**"Hah?"**
Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched—just a split-second distraction.
But it was enough.
A kunai flew toward his waist.
*Trying to steal the bell?*
He dodged, yet—
*Thunk!*
The "Kakashi" before him turned into a log.
The real Kakashi's blade flashed—
*Snap!*
The bell's string was cut!
Yet simultaneously, Jiraiya's hair lashed out, ensnaring Kakashi's wrist.
With a gritted teeth, Kakashi tossed the bell downward.
**"Kyouhiko!"**
Yuhi Kurenai sprinted beneath, hurling kunai to clear Kyouhiko's path.
*Whoosh!*
Kyouhiko grabbed the falling bell—
*Yank!*
Jiraiya's hair wrapped around him, cocooning him beside Kakashi.
**"You little—!"**
Jiraiya glared.
*If not for that blackmail...*
This cunning brat had played him perfectly!
---
### **Bound and Determined**
**"Hah! Not bad. Yesterday you fought, today you cooperate?"**
**"Just tactics, Lord Jiraiya."**
Kyouhiko grinned.
Kakashi flushed beneath his mask.
*Tactics?*
*More like orchestrated chaos!*
Jiraiya untied Kyouhiko but bound Kakashi to a tree.
**"Worst performer gets no lunch."**
Two bento boxes sat temptingly nearby.
**"Share with him, and you'll face another test this afternoon."**
Kurenai hesitated, but Kyouhiko was already eating—
Having deliberately left half.
**"We'll take the afternoon test together."**
Kurenai nodded. **"I'll only eat a third."**
Kakashi's stomach growled as Kyouhiko fed him.
*This is the most humiliating meal of my life.*
---
### **The Real Test**
Jiraiya reappeared, feigning anger.
**"Breaking rules? Fine—I'll use full power this afternoon—"**
Kakashi paled.
**"—Just kidding. You pass."**
Stunned silence.
Jiraiya smirked at Kyouhiko.
**"You knew, didn't you?"**
**"A Sannin wouldn't give an impossible test. Teamwork was the real challenge."**
**"Yet you could've kept the bell for yourself."**
**"Would you trust a student who abandons comrades?"**
Jiraiya laughed heartily.
**"Exactly! No one entrusts missions to those who discard allies."**
Kakashi's mind reeled—
*Was I wrong to prioritize missions over teammates?*
---
### **Unexpected Reward**
**[As Hokage, you didn't strive for popularity yet earned trust through charisma.]**
**[Reward: Chakra Control Boost]**
Kyouhiko blinked.
*Not the main goal... but chakra control?*
*I'll take it!*