Final Comprehensive Skills Assessment

"Was he sent by the Hokage? It seems my talent has already caught the attention of the higher-ups."

For Ling Xuan, this was neither good nor bad.

As long as it didn't interfere with his plans, he didn't mind being watched.

True players of the game were often happy to have more spectators.

News of the comprehensive skills assessment rippled through the Ninja Academy's first-year class like a stone tossed into a pond.

The once-relaxed atmosphere had suddenly grown tense. Students could be seen training hard all over the grounds.

Naruto Uzumaki was still bouncing around, trying to perfect his Clone Technique. The results were often disappointing, but his refusal to give up inspired plenty of others.

Sasuke Uchiha had claimed a corner for himself. The sound of shuriken slicing through the air rang out without pause, each strike displaying the Uchiha Clan's trademark precision and cool arrogance.

Sakura Haruno clutched a theory book, occasionally arguing with Ino Yamanaka over the finer points of chakra control in a particular ninjutsu. Clearly, she hoped to make up ground in the theory or technique-based events.

Shikamaru Nara leaned against a tree with a blade of grass in his mouth, complaining that it was "such a drag."

But whenever he opened his eyes, they gleamed with a wisdom far beyond his years. Clearly, he was quietly working something out, too.

Choji Akimichi trained his basic stamina while eating chips. As far as he was concerned, anything was possible with enough calories.

Hinata Hyuga practiced the basic stances of Gentle Fist in a corner, over and over again.

Her movements were still a little timid, but her eyes held a resolve that hadn't been there before.

Every so often, her gaze would drift toward the quiet figure on the other side of the training ground.

Ling Xuan seemed no different from usual.

Sometimes he looked through basic ninjutsu scrolls; at other times, he simply closed his eyes to rest, as if the upcoming assessment didn't concern him at all.

Yet his Eye of Truth never rested. It took in his classmates' condition, the instructors' slightest movements,

and even the direction of the wind across the training ground, using them to silently build a model for how to handle assessment day.

The evening before the assessment, at Training Ground 7,

Chunin Toma gave Ling Xuan one final tutoring session.

"Ling Xuan, tomorrow's assessment isn't just a test of what you've learned."

Toma's expression was more serious than usual.

"It's also a chance for the village's higher-ups to observe promising young shinobi. A lot of people will be watching, including some very important figures you wouldn't expect."

He paused, looking into Ling Xuan's unruffled eyes, then continued.

"I've reported your talent honestly. This assessment is your chance to show what you can do, but you also need to know when to hold back. The truly strong never reveal all their cards lightly. Understand?"

Ling Xuan nodded slightly. "I understand, Toma-sensei. I'll do my best and won't let your teachings go to waste."

He understood Toma's implication perfectly. Those "important figures" could only mean the Hokage or Anbu.

And by "hold back," Toma was warning him not to do anything too astonishing.

"Good." Toma patted him on the shoulder. "Go get some rest. Show them what you can do tomorrow."

Back at the orphanage, Ling Xuan didn't practice at the last minute like the other children.

He simply went through a deep meditation, calmly bringing himself into peak condition.

Goal: First place in the comprehensive assessment. Display outstanding talent within controllable limits.

This would pave the way for him to obtain more resources later, such as entering the restricted section of the library, accessing higher-level ninjutsu, and even getting a dedicated instructor.

At the same time, he would test the observers' limits and see how they reacted."

Ling Xuan's plan was clear and precise.

The next day, the Ninja Academy was solemn and tense.

Iruka-sensei stood on the platform. Alongside the familiar instructors, three unfamiliar Konoha Chunin stood nearby.

Their grave expressions made it clear they were the special examiners assigned to the assessment.

In a shadow behind the platform, a figure almost indistinguishable from the darkness watched everything below with an indifferent gaze.

"The Ninja Academy's first-year final comprehensive skills assessment begins now!" Iruka announced. "First event: application of the Three Body Technique!"

The students were called up one by one to demonstrate.

When Naruto Uzumaki's turn came, he took a deep breath and shouted, "Clone Technique!"

The result was still a feeble, pathetic clone that looked ready to ascend to heaven at any moment. Stifled laughter rippled through the crowd, and the examiners' brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Sasuke Uchiha, on the other hand, performed brilliantly. His Transformation Technique was lifelike, his Clone Technique solid, and his Substitution Technique swift and silent. Every part of his performance was nearly flawless.

Several girls let out quiet gasps, while the examiners nodded again and again.

"Next, Ling Xuan!"

Ling Xuan walked calmly to the center of the field. He made no unnecessary movements; his Hand Seals were precise and fluid, and his chakra control was even more exact.

"Transformation Technique!"

In an instant, he transformed into the Third Hokage. Not only did he copy the man's appearance, but he also imitated his steady bearing remarkably well.

"Clone Technique!"

Poof! A clone identical to him appeared, its eyes bright and alert, standing steadily in place.

"Substitution Technique!"

The moment the examiner finished speaking, Ling Xuan switched places with a log he had positioned in advance, moving so quickly that it was nearly impossible to follow.

"Perfect!" one of the guest examiners exclaimed under his breath. "Every detail is impeccable, and his chakra efficiency is incredibly high!"

A pleased, proud smile appeared on Iruka's face.

Next came the shuriken and kunai throwing test. Stationary targets, moving targets, long-range targets...

The difficulty gradually increased.

Sasuke once again displayed the Uchiha Clan's talent for throwing weapons, earning an excellent score.

Then it was Ling Xuan's turn. He picked up a shuriken and gave an almost casual flick of his arm.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Whether the target was stationary or moving at high speed, every shuriken struck the exact center of the bullseye—not a fraction too far, not a fraction too short!

A few times, a shuriken he threw later even split apart one that had already lodged in the bullseye!

His movements were clean and decisive. He used no unnecessary force, yet his throws carried a distinctive rhythm and extreme efficiency.

One of the guest examiners seemed intrigued. He pointed to the farthest target, which was swaying most erratically.

"Ling Xuan, try hitting that target."

Ling Xuan nodded, picked up a kunai, and flicked his wrist.

The kunai traced an almost perfectly straight path through the air, but just before it struck, the target's irregular swaying seemed about to make it veer off course.

At the very moment everyone thought he would miss, a tiny burst of chakra, nearly invisible, flared from the end of the kunai. It slowed for an instant in midair and shifted by the smallest fraction of an angle!

Thwack!

The kunai struck the bullseye!

"Chakra application and fine control!" A glint flashed in the examiner's eyes. "Remarkable! Even many Genin couldn't manage that level of control!"

The whole crowd erupted.