Jonin Assessment: Upper

The Third gave Naraku ten days to prepare for the exam. During those days, Naraku spent his time training and keeping company with Hinata, Hanabi, and Naruto.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye!

On the day of the assessment, an ANBU arrived early in the morning to notify Naraku that the Jonin exam location was the Central Tower in the Forest of Death.

"Central Tower in the Forest of Death? Isn't that the place for the Chunin exam four years from now?" Naraku mused to himself.

"Naraku, don't put any pressure on yourself. Just remember to do your best!"

Hyuga Hiashi kept encouraging Naraku from the side!

Ever since he learned ten days ago that Naraku had reached Jonin-level strength and would be taking the Jonin exam, he'd been in a constant state of excitement.

Good grief, I'm this old and I'm only an elite Jonin. My son is ten years old and already at Jonin level. From now on, I can brag about this in front of my old friends.

"A ten-year-old Jonin from Konoha, a genius ninja of Konoha—that's my son!"

Thinking about how he'd boast in front of his friends and the envious looks they'd give him, Hiashi couldn't help but break into a proud, beaming smile!

"Oh, oh, I know, I know. You've said this so many times already. Don't worry, I don't feel any pressure at all. I'll just go early, finish it quickly, and come back!"

Clearly, Naraku wasn't taking this exam very seriously.

"You little brat, really..."

Naraku ignored his old man's complaints and pulled up his own status panel to take a look.

"Host: Hyuga Naraku

Level: Advanced Spiritual Pressure (Jonin)

Abilities: Byakugan (Advanced), Gentle Fist (Master), Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms (Master), Rotation (Master), Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm (Master), Hado (1~60), Bakudo (1~60), Intermediate Responded, Advanced Flash Step

Items: Zanpakuto (Genmetsu)—Shikai Ability: Sakashima Yokoso"

The Hyuga Clan was renowned for its taijutsu, with the entire clan training in the Gentle Fist. After eight years of check-ins, Naraku hadn't gained any other ninjutsu, but he had maxed out all of the Hyuga Clan's fist and palm techniques. It was no exaggeration to say that Naraku was now the strongest member of the Hyuga Clan!

With his current level of taijutsu mastery, combined with the speed of Advanced Flash Step and the bizarre ability of Sakashima Yokoso, Naraku could confidently say to an average Jonin: "I want to fight ten of you!" ○(#｀＾′#)○

Central Tower in the Forest of Death.

Naraku stood in the center of the open space on the first floor. On the second floor stood the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—all of Konoha's top officials had arrived.

On the sidelines were the heads of Konoha's other major clans: the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, the Inuzuka Clan, and the Aburame Clan were all present, along with his own father, the head of the Hyuga Clan. These people were all here to evaluate Naraku's Jonin exam!

"Ahem... mm-hmm..."

The Third Hokage cleared his throat and glanced around the room.

"Since everyone is here, we can begin the Jonin exam for Hyuga Naraku."

"Given Hyuga Naraku's mission completion rate over the past five years and his outstanding performance in those missions—whether in on-the-spot adaptability or leadership skills—he has been exceptional. Therefore, after deliberation among Konoha's top officials, this exam will consist of only one item: combat!"

"For this exam, two Jonin will be dispatched as examiners. If you can withstand their attacks for the duration of one incense stick, the exam will be considered a success!"

"I now declare the exam officially begun!"

Hearing the Third announce the exam content, Naraku's heart tightened. A two-on-one assault from two Jonin—he wondered who they would be.

After all, Jonin varied in strength. The weakest were Special Jonin, then came average Jonin, and finally the strongest, Elite Jonin. With Naraku's current strength, a few Special Jonin would die at his hands, and one or two average Jonin were nothing to him. Only Elite Jonin posed any real threat.

"Whoosh..."

A flash of movement, and two figures appeared before Naraku!

They wore Konoha's signature green vests. One had a black bowl cut, thick, bushy eyebrows, and a tall build. The other had spiky white hair, a black mask, and a Konoha headband slanted across his face, covering his left eye!

"That's... Might Guy and Hatake Kakashi..."

Seeing them, Naraku's eyes narrowed.

Good grief, the Third really thought highly of him, sending out Konoha's two aces right off the bat. One was Kakashi, the Copy Ninja with the Sharingan. The other was Guy, the master of the Eight Gates, who nearly kicked his way to a finale after opening all eight.

Neither of them was an easy opponent!

Looking at his two opponents, Naraku, who had originally planned to slack off and just get through it, felt his blood start to boil.

In five years of missions, aside from the initial adjustment period when he was still learning, Naraku had never faced real danger. Every enemy he encountered on missions was cleanly and swiftly killed by him.

Naraku actually craved fighting strong opponents. Only that way could he keep improving. And these two in front of him were among the strongest below the Five Kage!

"I didn't expect my opponents to be the two of you—Might Guy, Konoha's number one in taijutsu, and Kakashi the Copy Ninja."

Naraku greeted the two in front of him.

"Yo, young Naraku, long time no see. What an honor to fight you today! To have Jonin-level strength at such a young age—truly worthy of being called a genius ninja like Kakashi. Maybe this is what youth is all about!"

Before Kakashi could speak, Guy clenched his fists and started getting emotional all by himself!

"Hyuga Naraku, is it? It's an honor to cross fists with you today. Then let us test your strength. Be careful—the Jonin exam is no joke. We'll be going all out!" Kakashi warned Naraku.

With that, both sides assumed their stances.

Now, facing a two-on-one assault, Naraku instead started calling out to the system in his mind.

"Hey, system, I want to check in. Meeting such powerful opponents today, on such a joyful day—I want to check in to celebrate!"

"Ding, host has chosen to check in. Check-in begins!"

"Check-in successful. Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Zanpakuto Shikai ability—Zangetsu."

"What? Zangetsu? Isn't that the Zanpakuto ability of Kurosaki Ichigo, the protagonist of Bleach? I actually... drew this? Looks like my luck is pretty good today!"

Looking at the Zanpakuto ability he had drawn, Narak curled his lips into a smile.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Just as Narak was feeling pleased about obtaining Zangetsu, Kakashi had already launched an attack against him, sending several Shuriken flying toward Narak.