20demayo Chapter 136 Still Testing
Chapter 136 Still Testing
"Wait a minute! Qualification bell? Why wasn't this ridiculous rule mentioned before we started?!"
Satsuki suddenly stood up from the ground and shouted in a panic. She was completely unaware that Kakashi was using a tactic that was almost like a rogue's ultimate trick called "the right of interpretation belongs to us".
The rules are supplemented by the rule-makers at any time, and are always introduced at the most critical moments.
"It's a pity, but that's reality."
Kakashi, hands in his pockets, appeared cold and aloof, and ruthlessly rejected Satsuki's protest, saying, "Ninja mission notes often don't specify all potential dangers and variables; you'll have to judge and deal with them yourselves."
Although he spoke ruthlessly, Kakashi's heart was actually filled with anticipation and nervousness. His deep gaze swept over the three people in front of him.
In fact, the core purpose of this exercise was never related to the act of seizing the bell itself. Its true significance lay in testing—testing whether they possessed the cornerstone of a true squad: teamwork.
Naruto's performance far exceeded his expectations. As expected of his teacher's son, he not only demonstrated outstanding strength and leadership in the battle, but more importantly, he took on the responsibility of leading the team from beginning to end.
As the strongest member of the team, he never once considered abandoning Sakura, the weakest member who might even be a burden. This unwavering commitment to never abandon any comrade is precisely the quality Kakashi most desires to see.
As for Satsuki… a genius of the Uchiha clan, possessing astonishing talent and pride, her behavior surprised and somewhat subtly affected Kakashi. She actually showed Naruto an almost absolute trust and obedience?
Kakashi had never seen an Uchiha so obedient, even willing to cooperate with outsiders, before. Although this "obedience" seemed to focus too much on Naruto alone, Kakashi saw it as a minor issue that needed a little guidance. The core of this was the willingness to cooperate with trusted comrades, which was extremely valuable.
As for Sakura… she was indeed much weaker, lacking practical experience and combat awareness. But throughout the entire process, she didn't have the negative thought of "giving up if I can't help," and she always tried her best to keep up and make a difference. Kakashi saw this effort and struggle.
Therefore, this final, seemingly harsh rule is the true ultimate test. Kakashi held his breath, awaiting their reaction. How he wished that this time, he could finally have subordinates he could entrust his back to, subordinates who truly knew how to cherish their comrades…
He was determined to pass on the will called "companionship" that his deceased best friend had passed down to him.
Seeing Satsuki clenching his fists and biting his lip, unable to refute, Sakura with utter despair in her eyes, and Naruto with surprise and confusion on his face, Kakashi knew the time was right and finally unleashed his true test.
"But there's no need to despair so soon."
These unexpected words made Satsuki and Sakura raise their heads almost simultaneously, a glimmer of hope rekindling in their eyes.
Kakashi maintained his composure and continued, "Given that, aside from Sakura, your overall performance in the previous pursuit, cooperation, and battle was quite commendable... therefore, I can make an exception and give you both another chance."
His gaze shifted between Satsuki and Sakura. "This afternoon, the battle for the bells will be even more intense and brutal than this morning. Do you understand? This is your last chance."
Then, he abruptly changed the subject, proposing a condition that seemed more lenient but was actually more demanding. "I'll even allow Naruto to help you. The exercise will continue after lunch."
However, he immediately pointed at Sakura, who was tied to the wooden stake, and his voice suddenly became stern. "But—neither of you are allowed to share your bento with Sakura. Not even a single bite."
"Huh?" Sakura was stunned, somewhat surprised to hear this merciless command directed at her.
"This is punishment for her naivety and recklessness!"
Kakashi's voice was cold and hard as he bluntly pointed out Sakura's mistake: "Clearly, your own strength is far from sufficient to handle the danger before you, yet you rushed out of your hiding place simply because your teammates made too much noise and thought you had achieved too much—this kind of behavior, which shows a complete lack of self-awareness and easily exposes your position, is not only foolish but also deadly on a real battlefield! It will not only kill you but also endanger the entire team!"
