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"Oh?"
Shinichi's icy voice shattered the dead silence, dripping with mockery. "So you do care about your father's honor after all? Then what the hell have you been doing for the past three years, Kakashi?"
He took a step forward, staring intently into Kakashi's devastated face, and asked the question once again:
"So, why are you so weak?"
Kakashi's body trembled. His vacant eyes seemed to be stung by the words, regaining a sliver of focus.
"What did I tell you three years ago?"
Shinichi didn't yell, but every word was clear, striking Kakashi's memories like a heavy hammer.
"I said, if you don't know what to do, then work hard to get stronger. Strong enough so that you try your best to never fall into the same predicament your father did. Strong enough that perhaps, in the face of an impossible choice, you can violently tear open a third path!"
"But what have you done for the past three years? You graduated early, you desperately took on missions, and you spouted your 'rules above all else' nonsense as if that would prove you were right, that you had transcended it all!"
"But deep down? You've been in constant agony, constantly conflicted. You're desperate for someone to tell you that your father's choice wasn't wrong! You're trapped in a cage of your own making, constantly tearing yourself apart between denying your father and understanding him, torturing yourself in your own personal hell!"
Shinichi pointed at the pile of shattered metal on the ground.
"You're just endlessly interrogating yourself, simulating impossible scenarios, agonizing over 'What would I choose? Was my father right or wrong?' You've exhausted all your energy on internal struggles and self-justification, using an obsessive adherence to the rules to mask your own fear and confusion! You have never truly faced the future or tried to accumulate the power needed to shatter those dilemmas and transcend the choices themselves!"
"A swordsman's blade is the blade of their heart!"
Shinichi's gaze swept over the broken White Fang, his tone heavy. "The reason the White Fang became an indestructible, legendary blade that shook the ninja world in your father's hands is because it carried his unshakable conviction, his clear resolve, and his burning determination to protect his comrades! It was a blade that resonated with his soul! But in your hands..."
He shook his head, his words falling like a final judgment:
"It's nothing more than a mirror, reflecting all your wavering, your fear, and your self-imposed shackles. When held by someone whose heart is full of contradictions and who cannot find their own path, even the sharpest divine weapon is destined to be fragile and easily broken."
"If that's the case, then it's better off broken."
The training ground fell into a heavy silence. The onlookers exchanged glances, even lightening their breathing.
Kurenai and Shizune's eyes were filled with complex emotions. Rin clasped her hands tightly to her chest, her face full of worry as she stared at Kakashi's back.
Obito looked at the frozen Kakashi, then at the stern Shinichi. He opened his mouth, ultimately just muttering softly, "I mean, he's not wrong... but, but that was a bit too harsh..."
The Shinichi in his memories wasn't like this.
He remembered a kind person who would nod in greeting when they passed each other, who got along well with the other students. Sometimes, when walking through the village, he'd see him helping the villagers. He had never seen Shinichi give anyone a cold look or lose his temper.
Obito hadn't spoken to him much, but the impression that "this is a good guy" had always been there.
But now, the person standing in the center of the field didn't have a trace of a smile on his face. His eyes were as cold as a kunai in winter. Obito suddenly found him a bit unfamiliar.
Yet, for some reason, looking at this version of Shinichi, the first image that popped into Obito's head wasn't the cold words he had just spoken—
It was something else entirely.
Back when Obito had just started at the academy, every morning when he frantically rushed through the gates, he would always see someone running around the perimeter of the training yard with a massive rock on his back.
One lap. Two laps. Three laps.
The rock was huge, several times larger than the person carrying it. Obito had initially thought it was a senior student, only finding out later that it was a kid in his grade from the class next door named Shinichi Higashino.
Is this guy crazy? Obito had thought at the time.
Later, he realized the guy didn't just run in the morning. During lunch break, while everyone else was eating, playing tag in the hallways, or chatting in groups in the classrooms, that guy would be standing under the cherry blossom tree by the training yard, swinging a sword.
Just swinging it. Over, and over, and over again.
Obito would lean against the railing, chewing his half-swallowed lunch, thinking: What is this guy trying to prove? Isn't he tired? Isn't it boring?
No one answered him.
Eventually, Obito stopped leaning against the railing. But occasionally, when he walked by, he would still subconsciously glance toward that spot.
The guy would still be there. His posture hadn't changed. His spot hadn't changed. Even the rhythm of his swings hadn't changed.
It was as if time had stopped for him, or rather, time kept moving forward, but he always stood in the exact same place, doing the exact same thing...
"Pick it up."
Shinichi's voice rang out again, interrupting Obito's deepening thoughts.
Kakashi's body flinched. His vacant eyes turned mechanically, landing on Shinichi's face.
"I said pick it up! Kakashi!"
Shinichi's voice suddenly rose in volume.
