Kizaru's Assessment

Located in the rear of the school, in Training Area 10 atop the Shadow Cliff, Sakumo was waiting with his three students.

Considering the destructive power of Kizaru's ninjutsu and to reduce the potential repair costs for the training ground, Sakumo chose Training Area 10, a vast open grassland with a small lake on one side and surrounded by low bushes instead of large trees.

"Sensei, when will Kizaru arrive?" 

Having received Sakumo's notification last night, the three students were eagerly anticipating today's assessment, which involved battling Kizaru.

Since Kizaru had graduated early and left the school almost three years ago, none of the three had had the opportunity to spar with him. Therefore, they were all looking forward to today's assessment.

"This assessment is a test of your teamwork. Remember, you three are a team and must cooperate with each other to have a chance to withstand Kizaru's attacks for ten minutes," Sakumo reiterated to his students, looking at them.

"Sensei, I've learned a lot of ninjutsu from my clan recently. I can do it alone without them!" 

With the Sharingan now at two tomoe, Inabi, who had been learning new ninjutsu from his clan elders, was very confident.

"Tch!" 

Folding his arms across his chest, Toda, who had recently mastered the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, raised his chin slightly and made a disdainful sound.

"Are you questioning me?" Annoyed by Toda's cold snort, Inabi looked at him displeasedly and asked loudly.

Seeing the two students starting to argue again, Sakumo couldn't help but sigh heavily in his heart.

It would be nice if Inabi and Toda could be as composed as Yuki.

"Also, there's something I forgot to tell you yesterday."

Interrupting the two students' argument, Sakumo's expression became serious.

"This assessment must be passed collectively by all three of you. If any one of you is judged as 'deceased' within ten minutes, the entire team will be considered a failure! 

The consequence of failing the assessment is the cancellation of your Genin qualification, and you'll be sent back to the school to redo your studies."

"What?" 

"Why?" 

Shocked by this serious consequence, both Inabi and Toda stopped arguing and looked excitedly at their teacher.

"This is a test that students of the ninja school must undergo after graduating to become ninjas!" Sakumo explained seriously.

After hearing Sakumo's words, Inabi and Toda, who had been arguing and standing close to each other, couldn't help but look at each other.

Although they didn't speak, their eyes conveyed the same message.

"Don't be a hindrance!"

Meanwhile, Yuki, who had been silent nearby, also looked at Sakumo.

Although her expression was calm, her grip on her kunai tightened.

All three of them were prodigies who had graduated early from their respective clans. If they failed the assessment and had their Genin qualification revoked, they would face disappointment and blame from their clan elders, as well as ridicule from their schoolmates.

Just thinking about such a scenario made all three of them nervous.

Glancing at his students, who had become serious, Sakumo kindly reminded them, "Kizaru will be here soon. Take this time to discuss tactics!"

Hearing their teacher's reminder, the three students snapped back to attention.

After exchanging glances, Inabi and Toda walked together to Yuki, who was leaning against a wooden stake, and began the first tactical discussion since forming their team.

Standing in place and watching his students start to discuss, Sakumo also showed a relieved smile.

"It's not easy!"

"Isn't this great, Sakumo-sensei?"

Just as Sakumo was feeling relieved, Kizaru's voice rang out from beside him.

Turning his head to the side, Sakumo and the newly arrived Kizaru locked eyes.

"This is the first time since forming the team," Sakumo explained, looking at Kizaru.

Nodding, Kizaru revealed a slightly eerie smile.

"I've prepared a big gift for this class reunion."

Hearing Kizaru's words, Sakumo was a bit taken aback.

The assessment requirements he had set for his students were to withstand Kizaru's attacks for ten minutes in a battle. If Kizaru unleashed a big move right away, what would be the point of the assessment?

"Don't worry, I won't use ninjutsu today," Kizaru said with a grin, noticing Sakumo's changing expression.

Upon hearing this, Sakumo relaxed.

"Give them plenty of opportunities to showcase themselves," Sakumo reminded, concerned about Kizaru's lack of experience in guiding students.

"Don't worry! Sakumo-sensei!" Kizaru replied with a smile, looking ahead.

While Kizaru and Sakumo were chatting, not far away, the three students had reluctantly reached a consensus on their tactical approach.

Toda, with the strongest taijutsu skills among the three, would be the main attacker, supported by Yuki, who had agile agility and decent sword skills. Meanwhile, Inabi, skilled in Fire Release ninjutsu and throwing ninja tools, would act as artillery, launching long-range attacks from the rear.

"Sensei, we..." 

