After two days of rest, Sasuke's team rejoined the assessment, but the delay had set them back significantly.
By a small river, Sasuke and Naruto were resting after a day of gathering intelligence. Soon, Sakura returned from Kakashi, their proctor, with an updated wanted list.
The wanted list was updated daily, with captured targets crossed out to prevent teams from wasting effort.
"Sasuke, here's the latest list."
Sakura handed the updated list to Sasuke, a hint of worry in her eyes.
Taking the list, Sasuke's face darkened as he saw the numerous crosses marking captured targets.
The assessment was in its latter half, and the number of targets on the list was dwindling. Each cross represented a target already taken by other teams, and the days of delay had cost Sasuke's team dearly!
With a cold expression, Sasuke asked, "How many points do we have now?"
Sakura replied, "327 points."
Sasuke turned to her. "Have you heard about the other teams' scores?"
Sakura nodded hesitantly. "I asked Kakashi-sensei. As of this morning, Yakumo's team has 473 points, Neji's team has 440 points, and Shikamaru's team has 319 points."
"That big a gap…"
Naruto scratched his head.
They were nearly 150 points behind Yakumo's team. It seemed like capturing two Jonin-level rogue shinobi could close the gap, but with so few Jonin-level targets left—many having fled the Land of Hot Springs—securing one was now incredibly difficult.
Chunin-level targets were worth only 10 to 20 points, meaning they'd need to capture eight to ten to catch up to Yakumo's team.
Neji's team was also over 100 points ahead, and Shikamaru's team was nipping at their heels, ready to overtake them at any moment.
Staring at the list, Sasuke frowned. "Something's off with these points! The total points on the list add up to thousands, but our teams combined barely reach a thousand. Did most of the targets really escape the Land of Hot Springs?"
Pausing, he added, "By the way, what about Shinji's team's points? Why didn't you mention them?"
Sakura quickly explained, "I asked Kakashi-sensei, but he said there's an issue with Shinji's team's point tally. It's being re-verified because the number is unusually high."
Sasuke mused, "Even if Shinji's points are close to ours, and we account for the other active teams, the numbers still don't add up!"
Sakura suggested, "Maybe a lot of the targets really did flee the Land of Hot Springs!"
Naruto jumped up. "Then we've gotta hurry!"
Sasuke stood as well. "Right. The only Jonin-level target left on the list is Mizuyan, the rogue shinobi from the Hidden Waterfall Village! He's our target. Let's move!"
"No, the points are wrong!" Yakumo shook her head. "There are so few targets left on the list, but the team scores don't add up!"
Shion, seeming to catch on, asked, "Did you check on Shinji's team's points?"
Yakumo nodded slightly. "Shinji's team isn't to be underestimated—how could I overlook them? But Tsunade-sensei said their point tally is under review because it's suspiciously high."
"That explains it," Shion thought to herself.
Knowing Shinji's true identity, she was certain this high-stakes assessment was child's play for him.
Kimimaro suddenly asked, "Is Sasuke okay?"
Yakumo replied, "Yeah, I heard his injuries have healed some, and he's back in the assessment."
Kimimaro fell silent, returning to his usual reserved demeanor.
Shion suggested, "Let's not sit around. We need to take down the remaining targets on the list!"
She left unsaid, At least we need to secure second place!
Yakumo nodded in agreement. "Right, our first place isn't secure yet. We can't slack off! Next target: Mizuyan, the rogue shinobi from the Hidden Waterfall Village!"
Swish, swish, swish.
Neji's team was moving through the forest.
Tenten said, "Neji, the target should be just ahead! If we catch him, we can close the gap with Yakumo's team even further!"
Lee clenched his fist. "Awesome!"
Neji's face lit up with excitement.
He had played this assessment steadily, leveraging his Byakugan's advantage to keep pace with Yakumo's team. Capturing Mizuyan today could push their points past Yakumo's, claiming first place.
Boom, boom, boom.
Suddenly, explosions echoed from ahead.
Tenten and Lee were startled, looking to Neji.
Neji activated his Byakugan, focusing intently. After a few moments, he said gravely, "Trouble—it's Shikamaru's team!"
Soon, the three broke through the forest, their view clearing to reveal the battlefield ahead.
On the battlefield, Shikamaru's team and Hinata's team were working together, surrounding a rogue shinobi—their target, Mizuyan from the Hidden Waterfall Village!
On the battlefield, "Damn you Hidden Leaf brats, don't think I won't kill you!"
Under siege by the two teams, Mizuyan fought while retreating, looking disheveled.
Shikamaru directed the two teams, blocking Mizuyan's escape, but the target's strength prevented them from taking him down despite several aggressive pushes.
Suddenly, Shikamaru seemed to realize something and shouted, "No good—he's trying to reach the river! Choji, Kiba, stop him!"
Though unsure why, Choji and Kiba trusted Shikamaru's judgment implicitly, moving to block Mizuyan's path.
Mizuyan's expression shifted.
He had been holding back, feigning fear of the Hidden Leaf to lull the academy students, planning to reach a water source and unleash a slaughter to escape. He hadn't expected a kid like Shikamaru to see through his plan, and it infuriated him.
"Hmph, since you've seen through me, I'll take you all out right here!"
Mizuyan stopped retreating, taking a stance.
Seeing his confidence, Shikamaru muttered to himself, "Damn, he was faking it all along. We're not about to mess this up, are we?"