"A broken blade can be reforged! A wavering conviction can be solidified! If you've strayed from your path, then force yourself back onto it!"
"Throw away that bullshit, self-trapping multiple-choice question! From this moment on, you are only allowed to think about one thing—getting stronger!"
"Take that absolute need to get stronger and pick up this broken blade! And then, with your own hands, with every ounce of strength you earn in the future, reforge it!"
"Use your will to quench it! Use your resolve to sharpen it! Let it witness how you cut through your confusion step by step, how you become ten times, a hundred times stronger than you are now! Strong enough to protect everything you want to protect! Strong enough that no one can ever force you to make a choice again! Strong enough that you become the one who rewrites the rules and creates the third path!"
"This brat's mouth is as sharp as ever," Tsunade snorted coldly, seeming to recall something.
Hearing this, Minato realized Tsunade and Shinichi must have also had some sort of history or interaction. But he considerately chose not to pry, simply offering a warm smile. "Although his methods are a bit extreme, Shinichi truly values his comrades and wants them to become stronger. Perhaps this is his own unique form of kindness."
In the center of the field, Kakashi tightly gripped the half-broken blade, the cold edge of the hilt digging deeply into his palm.
"I..." He slowly raised his head, his voice terribly hoarse. "...understand."
He spoke very softly, yet it seemed to take every ounce of strength he possessed. He didn't say anything else, didn't make any grand declarations. He simply, carefully, and reverently gathered the half-broken blade and the scattered fragments.
Seeing this, Shinichi didn't say anything further.
He stopped looking at Kakashi and turned to face the others. His voice returned to its usual steady tone.
"That concludes the intermission. Don't forget the real reason we're gathered here. The test is still ongoing."
He paused slightly, then continued, "First, we need a temporary captain to coordinate this joint operation. I nominate myself for the position. Are there any objections?"
Kurenai and Shizune were the first to nod. Rin also nodded gently in agreement. Obito looked at Kakashi, then at Shinichi, and scratched his head. "I don't have a problem with it... Someone has to make the calls anyway."
Kakashi remained silent, essentially offering his tacit consent.
"Good." Shinichi nodded, immediately getting down to business. "As the captain, I need to know everyone's areas of expertise so I can formulate a strategy. Everyone, give me a brief overview..."
After gathering the basic information, Shinichi combined it with the terrain and the instructors' likely behavioral patterns to quickly assign roles for reconnaissance, baiting, diversion, and the main assault. He also emphasized the timing for their coordination and their signals.
A short time later, the joint operation began.
Under Shinichi's command, the six young shinobi from the two squads displayed a level of synergy and tactical execution that far exceeded expectations.
During the exchanges, a look of approval gradually appeared in both Minato and Tsunade's eyes. They had never intended to truly stop these kids; the core of the test was to observe their character and teamwork.
Seeing that the goal had been achieved, the two instructors tacitly looked for an opportunity to go easy on them, allowing reasonable openings to appear in their defense of the bells.
Ultimately, through a carefully planned feint and coordinated assault, Shinichi and Kakashi managed to snatch a bell from Tsunade and Minato, respectively.
"Alright." Tsunade crossed her arms, a playful smile on her lips. "Now both of you have managed to grab a bell. So, what are you going to do next? There are only two bells, after all."
The atmosphere grew delicate once again. The rules were clearly laid out before them.
Two bells. Six people.
Shinichi, however, remained perfectly calm. He walked over to Kakashi and held out his hand. "Give me your bell."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately handed over the bell.
Holding both bells, Shinichi turned to Tsunade and asked, "Tsunade-sensei, both bells are currently in the possession of Squad 10. According to the rules you announced, does this mean Squad 10 has collectively passed the test?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and nodded. "That's right. According to the rules, your squad passes."
"Excellent." Shinichi turned and, without a moment's hesitation, handed both bells to Kakashi.
Then, he looked at Minato Namikaze and asked in the same clear tone, "Minato-sensei, both bells are currently in the possession of Squad 7. According to the rules, does this mean Squad 7 has also collectively passed the test?"
The entire field fell silent for a second before realization dawned on everyone.
Obito was the first to react, jumping up excitedly. "That's right! We can do that! This is great! We don't have to fail!"
Rin looked at the two bells, then at Shinichi, her eyes filled with gratitude. Kurenai and Shizune also broke into relieved smiles.
Kakashi looked at Shinichi, his eyes complex.
Watching this scene unfold, a warm, gratified smile spread across Minato's face. Beside him, Tsunade snorted but didn't voice any objections.
"Ah, yes." Minato smiled and nodded. "Since both bells are now in the possession of Squad 7, then according to the rules, Squad 7 also collectively passes the test. Congratulations to you all. Both squads have passed!"
His announcement brought this joint test—filled with twists, turns, and unexpected events—to a surprising yet perfectly happy conclusion.
The test had ended in complete success.