"This group of ninjas is actually quite good overall!"
As Hozuki Mangetsu watched the little ones disappear into the jungle, he thought of his younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu.
However, he has not returned since leaving Kirigakure. He had thought about bringing the other party over, but Hozuki Suigetsu was not in Kirigakure.
In the end, he could only ask Orochimaru to keep an eye out for him, thinking that as long as the person was alive, they would meet again someday.
"If I could receive personal instruction from Lord Gold Kage, even a good-for-nothing could be transformed into a talent!"
Zabuza didn't develop a deep bond with Haku like in the original story, wasn't particularly moved; at most, he just felt that these younger generations were lucky.
"I wonder where the master found so many promising talents!"
Many people in the village are already comparing these young kids to the veteran ninjas.
From Pakura to Kimimaro and Haku, these twelve are the most outstanding young and middle-aged warriors in the Northern Lands, known as the Twelve Heavenly Kings of the Northern Land.
These twelve people are also cadres with team leader numbers, and each of them can be taken out and put in charge on their own.
"Perhaps after this assessment, the title of 'Twelve Little Heavenly Kings' will emerge in the Northern Lands!"
A Medical Ninja standing nearby was also discussing the little ones with his companions. They had developed a sense of belonging to the village, which was becoming increasingly prosperous, and naturally hoped that the village's heritage would continue to deepen.
Zabuza and the other two, who were standing nearby, didn't take it seriously. Only geniuses who can grow up can be considered geniuses. Besides, the Ninja World is not lacking in geniuses. Arrogant people will only perish in the end!
That's how he was back then, thinking he was second only to the heavens, daring to wield his sword against the Mizukage.
However, he was taught a lesson by his opponent, and then by Orochimaru, and finally realized his own limitations...
"Alright, it's time for us to get to work!"
Hozuki Mangetsu waved to the surrounding ninjas, just as Asuka, whom Deidara had sent to pick them up, arrived.
Seven or eight staff members immediately jumped onto the giant bird and began patrolling above the snowfield. Deidara was also in charge of the overall situation at a higher altitude, and he could detect any distress signal flares sent by ninjas immediately.
The assessment on the Blizzard Plain lasted for three full days, and the final result did not disappoint.
The ninja squad that survived the onslaught of the ferocious beasts and successfully defeated the puppet army has distinguished itself.
Five teams successfully completed the assessment, more than Hozuki Mangetsu had anticipated.
Looking at the little guys, whose eyes were exceptionally bright despite their varying degrees of injury, Hozuki Mangetsu rarely smiled.
"I've seen everything you've done. Go back to the village now, and the final results will be announced the next day!"
With a wave of his hand, Hozuki Mangetsu sent everyone on board Deidara's flying bird. Deidara had put in a lot of effort these past few days.
Of course, it wasn't just him; all the people in his entourage were exposed to the cold wind for three days.
Considering that many ninjas were injured, and those who were physically weak had caught a cold, Hozuki Mangetsu had Deidara conjure several large birds.
They could travel by flying birds and returned to the village in just half a day.
Anko was instructed to take the ninjas to the hospital to have their wounds cleaned, while Hozuki Mangetsu headed to the Golden Kage Building with a report.
The ninja teams heading to Konoha will be selected from the five groups that passed the assessment, based on their performance.
Ultimately, Orochimaru made the final decision, though Hozuki Mangetsu's report also served as a reference.
The next day, many Genin received another notification, and they were all a little apprehensive when they arrived at the training plaza.
"Karin, Kidomaru! How did you get here so fast!"
As Xiao Fu flew at low altitude, she saw her teammates in the crowd and immediately went to meet them.
"We just arrived too; we were notified at the last minute!"
Karin stepped forward and took her hand. The two began to whisper among themselves, glancing at the other teams in the arena every now and then.
"Tch... I didn't expect you guys to come too!"
Seeing his two teammates acting suspiciously, Kidomaru pursed his lips, but then a teasing voice suddenly rang in his ears.
Two-Faced Bodhisattva Sakon and Sakon and Ukon, with Ajisai and Tayuya beside him.
Among the various teams, both of them consisted of one man and two women. Given their similar circumstances, they had more to talk about, though most of the time it was just arguing.
"It seems your team is only slightly inferior to us; you're quite capable..."
While the two were exchanging insults, Six Paths Dosu also hunched over and walked with his toes pointing outwards into the arena. The big guy Jirobo and Kin Tsuchi behind him just quietly glanced at everyone without saying a word.
Compared to the previous two teams, their team was slightly weaker, but not in terms of raw strength, but rather in terms of Kekkei Genkai.
Their team Jinchuriki neither Jinchuriki nor Kekkei Genkai; they're definitely a cannon fodder team!
But they won't see themselves clearly because of this, especially Dosu, who wants to prove that he is no less than anyone except for Jinchuriki.
"It seems everyone has arrived. You should all know that you are the final candidates to go to Konoha to take the exam!"
The speaker was Ringo Ameyuri, who was also a teacher at the Ninja Academy. She was the only one who was available today, so she arranged for him to come over.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the group stopped their discussion and quickly gathered together to await Yu Yuri's instructions.
"You were just lucky to pass the assessment; you're still a long way from standing out in this exam!"
Yu Youli immediately started belittling these enthusiastic little guys, telling them not to be complacent.
As for the sharp-tongued female teacher in front of them, Kidomaru and the others didn't dare to utter a sound. This was a witch known as the Thunderbolt King at the Ninja Academy.
Those troublemakers who dared to speak out against the grain, which one of them hadn't been taught a lesson by the other side's thunderous blade?
Karin, and the other female ninjas were the first to lower their heads, and the others also put away their arrogant expressions.
Seeing that her earnest advice had finally had an effect, Yuri stopped lecturing.
"For the next year, there will be people specifically training you. Those who make it through will be completely transformed. Those who don't won't need to take any exams; they'll go straight to the Hidden Earth Plateau to mine..."
To gain something, you have to give something in return, or even more. The Northern Lands never supports idlers.
As soon as Yu Yuri finished speaking, three more figures appeared behind her.
The little ones present started breathing heavily when they saw the newcomer, and their eyes became fervent.
"These three will be your team leaders from now on, and they will be responsible for your training!"
With that, Yuri handed over the initiative to the three people behind her, greeted each other, and left first.
"Sister Anko, you choose first!"
Without Anko, Anko Earth Flow up to Kidomaru's team.
"From now on, I will be your mentor. Come with me!"
The three had no objections. Although the other party was a woman, she was the disciple of Lord Gold Kage, and they had no doubt about Anko's strength.
The remaining two teams turned their attention away from Anko, preferring to become students of Anko other two teachers.
These two ninjas were not much older than them, but their strength was already that of Jonin in the Northern Lands, making them even more attractive to them!