"You're right, Kacchan. Lets open it" I agreed.

"I am always right." he replied with a scowl.

I waited a moment before trying to open the box, hesitating as I thought he would snatch it away from me as he always did. But this time, he didn't. I slid the lever and turned the dial with steady hands and the latch clicked open. As before, a rolled up scroll lay at the bottom, but this time, nestled at the top were two bright red flare guns. Looking at those flare guns, I suddenly remembered Aizawa sensei's warning before we entered the Kinnigan Hill.

*Whenever you feel like you cannot continue or don't want to continue, you can send an SOS code from any checkpoint.*

Now I understood what he had meant about not being able to continue - the traps and challenges were clearly getting more difficult and dangerous as we progressed. The last one had nearly killed us. Without a doubt, the next trap would be even more harrowing and extreme. But having survived the last brush with death, we were even more determined to push forward and face the next challenge head-on, to prove we were the best candidates for the intensive hero training program. The flare guns were there in case the next trap proved too much for us to handle alone. But we weren't ready to give up yet.

I waited another moment before picking up the scroll and untying it. I shifted slightly so that both of us could read the clue. His eyes were fixed intently on the scroll. Yet he made no move to grab it as he always do. I wonder, why the scroll is still in my hands? Why he hasn't snatched it from me yet? I am surprised by his restraint on himself as he seems just as excited as I am to finally reveal the clue. Why? Without testing my luck, I simply started reading the clue aloud.

I bear the fruit of knowledge, tempting red and sweet,

Hanging heavy on the bough, an autumn treat.

Beware of the hands that reach for me, eager and keen,

For the juicy delights that on me are seen.

You can take the time to pause and retreat

For I have the final clue to the treasured prize you seek

"Argh, there's another clue to solve. he said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Can't this be the last one? We were supposed to be back by nightfall."

I gently reminded him, "Aizawa sensei said it could take two days or more. This isn't a test of speed." I wanted to say more, but his glare made me change course. "We still have all day left. There's enough time."

"Do you have an extra set of clothes?" he asked.

Caught off guard by his strange question, I stammered, "Uh.. Yeah... Yeah, I do. Umm...But I ... Uh... Can I ask why?"

"So you don't freeze to death. Dumbass." he snapped. "Go change out of those wet clothes while I heat up our noodles."

I nodded sheepishly and got to work. I silently gathered my dry clothing and went to change privately in the woods. When I returned to our makeshift camp, he had heated up noodles for us both. I ate quietly, ruminating over the cryptic fruit clue. It's a fruit. That much is clear. But which one specifically? "Red and Sweet" It could be Strawberry, Plums, Cherry, Dragon fruit or any other red fruit. But do all these fruits grow on this Hill? Hmm. Dead End. Maybe I should try a different section. "The hands that reach for me" So, it grows on a tall tree. But it doesn't help in narrowing down. All those fruits grow on tree. What is it? Damn it. I took a deep breath. Focus. Let's try something else. "Fruit of knowledge" Now, which fruit is known as fruit of knowledge? Well, that one is easy, Apples.

Just like in comics when a character has an idea, a light bulb appears over their head. I felt like a bright bulb was lighting up my mind as the answer dawned on me.

"Kacchan! I figured it out. It's ..." I exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah, I know. Apple Trees" he said, cutting me off.

"Did you figured that out as well?" I asked with curiosity and slight disappointment.

"I didn't have to with your continuous blabbering. Seriously, Deku. It's getting worse. Stop your mind's horses and finish your lunch before it gets cold."

My face was beet red as I finished my lunch. We started packing our bags again to leave. As I gathered my supplies, I realized I had only two water bottles left.

"Kacchan, wait. Do you mind if I run down to the river real quick and refill my empty bottles before we head out? Just two minutes. I won't take long. Promise" I asked hesitantly, knowing he would likely refuse.

Kacchan frowned. "I have a full bottle you can share" he replied curtly, already walking away.

"Thanks, but I have two more filled already," I explained. "I just want to top off the extra ones in case of an emergency." I knew from experience we needed as much water as we could carry in this harsh environment.

Scowling deeper, Kacchan questioned, "How many bottles did you drink yesterday?"

"Um.. I used two bottles myself and two more were used on you" I mumbled, bracing myself for his harsh words as I reminded him of yesterday's mishap.

After a tense pause, Kacchan finally grunted,"Whatever. Just make it quick and only fill them with fresh water."

I breathed a sigh of relief and collected my empty bottles. I sprinted to the river, filled my bottles to the brim with cool, clear water, and hurried back so we could be on our way again.

As I led the way, I explained enthusiastically that the western slopes of the Kinnigan hill were home to a charming little apple orchard. Nestled about halfway up the hillside, a clearing opened up where sunlight dappled through the canopy above onto a few dozen tidy rows of apple trees. The path began as a gentle grassy slope, but progressively steepened into rocky, uneven terrain the closer it got to the orchard's location. I cautioned that reaching the orchard could be precarious, as I had heard reports from locals that the area was prone to landslides. Apparently there had been a fire on the western face of the hill not long ago, followed by heavy rains last week that weathered the rocks and left the slopes unstable.

