Chapter – 732 Upcoming Exam

"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 mean 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 me."

Kuroto nodded as if suddenly remembered something, 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 entertainment for the Five Kages. Everything all the trainees do during the exam will not only be watched by the elite shinobis of Konoha but also by the Five Kages and their respective elite guards… keep this in mind."

Hearing this sudden information, Neji was taken aback, but then his eyes lit up in fighting spirit, and excitement filled his heart.

Seeing Neji excited, Kuroto nodded in appreciation, and added, "The formal announcement 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 me… 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, my dear disciple.'

…

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 messages? Even Tenzo(Yamato) doesn't seem to be able to contact him… Did something go wrong on his end?"

It's been several days since Kabuto last communicated with Orochimaru, in the last message 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 someone approaching him. Realizing this, Kabuto immediately 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 time for you to go home… you should go, otherwise, you will be late."

Of course, Kabuto is a little nervous when meeting Naruto alone, because as always there are several eyes on Naruto. If something unnecessary slipped from his or Naruto's mouth, then his cover would be blown immediately.

Naruto shook his head, "It doesn't matter if I am late, there is no one waiting for me at home anyway." Then with a tearful expression, he asked Kabuto, "Kabuto-nii-chan… can you please train me? I promise I will work hard in my training… I don't want to come last again!"

…

Uchiha District

"I am home."

"Oh Sasuke, you are just one time, the dinner is almost ready… can you do me a favor and call Itachi? He is at Shisui-kun's place."

"Got it, Okaa-san." Sasuke nodded and quickly ran out of his house. On the way to Shisui's home, 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 nii-san about it… Heh… I am the same as him now… the best and most talented in the entire academy!"

In all of the assessments that have been carried out in the academy, Sasuke has always maintained a top rank along with Neji, however, this time, Sasuke even beat Neji and ranked first. Because of this, he is extremely 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 immediately 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 would be going to undergo in the near future and started talking about some gibberish and unimportant stuff.

Sasuke, as innocent and young as he is didn't realize and quickly came 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 same as you… the best in the entire academy!" and looked at Itachi with a–now praise me–expression.

Itachi obviously understood Sasuke's thoughts, he ruffled Sasuke's hair with a smile and nodded, "Yes, I know, Shisui-san told me about this… You did very well Sasuke."

Shisui also nodded with a smile, "Well, our Sasuke is indeed talented and strong, he even defeated Hyuga Neji this time, 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 become just like you!"

At this, Itachi shook his head and chided Sasuke, "Sasuke, don't get overconfident lest you may be overtaken by others, I have heard there are many talented shinobi in this year's batch…"

Shisui suddenly remembered 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 extremely 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 time!" said Sasuke in excitement.

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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