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"You all know that a ninja squad is generally made up of four people. When you run into trouble, one person's strength can seem insignificant. But don't forget that you have three teammates. Only by working together with your comrades can you defeat your enemies. Take today, for example. The three of you worked together and defeated me, an elite Jonin. You're comrades, and you should never fight among yourselves." Choza then began his lecture on teamwork. It was a customary practice in Konoha.

Choza had agreed to let the three of them pass the test and join him on a mission. But in truth, the only one he was truly satisfied with was Yashui. None of the three had been willing to give up their own interests; only Yashui had brought them together. As for Hachiko and Xun, neither of them had performed particularly well.

Xun had attacked her teammate right from the start. With a stricter teacher, all three of them would have been sent back to the Ninja Academy the moment Xun attacked Hachiko.

After defeating Choza, Hachiko had used her superior position to bully Xun and Yashui. No other teacher would have let that attitude pass.

Fortunately, their teacher was Choza. Although he seemed very strict, he was really the sort of teacher who was all bark and no bite. With another teacher, they would have been sent packing long ago.

Perhaps there had been a team like this in the original Naruto story, one that was never mentioned. But judging by the fact that only nine students in Naruto's graduating class became Genin, even Choza—the sort of teacher who was all bark and no bite—must have failed to pass this unmentioned team. Perhaps they would have failed too if Yashui hadn't intervened in time.

After hearing Choza's lecture, Xun and Hachiko lowered their heads, their faces flushed with embarrassment. They looked at Yashui gratefully. If not for him, they really would have been sent back to the Ninja Academy. This time, both Xun and Hachiko owed Yashui a favor.

The test ended there. But its aftermath was not over yet.

Yashui and Xun had been injured in the fight. Yashui's left arm was broken, and even with the best medical care Konoha could offer, he would need a week to recover. Xun was in worse shape: her liver, spleen, and kidneys had sustained minor damage. She would need a week to recuperate, and for another month she would have to avoid strenuous exercise.

Hachiko and Choza had also sustained minor injuries, but neither of them needed to be hospitalized or take time to recover. When the four arrived at Konoha Hospital together, the medical staff couldn't believe that their injuries had come from a training exercise. They thought Team 12, newly promoted to Genin, had taken on a B-Rank Mission.

While the medical staff speculated and expressed their doubts, Choza got his three students settled in. Then he went to the Third Hokage's office. Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi were all waiting there for him.

"Choza, you're late. How could a simple test take so long?" Kurenai glanced at Asuma. The two of them seemed to have somewhere urgent to be.

"The students were too strong. It couldn't be helped," Choza said helplessly.

"You mean you sparred with your students, and they beat you so badly your clothes were in tatters and even your armor was broken?" After hearing Choza's account, Kakashi put the copy of Icha Icha Paradise in his hand back into his ninja tool pouch. He was quite interested in Choza's team.

"That's right." Choza recalled, "Hachiko has a talent for traps and a solid Taijutsu foundation. She's reached Genin level. There's no need to mention Xun's staff techniques and Welcome Senju. You know all about that, Asuma."

Asuma nodded. He could use Welcome Senju too; his good friend, Chiriku, the abbot of the Fire Temple, had taught it to him. "Since Xun can use Chiriku's technique, her short-term burst of power should be at Chunin level."

Choza nodded. "And then there's Sarutobi Yashui of the Uchiha Clan. His combat ability isn't the most outstanding, but he's well-rounded in every area."