The announcement came during morning drills.
Students had just finished their endurance runs across the training yard when Instructor Tetsuya blew a sharp whistle that cut through the noise.
"Gather."
The class formed a loose line in front of him, many still catching their breath.
The morning air carried the cool scent of rain and stone, typical of Kumogakure's mountain climate.
Tetsuya unrolled a scroll in his hand.
"Beginning next week," he said calmly, "the academy will begin its seasonal tactical evaluation."
That caught everyone's attention.
Students straightened immediately.
These evaluations were rare.
They weren't simply classroom tests.
They were events the instructors used to determine which students were progressing fastest.
Daigo leaned slightly toward Raizen.
"This sounds important."
"It probably is."
Tetsuya continued.
"You will be placed in temporary squads and given a series of simulated missions."
He gestured toward the distant forest beyond the academy walls.
"Reconnaissance."
"Escort."
"Territory control."
Each word raised the energy among the students.
"This is not a competition of strength alone," Tetsuya added.
"Strategy, awareness, and teamwork will determine success."
He paused briefly.
"Your results will influence your future training placements."
That line landed heavily.
Because everyone knew what it meant.
Students who performed well began receiving advanced instruction earlier.
Strategy Hall That Night
The Strategy Hall was louder than usual that evening.
Every table was occupied.
Students leaned over terrain models debating tactics, arguing about formations, and occasionally accusing each other of cheating.
Daigo slammed a small wooden marker onto the table.
"You can't just hide in the forest the whole time!"
Raizen calmly moved another piece across the miniature terrain.
"I'm not hiding."
"You literally haven't moved for five turns."
"That's patience."
Across from them, Kaito studied the map quietly.
"Ambushes are most effective when the enemy believes they have control."
Daigo pointed at him.
"See? That's what he's doing!"
Akari walked past carrying a bundle of practice arrows.
"You're losing again, aren't you?"
Daigo groaned.
"This game is rigged."
Workshop Progress
Meanwhile, the academy workshop had become Akari's second home.
She spent several afternoons there refining her bow.
The workshop instructor, an older craftsman named Hirose, occasionally offered advice while pretending not to watch too closely.
"Your grip still favors the right side," he muttered one afternoon.
Akari adjusted it slightly.
"Like this?"
"Better."
She tested the bowstring tension again.
Across the room Raizen examined several different arrowheads laid across the workbench.
"You'll want lighter heads if you're aiming for distance."
Akari looked up.
"How do you know that?"
Raizen shrugged.
"Physics."
Hirose chuckled quietly behind them.
"That boy notices everything."
The Forest Edge
Late that evening Raizen walked alone along the outer edge of the academy grounds.
Beyond the stone wall stretched a dense mountain forest used for training exercises.
Mist drifted between the trees as night approached.
Inside his mind Astra spoke softly.
"Environmental conditions suitable for stealth training."
Raizen smiled slightly.
"You're encouraging bad habits."
"Correction: encouraging efficiency."
He stepped lightly along the forest trail, practicing silent movement.
Leaves barely shifted beneath his feet.
Branches avoided his shoulders by instinct.
Somewhere nearby, another set of footsteps moved through the trees.
Light.
Controlled.
Raizen stopped.
The other person stepped into view moments later.
Kairo.
They stood there quietly for a moment.
Neither seemed surprised.
"You train out here too," Kairo said.
Raizen shrugged.
"Sometimes."
Kairo glanced toward the forest.
"Good place to listen."
"Listen to what?"
Kairo tilted their head slightly.
"The mountain."
For a moment neither spoke.
The wind rustled through the trees.
Far away thunder rolled across the cliffs.
Then Kairo stretched lazily.
"Well."
They started walking back toward the academy.
"Try not to get lost."
Raizen watched them disappear between the trees.
Inside his mind Astra noted calmly:
"Subject displays territorial awareness behavior."
Raizen smirked.
"Cat habits."
Quiet Evening
Back in the dorm room, Daigo was already half buried in blankets when Raizen returned.
"You missed dinner."
"I ate earlier."
Ren glanced up from a book.
"They announced squad assignments tomorrow."
Daigo suddenly sat up.
"Oh right."
He looked between them.
"You think we'll stay on the same team?"
Raizen sat down near the window again.
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters!"
Daigo flopped back onto his pillow.
"I refuse to lose because of bad teammates."
Ren closed his book calmly.
"Then train harder."
The room fell quiet again.
Outside, clouds drifted slowly across the night sky above Kumogakure.
Inside the dorm, three academy students prepared for sleep.
Tomorrow the academy would take another step forward.
And the evaluations would begin soon enough.