"Assessment?"
"Didn't we just pass an assessment?" Yohei Uchiha looked puzzled.
"That was the Ninja Academy's assessment, not mine. If you can't pass my test, I'll have no choice but to send you back to the Academy." Masasuke Yamaguchi said ruthlessly, looking like he was just following procedure.
"Ah? How can you do that?" Yohei looked speechless.
Taiichi, however, knew better. Every year, newly graduated Genin teams were tested by their Jonin Sensei. The purpose and format of the tests varied, largely depending on the Jonin's preferences. Just like Team 7 in the future, where the bell test was used to gauge the bonds between teammates.
"Here are the rules for the assessment: Before the sun sets today, use any means necessary—Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, even Shurikenjutsu. As long as you can land a single hit on me, you pass." He looked up at the sun, which was already leaning towards the west. "There are about two hours until sunset. Make good use of your opportunity."
Hearing the rules, the three exchanged glances. It seemed they had come to a silent agreement; everything was understood without words.
"Captain Yamaguchi, this is unfair! You're a Jonin, and we're just Genin. How can we possibly win?" Yohei stepped forward first to complain, acting like a thoughtless goofball.
"Do you think enemies on the battlefield will talk to you about fairness?" Captain Yamaguchi retorted bluntly. "As a ninja, you..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Taiichi, who was standing nearby, suddenly exploded into action. He rushed toward Captain Yamaguchi, who was still answering Yohei. The gleaming short sword slashed mercilessly toward Yamaguchi's neck, looking as if he had a blood feud with the man.
Captain Yamaguchi, living up to his status as a veteran Jonin, reacted with godlike speed. He reached into his ninja tool pouch, pulled out a kunai, and blocked Taiichi's attack in the nick of time.
But Taiichi wasn't a pushover. He wielded the short sword in a flurry of strikes, giving Captain Yamaguchi no room to breathe. By seizing the initiative with a sneak attack, he momentarily managed to suppress the Jonin.
Just then, a voice called out: "Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!" It was Saori. Using Yohei's body as cover when he stepped forward earlier, she had seized the opportunity to form seals and launch an attack. A ball of lightning shot from her hands, hurtling toward Captain Yamaguchi with lightning speed.
Hearing the words "Lightning Style," Taiichi immediately disengaged, dodging to the left to clear the line of fire.
Seeing the lightning ball about to hit him, Yamaguchi didn't even seem to form seals. He simply slammed his hand onto the ground, and a thick mud wall rose up, blocking the attack. It was Earth Style: Mud Wall. His casting speed was truly top-tier.
But this wasn't the end. Yohei, who had stepped up to ask the question, had also completed his hand seals at that moment. Attacking from the right flank: "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" A massive fireball roared toward Captain Yamaguchi, who was hiding behind the mud wall, swallowing both the wall and the man behind it.
Forced to dodge to the left from behind the wall, Yamaguchi found Taiichi waiting for him. Taiichi, having finished charging his attack, watched the captain dodge right into his trap and slashed down.
In the blink of an eye, Yamaguchi raised a kunai to block the short sword. With a ding, the charged blade sliced through the kunai like tofu, cleaving Captain Yamaguchi in two from neck to waist.
In that moment, the entire field fell silent. Even Taiichi was stunned. But with a poof and a puff of white smoke, the bisected captain vanished. It was just a Shadow Clone.
The three snapped out of it, quickly moving together to form a defensive triangle formation, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.
Not far away, behind a large tree, the real Masasuke Yamaguchi was watching. From the very beginning, they had been fighting his Shadow Clone. Yamaguchi had seen everything. The fact that the three of them could execute such outstanding coordination with just a single exchange of glances proved they truly were the most outstanding graduates of this year.
Using the Body Flicker Jutsu, Masasuke Yamaguchi appeared in the center of the field. The three immediately adjusted their formation, looking at the captain warily.
Clap, clap, clap. Captain Yamaguchi applauded. "Very good. No need to be on guard. You've passed the assessment."
The three were slightly stunned but sheathed their weapons.
"Tacit coordination. It's hard to believe you just met. Both your strength and your resolve to fight are commendable."
"Thank you for the praise, Captain Yamaguchi!" x3
"Alright, I now declare Team 8 officially established." Captain Yamaguchi smiled, watching the three excited Genin—especially Yohei, who was jumping up and down.
"So, to celebrate the formation of Team 8, I'm treating everyone to BBQ today!" Taking advantage of the high spirits, Captain Yamaguchi spoke again.
"Yay!" x3
This time, even Taiichi and Saori cheered.
The setting sun stretched the shadows of the four—one large, three small—causing them to intersect in the distance, as if their destinies were now intertwined.
...
BBQ Restaurant.
Looking at the table piled high with skewers, Captain Yamaguchi had black lines over his head, starting to regret his big mouth earlier. He truly hadn't expected these three to eat so much. The two boys were one thing, but Saori, a girl, was keeping up with Taiichi and Yohei bite for bite. One meal had cost him the bonus from a B-rank mission. Touching the money in his wallet, he was thankful he brought enough cash today; otherwise, it would have been humiliating.
"Alright, that's it for today. Go home and rest early. Meet at the Hokage Building tomorrow at 9:00 AM. We start accepting missions officially tomorrow." Yamaguchi said, sounding a bit eager to leave, perhaps worried they weren't full yet.
Taiichi and the others stood up, clutching their stomachs. They had eaten so much it was hard to walk.
...
Back home, Taiichi did his daily training as usual—Advanced Taijutsu and Advanced Meditation. Seeing that these two skills were about to enter the ranks of Lv1 with his daily efforts filled him with energy. After completing his daily routine, Taiichi went to bed early.
Lying in bed, Taiichi reflected on the day. Captain Masasuke Yamaguchi was an upright and serious person. Judging from the assessment, his strength was top-tier even among Jonin. He was rough but attentive to detail and knew how to care for his subordinates. He would be a good captain.
As for his two teammates, Taiichi was very satisfied. putting aside their strength, their brains worked exceptionally well. Understanding each other with just a glance—having teammates like that would increase their chances of victory on the battlefield.
Thinking about his official ninja career starting tomorrow, Taiichi couldn't help but feel excited. But then he remembered that newly graduated Genin usually started with D-rank missions—catching cats, finding dogs, cleaning up trash—safe but boring tasks. This made him feel a bit bored. Then he remembered Captain Yamaguchi using a Shadow Clone to fight them during the day. If he knew the Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could use clones to do those chores. He decided to find an opportunity later to ask Captain Yamaguchi to teach him the jutsu. After all, teaching new Genin was also a Jonin Sensei's responsibility.
With these thoughts, Taiichi slowly drifted into dreamland.