Sakura suddenly recalled the scene when she saw the amazing combined ninjutsu attack and thought Kakashi had been killed, so she instinctively ran out of her hiding place... A strong sense of regret overwhelmed her, and she lowered her head deeply once again.
Kakashi issued his final ultimatum, "Listen carefully, these are the rules. If either of you—Satsuki, or you, Naruto—dares to break the rules and secretly share your bento with Sakura…"
"Then, violators will be eliminated immediately! And you, Naruto, don't think you're all set just because you got the bell. If you dare to break the rules, I will immediately strip you of your newly acquired ninja status and send you back to the Ninja Academy for retraining!"
"This is the final rule; there will be no second warning."
------
Naruto ate the bento that Kakashi had prepared in small bites. It tasted alright, but not as good as the one he made himself.
Looking at Satsuki beside him, who was somber and barely ate, and Sakura, who was tied to a wooden stake and had no lunchbox, Naruto never expected that Kakashi would still conduct this classic test in the end...
So, according to the "plot" development, Satsuki will probably take the risk and share her bento with Sakura next, right?
His thoughts drifted away. He recalled that in the original timeline, it was he who was tied to the pillar. And that seemingly cold-hearted Uchiha Sasuke had gambled his own future as a ninja, sharing his precious death with him when he was still a "loser."
It was at that moment that Sasuke's icy exterior cracked for the first time, allowing him to glimpse the gentleness and kindness hidden beneath.
Such a good child... but he was gradually driven into that state by Itachi Uchiha and hatred...
A complex mix of emotions welled up inside Naruto. Perhaps it was from the moment he shared the bento that he began to truly try to understand and like this seemingly cold but actually warm-hearted Uchiha.
On the other side, Sakura, tightly bound to the wooden stake, was experiencing waves of empty, cramping pain in her stomach. Although she had eaten the sandwich Naruto had prepared that morning, by noon, the hunger was still overwhelming.
She thought bitterly, hoping that being hungry wouldn't affect her performance in the bell-grabbing competition that afternoon... This time, I really can't let everyone down again!
However, the body is often honest.
"Gurgle~"
The cry came out from her abdomen at an extremely inopportune time, sounding particularly abrupt in the relatively quiet setting.
This incredibly embarrassing scene happened right in front of the person she admired… Sakura’s face instantly turned bright red, and she wished she could disappear into the ground. She lowered her head once again.
Just then, a hand holding a lunchbox was suddenly offered to her.
Here, eat it.
Sakura looked up in surprise and saw that Satsuki had stood up at some point and was handing her his bento.
"Hurry up, before that guy comes back," Zuo Yue added, glancing around at the surroundings.
"Wait, wait a minute! No need!" Sakura was flattered and quickly shook her head in refusal. "If Kakashi-sensei sees this, you'll be eliminated! I... I can't drag you down with me..."
"Don't overthink it," Zuo Yue interrupted her. "I just don't want you to be weak and let us down this afternoon because you're hungry. If that happens, I won't let you off the hook."
"Satsuki...you really are something..."
Sakura looked at the stubborn but kind-hearted black-haired girl in front of her, and her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears, her heart filled with emotion.
As expected, Ino's claims that Satsuki is dangerous and scary... are completely a misunderstanding! She's clearly such a good person!
Naruto, who had been observing silently from the sidelines, felt a surge of relief upon seeing this. She really was... still the same Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto smiled and picked up his own bento box, saying, "Yeah, Satsuki's right, you can't fight on an empty stomach. In that case, I'll share my bento with Sakura too..."
"Absolutely not!"
Before Naruto could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Sasuke's unusually firm, even urgent, rebuke. The sudden, forceful attitude startled Naruto.
Zuo Yue seemed to realize her lapse in composure. She remained silent for a moment before speaking again, her tone softening but still carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Well... I'm not very hungry at noon today, so I'll give my bento to Sakura." She handed the bento in her hand to Sakura again, then turned to Naruto and proposed a solution that surprised him.
"Naruto, let's share yours..."
------
(Some readers have said it's not interesting, so I'll write some explosive plot twists soon and won't rigidly follow the original story.)
(It's still past midnight)