Menma couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
His original plan had been simple — press Kakashi-sensei with a wave of combined attacks, showing strong teamwork right from the start. If Sakura could just land one proper strike afterward, it would at least prove their coordination. That way, even if they couldn't take the bells, they'd meet Kakashi's minimum requirement for teamwork.
Grabbing the bells would have been ideal, of course — the perfect victory — but Menma wasn't naïve. Even if Kakashi wanted to go easy on them, their current level of strength still wasn't enough. So as long as they could demonstrate cooperation, the test could still end in success.
As long as Sakura didn't do something reckless.
Kakashi wouldn't target her first — Menma knew that much. But as the saying goes, a ninja's plan never survives contact with the battlefield.
'She still lacks a true shinobi's awareness…' Menma thought with frustration as he watched Kakashi dash straight toward them.
"Bang!"
"Snap!"
"Boom!"
In an instant, Kakashi's calm but overwhelming attacks came crashing down. He wasn't even using a tenth of his real strength.
Even without going all-out, Kakashi completely overpowered them — his speed, timing, and battle experience were all on a different level.
It only took one direct clash.
Sasuke was immediately caught in a Genjutsu.
Naruto was blown away by a simple Wind Style: Gale Palm.
And Menma was subdued cleanly with Taijutsu.
It all happened in under ten minutes.
This was Kakashi's casual demonstration — a lesson meant to show the true difference between a rookie Genin and an elite Jonin. He wanted to see how far they'd go as a team, but if not for that, the match would've ended even faster.
"It seems you're still far from ready," Kakashi said coolly, crossing his arms as the four Genin sat in front of him, covered in dust. "You couldn't even last ten minutes. Forget taking the bells — you can't even endure."
Naruto, still panting, leapt to his feet.
"No way! That round doesn't count, Kakashi-sensei! We were just off our game! Give us another shot — we'll get those bells for sure this time!"
His voice was loud and desperate, hands on his hips.
The idea of failing the test and going back to the Academy made his stomach twist.
Sakura's face turned pale; Sasuke frowned slightly, his pride stung.
"Another chance?" Kakashi arched an eyebrow, his tone sharpening. "Naruto, what do you think a ninja's mission is? Playtime? In the real world, a single failure means death. If you fail, you fail. That's reality. As agreed, the four of you will return to the Academy and try again next year."
His gaze hardened deliberately, as if daring Naruto to argue.
Naruto froze, eyes wide — like a startled cat.
But then Kakashi smirked faintly.
"However… considering how hard you all tried earlier, I might be willing to bend the rules."
"Eh!? Really, Kakashi-sensei!?" Naruto blurted, his face lighting up. Sakura and Sasuke both glanced up in surprise.
Kakashi chuckled. "Of course. But here's the twist — I'll only give out three bells this time. Whoever holds a bell will advance to the next test. Whoever doesn't…" He trailed off with a teasing grin. "…goes back to the Academy."
He produced three bells and flicked them toward Naruto. The metallic jingle filled the clearing as Naruto instinctively caught them.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong? Can't decide how to divide them? Or perhaps… you could fight for them. After all, that's a very ninja-like solution, isn't it?"
His words cut through the air like a blade.
Both Naruto and Sasuke stiffened.
Their eyes drifted toward the bells in Naruto's hands — and for a fleeting moment, tension rose between them.
Sasuke's right hand twitched slightly, almost reaching out, before he caught himself.
Sakura stood silently nearby, staring at the bells with trembling hands. Hope and fear swirled in her chest. She wanted to graduate. She didn't want to go back. But she also knew she didn't deserve a bell — not compared to Naruto, Sasuke, or Menma.
Her heart sank.
She couldn't bring herself to speak.
The air grew thick, heavy.
Even Naruto didn't know what to say now.
It was a quiet, suffocating silence — the kind that felt heavier than defeat.
Kakashi's eyes, half-lidded, watched closely. His tone was casual, but his test was cruelly intentional.
Menma finally exhaled softly. A faint smile curved his lips.
"Haha… this is simple," he said, breaking the silence. "Give the bells to the three of them. I'll sit this one out, Kakashi-sensei. I don't need another chance."
The clearing went dead still.
Kakashi's single visible eye flickered with a spark of understanding.
"Oh?"
"Eh!?" Naruto gasped.
"Menma-kun!?" Sakura's voice cracked.
Even Sasuke looked up, surprised.
Kakashi's expression barely shifted, but inside, he was impressed.
So, he figured it out already…
Menma had seen straight through him — through the illusion, through the bait. Kakashi's so-called "three-bell test" was another layer of deception meant to reveal their values.
But he kept up the act.
"Are you sure, Menma? If you refuse, you'll have to stay back another year at the Academy. You'd miss your chance to graduate until the next class does. Is that really fair?"
His eyes darted deliberately toward Sakura.
Sakura's body trembled. Her heart twisted painfully.
Then, with a deep breath, she clenched her fists and stepped forward.
"Menma-kun… I'll be the one to stay," she said firmly, though her voice shook. "My grades were always the lowest. You three are stronger — you deserve to go on. I'll wait until next year."
The words were heavy — but once spoken, she felt oddly lighter.
She knew the truth. There was no point in fighting over something she couldn't earn.
Taking a step back was the right move. After all, even if she got a bell, that didn't mean she'd pass Kakashi's test.
This was only a second chance — not a guarantee.
So why fight her own limits?
Sakura lowered her gaze, the tension in her heart finally fading, as the others looked at her in silence.
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