Chapter 62 - Passing the Test

Next, Yan would face Uchiha Shigemasa's counterattack.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Fortunately, at this moment, Tōshirō's shuriken successfully saved the day, interrupting Shigemasa-sensei's follow-up attack.

After that, the three of them took turns attacking Shigemasa-sensei and covering for each other.

Their battlefield slowly shifted from the forest back to the open training ground.

During this time, they exhibited the ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu they had mastered. Tōshirō even attempted several times to use the Body Flicker Jutsu to snatch the bell from Shigemasa-sensei's waist.

Shigemasa-sensei, on the other hand, faced their various attacks with only the basic Three Substitutions and fundamental taijutsu, looking relaxed and at ease, without revealing how much strength he was really using.

Even so, in just about an hour, it became overwhelming for them. Tōshirō was still able to stand at least.

Uchiha Tetsu, however, was supporting himself with both hands on his knees, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, his legs trembling, barely able to stand.

As a girl, Yan's stamina was even less than the two boys. She was sitting directly on the grass, pale, looking exhausted from intense exercise.

[Did I take this too seriously?]

[Judging from their initial cooperation in attack, they should have passed by now!]

[And Yan, that little girl, obviously has already decided to give up!]

Looking at the two reaching their limits, except for Tōshirō, Uchiha Shigemasa noticed they were exhausted. He hesitated, realizing he might have gone overboard.

[Did I not hold back enough?]

[Remembering back when the teacher tested us, didn't we manage to get the bells in the end?]

Uchiha Shigemasa, clearly inexperienced in his first time as a guiding jōnin, realized he had overdone it. He began recalling the process when he and his teammates had tried to grab the bells.

As he reminisced...

Standing opposite Uchiha Shigemasa, Uchiha Tōshirō found it strange too, glancing at his two teammates who had reached their limits.

Although Tetsu had fooled around initially, in the later fights, the three of them could cooperate basically well. With the tactics and initial traps he had planned and their coordination, they should have passed Shigemasa-sensei's test long ago.

Why did Shigemasa-sensei still look like he wanted to fight to the end? Was he really testing their limits?

The Uchiha clan members were excluded from the master-disciple system. Over the years, besides Uchiha Kagami, none of them had ever served as a guiding jōnin. Yes, there was no one in the entire clan with relevant teaching experience.

And his teacher was already deceased. Even if he wanted to seek advice, there was no suitable person. Furthermore, seeing Tōshirō's excellence made him overly excited and forgetful, which explained the current situation.

"I have roughly understood your status. Starting tomorrow, I will lead you all in undertaking some simple tasks. Once you can cooperate skillfully, I will provide you with special training!" 

"Oh! I also booked seats at the clan's barbecue restaurant. Remember to gather there at 5:30 PM sharp!"

Maintaining a forced serious expression, Uchiha Shigemasa hurriedly used the Body Flicker Jutsu and disappeared from the sight of the three youngsters.

"It's finally over!"

As soon as Shigemasa-sensei left, Uchiha Tetsu, who was holding on by sheer willpower, let out a breath and sat down on the grass.

[Is it just my illusion? It felt like sensei left in a hurry!]

Pushing aside the random thoughts in his head, Tōshirō followed suit, sitting on the grass to rest. Although his stamina was better than Tetsu's and Yan's, after nearly an hour of high-intensity fighting, he was also exhausted.

Not long after, in the office of the Police Force Commander, Uchiha Shigemasa was reporting the details of the clan's young seedlings to his elder brother, Uchiha Jūzan.

"Uchiha Tetsu, although slightly reckless, has excellent tenacity. His taijutsu is quite good, and he can proficiently perform the family fire-style jutsu. With a bit of training, he can become an excellent chūnin."

"Uchiha Yan is relatively intelligent. Her chakra control is excellent, and her genjutsu is very ingenious. Although due to her age, her chakra is slightly insufficient and her jutsu power is somewhat lacking, with time, she has great potential."

"As for Uchiha Tōshirō, his chakra is nearly at the chūnin level. His fire-style nature transformation is quite advanced, and his taijutsu and kenjutsu foundations are very solid. He hasn't shown his genjutsu talent yet, but his single-hand seal proficiency at a young age is remarkable. Moreover, he has excellent tactical arrangements and is quite courageous. He is undoubtedly a genius."

"Those are my evaluations of the three of them!"

Sitting opposite Uchiha Jūzan, Uchiha Shigemasa meticulously recounted the battle process and gave his assessment of the three.

In conclusion, he added a summarizing comment.

After listening to his brother's explanation, Uchiha Jūzan, who usually maintained a stern and rigid face even in his middle age, couldn't help but show a rare smile.

Every time an extraordinary talent emerged in the clan, it thrilled and invigorated him, making him feel the goal of the clan's revival was another step closer. As for ordinary geniuses, those were the concerns of second or third-rate families; the Uchiha clan never lacked them.

"Fugaku, I remember you were the first to interact with this child. What's your impression of him? Any thoughts?"

Without giving his own opinion, Uchiha Jūzan calmly turned to look at his highly anticipated son, to hear if he had any unique insights.

Looking at the young man standing upright with a cold and handsome visage in the office, a deep and inscrutable gleam flashed in his eyes.

(End of Chapter)