The Third Hokage’s residence.

  "Lord Third, it seems you don’t o worry about Kyoichi anymore. You might o worry about my daughter and Asuma instead…"

  Yūhi Shinku’s expression was plicated.

  Kyoichi was indeed remarkable!

  The "test" hadn't even officially started, yet he had already set up various psychological challenges. It was even mrueling thahird Hokage’s bell-grabbing exercise.

  Pass?

  What a joke!

  If Shisui and Kurenai chose not to participate, all three of them would be sent back to the Academy.

  “Haha, Shinku, don’t worry so much. You o have faith in your child. Look at me—Asuma’s in this, a I’m perfectly calm.”

  The Third Hokage ughed heartily, taking a puff of his pipe. In front of him was a crystal ball dispying the se of Kyoichi with Shisui, Asuma, and Kurenai.

  Indeed, Kyoichi ulling no punches.

  The psychological tests he designed aimed to assess their uanding and reition of their teammates. If they couldn’t pass this stage, they weren’t fit to be shinobi.

  Of course, not everyone would view things this way, but Kyoichi’s iions seemed clear.

  “You’re right, Lord Third. My stems from care.”

  Shinku nodded, attempting to reassure himself.

  He wao trust his daughter’s judgment. However, as for the Uchiha kid…

  He wasn’t as optimistic.

  The Uchiha was often distant from the rest of the vilge.

  Yet…

  In the moment, his worries proved unnecessary.

  “We’ll take the test!”

  “Of course we will…”

  “T-Thank you!”

  Asuma bowed deeply. He didn’t know the specifics, but he uood ohing—based oeacher’s words, Shisui and Kurenai were only participating iest because of him.

  “So, all of you want to proceed?”

  Kyoichi’s tone gre, and his gaze carried a hint of menace, pressing down orio.

  Their expressions wavered, but none of them retreated.

  “Very well. You have until this sand timer runs out. If you ’t nd a hit on me, everyo Shisui will be sent back to the Academy.”

  Kyoichi smiled and pulled out a sand timer, flipping it over.

  Whoosh—

  In an instant, all three disappeared using the Body Flicker Teique.

  Not bad… At least they’re not fools.

  Kyoichi stretched zily, strolling leisurely toward the forest. If they had fronted him head-on, he would have seriously sidered sending all three back to the Academy for retraining.

  ---

  “Time is short. For now, let’s make Shisui the temporary leader. What’s the pn for hand signals and tactics?”

  Kurenai spoke up, reizing that she wasn’t cut out to lead.

  However…

  Asuma clearly washer.

  That left Shisui as their only option.

  “Me?”

  Shisui was stunned. He was only five years old, and now he was being thrust into the role of temporary captain…

  The pressure was immense!

  But…

  Taking a deep breath, he quickly collected his thoughts.

  Let’s stick to the police force’s methods!

  “Hand signals will be simple gestures. I’ll expin a few basics. As for tactics, you two will engage him directly while I move around for an opening. Don’t worry about hurting Sensei—”

  “Worry? I’m more worried we ’t hurt him.”

  Asuma smiled bitterly. He just didn’t want to be the one dragging them down.

  “Alright, that’s settled. Let’s set up some traps first. Later, we’ll use genjutsu to create an opening and assess the situation from there. Once we engage, we ’t hesitate or think about retreating.”

  Both Shisui and Kurenai excelled isu, so it was an indispensable part of their strategy.

  As for withdrawing to evade Kyoichi…

  They knew better than to think they could outmaneuver a jonin like him. That would be pure fantasy.

  “Not bad. They’re anized.”

  Kyoichi smiled faintly.

  Among the trio, Kurenai was responsible for sensing and scouting, while the other two haactical discussions. As he walked through the forest, he hadn’t spotted their whereabouts.

  Of course, that was because Kyoichi wasn’t trying too hard.

  If he truly wao locate them, one chakra-sensing sweep would suffice.

  This was a test, not an actual assassination.

  Like a cat pying with mice, it was meant to be gradual ahodical.

  As he wahrough the woods, Kyoichi’s path seemed to align perfectly with the dire Shisui’s team had retreated.

  Asuma gripped his kunai tightly, his palms already sweaty.

  Even though Kyoichi hadn’t acted yet and wasn’t even close, the sense of impending danger loomed, shrinking their breathing room with every step.

  “Should we act?”

  Kurenai signaled.

  However…

  Shisui quickly stopped her.

  Now wasn’t the time. Ag now would only lead to certain failure!

  They needed a better opportunity.

  Kyoichi tinued his leisurely stroll, closing in step by step.

  Eventually, Kurenai became his first target, her positioably exposed as she tried to withdraw.

  “Go!”

  “Demonic Illusion: Tree Bindih!”

  Kurenai immediately formed hand seals, activating her genjutsu.

  Kyoichi froze in pce, seemingly caught in the illusion.

  Seizing the moment, Shisui joined Asuma, and the two performed their seals in tandem. Moments ter, a massive fireball engulfed Kyoichi’s position, amplified by a Wind Release teique.

  “Above!”

  Kurenai’s voice came through immediately.

  The illusion had been dispelled!

  Kyoichi’s new positio her stunned.

  Substitution Jutsu?

  Too fast!

  Asuma was dumbfounded. At this speed, was there really any ce they could nd a hit?

  “Scatter!”

  Shisui shouted, a swift retreat.

  But Kyoichi closed the distan a fsh. Asuma barely mao raise his kunai before Kyoichi’s immerength sent him flying.

  In mid-air, Asuma hastily executed a substitution, narrowly avoiding further injury.

  Too fast!

  Shisui threw down a smoke bomb to cover their retreat. However, Kyoichi didn’t pursue. Instead, he began f hand seals.

  “Water Release: Water Wall!”

  A massive wall of water rose, enclosing the area and cutting off Kurenai’s escape route.

  From his hidden vantage point, Yūhi Shinku eechless.

  “This Water Wall… it’s ridiculous!”

  The range alone could encircle the Hokage building. There was no way anyone could escape if they hesitated even slightly.

  Kurenai panicked. Despite her best efforts to retreat, she was still isoted.

  “As a support ninja, you must always be mindful of your position and safety in battle. Remember, the enemy’s first target will often be you.”

  Whoosh—

  Kyoichi’s kick came swiftly, f Kurenai to use substitution to evade.

  Yet, before she could react further, a kunai appeared at her neck.

  “You’re out.”

  Water trickled down as the Water Wall dissipated.

  Asuma and Shisui, who had started to return, froze upon seeing the se and quickly retreated.

  But…

  “Sword Teique: Iaido Ssh!”

  In an instant, Kyoichi closed the gap, his bde grazing Asuma’s shoulder with the blunt edge before he could eve.

  Now, only Shisui was left.

  “Now for the Genjutsu segment…”

  Sword light fshed. Shisui’s vision blurred as dizziness overtook him.

  A genjutsu?

  He quickly dispelled it, but when his vision cleared, Kyoichi’s bde was already at his throat.

  The gap was overwhelming!

  “Well, I’m unscathed, which means you didn’t plete the mission. Kurenai, Asuma, you’ll o return to the Academy.

  Unless… Shisui, you’re willing to give up your spot. If so, I might sider giving you three a sed ce.”

  Kyoichi’s smile was serene, but the atmosphere was suffog.

  The gap was too vast.

  So this is the power of a jonin…

  Gcell