Not answering is the best answer!

The Third Hokage committed their four answers to memory but offered no critique, as if the question had been asked merely in passing.

"But if you were on a mission and encountered a situation where a teammate was in danger while the mission absolutely had to be completed, what would you do?"

Another question was thrown out, and this time even Jiraiya dared not answer casually. Such a question would yield different answers depending on one's perspective.

This kind of question was hard to choose. Abandoning a teammate to complete the mission would brand you as cold-blooded, but the mission would succeed, preventing excessive loss to the village.

Yet who would want to go on missions with someone who could abandon even their own teammates for the sake of the task?

On the flip side, if you gave up the mission to rescue your teammate, causing the mission to fail, then you would be a sinner—a sinner in the eyes of your teammates, a sinner in the eyes of the village!!!

The renowned Konoha's White Fang once faced this very dilemma, and in the end, crushed by the accusations of villagers and comrades, he could bear it no longer and took his own life.

The illustrious White Fang of Konoha, a Kage-level expert whom even the Sannin had to respect, was hounded to death!!!

From this, one could see the difficulty of the choice.

This time, even Hikaru dared not answer rashly. Answering a question and experiencing it firsthand were two different things. Hikaru didn't know what he would choose if he were in that position.

The only one who could make a quick decision was Orochimaru—he would abandon his teammates and complete the mission!!!

Hikaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya all found it hard to choose.

Hikaru's case was tricky; it depended on who he was on the mission with. If it were someone else, Hikaru would choose to complete the mission without a second thought. But if that person were Tsunade, it became difficult.

Tsunade's unwavering trust and support were what made the choice hardest for Hikaru. Hikaru wasn't cold-blooded; humans have emotions. Orochimaru could cast everything aside, but Hikaru couldn't.

If a person's blood ran cold, were they still human? What difference was there between that and a killing machine?

The question was troublesome, hard to answer, and such a question couldn't be answered lightly. Even Orochimaru, who had made a choice in his heart in an instant, didn't speak up.

Choosing either the former or the latter would offend someone, even affecting the Third Hokage's direct impression of you. It was a net loss. Not answering was the best answer. Even Jiraiya wisely shut his mouth.

He was brash and prone to reckless actions, and an outright pervert to boot. Though often called an idiot, Jiraiya wasn't stupid. He knew this kind of question couldn't be answered carelessly—it would offend people.

The four gazes all fell upon the Third Hokage. No one spoke. The Third Hokage's smile remained unchanged.

"Alright, children. I've already received your choices. Now, let's begin the assessment!!!"

Though no one had answered the question, the Third Hokage was pleased. What he feared most was Hikaru, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya making a direct choice. Then, whether they chose the former or the latter, they would leave themselves open to criticism.

Not answering was the best answer.

Hikaru, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya's expressions instantly turned serious, all waiting for the Third Hokage to announce the content of the assessment. Even Hikaru couldn't guess what kind of test the Third Hokage had in store for them.

To Hikaru, such an assessment was nothing more than a teacher's way of messing with students. If the Will of Fire were so easy to pass down, it would have been done long ago.

But as the propagator of the Will of Fire, no one could guarantee what the Third Hokage would do.

Especially since the team now had four people!! Not three!!!

"Children, the assessment is very simple!!"

The Third Hokage suddenly revealed a somewhat lecherous grin, the kind often seen on Jiraiya's face when he was about to prank someone.

Unlike Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, Hikaru was on high alert from the start.

"Ding-ding~~"

Under the four's stern expressions, two bells appeared in the Third Hokage's hand. A mischievous smirk flashed across his face as he pointed to a nearby tree stump and said:

"Your assessment is easy to pass. The four of you will act together. Within the time limit, obtain these two bells. As for those who don't get one... unfortunately, they'll be tied to that tree stump over there, and they won't even get lunch!!"

After saying this, the Third Hokage helpfully reminded them that those without bells would go without lunch.

No different from the original story—still two bells...

Just as Hikaru was pondering this, the Third Hokage's smile gradually turned eerie. "Remember, four people, two bells. In the end, those who don't get a bell fail the assessment!!"

Forget it, grab first and think later. Hikaru felt something was off but couldn't put his finger on it. Anyway, this assessment was just a formality. As long as he, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru didn't go too far against each other or step into certain traps, they'd basically pass.

Wasn't it just a roundabout way to teach them teamwork and trust in their comrades?

In an instant, Hikaru, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya were all ready to act, their eyes fixed on the bells in the Third Hokage's hand.

"Wait!!"