"Sensei, were you summoned for a new mission?"

  Asuma's eyes lit up with excitement.

  Another B-rank mission? That would be amazing!

  "You went to see the Third Hokage again, didn't you?"

  Kurenai turned her head to look at Asuma.

  Asuma froze for a sed.

  Then, his face flushed, and he loudly refuted, "No way! I didn’t go st time either! He just gave it to me on his own!"

  "Hahaha..."

  The other shinobi in the mission hall burst into ughter.

  Asuma's little "rumor"—

  Most people had heard about it, though no one knew for sure if it was true.

  But…

  It probably was.

  After all, Asuma’s mission records had mysteriously gained another B-rary.

  Kyoichi patted Asuma's shoulder with a grin. "Rex, this has nothing to do with you this time."

  "It didn't st time either!"

  Asuma bristled.

  "Sure, sure..."

  Kurenai chuckled as she followed along.

  Shisui had been watg silently from the side.

  As he passed by Asuma, he murmured, "Even if you did, so what? If you're strong enough, you don’t o care what others say."

  With that, he quickly caught up with Kyoichi.

  Asuma was momentarily stunned.

  He khe truth.

  Of course, he had goo ask for a mission.

  But he didn’t want to admit it.

  Still, after hearing Shisui's words, he thought it over carefully…

  And it made sense.

  Yeah!

  Why should he care so much?

  If he got stronger, who could talk down to him?

  Power—

  That was what really mattered!

  Asuma ched his kunai tightly and strode into the hall with renewed determination.

  Kyoichi casually took on a k mission.

  A simple escort job, nothing too difficult. But this time, he made ohing clear to Asuma and the others—uhey were in mortal danger, he absolutely wouldn’t step in.

  Asuma’s response?

  Perfect!

  After two brushes with death, they were no lohe rookies they had been.

  A k mission was well within their capabilities now.

  And so, after meeting up with the mert caravan, Kyoichi fortably took a seat in the cart—

  While Asuma and the others had to run alongside it.

  Asuma was dumbfounded.

  Kyoichi, however, called it—

  "Training!"

  The mission proceeded smoothly.

  The enemies were a few rogue ninja, but Asuma and the others successfully repelled or elimihem.

  Ohe escort was plete, on the way back, Kyoichi taught them a new jutsu.

  Vacuum Wave—a B-rank teique.

  As for Kurenai, her main focus was still mediinjutsu.

  One of the rogue ninja had been severely wounded. Kyoichi had her attempt to heal him.

  She failed.

  But—

  It was still valuable experience.

  It wasn’t cruelty on Kyoichi’s part. These rogue ninja had attacked the caravan and looted i merts. If they weren’t treated, the caravan guards would have fihem off anyway.

  If Kurenai saved them, they might have a slim ce at survival.

  If not?

  Then so be it.

  Kyoichi wasn’t going to intervene.

  Kurenai felt terrible. But this was a lesson every mediinja had to face—

  Even Tsunade couldn’t save everyone.

  And Kyoichi had no iion of letting his student develop psychological trauma over it, like Tsunade had.

  ---

  After returning, they rested for a day.

  The m, Kyoichi took Shisui and the others out for another mission.

  Another k.

  No pints—

  As long as there were missions to take, he’d take them.

  After all…

  He didn’t have to do anything.

  He could research jutsu in peace while still getting a solid share of the rewards.

  Kurenai got to train her medical skills.

  And Asuma and Shisui?

  They were the ones doing all the work.

  But strangely enough—

  They didn’t feel exploited at all.

  Instead, they felt they were growing signifitly stronger.

  A win for everyone!

  A squad that never got injured had formed.

  But…

  The peaceful days didn’t st long.

  When they returo Konoha again—

  "Jonin Kyoichi, the Third Hokage has summoned you."

  "Ugh…"

  Great.

  It had to be something serious.

  After dismissing his students, Kyoichi made his way to the Hokage's office.

  Ihe feren—

  Several jōnin were already present, including Minato Namikaze.

  Seeing Kyoichi arrive, Minato subtly gestured at him.

  Kyoichi got the hint and stood o him.

  "What’s this about?" he asked quietly.

  "The in Exams," Minato replied in a low voice.

  Kyoichi uood immediately.

  The in Exams.

  That made sense.

  It had been two or three months since graduation. There was no major war at the moment, but one could break out at any time. They o speed up the promotion process fenin.

  And the only way to promote them—

  Was through the exam.

  Konoha’s education and promotion system was… too casual.

  Even if someone passed the exam, what then?

  Naruto won his exams and tour—

  And still wasn’t promoted.

  Meanwhile, Kakashi had already been a in at six years old.

  If he took the exam, it wouldn’t be fair to others.

  But if he didn’t—

  What about Obito and Rin?

  The Third Hokage expihe exam situation and then gnced around the room.

  "This year is special. Does anyone have any objes?"

  Kyoioticed—

  Whehird asked that, his gaze lingered on him the lo.

  He hesitated.

  Did the Hokage want his input?

  Or did he want him to stay silent?

  Either way, there was no be in speaking up.

  As he gnced around, Kyoioticed Minato’s expression wasn’t quite right.

  Sensing Kyoichi’s gaze, Minato leaned over and whispered, "I sensed when you returned. I suggested to the Third that he should ask for your opinion."

  "Ugh…"

  This guy just threw him uhe bus!

  Fine.

  The Third Hokage cleared his throat. "Kyoichi, you have a talent for education. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

  Kyoichi sighed.

  "Lord Hokage, I don’t have much to say—just a few questions."

  "Go ahead."

  The Third sat up straight, clearly intrigued.

  He believed the in Exams were fine as they were.

  Yet Kyoichi had several s?

  Was his exam design really that fwed?

  "A lot of this year’s genin have battlefield experience. Some teams even have in among them. If aire team petes together, wouldn’t that be unfair to the others?"

  "Uh…"

  The Third leaned back, deep in thought.

  Kyoichi’s point was obvious.

  Kakashi Hatake.

  Six years old and already a in.

  Now nine, his strength was on a pletely different level from the rest.

  "And?"

  "Also, do team-based battles truly measure an individual’s qualifications? Some fight their way through but don’t get promoted. Is that fair?"

  Kyoichi shrugged.

  A in wasn’t just a fighter—

  They had to be leaders.

  The Third fell silent.

  After a long pause, he sighed. "An exam ever be the same as real war. But you’ve raised important s. Do you have a solution?"

  "My suggestion—" Kyoichi said calmly, "is tanize all the teams. Force them to form new squads and take the exam with unfamiliar teammates. Then, promote those who demonstrate leadership potential."

  "Reanize…?"

  Minato and the other jōnin exged uain gnces.

  That would undo all their prior teamwork training!

  "Yes. Assign teams based on a banced system. Make them adapt to eammates. The the best leaders for promotion."

  Kyoichi expined his idea.

  The Third Hokage thought for a long time before asking, "Do you already have a full exam pn?"

  "No—"

  "Good. You’re in charge of designing this year’s in Exams. pleting it will t as an A-rank mission. If you need assistance, just ask—even me."

  The Third didn't buy it.

  Kyoichi definitely had a pn.

  This kid was holding back!

  Earlier, when asked if anyone had opinions, Kyoichi remained silent. But the moment he was called on, he raised a series of pointed questions that went straight to the core of the issue—along with a well-thought-out proposal.

  And now he cimed he didn’t have a plete pn?

  Who would believe that?

  Certainly not the Third Hokage!

  Gcell