The midday sun beat down on the training ground, casting long shadows across the field. Naruto was tied to a stump, his stomach growling with a ferocity that could rival a summoning jutsu. Sakura and Sasuke, exhausted and frustrated, sat nearby, the air thick with a mixture of defeat and hunger
"You're hopeless," Kakashi said, his voice flat, though a hint of amusement danced in his visible eye. "You three don't even understand the basics of teamwork."
He pulled out his lunch, a bento box filled with grilled fish and rice, the aroma wafting through the air like a cruel, delicious torture. Naruto's stomach growled louder, a symphony of hunger that echoed through the clearing.
"If you three can't even take these bells, you're not even worthy of being genin." Kakashi said as he began to eat, savoring each bite with exaggerated relish.
Sakura, her stomach protesting loudly, glared at Kakashi, but her gaze softened as she looked at Naruto, whose face was a mask of sheer, agonizing hunger. Sasuke, despite his stoic exterior, felt a flicker of something akin to pity. He knew this test wasn't just about the bells; it was about something more
With a sigh, Sasuke reached into his pouch and pulled out a small rice ball. He walked over to Naruto and held it out. "Here," he said, his voice low. "Eat this."
Naruto's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "Sasuke... you're giving me your food?"
"Just eat it," Sasuke said, his tone gruff, but a hint of something else, perhaps concern, softened his words.
Naruto devoured the rice ball in seconds, his stomach still rumbling. Sakura, seeing this, also offered a small portion of her own lunch, her initial hesitation replaced by a sense of camaraderie.
"You guys..." Naruto said, his voice choked with emotion, his eyes glistening. "You're actually sharing your food with me?"
Kakashi, watching the scene unfold, didn't show shock. Instead, a small, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. He leaned back against a tree, his expression one of quiet satisfaction.
"Well done." he said, his voice laced with a subtle approval.
The team stared at him, confused.
"You understand," Kakashi said, his voice softer, the playful facade replaced by a genuine earnestness. "In the shinobi world, those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum. You three understand the importance of teamwork. That's what this test was about."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over them. "You passed. All of you."
Naruto, still tied to the stump, blinked in disbelief. Sakura's eyes widened, a mixture of relief and surprise. Sasuke, though his expression remained impassive, felt a sense of satisfaction. The system screen flickered.
(Chakra Reserves : 936/2350 [Genin] )
(Sharingan : 11/25 [Level 1 - One Tomoe] )
He noted the slight increase in his Chakra Reserves and Sharingan progression. The test was over, and they had passed. But the system remained silent, its purpose still a mystery, and a strange feeling of camaraderie lingered, a feeling he wasn't quite sure how to process.