Although some words were left unsaid, because he didn't want to hurt those children's hearts.
Uchiha Itachi, hearing this, leapt into the training squad. The others, helpless, had no choice but to drop down from the treetops and join in too.
This only deepened their dissatisfaction. In their minds, all this suffering on the road was because of Hyuga Shigeo.
If he weren't too weak and dragging everyone down, Might Guy-sensei wouldn't have forced physical training. The reasoning was clear: unless they improved themselves, how could they be expected to pull along that blind Shigeo in a crucial moment? That's why Guy wanted to raise their stamina—his fault, all his fault.
But the truth was…
"Hey, why are you all falling behind again? Push harder! Look at Shigeo, always at the front—are you really giving up already? Come on!" Guy's hot-blooded encouragement was something not many could endure.
The others were exhausted beyond belief, while Shigeo's breathing was steady, his expression calm. Compared to him, they were like bedraggled roosters, longing to collapse to the ground and rest, even too tired to keep up their constant taunts.
At last, after three days, the group reached the Land of Waterfalls. At the same time, other squads from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure arrived. Even Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Takigakure sent children to participate, though the smaller villages brought only a handful.
This exam was initiated by Iwagakure, with the Land of Waterfalls providing the venue.
Because Takigakure's location was too hidden, the matches weren't held there. Instead, the chosen site was the northernmost great city of the Land of Waterfalls: Martial City.
Inside Martial City, it was lively beyond compare, throngs of people filling the streets.
Not only Waterfall citizens, but civilians from neighboring lands—the Land of Fire, Land of Earth, even the Land of Snow—had come from afar just to watch this grand contest.
After decades of the Third Shinobi World War leaving people battered and weary, the world had known little festivity. Even though the Land of Waterfalls, being neutral, saw little fighting, there had been no major public event in years.
Now, this exam—meant to commemorate one year since the war's end—was, for the ninja world, an unprecedented occasion.
"So, who do you think will win?" On the bustling streets, it was the only topic of conversation.
"I'd bet on the Cloud ninja. Their fighting power was terrifying in the war!" someone said.
"No, I think the Leaf will win. Even if it's only children competing, the Fire Country always produces geniuses. We might see something unexpected!"
"Hey, look—ninjas!"
Every time shinobi passed, the crowd couldn't help but stare in awe, like they were witnessing idols.
For safety, Iwagakure shinobi also helped oversee the event, and they had already been preparing Martial City for a month. Though Takigakure lacked numbers, the cooperation made everything highly organized.
The Konoha team reported at the reception desk, then were assigned lodgings. After a day's rest, the next morning they all gathered at the arena for pre-match arrangements.
The massive round stadium, as large as ten sports fields, was centered by a grand dais for dignitaries. The surrounding tiered stands were empty now, for this was only rehearsal—the official matches would start tomorrow.
Of course, only the final individual battle would be held here.
From afar, Shigeo already spotted several familiar figures: Sunagakure's Temari, Takigakure's Seven-Tails jinchūriki Fū, Iwagakure's Deidara, and Kumogakure's Two-Tails jinchūriki Nii Yugito.
Shigeo's heart leapt with excitement—this trip was worth it. To encounter two jinchūriki at once? That would save him plenty of trouble.
And Nii Yugito… she was beautiful. Her refined face, her long golden braid, her deep black eyes—she stood with calm dignity, surveying the crowd.
After attendance was checked, the host stepped forward to announce:
"Everyone, listen carefully! Tomorrow morning you will first assemble here to greet the spectators, and then the matches begin. From this arena, you will proceed to the battlefield.
The first exam will be conducted in three-person teams. But the teams will not be formed by village—they will be mixed by lottery!
The location: the northern mountain canyon. Three treasure boxes—gold, silver, and bronze—are hidden inside. Whichever team secures a box and reaches the far ridge first will be the winners.
I repeat: teams will be formed by lottery, not by village. Now, step forward to draw lots."
The announcement immediately stirred protest.
"What? Shouldn't we team up with our own village? Why must we mix with others?"
Both students and mentors voiced dissatisfaction.
At this, a high-ranking minister chosen personally by the Waterfall Daimyō stepped forth:
"Friends, what is the purpose of this exam? Is it not to eliminate division, to promote understanding and friendship?
The war's pain is still fresh. None of us wish for another. To show goodwill, the first round will be mixed teams. This way, we learn more about each other, and remove some distrust. Never forget—the true purpose of this exam is peace. We ask for your cooperation."
His words left no rebuttal. Though the past could not be erased with a single contest, taking a first step was already progress.
Thus, all accepted. Each child stepped forward to draw, forming teams by matching numbers.
Hyuga Shigeo drew a 3. Uchiha Itachi drew a 5.
"Shame. I was hoping to team with you," Itachi remarked.
Shigeo smirked: "If I were on your team, I'd just stand back and let you carry me, then grab on at the finish line."
"Lazy," Itachi muttered, rolling his eyes.
"No, not lazy—useless. Weak!" other Konoha students sneered aloud.
Even though Shigeo had outpaced them in physical training, in their eyes he was still the same blind weakling.
"Whoever's stuck with him is cursed. Glad it's not me—I drew 12!"
"Lucky me, I drew 6! Not with him either."
(End of Chapter)
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