"Have you packed enough soldier pills?"
"Store these exploding tags carefully!"
"Keep the distress flares in the most accessible spot. If you encounter danger, release them immediately—don't try to be a hero!"
Among the students preparing to depart, Iruka tirelessly checked their gear and gave warnings, his eyes filled with worry.
The students, meanwhile, were a mix of nervous and excited as they geared up.
After a while, confirming everyone was ready, Iruka returned to the stage and announced, "The one-month special final assessment officially begins now! Everyone, pay attention—move out!"
Swish, swish, swish.
As soon as Iruka finished speaking, figures darted out of the auditorium with bursts of wind.
The fastest to react was Yakumo, Shion, and Kimimaro's team, who left the other teams behind and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
Sasuke's team followed closely, slowed slightly by Sakura. Neji's team was right behind them, moving swiftly and exiting the auditorium on Sasuke's heels.
In just a breath or two, the three teams had already left the auditorium and disappeared.
"What!?"
"What's going on?"
"That's way too much!"
The remaining students were shocked and skeptical.
Then, their gazes turned collectively toward Shinji's team, still in the auditorium, casting curious looks.
Under the scrutiny of students and even teachers, Shinji, Haku, and Karin calmly packed their gear, discussing their route as they headed out of the auditorium.
The stunned students finally snapped out of it and rushed out in a swarm.
"Sigh!"
Watching the chaotic exodus, Iruka let out a helpless sigh.
Another academy instructor nearby said, "Don't worry! In wartime, kids their age would already be on the battlefield!"
After leaving the academy and the village, Shinji's team landed in the canopy of a large tree outside, gazing toward the Land of Hot Springs in the east.
Haku pulled out a map and pointed. "If we take this route and travel at full speed, we can enter the Land of Hot Springs in three days."
"Hm."
Shinji nodded casually.
He had traveled to the Land of Hot Springs countless times, to the point he could navigate it blindfolded, so he had no need for a map. But in front of Haku and Karin, he needed to keep up appearances to avoid revealing his identity.
With the route set, the trio set off immediately.
Shortly after they left, a team of three Chunin landed in the same canopy they had just vacated.
One of them said, "They just left not long ago."
The team leader nodded. "Let's pursue!"
Another team member grinned. "I heard this team has a genius from the Uchiha clan. This is a perfect chance to see their Sharingan in action!"
The leader sternly replied, "Cut the chatter—focus on the mission!"
At almost the same time, multiple teams of three Chunin began tracking the eager student teams that had just left the village.
Without a doubt, these Chunin teams were specially arranged by the village leadership to screen out teams lacking sufficient strength.
After all, the true purpose of this assessment was to select the village's most promising future seeds, and the difficulty was immense.
Given this level of challenge, more than half the student teams were unqualified to participate. Screening them out early would prevent unnecessary casualties.
At the same time, reducing the number of student teams would lighten the burden on the village's proctors and protectors, allowing them to focus their efforts on safeguarding the true seeds and preventing accidents.
In a forest clearing, thud.
With a muffled sound, a Chunin on a screening mission was sent flying, crashing hard into the ground.
Already lying on the ground were two other Chunin.
Clearly, this screening team had encountered a tough opponent!
Kimimaro, having just taken down the three Chunin, turned slowly to Yakumo and Shion, who were waiting nearby. "It's done."
Shion asked curiously, "Who were they?"
Kimimaro glanced at the unconscious Chunin on the ground. "Probably shinobi from the village."
"Then why did they attack us?"
Shion looked puzzled.
Yakumo seemed to realize something and said, "Don't worry about them. Let's keep moving!"
In another forest, Naruto was engaged in combat with the Chunin team tracking them.
Sasuke stood with arms crossed on a nearby tree branch, observing the fight below.
Sakura, standing beside him, asked, "Sasuke, should we help Naruto?"
"Just three Chunin," Sasuke replied dismissively, then lazily shouted, "Hey, idiot, if you keep dragging this out, we're leaving without you!"
Naruto panicked, fighting while yelling, "Wait for me, you guys!"
The three Chunin battling Naruto were both frustrated and furious, thinking to themselves, That Uchiha kid is way too arrogant!
On a main road, three Chunin, each nursing wounds, caught their breath and said to Neji, "Congratulations, you've passed the screening test. You can continue the assessment!"
"As expected."
Muttering to himself, Neji bowed to the three Chunin, then turned and continued toward the Land of Hot Springs.
Lee and Tenten also bowed before hurriedly catching up with Neji.
Within a几十-mile radius east of the village, similar battles were unfolding. Some student teams defeated the screening Chunin or earned their approval, while others were easily defeated, losing their chance to continue the assessment.
As the screening Chunin teams reported back, the Hokage Building began tallying the number of student teams still in the assessment.
"Yakumo's team passed the screening test."
"Sasuke's team passed the screening test."
"Neji's team passed the screening test."
"Shikamaru's team passed the screening test."
"Hinata's team passed the screening test."
As the intelligence division shinobi reported, the number of teams that passed became clear. Of the dozens of teams, more than half had failed the screening test. Many students who had left the village eagerly were now returning dejectedly.
Listening to the reports, the Third Hokage and the three advisory elders showed no surprise, as this outcome was clearly within their expectations.
At that moment, Koharu Utatane suddenly asked, "What about Shinji's team?"
"Uh…" The intelligence shinobi checked the reports from the Chunin teams and replied, "No news yet!"
The Third Hokage's voice turned stern. "Find out!"
Swish, swish, swish.
With a gust of wind, several Anbu landed in a forest.
Before them, the three Chunin tasked with screening Shinji's team lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. Not far away, a distress flare was lodged in a tree stump, already ignited.
One Anbu checked the unconscious Chunin and quickly reported to the leader, "Confirmed—this is the Chunin team assigned to screen Shinji's team!"
"They're still unconscious after being knocked out?"
The Anbu leader's expression was strange.
While other screening Chunin teams had quickly recovered even after encountering trouble, this team had been lying here, unconscious for who-knows-how-long.
If not for that distress flare, it might have taken another hour for anyone to notice.
Upon inspecting the ignited flare, the Anbu discovered, based on its serial number, that it belonged to Uchiha Shinji.