-----------------------------
The next morning, Ryo Sarutobi fastened the forehead protector symbolizing his identity as a Konoha ninja, donned his vest, and rushed toward the village entrance alongside Kei Yamanaka.
The early hours brought a steady stream of people passing through the village gate. As the heart of the Land of Fire, Konoha was as bustling as the capital, its prosperity far surpassing that of other towns.
"Morning, Master Ryo."
"Morning, Sarutobi Ryo."
Familiar and unfamiliar faces greeted him as they passed, and Ryo responded in kind.
Ten minutes later, the full team had assembled. When Utatane Koharu stepped forward, all whispers among the group faded into silence.
"I will now explain the details of the assessment..."
A standard Jonin examination could not be overseen by mere Jonin. Much like the Chunin Exams were handled by Special Jonin and Jonin, this examination was under the direct supervision of Utatane Koharu. Beyond monitoring the process, she ensured that any enemies encountered would be dealt with decisively.
According to the official war records, Mitokado Homura's strength was said to rival that of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. While Koharu's strength was slightly below Homura's, she was still formidable. Her presence reassured the examinees, giving them confidence in the mission ahead.
The examination's objective was clear: the ruins of the Whirlpool Country. The journey would take two days each way, with a full-scale search, combat, and clearing of hostiles spanning ten to fifteen days.
Kei Yamanaka leaned in close and whispered to Ryo, "Master, does this mean we won't be going home for half a month?"
Ryo sighed at Kei's barely contained excitement. "Don't worry, I packed all the seasonings you wanted."
Kei's eyes sparkled. Unlike the battles fought on land during the Second Shinobi World War, the ruins of the Whirlpool Country were located offshore. To Kei, this was a rare opportunity—to see the sea, cook seafood, and even enjoy the beach.
"This is not a vacation," Ryo reminded him firmly.
Kei grinned. "I know, I know."
"Why do you think it'll be Hidden Mist occupying the ruins?" Kei suddenly asked.
Ryo adjusted his forehead protector. "The Cloud Village moves quickly. They plunder what they need and leave like a passing storm. The Mist Village, on the other hand, lingers like a bloodthirsty shark, waiting for more prey to step into its waters."
Kei whistled. "You really do know everything, Master."
Ryo had studied countless books, analyzing the affairs of the ninja world even without leaving home. Knowledge was power, and intelligence often determined survival—of an individual, a team, or an entire village.
As Koharu finished her explanation, teams were assigned. Ryo found himself grouped with Kei Yamanaka, Hinata Ruri, and Baiyun Hayama. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and others formed another team.
At the mention of Kushina's name, Ryo glanced toward her. The usual lively red-haired girl was subdued, her expression tinged with sorrow. As an orphan of the Whirlpool Country, this mission carried personal weight for her. Minato, standing beside her, whispered words of comfort.
It was clear that Kushina had an additional mission—recovering what remained of her clan's legacy. The ruins were not merely a battlefield; they were a symbol of lost history, something too valuable for Konoha to ignore.
A mission entangled with politics and hidden agendas… Ryo shook his head. This trip would be far from simple.
Soon after, the teams departed.