After Kuro passed, Seiji's gaze shifted to the remaining students.
"So, who's next?"
No one moved.
Everyone clearly preferred to observe and extract as much information as possible before stepping forward.
Just as Mogi was about to open his mouth, likely to push someone else ahead—
"Me."
Ryumo spoke calmly.
Seiji glanced at him. "Hatake Ryumo? Let's see if you live up to your predecessors."
He stretched his arms casually.
Ryumo stepped forward without a word. Hands moved.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang."
A lightning hound formed instantly and shot toward Seiji.
"Not bad," Seiji muttered, shifting sideways to dodge.
But the moment he evaded—
BOOM
The hound burst into multiple crackling orbs of lightning.
Tch, can't dodge this.
Seiji quickly formed hand seals.
Water Release: Water Shield!
A barrier materialized just in time, blocking the lightning fragments.
From the sidelines, Raito's eyes narrowed.
Interesting... he combined two C-rank jutsu to create a no-dodge situation. Impressive.
"You pass." Seiji announced.
Ryumo coughed twice, slightly out of breath.
Seiji looked at him. "Your use of lightning release is extremely good, but work on conserving chakra."
He continued in a firm tone.
"It's fine in a spar, but real combat isn't a controlled match. Sometimes you'll face multiple enemies. Sometimes you'll be worn out and still have to protect your allies. Energy conservation is vital."
Ryumo nodded silently and stepped back.
Soon after, Daiki and Himejima took their turns.
They were defeated instantly.
It wasn't even close.
They never stood a chance.
Now, only two remained.
Raito still gave no indication of stepping forward.
So, it became Mogi's turn.
Mogi walked to the front, activating his Sharingan. Only one tomoe, but his eyes glinted sharply.
Seiji scoffed. "Genjutsu of that level doesn't work on me."
Mogi smirked. "I never expected it to."
He inhaled deeply.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A large fireball hurtled toward Seiji.
Seiji disappeared in a blur.
"You do realize I already said I specialize in water release, correct?"
He reappeared atop a tree.
"If you defend our attacks, we pass," Mogi replied. "So you won't use jutsu unless absolutely necessary, like you did with Ryumo."
"Correct." Seiji nodded mildly. "But learn this, against a real opponent stronger than you, every assumed advantage must be exploited. Because they will do the same."
He sidestepped another fireball with minimal effort.
Mogi formed three shadow clones.
Each one moved into position.
In unison
"Fire Style: Triple Phoenix Sage Fire!"
Small fireballs burst upward, multiplied rapidly, then fell continuously toward Seiji like a storm.
What the hell are they teaching kids at the academy… Seiji thought.
That makes the third one I'll have to pass.
Mogi smirked. "Let's see you dodge this."
Seiji vanished using Body Flicker, avoiding the falling flames completely.
And in the same instant
He reappeared beside Mogi.
____________________________________________________
Shadow Clone Jutsu and a combination technique for Phoenix Sage Fire? At this rate, this kid is gonna burn this village alone
Hiruzen chuckled quietly, watching the battle unfold from afar.
That kid and Ryumo, both already strong enough for the Chunin Exams. And that Kuro boy is high-Genin at least. Incredible seeds for Konoha's future.
His gaze shifted toward Raito.
Now this one. I heard he came to meet me some time ago, crying, but I couldn't see him then. Odd he didn't approach me now when I'm right here…
Raito stood slowly, expression calm.
Time to cook.
He formed hand seals and unleashed a Gale Jutsu toward Seiji.
Seiji narrowed his eyes. Great chakra output… is this kid about to drop meteorites on me?
Three wind clones formed around Raito, sprinting toward Seiji with fierce velocity.
The wind clones contain unstable chakra… he's aiming for them to explode on impact. Excellent.
Seiji simply retreated, allowing the clones to dispel.
"Wow. Special Jōnin, by the way," Raito commented dryly, watching Seiji run.
"Hehe." Seiji charged forward, suddenly flicking five kunai toward Raito.
