Squad

Squad

With the team members essentially decided, Shuji's thoughts turned to a more practical matter: building the team's tactics. This was no longer the basic setup of the team his predecessor had belonged to—one specialist in ninja tools and intelligence, one taijutsu fighter, and himself, a ninjutsu-type Chunin responsible for firepower suppression in complex situations. This team had a unique structure and was full of variables.

He spread out paper and pen. Ink bled across the page as he outlined clear entries:

Uchiha Itachi:

Strengths: Exceptional talent, far beyond his peers. His mastery of ninjutsu had already reached Chunin level, especially in Fire Style, genjutsu, and ninja tool manipulation. Sharp combat instincts, with extremely strong observation and analytical abilities. Possesses a two-tomoe Sharingan and tremendous potential.

Limitations: Only eight years old, with a body that had yet to fully develop. His stamina, explosive power, and sustained combat ability were far inferior to those of adult shinobi. Though his chakra reserves exceeded those of children his age, they were still insufficient for prolonged Chunin-level combat. Relatively lacking in actual combat experience, especially when facing complex battlefields of high intensity and ferocity.

Role considerations: He could not serve as the main attacker or the core of a prolonged battle. He was better suited as a tactical core, support, or battlefield controller. His Sharingan's insight, genjutsu interference, precise ninja tool throws, and powerful Fire Style at crucial moments could provide key support from the battlefield's outskirts or mid-range, create openings, and control key enemy units. He had to strictly avoid getting drawn into protracted fights requiring sustained, high-intensity taijutsu exchanges or severe chakra expenditure.

Anko Mitarashi:

Strengths: The standard elite Chunin model. A solid taijutsu foundation, with balanced speed, strength, and flexibility. Comprehensive ninjutsu mastery, especially skilled in Fire Style, Earth Style, and the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands series of secret techniques. Extremely high poison resistance from long-term exposure to snake venom, outstanding endurance, and a strong will. Rich combat experience.

Limitations (current state): Due to Orochimaru's defection, she had suffered a severe mental blow and fallen into a period of depression and confusion. Her fighting spirit was low, and her reactions might not match her peak condition. Her overall combat power had unstable factors.

Role considerations: In theory, she should serve as the team's main attacker and frontline assault fighter. The explosive power of her taijutsu combined with ninjutsu was a weapon for tearing open enemy defenses. But her current psychological state had to be considered.

Temporary strategy: Until her true condition was confirmed, avoid placing her in a close-combat position where she would need to bear the greatest pressure immediately. She could serve as a flanking distraction, a second-wave assault force, or use her ninjutsu and secret techniques to create chaos and inflict damage from mid-range.

Shuji's pen paused beside Anko's name, leaving behind a heavy blot of ink. No matter how clear the analysis on paper was, it remained a paper exercise. The information from the Third Hokage and the listlessness he had seen with his own eyes were worlds apart from the spirited image of the elite Chunin in her records. Did her taijutsu still retain that sharp, ruthless edge? Could she still cast her snake techniques smoothly? Were her instinctive reactions in a crisis still reliable? All of these were unknowns.

A nonstandard, problematic team. He set down his pen and rubbed his brow with his fingertips. Itachi's genius was limited by his immature body, while Anko's blade had been stained with rust called "trauma." Tactical coordination, building trust, assessing combat strength... the foundation of everything had to be built upon reality.

Discussing strategy on paper was meaningless. He decisively added a line at the end of the plan:

Primary action: Internal team sparring assessment.

Only in real clashes could one see the quality of a blade and whether the hand holding it was steady.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, listening to a report from the Anbu.

The silver-haired Anbu shinobi, Hatake Kakashi, removed his mask, revealing his signature dead-fish eye. Yet his report was exceptionally clear. "Target: Shuji. Special Jonin promotion assessment, ninjutsu specialization, completed."

The Third Hokage nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"Judging from his actual combat performance," Kakashi said evenly, every word clear, "his combat proficiency can be ranked among the skilled. At his current age, mastering five chakra nature transformations qualifies him as a genius."

"Mm..." The Third Hokage's voice revealed little emotion.

"Core assessment: chakra control and endurance." Kakashi identified the key point. "During the assessment, he consecutively cast five different elemental ninjutsu, with no fewer than six techniques in total, including the Wind Style and Fire Style combination used against Deep Forest Emergence. His breathing fluctuated slightly throughout the process, but there were no obvious signs of chakra depletion, and he maintained good concentration. His total chakra reserves far exceed those of ordinary Jonin..." He paused briefly. "Better than mine."

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes. Hatake Kakashi did not have little chakra; even burdened by the Sharingan, the level he could display was still stronger than that of ordinary Jonin.

He knew Shuji's background, and the village had records of his performance over the past few years. He had not been capable of using five different elemental techniques in succession without even breathing hard. The issue was not the number of techniques cast, but the difficulty and consumption of refining chakra of different natures in a short period, which far exceeded that of chakra of a single nature.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi did not ask for details. He merely said slowly, "Five nature transformations... How was his use of them?"

"Proficient." Kakashi gave a definite evaluation. "His basic techniques—Water Style: Water Wall, Great Breakthrough, and Earth Style: Earth Flow—were used with precise timing and smooth transitions. His combination technique, Wind Style: Fire Ignition, demonstrated excellent integration of chakra shape transformation and nature transformation, with considerable instantaneous explosive power. His technique selection prioritized practicality and battlefield adaptability, with no obvious weaknesses."

"What about his taijutsu and adaptability?"

"His taijutsu foundation is solid. He moves and evades efficiently, able to effectively coordinate with ninjutsu attacks or disengage. His battlefield capability is outstanding. When facing ambushes and complex battlefield control, he remains calm in judgment, decisive in his choices, and can find the optimal or second-best solution under pressure." Kakashi recalled the figure shooting through the corridor of flames on the training ground. "Overall assessment: his ninjutsu attainment and practical combat application fully meet, and even exceed, the standards for a Special Jonin specializing in ninjutsu. The qualification is well deserved."

The office fell into brief silence, broken only by the faint crackling of burning tobacco. The Third Hokage's gaze became somewhat distant.

"How did he react to Tenzo's Wood Release?" The Third Hokage shifted his angle.

Kakashi recalled the scene. "His initial response relied mainly on conventional elemental techniques, and his reactions were swift. When faced with Deep Forest Emergence, he chose a high-risk, high-reward Wind Style and Fire Style combination to force a breakthrough. He did not attempt to counter or defend with any other secret techniques. Throughout the entire process... he never displayed any trace of Wood Release." He added, "His expression control was excellent, but at the instant Deep Forest Emergence was activated, his breathing stalled for an extremely brief moment. He must have recognized Wood Release. His later choice to break through by force was tactically reasonable, but it may also have reflected an intention to avoid exposure or comparison."

"Still, saying nothing about Wood Release is itself a kind of attitude."

Hiruzen Sarutobi grunted and said no more, merely waving a hand. Kakashi understood. He put his mask back on, and his figure silently merged into the shadows in the corner of the office, vanishing without a trace.

Amid the curling smoke, the Third Hokage's gaze settled on the heavy dusk beyond the window.

(End of chapter)