On the outskirts of Konoha Village, beside a clear flowing stream, the four of them sat facing each other.
The newly formed Team One consisted of three genin and their instructor, Jonin Yamato.
The atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Kagutsuchi Shin, Kobayashi Ken, and Sato Yumi all had their eyes fixed on the honest-looking man sitting opposite them, clad in a jonin vest.
Yamato looked at his three students, but for a moment, he had no idea how to begin.
He subconsciously raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, a gesture that made him look even less like a jonin.
The air was so quiet that only the soft murmur of the stream could be heard.
This is bad… This is my first time being a jonin instructor… Yamato felt a bit embarrassed. Why did the Third Hokage suddenly assign me to this? I wasn't prepared at all…
Overwhelmed, Yamato had even gone to consult Kakashi Hatake the night before.
But Kakashi had lazily told him, "Do whatever you want, just don't kill them," before tossing him a small notebook, calling it a "Guide to Becoming an Instructor."
Yamato's thoughts were in complete disarray when suddenly, inspiration struck.
The notes!
As if grabbing onto a lifeline, he hurriedly rummaged through his ninja pouch and pulled out the slightly crumpled notebook. Flipping it open with a rustle, his eyes quickly scanned the messy handwriting inside.
"Uh… well…" Yamato cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice as he read, "According to procedure… next, we'll introduce ourselves."
He looked up, attempting to appear serious, though the awkwardness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"Mutual understanding is the first step toward teamwork. Yes… That's right."
Kobayashi Ken's lips twitched as he watched Yamato rely on his notes. He leaned slightly toward Sato Yumi and muttered under his breath:
"Hey… don't you think our instructor is… a little… unreliable?"
Although Sato Yumi said nothing, her slightly furrowed brows and faintly jittery expression clearly showed she felt the same.
But Shin understood the reason. He knew exactly what the name Yamato represented.
The dark experiments of Root, the implantation of the First Hokage's cells, the inheritor of Wood Release, and ultimately, under Kakashi's guidance, a shinobi striving to break free from the shadows and walk his own path.
A tool that had once been nothing more than a weapon… now trying to become a teacher.
Yamato had clearly heard Ken's whisper. A trace of embarrassment flickered across his face, but he pressed on, pointing to himself.
"Since I'm the instructor, I'll go first. My name is Yamato. What I like is… um… a clean environment, and… architecture?"
He tried hard to recall Kakashi's notes.
Talking about simple hobbies was supposed to make things feel more approachable, but saying it out loud still felt awkward.
"What I dislike… is breaking rules, and… wasting time. My dream is…"
He hesitated. Dream?
It wasn't something he had ever seriously thought about. After a long pause, he finally muttered: "…world peace?"
This rather forced answer made Ken and Yumi's expressions grow even more awkward.
Yamato seemed to realize how poorly his introduction had gone, so he quickly changed the subject and looked at the three of them.
"Alright, that's enough about me. Now it's your turn. Let's start with you." He pointed toward Kobayashi Ken.
Ken sighed but stood up anyway, hands on his hips, full of energy.
"My name is Kobayashi Ken! I specialize in taijutsu and shurikenjutsu. I like training and eating ramen, and I hate complicated things. My dream is to become a dependable ninja who can protect my comrades!"
"Very good, very energetic," Yamato nodded, jotting something down in his notebook. "Taijutsu and shuriken… next."
His gaze shifted to Sato Yumi.
Yumi stood up, gently brushing aside a strand of hair from her forehead, her voice soft yet steady.
"My name is Sato Yumi. I specialize in tactical analysis and trap setting. I enjoy studying strategies quietly and dislike acting without a plan. My goal is to become an excellent tactical ninja."
As civilian-born shinobi, neither of them had learned any ninjutsu beyond the basic Three Techniques. Their abilities were currently limited to taijutsu and throwing weapons.
Yamato nodded again, making another note before finally looking at the quietest member of the group.
"And lastly…"
All eyes turned toward Kagutsuchi Shin.
Ken unconsciously leaned forward, and Yumi's gaze sharpened with focus. Even Yamato put down his pen.
As the undisputed top student, far ahead of the rest, Shin's abilities and ambitions were what everyone was most curious about.
Shin slowly stood up.
