Bell Test

"My name is Hatake Kakashi. I specialize in swordsmanship, Lightning, Fire, and Earth Release ninjutsu. My dream is to become the Fifth Hokage. I like training—constantly training to become stronger. What I hate... or rather, the kind of people I hate, are those who stop at nothing and use other people's dreams to achieve their own goals. That's all. Please take care of me." After speaking, Kakashi did not perform the formal bow of apprenticeship to Minato. After all, he already had a mentor who had taught him, and everyone present knew that, so no one found it strange.

"Hmm... Kakashi, are you planning to leave the Fourth Hokage position to me? Hahaha, since our dreams are both to become Hokage, let's work hard together! Maybe I'll even compete with you for the position of Fifth Hokage." Hearing that Kakashi shared his dream of becoming Hokage, Minato was delighted and could not help teasing him.

"I think the chances of Minato-sensei becoming the Fourth Hokage are very high. You'll surpass Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, and Teacher Orochimaru. That is also my honest opinion."

Kakashi's words greatly surprised Minato.

After all, the Sannin and the White Fang of the Leaf were currently at the height of their fame in the village. Like four blazing suns hanging in the sky, they were figures every other ninja could only look up to.

The gap between them was enough to make most people abandon any ambition of becoming the Fourth Hokage.

Yet Kakashi had said this, which truly caught Minato off guard. But upon further thought, it carried considerable meaning.

Minato knew his teacher Jiraiya's personality very well. Simply put, he was wild and free-spirited. There was a high chance he would not let himself be bound by the position of Hokage. As for Tsunade, the princess among the Sannin, she had left the village to train because of her hemophobia, so she was likely out of the running as well.

That left Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo. In terms of strength, overall judgment, and reputation, Orochimaru was a powerful candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

Lastly, there was Lord Hatake Sakumo. His personal strength was formidable, but he was inferior to the Sannin in command ability and strategic vision. Thus, he was at a disadvantage in the competition for Fourth Hokage.

Now that Kakashi had said this, as the son of one of the two most likely candidates for the position of Fourth Hokage, he surely knew some intelligence Minato did not.

"Forget it... it's still too early to think about that." Minato silently consoled himself.

"Then it's my turn now, right? Hello, Minato-sensei. My name is Aburame Haru. The technique I specialize in is the Clan Insect-Control Secret Art. Future scouting and intelligence-gathering missions can be left to me. As for my dream, I want to become a great female ninja like Lady Tsunade. What I hate is... hot summers. What I like is probably training..." Her speech was proper and conventional. It seemed Aburame Haru was not as aloof as she looked. Minato assessed her.

"Good. Since everyone has finished introducing themselves, we can begin Team 7's first mission!"

Under the slightly expectant gazes of Inuzuka Kawa and Aburame Haru, Minato pulled two bells from the ninja tool pouch at his waist...

Just as expected... Team 7's traditional event.

The moment Kakashi saw that their squad leader was Minato, he had anticipated this.

"Your mission is to use any means necessary to snatch these two bells from me. Whoever gets a bell can officially register as a Konoha Genin. Those who fail will be sent back to the Ninja Academy to take part in next school year's graduation exam again."

After displaying the bells in his hand, Minato hung them from his waist and lightly shook them twice.

"But Minato-sensei, haven't we already graduated and registered? Why do we still need to undergo an assessment?" Inuzuka Kawa hurriedly asked, his face full of confusion.

"Because there are a few too many graduates this year... We don't need that many Genin for the time being." Minato casually made up an excuse to brush him off.

"But there are three of us and only two bells?? Doesn't that mean at least one person will be sent back..."

"No. This is only an assessment. Its purpose is to test our teamwork, which the academy has taught us about." After giving it some thought, Aburame Haru spoke up and cut off Inuzuka Kawa, who was publicly displaying his foolishness.

"Ah?! Hahaha, it's a little awkward to be exposed like that." Caught somewhat off guard, Minato laughed awkwardly... As expected of the strongest group of this class.

Having finally caught on, Inuzuka Kawa looked at Minato with some exasperation.

"All right, then let's treat this as practical combat to improve our understanding of one another." Minato had no choice but to change his wording.

"Understood, sensei."

"Come on, Minato-sensei. Let me show you my strength."

"Certainly. Please take care of me."

The three answered, then instantly vanished from where they stood and slipped into the dense forest nearby.

Minato, now already an Elite Jonin, stood alone in the clearing.

A breeze swept through. Leaves that had been drifting slowly down were carried by the wind and flashed past Minato's eyes, blocking his vision for an instant.

The attackers seized that instant. Several shuriken flew from the concealed shadows toward Minato.

"Good timing."

A kunai suddenly appeared in his hand, precisely knocking away the incoming shuriken. His movements were relaxed and graceful.

He had not expected his attack to fail to even make Minato shift his position, but Inuzuka Kawa had already charged from hiding and could not stop midway.

"Beast Mimicry Ninja Art: Fang Over Fang!" Inuzuka Kawa unleashed his strongest offensive ninjutsu, transforming into a rapidly spinning tornado as he attacked Minato.

"If your planned offensive deployment fails, it is necessary to abandon it at the proper time and readjust your strategy." Minato dodged aside while instructing Inuzuka Kawa.

"What?!"

Yet the moment his toes touched the ground, the excessively soft sensation immediately alerted the quick-reacting Minato that something was wrong.

He was just about to gather chakra and leave the spot, but unfortunately, it was already too late.

"Ninja Art: Mud Swamp!" Kakashi's voice came from the forest.

"But I still have teammates, Minato-sensei. Isn't this the teamwork you were talking about? Hehe!"

Before his words had even faded, Minato sank into the swamp, mud rising past his waist.

"A simple but practical plan. But you must pay attention to the difference in strength between yourselves and your opponent." The Minato in the trap turned into a replacement log.

His real body appeared, a kunai held against Inuzuka Kawa's neck.