“The next exam is going to be a real-world simulation?” muttered Neji, and asked in confusion, “What kind of exam will that be?”
Kuroto shook his head, “I won’t give out the exact details, but I guess you can imagine this exam as what shinobis go through during real missions if that makes any sense to you.”
Neji’s eyes widened, “Does that an it will also involve combat? Like the actual combat?”
Kuroto smiled, and explained, “I won’t say that this exam won’t involve the combat component, however, don’t think that that combat would be the only thing… All the trainees will be evaluated in more than just one aspect.”
Neji nodded and said, “Sensei, I will work hard and do my best to make you and the Hyuga Clan proud of .”
Kuroto nodded as if suddenly rembered sothing, so he added casually, “Oh, and by the way… the dates of this exam are coinciding with the upcoming Five Kage conference, so this exam may also serve as a source of entertainnt for the Five Kages. Everything all the trainees do during the exam will not only be seen by the elite shinobis of Konoha, but also by the Five Kages and their respective elite guards… keep this in mind while you do anything.”
Hearing this sudden information, Neji was taken aback, but then his eyes lit up in fighting spirit, and excitent filled his heart.
Seeing Neji excited, Kuroto nodded in appreciation, and added, “The formal announcent will be made about this exam by the end of this week, you have learned about this in advance because you are my disciple, and now that you have got a general idea, you should start preparing yourself.”
Neji nodded with a bow, “I understand Sensei.”
Kuroto smiled, and said, “I look forward to your performance.”
Neji nodded, “I won’t disappoint you.” Then left the office.
As Neji left his office, the corner of Kuroto’s lips arched in a smile, as he thought to himself, ‘This entire exam was personally designed by … although the main purpose is to check Naruto and Sasuke’s progress so far, however, I truly am looking forward to your performance as well… let’s see how you would fair in this exam.’
…
Ninja Academy, Teacher’s Lounge
Kabuto sat at his desk in a gloomy mood as he muttered to himself, “Why is Orochimaru-sama not responding to any of my ssages? Even Tenzo doesn’t seem to be able to contact him… Did sothing go wrong on his end?”
It’s been several days since Kabuto last communicated with Orochimaru, in the last ssage from Orochimaru, Kabuto learned that Orochimaru was making preparations to take over Shimura Danzo’s body… but now there is no news, no rumor, and nothing of Orochimaru. This makes Kabuto a little uneasy. “What could have happened?!”
As Kabuto was ragging his brain, he suddenly sensed soone approaching him. Realizing this, Kabuto imdiately stopped his thought and softened his expression.
Not long after this, the door of the teacher’s lounge opened, and Naruto walked in.
Kabuto was surprised by Naruto’s sudden visit, and asked, “Naruto-kun… what are you doing here? It’s almost ti for you to go ho… you should go, otherwise, you will be late.”
Of course, Kabuto is a little nervous when eting Kabuto alone, because as always there are several eyes on Naruto. If sothing unnecessary slipped from his or Naruto’s mouth, then his cover will be blown imdiately.
Naruto shook his head, “It doesn’t matter if I am late, there is no one waiting for at ho anyway.” Then with a tearful expression, he asked Kabuto, “Kabuto-nii-chan… can you please train ? I promise I will work hard in my training… I don’t want to co last again!”
…
Uchiha Clan, Shisui’s House
“I am ho.”
“Oh Sasuke, you are just one ti, the dinner is almost ready… can you do a favor and call Itachi? He is at Shisui-kun’s place.”
“Got it, mother.” Sasuke nodded and quickly ran out of his house. On the way to Shisui’s ho, he had a proud expression on his face as he wanted to tell his elder brother Itachi about his performance in the Ninja academy, “I am going to tell brother about it… Heh… I am the sa as him now… the best and most talented in the entire academy!”
In all of the assessnts that have been carried out in the academy, Sasuke has always maintained a top rank along with Neji, however, this ti, Sasuke even beat Neji and ranked first. Because of this, he is extrely happy and wants to inform Itachi of this news.
The thought of getting Itachi’s approval, and his father’s praise makes Sasuke more and more excited.
As soon as he arrived at Shisui’s house, he was able to hear the sound of Shuriken and Kunai being thrown at wooden targets and knew that as usual, Itachi and Shisui were in Shisui’s backyard. So, he imdiately went there and called out, “Nii-san, Shisui-nii-san!”
As Itachi and Shisui saw Sasuke coming over, they both tacitly stopped their conversation about the Hashirama Cells implantation operation that Itachi will be going to undergo in the near future and started talking about so gibberish and unimportant stuff.
Sasuke, as innocent and young as he is didn’t realize and quickly ca over to Itachi’s side and said, “Nii-san… in this month’s exam, I ranked first in the entire academy! Now I am the sa as you… the best in the entire academy!” and looked at Itachi with a–now praise –expression.
Itachi obviously understood Sasuke’s thoughts, he ruffled Sasuke’s hair with a smile and nodded, “Yes, I know, Shisui-san told about this… You did very good Sasuke.”
Shisui also nodded with a smile, “Well, our Sasuke is indeed talented and strong, he even defeat Hyuga Neji this ti, which was very surprising.”
Sasuke pursed his mouth in dissatisfaction at Shisui’s use of ‘surprising’, and said, “Shisui-nii-san, what was surprising about that? Humph, obviously, I am stronger than Neji, that’s why I defeated him!”
Both Itachi and Shisui smiled and shook their head helplessly, “Yes yes… you are right.”
Sasuke folded his hands over his chest, then said to Itachi, “Nii-san… I am going to maintain the title of the strongest and beco just like you!”
At this Itachi shook his head and chided Sasuke, “Sasuke, don’t get overconfidence lest you may be overtaken by others, I have heard there are many talented shinobi in this year’s batch…”
Shisui suddenly rembered what Kuroto proposed to Hokage-sama at the Konoha conference and said to Sasuke, “I agree with Itachi, Sasuke-kun. The next exam is probably going to be extrely difficult.”
Sasuke was curious, and asked, “What are they going to test in the next exam?”
Shisui shook his head helplessly, “Even I don’t know that at this point, but what I can tell you is that the entire exam will be designed by the Principal himself, just knowing this I can tell that it won’t be easy… so you should probably work hard on your training, otherwise…”
“Huh… it doesn’t matter how difficult it is going to be… I am still going to defeat everyone else like I did this ti!” said Sasuke in excitent.
Now he is really looking forward to the next exam.
Both Itachi and Shisui noted Sasuke’s eagerness and smiled, ‘Let’s see how things will progress.’
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