บท 50: Chapter 50: Intimidation.
"Please draw your exam topic from the box inside!"
In another spacious classroom, a teacher wearing a green chunin vest spoke to Hitsugaya, pointing to a wooden box on the table in front of him.
Without hesitation, he reached into the box. When he withdrew his hand, there was a slip of paper in his palm. Unfolding it, he read:
"Transformation Jutsu"
The second part of the exam was a ninjutsu assessment. The students had to draw their test topic from the box, with the possible topics being Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, or Substitution Jutsu.
"Use the teacher next to you as a reference to perform the Transformation Jutsu!"
Such basic three techniques were nothing to him, not even child's play. He casually formed a hand seal!
"Poof!"
A cloud of smoke dispersed, and standing in place was a figure identical to the reference teacher in every way. The appearance was flawless, and the expression was about seventy to eighty percent similar.
Hand seal speed: Excellent.
Chakra control: Excellent.
Ninjutsu effectiveness: Excellent.
On the scene, the teachers responsible for the student assessments wrote notes on their documents, generously assigning him an excellent score. Even seasoned chunin couldn't find any fault with his performance of the Transformation Jutsu.
Finishing these simple exam topics swiftly, Hitsugaya arrived at the outdoor area specifically prepared for the ninja exams.
[Next up are taijutsu and combat assessments!]
[I wonder who my opponent will be. Hopefully, it won't be too over-the-top!]
The taijutsu and combat assessments for ninja graduation were combined, characterized by their straightforward and rough nature. The teachers acted as the assessors and attacked the students, with the pass requirement being to last five minutes against the teacher.
It was worth noting that these assessing teachers were all experienced veteran chunin, aged forty to fifty. Though their physical strength wasn't on par with younger ninjas, their combat experience far outmatched them. Handling a group of test-takers who weren't even ninjas yet was a breeze for them.
Of course, the teachers wouldn't attack with full strength, primarily focusing on assessment. Otherwise, even the short five-minute duration would see ninety percent of the test-takers failing.
"Uchiha Hitsugaya, follow me!"
Just as Hitsugaya stepped into the specialized exam area, a ninja came up to him.
"This will be your opponent for this exam, 'Mizutani Hiroshi.' You can use any methods, including but not limited to ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, shuriken, and explosive tags. Survive his attacks for five minutes to pass."
"Understood!"
Responding nonchalantly, Hitsugaya looked at his opponent and the few people sitting in the viewing stands.
His opponent, chunin instructor 'Mizutani Hiroshi,' wasn't tall but had graying hair, indicating he was over fifty. A centipede-like scar crawled across his right cheek, adding a menacing air to his aura. His appearance and attire were unremarkable, but his slightly robust frame suggested reliability.
Ninja schools preferred to employ such veteran ninjas to teach students, leveraging their extensive mission and combat experience. This was a coveted job for aging ninjas, passing their battlefield knowledge and experience to Konoha's next generation, embodying their 'Will of Fire.'
In the viewing stands sat five or six spectators. A quick glance revealed mostly unfamiliar faces, and the Third Hokage was not present. The only familiar face was a middle-aged man with glasses, the Konoha Hokage advisor 'Mitarashi Kōkin,' who had appeared several times on TV.
Hitsugaya knew that Elder 'Mitarashi Kōkin' mainly handled personnel-related matters in Konoha, akin to a personnel director or head of the organization department in his previous life. His personality was relatively gentle, in stark contrast to the fiery temper of Shimura Danzō and the sinister demeanor of Homura Mitokado.
"Leaf Shadow Dance!"
Before the referee could finish announcing the start, 'Mizutani Hiroshi' launched a fierce low kick aimed at Hitsugaya's chin, nearly a sneak attack.
[Wow, that's dirty! Trying to pull a fast one on me right from the start, huh?]
"Whoosh!"
Without hesitation, Hitsugaya instinctively tilted his body, dodging the attack and leaping back to create distance. Simultaneously, his right hand reached for the ninja tool pouch at his waist, preparing to throw shuriken to disrupt his opponent's attack rhythm.
Such a sudden attack was predictable for Hitsugaya, given his heightened senses. A slightly slower test-taker would have been kicked away and knocked out with follow-up attacks.
"Leaf Hurricane"
Before Hitsugaya's hand could reach the ninja tool pouch, his opponent's next attack had already followed. A powerful spinning high kick aimed for his head, the seamless flow of moves suggesting foreknowledge of Hitsugaya's reactions.
[This is relentless! Truly, veteran chunin who've survived to their fifties are no joke!]
[My lack of experience shows! I didn't expect a sneak attack!]
Although Hitsugaya had intensely trained in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu over the years, his combat experience was far behind these seasoned ninjas.
"Bang!"
Forced to react, Hitsugaya quickly formed a hand seal and used a Substitution Jutsu, leaving a chunk of wood that got kicked into two pieces.
The substitution allowed him to distance himself from the opponent.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Putting a ten-meter gap between them, Hitsugaya launched an attack with eight shuriken, each hand holding four, to disrupt his opponent's rhythm and create an opportunity for his next move.
Before the exam, he had already decided to only use common techniques like taijutsu, shuriken, and the basic Three-Body Techniques taught in school.
Although the Uchiha clan's relationship with Konoha had improved over the years, it never hurt to remain cautious.
After a wave of shuriken, he didn't idle. He launched his own attack, with four Hitsugayas each holding a kunai charging at 'Mizutani Hiroshi.'
Using 'Clone Jutsu' to confuse the opponent during an attack was a simple yet effective tactic.
(End of Chapter)
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