"So the last question was also part of the test?"
Tenten and Kasumi had already been released, but both were still curious about Kakashi's final question.
"That's right. Though I assume Souma already saw through it?"
Kakashi lazily pulled out his book again.
"I had a rough idea."
Souma nodded.
"Kakashi-sensei wanted us to understand the importance of teamwork. And since our teamwork was decent, all you could do was keep reusing the same old tricks."
"Cough! Cough!"
Kakashi nearly choked.
A bit offended, he protested:
"That test is very difficult! Almost no one passes!"
"True," Souma admitted. "But I also knew no test would include a mandatory-failure condition. If you really wanted to fail us, you would've said so at the start."
Kakashi fell silent.
…
So the kid reverse-engineered the answer from the conclusion?
No wonder he couldn't fool him.
"So we really passed?"
"Great!!"
Tenten and Kasumi's eyes sparkled—they clearly only cared about becoming real genin.
But Kakashi still couldn't let something go.
"You said my test is an 'old trick.' Then what's your genius alternative?"
"If it were me," Souma said with a smile,
"I'd say there are only two available slots. Then I'd run a timed test, afterwards have the three evaluate each other's combat performance. The two with the most votes get the spots."
Tenten and Kasumi's smiles froze.
If it were done that way…
"That's horrible!" Kasumi muttered. "If you tested like that, most squads wouldn't even be able to form properly. Even the legendary Ino–Shika–Cho would fail."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead.
"There is still a way. They'd just… vote for each other."
Tenten blinked.
"Do people like that actually exist?"
"For kids your age, not many," Souma replied calmly.
"But some teams are broken from the start. For them, bells alone won't fix anything. You need stronger medicine."
"Hey! You're literally our age. Why do you say stuff like 'kids your age'?"
Tenten glared.
"…Slip of the tongue."
Kakashi clapped his hands.
"Alright, enough talk. You're all starving, right? As an apology, your teacher will treat you to a big sizzling barbecue feast. Order whatever you want—I'm paying."
"Seriously? You're not tricking us again, right?"
Kasumi eyed him suspiciously.
Kakashi's credibility had dropped to near zero.
"I don't believe it! You'll stick me with the bill, won't you?"
Tenten squinted at him.
"Haha, no no, have a little faith in your teacher. Anyway—
Guy! You can bring your team out now. We're going to eat!"
At his shout, Might Guy led his own squad over from the trees.
Lee and Maya came running up, immediately crowding excitedly around Souma.
Neji… looked complicated.
Previously, he'd assumed Souma was just a bookworm with a little strength—definitely beneath him.
But now…
Neji stared at Souma, lost for words.
Better to just watch silently from the side.
"Hey hey hey, Kakashi!" The guy yelled. "I said I'd treat you next time, but you made them go hungry all morning! That's too cruel!"
"Don't worry about the details."
"How can I not worry!? That's my money! You planned this from the beginning! I lost to you again!"
Guy stomped around dramatically.
Kakashi's expression didn't change at all.
Under the mask, his face was emotionless—because if he showed any reaction, Guy would just get louder.
He understood Guy too well.
Souma turned to Lee and Maya—one excited, one curious.
Neji, meanwhile, covered his own face like he'd taken psychic damage.
"Guy-sensei really is like that," Souma explained.
"But he's a good person—and extremely strong. Even if he can't teach you Gentle Fist, it doesn't mean you have to walk only that path."
"…Huh?"
Neji stiffened, startled.
Then snapped, "That's none of your business!"
"You don't seem like someone hung up on rankings," Souma said lightly. "Anyway, suit yourself."
He smiled and followed the group forward.
The barbecue sounded pretty good right now.
Neji frowned deeper.
This guy… kept giving advice.
And those self-made jutsu?
He handed them out casually, without hiding anything.
Like someone who didn't even consider hoarding techniques as clan secrets.
Too strange.
The more Neji thought about it, the less he understood Souma's mindset.
By the time he snapped out of it, everyone else was already far ahead.
"Neji! Hurry up!"
Lee called back.
"I'm coming,"
Neji muttered, forcing himself to follow.
Hokage's Office
"HAHAHAHA!!"
Hiruzen roared with laughter.
"Kakashi really struggled this time! And he still got his bells stolen! Oh, this is too good!"
"Lord Hokage… I don't think this is something to laugh so hard about. And please take care of your health."
Shikaku scratched his head helplessly.
"Ahem… you're right. An old man like me shouldn't overdo it. Anyway—what do you think of those three?"
Hiruzen's expression turned serious.
"They're strong," Shikaku answered.
"Souma needs no explanation. His strategy, intelligence, and combat ability are already top-tier. He just lacks mission experience.
Tenten's weapon manipulation is extremely refined."
"And Kasumi…"
Shikaku paused.
"You originally planned to bring her into the ANBU, didn't you?"
"Yes," Hiruzen admitted.
"According to Gekkō Hayate's plan, she was to join ANBU training soon. But I disagree. She's introverted, yet cherishes companionship. She's a child who loves the light. The ANBU isn't for her."
He exhaled deeply through his pipe.
"So I convinced Hayate to let her join Kakashi and Souma. Let her choose her own path."
"That's probably for the best," Shikaku agreed.
He looked into the crystal ball—Kasumi was laughing brightly with Tenten and Maya.
Far more lively than her usual quiet self.
She truly wasn't suited for the ANBU.
"And the three of them," Shikaku continued,
"may already be above standard genin. Some chūnin wouldn't stand a chance against them. Give them a year, add one experienced tokubetsu jōnin, and you could form a full independent squad."
Hiruzen raised a brow.
"You rate them that highly?"
Shikaku nodded seriously.
"I believe in Kakashi… and in Souma."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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