Assessment

There were quite a few people, but basically all of them were Chunin-level ninja.

This assembly was probably just as Asuma had guessed. Its main purpose was to select Special Jonin, and perhaps the Fourth Hokage's Shadow Guard Squad would also choose people from this selection to train...

Yei's Observation Haki was excellent. After all the Chunin had arrived, he vaguely sensed that someone was watching them.

Are the village's two Kage watching? Yei guessed inwardly. He glanced around, but no one else showed any unusual reaction. Only Shisui Uchiha, like him, seemed vaguely able to sense a trace of scrutiny.

The other Chunin did not even know they were already being watched...

But that made sense. Most of those here were Chunin, and their abilities were not especially outstanding in any regard. It was only natural that they could not detect the observation of Kage-level experts.

At that moment, several ninja wearing Anbu masks walked over from the distance.

Their arrival caused everyone present to fall silent.

"Is that... Kakashi?" Gai looked toward one of the Anbu ninja wearing a fox mask with two blades strapped to his back.

He seemed to have some special way of identifying Kakashi. He recognized him at once just from his footsteps.

That Anbu ninja was none other than their classmate, Kakashi!

"Anbu Jonin? Could they be the ones assessing us for Special Jonin?" Genma Shiranui held a toothpick between his teeth and gestured slightly toward the masked Anbu members.

The others shook their heads. They did not know either.

"What is the Special Jonin assessment usually like? Do you know?" Kurenai Yuhi looked at the people beside her.

However, Asuma jolted the instant he heard Kurenai Yuhi's question. He was fairly well-informed and knew some of the inside details, so he explained, "Special Jonin are not true Jonin. As long as someone excels in certain areas, they might be selected. This assessment will probably test overall strength, though there may be other considerations as well."

Special Jonin were not true Jonin. As long as someone possessed unique strengths in certain areas, they could be promoted to Special Jonin.

The requirements for becoming a Jonin were still extremely high. One had to meet the standard in every aspect. Among those around their age, only Kakashi had become a Jonin.

It had to be said that Kakashi was truly gifted. He had broken countless records and had even made a name for himself on the battlefield!

"Overall strength... Then I have no hope..." Anko lowered her head, feeling that she had no chance.

Seeing Anko like this, their fellow graduates were all somewhat speechless. She was giving up before the fight had even begun?

Genma Shiranui said directly, "Anko, you're one of Lord Orochimaru's disciples. One of the Sannin's disciples, yet you don't even have this much confidence?"

"My teacher is strong, not me. Besides, I'm younger than all of you. It's not fair at all!" Anko looked utterly dejected.

"If it doesn't work out this time, there will be another chance. My overall combat strength isn't that impressive either..." Kurenai Yuhi comforted her, though she herself was not very confident...

Asuma hurriedly offered some flattery. "Kurenai, your genjutsu is still very strong. You have a great chance!"

"Genjutsu? Look over there..." Kurenai nodded slightly, indicating that there were members of the Uchiha Clan over there.

"Uh..." Asuma was left speechless.

Everyone knew that the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan was almost unmatched when it came to genjutsu. Although Kurenai's genjutsu was not weak, it still paled somewhat in comparison to the Uchiha Clan.

Asuma gave an awkward laugh. "That's different. They're cheating! Cheating!"

Hearing that, everyone looked at Asuma speechlessly.

Over there, the several Anbu Jonin did not waste any words. One of them directly shouted at everyone, "Everyone, assemble!"

Rustle...

In less than ten seconds, the previously disorderly crowd became organized.

One of the Anbu Jonin stepped forward. His aggressive gaze swept across everyone through his mask, and the Chakra around him suddenly erupted. Killing intent accompanied by a pressure of wind spread outward, making many people present feel an immense burden.

Some people were caught off guard by the sudden pressure and collapsed onto the ground on the spot.

Others could not withstand the pressure and dropped to one knee, large beads of sweat streaming down their foreheads.