He hasn't offensively targeted anyone else except me, Raito noted as the kunai closed in.
But that speed… too slow. Even a standard second-year could deflect that. What's he planning?
He parried the kunai effortlessly, then his eyes widened.
Shadows, why can I sense shadows?… I can't sense shadows from objects. Those kunai are decoys!
The kunai lying on the ground transformed into Seiji mid-attack.
Raito reacted instantly, stepping backward to evade.
"Heh, you sensed me? You'd make an incredible sensor-type shinobi," Seiji said with a laugh.
But then, he paused.
Low growling echoed through the training ground. Not from any ordinary canine. Something about that sound felt… unnatural.
Hiruzen and the observers noticed it, confusion settling in.
Hiruzen's brows furrowed as he spotted Raito's shadow twisting unnaturally on the ground.
What…? Shadow manipulation? But, only the Nara clan should be capable of that…
Raito abruptly halted the movement of his shadow.
That should be enough bait.
________________________________________________________________
As the assessment ended and the others began to leave, Raito stepped forward, approaching Hiruzen. His expression was slightly shaken.
"Lord Hokage… could we… talk? Somewhere private, preferably?"
He spoke with subtle panic, as if terrified someone else might overhear.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen quietly watched the boy before him manipulate shadows in a way that should have been impossible for anyone outside the Nara clan.
'What have I gotten myself into?'He exhaled slowly. Raito had no clan to protect him. A child wielding a clan-exclusive ability… Danzo would salivate at the thought.
"Lord Hokage," Raito began, voice trembling just the right amount, "the night before yesterday, I was training, trying to reinforce my body with chakra. That's when I looked at my shadow and I… I saw four eyes staring back at me. From inside my shadow."
Hiruzen gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
"I panicked. I'd never seen anything like that. But then I realized… I could pull whatever that thing was out of my shadow."
Raito extended his shadow, summoning the Divine Dogs, though not in their stabilized form. They emerged twisted and feral-looking, their incomplete state giving them a nightmarish appearance.
'A new kekkei genkai… one tied to summoning through shadows.'Hiruzen's thoughts sharpened. 'Useful. Very useful. And he came to me before anyone else could claim him. Luck is on my side.'
Raito subtly noticed the look in Hiruzen's eyes. Exactly as planned.
He'd orchestrated everything to appear like a frightened child discovering a new power—a power the Hokage could use. Better to become the pawn of Konoha's light than be taken by its shadows… because men would always fear what hid in the dark.
'He will use me. And I will use him.'Raito maintained his nervous act.
"Interesting…" Hiruzen said, inspecting the shadowy hounds. "They seem powerful. Can you only summon them… or can you manipulate shadows as well?"
Raito hesitated, feigning fear.
Hiruzen offered a gentle smile, the kind only an experienced elder could muster."Don't worry. It won't harm me. I am the strongest shinobi alive, after all."
Raito extended his hand, manipulating shadows again, this time deliberately showing difficulty.
'Acting this weak disgusts me.'
Hiruzen, however, saw right through to the technique's precision.
'No hand seals. His shadow control exceeds that of the Nara's Yin Release. Remarkable.'
Meanwhile, Raito smirked inwardly.
'Show enough control to prove ability, but struggle just enough to reveal potential. That's what matters to these fossils, potential over current strength. Someone with potential can be controlled. Someone with strength… resists control.'
"Is this why you requested to speak with me?" Hiruzen asked.
Raito nodded.
"Good." Hiruzen stepped forward, ruffling Raito's hair with grandfatherly warmth. "If you ever need guidance, come to me directly. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Raito replied respectfully.
Hiruzen laughed softly."Call me Grandpa. Once you turn thirteen, I'll take you under my personal command."
Raito's expression brightened, just enough."Yes, Lo— I mean… Grandpa."
[A/N: I did because I saw no way of him growing without revealing his Ten Shadows, he can now train ten shadows out in the open and do much more, I do feel I added a lot of unnecessary stuff, though rest assured as the fic progresses I will improve,]