His name is Masako, a graduate candidate from the Rain Ninja Academy. He has survived this long thanks to his exceptional assassination skills. He entered this joint exam with one goal in mind: to claim the top spot, not just to prove his own strength, but to show the world the power of the Rain Ninja Academy.
Despite what everyone says, Masako refuses to accept that Gaara, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Jugo from Grass Academy are the top contenders for first place this year. He knows he's just as qualified to take the title.
With just a single blade, he believes he can defeat them all... Gaara, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Jugo.
But as he was walking, he spotted something strange.
"Grass Academy's Black Zetsu?" Masako blinked in surprise, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the odd sight before him: Black Zetsu tied up to a tree.
What the hell was going on? Masako was somewhat familiar with Black Zetsu. After all, this was the same guy who had swaggered out of the exam hall first yesterday, shamelessly boasting in front of the interview cameras. His actions had earned him a lot of backlash, with many students getting a solid reprimand from their parents last night because of him.
Masako frowned slightly, studying Black Zetsu, who was now tied up. "How did you end up like this? You haven't been eliminated?"
After a brief moment of thought, he suddenly clicked. "Ah, I get it. I heard a lot of students were hunting you down, probably to give you a proper beating and settle things from yesterday. They probably tied you up like this just to humiliate you first."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, "Heh heh~" Black Zetsu, who had been lost in despair, snapped back to reality. He forced a grin, looking down at the Rain Ninja student below.
Of course, he knew many students were pissed at him for his actions yesterday. Back at school, he was known as 'Boss,' with a small group of underlings who followed him.
But he didn't think any of them would go easy on him here. After all, this was a competition. That's precisely why he had tried to team up with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
Not that he actually cared about his grades, originally, Black Zetsu had planned to find a quiet spot, take a nap, and get eliminated when the time felt right.
But then, when he woke up, he found a note tucked in his ninja pouch. That's right, he'd been threatened again. Concerned that the damn Grass leader might pull off some wild stunt, and, for his mother's sake, he had no choice but to comply.
Thinking back on it now, Black Zetsu couldn't help but feel utterly defeated. First, he was threatened by that damn Grass leader. And now, he was being used as bait by two brats.
Couldn't Grass Village show him just a little kindness?
'Just wait,' Black Zetsu thought bitterly. 'Once Mom gets back, I'll make sure you all regret this!'
Black Zetsu looked down at the Rain Ninja before him, forcing a helpless expression. "Hey, buddy, mind untying me? Damn it, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke have no sense of ninja ethics! They actually tied me up here. But I'm sure you understand the noble spirit of Grass, right?"
Then, flashing a grin, he added, "As fellow students, we should be helping each other out. I'm sure you'll do the right thing and set me free, won't you?"
Masako gave a slow nod. "Oh, I've definitely studied the so-called 'spirit of Grass'..." His lips curled into a smirk. "But unfortunately for you, this is an exam."
His grip tightened on his ninja blade as he stepped forward."Let me make things easier for you. After all, sitting outside is way more comfortable than being stuck here." With that, he lunged, his blade flashing. "I'll take your points now, so remember this name: Masako of the Rain Village!"
However, the moment Masako charged, Black Zetsu didn't flinch. Instead, he flashed a grin and then chuckled. "Idiot."
As soon as those words left Black Zetsu's mouth, Masako's expression shifted, realization dawning on him. He… had fallen right into a trap. But it was too late; before he could even react, two figures dropped down from the trees, moving swiftly. Everything went dark, and Masako's consciousness slipped away.
Just before everything faded, one thought flickered through his mind: What the hell, using their own teammate as bait?! Is this really something a Grass Ninja would do?! What happened to their spirit of mutual aid and camaraderie?!
…
[Student from Rain Village Academy, Masako… Eliminated!]
As the unconscious Masako was carried away, Naruto and Sasuke exchanged satisfied smirks, nodding in approval.
"This method is perfect. Saves time and effort," Naruto said, grinning. "As expected from you!"
How am I the insidious one here?! Still hanging from the tree, Black Zetsu's face twitched in frustration. He struggled against the ropes and yelled, "Hey! Now that it's over, let me down already!"
But no one paid him any attention. Sasuke turned to Naruto with an unimpressed look. "You almost messed that up. You need to stand behind him, not next to me."
