Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too tsundere

Satsuki immediately nodded, indicating that she understood. Although she couldn't be 100% certain that the Kakashi guarding the pit was the real Kakashi, considering the previous actions of scattering his clones, the probability that the real Kakashi was hiding in the main force in the forest was obviously higher.

Only by splitting up could she have a chance to personally retrieve the bell for Naruto.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zuo Yue leaped into the nearby woods. The twenty shadow clones of Naruto immediately followed, quickly and orderly dispersing and disappearing into the dense forest.

In the blink of an eye, only Naruto's main body remained in the open space in the center of the training ground, facing off against Kakashi, whose identity was unclear—whether it was a clone or the main body—and Sakura, buried in the ground with mixed feelings.

"For ninjas who need to execute missions efficiently, Sakura, who is currently unable to move, will not only be unable to provide any assistance, but will also become a burden, delaying or even destroying the main target of stealing the bell."

Kakashi looked at Naruto, who had chosen to stay, and continued his "misleading" tone calmly, "Naruto, are you sure you want to waste your precious, dwindling time just to save her?"

Sakura, who had been moved and hopeful because Naruto hadn't given up on her, had her eyes dim again and silently lower her head upon hearing Kakashi's cold and realistic words.

"Kakashi-sensei, enough with the nonsense and trying to sow discord!" Naruto interrupted him loudly. "Take this!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already lunged forward and thrown a punch at Kakashi! Seeing Naruto launch an attack without hesitation and never give up on his weakest teammate, a subtle smile appeared on the corner of Kakashi's mouth beneath his mask, and he nodded in approval.

However, he maintained a blank expression on his face, quickly raising his hand to block and engaging Naruto in a taijutsu exchange. Yet, he cleverly positioned himself to protect Sakura, who was buried behind him, clearly to prevent accidental injury should Naruto use a wide-range ninjutsu.

------

The forest was now in complete chaos. Numerous Naruto shadow clones were frantically rummaging through the area with incredible efficiency.

They pushed aside the dense bushes, leaped onto the thick branches, and carefully examined every possible hiding place, even ruthlessly tapping suspicious-looking rocks or tree trunks with kunai.

It seems that Kakashi and his companions, who had scattered and infiltrated the forest, have perfectly blended into their surroundings and completely concealed themselves using camouflage techniques.

Naruto knew very well that Kakashi was testing his most basic tracking and reconnaissance skills... but unfortunately, for Naruto now, he didn't need to practice such inefficient techniques step by step.

"Found him! Kakashi-sensei!"

A Naruto shadow clone suddenly stopped and shouted at a seemingly ordinary tree beside him, indistinguishable from any other tree. Before the words were even finished, he had already delivered a merciless side kick, slamming it hard into the tree trunk!

Just as the foot was about to touch the tree bark, the "tree" knew it had been exposed and instantly deactivated its transformation!

Kakashi appeared out of thin air, nimbly leaping backward to avoid the kick.

However, before he could even regain his footing, several shurikens that pierced through the air precisely blocked his retreat route, heading straight for his back!

Kakashi immediately twisted and dodged to the side, the shuriken grazing his vest and embedding itself deeply in the tree behind him. But in the instant he dodged the shuriken and shifted his gaze, he seemed to catch, out of the corner of his eye, an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible, transparent reflection flashing in the air.

The next moment, a powerful binding force suddenly struck! A dozen nearly transparent, tough threads, as if they had a life of their own, instantly wrapped around his limbs and torso, pulling him backward and firmly binding him to the thick tree behind him!

Kakashi followed the thin line and saw Satsuki standing quietly under the shade of a tree not far away. Her scarlet Sharingan still radiated an eerie light.

His fingers moved deftly, and he even held a few extra threads in his mouth to enhance his control over the thread.

"Using shurikenjutsu... Combined with the Sharingan's perception, the timing was excellent." Kakashi, though bound, spoke with a hint of appreciation.

