Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

"Soryu!"

Seeing Soryu in danger, Kawano and Rika abandoned their ambush and rushed to his side. However, as the smoke cleared, they found the cave empty.

Just then, a voice sounded from behind them.

"Setting traps like these shows you're serious about trying to take me down," Kazuki said. He stepped forward, holding the injured Soryu in one hand and dropping him in front of them.

"Ow! Can't you be a bit gentler, Kazuki-sensei?" Soryu complained, rubbing his sore backside.

Ignoring him, Kazuki looked at Kawano and Rika with a smirk.

"Is that all you've got? A trap and a surprise attack? If this is your grand plan, you're too naive."

The two remained silent, seemingly acknowledging his assessment. Kazuki glanced at the setting sun through the leaves.

"Not much time left. So, what's your next move?"

"Attack!"

Rika launched herself at Kazuki, with Kawano following.

"Shuriken!" they shouted in unison, flinging shuriken to block Kazuki's escape routes. Kazuki, however, effortlessly dodged all their attacks with minimal movement.

"Impressive!"

"No time to compliment him—attack together!" Kawano and Rika charged from different directions, while Soryu scrambled up from the ground, ready to strike from behind.

Kazuki remained calm, sidestepping Kawano's sword and then kicking Soryu away before finally turning to Rika, who had somehow managed to wield a sword of her own.

"Sword… Moon Shadow!"

The familiar technique, the Gekko Clan's techniques that Kazuki had mastered, was now in Rika's hands. No—it was Kawano! Kazuki had already noticed they had used the Transformation Technique to switch identities. Unfortunately, their acting was unconvincing to anyone who knew them well.

Despite this, Kazuki didn't dodge, knowing this was only a test. His role as their mentor was to see if they were fit to graduate as Genin. He wanted to evaluate their teamwork and willingness to make difficult choices.

The bells around Kazuki's waist jingled and fell. The 'fake Kawano,' actually Rika, swiftly snatched them up.

"I got the bells!" Rika cheered, her voice coming from Kawano's body, creating an odd scene.

Kazuki and Kawano joined her to celebrate, but their smiles faded as they realized the dilemma: there were only two bells.

Rika looked between Kazuki and Kawano, clearly torn. Finally, she turned to Kazuki-sensei for guidance.

"Sensei, can't we have one more bell?"

Kazuki shook his head. "No. There are only two bells, and only two of you can graduate."

After a moment of silence, Soryu stepped forward.

"I'll drop out."

"Soryu?"

The others looked at him, emotions swirling—surprise, guilt, and sadness.

"It's fine. I was the weakest one here. Besides, I didn't help much with getting the bells," he said, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

"But your grandma…"

"She'll understand. There's always next year!" Soryu forced a laugh and turned to leave. Rika stopped him, putting a bell in his hand.

"Rika…" He gripped it tightly, unable to let go.

"You take it. Don't let your grandma down," Rika said, giving him a sweet smile.

Then she turned to Kawano and placed the other bell in his hand.

"Kawano, you're the strongest of us. You have to graduate and become a shinobi."

Kawano fell silent, deeply moved by Rika's sacrifice.

"What about you, Rika?" Soryu asked in concern.

"It's fine. I can train and take the exam again next year," she replied with a soft smile.

As she began to walk away, Soryu tried to follow, but Kawano stopped him.

"Wait!" He took the bell and threw it back to Rika.

"If becoming a shinobi means leaving someone behind, then I'd rather not become one at all!"

"But your dream…" Rika said, surprised.

Kawano looked at Kazuki-sensei with fierce determination. "One day, I'll surpass you, Sensei. My own way!"

With that, Kawano turned and walked off into the sunset, casting a long, solitary shadow.

In the poignant silence, Kazuki-sensei clapped his hands.

"Congratulations! The exam is over—you all passed."

"Huh?"

Soryu: "What?"

Rika: "Really?"

Kawano: "But you said…"

With a grin, Kazuki pulled out a third bell.

"Sorry, but the two-bell rule was just a trick."

"You tricked us!" they cried, running to grab the bells from him. Laughing, Kazuki tossed the bells to them.

"Tomorrow at 9 a.m., meet here. Don't be late. Got it?"

"Yes, Sensei!" they chorused.

"Can we have breakfast before the exam?" Soryu asked, clutching his stomach.

"Of course."

The trio left, chattering excitedly about where to eat.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg