After some self-reflection in his mind, Kakashi didn't forget the true purpose of this assessment.
"Since you've obtained the bells, you naturally pass this assessment. However, besides that, you still have one more bell that you can choose to give to another person to let them pass as well. Who are you planning to choose?"
What will you do next, Furina? I hope you won't disappoint me.
"Well… let's head back and check on their condition first. I'll give you my answer once we're there."
Furina naturally knew how to respond to Kakashi's question simply expressing care for her teammates would suffice. However, she didn't rush to reply and instead deliberately kept Kakashi in suspense for a bit.
Because without Naruto and Sasuke around, her ideas couldn't achieve their best effect, so it was better to return first.
"Fine."
Kakashi didn't refuse Furina's request or rather, having everyone gathered together would make it easier for him to observe.
Furina and Kakashi traveled quickly. It didn't take long along the return path before they found Naruto and Sasuke sitting on rocks, resting.
"They're back."
After spotting the two figures, Sasuke spoke up to alert Naruto beside him. During their earlier rest, they had already discussed it: once they saw Kakashi again, they would continue the fight. After all, there was still some time left before the end they weren't going to sit around and do nothing.
But just as they got closer and prepared to make a move, they suddenly noticed that the bells originally hanging from Kakashi were now on Furina and both of them.
What was going on? Had Furina somehow taken the bells by herself over there? That was impossible. They had just personally experienced Kakashi's strength.
However, Kakashi's very first words upon meeting them settled the matter, forcing them to believe that Furina had really succeeded on her own.
"I declare that this practical exercise is over. Furina successfully took both bells from me. Since one bell allows one person to pass, that means one more person among you has passed the exam. As for exactly who, it depends on Furina's choice. Heh heh."
After saying a few words laced with a bit of provocation, Kakashi stepped aside, leaving the space to the three of them and adopting the attitude of someone ready to watch a good show.
And Kakashi's words clearly had an effect. Naruto and Sasuke now understood the situation and both looked at Furina with some tension.
"Naruto and Furina have a good relationship. Last time in the classroom, she even stood up for him. The bell probably won't go to me. Damn it, I still need to get revenge on that man am I really going to stop here?"
Even though Furina hadn't spoken yet, Sasuke's mind was already in turmoil. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed he had no chance.
But what he didn't know was that Naruto the one he thought had nothing to worry about because of his good relationship with Furina was also quite troubled at this moment.
"Even though I know Furina, would she really choose someone at the bottom like me? And just a couple of days ago, I did something she didn't like.
On the other hand, all the girls at the academy like Sasuke. Even though Furina hasn't shown that kind of attitude, who can be sure she doesn't feel that way? And compared to teaming up with me, more people would probably prefer to be teammates with a genius like Sasuke."
"Sigh~" Looking at the two in front of her, whose expressions kept shifting, Furina could more or less guess what they were thinking. Sasuke was one thing, but what was Naruto worrying about? Did he really not trust her that much?
Furina had originally planned to wait for them to speak so she could tease them a little, but both of them were acting like mute gourds, holding back and refusing to say anything as if whoever spoke first would lose face.
So Furina decided not to tease them anymore. She simply tossed the bells to the two of them, then turned toward Kakashi nearby, nodding her head to indicate she was done.
"Nani?" ×2
After noticing the bells thrown to them, Naruto and Sasuke both widened their eyes in disbelief, clearly not expecting this outcome. But before they could speak, Kakashi had already walked over.
"Are you sure you want to do this? By giving the bells to both of them, you'll be the one going back to the academy for a redo. You're clearly the winner are you really okay with that?"
Kakashi's words were full of implications that she could still change her mind, as if he was saying it for her own good. Unfortunately, to Furina, it was like playing the lute to a cow completely ineffective.
"No need, Kakashi-sensei. I've already decided. Let the two of them pass first. I can wait until next time."
"Why are you doing this? Isn't this just wasting your own time? And next time, I'll be even more serious. You may not be able to replicate this success. You know my strength."
Looking at Kakashi's seemingly serious threat, Furina could barely hold back her laughter. Words like these might work on others, but to her, they were practically meaningless.
I know your strength, but you don't know I have a cheat. The people defeated by her have never been considered real opponents by her anyway…
"Why? Kakashi-sensei, didn't you say we're a team? If that's the case, isn't it only natural to look out for your teammates? Besides, I believe I'll still win next time."
"Is that so?" Seeing Furina's resolute expression, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of gratification flashed in Kakashi's eyes. But he didn't show it and instead turned to look at Naruto and Sasuke nearby.
"Even though you didn't take them yourselves, you still ended up with them. With the bells in hand, you pass. Congratulations."
Kakashi's words were like the final straw that broke the camel's back. Naruto who had been holding back from saying something all along finally couldn't restrain himself anymore. He threw the bell in his hand to the ground and shouted loudly.
"Furina is the one who took the bells how can she not pass? Preparing only two bells for three people was unfair from the start. If that's how it is, then I won't pass either.
I'll go back and train hard. Next time, I'll take the bells together with Furina. Just you wait and see, Kakashi-sensei!"
And Naruto's decision to give up successfully helped Sasuke make his own choice. He had been wavering between revenge and his teammates, but now, he was no longer lost.
"Tch, Furina is one thing, but what kind of big talk is this from a dead-last like you, Naruto? The Uchiha don't need handouts for victory. Kakashi, next time I'll take a bell from you all by myself. And then… I'll get my revenge on that man."