Seeing Shinji wave off the points so casually, Shizune and Ebisu's expressions grew even more peculiar.
Having just come from headquarters, they were well aware of the current point standings for the student teams.
Excluding Shinji's team, Yakumo's team, the highest scorer, had only 473 points, while weaker teams had as few as 20 or 30.
Yet Shinji's team had amassed over a thousand points, more than double Yakumo's second-place score. How could this not shock them?
Shock aside, the evidence was undeniable.
The bound, living rogue shinobi couldn't be faked. Suppressing her doubts, Shizune said to Shinji, "We'll take these rogue shinobi back to headquarters. The assessment isn't over, so keep up the eff—"
She swallowed the word "effort."
With such a massive lead and so few targets left on the wanted list, Shinji's team could probably do nothing for the rest of the assessment and still win!
The thought gave Shizune a headache.
This assessment was meant to select the next generation of seeds, and Tsunade had pinned high hopes on Yakumo, grooming her to become the village's core and potentially the first female Hokage, surpassing even Tsunade herself!
Everything had been going smoothly. Yakumo's performance was impeccable, commanding respect in every way, much like the Fourth Hokage's rise during the Third Shinobi World War.
But then Shinji came out of nowhere, throwing Shizune off balance.
"I need to inform Lady Tsunade quickly…"
Muttering to herself, Shizune escorted the rogue shinobi captured by Shinji's team back to headquarters, her mind heavy with thoughts.
In the distance, a figure lurked in the shadows of the trees, watching Shizune and the others leave with the rogue shinobi before vanishing with a whoosh.
Moments later, the figure arrived at a valley.
This valley was a temporary base for the Root operatives, and the figure spying from afar was one of their ninja.
Reporting back to the base, the Root ninja found their captain and said, "The headquarters team has left with the rogue shinobi. Rough estimates suggest Uchiha Shinji's team captured over 70, likely surpassing Kurama Yakumo's team, the current first-place holders!"
The captain's face hardened. "Seventy? That many?"
The scout nodded. "Yes, if not more!"
The captain made up his mind.
Other village advisors might sway the Uchiha, but Danzo, who orchestrated the Uchiha massacre, had no such option!
The Mangekyo Sharingan in his eye and the three-tomoe Sharingan on his arm represented the lives of countless Uchiha.
He had to eliminate Uchiha Shinji and Uchiha Sasuke before they could rise to the village's upper echelons.
Compared to Sasuke, who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Shinji—favored by Koharu Utatane—was the greater threat. His existence signaled a split among the advisors regarding the Uchiha survivors.
In Danzo's view, decisively eliminating Shinji first would force Koharu and Mitokado Homura to align with him again. Then, with the combined authority of the three advisors, they could deal with Sasuke.
Danzo hadn't ignored Sasuke either. He'd provided Orochimaru with intelligence, hoping to use him to eliminate Sasuke. But Orochimaru, with his own agenda, spared Sasuke instead.
Gathering all the Root members in the camp, the captain announced, "The time is ripe. Prepare to act according to the plan!"
"Understood!"
The assembled Root ninja responded in unison.
Soon, a Root ninja disguised as an Anbu approached Yamato's team, tasked with proctoring and protecting Shinji's team.
"A student team has been attacked. Headquarters orders all nearby Jonin teams to provide immediate support. Here's the order!"
The disguised Root ninja handed over a formal headquarters directive.
After inspecting the order and verifying the code, Yamato, puzzled, asked, "What about the student team I'm responsible for? Any arrangements from headquarters?"
"A temporary team will take over your duties shortly!" Pausing, the disguised Root ninja urged, "Time is critical. Move out now!"
Learning that headquarters had arranged a replacement team, Yamato didn't hesitate, leading his squad toward the distressed student team.
This temporary rescue protocol, established by headquarters, ensured timely support. With the order and code verified and time pressing, Yamato had no reason to suspect foul play.
Once Yamato's Jonin team left, the disguised Root ninja signaled to the forest behind him.
Swish, swish, swish.
Figures emerged from the trees, spreading out like a net, closing in on the cave where Shinji's team was located!
At headquarters, Jiraiya awaited Shizune's return, as only confirming Shinji's team's exact points would allow an update to the wanted list.
"What's Yamato up to? He reported that Uchiha Shinji's team captured 60 or 70 targets. How is that even possible?" Jiraiya muttered, shaking his head.
Just then, a communications ninja rushed to him. "Jiraiya-sama, urgent classified intelligence from the village!"
"Classified!?"
Jiraiya's usual carefree demeanor vanished. He grabbed the scroll marked "Classified" and turned to undo its seal.
Reading its contents, his pupils contracted, and he roared, "How dare he!"
The communications ninja jumped. "Jiraiya-sama, what's happened?"
Jiraiya shed his laid-back attitude, his Sannin aura erupting as he barked, "Notify everyone—halt the assessment! Activate the emergency support protocol. Order all Jonin teams near Uchiha Shinji's team to provide immediate backup!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The startled communications ninja hurried to relay the orders.
"Hopefully it's not too late!"
With a heavy sigh, Jiraiya packed his gear, preparing to lead a rescue team himself.