Snatching the Bell

"No need, we also want to foster some team spirit, so we won't disturb you."

"Alright Choji, today is a happy day, eat more and talk less." Choji wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Shikamaru.

The three of them were very close; Choji understood what Shikamaru meant, and Naruto caught on as well. He smiled at Shikamaru and the others before finding an empty seat to sit down.

"Are you all very familiar with each other?" Ino asked, looking at Shikamaru beside her. At the Ninja Academy, her gaze had always been fixed on the Second Pillar, and she hadn't had much time to pay attention to Naruto.

"Of course, we're best friends," Choji said to the others while helping everyone grill the meat.

"Surprising, isn't it? That guy Naruto is actually quite reliable," Shikamaru couldn't help but praise Naruto.

As for why only the three of them knew, that was their own secret.

On Naruto's side, the three of them found a spot by the window and began chatting after ordering their food.

Although Sasuke was cold and aloof at this time, he wasn't exactly dark yet. The three of them chatted simply, mostly to get to know each other a little better.

Soon the grilled meat arrived, and the three began to eat and talk. By the end of the meal, although the atmosphere wasn't as lively as the other table, the three of them were much more familiar with one another.

Sasuke wasn't an idiot; he could clearly see the relationship between Naruto and Hinata.

When it came time to pay, all three wanted to cover the bill, but Sasuke eventually spoke up and seized the initiative.

As it turned out, because of Choji, they received a fifty percent discount, which made Naruto secretly take note—he truly was a good brother.

The next day, Naruto woke up, began to dress and eat without any rush, and finally arrived at the meeting point at a leisurely pace.

Sure enough, the Second Pillar and Hinata had already arrived, and both were already growing impatient.

Sasuke had already been annoyed by Kakashi's tardiness, and seeing Naruto arrive at this hour made him suddenly angry.

"Why are you only showing up now? And what is the deal with that lead Jonin?" Sasuke asked, somewhat furious.

"Huh? You guys didn't know? Hatake Kakashi is a famous king of tardiness. That's why I finished my meal and came over without rushing," Naruto said, scratching his head with a guilty conscience, as he had forgotten to tell the two about Kakashi's habits.

Hinata also gave Naruto a resentful look. She was very obedient; she hadn't eaten breakfast this morning and had arrived early. She hadn't expected to wait until now, and since she naturally had a large appetite, she was already starving.

Just as Naruto was about to explain, a person suddenly appeared in the field. The newcomer was naturally Hatake Kakashi.

"You guy, do you have no sense of time at all?" Seeing Kakashi appear, Sasuke didn't give him a pleasant look.

"Sorry, sorry. I saw an old lady on the way and couldn't help but help her," Kakashi said, scratching his head with a completely insincere explanation.

The three looked at those dead fish eyes, unable to believe a word the other had said.

Naruto was speechless; in the time it took, the old lady could have walked here herself.

"Alright, alright, if we don't start the test, it'll be lunchtime," Kakashi said, shrugging his hands.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, feeling like a fool being toyed with by the two of them.

"Alright, today's test is for you three to take these two bells from me before 12:00 noon. Those who get a bell pass, and those who don't will be sent back to the Ninja Academy to study again," Kakashi said, pointing to the two bells at his waist.

"Only two bells?" Sasuke frowned.

"That's right. Which means one of you three will inevitably be sent back to the Ninja Academy to study again," Kakashi said, staring at the two with a smile.

Naruto and the others exchanged glances.

A boring trick. Naruto knew the meaning behind Kakashi's test, so he wasn't worried at all.

I absolutely don't want to go back to school. I want to be with Naruto.

Hinata secretly made up her mind.

Naruto's strength will definitely be able to get a bell... Glancing at Hinata beside him, Sasuke couldn't help but feel nervous. Perhaps others didn't know how strong Naruto and Hinata were, but Sasuke, who often watched them train, knew that at least for now, both Naruto and Hinata were stronger than him.

"Then, the assessment begins now," Kakashi said, his right hand reaching toward the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

Sasuke tensed up, subconsciously preparing to retreat.

Hinata did the same, instantly activating her Byakugan.

Only Naruto looked at Kakashi with a speechless expression as he pulled a copy of Icha Icha Paradise from his pouch.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, are you looking down on us?" Although he had guessed it, seeing the scene with his own eyes made even Naruto's composure slip, his temple throbbing.

"I should still be able to manage while dealing with you," Kakashi replied casually without even lifting his head.

Hearing this, both Sasuke and Hinata instantly frowned.

Reading trashy novels while fighting someone wasn't just contempt—it was an insult.

The three of them looked at each other, and Sasuke and Hinata quickly retreated, disappearing into the field.

"Then I'm making my move."

Naruto didn't waste any more words; his figure flashed and vanished from the spot.

Body Flicker Technique

"So fast."

Feeling the gust of wind from a punch beside him, Kakashi was slightly surprised, not expecting the opponent's Body Flicker Technique to be this quick.

He carelessly raised his right hand to block.

Thud. A punch.

The moment he made contact, Kakashi regretted it; the force of that punch was immense, and he couldn't block it with one hand, sending him flying backward.

"It seems I truly underestimated you all." Kakashi steadied himself and brushed the dust off his clothes, tucking his little orange book away with his left hand.

"That's right, don't look down on us."

As soon as Naruto finished speaking, he vanished using a Body Flicker Technique.

He reappeared behind Kakashi, throwing a punch.

Kakashi turned, but it was too late to block.

"He hit him!" Sasuke exclaimed in surprise.

"It's a Substitution Technique." Hinata had kept her Byakugan active the entire time and could clearly see the situation on the battlefield; compared to Sasuke's half-baked Sharingan, Hinata's Byakugan observed things with much greater detail.

In the center of the field, Naruto's fist had struck a wooden log, shattering it instantly.

"This strength is a bit abnormal; is this something a normal child can dish out?" Seeing the state of the log, Kakashi's eyelids twitched.

In reality, this was merely the strength of Naruto's physical body without the use of chakra; if he had used an Ordinary Punch, anything he struck would have been reduced to a bloody mist in an instant.

[Ninja Art: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique]

Just then, a pair of hands emerged from beneath Naruto's feet, grabbing his legs and pulling him down into the ground.

With a pop, Naruto's body vanished into a puff of smoke.

"A Shadow Clone? Even I didn't notice it—what an impressive Shadow Clone."

[Multi Shadow Clone Technique] With a series of pop sounds, ten Narutos appeared on the field.

They began to surround and attack Kakashi.