Graduating from the Ninja Academy marks the beginning of becoming a qualified ninja.
However, before officially becoming genin, they still have to pass a test administered by their commanding instructor!
Early the next morning.
Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura arrived at the meeting place.
Hatake Kakashi finally appeared before long, looking as though he had just finished rewarding himself.
He was utterly exhausted, walking with a light, floating step.
In one hand, he kept holding a piece of reading material called Make-Out Tactics.
It was clearly nothing proper!
Under Kakashi's announcement, Konoha's traditional old routine—
the bell-retrieval test—officially began!
Namikaze Minato: "Ah, the bell test. How nostalgic!"
Hatake Kakashi: "Sensei Minato, I've always kept your teachings in mind!"
Jiraiya: "Back in the day, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and I also tried to take the bells from the Third Hokage!"
Orochimaru: "Back then, you were nothing more than dead weight, though!"
Even Tsunade, watching the scene before her, seemed to recall the past.
Orochimaru was still so innocent back then,
imbued with the Will of Fire and destined as a true genius!
Konoha seemed to never lack for brilliant geniuses.
Just as everyone was feeling deeply nostalgic, Uzumaki Naruto's expression turned hideous.
He remembered the legendary scene Sasuke had mentioned.
Could it be...
Sure enough, the screen continued to play.
Chapter 21