"You lost," Naruto declared triumphantly.
A prompt appeared before Menma's eyes.
[Trust Level: 35%]
[Corruption Points +200]
[Current Corruption Points: 5000]
What? Naruto turned into a shuriken and grabbed the bell?
In the distance, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno watched with their mouths agape. They had fully expected to fail, just venting their frustration. They never imagined Naruto would turn the tables and actually get the bells.
But this wasn't Naruto's style at all.
Kakashi Hatake felt the same way. His face darkened as he strode toward Naruto, clapping his hands slowly.
"That content you read earlier... it was designed to grab my attention and cloud my judgment," Kakashi analyzed, his voice sharp. "Then you used talk of revenge to direct my thoughts. Finally, you used Shadow Clones as decoys to slip through and steal the bell."
He stopped in front of Naruto. "A meticulous plan, step by step. As expected from the author of a masterpiece like that, Menma. You're a terrifying existence."
Kakashi looked directly at Naruto, but his words were meant for the other personality.
"Menma!"
"So the plan was Menma's!" Sakura gasped, finally understanding. "That makes sense!"
Sasuke let out a quiet breath of relief. If the plan wasn't Naruto's idea, that was fine. Comparing himself to Menma—a monster capable of killing Elite Jōnin—was pointless; it would only crush his confidence.
"Heh, so you found out, Sensei!" Naruto's expression shifted, his smile turning guilty. "But Menma is still part of me. You aren't going to renege on the bet just because of that, are you, Sensei?"
Kakashi looked away, speaking with disdain. "A loss is a loss. I'm not going back on a deal with genin."
He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "However... you only have two bells. Have you decided who gets eliminated? Who's going to be tied to that post and watch me eat lunch?"
"Huh?" Sakura looked confused. "Isn't this just to disrupt our teamwork? We all got the bells. Why should anyone be eliminated?"
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "So you knew the goal from the start. Menma told you."
He felt a sudden weariness. He was trying to teach them a lesson, but Menma was constantly undermining him. It was infuriating.
Why is Naruto, sharing that same body, so dim-witted while Menma is so sharp?
Kakashi shook off the thought. "Who said I was threatening you? The rules were clear from the beginning: there are only two bells. One person must be eliminated."
He watched their excitement fade into silence and didn't hesitate. He pointed directly at Sakura.
"Since you won't choose, I will. Sakura, based on your performance, you were the worst. I'm sorry, but you're eliminated."
He waved to Naruto and Sasuke. "You two, tie Sakura to the pillar. Then we'll start lunch."
Sakura collapsed to her knees.
Naruto and Sasuke didn't move. Instead, Naruto started frantically shouting inside his mind. Kakashi, knowing the original storyline, understood exactly what he was saying.
"Naruto," Kakashi said aloud, "refuse the order."
"What happens if I refuse?" Naruto asked.
"Nothing. You need to understand that the three of you are a team. The mission fails if any one of you is missing."
Naruto seemed to get it. He raised his head, eyes blazing with determination.
"Kakashi-sensei! I refuse to carry out your order because it's unreasonable!"
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"If you're going to eliminate someone, eliminate me. We couldn't have gotten the bell without Sasuke or Sakura. We're Team 7. We complete missions together!"
Naruto's words rang out with conviction. Sakura, previously filled with despair, looked up at him, deeply moved.
"Naruto..."
Beside him, Sasuke stood up again. "A mission completed by three people shouldn't end with one person eliminated. I don't agree with this assessment. If you eliminate Naruto, I'm leaving Team 7. This isn't where I need to be."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. He glared at Sakura, his voice turning hostile. "Those two chose to be eliminated. What about you? Do you want to be the only one to pass? The only one who gets to train under me?"
Sakura opened her mouth, but Kakashi cut her off. "Think carefully. Even if you repeat the year, you'll see me again next year... and you'll fail again."
Sakura hesitated. She looked at Naruto's determined face, then at Sasuke's resolute expression. Finally, she grit her teeth.
"I'm out too! Naruto and Sasuke are right. We completed this mission as a team. We're partners!"
"Very good." Kakashi's serious expression melted away. His voice shifted, turning warm and gentle. "Congratulations. You've all passed."
The three of them froze.
"Huh?!"
"Sensei, did you say... pass?"
"Wait, we're not eliminated?!"
Kakashi smiled slightly, his gaze drifting to the horizon.
"Missions are vital to ninja. They must be completed. Those who fail are trash." He paused. "But those who would throw away their comrades just to complete a mission are worse than trash. That's why I had to weed them out. That was the real test."
Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes. "So... that's what a ninja is. That's so awesome!"
Sasuke smirked, while Sakura jumped up and down excitedly.
"Today's mission is a success! Dismissed!" Kakashi turned to leave. "Starting tomorrow, Team 7 begins real missions!"
"Yay!"
Kakashi's words brought another wave of joy to the three of them. After they said their goodbyes and headed home, Kakashi followed Naruto, book in hand, his usual routine intact.