Just as the three had turned to look at Sakumo, they noticed Kizaru standing beside him.

"Kizaru!" The three greeted excitedly, flashing smiles.

Facing their greetings, Kizaru nodded with a smile in response.

"Are you ready? The assessment is about to begin," Sakumo asked, looking at the three students.

"Ready!" Inabi replied loudly.

"Then... the assessment officially begins!"

Without wasting any time, Sakumo directly announced the start of the assessment.

After the announcement, Sakumo used Body Flicker Jutsu and disappeared from his original position.

Hearing that the assessment, which was crucial for their Genin qualification, had begun, the three students showed serious expressions. After exchanging glances with each other, they disappeared one by one, hiding their figures among the low bushes.

Standing in place with a ninja sword in hand, Kizaru looked around with a grin.

One, two, three!

Without using chakra sensing or aura, Kizaru, with keen perception, quickly determined the hiding positions of the three.

Instead of actively seeking out the three, Kizaru remained in place, waiting for their first wave of attacks as per the agreed plan.

Without making Kizaru wait long, Inabi, responsible for the offensive, threw three kunai from the hidden bushes according to the plan.

Facing the incoming kunai from the left rear, Kizaru raised his right hand holding the ninja sword, lightly drew it from the scabbard, and easily knocked away the kunai.

Seeing Kizaru deflecting the kunai, the three were not surprised. Inabi, who had revealed his position by throwing ninja tools, jumped out directly.

Even before landing, Inabi had already formed hand seals in mid-air, starting to perform a ninjutsu.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Calling out the name of the ninjutsu, a sizable fireball spewed from Inabi's mouth.

Facing the incoming fireball, Kizaru didn't move his body or draw his ninja sword.

Still gripping the scabbard, Kizaru swung towards the direction of the fireball, controlling his strength. He didn't unleash a soaring slash but simply created a burst of air, dispersing the fireball.

Watching this scene from the ground, Inabi widened his eyes in disbelief.

Inabi could confirm that Kizaru's move just now didn't involve chakra; it was purely based on physical strength.

Kizaru's physical abilities were just too abnormal!

As Inabi marveled, Yuki, who had been hiding on Kizaru's right side, suddenly rushed out of the bushes.

With decent speed, Yuki, holding a ninja sword, had already reached Kizaru in the blink of an eye.

Gripping the ninja sword with both hands, Yuki attempted an upward slash.

Still using the scabbard, Kizaru easily anticipated Yuki's slash and blocked it.

"Good timing!" Kizaru praised Yuki with a smile as they stood facing each other with their blades.

Hearing Kizaru's praise, Yuki's lips curled up into a smile.

Noticing Yuki's smile, Kizaru smiled back and delivered a side kick.

"Not enough power, missed the hit. Don't engage in a stalemate with the enemy," Kizaru advised as Yuki was sent flying.

"Yuki!" Seeing Yuki being kicked away, Inabi, standing in the distance, threw shuriken to block Kizaru's possible pursuit, while calling out.

"It's good to care about teammates, but don't ignore your own situation."

Suddenly jumping in front of Inabi, Kizaru continued to instruct, simultaneously raising his ninja sword, still sheathed, and swung it down towards Inabi.

Facing Kizaru's sudden attack, Inabi, lacking experience, hesitated for a moment before attempting to dodge.

Too late.

Bending his knees, preparing to jump away, Inabi made a decision in his mind as he thought he was about to be hit by Kizaru, judged by the teacher as incapacitated, which would jeopardize the team's chance of passing the assessment.

A hand wrapped lightly in chakra suddenly struck Kizaru's right hand as it swung down with the sword from the side.

Halting the downward swing, Kizaru changed the trajectory of his right hand's movement, shifting sideways and slashing towards his right side.

Honestly, I've been using the "Change Source" app to read and update novels recently. It allows for source switching, has multiple reading voices, and is available on both Android and iOS.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Inabi also utilized a burst of chakra, leaving his position alongside Kizaru.

Pushing off the ground with his legs and tilting his waist backward, Toda, who had intervened to save Inabi, barely avoided Kizaru's horizontal slash.

"Toda!" Seeing Toda saving him, Inabi called out to his companion with concern.

"Shut up! Stay focused!" Toda responded coldly, staying alert to Kizaru and not allowing himself to be distracted.

Facing Toda's stern words, Inabi, knowing he was in the wrong, didn't dare to argue back, keeping his focus on Kizaru with equal vigilance.

At the same time, Yuki, who had just been kicked away by Kizaru, also stood up from the ground, holding her ninja sword.

The three formed a triangular formation, enclosing Kizaru within.