However, just as Naruto's clone was excitedly about to rush up and snatch the bell, Kakashi revealed a slightly sly smile.

"I'm sorry, you guessed wrong."

The next second, Kakashi, who was firmly tied to the tree, turned into a puff of white smoke with a "bang" and disappeared—as expected, it was still just a clone.

Similar scenes played out repeatedly throughout the forest. Kakashi's clones, who used the Transformation Jutsu to transform into trees, rocks, or hide underground, or even lurking at the bottom of the lake, were searched out one by one by Naruto.

Naruto and his companions then used their overwhelming numbers to surround the target, while Sasuke, with his Sharingan's precise predictions and manipulation skills, made crucial captures. Although each captured target ultimately vanished into white smoke, the process was efficient and oppressive.

Of course, Kakashi was undoubtedly holding back; the strength of each individual he created was kept within a certain range.

He was unaware that Naruto, who was directing this large-scale search operation, was also not using his full strength and was carefully controlling the level of power he was displaying.

Chapter 135 Overlord Clause

Why was Naruto able to pinpoint each of Kakashi's deeply hidden clones so accurately? Although these clones were not physical entities, the unique life energy they simulated, which was distinct from the surrounding natural flora and fauna, was fundamentally different.

This subtle and unique "sense of life" became as clear as a light in the darkness, thanks to Naruto's ability to perceive life energy gained through the Gold Experience.

This perceptive ability makes Naruto, to some extent, also a "sensory ninja".

Kakashi understood that, at this rate, it was only a matter of time before all his clones were exposed. Before the last clone was defeated, he decided to test this group of disciples in their final test.

"Found it! This time it must be the real body! Prepare yourselves, Kakashi-sensei!"

Naruto's clones declared victory and swarmed in from all directions, preparing for the final scramble.

Kakashi understood that this was the last clone. Seeing Naruto charging towards him again, he no longer deliberately suppressed his strength this time.

"Thunder Release·Thunderbolt!"

With a low shout, Kakashi swiftly formed hand seals! Dazzling lightning gathered in his hands, and the next moment, the violent lightning suddenly dispersed, attacking all of Naruto's shadow clones around him at an astonishing speed!

Faced with Kakashi's sudden, unrestrained, all-out attack, Naruto's shadow clones reacted swiftly, scattering in all directions to try and avoid the range of the lightning release.

Kakashi, who had initially thought this move would be enough to eliminate all the shadow clones, had a slight change in expression.

What? Only a few were hit? This guy's combat awareness is even higher than I thought...

Just as Naruto's clone was dodging the Lightning Release with all its might, Sasuke, who had been keeping a close eye on the battle from the rear, seized the opportunity!

The next moment, a shuriken with a transparent chakra thread attached shot out of her hand again, aiming straight for the opening Kakashi had created by releasing a ninjutsu!

However, Kakashi instantly dispelled the not-yet-completely-dissipated Lightning Release without hesitation, and formed hand seals again!

This seal is... a transformation spell?

A hint of doubt flashed through Zuo Yue's mind. Why? The transformation technique wasn't a defensive ninjutsu at all.

But the answer was revealed in the next second—Kakashi's figure twisted and changed rapidly in a puff of white smoke, and finally appeared to be Naruto Uzumaki!

His golden hair and blue eyes are exactly the same as the real Naruto!

Seeing the shuriken he was controlling heading straight for "Naruto's" face, Satsuki's rational mind knew that it was just Kakashi using the Transformation Jutsu...

However, her body instinctively resisted! The fingertips controlling the shuriken trembled violently, and the trajectory of the chakra threads shifted extremely slightly but fatally!

"call out--!"

The shuriken grazed past Naruto's ear and embedded itself deeply in the tree trunk behind him, missing its target.

In that fleeting moment of hesitation, a golden opportunity was missed—

"Jingle Bell--!"

The preset ringtone resounded clearly throughout the entire training ground.

It was noon, and the exercise... was over.

