Naruto: Teaching to Become Stronger, Changing Tragedies 87

Chapter 87: Individual Scores (Subscription Request)

2025-01-18

Chapter 87: Individual Scores (Subscription Request)

“Next, Heijou Raidou.” Mukugetsu called out the student’s name, signaling them to come forward for the exam.

Heijou Raidou quickly moved to the designated testing area and performed an earth release Ninja Technique. He then swiftly drew his kunai (short bladed throwing knives) and displayed a series of sharp taijutsu (martial arts) moves. He rapidly threw three shuriken (throwing stars) at a target fifty meters away. Although he didn’t hit the bullseye with all three, they all found their mark.

Next, Heijou Raidou ran towards a tree and moved across it with ease, his chakra adhesion exceptionally stable. Even when stepping on water, he withstood the waves from a water dragon bullet without falling.

Mukugetsu pondered for a moment, then gave Heijou Raidou the following scores: Ninjutsu – seven points, Hand Seals – 7.5 points, Taijutsu – 8.7 points, Shurikenjutsu (shuriken throwing) – six points, Chakra Control – 7.8 points.

Heijou Raidou had a solid foundation, and his taijutsu was excellent, but other areas needed improvement. Mukugetsu used a higher grading standard for Group A students, different from the one used during group assignments.

“Uchiha Obito,” Mukugetsu continued, calling the next student’s name.

“Too bad Rin is in Group B. If only she were in Group A,” Obito thought as he approached Mukugetsu and greeted her.

After facing Mukugetsu’s taijutsu challenge, the exam seemed incredibly easy to Obito. He regretted that he couldn’t let Yahara Rin witness his impressive performance.

“Great Fireball Technique!” Obito decisively used his most proficient Fire Release technique, unleashing a four-meter-high Great Fireball, a truly terrifying sight.

Since Mukugetsu had helped him improve the Great Fireball Technique, Obito had been using this more visually impressive version, even though it consumed more chakra.

“Damn, are the current Ninja Academy students this strong?” Heijou Raidou was astonished by Obito’s impressive Fire Release.

It seemed even more powerful than Uchiha Shisui’s Great Fireball from last time. Were all the Uchiha clan students monsters?

“It feels even stronger than Asma’s Fire Release,” Sarutobi Hiashi nodded in agreement.

“His Fire Release is all flash and no substance; it can’t hit anyone,” Sarutobi Asma interjected, surprised that Hiashi thought his technique was lacking.

“The Great Fireball Technique is slow and can’t change direction. It’s usually used as a feint,” Asma explained.

Asma could still comment on Obito’s Great Fireball based on his understanding of Fire Release, but he was speechless after seeing Obito’s subsequent performances. Obito excelled in every area, showing no particular weaknesses.

“Might Guy.”

When called upon, Might Guy followed the procedure and started with Ninjutsu, but he only mastered the three basic techniques (transformation, substitution, and shadow clone).

Finally, a student using only the three basic techniques! And not even particularly well! Heijou Raidou and Asma smiled, but their smiles froze the moment Guy demonstrated his taijutsu.

“Incredibly fast kicks! He’s even faster than Raidou,” Asma said, slightly troubled. He thought he had finally found a normal student, but it turned out to be someone incredibly specialized in one area.

Heijou Raidou remained silent; he felt he might not be able to win a pure taijutsu match against Might Guy.

Asma noticed some students remaining calm, as if they’d seen it all before. He approached them to inquire.

After asking around, Asma learned that Might Guy was the top student in his year (fourth year) and had even defeated Obito to secure that position.

Instantly, Asma felt that Might Guy could be even stronger than he had just shown.

“Uchiha Shisui.”

When Mukugetsu called Shisui’s name, the atmosphere instantly quieted, and the students eagerly watched him walk forward.

Since Shisui had defeated Heijou Raidou on the first day of summer training camp, everyone knew about this formidable student.

Asma didn’t bother watching Shisui anymore. He knew, without a doubt, that Shisui would be the strongest. After all, Shisui could easily defeat him.

As expected, Shisui’s performance in every exam was impeccable, easily surpassing everyone else.

“Sarutobi Asma.”

Asma heard his name at the worst possible moment.

Now that he was going to take the exam, everyone would inevitably compare him to Shisui. And that comparison wouldn’t be favorable.

But Asma wouldn’t run away. After a few seconds of hesitation, he went up.

If he couldn’t win, so be it. At least nobody knew about him boasting and then getting crushed.

As classes were ending, Mukugetsu finished scoring all the students, only needing to finalize the rankings before announcing the results.

“Will there be rewards?” Mukugetsu wondered as she ranked the students, already thinking about having frequent small and larger exams if rewards were involved.

The main objective was to exploit the system as much as possible.

As the class ended, Mukugetsu had everything organized.

She posted the finalized rankings and scores on a pre-prepared board and dismissed the class.

The students didn’t rush to leave the training ground; instead, they gathered around the notice board to check their scores.

“Only twenty-four points total…” Haruno Sakura scratched her head, dissatisfied.

In the Ninja Academy, her scores were usually above thirty-five.

Looking at the promotion list, she wasn’t surprised to see her name missing. Or rather, out of over three hundred students, only Ebisu had been promoted from Group B to Group A.

Nearby, Inuzuka Kiba and Akimichi Choji listened to Sakura without comment, as they hadn’t even broken twenty points. They too were soon drawn to the promotion list.

“Ebisu-sensei is truly a genius,” Choji said, admiring Ebisu even more upon seeing that he was the sole promotion.

“Indeed, to stand alone at the top is something to aspire to,” Kiba agreed.

“But once we perfect that technique this week, we’ll be the next Ebisu-sensei next week,” Choji declared confidently.

He was fully confident in his perfected misleading technique, believing he could sweep through the practical exam even with a low score.

Kiba shared the same thought, both displaying excited smiles.

“Choji and Kiba are becoming increasingly mysterious,” Sakura said, puzzled by their silly grins.

Asma squeezed through the crowd to glance at the Group A rankings. To his relief, he was third in the overall score, only behind Shisui and Obito.

“I need to train even harder this week,” Asma felt a strong sense of urgency.

Although Might Guy’s test scores were low, he was likely extremely strong in practical combat, having defeated Obito in the recent final exam. His teammate, Heijou Raidou, was also a similarly strong practical combatant.

Asma aimed to secure third place and possibly second in the practical exam; first place was currently beyond his reach.

(End of Chapter)

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