Kushina Uzumaki

Once everyone had finished their introductions, Asuma couldn't wait to ask:

"So, can we start executing missions now?"

Kushina looked at Asuma's eager expression and couldn't help but laugh:

"No rush. I only know your basic information for now; I don't yet understand your strength. In a while, gather at the outskirts of the Konoha forest for a practical combat drill."

Hearing this, Amada understood; this must be the traditional trial for a newly formed ninja squad.

He recalled that in the original story, Naruto and the others had gone through a similar assessment.

The scene of the bell-snatching test couldn't help but surface in his mind, and he pondered to himself:

I just wonder if it's the same bell-snatching test.

Amada was eager to give it a try. At the Ninja Academy, no one could serve as his training partner, and he lacked a strong opponent to test his true strength.

Kurenai's brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of worry flashing in her eyes.

She speculated inwardly:

What kind of drill will it be? Will it be dangerous?

Although she came from a clan specializing in genjutsu, she was always a bit apprehensive about unknown challenges, fearing she wouldn't perform well in a live combat drill.

Asuma, on the other hand, looked full of confidence.

He even took a deliberate look at Amada, his eyes carrying a hint of provocation, as if to say:

"This time, I will definitely make you see how good I am."

In his heart, after two years of grueling training, his strength was no longer what it used to be, and he couldn't wait to prove himself in the practical drill.

A while later, at the outskirts of the Konoha forest, the trees were lush and green.

Sunlight filtered through the dense branches and leaves, casting patches of mottled light and shadow.

This place was quite remote and quiet, a spot where many ninjas often came to train.

Amada, Asuma, and Kurenai arrived, looking around as they waited for Kushina to appear.

Hidden in the dark, among the dense foliage, Kushina was perched on a thick tree branch, quietly observing the three below.

Asuma, not calm enough.

Kushina frowned slightly, thinking to herself:

He's only been waiting for a short while and he's already impatient. Such a hot-headed nature is prone to causing trouble during real missions.

She watched as Asuma paced back and forth, looking up and around from time to time, his face etched with impatience.

Kurenai has patience,

Kushina's gaze shifted to Kurenai, a hint of concern flashing in her eyes, but she is a bit timid and lacks self-confidence. You can tell from her demeanor and small movements that she is worried about something. This mindset is not conducive to unleashing one's full strength in battle.

Kurenai stood quietly to the side, her hands unconsciously tugging at the corner of her clothes, her eyes revealing a trace of unease.

Finally, Kushina's gaze landed on Amada, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes:

Amada is calm and reserved. Since arriving here, he has been silently adjusting his state, as if he knew all along that he would be sparring with me.

Amada stood there quietly, his breathing steady and his gaze focused, constantly adjusting his state to ensure he was in peak combat readiness.

It's time for me to go down and see what their strength is like.

Kushina thought to herself, tapped her feet lightly against the branch, and vanished from the spot in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, Kushina appeared before the three of them.

"Kushina-sensei, you're finally here! I couldn't wait any longer. Let's start already—how exactly are you going to test us?"

As soon as Asuma saw Kushina, he asked eagerly.

Kushina's expression turned serious and exceptionally stern.

Her gaze swept over Asuma, Kurenai, and Amada in turn, and she said solemnly:

"Today's test is for the three of you to spar against me. You may use any means necessary; there are no rules. This is a comprehensive test of your strength. If I deem that your abilities are insufficient to be ninjas, then you will have to return to the Ninja Academy."

Upon hearing this, Asuma exploded:

"Then what was the point of us working so hard to pass the graduation exam? Was all our previous effort for nothing?"

Kushina looked at Asuma's agitated state and explained patiently:

"That was merely to select those qualified to be tested by us personally. The graduation exam was just a preliminary screening, and this spar is the true key to verifying whether you possess the qualifications to become a qualified ninja."

Kurenai's face grew somewhat tense. She snuck a glance at Asuma and Amada, thinking to herself:

"What if I hold them back? Is my strength really enough?"

Her eyes were filled with self-doubt and unease.

Amada, however, was indifferent.

Passing this test would be fine, but if he couldn't, he would just go back to the academy.

Though full of reluctance, Asuma had no choice but to accept the rules.

Seeing that all three of them had tacitly accepted the test, Kushina nodded slightly and said:

"I will give you half an hour to prepare. We begin in thirty minutes."

As soon as the words left her lips, her figure vanished instantly from before their eyes.

Excitement flickered in Asuma's eyes; he rubbed his hands together, eager to give it a try.

He had no intention of preparing at all; in his view, his own strength was the best preparation.

Kurenai remained immersed in deep worry, her mind a chaotic mess.

She had no idea how to deal with the impending battle.

Just then, Amada suddenly spoke up, breaking the tense atmosphere:

"I think we should cooperate and come up with a battle plan."

Hearing this, Asuma immediately wore a look of disdain. He curled his lip and let out a cold snort:

"I don't need to cooperate. I can handle this all by myself!"

His face was written with arrogance and conceit; in his heart, he felt no need to rely on others.

In truth, he simply didn't want to work with Amada. If it were with Kurenai, he might have considered it.

Watching Asuma's behavior, Amada sighed helplessly and patiently explained:

"Kushina-sensei is a Jonin with a wealth of combat experience and formidable strength. The three of us Genin have no chance of winning. Therefore, the goal of this battle isn't for us to defeat her, but to see if we demonstrate the qualities of a qualified ninja, such as teamwork, adaptability, and combat intelligence."

Seeing that Asuma remained stubborn, Amada had no choice but to turn his gaze toward Kurenai and ask softly:

"Kurenai, what do you think?"

Hearing Amada's question, Kurenai felt a bit nervous.

After hesitating for a moment, she gathered her courage and said:

"I think Amada is right. I agree with him."

She had never been confident in her own strength, and in her view, teamwork might make up for her shortcomings.

Hearing Kurenai side with Amada, Asuma felt a surge of dissatisfaction, his face etched with reluctance.

But seeing the determined look in Kurenai's eyes, he finally nodded begrudgingly, effectively agreeing to the cooperation.

Seeing Asuma compromise, Amada revealed an imperceptible smile; he now knew how to handle Asuma.

Subsequently, the three gathered together and began to seriously discuss their battle plan.

The half-hour passed in the blink of an eye, and Kushina appeared at the agreed-upon location right on time.

She looked around and, finding the three of them gone, couldn't help but pause for a moment, smiling with interest:

"Hiding, are you? Interesting. Let's see what you're capable of."