"Tch, he noticed too fast. If I had been just a little closer, I would've nailed it." Naruto huffed, clenching his fist in frustration. Then he shot Sasuke a glare. "And quit calling me an idiot, you smug bastard!"
"Remember, I'll go first to draw his attention. Then you come in from behind and catch him," Sasuke instructed, unfazed by Naruto's complaints. He was already used to them. "Save your energy, and," He suddenly glanced into the distance. "Someone else is coming."
The two exchanged a look before swiftly vanishing into hiding once again, leaving behind a thoroughly exasperated Black Zetsu.
Are we really doing this again? Haven't we done enough already? Letting out a long, weary sigh, Black Zetsu lifted his head toward the sky, his expression one of pure suffering. "Mom… please avenge me..." he muttered under his breath.
…
As time passed, the practical exam of the Three Ninja Academies continued in full swing, growing more intense with each moment. The spectators outside remained glued to the screens, their cheers never ceasing as they watched the young ninjas showcase their skills.
Every student's performance was broadcasted for all to see. Some wielded sand with remarkable precision, shaping it into both offensive and defensive constructs, controlling vast areas that made other contestants wary. Others operated eerie puppets from the shadows, coordinating attacks and poisoning their foes with nearly impossible-to-counter techniques. Some harnessed wind jutsu, sweeping away everything in their path and making close combat a dangerous gamble. And then there were those who unleashed dazzling displays of earth, water, fire, and lightning techniques, each leaving the audience in awe.
Beyond elemental mastery, assassination techniques, secret arts, and taijutsu were also on full display. Every participant fought with everything they had, deploying tactics, ninjutsu, and well-placed traps in a bid to achieve outstanding results in this crucial graduation exam.
This event was more than just a test; it was a testament to Grass Village's comprehensive educational philosophy. Years of development had cultivated a system that encouraged well-rounded growth, fostering not only combat ability but overall development.
Of course, there were also some... unconventional strategies at play. The infamous trio from Grass Village had teamed up, employing sneaky tactics and ambushes to hunt down their targets. One by one, their victims were taken out, and with sacks placed over their heads, they were left in complete darkness.
The eliminated children cursed loudly as they realized they had fallen victim to such underhanded tactics. As the spectators outside watched, they fell into stunned silence. These three kids… they were something else.
Without even a shadow in sight or a single jutsu to witness, the victims had been taken out. How in the world did they pull off such a strategy during the exam?
A few spectators even began to notice that the blonde kid, who seemed to be in charge of trapping others in sacks, was becoming increasingly skilled at it. After trapping his victims, he'd strike a pose, hands on his hips, grinning arrogantly as he laughed. His show of cockiness was impossible to ignore.
Even the usually stern Kushina couldn't help but cover her face. This kid… can't he tone it down a bit? It's just so embarrassing. First day, sack-trapping. Second day, sack-trapping. And now, on the third day… still sack-trapping.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, having endured this routine multiple times, had grown strangely accustomed to it. If he couldn't fight back, what else could he do but accept his fate?
In fact, if passing students hesitated to approach, he'd take the initiative, cursing them out alongside Naruto and Sasuke. He had resigned himself to this humiliating role. He was numb to it.
At this point, all he wanted was for this damn exam to end already. He'd rather be eliminated than continue hanging from a tree, serving as live bait. He, Black Zetsu, still had some dignity, okay?!
With more and more students being eliminated, including those caught in Naruto and Sasuke's schemes, it wasn't just the trio's devious tactics leaving a mark. One by one, participants were falling. And now, the exam had reached the afternoon of the third day.
For the past few days, the children had been surviving in the Forest, with battles breaking out even at night. As a result, many parents and spectators had remained glued to their seats, watching without rest.
After two consecutive nights without sleep, exhaustion had taken hold, not just of the students but of the audience as well. And now, at this critical moment, the most decisive phase of the exam was about to begin.
…
Today, the weather was pleasant. Despite it being the end of the year, there was still a hint of sunlight. Black Zetsu, as usual, was tied to a tree, calmly admiring the scenery around him.
However, at that moment, a student carrying a large gourd strolled over. Upon spotting the dark figure hanging from the tree, they stopped in their tracks, eyes widening in surprise. "Black Zetsu?!"
The instant he heard his name being called, Black Zetsu snapped back to reality. He shuddered, and as he looked up at the person before him, a surge of emotion welled up inside him. Tears almost came to his eyes as he stared at Gaara. Had he finally arrived?