Ninja Academy Assessment

As for why he wanted medical knowledge, it was naturally for his future plans.

Using medical knowledge as an excuse to get close to Tsunade was perfectly suitable. And getting close to Tsunade would naturally bring him closer to Jiraiya and Orochimaru as well.

What Hoshiryu Uchiha had just told Uchiha Sen was no lie. In the early stages, he would build himself into a highly talented Medical Ninja.

Doing so would avoid unnecessary conflicts and reduce trouble, while also making the Third Hokage and the other higher-ups lower their guard.

An Uchiha with talent only in medicine was naturally much safer to employ than an Uchiha with the potential to awaken the Mangekyo.

It would also allow him to get close to the talented people in his plans. After all, the Third Hokage had his eye on these people too, and Tsunade's group of three had even been taken in as his disciples.

Moreover, the AFK System could improve abilities unconditionally. If nothing unexpected happened, a short period of AFK would be enough for his Medical Ability to surpass that of this era.

A doctor who could save your life might be the only doctor capable of saving you.

And a doctor whose medical skills stood above the entire Ninja World, barring any special circumstances, would surely be someone no one dared offend and whom everyone respected even more.

Hoshiryu Uchiha walked along Konoha's streets and saw many adults leading their children toward the Ninja Academy.

Some children wore eager expressions, imagining their future lives as ninjas. Excitedly tugging at their parents' hands, they hurried forward.

Yet their parents looked at them with complicated expressions. Some even changed their minds midway and took their children away.

After all, the casualty rate among ninjas was still very high. This Great Shinobi War in particular had been brutal, with six or seven out of every ten Civilian Ninjas dying.

Moreover, ninjas were considered a high-income group. Even becoming just a Genin would earn far more each month than ordinary civilians.

Entering the Ninja Academy and becoming a ninja might be the fastest and fairest way for commoners like them to cross the class divide.

Thus, these parents both hoped their children could successfully enter the Ninja Academy and worried whether they might die in the future.

Hoshiryu Uchiha followed the crowd. Before long, he saw a familiar-looking building.

The Ninja Academy stood before him. At this time, it was not much different from the one in later generations.

A large character for "Ninja" hung above its red gates, with a signboard beside it.

Retracting his gaze, Hoshiryu Uchiha slowly walked into the Ninja Academy.

The moment he entered, he saw a ninja in a Konoha uniform registering the children who had come to enroll.

Another ninja beside him was maintaining order while shouting reminders.

"Move faster! Once you've registered, go to the field inside and wait for the assessment. Parents are not allowed in!"

Wearing the Uchiha Clan Crest, Hoshiryu Uchiha naturally did not need to register with the commoners.

His name had already been registered by his clan and submitted to the Ninja Academy. He only needed to pass the assessment before being assigned to a class. This was one of the small privileges afforded to ninja clans.

Following the direction indicated by the ninja maintaining order, Hoshiryu Uchiha arrived at the field to prepare for the assessment.

Several hundred children gathered on the field, their chattering loud enough to pierce the sky.

Though there were many people and the place was chaotic, Hoshiryu Uchiha spotted Tsunade at a glance amid the noisy crowd.

Several children from the Senju Clan were gathered around Tsunade.

They chatted and laughed, not taking the assessment seriously at all.

After all, the entrance assessment was nothing more than a physical fitness test or a test of how quickly one could gather Chakra.

For ninja clans, especially the Senju Clan, physical fitness was certainly not a concern. Even if they had never learned Chakra guidance, they had at least heard of it.

If they truly lacked talent, it would have been discovered at birth.

Not far from them, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were also waiting for the test.

At this time, the three did not know one another, but in the future, they would become each other's bonds and closest friends.

In the end, differing ideals would lead the three down different paths. But with Hoshiryu Uchiha here this time, perhaps there would be a different ending.

Just as Hoshiryu Uchiha was looking around for anyone familiar, a sharp whistle made him turn his head.

A scar-faced ninja holding a whistle approached with a fearsome expression.

"Stop making noise! The assessment officially begins now!"

"Gather up immediately! Form lines of fifty for the physical assessment. Anyone who keeps making noise can get out, and their eligibility for the test will be revoked!"

His frightening face and threatening tone instantly silenced the field. Some people unconsciously began following his instructions.

The children from ninja clans naturally were not afraid, but there was no need to invite trouble, so they cooperated obediently as well.

Before long, the previously chaotic field had become silent, and the crowd had automatically divided into groups of fifty.

Only then did the scar-faced ninja's expression ease somewhat, though his face remained stern.

"My name is Tsukiji, and I'm your examiner for today's physical test. Those standing beside me now, go to the track and begin the test."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, signaling for them to follow him.

"Let me explain the standards. The basic requirement for admission is completing ten laps within ten minutes. Beyond that, the faster you run, the higher your score, and the better your class assignment will be."

"Begin. After completing the physical assessment, remember to go to the room behind me for the Chakra extraction assessment."

Pretty simple. There's nothing difficult about it. But if I want to be in the same class as Tsunade, I can't hide too much.

After hearing the assessment criteria, Hoshiryu Uchiha had made up his mind. He needed to keep up with the first group, or he would not make it into the elite class.

As he pondered, a green figure caught his attention.

Dressed in a dark green jumpsuit, with slick, shiny hair and gleaming teeth, he drew strange looks from many people.

Hoshiryu Uchiha also gave him a different sort of look, one carrying a hint of surprise.

I didn't expect Might Duy to enroll at this time too. With the body of an ordinary man, he rivaled cheats—the Eight Inner Gates. The Might father and son really are remarkable.

Soon afterward, he saw Might Duy's disappointing performance. Though he was not at the bottom, he only barely completed the assessment.

Hoshiryu Uchiha was not surprised. Might Duy's talent had been poor to begin with; otherwise, he would not have become a perpetual Genin in the future.

The reason he would later beat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen until some died and others fled was the result of twenty years of unwavering training.

Still, today counts as the first step of my plan. Konoha truly is brimming with talent. I can't let the Third Hokage ruin them all.

Soon, it was Hoshiryu Uchiha's turn for the test. He loosened up his muscles and headed toward the track.