Kakashi saw what was in the diary and pursed his lips helplessly. All this kid thought about was food!
Wasn't the bell-snatching test meant to develop their coordination? It let him see what they were good at so he could tailor his teaching to them.
The Pillar-Binding afterward was also meant to teach them to value their comrades.
Of course, the whole thing was ironic. Snatching bells and Pillar-Binding were traditions passed down from long ago. There were records of them from back when Jiraiya and the other Sannin were students, weren't there?
In theory, it was about teaching each student according to their abilities. No matter how strong someone was, there would be times when they needed their comrades. They were supposed to value teamwork and their companions. Yet the outcome was deeply ironic. The tradition had survived, but in reality, someone had been mocked and ridiculed for valuing his comrades until he took his own life.
Still, that didn't prove much beyond the cruelty and warped nature of the ninja world-and that an act of kindness had saved an ungrateful bastard.
Kakashi didn't dwell on it. He merely grumbled inwardly about Luo Mang, then continued reading Icha Icha Paradise while waiting to see whether the boy would write anything else.
But even after a long wait, no new writing appeared.
Luo Mang was busy thinking. If they really were going to snatch bells, this would be a perfect chance to see where his limits lay.
After waiting a long time without seeing any more writing, Kakashi spoke.
"We're having a test today. Follow me."
He didn't even lift his eyes as he spoke. After that casual announcement, he turned and walked off!
"A test? What kind of test? I'm definitely taking first place!"
Naruto Uzumaki was as outgoing as ever. He patted his chest and declared it confidently.
But sometimes, too much confidence and speaking too soon could backfire. In other words, he was all talk.
Credibility was like a point system. If you failed to deliver on today's boast, points would be deducted, until eventually no one believed anything you said.
Water burbled and splashed.
As expected, they arrived beside a small river. The clear sound of flowing water filled their ears, and the spring breeze brushed their faces, leaving everyone feeling more relaxed.
"Today's test is for you to defeat me."
Kakashi walked to a spot and turned around, taking out some bells with his other hand.
"What?"
Naruto and Sakura cried out together. Defeat their teacher? How was that possible?
"Of course, you don't actually have to beat me. Just take the bells from my hand, and you win!"
Kakashi closed Icha Icha Paradise and looked at the four of them.
"Huh? How are we supposed to do that?"
Sakura hurriedly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle. She couldn't understand the point of this test.
"Sensei, you're a Jonin. How could we possibly succeed?"
"Heh, that's not my problem. I don't teach useless students. If you don't even dare to try, I suggest you head back right now."
Kakashi didn't go easy on Sakura just because she was a girl.
Becoming a ninja was no joke. It meant walking the line between life and death. If they backed down whenever they faced someone strong, they might as well return to the Ninja Academy and play house.
"But..."
His words left Sakura speechless. She had no idea how to respond.
"Hmph. I'll try first."
Sasuke was the first to step forward, his head held high. He wanted to prove himself-or see how strong he was now.
"Heh, what do you mean, you'll go first? You're doing this together."
Looking at Sasuke, Kakashi could only purse his lips helplessly.
This was a textbook case of individualism, with no regard for teammates. Sometimes, only cooperation could make a miracle possible.
The video had already provided ample proof of that.
Sasuke was smart enough to recognize it too, but he really didn't want to work with that idiot.
"Working with those two will only hold me back."
Sasuke pursed his lips and spoke in exasperation.
He hadn't included Luo Mang in that assessment. After all, Luo Mang had awakened two tomoe. Simply activating his eyes would be tremendously useful.
"You're a team. Do as I say. Get ready!"
Kakashi ignored him, moved to a suitable position, and picked up a leaf.
"We start when this leaf touches the ground."
With that, he extended his arm and released it. The leaf drifted slowly downward.
Luo Mang narrowed his eyes and reached for his kunai pouch.
Rustle.
As the leaf landed with a faint rustle, Luo Mang and Sasuke Uchiha moved first, hurling kunai and shuriken.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Still looking at Icha Icha Paradise, Kakashi dodged by sound alone, easily avoiding the weapons before offering his assessment.
"Quick reactions, but your aim needs work."
"Cover me!"
Luo Mang spoke quietly.
"Got it."
Sasuke nodded, rolled forward to position himself in front of Luo Mang, and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Luo Mang didn't hesitate. A B-rank ninjutsu required too many seals. Even with proficiency granted to him, he still fell short of being able to cast it with a simple clap of his hands.
Poof!
Just as the fireball reached him, Kakashi vanished from his spot with a puff, leaving a wooden log in his place.
"Substitution Technique!"
Sasuke knew it was a required technique at the Ninja Academy, but he hadn't expected Kakashi to execute it so quickly.
"Heh, not bad. You know how to cooperate."
Kakashi's voice suddenly sounded behind the two of them, unhurried and calm.
Luo Mang finished his hand seals just then and slammed his hand against the ground.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Water surged outward from Luo Mang, forming a small pool that continued to spread. Then a wave crashed toward the place Kakashi's voice had come from!
Of course, he could have spat the water from his mouth, but that generally wasn't as effective as slapping the ground and having it rise directly from below.
The pool formed beneath them reached Kakashi faster than the advancing wave, already leaving him standing in water.
"Very fast, but still not quite enough."
Hearing the attack, Kakashi moved Icha Icha Paradise aside slightly and looked at the oncoming wave. He gave an approving assessment: plenty of chakra, excellent timing, and an accurate judgment of his position!
Poof!
Kakashi once again turned into a wooden log and vanished!
Watching from the side, Naruto gaped. Wasn't he the one who had spent the most time with Luo Mang? How was Luo Mang working so well with Sasuke?
"Damn, when did Sasuke get this strong?"
"Amazing."
Sakura's mouth fell open in surprise.
As a civilian, the only ninjutsu she had learned were the Three Basic Techniques required by the academy. Beyond that, all she could do was throw a couple of shuriken.
"I'm helping too!"
Naruto Uzumaki grew anxious at once and crossed the index and middle fingers of both hands.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
In an instant, over a dozen Narutos appeared and charged toward Kakashi, who had just emerged!
"Those bells are mine!"
Every Naruto shouted in unison.
"Idiot! Why are you shouting during a sneak attack?"
Sasuke was speechless.
Luo Mang was a little speechless too.
Kakashi happened to have his back to Naruto. It was a perfect chance for a surprise attack. Even if it wasn't guaranteed to work, shouting only made Naruto look more ridiculous!
"Why would you shout during a sneak attack?"
Kakashi voiced the same complaint, then turned and kicked every Naruto to the ground, one after another.
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