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Kagaya's exclamation of "Fine!" caused Kakashi to ease up slightly on his kicks.
In his excitement, Kagaya wanted to shout, "Sucking up pays off!" But when another kick left a footprint on his cheek, he could only think, "Suck-ups get no mercy."
By the end of the morning, none of the three had managed to grab a bell, and they were panting from exhaustion.
Saito Daisuke, catching his breath, cautiously asked Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, what happens if none of us get a bell?"
Kakashi's face was cold, devoid of any warmth. "Then you all fail!"
"What?!" Daisuke was visibly shaken. He hadn't expected the test to be so ruthless.
What Daisuke didn't know was that after the morning's skirmish, Kakashi was already satisfied with their teamwork spirit. But it wasn't enough. Kakashi had one final test for them.
"I suggest you don't slack off. If no one grabs a bell by breakfast, you'll all fail!"
This time, it wasn't just Daisuke who gasped—Kagaya and Suzuki Genji did too.
The three quickly regrouped, preparing to resume their attempts to snatch the bells.
This time, they gave it everything. Kagaya ignored his aching body and nearly depleted chakra, launching attack after attack.
In his memory, Kakashi's bell test could be passed through teamwork. But nothing was certain. As his father had said, Kakashi had just come from the Anbu, a dark place. Who knew how much of that darkness lingered in him? Kagaya couldn't bet on Kakashi passing them for teamwork alone. With Kakashi still not declaring them successful, Kagaya grew anxious. He had to get a bell!
But the skill gap was vast. Time ran out, and by mealtime, none of them had succeeded.
Kakashi held the bells in his hand, jingling them at the trio. "Unfortunately, none of you grabbed a bell. Therefore, I declare you all failed!"
Daisuke's face turned deathly pale, his six-year dream shattered.
Genji frowned tightly, silent.
Kagaya showed no expression, but inside, he was panicking. Missing this chance to become a genin—how long would he have to wait for the next? Another year at the academy? Kagaya was willing to take the time, but the Uchiha massacre wouldn't wait for him!
Then Kakashi's tone shifted. "However, failing everyone outright is a bit harsh. Here's the deal: the three of you will fight each other. The top two pass; the last one is eliminated. This is your final chance. Understood?"
The trio fell silent. Kagaya was the first to speak, shaking his head and stepping back. "No, Kakashi-sensei. I won't fight my teammates. I'm out of this battle."
Kagaya was gambling, betting that Kakashi's words were part of the test. If he won, they'd pass. If he lost, so be it. Honestly, he didn't want to crush Daisuke's dream or bully a girl like Genji. At worst, he'd return to the academy and train with Itachi and Shisui—his progress wouldn't stall.
Daisuke hesitated, then stepped back to stand beside Kagaya. "Kakashi-sensei, I'm with Kagaya. I won't fight my teammates either. I'm out too."
Kakashi looked at them coldly, saying nothing.
Genji smiled faintly and bowed slightly to Kakashi. "Sorry, Kakashi-sensei. My decision is the same as theirs."
With each refusal, Kakashi's expression grew darker. By the time Genji finished, his face—half-hidden by his mask—was grim, his eyes radiating a storm-like intensity. He spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "All three of you! Very well! Since that's your choice, I now declare…"
His eyes narrowed, as if about to deliver a harsh verdict, but then they crinkled into crescents, and the grimness melted into a warm smile. "All three of you pass!"
Daisuke: "Huh?!"
Genji's eyes showed a flicker of surprise, but she remained composed.
Kagaya sighed in relief. Good. Kakashi was still that Kakashi. He'd bet correctly.
Kakashi explained, "Those who don't value their comrades aren't fit to be ninjas. You all showed that you cherish your teammates, so you pass."
Daisuke scratched his head, relieved. "So that's how it works. Phew."
Kakashi then explained the true purpose of the bell test in detail.
Afterward, he smiled and gave the trio a thumbs-up. "You did well. From now on, I'm officially your team leader. I've learned your names and abilities during the fight. Now, I want to know: what are your dreams?"
He looked first at Genji, the consistently composed girl.
Genji was caught off guard, not expecting to be asked first. After a moment, she said, "I hope… everything turns out well."
Kakashi paused, then replied, "That's not exactly a dream, but if it's what you want, it counts. Quite selfless."
He turned to Daisuke.
Daisuke seemed shy, unsure if he should share, but Kakashi's encouraging look spurred him on. "My dream is to become Hokage—stronger than the Third Hokage!"
Kakashi smiled warmly. "Then you'd better work hard."
Daisuke: "Of course!"
Finally, it was Kagaya's turn. He struggled to find words. His dream? Did he even have one? What was he fighting for? To escape the impending Uchiha massacre. But could he say the Uchiha would be wiped out? No!
So what could he say? Beyond surviving the massacre, what did he want?
Images of his father, mother, Shisui, and Itachi flashed through his mind. That was it—he wanted to protect them.
Without thinking, he blurted out, "My dream is for everything to turn out well."
Genji glanced at him, pursing her lips, unsure what to say.
Kakashi laughed helplessly. "Well, looks like you two have the same dream! Haha."
Kagaya realized his dream had overlapped with Genji's. Though not a "dream" in the strictest sense, it was what he truly wanted right now.
"If it can come true, nothing else matters."