The Third Hokage pulled something out from inside his robe.
It was a tiny little bell, about the size of the first joint of a thumb. At the top was an exquisitely crafted leaf-shaped loop, so it could be tied to a backpack or a belt.
The most unusual thing was that it was solid. It made no sound at all.
The Third Hokage handed the little bell to Shin-chan. "This is a Leaf Guardian Bell."
Shin-chan took it and turned it over in his hands, looking puzzled. "It doesn't ring."
"That's right." The Third Hokage nodded. "It's solid, so it won't make a sound."
"Then why is it called a bell?"
The Third Hokage froze for a second, then smiled. "Because what it represents is intent, not sound."
As he spoke, he pointed to the delicate patterns carved into its surface.
"Look. This is the pattern of 'fire,' and this is the pattern of 'leaf.' Together, they symbolize the Will of Fire."
Shin-chan leaned in for a closer look. Sure enough, what had seemed like random little grooves at first really did form the shapes of flames and leaves when you looked carefully.
"When you graduate from the ninja academy," the Third Hokage said, "bring it to me, and you can exchange it for a mysterious gift."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "What mysterious gift?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be mysterious anymore."
"Just a little hint?"
"No."
"Just a tiny little one."
The Third Hokage only smiled and shook his head.
Nearby, Kakashi's gaze lingered on the little bell, and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Uchiha Toru was looking at it too, a complicated expression flickering through his eyes.
The Third Hokage patted Shin-chan on the head. "Take good care of it."
"Okay." Shin-chan closed his hand tightly around the bell.
It felt warm, as if it had been sitting in the sun.
When they got back to the classroom, their classmates instantly crowded around.
"Shin-chan, what did Lord Hokage give you?"
"Let me see, let me see!"
"Wow, it's a bell."
"So pretty!"
Shin-chan held up the little bell and waved it proudly. "Grandpa Third gave it to me. He said when I graduate, I can trade it for a mysterious gift."
"Seriously?"
"I want one too!!!"
"Why do only you get one?!"
The voices around him were a jumble of envy, curiosity, and jealousy.
Obito came over too, eyes wide. "Shin-chan, can I look at it?"
Shin-chan handed it to him.
Obito carefully cradled the bell in his palms, examining it like some sacred treasure while muttering under his breath, "Something Lord Hokage gave... something Lord Hokage gave..."
Rin leaned in for a look too and said softly, "It's so delicate. That little leaf-shaped loop is really cute."
"And it's a bell that doesn't ring," Shin-chan added. "Grandpa Third said it represents intent, not sound."
Guy's youth was already burning again. "This is a gift of youth!"
Kakashi stood outside the crowd, watching in silence, but his gaze rested on the little bell for a long time.
Eventually the excitement died down.
Shin-chan tied the bell to his school bag and kept glancing down every now and then just to make sure it was still there.
Beside him, Uchiha Toru hadn't said a word. He kept his head lowered, flipping through his textbook, but he'd been turning the same two pages over and over.
Shin-chan noticed something was off and tilted his head as he watched him for a while. "Toru."
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?"
Without looking up, Uchiha Toru answered in a low voice, "Nothing."
Shin-chan blinked and leaned a little closer. "You seem unhappy."
Uchiha Toru's hand paused. He was silent for a long while before finally raising his head.
"Shin-chan."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think..." Uchiha Toru pressed his lips together. "Do you think Lord Hokage doesn't really like me?"
"Why would you think that?" Shin-chan scratched his head, confused.
"He spent a long time giving you and Kakashi advice, but he only gave me a little bit." Uchiha Toru's voice grew quieter and quieter. "And he gave you the bell too. Does that mean I wasn't good enough?"
As he said it, his eyes flicked toward the bell hanging from Shin-chan's school bag. His gaze was full of envy, but he quickly looked away and lowered his head again.
Shin-chan saw that look, and suddenly remembered what the Third Hokage had said.
"It represents intent, not sound."
Shin-chan tilted his head and thought for a moment.
If it could make Toru feel better, then that would count as intent too, right?
So even though he felt a little reluctant, Shin-chan still untied the bell from his school bag and held it out to him.
"Here."
Uchiha Toru froze. "W-What?"
Shin-chan tried to press it into his hand. "If you like it, you can have it."
Uchiha Toru's eyes went wide as he stared at the bell in his palm.
It was something the Third Hokage had given.
Something everyone had been jealous of.
Something he himself had secretly looked at just moments ago.
"Are... are you crazy?" Uchiha Toru stammered. "This was given to you by Lord Hokage."
"Yeah."
"Then how can you just give it away like that?"
"Why not?" Shin-chan tilted his head. "If it was given to me, then it's mine. And if it's mine, I can give it to whoever I want."
Uchiha Toru opened his mouth, but for a moment, no words came out.
Shin-chan went on, "Besides, if I give it to you, you'll feel better, right?"
Uchiha Toru looked at the warm little bell in his hand, then back up at Shin-chan's serious face.
"But... it's yours..."
"So?"
"You liked it so much just now. You kept looking down at it."
"That was just then." Shin-chan said it like it was obvious. "Right now, I want to give it to you."
Uchiha Toru no longer knew what to say.
He lowered his head and looked at the bell again—at the flame-and-leaf patterns, at the delicate little leaf-shaped loop—then pressed it back into Shin-chan's palm.
"I don't want it."
"Why not?"
Uchiha Toru paused, then said firmly, "Because Lord Hokage gave it to you. And besides... I'm already happy now."
"Really?"
Shin-chan stared at him for two seconds.
"Really."
"Then that's good." Shin-chan tied the bell back onto his school bag. "I'll keep it for now, but if you ever feel bad again later, tell me anytime and I'll give it to you."
Uchiha Toru couldn't help laughing.
"Why are you always trying to give people things?"
"Because you're my friend." Shin-chan said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Uchiha Toru froze for a second, then turned his face away. "Got it."
Shin-chan didn't notice. By then he was already swinging his legs and thinking about something else.
Uchiha Toru stole a glance at him, then quickly looked away again.
After a while, Uchiha Toru suddenly spoke.
"Shin-chan."
"Yeah?"
"Are you free after school today?"
Shin-chan thought about it. "Maybe yes, maybe no."
"Then come to my house." Uchiha Toru said, "My mom bought a ton of chocolate sticks last week. There's no way I can finish them all by myself."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up instantly. "Chocolate sticks?"
"Yeah. All kinds of flavors—strawberry, milk, and the filled kind too."
Shin-chan's mouth dropped open.
"Toru."
"What?"
"You're my best friend!"
Uchiha Toru smiled, his eyes curving with it. "Then let's go together after school."
"Okay!"
Shin-chan got so excited he started wiggling around in his chair.
Watching him, Uchiha Toru couldn't suppress the smile tugging at his lips.
Outside the window, the sunlight was perfect.
~~~
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