Chapter 24: Does This Count as Passing?

"Damn it, he snatched them back."

Tenten was furious. She had been just a hair's breadth away from securing both bells!

"Heh heh, you’re all doing quite well, but a friendly reminder: the hourglass is running low," Kakashi’s annoying voice echoed once more.

This technique of projecting one’s voice from all around—was it the Silent Killing Technique?

"Your coordination is passable, but you have obvious weaknesses. Yes, precisely—"

*Snap!*

A tree branch was severed.

"Ah!"

Tenten tumbled from the tree. In mid-air, a pre-set rope whipped out, binding her. But just as Kakashi moved to finish her off, a row of tree-spike traps flew toward him.

After dodging with a Substitution Jutsu, Kakashi continued his assault on Tenten. Chiba hurriedly tried to intercept him. Moonlight Kazusa, having triggered the trap mechanism, decisively went into hiding.

However, the next second—

"Got you."

"What?"

Moonlight Kazusa froze. A moment later, she turned to see a figure behind her. She hadn't sensed a single trace of presence.

*Bam!*

A flying kick surged forward, forcing Kakashi to halt his movements.

*This kid... how did he shake off my Shadow Clone? Could it be? Guy is too reckless with him!*

Kakashi’s expression shifted slightly, and he adjusted his forehead protector. But the next moment, he realized with confusion that Chiba hadn't opened the Eight Gates.

*???*

*How is that possible? Is he pushing his body to its absolute limit purely through muscle control? What kind of monster is this?* Kakashi couldn't help but inwardly lament.

Chiba was panting heavily.

"Are you okay?"

"I’m, I’m fine. But what about Tenten?"

"She untied herself and is currently stalling the Shadow Clone. Let’s hurry and save her."

"Right."

...

"Wow, so amazing—both of them." Mami’s eyes were wide.

Compared to their battle, their own team’s exam felt like child's play; it was simply not on the same level.

Neji gripped his hands tight. *A commoner, starting with nothing—how could he possibly reach this level? It shouldn't be, it's impossible! Fate shouldn't be like this; how could a commoner change his destiny so rapidly in just two years? Yagyu Chiba... he is a turbulent current in fate, completely without rules, completely incomprehensible.*

"Guy-sensei, at his level, could you do that?"

"I could not."

Facing Lee’s question, Guy answered clearly. Initially, like Kakashi, he thought Chiba had learned the method to open the Eight Gates. After all, the kid read many and varied books; it wouldn't be surprising if he had stumbled upon similar records and created his own Eight Inner Gates.

However, after observing closely, he realized he had guessed wrong. Though Chiba was exhausted, judging by his aura and signs, it wasn't the Eight Gates method, but a "Gate Opening" unique to the boy himself.

"Still, it will be difficult for them to defeat Kakashi. Kakashi hasn't used his full strength; otherwise, Chiba’s weaknesses would be quite apparent," Guy added, defending his friend.

Of course, this wasn't mere boasting. Kakashi truly hadn't used his full power—at the very least, he had held back significantly on his speed, ninjutsu, and even his Sharingan. If Kakashi went all out, Chiba’s speed would still be slightly inferior. That guy Kakashi was no pushover.

"Guy-sensei, then how much of your power would you have used?"

"Haha, keep watching closely!" Guy didn't answer, laughing it off.

For one, he didn't want to discourage them. For another, the situation on the field had indeed taken a drastic turn.

Kakashi was counterattacking!

Chiba and his team hadn't eaten breakfast, and while Tenten and Moonlight Kazusa could keep up during short bursts, the prolonged duration was draining their stamina and energy. Consequently, their mistakes began to multiply.

However, there were things Kakashi and Guy hadn't anticipated.

*Boom!*

*Bang, bang, bang!*

A series of explosions rang out in the forest. On a tree at the edge of the clearing, Kakashi panted for a few breaths.

*Good grief!* He admitted he had underestimated Tenten. This girl... she was too wealthy. For just an exam, she buried five explosive tags at once, and combined with chakra threads and kunai manipulation, it forced him to use the Headhunter Jutsu, Substitution, and Body Flicker to make emergency escapes. Had he not, he would have been injured by now.

"Don't look down on me, you jerk!" Tenten roared. A barrage of kunai, guided by steel wires and chakra threads, rapidly surrounded him. But by then, Kakashi had already shifted his target.

*Whoosh!*

His speed spiked, and he shot toward a tree on the flank. His kunai, like a ejected fang, cut through the air like a dark bolt toward the trunk.

*Clang!*

Moonlight Kazusa, lurking in wait for a sneak attack, was forced to swing her blade to parry.

But Kakashi was too fast.

"Help me!"

Moonlight Kazusa retreated rapidly as a dozen kunai swarmed in, but... it was useless; she couldn't keep up!

Only Chiba could keep pace with Kakashi’s speed, but to his frustration, Kakashi was currently keeping his speed at a level just barely matching Chiba’s limit. This meant that unless he stayed in his "limit state," he couldn't keep up with Kakashi’s movements.

Moreover—

"Ah!"

Two hands grabbed Tenten’s feet, and then... *Headhunter Jutsu!*

Tenten was dragged underground. Although Chiba tried to intervene, Moonlight Kazusa was also in danger. After a moment of hesitation, he accelerated, triggered the remaining two traps, and controlled them from afar using chakra threads.

Kakashi didn't seem to notice until he was right on top of them.

Moonlight Kazusa split her image into three. Seeing an opportunity, her eyes lit up, and she brought her blade down from above.

*Konoha Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon!*

The angle of the strike was near perfect, but... it was *too* perfect. The figure before her turned into wood.

Above, Kakashi tossed a rope, binding Moonlight Kazusa and hanging her from the tree trunk.

"First lesson: on the battlefield, some opportunities are often the result of enemy deception."

*Clink, clink.*

Just as Kakashi finished speaking, he heard a strange sound. He turned his head and couldn't help but feel a flash of astonishment. His own bells had fallen off!

*When?*

He was taken aback. Looking down at the cleanly severed bell strings, he recalled the details. There was only one possibility—the chakra threads had cutting capabilities!

Chiba caught the two bells. But before he had secured them, the hourglass had already run out. Did this count as passing or not?

"I was a bit lax at the very end, and you immediately found the opening. However, the time is up, and those two are already out of the game," Kakashi said with a smile. "But your performance has exceeded my expectations. You may become my student."

"And them?"

"They didn't succeed, so naturally, they are eliminated."

"Oh. Then I won't graduate either. We are a team; I couldn't have made it without them. How about you reconsider? Let them pass, and I'll graduate a year late?" Chiba laughed indifferently at the end. "Reading books is fine for me, but it might not be for them."

"No!" the other two shouted in unison.

"This isn't a negotiation. Since you won't agree, then we all leave together. I declare, you are all..."

"No, Sensei, let him..."

"...passed."

"Huh?"