Ling Xuan Is Currently Ranked First!

Hinata was already exhausted, and with weights strapped to her feet, one careless step made her slip. She was about to tumble down the slope.

"Ah!" Hinata let out a brief cry and shut her eyes in despair.

Just then, a figure swept past her. It was Ling Xuan, who had overtaken her and reached this point.

As he passed Hinata, he casually tapped his right foot against the slope.

A relatively dry stone about half the size of a fist was kicked with pinpoint accuracy to a spot half an inch in front of Hinata's left foot, just as she was about to slip.

Hinata instinctively stepped on the stone that had appeared out of nowhere. She still stumbled, but the small bump gave her a precious foothold.

Against all odds, she managed to steady herself and avoid falling.

When she opened her eyes, still shaken, all she saw was Ling Xuan's unhurried back as it disappeared around the bend ahead.

Again... is this how it is?

Hinata stood there in a daze, a complicated, indescribable feeling welling up inside her.

Gratitude, confusion, and a flutter she hadn't even noticed herself.

She shook her head hard, casting aside her jumbled thoughts, then took a deep breath and started moving again. Her gaze was even more determined than before.

Sasuke Uchiha was running at full speed. He could hear the steady footsteps of someone close behind, refusing to fall back.

He didn't need to look back to know it was Ling Xuan.

No matter how much he sped up or what techniques he used, he couldn't shake Ling Xuan. His impatience only made him tire faster.

"Damn it!" Sasuke gritted his teeth. His proud self-esteem couldn't stand being overtaken by an unknown orphan like this.

He forced his chakra into action, gaining another burst of speed.

The finish line was in sight. With one final burst of chakra, Sasuke crossed it first by a narrow margin.

He braced his hands on his knees and panted heavily, sweat soaking through his clothes.

Right behind him, almost on his heels, Ling Xuan crossed the finish line with ease.

His breathing was only slightly labored, and a fine sheen of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

The contrast with Sasuke's disheveled state was striking. Ling Xuan even had enough energy to give the teacher recording the results a slight nod.

Everyone who saw this drew in a sharp breath.

After running such a grueling course, he could still look so composed? Just how much stamina did this kid have?!

The other students arrived at the finish line one after another. Most collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

"The weighted obstacle run assessment is over!" Iruka-sensei announced loudly. He glanced at the overall rankings in his hand, then gave Ling Xuan a complicated look.

"Based on the combined scores of the first two assessments, the student currently ranked first is still Ling Xuan!"

The whole field fell silent again, then erupted into even louder chatter.

This usually quiet orphan now seemed like a rising star in everyone's eyes, so dazzling that he couldn't be ignored.

Iruka motioned for everyone to quiet down, then made a solemn announcement.

"Class, next is the final part of this comprehensive assessment, and the one that best demonstrates a ninja's ability in actual combat."

"You'll be paired up for mock combat! The examiners will draw lots to determine the matchups. We'll announce them shortly!"

The announcement instantly fired up the students.

Countless eyes turned, almost in unison, toward Ling Xuan, who remained calm among the crowd as if none of this had anything to do with him.

They were all wondering the same thing: who would be his partner? And who would be "unlucky" enough to face him and his teammate?

After Iruka-sensei's voice fell, the atmosphere on the training field seemed to freeze for a moment. Then it gave way to the students' barely restrained chatter and nervous breaths.

The mock combat was undoubtedly the most exciting part of the assessment, and the one that best tested individual ability and teamwork.

"Quiet!" Iruka raised his voice, and the examiners swept their stern gazes over the students.

"Next, I'll announce the randomly assigned teams and matchups for the mock combat."

A guest examiner stepped forward, holding a lottery cylinder.

He drew two scrolls from it and announced, "First team: Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno! Your opponents are..."

He paused, then drew two more. "Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame!"

"Oh?" Sasuke's lips curled into a cold smile. He glanced at Kiba beside him, his eyes full of confidence.

Kiba bared his teeth in defiance, and Akamaru on his head chimed in with a couple of barks.

Sakura looked a little nervous, but she was also quite excited to be teamed up with Sasuke.

Shino stood silently as ever. No one could tell what he was thinking behind his sunglasses.

"Second team: Naruto Uzumaki and Shikamaru Nara! Your opponents are..." The examiner drew more lots. "Enshi Higurashi and Hotaru Morino!"

"What? I'm teamed up with this dead-last loser?" Shikamaru immediately complained, wearing his signature "what a drag" expression.

Naruto excitedly pumped his fists. "Awesome! Shikamaru, let's send them flying!"

The examiner ignored their commotion and continued.

"Third team: Ling Xuan, your partner is..."

Everyone held their breath, especially the weaker students hoping to team up with someone strong.

And the capable ones, who hoped to team up with a strong student or test themselves against one.

"...Hinata Hyuga!"

A wave of startled murmurs swept through the crowd.

Hinata Hyuga? The timid girl who was always too shy to speak up?

She'd been paired with Ling Xuan, the most impressive student so far? The difference between them was enormous!

Many thought she would only hold Ling Xuan back.

Others were secretly envious. Teaming up with a "super rookie" like Ling Xuan was unbelievably lucky.

Ino Yamanaka made an exaggerated "Ah!" and waggled her eyebrows at Sakura. "Sakura, look! That shy girl sure got lucky! But there's no way she won't make a mess of things and drag Ling Xuan down!"

Hinata was completely stunned. She covered her mouth with her small hand, her fair cheeks turning bright red.

She looked at Ling Xuan in disbelief, then hurriedly lowered her head, her heart racing.

She was thrilled to be teamed up with Ling Xuan-kun, but the pressure of possibly letting him down was overwhelming.

Ling Xuan remained calm. He glanced at the flustered Hinata nearby, his expression unreadable.

[Partner: Hinata Hyuga. Kekkei Genkai: Byakugan (not fully developed). Specialty: Gentle Fist (basic).]

[Strengths: Great sensory potential; Gentle Fist counters some forms of Taijutsu. Weaknesses: Lacks combat experience, extremely low self-confidence, average chakra control.]

[Overall assessment: A highly adaptable support/scouting teammate who needs proper guidance and confidence-building.]