Jiraiya’s eyebrows shot up, momentarily distracted.
At the same time, a kunai flew toward his waist.
The Kakashi in front of him turned into a log.
In the next instant, a blade slashed through Jiraiya’s waist, cutting the string of a bell.
But almost simultaneously, Jiraiya’s hair grew and wrapped around Kakashi’s hands.
Kakashi gritted his teeth and threw the bell toward the ground.
Kurenai sprinted below, throwing kunai and shuriken to clear the path.
There were no more traps around.
The only thing she could do now was help Kyohiko find a safe landing spot.
A wooden spike trap flew toward Kyohiko, but a rope was cut by one of Kurenai’s kunai, causing the trap to swing wildly.
Kyohiko grabbed the edge of the swinging trap and used the momentum to leap upward, reaching for the falling bell.
But just as he did, Jiraiya’s hair wrapped around him, lifting him up and tying him next to Kakashi.
Jiraiya glared at Kyohiko.
If it weren’t for that distracting comment, he wouldn’t have been caught off guard and lost the bell.
He looks innocent, but he’s sharper than he lets on!
"Phew, you kids are something else. Yesterday you were at each other’s throats, and today you’re working together like a well-oiled machine?"
"Lord Jiraiya, it’s all part of the strategy!"
Kakashi’s face turned red.
They were genuinely arguing yesterday.
Jiraiya released Kyohiko but tied Kakashi up with a rope.
"I said the worst performer would be tied up and miss lunch."
Jiraiya carried Kakashi down, with Kyohiko following closely.
He tied Kakashi to a tree and placed two lunch boxes nearby.
Kakashi turned his head away, not bothering to defend himself.
Jiraiya pointed at the lunch boxes.
"According to the rules, each of you gets one. He gets nothing. If anyone shares their food with him, he’ll have to join the afternoon test."
Kurenai wanted to argue, but Kyohiko had already picked up a lunch box and started eating.
She hesitated, then picked up the other one.
Jiraiya smirked. "Well, I’m off to grab some ramen. You two keep an eye on him."
Kyohiko responded respectfully.
As Jiraiya left, Kurenai felt conflicted, her appetite gone.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t contribute much, and now you’re the one tied up."
Kyohiko kept eating, seemingly ignoring her.
Kakashi awkwardly tried to comfort her. "You did well. Your genjutsu and sensing were crucial. I wouldn’t have made it without you."
Kurenai’s genjutsu had provided excellent cover, and her sensing abilities had pinpointed Jiraiya’s location.
Her traps and distractions had been vital.
So, she had played her part.
Kakashi knew he had performed the worst.
As a chunin, Kyohiko had taken the lead, even considering Kakashi’s role and leaving him opportunities to strike.
Without Kyohiko and Kurenai’s coordination, he wouldn’t have been able to cut the bell’s string.
Compared to Kyohiko...
He felt like the less competent ninja.
Was he really not cut out for this?
Kakashi’s stomach growled, adding to his embarrassment.
Just then, Kyohiko handed him half of his lunch box.
"I only ate half. If you don’t mind, you can have the rest. We’ll take the afternoon test together."
Kyohiko had only eaten half!
She quickly understood.
Kyohiko wasn’t holding a grudge; he had planned to share his food with Kakashi all along.
She made her decision.
"You two did most of the fighting, so you need more energy. I only need a third of mine. You two can split the rest."
"If you’re both taking the test, I won’t be left behind."
Kakashi blinked, speechless, his throat tight.
"Don’t get the wrong idea. I just don’t want the team to lose a member. Besides, feeding you doesn’t break the rules."
Kurenai nodded, glancing at Kyohiko—
She realized now that Kyohiko was genuinely kind and considerate, always thinking of others.
Yesterday’s harsh words were clearly meant to correct Kakashi’s behavior.
"Can I take off your mask?"
Kakashi managed to say.
As the mask came off, revealing his handsome face, Kyohiko fed him with chopsticks.
Whether they had to retake the test or not, they needed to eat.
Jiraiya was taking his sweet time!
Kyohiko fed Kakashi, trying to ignore the awkwardness.
This was the most difficult meal Kakashi had ever eaten.
Jiraiya landed in front of them.
"You dare break the rules? Looks like you want to retake the test."
Jiraiya’s expression was cold.
Jiraiya smirked. "Fine. This afternoon, I’ll go all out—"
Kakashi froze, his face pale.
Jiraiya finished, leaving Kakashi and Kurenai stunned. Kyohiko also feigned surprise.
But Jiraiya clapped Kyohiko on the shoulder.
"Stop pretending. You saw this coming, didn’t you?"
"Sort of? As one of the Sannin, you wouldn’t give us an impossible test. So I figured we had a chance if we worked together."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "But you could’ve abandoned him. That wouldn’t have affected your chances of becoming my student."
"If I were willing to abandon a teammate just to become your student, would you trust me to watch your back?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily.
Then he grew serious. "You’re right. In war and missions, sacrifices happen. But a ninja who doesn’t value their comrades’ lives can’t be trusted with others’ lives or missions."
Kyohiko and Jiraiya’s words...
Echoed like thunder in Kakashi’s ears.
The lives of comrades?
Kyohiko’s words from yesterday resurfaced.
"Graduating two years ago and coming back now isn’t without reason. How you treat others is how they’ll treat you..."
If yesterday Kakashi had been angry, now he was reflecting.
Was he wrong to abandon those people during missions?
As a ninja, the mission and rules come first.
Kakashi’s inner conflict raged on, his old beliefs clashing with new thoughts.
Kyohiko didn’t expect to change Kakashi overnight.
Someone as stubborn as him wouldn’t be "reformed" so easily.
But this was a good start.
[As Hokage, you didn’t deliberately try to win people over, yet you gained their trust through your character.]
[Reward: Improved chakra control]
Kyohiko glanced at Kurenai, not entirely surprised but feeling a bit amused—
The main target wasn’t convinced, but he’d gained something else...
Improved chakra control was always useful.