"Ryumo, Kuro, Mogi, Raito, Daiki, Himejima, all of you, step forward," Kenta announced, patting each of them on the back with quiet encouragement. "Head to Training Ground 3 and wait there. The invigilator will arrive shortly. Follow his instructions carefully."
They walked in silence through the academy corridors and out into open air. Training Ground 3 stretched wide before them, its earth worn from countless battles, the afternoon sun casting long shadows.
They waited.
Mogi glanced sideways, eyes filled with disdain. "Since when," he sneered, "do we stand on equal ground with fatherless creatures?"
His intent was clearly aimed at Kuro.
Is this guy auditioning to be a Disney villain? Raito mused dryly, scoffing under his breath.
Mogi turned to glare at him, but the moment his Sharingan flickered to life, his expression faltered. His eyes narrowed.
That chakra… it makes me sick.
Ryumo noticed Mogi's hesitation. Did that thick-skulled Uchiha just look away?
Before anyone could comment further, heavy footsteps echoed across the grounds.
A figure approached—draped in a white ceremonial cloak and wearing a conical hat inscribed with the kanji for fire.
The Third Hokage.
Another shinobi walked beside him: blue-haired, red-eyed, expression calm and sharp.
All six academy students instantly bowed.
"Lord Third!" they chorused, stunned to see Hiruzen himself as their examiner.
Perfect, Raito thought, eyes glinting. Fate's with me.
Hiruzen stepped forward, hands behind his back. "For this evaluation," he began calmly, "your objective is simple. Attack this shinobi and force him to defend himself. If you make him actively defend, you pass."
He gestured to the man beside him.
"This is Seiji Tota, A Special Jōnin, water release specialist, and member of the Hokage Guard Platoon. Do your best."
Seiji inclined his head respectfully. "I expect you all to come at me seriously."
He looked across the six students.
"So then, who's up first?"
Before anyone else could step forward, Kuro rolled up his sleeves and cracked his knuckles. "Me! I'll kick his ass all over the training grounds, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen chuckled softly, amusement flickering in his eyes."Well, let's see if your confidence matches your performance."
Kuro grinned like a man walking into glory.
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Kuro stepped forward without hesitation.
In a blur of hand seals, three clones burst into existence. Without pause, he transformed them into massive shuriken and launched them at Seiji at blistering speed.
"Oh?" Seiji raised a brow, mildly impressed. His body shifted fluidly, three sidesteps, three clean dodges.
Before Seiji could fully regain footing, Kuro was already upon him. A trio of kunai flew forward. Seiji deflected them with a flick of his wrist.
Kuro's next move came instantly, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
The flames roared from his lips, but Seiji simply raised an arm and batted the fire aside, his expression unfazed.
"Is that all?" Seiji said calmly. "You're just spamming attacks. Think. Use my movements against me."
Kuro grit his teeth and dove in, switching to taijutsu. His strikes were fast, but Seiji effortlessly matched him.
"Engaging in close combat against a fully trained shinobi when you're built like a twig," Seiji commented blandly, "is not what I meant by using your brain."
Just as Seiji was about to pin him, Kuro vanished in a puff of smoke- substitution. No hand seals.
Seiji paused. "No seals? Impressive," he admitted, a hint of envy crossing his eyes.
Kuro landed lightly a few meters away, chest heaving.
None of my attacks are breaking through, he thought. Even flooding him won't work. Pure skill gap. But I don't need to beat him… I just need to force him to defend, not dodge.
His eyes widened.
He's part of the Hokage Guard Squad.
A smirk crawled onto his face. He formed three more clones.
Only enough chakra to do this once.
Seiji readied himself, unwavering.
Fire Style: Fireball—
but the flames were not directed at Seiji.
They surged toward the Third Hokage.
"LORD HOKAGE!"
Seiji's eyes widened. For an instant just one, his composure cracked.
There's no way a kid's jutsu could hurt Lord Third, his mind reasoned. But still, just to be certain…
Like checking the calculator even when the answer feels obvious—he looked.
Hiruzen exhaled lightly. The fireball dissipated around him as if it were smoke.
Seiji allowed himself a breath of relief.
"Are you sure you should be relieved?"
Seiji froze.
Three kunai were positioned at his throat, Kuro standing before him, grinning.
"One second," Kuro said, "is all a shinobi needs."
Silence.
Then Seiji laughed. "Attacking the actual Hokage… I did not see that coming."
Kuro shrugged. "Well… I am a ninja."
Even Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard. Boastful, yes. But undeniably creative.
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