Facing Kakashi's gaze, Naruto smiled lightly and replied calmly, "I wouldn't say we knew in advance. It's just that after I found out yesterday during the meeting with Hokage-sama that our instructor was Kakashi-sensei, I went to ask Iruka-sensei about Kakashi-sensei. Kakashi-sensei has led teams before, hasn't he? But every graduate assigned to Kakashi-sensei's team in the past never stayed on. It's clear they didn't pass Kakashi-sensei's test. When you add that to what Kakashi-sensei said at the meeting yesterday, there's only one conclusion: today's special survival exercise is the final graduation test that Kakashi-sensei has set for us. Am I right, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi looked at Naruto with a composed expression, then raised an eyebrow slightly and revealed a faint smile, nodding gently. "That's right, just as you said, Naruto. Sakura, Sasuke, you're not the first graduates I've been assigned, and I've had several team-leading experiences. It's just that no team has ever formally formed because none of the previous graduates passed my test. You should remember this: this test is not unique to you; every team will have one. The only difference is the difficulty level. But I can assure you that the final passing rate each year is only about thirty percent. What does that mean? You should understand, right?"
The first part of Kakashi's statement was directed at Naruto, while the rest was meant to explain to Sasuke and Sakura. Upon hearing Kakashi's words, especially Naruto's, Sakura's complexion paled uncontrollably, and Sasuke's expression grew even more serious.
The idea of a thirty percent passing rate was daunting enough, but Naruto had just mentioned that none of the previous graduates assigned to Kakashi's team had passed his test. Did that mean the pass rate was zero?
The number that came to mind sent shivers down Sakura's spine. Could they end up following in the footsteps of those previous graduates?
Sakura looked at Kakashi with a worried expression. "Um, Kakashi-sensei? Did you say we have to steal the bells to graduate? But there are only two bells, right? Does that mean...?"
Kakashi chuckled and answered, "Heh heh, yes, just as you're thinking, Sakura. There are only two bells here, so at most, only two of you can graduate. It could even be just one person, or maybe none of you will make it. Now, as for the test, it's straightforward."
Kakashi smiled lightly and took out two bells from his pocket, hanging them from his waist before continuing, "You can use any means necessary. As long as you manage to take the bells from me within the allotted time, you pass."
Kakashi's words surprised Sasuke and Sakura once again. From stealing the bells from an upper-level ninja like Kakashi? Sasuke was not entirely sure of Kakashi's strength, but he knew that becoming an upper-level ninja symbolized significant power.
What were the odds of taking the bells under these circumstances?
Regardless of what Sasuke thought, he knew he had to participate in this survival exercise. He had no interest in wasting another year at the ninja academy.
Sasuke looked at Kakashi with a determined expression, his pupils revealing a resolute resolve. On the other hand, Naruto showed no emotional fluctuations on the surface, but inside, he smirked.
It wasn't that Naruto believed Kakashi was merely trying to intimidate them. In this world, he knew from Iruka-sensei that Kakashi's tests were notoriously difficult, and it was true that none of the previous graduates assigned to Kakashi's team had passed. However, he also knew that Kakashi wouldn't go all out during the test, and there was a certain degree of teamwork involved.
Naruto's plan was to subtly inform Sakura and Sasuke of this fact and take the lead in coordinating the team to pass the test. On top of that, he saw this as an opportunity to gauge his own limits by going up against Kakashi in combat.
(End of Chapter)
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