"Third-sama."
"Hokage-sama."
When Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, Group C had just finished drawing lots, and the students greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen one after another.
"Just treat it like usual, everyone. I'm just here to observe," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a gentle smile.
"Number one, Mitarashi Anko, and number two, Asakawa Sanken, are ready to begin the fight," Shadow Clone Mutsuki announced, taking charge of the test.
The students called by Mutsuki swiftly went to the battlefield, assuming their positions and preparing for the fight.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced around. To avoid interfering with each other, the testing locations for the three groups were not close.
"Mutsuki, you've worked hard for these five weeks, taking care of over three hundred students alone," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
In this situation, one person simply isn't enough; Shadow Clones are necessary.
As such, while Mutsuki's main body remained beside him, his Shadow Clone continued to oversee the exam.
"Doing what needs to be done," Mutsuki replied with a smile, not saying much.
Third nodded with a smile, shifting his gaze to the ongoing battle.
Although Anko was at a height disadvantage facing her opponent Asakawa Sanken, a fourth-year student, she didn't hold backs engaging in close combat directly.
Anko's Taijutsu was aggressive, the type where she'd take hits but ensure her opponent took heavier ones.
Feeling the many onlookers' eyes, Asakawa Sanken inwardly lamented. He struggled to withstand Anko's relentless assaults.
Taking advantage of Anko's momentum, Asakawa Sanken retreated onto a tree, then dashed upward. From there, he hurled a plethora of Shuriken at Anko, attempting to kite her.
However, Anko wasn't shaken off. Having undergone tree climbing training, she had practiced forest combat techniques and quickly caught up to Asakawa Sanken, engaging him in a battle of wits and strength among the trees.
Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu, the three fundamental Ninjutsu, were employed by both individuals.
"Mutsuki, this Mitarashi Anko is a student in your class, right?" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked.
Due to Mutsuki's class's outstanding performance previously, he had a slight impression of the top students in Mutsuki's class.
"Yes, she's a student in Class 1-1," Mutsuki nodded.
"To have such Chakra Control ability and Ninjutsu proficiency in the first year is quite remarkable," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, stroking his chin.
He was pleased with Mutsuki's teaching results. The strength demonstrated by the students from both teams was impressive, especially considering they were from Group C, which had progressed the least.
"Yes, with this level of skill, even average third-year and fourth-year students might not measure up," remarked the Chunin sensei who had come along with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Her opponent is also good. With a bit more practice, he should reach graduation level," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
Other Chunin sensei also nodded in agreement.
One Chunin sensei in particular was especially astonished, as Asakawa Sanken was a student in his class.
He remembered this student as quite average, so he was surprised by the significant progress made in just five weeks of special training.
Whether it was due to not studying seriously before, the intense effort during these five weeks, or Mutsuki being truly exceptional at teaching, he wasn't sure which reason it was.
"Mitarashi Anko is the winner."
In the end, Asakawa Sanken fell short, and Anko emerged victorious.
"Number three, Hagane Kotetsu, and number four, Nakamori Kouichi, are ready to begin their fight," Mutsuki swiftly announced the names of the next combatants.
"Nakamori Kouichi, huh? He's my student," Chitani Isamu spoke up.
"Oh, how does he usually perform in practical combat?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked curiously.
"Quite average, I'd say. His scores in practical combat usually hover around fifteen points," Chitani Isamu replied honestly.
"But his opponent seems to be a first or second-year student, so he should be fine, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood Nakamori Kouichi's level upon hearing fifteen points; according to the Academy's grading standards, it was considered a very average score.
"Not necessarily. That Hagane Kotetsu is also a student in Yumi-sensei's class, and his performance in practical combat is quite impressive," Ueda Aya interjected before Mutsuki could confirm the student.
As the onlookers discussed, the battle began.
Nakamori Kouichi, relying on his physical advantage, swiftly pressed forward, launching a fierce assault.
Meanwhile, despite Hagane Kotetsu's disadvantage in strength, his small stature represented agility, allowing him to dodge Nakamori Kouichi's attacks with nimbleness.
The situation was at a standstill for a moment.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Nakamori Kouichi should win," speculated one Chunin sensei.
Although it appeared that Hagane Kotetsu was not heavily suppressed at the moment, he was actually at a significant disadvantage. Being younger, he lacked physical strength, and continuing like this would eventually lead to an opportunity being seized against him.
"This student isn't bad either. Although not as good as his classmates, he's still impressive," Third said, puffing on his pipe, creating clouds of smoke.
After all, fighting across several grades, Third felt achieving this level was already quite commendable.
"Confusion Jutsu!"
Seizing a moment of respite, Hagane Kotetsu immediately unleashed his strongest Ninjutsu.
To enhance his Ninjutsu, Hagane Kotetsu had deliberately visited a women's clothing store.
In an instant, six big sisters clad in different styles of summer clothing appeared on the field, surrounding Nakamori Kouichi.
"Hmm?" Nakamori Kouichi's attention was captivated by the mysterious power.
Seizing the opportunity, Hagane Kotetsu kicked Nakamori Kouichi down and then held a Kunai against him with his right hand.
"Hagane Kotetsu wins!"
Nakamori Kouichi, coming to his senses, was both bewildered and shocked.
He knew about Hagane Kotetsu's Ninjutsu, but he hadn't expected him to dare to use it in such a scenario, especially when the Third Hokage was watching.
Silence.
At this moment, the field fell into complete silence, with not a sound to be heard.
Both students and sensei alike looked on in astonishment at the scene unfolding before them.
Cough, cough.
Finally, it was Third's cough that broke the silence.
Startled by the smoke, Third swiftly wiped away a hint of red from beneath his nose and, with a serious expression, remarked, "Yumi-sensei has done a commendable job with this special training. Hagane Kotetsu skillfully utilized his own advantages, and Nakamori Kouichi's performance was also commendable. What do you think his score should be for this practical combat?"
"Twenty-four, I'd say," one Chunin sensei spoke up first.
Other sensei also chimed in with their scores, with the scores being fairly consistent.
No sensei mentioned Hagane Kotetsu. Instead, everyone tacitly ignored what had just happened and praised Mutsuki for his excellent summer training, noting significant improvements in the students.
However, occasionally, they would steal a glance in Hagane Kotetsu's direction, silently acknowledging his talent.
"Kotetsu, you're really going to make a name for yourself now," Kamizuki Izumo looked at the victorious Hagane Kotetsu with envy.
Under the gaze of the Third Hokage, using Ninjutsu with agility to win against a stronger opponent, he wished he were the one standing up there right now.
"Number five, Ishii Yoshiwa, and number six, Kamizuki Izumo, prepare."
Upon hearing his name, Kamizuki Izumo quickly stepped onto the stage. He too was going to make a name for himself!
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