Liu Yun paused at the sight of the bell in Maruboshi Kosuke's hand.
The bell-snatching exercise...
Konoha's classic test for Genin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had used it to test Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. Minato had used it to test Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, and Kakashi had used it to test Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
It seemed to test who could snatch the bells, but it actually tested the bonds between teammates. Those who failed were sent back to the Ninja Academy.
There was nothing wrong with the test itself, but viewed alongside Hatake Sakumo's suicide, it seemed rather ironic.
The bell exercise taught every newly promoted Genin to cherish their teammates and uphold the Will of Fire.
Yet the Shinobi Code told them that teammates meant nothing compared to the mission. A shinobi's highest priority was completing the mission...
He rather suspected that the so-called Shinobi Code had been devised by the daimyo and nobles to turn shinobi into nothing more than tools.
Unlike what he remembered, however, Maruboshi Kosuke held only one bell.
"Work together and take this bell from me."
Noticing Shibi Aburame's expression, Maruboshi Kosuke smiled. "Don't worry. This is just to observe your abilities and teamwork, not a test."
Liu Yun understood at once.
Without any test of the Will of Fire involved, this game was indeed well suited to building a team's coordination.
Maruboshi Kosuke stood up and looked at Yakushi Nonō and Shibi Aburame.
"You two should give it everything you've got. You can use any technique."
Then he looked at Liu Yun, who was raring to go, and fell silent for a moment.
"Ahem. You can only use swordsmanship and Taijutsu. No Lightning Release Ninjutsu, and no Summoning Technique."
Liu Yun blinked, then understood.
Maruboshi Kosuke must have watched his fight that morning, too...