The training arena behind the Hokage Tower was quiet. Several jonin observers stood around the perimeter.
At the center stood the head examiner. Behind him were the three candidates.
Shinji.
Shisui Uchiha.
And Might Guy.
Guy stretched dramatically. "AH! THE FINAL TEST!"
He pointed toward the arena. "THE BATTLEFIELD OF YOUTH!"
Shinji rubbed the back of his neck. "You're going to yell the whole time, aren't you?"
Guy grinned. "ABSOLUTELY!"
Shisui chuckled quietly.
The examiner stepped forward. "This is the final stage of the Jonin Promotion Examination."
He gestured toward the arena. "You will each participate in a combat trial."
Guy cracked his knuckles. "Finally."
But the examiner raised a hand. "You will not be fighting each other."
"Then who?"
The examiner turned toward the arena. "Your opponent."
A figure stepped forward from the opposite gate. A flak jacket marked him clearly as a seasoned shinobi. Several old scars ran across his arms.
Shinji recognized him.
A veteran jonin who had fought during the war.
"This is a combat evaluation." "You are not expected to defeat him."
The jonin stepped into the arena calmly.
"You are expected to demonstrate the abilities of a jonin."
"Each of you will face him."
Guy grinned. "EXCELLENT!"
Shinji crossed his arms.
One opponent for all three tests.
Interesting.
The examiner looked toward the arena. "First candidate."
Guy immediately stepped forward. "YES!"
He marched confidently into the arena.
The jonin opponent studied him calmly.
"Try not to scream too much."
Guy pointed dramatically. "THE FLAMES OF YOUTH CANNOT BE SUPPRESSED!"
The examiner sighed.
"…Begin."
Guy exploded forward instantly. His speed surprised several of the observers.
CRACK.
His first kick smashed into the jonin's guard. The impact echoed across the arena. The jonin's eyes widened slightly.
Guy launched another strike. Then another. Taijutsu flowed rapidly as he unleashed a barrage of attacks.
His movements were explosive but precise.
The jonin countered smoothly, blocking and redirecting several strikes.
But Guy kept pressing forward. "YOUTH!"
Another kick slammed into the jonin's shoulder.
The veteran shinobi slid back slightly.
Guy grinned widely. "I WILL NOT HOLD BACK!"
He launched into a powerful jumping kick.
The jonin caught his leg mid-air.
Guy's eyes widened. "Uh oh."
The jonin threw him across the arena.
Guy rolled and landed on his feet. "AGAIN!"
The examiner raised his hand.
"Enough."
Guy froze. "…Already?"
The examiner nodded. "Step out."
Guy grinned proudly as he walked back. "THAT WAS GLORIOUS!"
Shinji muttered quietly. "You got thrown."
Guy pointed proudly. "BUT I ATTACKED FIRST!"
Shisui laughed. "That's true."
The examiner called the next name.
"Shisui Uchiha."
Shisui stepped calmly into the arena.
The jonin opponent studied him more carefully this time.
"I've heard about you."
Shisui shrugged. "Probably exaggerated."
The examiner raised his hand. "Begin."
Shisui vanished. Several jonin observers leaned forward. Shunshin.
He appeared behind the opponent instantly. The jonin barely blocked the incoming strike.
Shisui attacked again. And again. The jonin countered with a powerful sweep kick. Shisui jumped over it effortlessly. Then vanished again.
A moment later A kunai appeared at the jonin's throat.
The jonin slowly raised his hands. "Well done."
The examiner nodded. "Step out."
Guy stared at him. "THAT WAS AMAZING!"
Shinji nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Shisui shrugged. "Your turn."
The examiner looked at the final candidate.
"Shinji."
Shinji stepped into the arena.
The jonin opponent studied him carefully. "You're the one trained by Hiruzen."
The examiner raised his hand.
"Begin."
The jonin attacked first. A punch aimed straight for Shinji's chest. Shinji sidestepped calmly. The strike missed.
The jonin followed with a sweeping kick. Shinji jumped over it and landed lightly.
The jonin threw several shuriken. Shinji deflected them with quick movements.
The veteran shinobi smiled slightly. "Not bad."
He formed hand signs.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
A burst of fire shot across the arena.
Shinji moved instantly. He slammed his hand to the ground.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall."
Stone erupted upward.
The flames crashed against the barrier. The jonin burst through the smoke. Shinji was already moving.
Their fists collided.
CRACK.
Both shinobi slid back slightly.
Shinji reached into his pouch. Then paused.
Shinji lowered his hand. No. He didn't need that.
Instead he moved forward again. The two exchanged another flurry of strikes.
The jonin launched a heavy punch Shinji slipped past it. Then stopped.
His palm hovered inches from the jonin's throat. The jonin slowly exhaled. "Good control."
Shinji stepped back.
The examiner raised his hand. "Enough."
Guy leaned forward immediately. "WHY DIDN'T YOU USE YOUR SUMMON?!"
Shinji shrugged. "Didn't need it."
Shisui nodded. "Smart."
At the edge of the arena, the proctors gathered together. They spoke quietly among themselves. The head examiner finally turned back toward the candidates.
"The final stage is complete."
Guy leaned forward eagerly. "So?!"
The examiner folded his arms. "The results will be announced shortly."
Across the arena, Hiruzen watched the three young shinobi carefully. A faint smile crossed his face. Each of them In their own way Had shown what it meant to be a jonin.