Chereads / Naruto: Reviving Minato / Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: A New Test Await Us

Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: A New Test Await Us

After a few more teams left with their sensei, a man with black hair and a medium build approached us—me, Nora, and Baskin. He gestured for us to follow, and I felt a surge of excitement. It looked like we were placed on the same team, likely because we were already friends. As we trailed him to the academy's training grounds, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Who was this man, and what kind of test awaited us?

When we arrived, he introduced himself as Hatoshi Moriko, our new sensei. His calm demeanor exuded authority, instantly commanding our attention. He explained that he was a sensor-type ninja, skilled in detecting chakra, and that his elemental affinity was Earth. With a hint of a smile, he mentioned his fondness for sweets but made it clear he despised disobedience. It was obvious—he wasn't the type to tolerate laziness or half-hearted efforts.

After his introduction, it was our turn. One by one, we gave a brief overview of our abilities. Sensei listened carefully, his sharp eyes assessing us, nodding occasionally as we spoke. Once we finished, he announced that he wanted to see what we were capable of. He instructed us to meet him at Training Ground 23 tomorrow morning for a test that would assess both our teamwork and individual skills. But there was a catch—failure was not an option. He made it crystal clear that if he wasn't impressed, he would send us back to the academy for further training. The weight of that threat hung heavy in the air, putting all of us on edge.

After Hatoshi-sensei left, I quickly suggested we devise a strategy. The test was tomorrow, and we couldn't afford to go in unprepared. Although we were friends, we had never really discussed our training or specific jutsu in detail. This was the first time we had the opportunity to share. Nora and Baskin were typically reserved and had never felt the need to show off their skills, and I hadn't pried before now. But this was different—this was about survival as a team.

I started by explaining the jutsu I had learned so far, along with my interest in fuinjutsu, though I emphasized that my sealing techniques were still basic and not practical for combat. Nora followed, revealing that he was working on his clan's signature Mind-Body Switch Jutsu but admitted he hadn't mastered it yet. He could only maintain control over a target for a second or two, and his sensing ability was limited to about 50 meters. Despite these limitations, Nora's potential was undeniable—he just needed more practice.

Then came Baskin's turn, and he surprised us. Even though he came from a civilian family, he had learned some impressive jutsu. He could perform the Fire Bullet Jutsu and the Shadow Shuriken Jutsu, which allowed him to create multiple shurikens from one. His skills were impressive, especially for someone without a ninja family background. It was clear his parents were serious about his training, and Baskin was living up to their expectations.

With our abilities laid out, we began strategizing. We figured sensei would test not just our individual skills but also our ability to work as a unit. After some discussion, we came up with a plan that played to our strengths. Nora and Baskin would hide at the start while I confronted sensei head-on, giving them a chance to find good positions without being noticed. While I kept sensei busy, Nora would attempt his Mind-Body Switch technique. Even if he could control sensei for just a second, it would create an opening for Baskin to unleash his Fire Bullet Jutsu, followed by his Shadow Shuriken technique. Once their attacks landed, I would follow up with my Demonic Illusion Jutsu to further disorient sensei.

Of course, we also had a backup plan in case things didn't go smoothly. If Nora couldn't land his Mind-Body Switch, we agreed that he would join me in direct combat while Baskin provided support from mid-range. We worked out hand signals for communication, ensuring we wouldn't get caught off guard during the test.

I had to admit, although I took the lead in planning, Nora and Baskin were quick to grasp the strategy. They were smarter than I had initially thought, and they offered some solid suggestions to refine our plan. For instance, Nora suggested that if sensei went into hiding, we should regroup around him using his sensing ability, limited though it was. It wasn't perfect, but it was something. With that, our strategy felt complete.

After finalizing our plan, we treated ourselves to a trip to the local sweet shop. As we indulged in some well-deserved treats, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. We were prepared, and I had a good feeling about tomorrow's test. But deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. The real challenges were yet to come, and we'd have to rely on each other more than ever as a team.

Later that evening, when I got home, I found myself wondering more about Hatoshi Moriko. His calm yet authoritative presence had left an impression on me, and I was curious about him. After dinner, I casually asked my mom if she knew anything about him.

She paused for a moment before shaking her head. "I've heard his name before, but I don't know much about him," she replied. "He's not someone who's widely talked about."

"Well, he seems tough," I said, recalling his warning about sending us back to the academy if we failed. "I guess we'll find out tomorrow what kind of sensei he really is."

Mom smiled at me, sensing my excitement. "Just do your best," she said warmly. "You've worked hard, and I'm sure you'll impress him."