Training Ground No. 17.
When Nara Shikaku saw the bells hanging at the waist of the white-haired ninja in front of him, something suddenly clicked in his mind. Back when they had been chatting casually, they had once discussed whether their first jōnin instructor might use the old-fashioned bell test.
What was it supposed to test again?
Team coordination, cooperation, trust between teammates, right?
Damn it… he couldn't quite remember.
He clearly remembered complaining at the time that the First Shinobi World War had already passed—who would still use such an outdated test?
Yet today they had run straight into it.
Nara Shikaku shot a glance at his two best buddies.
Akimichi Chōza nodded, his expression slightly serious.
Yamanaka Inoichi, meanwhile, revealed a wicked little grin and looked at the white-haired sword-wielding ninja with a peculiar gaze.
So he's the unlucky guy, huh?
We've practiced this set for ages.
Finally we get to use it.
Meanwhile, the white-haired swordsman continued his self-introduction.
"Uh… right. My name is Hatake Sakumo. The things I like—I don't feel like telling you. The things I hate—you probably don't want to know either. Today is our first meeting… and it might also be our last. Go ahead and introduce yourselves."
What the heck? Aside from his name, we still know nothing about him.
In that case—
"Nara Shikaku."
"Yamanaka Inoichi."
"Akimichi Chōza."
Hatake Sakumo looked at their introductions, which were basically identical to his—no, wait, at least he had said more words than that.
Then he looked at the one who had started it, Nara Shikaku. Half-closed eyes, lazy demeanor.
The "deer" representing intelligence in Ino–Shika–Chō, huh?
What an unlovable kid.
"Now that we're acquainted, let's begin. The rule is simple: within one hour, if you take the bells from my waist, you pass and officially become genin. If you fail, you go back to the academy for more training. Any problems?"
Hatake Sakumo flicked his hand and pulled out a small booklet from his ninja pouch.
As if trying to look cool, he added another line.
"Come at me with the intent to kill."
"Human Bullet Tank."
What the—so fast?!
"Shadow Possession Technique."
Getting caught in that would be a huge problem.
"Mind Disturbance Technique."
Can't get hit by that either!
"Partial Expansion Technique."
What the hell, you know that too? Didn't you just graduate?!
Hatake Sakumo quickly sidestepped to dodge. As for his beloved little booklet, he had already put it away. If he kept fooling around like this, he'd get beaten senseless.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique."
What the—B-rank fire style already? But where's the fire coming from?
"Shadow Possession Technique."
Hit.
"Shadow Strangle Technique."
The shadow that had already connected to Hatake Sakumo climbed up along his body, creeping toward his neck—
Bang!
It turned into a log.
Substitution Technique.
The three members of Ino–Shika–Chō reacted instantly.
"Ino–Shika–Chō Formation One."
"Shadow Possession Technique."
"Mind Body Transmission Technique."
"Human Bullet Tank."
Shikaku crouched halfway down, his shadow linking to Chōza, who had curled himself into a ball. Inoichi stood behind Shikaku, placing his left hand on Shikaku's head.
The first version of the Ino–Shika–Chō battle formation was officially formed.
"Chōza, attack."
"Human Bullet Tank."
Nara Shikaku directed the Human Bullet Tank formed by Akimichi Chōza toward a tree in the forest—35 degrees to the left, 26 meters away.
What the hell, that sharp?
Hatake Sakumo, who had just arrived there to scout the situation, hurriedly jumped away.
Why are these kids nothing like what I imagined…?
"Chōza, shuriken."
"Spiked Human Bullet Tank."
Akimichi Chōza was flung into the air, flying toward Hatake Sakumo.
At the same time, he kept throwing handful after handful of shuriken.
"Body Flicker Technique."
I'd better get serious. If I get taught a lesson here, I won't have the courage to lead a team.
Damn it—can't a guy think for a second?
Have some sportsmanship!
Hatake Sakumo suddenly saw Yamanaka Inoichi appear behind him, tossing out five kunai with explosive tags attached.
Just as Sakumo was about to draw his sword and deflect them, he noticed the patterns on the tags flashing.
Perfectly timed detonation… you guys are way too good with explosive tags.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
After five consecutive explosions, Hatake Sakumo had vanished.
Nara Shikaku stood up and picked up two bells.
"We succeeded."
When did that happen? During the explosion just now? But when did they make their move?
While Hatake Sakumo was still thinking—
"Human Bullet Tank."
What? Isn't it over already?!
Hatake Sakumo glanced at the two bells still hanging at his waist.
What the hell—you're playing tricks too?!
Kids these days are ruthless.
...
Another battlefield.
No, another testing ground.
Actually… forget it, battlefield is fine.
"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."
"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."
Aburame Shiken and Aburame Shibi were currently clashing head-on with Orochimaru.
Their insects were continuously burned to ashes by the flames.
Yet neither of them showed the slightest hint of regret, continuing to release swarms of insects to maintain the clash.
On the other side, Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
These two are pretty good. Perfect material for the battlefield.
But where's that Uchiha?
Waiting for an opportunity to sneak attack?
What a—
No, wait. He's looking for my real body.
Bang!
The Orochimaru standing in front of the Aburame duo suddenly disappeared.
The two exchanged glances.
Aburame Shiken nodded.
They immediately began summoning large numbers of kikaichū insects and sent them flying into the forest.
...
Inside the forest.
After receiving the memories from his shadow clone, Orochimaru immediately released a jutsu behind him.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade."
Slash—slash—slash—
Several large trees were cut cleanly in half at the waist.
And it forced out—
Uchiha Kamito, who had been hiding behind them.
Uchiha Kamito held a sword in hand, wearing the Uchiha clan's fan-emblazoned attire. In his eyes, the bright red two-tomoe Sharingan gleamed.
"A two-tomoe Sharingan, huh? Kamito-kun, you've given me quite a pleasant surprise. But how did you manage to sneak up behind me? I don't think my sensory abilities are that poor."
Uchiha Kamito pulled his hand.
"Manipulated Shuriken Technique."
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique."
A web of steel wires suddenly locked Orochimaru in place within the forest. At the same time, blazing flames raced along the wires, rushing toward him.
The restrained Orochimaru showed not the slightest panic.
"How interesting, Kamito-kun."
Bang.
Another Substitution Technique.
For a strong ninja, other jutsu might not matter—but Substitution Technique must absolutely be mastered.
Substitution Technique: a standard skill for the strong.
Substitution Technique: "I'm just that powerful. What are Clone Technique and Transformation Technique compared to me?"
"Summoning Technique: Giant Snake."
A massive snake over ten meters long appeared in front of Uchiha Kamito.
"The test has changed. Defeat this giant snake, and you pass."
"Target: the giant snake."
Countless black insects swarmed over the snake, completely covering it.
"Secret Technique: Dual Exploding Insect Sphere."
Two voices rang out.
The countless black insects suddenly ignited into flames—
Then exploded.
Boom boom boom…
A chain of explosions erupted.
The giant snake collapsed miserably. It didn't even have time to return to Ryūchi Cave before the violent explosions blew it to pieces.
Orochimaru suddenly felt… a little awkward.