"In actual combat, of course, there are no rules. I won't restrict your Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Taijutsu. Even ninja tools and consumables are fair game, as long as you have them with you right now."
Kakashi looked around at the three of them, his tone casual, then took out the alarm clock he had prepared and showed it to them.
"It's ten thirty now, and the exercise area covers the entire Training Ground. As long as you remain undefeated until noon, you pass."
"We're fighting you?" Sasuke looked at Kakashi, brimming with fighting spirit.
A chance to spar with one of Konoha's elite Jonin was truly rare for Sasuke, who was desperate to find out just how strong he had become.
"I'm the one who needs to assess your combat abilities, after all. I can't very well have you fight each other, can I?" Kakashi chuckled, then beckoned to Hinata. "Hinata-chan, pass me that thermal lunchbox."
"This one?" At her teacher's request, Hinata obediently handed over the lunchbox.
"That's right. Give me the lid too... good, thank you."
Taking the thermal lunchbox, Kakashi slowly put the lid on under everyone's gaze, then set it beside the alarm clock.
"And as punishment, anyone defeated before noon won't get any lunch today!"
"...What a petty punishment," Naruto lamented, clutching his rumbling stomach.
I still have to play along and lose. Doesn't that mean I definitely won't get to eat?
"Likewise, if you manage to win, you can eat early."
With that, Kakashi dropped his joking expression. His eyes turned serious, with a trace of killing intent. "One word of warning: fight with the resolve to kill me. Otherwise, as I said before... you could die."
At those words, Sasuke and Hinata immediately tensed. They could sense the astonishing killing intent radiating from