Chilling when you think about it

It was evident that Umino Iruka's strength was not particularly high; like Yashui, he could not withstand the killing intent radiating from that Anbu.

Yet, he was worthy of the title of a teacher—Umino Iruka. For the safety of his students, he stood his ground with the resolve of one prepared to die.

Truth be told, Umino Iruka only taught a few elective courses in Yashui's class, and they were not particularly close. Yashui had never expected Iruka to step forward like this.

Even though Umino Iruka lacked the immense power of Naruto or Sasuke, his courage alone made him a ninja worthy of respect.

At this moment, Yashui was deeply grateful to Umino Iruka. Had he not intervened, Yashui would have nearly died right there.

"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," Yashui said with gratitude.

"Protecting students is a teacher's duty. Here." Umino Iruka handed the sunglasses back to Yashui.

Yashui put on the sunglasses, feeling that he owed Umino Iruka a massive favor.

At this point, Umino Iruka's breathing had steadied. He glanced at Yashui and began to reprimand him: "Why didn't you come to class today? Even if you have family matters, you should at least come to ask for leave. It's fortunate you were at the training grounds near the school; otherwise, who knows what might have happened..."

"I've been looking for you all day," Umino Iruka-sensei said with a smile, "but I'm just glad you're safe..."

Recalling Umino Iruka-sensei's character and the kindness he had just shown, Yashui whispered to himself, I will protect this smile.

After this incident, Yashui began to protect himself with even greater caution. It seemed the previous matter was far from over. Somewhere in the Hidden Leaf Village, someone with high authority and the power to command the Anbu was still after his life.

Having narrowly escaped death this time, the process of his encounter with the Anbu became the most valuable data for Yashui to analyze the situation.

Yashui realized that the Anbu did not seem like the type to cause a scene. If he had truly been desperate to kill him, ten Umino Iruka-senseis would not have been able to stop him.

Another point was that at the very beginning, the Anbu could have killed him simply by adjusting the angle and force of his punch. Instead, the Anbu had only knocked off Yashui's sunglasses, followed by a remark about wanting to see Yashui's eyes.

When he was attacked by that Chunin-level Anbu last time, he had also said something like, "Blame it on your Uchiha bloodline." It seemed the Hidden Leaf Anbu knew that Yashui's original surname was Uchiha.

Therefore, the reason the Anbu had knocked off Yashui's sunglasses this time was for the Sharingan!

A lingering fear gripped Yashui's heart. One had to realize that the Uchiha Clan had been wiped out, and no new Sharingan would ever be produced again. Thus, the value of a new Sharingan would skyrocket; rarity made it precious.

Thinking back on the actions of the Third Hokage, Yashui felt even more terrified. Why had the Third Hokage gifted him sunglasses that hid his pupil color the very day after Yashui awakened his eyes?

Thinking of all this, Yashui felt a chill run down his spine. The political infighting in the Hidden Leaf was terrifying. Yashui felt as though his entire life was being manipulated by the powerful figures at the top; the thought was chilling.

It seemed Yashui would have to be careful with every move he made from now on.

Returning to school, he was punished with a full day of handstand classes. However, for students at the Ninja Academy, such physical punishment was nothing, given the intensity of their daily training.

By evening, Yashui returned home, prepared to undergo Asuma's test.

"Yashui, you're finally back. I heard you didn't show up for class?" Asuma was remarkably well-informed. If even Asuma knew, it meant the Third Hokage knew as well.

"Forget it. If you pass this test, it won't matter whether you go to school for the next month. You just need to pass the graduation exam in a month," the Third Hokage said, taking a puff of his pipe.

"My test is very strict. Yashui, don't think you can pass this easily," Asuma added, also smoking.

"Big Brother Yashui, good luck!" Konohamaru ran over to cheer him on.

"Understood." Yashui nodded.

After dinner, Asuma brought Yashui to the courtyard of the Third Hokage's residence. As the Hokage, the Sarutobi Clan possessed immense power and backing. With such wealth, it was no surprise they had a courtyard as large as a training ground.

Asuma and Yashui stood in the center of the courtyard, while Konohamaru and the Third Hokage watched the test from the sidelines.

"Yashui, do you know what the graduation requirements were for the Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars many years ago?" Asuma asked first.

"Is this a history question?" Yashui countered.

"The graduation requirement back then was for first-year students to spar with ninjas returning from the battlefield and earn their approval to graduate," Asuma answered his own question. "Students with talent for combat quickly became ninjas, while those without talent left the Ninja Academy forever, never to be part of the ninja world."

"Are you saying we are using wartime graduation standards today?" Yashui asked.

"Yes," Asuma lit a cigarette and said, "I won't deliberately test your Transformation Technique or Clone Technique. For me to agree to let you graduate early, only one thing is required: you must earn my approval."

"I see. Asuma has put some thought into this," the Third Hokage said with a smile, biting down on his pipe.

"Then let's begin." Yashui nodded, though he didn't believe he could win.

In truth, winning this fight was impossible for Yashui. Asuma was incredibly powerful; according to official records, Asuma's total score remained in the top five right up until the Chunin Exams. Against such a powerhouse, Yashui had no way to gain the upper hand.

However, Asuma himself had said the goal of this fight was not to win, but to earn his recognition.

Yashui had encountered many similar tests in his previous life.

In elective physical education finals, students often had to spar, but the teacher didn't give high marks to the winner; they gave them to those with the most standard form. Even in driving tests, instructors often focused not on speed, but on safety awareness.

This test shared those same traits; as long as Yashui demonstrated standard combat movements and proper combat awareness, he could pass.

After considering this for a moment, Yashui charged forward to engage in taijutsu.

Asuma was a well-rounded ninja in every aspect, and his taijutsu was naturally among the best of the best.