As soon as this statement was made, the students present were a little surprised. Although they knew they would definitely compete after meeting each other, they did not expect that the real purpose was to promote one another. They thought their teacher just wanted them to showcase their strength and demonstrate their teaching abilities.
Surprised as they were, they soon realized this was a good thing. They had previously learned ninjutsu with their teacher and practiced with the same classmates. Although they gained some experience because of their teacher's strength, it still felt somewhat stale since they were all from the same group.
Competing against students from other teachers would be different. The opponents would be unfamiliar, which meant they could learn valuable lessons from battling unknown foes. This experience would be very helpful for the joint Chūnin exam. After all, even within their own ninja village, they might not fully understand each other's techniques, let alone those from other villages.
Sakumo, Heizo, Orochimaru, and others were all feeling a bit enthusiastic at that moment. They believed this could lead to significant advancement, but not everyone shared that sentiment.
"Oh, this is more trouble than I thought," muttered Nara Shikaichi, a student from the Nara clan and a new generation heir, with a lack of enthusiasm.
Perhaps because he didn't bother to hide his feelings, Torifu overheard him. Frowning, he glared at Kaichi and snapped, "Kaichi!"
"Sorry, Torifu-sensei," Kaichi replied hastily, an Akimichi child pulling Nara Shikaichi aside and whispering, "Kaichi, what are you doing? Torifu-Oji's colleagues are all present."
Indeed, it was shameful for Torifu to have his students display such a lack of motivation in front of their peers. Even though he had already addressed other issues concerning his students, he still felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment.
However, Fumori Masaki and the others were aware of the traditional character of the Nara clan and simply smiled knowingly. They viewed the children as innocent, while the Nara clan may have a reputation for laziness, that behavior was usually limited to their youth. Once they reached adulthood, they shouldered their clan's responsibilities and gradually displayed their ingenuity.
Still, encountering a dangerous enemy before maturity could lead to unforgettable regrets, just like Nara Shikamaru's poor attitude and lack of practice. His initial failure to rescue Uchiha Sasuke left scars on his comrades. If it weren't for the Sand Hidden reinforcements, the entire unit might have been annihilated. Later, he couldn't save his teacher, which led to deep regret.
Perhaps in order to balance the outstanding wisdom attributed to the Nara clan, a tradition of laziness was trained to limit their potential.
"Kaichi-kun, don't think of this as a troublesome matter," Masaki said. "Although the rules for the Chūnin exam have not yet been established, remember that only with strength can you guarantee your survival."
"Survival? Is it really that serious? Isn't this just a promotion test for Chūnin?" Jiraiya questioned.
Masaki glanced at the others before speaking to the young students. "I'll be straightforward with you. You know the village attaches great importance to the Chūnin exam, but do you understand why it's so significant?"
"Hey, Masaki, are you really going to tell them?" Hiruzen interjected, raising an eyebrow.
"I'd rather not, but the children living in the present must not be ignorant," Masaki replied. "The purpose of the joint Chūnin exam is to inform them sooner rather than later."
Masaki and Hiruzen engaged in back-and-forth dialogue. Although the students were unsure of the exact implications, they sensed a deeper significance behind the exams.
"The purpose of the so-called joint Chūnin exam is to maintain the current peace. It is a new assurance established on the foundation of the tailed beast containment implemented by the previous Hokage. In short, it condenses the inevitable conflicts from the larger battlefield into the examination room. It allows other shinobi villages to gauge the strength of our younger generation, thereby discouraging them from initiating disputes. To ensure this outcome, they must..." Masaki paused as a voice interrupted.
"It's necessary to make this test resemble a real battlefield, right?" asked Nara Shikaichi, who had previously shown disinterest.
Though young, the wisdom of the Nara clan was already apparent in him. He grasped the underlying meaning. Even someone as lazy as Shikaichi had to take things seriously when their life was at stake. If one didn't care about such matters, they would be doomed.
"Exactly," Masaki confirmed with a nod.
After Masaki's acknowledgment, others began discussing the unexpected depth of purpose behind the joint Chūnin exam. If this was indeed the case, they needed to be prepared to give their all. Since it was a condensed battlefield, they could not expect the rules to be merciful. There would surely be aspects that allowed for killing, as ninjas only demonstrated their true value in such dire circumstances.
Of course, the older students were already aware of this reality, and their acceptance of it made them less fearful of the danger of death. Still, it was not entirely absent. Comparatively, Jiraiya, Asuka, and Orochimaru, who were born into civilian families, had already matured in their understanding, although they all felt a hint of unease.
"You should all understand what the joint Ninja test means. Our Konoha Ninja Village assisted the Fire Nation in winning the Ninja War. It is a victorious nation among the five great nations. Yes, ninjas from other countries harbor hatred towards us. During the battles, they likely won't show mercy, so to protect yourselves and emerge victorious, you must practice diligently and improve your skills," Masaki explained.
"Um, can I ask if it's possible to opt out of the joint Chūnin exam?" Nara Shikaichi hesitated before asking.
"Once you embark on the path of a ninja, you must be prepared to risk your life. Being a ninja is inherently dangerous. If you lack this awareness, then you shouldn't pursue the path of a ninja. If you choose this life, you must accept the responsibilities that come with it," Torifu stated expressionlessly.
"I understand," Nara Shikaichi conceded quickly. "I grasp the determination of the sensei. I assume the others comprehend it even better than I do."
The other students exchanged silent glances and nodded slightly. During the upcoming collaborative practice, they would have to give their all in competing against different opponents, accumulating experience and improving their skills to enhance their chances of surviving the rigorous test ahead.
"So first of all, let's take a look at your abilities. In the past, you practiced with your own sensei, but now you will practice with others," Hiruzen announced.
"Sarutobi-sensei, let's us practice with Fumori-sensei," Jiraiya suggested.
"With Masaki?" Hiruzen turned back to him and, seeing Masaki nod, added, "Okay, then, Masaki, your students will join me. Kagami, you and Torifu can switch students."
"Understood," Kagami and Torifu nodded in agreement.
The exercise field was expansive. The four divided the area into sections, with each area designated for a specific pairing. After Heizo and the others left with Hiruzen, Masaki turned his attention to Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Asuka.
"Before we start, call me Masaki-sensei" Masaki informed the three, He felt a mix of emotions, curious about the performance of this different team, especially the unknown Asuka.
"You all go first. Use all your skills and don't worry about facing me. Adopt the mindset that I must be defeated," Masaki instructed.