In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage watched Jiraiya with concern.
**"What will you do? You might need more patience with Kakashi."**
Kakashi was his most problematic student—
Talented, yet scarred. The Third couldn't bear to see him wasted.
Jiraiya shrugged.
**"If the results disappoint you, we'll just say it wasn't meant to be."**
With that, he vanished.
The Third Hokage sighed, his face lined with worry.
---
### **The Bell Test Begins**
At Training Ground 7, Yuhi Kurenai arrived early, finding Kyouhiko and Kakashi already waiting beneath a tree.
She tiptoed quietly, not daring to disturb the tense silence.
*So much tension...*
An hour later—
**"Sorry! Got held up on the way."**
Jiraiya's cheerful voice broke the stillness.
**"Lord Jiraiya, you're late!"** Kurenai checked the time—nearly noon.
But her scolding froze when she saw her teammates' expressions:
- Kakashi's cold, masked glare.
- Kyouhiko's unnerving calm.
Jiraiya chuckled.
**"Look at you three, so harmonious! I'm confident you'll pass."**
He produced a bell from his waist.
**"Kakashi, your first test might've been different. Here, it's simple—grab this bell, and you pass."**
*Ding~*
The bell chimed as he reattached it.
**"Any questions?"**
**"Do we need one bell each, or just one in total?"** Kakashi asked.
**"One suffices. But..."** Jiraiya's grin turned sharp. **"The worst performer gets no lunch and an extra test this afternoon."**
Kakashi fell silent.
Kyouhiko nodded. **"Understood."**
**"Then begin! Plan your strategy."**
*Whoosh!*
All three vanished instantly.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.
*Did they split up?*
*If Kyouhiko's teamwork vision is this shallow...*
*Disappointing.*
---
### **The Trap**
Hidden in the foliage, Kurenai whispered:
**"Kyouhiko, are we really ignoring Kakashi?"**
**"We'll create opportunities for him. But if he won't cooperate, we can't force him."**
Kurenai exhaled in relief.
**"Then how do we fight?"**
**"Distract Jiraiya. Use traps and genjutsu to coordinate with Kakashi's position for a surprise attack. You'll focus on illusions while I..."**
A plan took shape.
---
### **The Battle**
**"Begin! Get the bell before the hourglass runs out."**
Jiraiya flipped the timer—
Then immediately sensed movement.
*Good hiding spots.*
Their fundamentals were solid, but...
*Flaws exist.*
He stepped forward, feigning nonchalance.
*Crack!*
A log swung toward him.
Jiraiya dodged—
Only for the scenery to warp.
**"Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion · Tree Binding Death!"**
He disrupted his chakra, breaking free—
Just as traps launched from all sides.
*Poof!*
He vanished, reappearing on a tree branch.
*These brats...*
*Not bad at all!*
Kurenai's genjutsu was already B-rank level.
Before he could analyze further, two figures lunged—
Kakashi with a kunai, Kyouhiko from below.
Jiraiya smirked, blocking Kyouhiko's strike with ease.
*Clang!*
Kyouhiko vanished mid-air, landing on another tree.
**"Clever tactics."**
Jiraiya's voice came from behind—
The one Kyouhiko had attacked was a shadow clone!
The real Jiraiya struck fast—
*Bam! Bam! Bam!*
Three punches, two kicks exchanged in seconds.
*Impressive taijutsu!*
Jiraiya increased his speed, forcing Kyouhiko to substitute with a log.
*Smart kid!*
What impressed Jiraiya wasn't just Kyouhiko's skill—
But his judgment.
*The moment I got serious, he fled.*
*Calculated. Cold. Efficient.*
---
### **The Ambush**
**"Here!"**
A massive log swung toward Jiraiya—
Kurenai's trap, covering Kyouhiko's retreat.
Jiraiya shattered it with a punch.
**"Just this won't pass you."**
**"Go!"**
Kyouhiko knew—
*Jiraiya's still holding back.*
*If this were real, he'd use Lion's Mane already.*
But Jiraiya's current speed was just slightly faster than his—
A deliberate challenge.
*Now's the chance.*
*Whoosh!*
Spiked rafts flew at Jiraiya from all angles as two clones charged—
One resembling Kyouhiko, the other Kakashi.
Kurenai, perched high, formed seals.
*Genjutsu: Naraku Clone Technique!*
The clones exploded on contact—
But the rafts transformed mid-air into Kakashi, sword gleaming.
*Clang!*
Jiraiya blocked—
Only for Kyouhiko to appear behind him.
*Too fast!*
Even expecting it, Jiraiya was stunned.
*Mastering this level of shunshin at seven?*
*Monstrous!*
Kakashi's blade, Kurenai's cherry blossom illusions—
The trio's coordination was flawless.
Their attacks connected—
*Thud!*
Kyouhiko's fist met... mud?
*A earth clone!*
**"Above!"** Kurenai shouted.
A net descended—
Kakashi slashed through, but Jiraiya was already upon him.
Kyouhiko intercepted—
*Boom!*
He crashed to the ground, coughing.
Then—
**"Lord Jiraiya..."**
A grin split his bloodied lips.
**"You don't want people knowing you sneak into the women's baths daily—"**
---
### **End of Chapter**