Yoshino Shoda took a deep breath and announced in a booming voice, "With the war intensifying, Lord Hokage has decided that students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades of the Ninja Academy will graduate early!"
The classroom erupted. The students leaped to their feet, their cheers and chatter blending into a single roar.
Some excitedly pumped their fists, some stared in disbelief with their eyes wide, and others hugged one another in excitement.
"Quiet! Quiet!" Yoshino Shoda raised his voice, doing his best to restore order. When the commotion finally died down, he continued, "I know you're all excited, but graduating early also means taking on greater responsibility. The battlefield is no game. The slightest mistake could cost you your life. I hope you'll all take this seriously, stay alert at all times, and protect yourselves and your teammates on the battlefield!" He nagged them with the concern of a father.
But the students were already swept up in the joy of graduating early and didn't take in a word he said.
They dreamed of becoming independent ninja, earning great merit, and making names for themselves.
Gekko Hayate sat in a corner, his brow furrowed and his face filled with worry.
He said quietly, "War... graduating early... Are we really ready?" He remembered how many of his classmates had performed poorly in their practical lessons. At that level, going to the battlefield would be little more than a pointless death sentence.
Haotian gently patted him on the shoulder and reassured him, "Don't worry, Hayate. We'll be assigned to Three-Man Squads, with a Jonin leading us on missions. Konoha's ninja squad system is very well-developed. It lets everyone make the most of their strengths and make up for one another's weaknesses. We'll be fine."
Gekko Hayate still looked worried. "But..."
"Trust me," Haotian said with a confident smile. "We'll all make it out alive."
Yoshino Shoda raised his voice again. "Now, I will announce..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over every student in the classroom, then slowly began, "The Three-Man Squad assignments..."
Yoshino Shoda pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, the lenses flashing white. "Squad One: Gekko Hayate, Morino Iruki, Uenaka Yuto. Jonin leader: Ebisu." The students whose names were called stood up, their faces bright with excitement.
Some cheered, while others excitedly high-fived their teammates.
"Squad Two: Yamashiro Aoba, Genma Shiranui, Yamanaka Ino. Jonin leader: Yuuhi Kurenai." The atmosphere in the classroom grew tense. Some students who hadn't yet heard their names began fidgeting in their seats, their fingers tapping unconsciously on their desks.
"Squad Three: Uchiha Mei, Shiranui Haotian..." Yoshino Shoda paused. The classroom fell silent, every eye fixed on him.
"Due to the number of students, Squad Three still needs one more member and a Jonin leader." Uchiha Mei folded her arms, her expression cool, while Haotian clenched his fists until his knuckles turned slightly white.
Some students looked at them enviously, while others whispered, guessing who their teammate and Jonin leader would be.
Just then, the classroom door slid open, and a tall ninja wearing sunglasses and a black, form-fitting outfit walked in.
A steady, powerful aura radiated from him, making him seem almost impossible to look at directly.
"Aburame Shimbi." Yoshino Shoda nodded to the newcomer in greeting.
"Uchiha Mei, Shiranui Haotian. Come with me." Aburame Shimbi's voice was low and hoarse, like gravel scraping together. It sent a chill through them.
He turned and walked out without a moment's hesitation.
Mei and Haotian quickly stood up and followed him.
All the way there, Aburame Shimbi said nothing, silently observing the two behind him.
He noticed that Mei's steps were light and steady, and her gaze was sharp and full of confidence. Haotian, on the other hand, seemed a little tense, his eyes shifting as though he were thinking something over.
The three of them arrived at a secluded training ground.
Towering trees blocked out the sun, dividing its light into dappled spots that fell across the training ground.
The air carried the fresh scent of soil and leaves, occasionally tinged with a faint smell of blood.
"This will be your training ground for the foreseeable future." Aburame Shimbi stopped and turned around. His eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, were as sharp as a hawk's. "On the battlefield, only absolute strength can ensure your survival. I expect you to take the training ahead seriously. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes!" Mei and Haotian answered in unison, their voices firm with resolve.
Suddenly, a figure burst out of the trees with a deafening shout: "Youth! Burn bright!" Might Guy struck an exaggerated pose. His dark green bodysuit stretched over his powerful muscles, his thick eyebrows nearly reaching his hairline, and he grinned to reveal a row of gleaming teeth.
"Youth! Burn bright!" he roared, as though releasing every last ounce of his energy.
The sound made the leaves rustle, and the air filled with a strong stench of sweat mixed with the smell of some unfamiliar herbs. Uchiha Mei couldn't help frowning, her delicate nose twitching slightly like a little cat that had caught a foul scent.
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