In the afternoon, Hagoromo created three Shadow Clones and rushed to the competition.
His true form, however, was waiting near the final training ground.
The first event, naturally, is still the extreme rally race.
One of Hagoromo's Shadow Clones was speeding up the towering tree, observing the speed and reactions of her disciples.
In the dense forest, Naruto was leading the charge at the very front.
Sasuke followed closely behind, catching up whenever Naruto sped up even slightly.
However, Hagoromo was more concerned about the actions of Shikamaru and the others.
After all, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino actually coordinated their movements and caught up with them at a speed exceeding their usual limits.
That's right, not only do they know how to cooperate, but they can also catch up with Naruto at an even faster speed than before.
After all, among these apprentices, Ino who had never participated in this kind of pulling force.
Hagoromo's Shadow Clone nodded in satisfaction, then dispelled the Shadow Clone. The second item was not far ahead.
Naruto was the first to rush out of the dense forest, was stunned when he saw the river in front of him.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Clone Hagoromo, who was in charge of the second challenge on the opposite bank, spoke up, "The second challenge is to walk swiftly on water."
"We can begin once everyone arrives. Naruto, you can take a break now~"
Naruto looked at his teacher's Shadow Clone on the opposite bank with some suspicion, feeling that something was amiss.
Because it's too simple.
Before Naruto could think further, he heard a voice behind him and turned around.
Shikamaru and the others managed to burst out of the dense forest at the same time as Sasuke, but they were all panting heavily.
Naruto quickly stepped forward to ask Shikamaru, since Shikamaru was more likely to understand these things.
"Teacher, will there be any other distractions?"
Hagoromo nodded approvingly and said, "That's right. This river is only about ten meters wide, so I'll set up some interference."
"Now, let's begin!"
After Hagoromo's Shadow Clone finished speaking, he quickly formed hand seals and then slapped them onto the river surface.
Water Release: Water Release: Wild Water Waves!
The water surface began to churn due to Hagoromo's magic. As soon as one wave rose, an even higher wave covered it.
Naruto was completely dumbfounded when he saw the river in front of him. This level of interference was even more exaggerated than that on the sea!
Although he had never seen the ocean either.
"Hehe..."
Shikamaru's lips twitched incessantly; he knew it.
You have one minute to get going, or it will be considered a failure.
The Shadow Clone of the Hagoromo spoke up, after all, maintaining this technique didn't require a lot of Chakra.
However, this Shadow Clone can only last for a minute at most.
"One kro!"
Naruto punched his fist and shouted, then immediately gathered Chakra at the soles of his feet.
"Hey, Naruto, don't be impulsive!"
Seeing this, Shikamaru quickly spoke up.
"No, Shikamaru, Hagoromo- sensei is just checking the results of our training."
After Naruto finished speaking, he looked at Hagoromo on the opposite bank and then rushed out.
Shikamaru was taken aback by these words, but then he understood.
Ultimately, regardless of whether they could complete it within the time limit, what Hagoromo really wanted to see how well they controlled their Chakra.
It's important to know that this occurred during the past few months of training.
Hagoromo has always had strict requirements regarding Chakra control training.
"Shikamaru, I'll go first."
Ino also took the lead, after all, as the one with the best Chakra control among them, she had no fear of this kind of test.
As soon as Naruto stepped onto the river, the already surging waves rushed towards him.
"Hahaha, straight ahead!"
As if he had encountered something fun, Naruto unleashed Chakra from the soles of his feet and leaped into the air.
However, with just a few jumps, he reached the other side.
"Speed: 80 points; Stability: 70 points; Excellent."
Hagoromo immediately made her judgment, and Naruto grinned from ear to ear upon hearing this, quickly moving on to the next level.
Ino followed closely behind, while Hagoromo announced her score as usual.
"Speed: 50 points; Stability: 90 points; Excellent."
Although Ino takes a little longer to cross the river, her Chakra control is quite stable.
Don't assume that you can observe the wave's trajectory by staying still; the longer you stand on the river, the more waves you'll see.
"Hehe, teacher, I'm leaving now!"
Ino chuckled softly and then strode after Naruto, who had already walked away.
"Forty seconds left!"
Hagoromo's Shadow Clone spoke to Shikamaru, Sasuke, and the other two on the opposite bank.
--
Beside the training ground, Hagoromo received the feedback from the last Shadow Clone after it dispelled the spell, and then slowly opened her eyes.
"These little guys are all pretty good."
As soon as he finished speaking, several figures gradually approached from not far away.
Naruto and the others were covered in dust and sweat, and they were all filthy.
The challenge they just faced was an obstacle course.
Cross the field filled with moving stakes, sand pits, and moving targets.
This obstacle course requires the use of both Taijutsu skills and ninja tool techniques.
When Naruto and the others arrived in front of Hagoromo, he stretched out his hand and clapped his hands, saying:
"All are very good, whether it's endurance, Chakra control, Taijutsu techniques, or the use of ninja tools."
"You almost all passed, although there were some minor flaws, but I'm still very happy."
"After all, your growth over this period was evident in today's match."
Naruto and the others exchanged smiles upon hearing this.
The training over the past few months has been so rewarding that my own coach has praised me; it all feels worthwhile.
Ino rubbed her loose hair and asked, "Teacher, why are some of the wooden figures filled with water?"
Just Choji used his family's secret technique, the Human Bullet Tank, to crush all the wooden dummies around him.
As a result, Shikamaru and Ino, who were standing not far away, were blasted out and drenched in water.
"Ninja battles are often fraught with uncertainty."
"So, this is also to help you prepare for battle. What if the wooden dummy's body is covered in Explosive Tags instead of water?"
After Hagoromo finished speaking, she quietly looked at the group.
Upon hearing their teacher's words, Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others, who had been looking smug, all fell silent.
Indeed, what if the wooden dummy had been carrying Explosive Tags?
Those people might not even survive.
Shikamaru stroked his chin, admitting that he had indeed been careless just now.
After all, seeing Choji resolve the situation so easily, he didn't think much of it.
"I understand, teacher!"
Shikamaru responded with a serious expression, and Hagoromo nodded in agreement.
Although it was just a competition, he also wanted his disciples to understand something more.
While it is certainly gratifying to see results from training, it is essential to apply what has been learned in a practical and effective manner.
Furthermore, one must have a clear understanding of ninja tactics.
After all, using any means necessary is practically synonymous with ninja warfare.
Otherwise, the price of carelessness could be one's life, after all.
Senju Nawaki could die from Explosive Tags, so who is more noble than whom?