I can give it to whoever I want."

Uchiha Toru opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.

Shin-chan continued, "Besides, giving this to you will make you happier, right?"

Uchiha Toru looked at the warm, smooth little Bell in his palm, then looked up at Shin-chan's earnest face.

"But... this is yours..."

"So what?"

"Didn't you like it just now? You kept looking down at it."

"That was just now," Shin-chan said matter-of-factly. "Now I want to give it to you."

Uchiha Toru didn't know what to say.

He looked down at the Bell, at the flame and leaf patterns on it, at the delicate leaf clasp, then pushed it back into Shin-chan's small hand.

"I don't want it."

"Why not?"

Uchiha Toru paused, then said firmly, "Because this was given to you by Hokage-sama. Besides, I'm already very happy now."

"Really?"

Shin-chan stared at him for two seconds.

"Really."

"That's good then." Shin-chan reattached the Bell to his schoolbag. "I'll keep this Bell for now. If you're ever in a bad mood again, just tell me anytime, and I'll give it to you."

Uchiha Toru couldn't help but smile.

"Why do you always want to give things away?"

"Because you're my friend," Shin-chan said matter-of-factly.

Uchiha Toru froze for a moment, then turned his face away. "Got it."

Shin-chan didn't notice; he had already started swinging his legs, thinking about something else.

Uchiha Toru secretly glanced at him, then quickly averted his gaze.

After a while, Uchiha Toru suddenly spoke, "Shin-chan."

"Mm?"

"Are you free after school today?"

Shin-chan thought for a moment. "Maybe, maybe not."

"Then come over to my home to play," Uchiha Toru said. "My Mother bought a lot of Chocolate Sticks last week, and I can't finish them all by myself."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up instantly. "Chocolate Sticks?"

"Mhm, all sorts of flavors, strawberry, milk, and those with fillings."

Shin-chan's mouth fell open.

"Xiao Che."

"What?"

"You're my best friend!"

Uchiha Toru smiled, his eyes curving: "Then let's go together after school."

"Okay!"

Shin-chan wriggled excitedly in his chair.

Uchiha Toru watched him, the curve of his lips unable to be suppressed.

Outside the window, the sunlight was just right.