Hoshiyomi looked at Kakashi's helpless expression and let out a faint, somewhat inexplicable smile.
He naturally understood what Kakashi was thinking.
In fact, this Kakashi—this version, in this lifetime—had never planned to conduct the bell survival test at all.
He only agreed because Hoshiyomi suggested it.
In truth, Kakashi himself didn't even understand the true purpose of the bell test.
He simply thought it was a way to evaluate Naruto and the others' strength.
Now that he had seen Sasuke and Naruto perform well—showing decent strength and remarkable coordination—Kakashi had already decided to become their jonin instructor.
As for Sakura, who had essentially done nothing the entire time, Kakashi's attitude toward her was one of "optional."
After all, in his eyes, having good luck and being able to cling to a strong teammate's thigh was also a kind of strength.
He would still teach Sakura.
If she managed to keep up later, she'd continue as his student.
If she fell behind and was eliminated—or died during missions—then that would simply be fate, or her failure to understand her own limits.
Kakashi's years in the ANBU had been exactly like this, and the people around him had always lived and died the same way.
So he never saw anything wrong with that mindset.
This Kakashi—one who had not experienced the events with Obito or Yamato—was a textbook ANBU operative.
He didn't value missions above life, but he didn't value comrades' lives very highly either.
If he could save them, he would.
If he couldn't—that was simply how things were.
In short, this Kakashi had never tasted what "bonds" truly were, nor did he understand what that even meant.
Next, Hoshiyomi planned to use Naruto's team to give Kakashi a proper lesson—
to show him exactly what he was lacking.
Seeing Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura still busy comforting one another, not paying attention to him, Hoshiyomi mouthed to Kakashi: Watch carefully—this is the lesson.
Then he lightly cleared his throat, drawing the trio's attention, and said:
"Isn't that a little too harsh, Kakashi? Naruto and Sasuke performed quite well.
It would really be a shame if they couldn't graduate."
Hearing this, Naruto's and Sasuke's hearts nearly jumped out of their chests.
Sakura also stopped crying, blinking her big eyes, desperate to hear more.
Hoshiyomi gave the three of them a devilish smile and said:
"How about this—I'll take the liberty of giving you the bells."
As he spoke, Hoshiyomi directly snatched the bells from Kakashi's hand.
The moment the three heard the bells were theirs, excitement bloomed on their faces—but before they could smile, Hoshiyomi continued:
"However, since I stepped in, the rules must change.
Now, each bell allows only one person to graduate.
Meaning among the three of you, one of you is destined not to graduate.
Who that person is… you will decide among yourselves."
Upon hearing that, the trio's smiles gradually faded.
Meanwhile, Kakashi showed a thoughtful expression.
He was no fool.
Hearing Hoshiyomi say this, he immediately understood the intention behind it—yet he couldn't comprehend it.
From his perspective, there was nothing to decide at all.
Naruto and Sasuke had the skill to earn the bells, and they would never refuse them.
Why would anyone give up something they rightfully earned?
As for Sakura—who had contributed nothing—it was impossible for her to receive a bell.
Even if someone tried to give it to her, she wouldn't dare accept it.
With that logic, Kakashi gave Hoshiyomi a strange look.
Could Uncle Hoshiyomi possibly have some personal grudge against this girl Sakura?
Originally, all three could have become his students, but now… wasn't Sakura clearly going to be the one eliminated?
But the development that followed completely shattered Kakashi's expectations.
At first, everything went exactly as he predicted.
Upon hearing that only two could advance, Sakura gave a bitter smile, raised her hand, and said:
"Lord Hoshiyomi, I was the one who held Naruto and Sasuke back.
I have no right to remain in this team.
I'll return to the academy and repeat the year.
Please let Naruto and Sasuke graduate."
After speaking, she turned back to Naruto and Sasuke with a small smile and said:
"Congratulations, Naruto, Sasuke. Don't make those faces—so what if I graduate a year late? I'll definitely catch up to you both someday."
Just as Sakura finished speaking and was about to leave, Naruto suddenly called out to her.
He then turned to Hoshiyomi and raised his hand:
"Uncle Hoshiyomi, I choose to withdraw. Give the bells to Sakura and Sasuke."
Sakura immediately shook her head in panic:
"That's impossible! I'm the one who held you two back. Even if you tried to give the bell to me, I don't have the right to take it…"
But Naruto just shrugged casually and gave Sakura a big grin:
"Don't worry about that stuff. Just work hard from now on.
Besides—I'm giving the bell to you not because of anything else… I just don't wanna be on the same team as that stuck-up Sasuke."
Then he winked playfully at her:
"I've already created the opportunity for you. Make good use of it, okay?"
Hearing that, Sasuke—who had been hanging his head in conflicted silence—suddenly jerked his head up.
He glared at Naruto, slapped Naruto's raised hand aside, and raised his own hand:
"Lord Hoshiyomi, don't listen to them. I choose to withdraw."
Seeing both Naruto and Sakura panic, Sasuke glanced at them and said:
"Sakura, don't misunderstand. First, I also don't want to be teamed with this idiot Naruto.
Second, I'm the top genius of our class. Even if I return to the academy, I can apply for early graduation anytime.
But you… graduating again wouldn't be so easy, right?
So I'll withdraw.
And you—idiot—don't look at me like that. Even if you become a genin a few months earlier than me, you'll never surpass me.
Give up on the idea of ever walking ahead of me."
Watching all three of them competing to go back to school and repeat the year, Kakashi was completely stunned.
The situation had developed in a direction he never imagined.
But after the shock came contemplation.
Suddenly, something deep inside his heart—some empty place—felt violently shaken.
Or rather, he suddenly understood what Hoshiyomi meant earlier…
what he himself had been lacking.
On the other side, seeing that expression on Kakashi's face, Hoshiyomi couldn't help feeling amused and relieved.
His efforts hadn't been wasted.
He had recreated an iconic scene from the original story while also teaching Kakashi the importance of bonds.
After today, Kakashi would likely come to understand that importance much faster.
And once he understood that…
Perhaps even the mental block that had long held back his breakthrough might finally loosen.
Turning his head toward the three who were still bickering, Hoshiyomi pulled all of them over with both hands and said:
"Alright, enough arguing. I hereby declare that the three of you have perfectly passed this survival exercise!"
Then he turned to Kakashi:
"What are you spacing out for? I brought a camera today!
To celebrate the formation of Team 7, let's take a group photo first."
Author's Note: In the original story, Team Minato also underwent a Bell Test, but at that time, Kakashi hadn't truly grasped the importance of comrades. He could only pass the test by taking advantage of Rin and Obito being weaker than him.
However, in this book's version, although the three formed a team, they haven't really done any missions together yet, so naturally, this event (referring to the original Team Minato's Bell Test) didn't occur.
...
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