After glancing at those who had fallen or failed to endure the pressure, the Jonin said coldly, "You should all know why you were gathered here today, right? Anyone careless, anyone unable to endure the pressure, is eliminated!"

Upon hearing this, the eliminated people all turned pale, devastated. They had not expected that a single moment of carelessness would get them eliminated...

Without paying any further attention to those who had been eliminated, the Jonin continued, "You are all ninja who have been tempered by war and survived its hardships. No matter who you are—commoners or members of ninja clans—today, your opportunity has come!"

"Special Jonin is a necessary path toward becoming a Jonin. Many Jonin were promoted from Special Jonin. Not to mention anyone else—I was one of them!"

"The Fourth Hokage has only recently taken office, and he needs capable people under him! Work hard. I hope you can seize this opportunity and become Konoha Village's new pillars!"

After a few simple words of encouragement, the Jonin announced the assessment's contents.

An assessment was nothing more than combat.

Combat was the best way to evaluate a ninja's overall qualities.

Combat strength, experience, and the use of ninjutsu could all be seen through battle!

Since this was an assessment for Special Jonin, the requirements were not as demanding as those for Jonin. As long as one possessed sufficient combat strength or showed outstanding ability in certain areas, there was still a chance to become a Special Jonin even if one lost in battle.

Although the standards were entirely in the hands of those Anbu Jonin, many people still breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that losing would not mean elimination.

This meant that even those whose combat strength was not particularly high had a chance to become Special Jonin!

The assessment began soon afterward.

One of the Anbu ninja formed hand seals and pressed both hands against the ground. Several platforms immediately rose from the field.

The assessment was conducted by drawing lots, and unfortunately, Yei was among the first group to take the field.

His opponent was an unfamiliar Chunin, several years older than Yei and seemingly close to twenty.

However, upon seeing Yei's pale white eyes, the Chunin's expression immediately fell. What rotten luck. He had encountered a Hyuga Clan member in the very first match...

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan bloodline was incredibly advantageous in Chunin-level battles. Almost no attack could escape the Byakugan's detection, and getting close meant risking a strike from the Gentle Fist. If possible, he truly did not want to face these freakish bloodline ninja...

But there was nothing he could do now that he had drawn him. He would give it everything he had!

"Please enlighten me!" The Chunin looked at Yei with a focused, solemn expression. He drew a kunai and prepared for battle.

"Please enlighten me." Yei smiled as well.

The Anbu Jonin serving as referee glanced at the two of them and announced directly, "Begin!"

As soon as the Anbu Jonin's words fell, the Chunin launched the first attack. He flung the kunai in his hand toward Yei.

Yei did not activate his Byakugan. He merely tilted his head and avoided it. Then he pushed off the ground, his speed abruptly soaring as though he had vanished from where he stood.

The next moment, he appeared behind the Chunin, a cold dagger pressed against his neck.

The Chunin only saw a blur before his eyes. He could not catch Yei's movements at all, and then he felt a chill at his neck. A kunai rested against his throat, causing his entire body to stiffen.

Two seconds later, he said dejectedly, "I-I surrender..."

"Thanks for the match!" Yei withdrew his kunai, nodded toward the Chunin and the Anbu Jonin acting as referee, then leaped away.

Not far away, the fellow graduates who had not yet taken their turns were all watching the platform where Yei stood. Seeing him end the battle so effortlessly, they were all extremely surprised.

"Such speed! When did Yei get behind that guy?"

"The battle ended in an instant?"

"I knew Yei had changed a lot, but when did this guy become so strong?"

"Is this what a Hyuga Clan member is like? He did not even activate his Byakugan!"

His speed had been so fast that none of them had seen it clearly before the battle was already over!

Moreover, Yei had not used the Hyuga Clan's distinctive Gentle Fist style, but another combat style altogether—swift, fast, and lethal in a single blow, without the slightest hint of hesitation or wasted movement!