Not Good! This Premonition Isn't Good!

"We're just students in the junior class. If training is necessary, shouldn't it prioritize the senior and intermediate classes?"

This time, the person who raised their hand was a boy with cataracts... a boy from the Hyuga Clan.

"All of the senior class has been deployed, and the intermediate class has already completed their assessments. To avoid missing out on talent, the higher-ups specifically ordered that the junior class also be included in the assessments. After passing the assessment and undergoing a week of intensive training, there will be another evaluation. Those who pass will be sent to the rear to transport supplies. Don't worry, we in Konoha don't have a habit of sending students to their deaths."

The burly man with the braided beard answered everyone's questions just as he said he would.

"Are there any other questions? Ask quickly, we only have a week for special training, and every minute is precious." He scanned the sixty-three little sprouts. He was quite pleased that not many of them were scared by the news of going to the battlefield.

Katsuki stood expressionlessly in the crowd, contemplating the mystery of this matter. If it were just transporting supplies in the rear, it would be fine. On their own territory, at most, they'd deal with bandits and mountain thieves. What he feared most was if this supply transport would enter the Land of Rain. That would be a total disaster! If they were caught by Rain Ninja guerillas, wouldn't that be playing with fire!

"Will our activities be confined within the Land of Fire, or will we need to enter the Land of Rain?" Katsuki raised his hand, drawing everyone's attention. Many felt his question was rather perplexing. Shouldn't this be something they should be concerned about only after passing the second assessment?

Did this kid have that much confidence in passing the assessment?

For a moment, probing, disdainful, and wary gazes focused on Katsuki.

To be honest, he didn't like being the center of attention, but he had to plan a little more for his own survival.

The burly man with the braided beard narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of surprise flashing within them. He looked at Katsuki and said, "I'm afraid I cannot answer that question. For one, I don't know myself, and for another, even if I did, I couldn't say. This is already considered a military secret."

Alright, this answer was a bit unexpected, but upon reflection, it made sense. However, Katsuki still felt the pressure. In the end, his question hadn't been denied, meaning it was possible they would enter the Land of Rain.

"Alright, the questions are over. Follow me. The location for this training camp is not at the Ninja Academy." The burly man pointed, selecting twenty-one people. The other two Chunin had also divided the remaining students.

Katsuki and his four companions were precisely the ones the big guy pointed out, or rather, the guys who had asked questions earlier, along with a few people standing next to them, were all singled out by the big guy. The pineapple-haired boy and the boy with cataracts were also in the middle of the group at this moment.

Everyone walked in silence, following behind the big guy, leaving the Ninja Academy. They arrived unimpeded at a training ground north of the village. The big guy had documents signed by the higher-ups, and the patrolling security personnel simply checked them and let them pass.

A circle of barbed wire stretched out towards the horizon. In the center, enclosed by the wire, was a forest. It was exaggeratedly large, with trees that, by a rough estimate, were at least thirty meters tall. The dense canopy looked like clumps of dark clouds, obscuring the sky, allowing no sunlight to penetrate. This made the atmosphere inside feel gloomy and terrifying!

Katsuki stood before the iron gate, looking up at the forest, his eyes twitching. It looked so familiar!

"This is Training Ground 44. Your training for the next week will take place in here. This place is quite something." The burly man pointed at the hellish forest, a happy smile on his face.

Holy crap! Is this teacher a pervert!

Everyone thought this in unison. Where did this damned forest look "quite something"? It was so gloomy and scary.

"The training method is very simple. My shadow clones will be moving around in the forest. Your task is to find me and defeat my shadow clones... This is both special training and an assessment. I will give each of you a score based on your performance... So, try your best to defeat me."

The big guy grinned, revealing a set of sparkling white teeth. Combined with his robust physique, he looked like a humanoid beast.

"Come over and get your gear. Everyone gets a Ninja Tool Bag containing five Kunai, a set of Shuriken, and flint. Use your weapons wisely. When you get on the battlefield..." The big guy took a scroll from his vest, unrolled it, and summoned a pile of bulging Ninja Tool Bags.

Katsuki and the others lined up to receive their items. They were just students, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Naturally, students always had some strange things in their pockets. For example, Dōton Akimichi had somehow dragged out another bag of potato chips from somewhere and was munching on them noisily. This guy happened to be standing right in front of Katsuki. Katsuki really didn't know what to say about such a mysterious, otherworldly pocket.

"Teacher, what did you need me for?"

His voice was hoarse, his complexion as pale as paper, and his yellowish-brown snake-like eyes reflected a cold glint. His long black hair cascaded behind him, and the predatory aura he exuded, even unintentionally, was enough to scare all the children in Konoha to tears.

However, what Hiruzen noticed first was Jiraiya, who was trailing behind Orochimaru, swaying unsteadily. That rogue-like aura was too conspicuous.

"Jiraiya, you're here too. I don't recall summoning you..."

"Heh heh, I just came to take a look!"

Jiraiya chuckled, completely unaware that he was causing trouble.

Hiruzen rubbed his temples with a headache, his thick eyebrows furrowed.

"Forget it."

Sighing, Hiruzen resigned himself. Getting rid of this shameless fellow was impossible.

"Since that's the case, summon Tsunade as well. Let the three of you handle this matter together." Hiruzen acted decisively, summoning an Anbu member and ordering them to find Tsunade.

Before long, Tsunade arrived. Seeing Orochimaru with his cold expression and Jiraiya with his lewd grin, she said irritably, "Jiraiya, what have you done this time? Don't you dare drag me into this, you bastard."

Jiraiya immediately objected, complaining indignantly, "What does this have to do with me? Teacher Hiruzen is the one who summoned you."

Seeing the fated rivals Jiraiya and Tsunade about to argue again, Hiruzen quickly stopped them, fearing it would drag on indefinitely.

As for Orochimaru, he stood coldly to the side, appearing indifferent to everything.

"I've summoned you here regarding the war in the Land of Rain." Hiruzen held his pipe, exhaled a beautiful smoke ring that slowly drifted upwards and dissipated. "The Rain Ninja's resistance is stronger than we initially anticipated, and the environment in the Land of Rain is extremely complex. Sakumo is having a hard time controlling the situation alone, so I plan to send you to the front lines to assist him."

"That's the public excuse. Come and look at these youngsters."

Hiruzen beckoned his three disciples and pointed to the crystal ball on the table. Within it, light and shadow flickered, showing a large group of students lining up to receive their Ninja Tool Bags.