Everyone fell silent at Meihui's words.
Once everyone had finished introducing themselves, Kakashi began announcing the next day's mission.
"We'll begin the Survival Exercise tomorrow morning. This test has a very low pass rate. I hope you make it through."
"Remember to meet at the Training Ground at five tomorrow morning. Whatever you do, don't eat breakfast. You'll throw up."
With that, Kakashi left.
The others remained where they were.
Meihui spoke up at once. "Don't come too early tomorrow, everyone, and remember to eat breakfast."
"But didn't Kakashi-sensei tell us not to eat breakfast?" Naruto asked cluelessly.
Meihui rewarded him with a sharp rap on the head.
"Seriously, just do what I tell you. What's with all the questions? Didn't you see how late Kakashi-sensei was today? He'll definitely be late tomorrow too, so there's no need to come that early."
"And Sasuke, remember to eat breakfast."
With that, he took Naruto home.
The next day, it was already past eight when they arrived at the meeting point.
They had barely waited before Kakashi showed up.
"I got lost at a crossroads on the road of life. That's why I'm so late."
Meihui and the others clearly weren't buying it.
Seeing that his excuse hadn't worked, Kakashi continued his little performance.
"All right, we can begin our Survival Exercise now."
Kakashi deftly pulled out two bells.
"Your task is to snatch a bell from me. Anyone who doesn't get one will be tied to a wooden post, eliminated, and sent packing back to the Ninja Academy."
"Understand the rules? You'd better come at me with the intent to kill, or you'll get hurt."
Once Kakashi finished speaking, the three sprang into action.
Sasuke immediately ducked into the bushes, hiding himself.
Kakashi nodded approvingly at Sasuke's actions. A ninja who knew to conceal himself-not bad.
Then he looked at the brothers, Meihui and Naruto, who were still standing right where they had been.
Kakashi was rather speechless.
"Seriously, neither of you is even going to hide?"
"Kakashi-sensei, you're an elite jonin. I don't think our concealment skills could fool your eyes."
Meihui's blunt words left Kakashi a little embarrassed.
Hearing that, Sasuke came out too.
"Oh? So you're going to team up? You do realize how powerful an elite jonin is."
"Yes, I know, but I still want to give it a try. What's the point of being young if you don't go all out?"
"Good. Well said-what's the point of being young if you don't go all out? Then I'll have some fun with you."
Naruto and Meihui immediately used Shadow Clone.
In an instant, over a hundred blond mad dogs appeared on the scene.
"Trying to overwhelm me with numbers? Looks like you've underestimated me. Let me show you what an elite jonin can do."
Kakashi casually smashed a few clones, only to discover that the others were beginning to unleash ninjutsu.
They hadn't come early just to stand around. They had already worked out their plan.
Sasuke and Meihui both unleashed Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
Beside them, Naruto supported them with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Simple ninjutsu, overwhelming numbers, and a crushing wave of attacks.
The wind fanned the flames, making them burn even fiercer, and searing heat filled the area.
"Hey, hey, hey! Isn't this going a little overboard?"
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Kakashi's version of the Earth-Style Wall rose up, adorned with several dog heads, blocking the raging flames.
Kakashi stood off to the side, panting heavily. He had exhausted nearly half his chakra just to barely block a jutsu on that scale.
For them to coordinate so well was downright frightening.
Even the dog heads on the Earth-Style Wall had burned away. Clearly, a Fire Release attack like that could burn someone to death.
Kakashi swallowed. The real battle had only just begun.
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