(T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic, Thanks and appreciate all who support me)
(T/N: Enjoy!!)
<><><><><><>
Indeed, human potential often shines brightest under pressure. The participants' resourcefulness was astonishing, even impressing Asahi.
While some chose to go it alone, digging shelters and building huts, many others formed small groups, pooling their efforts.
However, due to the limited supplies, these groups had to constantly search for new resources.
A single supply point could only sustain one person for three days, and dividing it among multiple members would barely last a day if that.
Although these groups had an advantage in obtaining resources, they had to keep moving to avoid elimination.
In the vast icy expanse, everyone exerted their utmost efforts. Whether searching for hidden resources or battling snow bears to claim supplies, they gave it their all.
Fortunately, under Nagato's directive, each snow bear only exhibited the strength of a lower-ranking ninja.
Otherwise, no one would have succeeded in claiming resources from them.
Despite this, many participants were eliminated due to the inability to secure supplies.
Some, unable to find resources, turned to targeting other participants, particularly those who were alone.
They avoided groups, especially those moving together from the same village, to prevent becoming easy targets themselves.
The Ogami Clan did not intervene in these conflicts, as they were within the rules. After all, combat is an inevitable part of being a ninja.
The participants understood this, remaining vigilant against both natural dangers and threats from their peers.
This tense period lasted for thirty days, during which nearly half the participants were eliminated.
This high elimination rate was expected, given the vastness of the icy wilderness.
Although there were many supply points, they were spread out, making them difficult to find.
Bad luck could mean failing to locate a single supply point within three days.
Coupled with the threat from other participants, a fifty per cent elimination rate was quite normal.
Initially, Nagato had predicted that if even a third of the participants made it through, it would be impressive.
During these thirty days, a few individuals stood out, surprising even Nagato.
Notably, a child named Ziluo, after exhausting his supplies, managed to survive an extra day in the harsh environment solely through sheer willpower.
He eventually secured a supply point, though at the cost of severe injuries. Fortunately, that particular supply point contained a healing talisman.
Ziluo's luck wasn't entirely by chance; Nagato had taken a liking to the resilient child and discreetly placed the talisman in the supply point.
This wasn't considered favoritism, but rather recognition of exceptional talent. Nagato's actions were meant to benefit the Ogami Clan.
Similarly, many other outstanding participants received subtle assistance from Nagato or other members of the clan.
Over these thirty days, many participants who initially didn't know each other formed deep bonds.
As the first round of the Ogami Clan's entrance examination concluded, everyone gradually emerged from the North Pole Glacier.
Standing once again on the island of the Ogami Clan, they felt as if they had been transported to another world.
The past month had subjected each individual to immense mental strain, even the likes of the Kage from various villages, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were no exceptions.
However, the ordeal was far from over. Despite half of the participants being eliminated, more than ten thousand remained.
Compared to the one hundred available spots in the Ogami Clan, the remaining participants faced a rigorous elimination process.
Thus, although they had returned to the island, no one dared to relax. Over the next few days, they underwent several more tests.
Unlike the first examination, these subsequent tests took significantly less time due to the reduced number of participants, which made them more manageable for the Ogami Clan members.
These additional tests were not much different from the first round. After several rounds, the number of participants dwindled to less than a thousand.
Those who remained were undoubtedly the elite of the elite. Even so, about a hundred more would still need to be eliminated.
At this stage, however, everyone's resolve was unshakable. They all believed in their ability to succeed.
Seeing the group reduced to less than a thousand, Nagato's usually stern face broke into a rare smile.
Since taking on the task of overseeing the entrance examination, Nagato has maintained a rigorous demeanour, determined to deliver satisfactory results.
Over the past days, his face had been perpetually tense, devoid of any mirth.
But now, with the entrance examination nearing its end, the recruits were to be selected from this small, exceptional group, prompting Nagato to finally relax and smile.
With a smile, Nagato addressed the participants, "You have all made it this far, proving yourselves as the elite who have surpassed countless competitors."
"But this is not enough. Only the most exceptional can join the Ogami Clan. So, without further ado, you will now face the final examination to determine your worth."
"This final test will judge your character. The top one hundred performers will earn their place in the Ogami Clan. Prepare yourselves; the examination is about to begin!"
As Nagato's voice echoed, everyone quickly adjusted their mindset, ready to face the upcoming challenge. Seeing their readiness, Nagato continued, "3... 2... 1... Begin!"