I was checking my compass constantly as we trekked through the dense forest, ensuring we stayed on course as the trees towered over us. The air was filled with the soothing symphony of cicadas and birds calling out to one another, providing a melodic backdrop to our journey. The crunching of twigs underfoot echoed loudly in the silent forest as Kacchan limped several paces behind me. Though he tried to hide it, I could hear his labored breathing and occasional soft grunts as he forced his injured leg to bear his weight. We had been trekking through the woods for hours now, yet Kacchan refused to stop for a small break, his face set in a grim mask of determination to complete the assignment.

I kept track of our way. As per my knowledge, there should be a clearing up ahead, a brief respite before the path turns into a gradual incline up. After walking for a while, we heard trumpets that signaled an elephant was nearby. We soon realized we were approaching the distressed animal, as the trumpet blasts grew louder. The trees thinned and then suddenly gave way to a grassy field dotted with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. An elephant was standing nearly motionless near a hole, trunk raised to the sky as it desperately trumpeted out distress calls. My curiosity got the better of me as I steered away from Kacchan to investigate myself, drawn by curiosity over the elephants' obvious agitation.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Kacchan called after me, but I continued on.

As I approached, I could see the elephant's small black eyes were filled with fear and panic. Looking into that deep hole, I spotted a small baby elephant, no more than a few weeks old, that had fallen and was unable to climb out. The baby elephant was agitated as it struggled to climb out, its little trunk reaching up toward its mother as it cried out for help. The mother elephant continued her desperate trumpeting, scared for her baby but unable to rescue it from the deep pit it had fallen into.

"Kacchan, we have to help the baby elephant!" I pleaded. "Just look - the walls are too steep for it to climb out on its own. We really should do something." I removed my bag and started searching for ropes.

"Are you insane?" he snapped, scowling angrily. "We don't have time for this bullshit. Do I need to remind you that we still have an assignment to complete by the end of the day? Fucking thick head. Come on, you're my wasting time."

"But we can't just abandon him," I protested. "It'll die if we don't help! Please, it'll just take a few minutes."

"I said NO" he yelled furiously. "We are NOT staying here another minute and that's final! And don't you dare question me again or I'll blast you into pieces. I am still facing the consequences of your actions. Now start walking before I really lose my temper"

I winced, the guilt washing over me again as I watched Kacchan limping along, his breathing ragged and pained. Remorse and shame washing over me anew as I took in his haggard appearance. I still feel guilty thinking about the situation we were in because of my mistake. But despite his anger, I couldn't abandon this innocent creature. I shook my head firmly.

"I am sorry you got hurt Kacchan but that was not my intention. If you want to go ahead, I won't stop you. But I won't leave them."

Kacchan's face turned purple, his hands clenching into fists. But I stood my ground, determined to help the elephant no matter the cost. The thought of leaving it to suffer was unbearable, no matter how furious Kacchan became with me. I had to try.

Taking a deep breath, I quickly jumped into the deep hole, my heart pounding. The baby elephant looked up at me with wide, terrified eyes. I gently wrapped the rope around its small body, whispering words of comfort. Mother elephant watched me intently, her dark eyes filled with desperation and hope. Using my quirk, Full Cowl, I engaged 5% of my power and leapt from the hole, pulling with all my might. The baby elephant lifted a few centimeters before falling back with a thud. I couldn't risk using more power for fear of snapping the rope - our last lifeline.

Sensing this, the mother elephant reached her trunk down to grip the rope. I could feel Kacchan's intense gaze boring into my back, his impatience with me palpable. Suddenly he was at my side, barking "Oi! Shitty Deku. Let me pull the rope instead. You get down there and help lift that baby elephant up. You'll just break the rope with your strength, but the elephant can handle it. When will you take this assignment seriously? Just hurry up and do it."

"No Kacchan, you're injured. You shouldn't strain yourself. Though, it seems like the mother elephant wants to help us now" I said with an idea forming in my mind.

I quickly looped the other end of the rope to mother elephant's body and directed her away from the hole. Mother elephant quickly understood my intent and started dragging the rope with all her might. I jumped into the hole and positioned myself behind the baby elephant. Using just 15% of my superhuman strength, I lifted the calf up towards freedom. Within seconds, the baby was out of the treacherous pit, reunited with its relieved mother.

Mother Elephant let out a joyous trumpet, affectionately caressing her calf with her trunk to check for injuries. Although it took some time, effort and bravery on my part, watching the mother and baby reunite in relief made it all worthwhile. The heartwarming scene before me of the two elephants tenderly embracing melted my heart.

I was savoring the moment, lost in thought, until Kacchan's sharp tone jolted me back to reality.

"Are you just going to stand there all day? How will you make up for the time you've wasted?" he barked impatiently.