Hiro stood in formation, lined up alongside the other recruits of the Summoner Corps, his fingers tightening slightly around the small, cylindrical fre he had been handed. The sky above was clear, the crisp morning air carrying the distant chirp of birds and the rustling of leaves. The wilderness loomed ahead, an expanse of dense forests and rolling hills that would serve as their battleground for the next four days.

  Survival training had begun.

  Shigeto Sarutobi stood before them, his sharp eyes scanning the group as he began speaking. “For the next four days, you will rely on your summons for everything. Food, water, shelter, and protection—your success will depend on how well you work together. This is not only a survival test for you, but a test of your retionship with your summons.”

  Hiro listened intently. He already had faith in Chūta and Yamiha, but this was an entirely different challenge. He wouldn’t just be working with them—he would be depending on them.

  Shigeto continued, “Each of you has been given a survival fre. If at any point you find yourself in a situation you cannot handle—whether from injury, exhaustion, or failure to sustain yourself—you are to light the fre, and an instructor will retrieve you.” His gaze hardened. “There is no shame in using it. However, know that how long you st and how well you adapt will determine how quickly you advance within the Summoner Corps. Your ability to rely on your summons efficiently will set you apart.”

  The weight of the challenge settled over the group. Hiro could feel the nervous energy radiating from some of the recruits, but he also saw excitement—especially from those who had received summoning contracts just the day before.

  He gnced around, observing the new summons among the group. Most of the non-cn shinobi had contracted with ninken, but there was a surprising variety among them.

  A boy with short brown hair, who Hiro recognized as one of the older academy students, crouched next to a sleek bck and tan ninken with piercing yellow eyes. The dog gave an occasional low growl, its ears twitching at every sound. Another recruit, a girl with long auburn hair, proudly dispyed her hawk summon, which perched on her arm, its sharp gaze scanning its surroundings with a quiet intensity.

  Further down the line, Hiro spotted a pair of Uchiha recruits standing side by side, each with a crow resting on their shoulders. The birds fpped their wings occasionally, their beady eyes darting between the group members. Crows were known for their intelligence and their ability to deliver messages over long distances—perfect for reconnaissance.

  One recruit, a boy with wild, untamed hair, had summoned a rge cat with sleek gray fur and sharp golden eyes. The feline stretched zily, clearly unimpressed with its surroundings, but its muscles were lean and taut beneath its fur. Hiro imagined it would be a formidable tracker.

  Despite the variety, Hiro knew that summoning a creature wasn’t enough. This wasn’t just about having a summon—it was about forming a partnership. And that was what this test was about.

  Shigeto csped his hands behind his back. “Your summons will take the lead in most tasks. Over half of your survival efforts must be carried out by them alone. You will not simply be surviving—you will be proving your ability to trust, command, and coordinate with your summons without direct interference.”

  Murmurs spread through the ranks. Some looked confident. Others—especially those who had only received their summons yesterday—looked uncertain.

  Hiro took a slow breath. He had been working with his summons for years, but even he wasn’t sure how well he’d fare if he wasn’t allowed to assist them directly.

  Shigeto raised a hand. “The test begins now. You will each be assigned a location and released in waves to ensure minimal overp. Your task is to st four days. Use your summons wisely.”

  The first wave was called, and several recruits jogged toward the treeline, disappearing into the foliage. The second wave followed soon after.

  Then—Hiro’s name was called.

  He rolled his shoulders, feeling the weight of expectation rather than supplies, and gnced at Chūta, who twitched his nose in anticipation, and Yamiha, who remained eerily still on his shoulder. He gave them a small nod before stepping forward, crossing the threshold into the forest.