"My name is Kagutsuchi Shin. I currently specialize in Wind Release, Fire Release, Water Release, and Earth Release. I've mastered several techniques, including Water Dragon Bullet, Fire Dragon Bullet, Earth Flow Wall, and the Shadow Clone Technique. I'm also capable of using medical ninjutsu."
"I prefer efficient training and solitary reflection. I dislike unnecessary trouble and meaningless enthusiasm. My goal is to gain enough power to freely choose the life I want to live."
As Yamato listened to Kagutsuchi Shin's introduction, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. He nodded, unable to hide his admiration.
"Wind Release, Fire, Water Release, and Earth Release… and even medical ninjutsu. To master so many different techniques at such a young age, and even possess knowledge of medical ninjutsu… that's truly remarkable."
He possesses immense chakra, proficiency in four elemental natures, and medical ability.
Is this the boy the Hokage specifically told me to keep an eye on?
As expected… his talent is extraordinary. Not inferior to Kakashi-senpai at all.
As soon as Yamato finished speaking, Kobayashi Ken stared at Shin with wide eyes, his face filled with shock.
"Seriously, Shin? You're already this strong, and you can even use medical ninjutsu? That's amazing! This is great! With you on the team, we won't have to worry so much about getting injured on missions!"
Yumi also looked at him with clear admiration.
"I didn't expect you to be so skilled in medical ninjutsu… No wonder you're the top student. With you here, our team's survival rate will increase significantly."
Shin simply nodded in response to their praise. Displaying his medical abilities was partly to be honest, and partly to prepare for their practical use in future missions.
Yamato observed their reactions, then closed his notebook and stood up.
"Now that you all have a basic understanding of each other's abilities…"
His tone suddenly shifted, turning serious. The natural pressure of a jonin quietly spread outward.
"…we will begin the test."
"A test?" Ken blurted out, confused. "Didn't we already pass the graduation exam?"
Yumi frowned slightly, clearly puzzled. "Yes… Why do we need another test?"
Yamato's gaze swept across the three of them, his expression unchanged, his voice colder.
"The graduation exam only proves you have the basic qualifications to become a ninja. This next test will determine whether you are fit to become my subordinate."
Ken and Yumi both froze, unease rising in their hearts.
Yamato reached into his ninja pouch and took out two worn bells tied with strings. He held them between his fingers and gave them a light shake, producing a crisp, echoing chime.
"The test will take place at Training Ground Three. The rules are simple. The three of you must work together to take these two bells from me before noon."
He paused deliberately, letting the sound of the bells linger in the air.
"Only two bells."
His tone turned cold.
"That means, at most, only two of you will pass and officially become my subordinates. As for the one who fails…"
His gaze swept across their faces one by one.
"…they will be deemed unqualified and sent back to the Ninja Academy for retraining."
"What?!" Ken jumped up, disbelief written all over his face. "Sent back to the academy? That's… that's too unreasonable!"
"Yes… and there are only two bells. Doesn't that mean no matter what, one of us will fail?"
Yumi's face turned pale as she spoke, her hands tightening unconsciously at her sides.
The sudden and harsh rule completely caught her off guard. Just moments ago, they had been celebrating becoming teammates.
Yamato watched their reactions without any change in expression, as if everything they said had been expected.
Shin frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on the bells in Yamato's hand before shifting to his teammates.
He understood immediately.
The classic setup.
A test designed to force cooperation.
And judging from Yamato's approach… he had clearly learned this method from Kakashi.
Though it seemed he hadn't fully mastered it yet. Otherwise, they'd probably be forced to skip meals and start the test the next day at noon.
Shin could already predict what would follow.
As expected, Yamato ignored their objections entirely and continued coldly:
"Remember this. Do not treat this as a simple exercise. If you don't want to be eliminated, come at me with the intent to kill. Otherwise…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but the pressure in the air intensified, and the grim expressions on Ken and Yumi said enough.
"The test will begin in ten minutes at Training Ground Three. Anyone who is late will be disqualified."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yamato vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Only the faint echo of the bells remained, along with the three genin staring at one another in uneasy silence.
Ken looked at Shin and Yumi, opening his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
Just moments ago, they had been teammates.
Now, they might become rivals.
The previously harmonious atmosphere turned tense and uncertain because of those two small bells.
Shin was the first to stand, brushing the grass from his pants. His gaze moved across his two teammates before settling on Ken's conflicted expression. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Do you guys trust me?"