Chapter 27: Evaluation
Standing in front of Minato, the jounin senseis nodded respectfully before he smiled and asked.
"Is everyone enjoying the change in pace?"
Minato asked, clearly understanding that the Jounis would rather take a long leave instead of dealing with all this hassle. But some things cannot be avoided, the Jounins understood that perfectly.
Continuing with a calm smile, Minato finally asked out.
"Alright, it is time that you all present your evaluation. Whether the kids succeed or fail all depends on your evaluation."
The Jounins nodded as the youngest of them, Itachi, stepped forward and then spoke up.
"Yondaime-sama, the genins allotted to me have clearly shown their capabilities above the average genins.
Kiba Inuzuka, alongside his partner, has shown clear capabilities of coordination, something, which can be applied in a three-man cell, despite his rash nature.
Sai, on the other hand, belonged to the disbanded organisation ROOT. His abilities are at the top of Genin rank, if given a suitable environment, he may even defeat a Chuunin.
Mira Kurumi, on the other hand, despite her lack of abilities has shown her value of being a bond that holds their team together. Even Sai, who has gone through... some experiences, has shown a little openness towards Mira."
Minato nodded at his words and then suddenly smiled and gazed at Itachi calmly.
"What do you actually expect of them, Jounin Itachi? When I asked for your evaluation, I want to know your true thoughts, not a report presented verbally."
Hearing his words, the others held a frown, but didn't speak up while Itachi slowly digested Minato's words and then nodded.
"As you command, Yondaime-sama." Taking a deep breath, Itachi looked a little pensive as he spoke.
"Kiba Inuzuka fails to show any qualities of a shinobi. His brash attitude towards tasks and... life may backlash against the team. Sai, on the other hand, has shown clear cut qualities of a shinobi. Something quite impressive for his age.
But Sai lacks something and his eyes... when he looks at Kiba, is slightly disturbing.
Mira, on the other hand, has actually been the perfect subordinate one could ask for. But she lacks Sai's decisiveness and Kiba's courage."
Nodding, Minato finally asked.
"Is it safe to assume that you are willing to train them into capable shinobis, despite their current weaknesses?"
Itachi frowned, the figure of his own father flashed within his eyes. Ordinarily, he would have accepted this mission for he would be following his father's command. But today, a particular boy, with violet eyes also flashed in his mind. A carefree smile... something that he longed for himself.
Trying to smile, surprising, both, Minato and Shisui, Itachi finally hardened his heart.
'Those three have something, that I do not.' He knew that he lacked something that made him unable to smile as carefree-like as Eio. Maybe, while teaching those three, he might learn something himself?
With a nod, and a "As you command, Yondaime-sama." Itachi retreated a step, making way for another Jounin-sensei, Asuma Sarutobi.
"Honestly, they are unlike their predecessors. They lack motivation but are still skilled enough to stand at the peak of genin rank, as a team, of course.
In my eyes, they have all the qualifications to become a shinobi."
Since Minato did not want any monotone reports, Asuma spoke frankly.
Next, Kurenai smiled and nodded at her ideal, much to her happiness.
"Yondaime-sama, Hinata Hyuuga and Shino Aburame have shown their skills and their reactions and thoughts are already acceptable... but Eio... he is still quite different."
Seeing her hesitation, Minato sighed and asked out.
"How so?"
"He seems more skilled, way more than ordinary genin or even a Chuunin. And even then, I cannot gauge his skills perfectly. His taijutsu is already comparable to mine and I can't teach him much.
It's not only his techniques, but his experience in fighting, apparently."
This time, Minato finally looked interested. High skills can be credited to his father's and mother's upbringing. But experience, that is something hard to achieve with the only exception of being a natural talent, like Hatake Kakashi or Itachi Uchiha.
"I see, is there anything else you would like to share?"
He asked out, to which, Kurenai nodded once again.
"Yes, Yondaime-sama. I would like to highlight Hinata Hyuuga's situation. Her training at the Hyuuga household may interject with mine, something I perceive quite undesirable and inefficient."
Thinking about Hiashi Hyuuga, Minato finally nodded and replied plainly.
"I will see to it."
Lastly, Shisui stepped out. All the eyes focused on him as he housed two of the greatest geniuses of the academy. But still, she shrugged and nodded at Minato respectfully before speaking plainly.
"Except for Sakura Haruna, who has shown a little ability, sadly, I would have to fail both, Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha."
His words came as a shock to others, except for Minato while Itachi's deep gaze practically pierced Shisui in the back. With twitching lips, he continued.
"Of course, if Yondaime gives me the permission to... whip them into shape, then they might have some hope left.
Otherwise, the two of them are going to call an end to their Shinobi careers, despite their... backgrounds."
Heavy silence pressured the room as Asuma and Kurenai sweated while Minato looked deep in thought. Itachi, on the other hand, was practically glaring at Shisui with his fists clenched, but he didn't speak up. He trusted Shisui's judgement. And if he deemed Sasuke as a failure, then it might be quite a good thing to actually end his career as a shinobi.
Finally nodding, Minato replied with a smile.
"If you have the confidence and the adequate capabilities to turn them into shinobis, then do what you must. I assure you that no resistance from the Uchiha clan... and the Uzumaki clan will impede your actions."
As Minato spoke of the Uzumaki clan, his expression turned distressed for a moment before he returned to his calm self.
***
Gazing at the scroll describing the various team's tactics, Kurenai's lips twitched as she gazed at her team.
Taking a deep breath, a strange glint flashed across her eyes as she looked particularly at Eio and Shino and then asked out.
"Who decided to write the team strategies?"
Hearing her question, Eio, Shino and Hinata looked at each other before, surprisingly, Hinata spoke up, softly, almost stammering.
"Uhm... we all did, sensei."
Smiling at her words, Kurenai nodded and spoke up.
"Alright, let me present you with your training modules."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Broughtwaorld
Broughtwaorld originally, this chapter was supposed to be updated with the previous chapter. But I got delayed.
I apologise for shorter chapter
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