The three students sat in a circle, eyes focused on each other as they hashed out a plan for the upcoming test. Sakumo, the most experienced of the three, led the discussion with his calm and assured demeanor.
"The test will revolve around teamwork," Sakumo explained. "Kagami-sensei usually creates tasks that force cooperation. If we don't work together, we'll fail."
Yuichi nodded, his curiosity piqued by Sakumo's insight. "How long have you been training under Kagami-sensei?" he asked, noting the slight age difference.
Sakumo smiled lightly. "Not long. I graduated last year, and since then, I've been a solo genin. You two graduating early makes it an interesting dynamic."
The discussion moved to their individual abilities. Yuichi explained his proficiency in ninjutsu and his unique Lightning Enhancement, while Mio remained reserved, only sharing the basics of her skills in ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Her aloofness didn't go unnoticed, but no one pressed her for more information.
Time passed quickly, and just as the tension was about to build, Kagami reappeared in the same swift manner he had left. He stood tall, his expression one of pride and anticipation.
"Alright, my students, it's time for the test," Kagami announced, a slight smile playing on his lips. He held up a red flag in one hand, planting it firmly in the ground in front of him. "The goal is simple: steal this flag from me."
Yuichi felt a rush of excitement and anxiety, and he could sense the same from the others. But Kagami wasn't done yet.
"There's a reward," he added, his smile widening. "The one who manages to acquire the flag will earn an A-rank jutsu. However, the person who performs the worst will return to the academy."
The atmosphere immediately shifted. The stakes were now clear, and the reward was too tempting to ignore. The three students stood up, ready for the challenge.
Kagami unsheathed a short katana and added, "I won't go purely offensive. But don't expect me to hold back. Come at me with intent to kill."
Sakumo's eyes hardened with determination. He took a deep breath and called out to his teammates. "I'll go in first. Support me from behind and rotate when I give the signal."
Yuichi and Mio nodded silently. There was no time for more words, only action.
.
.
.
Sakumo was the first to charge, his sword clashing against Kagami's. The sharp metallic sound echoed through the training ground as Sakumo pressed forward with a relentless series of strikes.
Kagami parried each blow with precise and minimal movements, his expression calm as ever.
Yuichi quickly formed the necessary hand signs for Wind Wall, anticipating Mio's move. Sure enough, she was already weaving signs for her Great Fireball Jutsu.
Yuichi guessed the perfect amount of chakra as he sensed the chakra around him getting into the jutsu that Mio was about to cast. Timing it perfectly, he cast his wind wall just as Mio unleashed her fireball. The wind fed the flames, amplifying the fireball's size threefold as it hurtled toward Kagami.
For a brief moment, the sheer power of the combined attack caught everyone off guard, including Kagami. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure, releasing his own Great Fireball Jutsu.
The two fiery orbs collided in midair, and for a split second, Yuichi thought they might overpower their sensei's technique.
But Kagami's fireball was stronger. It consumed their combined attack, reducing it to nothing in a blaze of heat and light.
As the flames dissipated, Sakumo seized the opportunity. Using the cover of the smoke, he formed hand signs and launched Water Bullet Jutsu toward Kagami.
The water bullets shot forward with deadly precision, but Kagami countered effortlessly, summoning Fire Bullets that evaporated the water on contact.
The exchange was relentless. Kagami hadn't moved more than a few feet from the flag, his defense impeccable. He was clearly holding back, but his control over the battlefield was undeniable. The students had yet to make him sweat.
Yuichi felt frustration bubbling up inside him.
Kagami wasn't giving them any openings, and their attacks, while coordinated, were being nullified with ease. He had to find a way to break the deadlock.
Then, he noticed it, a mist forming around Kagami. It was a byproduct of the heated clash between fire and water, but it gave them a slight advantage. The visibility around Kagami had dropped, making it harder for him to see their movements clearly.
Sakumo, recognizing the same opportunity, made the first move. With a flicker of his body, he disappeared into the mist, reappearing behind Kagami in an attempt to snatch the flag. Also showing his mastery over Body flicker in process.
Kagami, however, was too fast. He blocked Sakumo's strike with the back of his blade and kicked him away with precision, sending Sakumo tumbling across the ground.
Mio, now with her Sharingan activated, darted into the fray, her two-tomoe eyes analyzing Kagami's every movement. She engaged him head-on with a flurry of taijutsu, her strikes fast and calculated.
Kagami dodged and parried her blows with ease without even a need to use his sharingan, but Yuichi could tell she was probing for weaknesses, waiting for the right moment to strike.
In the movement when he was about to kick Mio to the side, she casted genjutsu with her sharingan but to her surprise Kagami broke out of it within a second, completing his kick.
While Mio kept Kagami occupied, Yuichi took a deep breath and activated his Lightning Enhancement. His muscles tensed as the electricity coursed through his body, enhancing his speed and strength. His sword, now infused with lightning chakra, crackled with energy as he joined the fight.
The clash of blades and fists was fast and fierce. Yuichi moved in sync with Mio who regained his footing after enduring the kick, but something felt off.
Mio wasn't fully committing to their teamwork. She seemed more focused on proving herself rather than coordinating with him and Sakumo. Her strikes were powerful, but her timing was slightly off, leaving small gaps in their attack pattern.
Yuichi who was adjusting his attack pattern even with the speed which was to the level where even mio's sharingan was barely able to see him, felt the oddity in their coordination.
Despite this, Yuichi did his best to adapt. He covered for Mio's missteps, blocking Kagami's counters whenever she left an opening.
Sakumo, meanwhile, recovered and rejoined the fight, his movements fluid and precise as he aimed for Kagami's blind spots.
But Kagami was a master.
He defended against all three of them without breaking a sweat, his katana flashing as he parried their combined assault. He still hadn't moved far from the flag.
As the mist began to clear, Kagami decided to push them back. With a swift motion, he swept his katana in a wide arc, forcing Yuichi, Mio, and Sakumo to retreat momentarily.
Yuichi glanced at Mio, who was breathing heavily, her eyes still locked on Kagami. She was clearly frustrated. They weren't getting anywhere, and it was starting to show.
"We need to work together," Yuichi said, his voice low but firm. "He's reading us too easily."
Mio's eyes flicked toward Yuichi, narrowing slightly. "I know what I'm doing," she muttered, but there was a hint of doubt in her voice.
Yuichi didn't argue. There wasn't time. Instead, he made his move.
With his lightning-enhanced speed, he dashed toward the flag with his utmost speed, hoping to draw Kagami's attention.
As expected, Kagami moved to intercept him, enhancing his eyesight with chakra, but this time, Yuichi had a plan.
Just as Kagami swung his katana, Yuichi ducked low, allowing the blade to pass harmlessly over his head. He reached out, grabbing Mio by the wrist, and together they spun around Kagami, using their combined momentum to drive him off balance.
For a brief second, Kagami's defense faltered. It was all the opening they needed. Mio, catching on to Yuichi's plan, reached out and snatched the flag from the ground.
Kagami recovered instantly, but it was too late. The test was over.
Breathing heavily, Yuichi and Mio exchanged a brief glance. Despite their earlier struggles, they had managed to pull off the final move together. Sakumo walked over, a smile on his face.
"Well done," Kagami said, sheathing his katana with a proud nod. "You showed great teamwork in the end... even if it took a little longer to get there."
Yuichi smirked, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. They had passed the test, but more importantly, they had learned something about each other.