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The Ninja Academy's make-up exam soon began. Iruka, the chunin teacher, led the students from his class to a training ground, an arena used for ninja sparring, which Iruka had borrowed. Scanning his class, Iruka was the kind of teacher who... cared for all his students, whether they were underachievers or top students. He didn't discriminate.
He adjusted his clothes. Iruka slowly exhaled, mentally organizing what he wanted to say next. A moment later, he spoke: "Because an unexpected incident occurred last time, the final exam couldn't proceed smoothly."
"This month, we'll have a make-up exam. This month, there will be no theoretical knowledge test, no courage training, and no psychological fortitude test." He said with a smile, "Today's make-up exam content is practical combat training!"
As soon as Iruka's words fell, the little brats erupted in an uproar. Combat... training!! Although they were all Ninja Academy students, because they were still in their third year, they hadn't reached the age for practical combat training. So, normally, there wouldn't be much practical combat training. Yet now, Iruka-sensei was going to conduct a practical combat test. Using this practical combat test as the make-up exam!
Many little brats' faces showed excitement. Especially the little boys. Of course, some were also aloof. "Combat... combat... It seems this time, I'm destined to repeat the year..." Hinata's mental state was a bit low. If it were a theoretical exam... she would have some confidence. After all, in terms of ninja theory, she was definitely an academic ace. She could easily rattle off a string of theories, and it wouldn't even be a problem for her, a nine-year-old girl, to write related essays. But she had never encountered practical combat training. She felt that this time, she might have to repeat the year, and the chances were very high.
Noticing the little girl's thoughts, Liu Chen shook his head and chuckled wryly: "Since you don't need to worry about this make-up exam, with your physique, you far surpass your peers now, even surpassing adults." "Under these circumstances, a practical combat assessment will be very beneficial for you."
Hinata snapped out of her downcast state. A glimmer of hope rose in her heart. She couldn't help but ask timidly, "Guardian Spirit Brother... can I really pass the make-up exam?! I usually... usually just watch others fight from afar..." In the original Naruto work, Hinata, as a child, was indeed like this. Her heart was a bit too kind, and her personality wasn't firm enough. It was only during the Chunin Exams, when she fought Neji Hyuga, that she began to completely change, undergoing a 180-degree transformation in personality. This might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it was roughly like that.
Hinata, who hadn't experienced that transformation, now showed no timidity. This was already thanks to Liu Chen's good teaching these past few days. Her personality was Hinata's biggest flaw, but fortunately, it could be slowly changed. Anyway, Liu Chen wasn't in a hurry... he had plenty of time!
Just as Liu Chen was about to say something, Iruka's voice echoed again: "This is a practical combat assessment. The area beneath my feet is an arena. Our rules are the same as ordinary arena challenges." "However, the only difference is... all of you are the defenders, and I am the challenger! If you can last fifteen minutes, then congratulations... all of you can smoothly advance to fourth year." "But if you can't last fifteen minutes, then all of you will have to repeat the year."
"..." After Iruka finished speaking, the entire field erupted in an uproar again. After all, Iruka-sensei was a chunin! Although not a particularly powerful chunin, among the twenty to thirty Ninja Academy students present, there wasn't even a single genin. Even if they had a numerical advantage, they couldn't possibly defeat Iruka-sensei, could they?! Of course, the above thought... was merely the thought of ordinary students.
However, a few individuals looked eager to try. For example: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki... Quite a few students had their own pride. Of course, Naruto was an exception; he was purely... overly confident. He didn't know where his confidence came from.
"Iruka-sensei!" Shikamaru Nara, with a pineapple ponytail and lifeless, dead fish eyes, suddenly raised his hand and spoke: "You are a chunin, and we don't even have a single genin. We probably can't even last ten minutes." "This arena challenge seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?!" Iruka shook his head: "I won't be humble, you are the most excellent class I have ever taught. The teacher believes you have this ability." Iruka had said it to this extent. Shikamaru also knew that saying too much was useless. After all, it was the teacher's decision... What could he, a student, say?! He could only wear a helpless expression, secretly muttering, "What a drag."
"If we can hold on for fifteen minutes, is that all? If I can't even hold on for fifteen minutes, what right do I have to find that man?" Sasuke Uchiha's face showed no expression. Ever since his clan was massacred, his face rarely showed a smile... he had almost never smiled. A hint of fighting intent flashed in his eyes. He looked eager to try. Before becoming a genin, being able to fight a chunin was a very rare opportunity. It was a good chance to see where his own level stood.
Iruka observed the various expressions on the students' faces. He felt a hint of relief in his heart. After all, these children in front of him were his students. His students would not fear any battle, nor would they fear any powerful enemy. Nothing made him more relieved than this.
"Then, now... the countdown begins!!"