Good Things Should Be Shared!

"Kanda Kyoichi is truly nasty!"

Yuhika Shinko couldn't help sighing.

His methods just kept coming one after another!

But there was no denying it.

They worked!

The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly.

Anyone facing this situation would hesitate and struggle, and their final choice would reveal their character.

Everyone had once been weak.

However.

No one was willing to associate with a ninja who pursued only his own interests, especially when that person was an Uchiha.

Shisui, what would you choose?

If Shisui gave up his spot, then he could only regretfully eliminate Shisui and include him among those he would suppress.

Kyoichi had never discussed the examination process with him, yet it fit the Third Hokage's needs perfectly.

He was becoming more and more satisfied with Kyoichi.

At that moment.

Shisui was indeed struggling.

Kyoichi had already promised him that he would "definitely pass," but now he had presented him with another choice. The problem was that, realistically speaking, this seemed like an impossible examination.

However.

If he abandoned Asuma and Kurenai, would they still be a squad?

Shisui took a deep breath and said, "Teacher, I choose to take the exam again!"

"Shisui..."

Asuma and Kurenai found it hard to believe.

They were four years younger than Shisui and had barely interacted with him before. They did not know him very well.

Therefore.

They had never expected Shisui to give up his spot...

The other people who were equally shocked were Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kurenai's Father.

They had guessed the purpose behind Kyoichi's question.

It could be said that.

All the groundwork throughout the examination had been laid for this question. It tested not only Asuma and Kurenai, but also Shisui. It was entirely a test of human nature and psychology.

A question more terrifying than the bell test!

However.

Shisui had answered it perfectly.

Whether he had seen through the purpose of the question or truly thought that way, it was enough to prove that Shisui was worth cultivating.

"Have you thought this through?"

Kyoichi's expression turned serious.

"Yes. I'm the acting squad leader. Since we failed the mission, my tactical arrangements and consideration of the situation were seriously flawed. I believe in Asuma and Kurenai. If we get another chance, we'll definitely succeed!"

After stating his position, Shisui immediately felt relieved.

It was only taking the exam again, wasn't it?

It was only going back to school, wasn't it?

What was the big deal?

"Then what are your opinions?"

Kyoichi looked at Asuma and Kurenai with a smile.

"Teacher, Shisui's tactics weren't the problem. I was simply incapable of executing them, so I'm willing to return to school."

"So am I."

Asuma and Kurenai did not hesitate for long.

Their talents might not have been as outstanding as Shisui's, but they were still clan heirs, and they had their pride.

Shisui had performed the best this time.

His tactical arrangements, thought process, and execution had all been superior. They could not let Shisui shoulder the responsibility.

Besides.

Even if they fought again, they obviously could not defeat Kyoichi.

He was a Jonin!

"So you've lost confidence?"

"No. I believe that after another year of training, I'll definitely be able to do it. But right now... the gap in ability between us is simply too great."

Asuma was somewhat dejected.

Before this, he had thought that he might not be the best, but he was not so far behind that he could not keep up with his teammates. After the examination, however, he realized that he really had failed to keep up.

He had become a burden and was useless in a head-on confrontation.

If he made Shisui give up his spot as well, he would be too ashamed to face him.

"Good. Knowing that you're useless is a good thing. At least you can recognize yourself. But your overall tactics weren't wrong. Kurenai provided support, Asuma held the front, and Shisui cut in to draw attention."

"The problem is that I'm too strong, so... I announce that you all passed!"

Kyoichi clapped his hands, then sheathed his sword.

The three of them froze.

They had passed?

This...

Shisui pondered for a moment, then quickly recalled some of the things Kyoichi had taught them. He said thoughtfully, "Teacher, the key to this test was actually the question just now, wasn't it?"

"That's right. A team will inevitably have strengths and weaknesses. Some people shine, while others make sacrifices. But when the three of you combine your abilities, you must achieve the effect of one plus one equaling three. The most classic example is the Ino-Shika-Cho formation."

Kyoichi explained.

He could not be lax when teaching.

There were rewards involved!

"Thank you, Teacher. I understand."

The three of them bowed in unison.

Judging by their appearance, they already had the beginnings of a team.

"Come on. To celebrate the establishment of the First Squad, I'll take you all out for ramen."

Phantom Sword Style?

The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly. It was a very similar technique.

However.

Although this technique had been created by Kosuke, its underlying theory actually came from Tobirama Senju. After thinking for a moment, he did not become overly suspicious and turned his thoughts back to the examination itself.

"What do you think?"

The Third Hokage looked at Kurenai's Father.

He was also a veteran Jonin of many years, and he was especially responsible for instructing Chunin and Genin. His experience in education was therefore greater than that of most other Jonin.

Kurenai's Father pondered for a moment before saying, "Excellent! That kid's methods are linked together one after another. They're even more excessive than your bell test. One wrong move, and you'd fall right into his trap."

"If this kind of process were promoted, I'm afraid very few children would pass."

The Third Hokage sighed.

It was good, but the standard was too high.

At this standard, eighty percent of the children would be unable to graduate and become Genin, so it was not suitable for widespread adoption.

However.

This method did test the children's abilities from every angle.

After thinking it over repeatedly, he said, "We can promote it among elite squads... Let's try it with Minato's team."

"We can ask Minato to come over and discuss it."

Kurenai's Father agreed.

Since it was an elite squad, the requirements should naturally be higher. Minato Namikaze's team had not only Rin and Obito, but also Kakashi, a longtime Chunin.

Using Kyoichi's requirements would not be excessive.

Before long.

A Shadow Clone of Minato Namikaze arrived.

His original body had to meet with Obito, Rin, and Kakashi.

"Lord Hokage..."

"Minato, Kyoichi's squad just finished its test. We observed the entire process and found some useful experience we can draw from."

The Third Hokage cleared his throat before speaking.

In a sense, their actions amounted to peeking and copying what they had learned.

However.

It should not be a problem, right?

At worst, they could compensate them afterward.

The Third Hokage explained the parts he found useful.

Minato was confused at first, but as he listened, his eyes gradually lit up.

Brilliant!

As expected of Kyoichi. His methods were linked together at every step.

They would not even need to wait until tomorrow morning. They could begin testing that afternoon.

The only problem was—

"My lord, this experience is excellent, but there's a troublesome child on my team. What if... I mean, what if Kakashi really fails to understand and insists on acting alone?"

After his initial excitement, Minato slowly calmed down.

"..."

Kakashi was troublesome.

The Third Hokage and Kurenai's Father both fell into thought. After mulling it over for a while, the Third Hokage said, "Kakashi shouldn't do that. If he really does, remove his Chunin title. If that still doesn't work, send all three of them back to school."

That harsh?

Minato drew a breath, then slowly nodded. "Understood!"

Minato did not know Kakashi very well yet. He only knew that the child had a terrible reputation among the Chunin, and no one was willing to go on missions with him.

So.

If the examination failed and a Chunin was sent back to the Ninja Academy...

That would be quite a spectacle.

However.

Judging by the Third Hokage's attitude, he clearly had no intention of backing down. If Kakashi truly did not understand what a team was, then there was no need to show mercy.

With those words, Minato felt reassured. However, he wanted to invite one more person to supervise and watch the test.