The Third Hokage pulled something out of his robes.
It was a tiny bell, about the size of a thumb joint. At the top was a delicate leaf-shaped loop that could be attached to a backpack or belt.
Most unusually, it was solid and made no sound.
The Third Hokage handed the little bell to Shin-chan. "This is the Shouye Bell."
Shin-chan took it and turned it over in his hands, looking puzzled. "It doesn't ring."
"Mm." The Third Hokage nodded. "It's solid, so it doesn't ring."
"Then why call it a bell?"
The Third Hokage was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Because it represents intent, not sound."
As he spoke, he pointed to the fine patterns on the bell's surface.
"Look. These are patterns of 'fire,' and these are patterns of 'leaves.' Together, they symbolize the Will of Fire."
Shin-chan leaned closer. Sure enough, the seemingly random markings took the shape of flames and leaves if you looked carefully.
"On the day you graduate from the Ninja Academy," the Third Hokage said, "bring it to me, and you can exchange it for a mystery gift."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "What mystery gift?"
"If I tell you, it won't be a mystery."
"Just a little hint?"
"No."
"Come on, just a little."
The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head without answering.
Nearby, Kakashi's gaze fell on the little bell, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
Uchiha Toru watched it too, a complex look flashing through his eyes.
The Third Hokage patted Shin-chan's head. "Take good care of it."
"Okay." Shin-chan closed his hand around the bell.
It felt warm, as if it had been left out in the sun.
When they returned to the classroom, their classmates immediately crowded around them.
"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 little bell and shook it proudly. "Grandpa Hokage gave it to me. He said I can exchange it for a mystery gift when I graduate."
"Really?"
"I want one too!!!"
"Why do you get one and not me?"
The room filled with excited chatter—some were envious, some curious, and some jealous.
Obito came over too, eyes wide. "Shin-chan, can I see it?"
Shin-chan handed it to him.
Obito cradled the bell in his palm and examined it carefully, murmuring, "Something from Hokage-sama... Something from Hokage-sama..."
Rin leaned in to look as well and said softly, "It's so delicate. The leaf-shaped loop is adorable."
"And it's a bell that doesn't ring," Shin-chan added. "Grandpa Hokage said it represents intent, not sound."
Might Guy's youth was already burning bright. "This is the gift of youth!"
Kakashi stood outside the crowd, watching without a word, but his gaze lingered on the little bell for a long time.
Gradually, the excitement died down.
Shin-chan fastened the bell to his backpack, glancing down at it now and then to make sure it was still there.
Beside him, Uchiha Toru hadn't said a word. He just kept his head down, flipping through his textbook, though he seemed to be turning between the same two pages.
Shin-chan noticed something was off and tilted his head, watching him for a moment. "Xiao Che."
"Hmm?"
"What's wrong?"
Uchiha Toru didn't look up. His voice sounded muffled. "Nothing."
Shin-chan blinked and leaned a little closer. "You don't seem happy."
Uchiha Toru's hands paused. He stayed silent for a long while before finally looking up.
"Shin-chan."
"Hmm?"
"Tell me," Uchiha Toru said, pressing his lips together. "Does Hokage-sama not like me very much?"
"Why would you think that?" Shin-chan asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"He spent a long time teaching you and Kakashi, but only taught me for a little while," Uchiha Toru said, his voice growing quieter. "And he even gave you a bell. Did I do something wrong?"
As he finished speaking, his gaze lingered for a moment on the bell hanging from Shin-chan's backpack. His eyes were full of envy, but he quickly looked away and lowered his head again.
Shin-chan saw that look, and the Third Hokage's words suddenly came back to him.
"It represents intent, not sound."
Shin-chan tilted his head and thought it over.
If giving it to Xiao Che would cheer him up, then that would be an act of intent, right?
Though he was a little reluctant, Shin-chan still unclipped the bell from his backpack and held it out to Uchiha Toru.
"Here."
Uchiha Toru froze. "W-what?"
Shin-chan pressed the bell into his hand. "If you like it, you can have it."
Uchiha Toru stared at the little bell in his palm.
It was a gift from the Third Hokage.
It was something everyone envied.
It was something he'd secretly glanced at just a moment ago.
"Are... are you crazy?" Uchiha Toru stammered. "Hokage-sama gave that to you."
"Yeah."
"Then how can you just give it away?"
"Why not?" Shin-chan tilted his head. "Once it's given to me, it's mine. I can give it to whoever I want."
Uchiha Toru opened his mouth, but for a moment, he couldn't think of anything to say.
Shin-chan continued, "Besides, giving it to you would make you feel a little better, right?"
Uchiha Toru looked at the warm little bell in his palm, then up at Shin-chan's earnest face.
"But... it's yours..."
"So what?"
"Weren't you really fond of it just now? You kept looking down at it."
"That was then." 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 patterns of flames and leaves, at the delicate leaf-shaped loop. Then he placed it back in Shin-chan's palm.
"I don't want it."
"Why not?"
Uchiha Toru paused, then said firmly, "Because Hokage-sama gave it to you. Besides, I'm already happy now."
"Really?"
Shin-chan stared at him for two seconds.
"Really."
"Good." Shin-chan fastened the bell back onto his backpack. "I'll keep it for now. If you feel down again, just tell me anytime, and I'll give it to you."
Uchiha Toru couldn't help smiling.
"Why are you always trying 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 was already swinging his legs and thinking about something else.
Uchiha Toru stole a glance at him, then quickly looked away again.
After a while, Uchiha Toru suddenly spoke. "Shin-chan."
"Hmm?"
"Are you free after school today?"
Shin-chan thought it over. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not."
"Then come over to my house," Uchiha Toru said. "My mom bought a bunch of Chocolate Sticks last week, and I can't finish them all by myself."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up at once. "Chocolate Sticks?"
"Mm. All kinds of flavors—strawberry, milk, and some with filling."
Shin-chan's mouth fell open.
"Xiao Che."
"What?"
"You're my best friend!"
Uchiha Toru smiled, his eyes curving into crescents. "Then let's go together after school."
"Okay!"
Shin-chan squirmed excitedly in his chair.
Watching him, Uchiha Toru couldn't hold back his smile.
Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly.
Before you continue