Chapter 42: The Correct Answer
Sakura's sudden declaration surprised Menma.
He hadn't expected her to have this kind of courage. Seeing things clearly was one thing, but making a decisive, sacrificial choice was another.
At the very least, Menma's opinion of her improved slightly.
A strange light flashed through Kakashi's eye as well.
"No way! The bell is yours, Sakura-chan! At worst, I'll go beg Grandpa Third. I can definitely get another chance to graduate!"
Hearing Menma and Sakura speak, Naruto waved his hands frantically. As he spoke, he tossed the bells back to Menma, Sasuke, and Sakura.
He thumped his chest loudly.
As if to prove the credibility of his words.
"Hmph. I don't need this bell either. If I graduate next year, then so be it."
Taking a deep breath, Sasuke threw the bell back to Naruto. Although he desperately wanted the chance for the re-test and hated the idea of wasting a year at the Academy, his pride wouldn't allow him to accept such charity.
"What are you doing?! Sasuke! I gave it to you out of kindness! I told you I can definitely beg Grandpa Third for another chance!"
Seeing Sasuke throw the bell back, Naruto panicked again.
"Hmph. I don't need that kind of kindness!"
Sasuke crossed his arms and replied coldly.
Kindness? Giving it up for me?
The pride of the Uchiha Clan didn't need such pity!
"Hey! You jerk!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, about to argue back.
Clap, clap, clap.
"Very good! All four of you... PASS!!!"
Opposite them, Kakashi suddenly clapped his hands loudly, dropping the bombshell without any preamble.
Everyone except Menma froze instantly.
"Huh?"
"?"
"Ehhh!?"
They stared at Kakashi dumbly.
"What does that mean? Big Brother Kakashi? Why so suddenly...?"
The emotional rollercoaster was too much.
They couldn't process it.
Naruto stared blankly at Kakashi.
"Heh. The problem just now was actually the test itself. Your answers satisfied me, so you passed. Menma probably realized it from the start, right? What my true intention for this test was."
Kakashi smiled faintly, shifting his gaze to Menma.
"Eh? Really? Menma!?"
Naruto looked at Menma in surprise.
Sakura and Sasuke also turned their eyes to him.
"I wouldn't say 'from the start.' I just guessed. Kakashi-sensei, you set up this test to see if we had the awareness for teamwork, right?"
Menma nodded lightly and replied calmly.
"Teamwork?"
"Hmm?"
While Naruto muttered to himself, Sasuke frowned, looking slightly displeased.
Sakura, on the other hand, was straightforward. She relaxed completely. Passing the graduation exam was the best thing ever to be happy about, right? She had already prepared herself to be mocked by friends and family while going back to the Academy.
Now?
There was light at the end of the tunnel.
Sakura had every reason to be happy!
"Yes, Menma is correct. It's teamwork. In the ninja world, assigning missions and executing orders is important, of course. But to accomplish those things, tacit cooperation within a team is crucial. One person's strength is ultimately limited. That's why ninja take and execute missions in squads. You have graduated from the Academy now. I need you to understand the importance of the team and your comrades. No one can exist apart from the collective."
Kakashi looked at Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura with a serious expression.
"Is that so? And here I was worried I wouldn't graduate! Hahaha! You should have said so earlier, Big Brother Kakashi! Teamwork? You don't have to worry about that at all! Our team definitely won't lack that! Right, Menma, Sasuke, Sakura-chan?!"
Naruto beamed, slapping his chest happily.
Seeing Naruto's attitude, Kakashi shook his head inwardly with amusement.
"I wonder who was just saying they were going to complain to Lord Third?"
Kakashi poked fun at Naruto.
"Ahaha! That was just talk! Just talk!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly, grinning.
"So, we've officially graduated, right, Big Brother Kakashi?"
Naruto leaned in close, looking up at Kakashi with sparkling eyes.
"Yes. You all passed."
Kakashi smiled.
As mentioned before, even if every other student in this graduating class failed and got sent back, Team 7—Menma's team—was 99.9% guaranteed to pass.
Unless Kakashi genuinely judged that Menma wasn't ready for normal ninja life.
But that was almost impossible.
Over the past 12 years, Menma had long been certified by the Third Hokage himself as a stable, eager-to-please Jinchūriki worth cultivating and trusting.
Although his personality was a bit cold, that was understandable and could be improved slowly.
Therefore, Menma's graduation was set in stone.
Not to mention that the team also included Naruto and Sasuke, who had equally special statuses.
Even putting aside their status, their performance just now had indeed met Kakashi's expectations.
Approving the four of them for graduation and allowing them to officially execute missions as ninja was the right call.
"Yosh! Then Team 7 is officially formed! As a celebration, Big Brother Kakashi, shouldn't you treat us?"
Naruto cheered, then leaned in shamelessly, grinning at Kakashi.
"Hmm, we should celebrate. Today is the first day Team 7 is officially formed. Sensei will treat you to a good meal. Then rest up for the day. We'll pick up our first official mission tomorrow!"
Kakashi chuckled and nodded.
"Ohhh! Long live Big Brother Kakashi!"
Naruto threw his hands up and cheered loudly.
"Menma, Sasuke, you guys aren't going to refuse this time, are you??"
He turned to look directly at Menma and Sasuke.