With those words, a massive genjutsu formation activated, enveloping nearly a thousand participants.
In an instant, everyone was drawn into their illusion.
Testing one's character through genjutsu was the best approach, and this particular genjutsu had been meticulously crafted by Nagato.
It combined elements of genjutsu with sealing techniques, making it as formidable as the illusion Asahi had used during the first entrance selection.
Nagato's performance in this area had exceeded Asahi's expectations.
As the final test began, those who had been eliminated or had not participated in the Ogami Clan's entrance examination silently prayed for their friends and family.
In the Hyuga Clan of Konoha, the clan heads, Hiashi Hyuga and his brother Hizashi Hyuga, were seated in the main guest room.
Both men seemed to sense something, raising their heads to look north.
"The final test should have started by now. I wonder how Hinata and Neji are doing," Hiashi said, standing up and walking to the door.
Hizashi joined him, replying, "Lady Hinata will surely pass and join the Ogami Clan. Neji will protect her."
Hiashi thought about Hinata's usual demeanour. Kind, but also hesitant and indecisive. Could she succeed? The Hyuga Clan was ancient, to the point of being rigid.
None of the older generation of ninjas had gone to the far north to participate in the examination.
Even the more open-minded brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, hadn't participated.
As a result, only the younger generation of the Hyuga Clan went, and among them, only Hinata and Neji reached the final test.
The others were eliminated along the way. Without Neji's protection, Hinata might have met the same fate.
Thinking of Neji, Hiashi couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Regret for not fighting harder to prevent Neji from being marked with the Caged Bird Seal.
Neji, a once-in-a-century genius of the Hyuga Clan, had been constrained by this seal.
Without it, Neji could have been the best candidate for clan leader, leading the Hyuga Clan to new heights.
With a sigh, Hiashi said, "I hope so." He then fell silent, gazing into the distance, while Hizashi silently prayed for Neji's success.
If Neji joined the Ogami Clan, he could break free and become a bird that flies freely. Hizashi felt Neji's deep longing for freedom, even though Neji never spoke of it.
Similar scenes played out across many families in Konoha and every village of the ninja world.
However, no amount of prayer could change the outcomes of the tests.
Those who were worthy would pass, and those whose hearts were not strong enough, no matter their skills, would not.
Even the Tsuchikage Onoki, despite his immense strength, was eliminated in the final round.
He was not alone—Kazekage Rasa and Raikage A were also eliminated.
Among the four Kage who participated, only the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, passed.
It's not that the other Kage were not exceptional. Each one was a rare talent.
However, some of the other participants were simply more outstanding in terms of character.
With the final test concluded, every village saw some of their ninjas succeed, making it into the top hundred and becoming new members of the Ogami Clan.
As the final examination commenced, those who had been eliminated or did not participate in the Ogami Clan's entrance examination silently prayed for their friends and family.
Among them were the three Kage who had been eliminated, their faces marked with disappointment and a touch of embarrassment.
As Kage, they had been confident of their success in joining the Ogami Clan. However, they were unexpectedly eliminated along the way.
Seeing the ninjas from their villages who passed the test softened their expressions.
Their failure was bearable as long as their village had successful candidates.
Being completely shut out would have been devastating, potentially questioning their status as one of the Sixth Great Shinobi Countries.
In stark contrast to the eliminated, those who passed the examination were filled with excitement.
Almost all of them, except for a few special cases, felt this way. For instance, Hinata Hyuga from Konoha could hardly believe she had passed.
Without the help of Neji Hyuga and other members of her clan, she wouldn't have made it through the earlier tests.
She had been ready to give up, thinking the final test was just a formality before she could go home.
Yet, she passed the very test that eliminated three Kage, which seemed unbelievable to her.
Similarly, there was the confused Kimimaro Kaguya. For him, participating in the examination was merely a task assigned by his clan.
Once it was over, he expected to return to the dark cave he had been confined to for years.
His life had been a cycle of missions and confinement.
While many in the ninja world saw their fates changed for the better due to Asahi's presence, Kimimaro's fate grew more tragic.
Without the bloody mist era in Kirigakure and the rebellion of the Kaguya Clan due to Asahi's influence, Kimimaro never encountered Orochimaru and remained trapped in his grim destiny.
However, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune come in turn. This tragic fate might also be seen as a blessing for Kimimaro.
It allowed him to retain the innocence of a child.
He followed orders without understanding their implications, much like a child obeying parental commands without grasping their significance.