------

The atmosphere was heavy in the center of the training field. Sakura was tightly bound to the wooden stake in the middle, looking dejected.

Satsuki hugged her knees and squatted silently on the grass not far away, burying her face deep in her knees. She was clearly still feeling guilty and distressed about missing the opportunity due to her momentary hesitation, which ultimately led to failure.

Naruto sat on the other side, thoughtfully weighing the two bells in his hands.

Kakashi stood before them, his heart filled with complex emotions. He hadn't expected that he would ultimately be so thoroughly outmaneuvered by this kid...

Recalling the golden chains that burst forth from Naruto's body in that instant, dancing with lifelike agility, and precisely wrapped around him... that scene was just like the power that his master's wife had once used.

I never imagined Naruto could control the Adamantine Sealing Chains to this extent...

Kakashi secretly pondered, actually quite satisfied with the results of this test. Although Sakura's performance was indeed a bit weak, Naruto's persistence in never giving up on any of his teammates, and Satsuki's performance, which focused solely on Naruto but also displayed exceptional concentration and execution, all exceeded his expectations.

However, he decided to conduct the last and most crucial test.

"Um,"

Kakashi spoke with feigned seriousness, "It seems I've lost. Naruto snatched the two bells from my 'original body' at the last moment. Congratulations."

He looked at Naruto and even clapped his hands lightly a few times, his tone sounding quite sincere.

Sakura, who was tied up, couldn't help but raise her head and glare at Kakashi, her tone filled with dissatisfaction and grievance. "Kakashi-sensei is a liar! What 'I'm not the real body'... how could he just say such a lie so easily!"

"Eh? Really?"

Kakashi scratched his head, looking nonchalant about being exposed. "Okay, I admit it, I did lie. But you know, on the battlefield, you absolutely can't easily believe anything the enemy says. After all, ninjas will stop at nothing to achieve victory and use all sorts of deception and psychological tactics."

His casual words only made Sakura lower her head in even more bitterness. Naruto grabbed two bells... So, it seems I'm the one who's eliminated...

A wave of immense disappointment and resentment washed over me. I'd just become a ninja, was my ninja career really going to end like this...?

At that moment, Kakashi changed the subject and delivered a verdict that surprised everyone.

"So, I now announce that Naruto Uzumaki has successfully passed the exam and is officially a genin! As for the other two..." He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over Satsuki and Sakura, "they will both have to return to the Ninja Academy to study again!"

"what?!"

These words made Satsuki, who was still immersed in self-blame, suddenly raise her head, her eyes instantly filled with disbelief and panic!

Why?! Naruto got both bells! Although I feel a little sorry for Sakura... why did you have to separate me and Naruto?! This outcome terrified her even more than the mission failure itself.

Naruto also showed a surprised and puzzled expression.

Seeing Satsuki's panicked expression and Naruto's astonished look, Kakashi slowly and with a smile explained.

"Oh, right, I forgot to mention the most important point. These two bells are 'qualification bells.' The rule is—only those who personally take them from me are qualified to use them."

His gaze fell on Naruto. "In other words, Naruto, only the bell you personally snatched is effective for you. If you had given it to Satsuki out of kindness..." He then looked at Satsuki, whose face had turned deathly pale.

"Then the bell given to her will immediately become invalid, and Satsuki will still be unqualified."

Finally, he looked at Sakura, who was utterly desperate. "And Sakura, having not obtained any bells, will undoubtedly be eliminated as well."

"This is the final rule."

Chapter 136 Still Testing

"Wait a minute! Qualification bell? Why wasn't this bizarre 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 unapproachable, 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. 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 hoped that this time, he would 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, apart from Sakura, your overall performance in tracking, teamwork, and battle was quite commendable... I can make an exception and give you both another chance."

His gaze shifted between Satsuki and Sakura. "This afternoon, the battle to snatch 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 pointed out Sakura's mistake without hesitation: "Your own strength is clearly insufficient to deal with the danger at hand, yet you rushed out of your hiding place just 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 implicate 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."