Unfortunately, he couldn't.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi's son, he knew full well that the most important part of Konoha's evaluation system was teamwork.
If he left Nebula Kotetsu out of his plans, it would inevitably affect his evaluation.
Asuma Sarutobi frowned. "I was wondering what you could contribute. Medical Ninjutsu isn't much use in a battle like this."
His tone was rather dismissive.
Nebula Kotetsu reminded him, "I'm pretty good at Taijutsu, too."
Asuma gave a quiet snort, clearly unconvinced. Beating someone like Mizuki was hardly impressive.
"Forget it. Let me think... How about this..."
A few minutes later.
"Bang, bang, bang!!!"
In the training ground, Nebula Kotetsu wielded a Kunai and fought Mikoto Uchiha. Asuma Sarutobi had assigned him to attack first. He'd said that since Nebula was pretty good at Taijutsu, he should make the first move and draw their opponent's attention.
In other words, he was the cannon fodder.
Fists and kicks cracked through the air as Kunai clashed, sparks flying.
As they fought, a hint of surprise flashed in Mikoto Uchiha's eyes.
He was unexpectedly good!
His punches and kicks were textbook, and he hit hard. What stood out most was how quickly he reacted to his opponent. Several times, she'd thought the fight was over, only for him to dodge her attacks. His Taijutsu was almost beyond the level of an ordinary Genin. Was this really the class dead last?
That wasn't what the school records had said!
She felt completely at ease, while Nebula Kotetsu was under immense pressure. Though his opponent was a woman, he couldn't gain the slightest advantage.
She was a little taller than he was, with a slender build. Her punches, kicks, and Kunai attacks were marked by the fierce precision characteristic of Uchiha Taijutsu.
At last, Mikoto Uchiha had a rough measure of Nebula Kotetsu's abilities. Sensing a faint disturbance nearby, she suddenly put more force into her next move.
"Thud!"
Along with a faint, sweet fragrance brushing his nose, a long, pale hand struck his chest. The force sent Nebula Kotetsu flying backward.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~"
Shuriken shot through the air!
Asuma Sarutobi charged in from the side, wielding a blade in each hand.
"Ninja Art: Light Confusion Technique!" Kurenai Yuhi seized her chance, formed Hand Seals, and cast a genjutsu, hoping to disrupt Mikoto Uchiha's vision.
But faced with such a basic genjutsu, Mikoto Uchiha merely glanced to the side.
A flash of crimson light passed through her eyes. The genjutsu was dispelled before it could take effect.
With a casual flick of her hand, several dark streaks shot toward Kurenai Yuhi's limbs.
"Clang, clang, clang!!!" Nebula Kotetsu, who'd just been sent flying, reappeared at her side and blocked the Shuriken, which weren't traveling very fast.
Then he charged in again!
Even knowing Mikoto Uchiha was holding back, they were still no match for an elite ninja's Taijutsu.
Only the improvement to his physical reactions from the system let him contribute at all in a fight like this.
A few minutes later, the battle was over.
The three of them lost without surprise. They hadn't even posed a threat to Mikoto Uchiha.
Mikoto Uchiha looked at the three, all panting for breath, and seemed reasonably pleased.
"Not bad, all three of you."
"Not bad?" Kurenai Yuhi said. "Teacher Mikoto, we lost so badly."
Mikoto Uchiha chuckled. "Isn't it normal to lose?"
"What matters isn't winning or losing. It's how well you work together in battle."
"Your tactics weren't anything special, but at least the three of you fought as a team."
"Nebula, your reactions are excellent. You also did a good job of helping your teammates and choosing when to strike."
Nebula Kotetsu nodded.
"Kurenai, you chose the right moment to use your genjutsu. You also understood your own strengths and didn't rush blindly into the middle of the fight and become a burden to your teammates."
"Asuma..."
Asuma Sarutobi looked faintly expectant, waiting for her encouraging assessment.
"I have to criticize you."
Asuma Sarutobi: ?
Why had the other two gotten praise, while he got criticized?
He'd clearly done the most!
Mikoto Uchiha could see that he wasn't convinced. She asked,
"Do you know why I'm criticizing you?"
"First, your tactics were very ordinary. That won't do if you're going to be the team leader!"
"Nebula's attack and ability to seize an opening are no worse than yours. You could have worked together, but you failed to bring out your teammate's potential."
"Also, you were trying too hard to show off during the fight. Your abilities may be the best of the three, but against a powerful opponent, you need to find the right moment to strike. You didn't."
"You were focused on Kurenai the whole time, so you never used your full strength. And when Kurenai was in danger and Nebula stepped in to protect her, you got distracted."
"That must never happen in a ninja battle!"
Asuma Sarutobi still felt unwilling to accept the criticism, but he didn't know how to argue against it.
Mikoto Uchiha was right.
He'd been distracted the entire fight, constantly preparing to look after Kurenai Yuhi.
But when danger actually came, he was too far away to help. Nebula Kotetsu had stepped in instead, leaving his thoughts even more muddled and his movements full of openings.
If Mikoto Uchiha had been an enemy, he'd already be dead.
At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi asked timidly, "Teacher, did we pass?"
At her question, Mikoto Uchiha smiled at Kurenai Yuhi. For a moment, it seemed to brighten the whole forest.
"Of course."
Mikoto Uchiha said, "It's only your first day as a team, so it's normal that you're not used to working together yet."
"Also, here's the gift I promised you. Remember, don't tell anyone about it."
As the three watched in anticipation, Mikoto Uchiha handed them each a small scroll.
They eagerly accepted them.
Looking at the scroll in his hands, Nebula Kotetsu recalled what he knew.
Neither his memories of his previous life nor what he'd learned in this one suggested that team leaders taught their students ninjutsu right away.
Some squad leaders never taught their teams even a single technique before they disbanded.
So... He glanced at Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi.
Was this a political move?
The Uchiha Clan Head's wife and the Sarutobi family's son... It did make sense.
He looked at the scroll in his hand. A few words were written on it.
<Essentials of Melee Combat and Short Blade Manipulation> Well, it had been tailored just for him.
Then he looked at Kurenai Yuhi's.
Genjutsu: Moon Shadow
Nebula Kotetsu had jumped when he first saw it, thinking it was Tsukuyomi. A closer look showed it was Moon Shadow. Well, this one had been chosen to suit her abilities, too.
Then he looked at his own.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
After briefly reflecting on the difference between their gifts, he put it out of his mind. She didn't owe him anything, and the scroll was free. Better to have it than not.
"Thank you, Teacher Mikoto." Nebula Kotetsu said, carefully putting the scroll away.
Once they'd all put away their scrolls, Mikoto Uchiha said, "That's all for today."
"Tomorrow, would you rather take a mission or train?"
Before you continue