Practical Combat Assessment (Seeking Monthly Votes, Follow-ups, and Recommendation Votes)

"An assessment!"

"Didn't we already pass an assessment?" Yohei Uchiha asked, his face full of confusion.

"That was the Ninja Academy's assessment, not mine. If you can't pass my assessment, I'll have no choice but to send you back to the academy," Masasuke Yamaguchi said mercilessly, all business.

"Ah, how can it be like this?" Yohei looked speechless.

Taiichi knew that every newly graduated Genin team would be assessed by their supervising ninja. The purpose varied, as did the format, and it mostly depended on the supervising ninja's preferences. For instance, Naruto's future Team 7 would be tested by bell-grabbing, with the goal of examining the bonds between teammates.

"Now, let me explain the rules. Before the Sun Barrier sets today, no matter what methods you use—ninjutsu, taijutsu, even shuriken—as long as you manage to hit me once, you pass." As he spoke, he looked up at the Sun Barrier already descending in the west. "There are roughly two hours until sunset. Make good use of your time."

After hearing the rules, the three exchanged glances, as though they had reached some silent agreement. Everything was understood without a word.

"Captain Yamaguchi, this isn't fair. You're a Jonin, while we're only Genin. How could we possibly win?" Yohei stepped forward first to question him, looking utterly carefree.

"Do you think enemies on the battlefield will talk to you about fairness?" Captain Yamaguchi replied bluntly. "As a ninja, you..."

Before he could finish, Taiichi suddenly sprang into action. He charged toward Captain Yamaguchi, who was still answering, and slashed his gleaming Short Sword mercilessly at the captain's neck. He looked as though he bore a life-or-death grudge against Captain Yamaguchi.

Captain Yamaguchi truly deserved his reputation as a veteran Jonin. His reaction was unbelievably swift. With a flick of his hand, he drew a kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch and barely managed to block Taiichi's strike.

But Taiichi was no pushover either. His Short Sword whirled in an impenetrable flurry, giving Captain Yamaguchi no chance to catch his breath. Having seized the initiative with his surprise attack, he actually managed to suppress Captain Yamaguchi for a time.

Just then, someone shouted, "Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!" It was Saori. Using Yohei, who had stepped forward earlier, to conceal herself, she took the opportunity to form hand seals and launch her attack. A Lightning Ball shot from her hand toward Captain Yamaguchi with lightning speed.

The instant Taiichi heard the words "Lightning Style," he withdrew on his own initiative, moving left to clear the attack route.

Seeing the Lightning Ball about to reach him, Captain Yamaguchi did not appear to form any hand seals. He simply slapped the ground, and a thick Earth Wall rose from the earth, blocking the Lightning Ball. It was Earth Style Wall. That casting speed was simply incredible.

But it was not over yet. Yohei, who had stepped forward to question him, had also finished forming his hand seals. He launched an attack from the right. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" A massive Fireball roared toward Captain Yamaguchi, who was hiding behind the Earth Wall. The enormous Fireball engulfed both him and the wall.

Captain Yamaguchi was forced to dodge out from behind the Earth Wall to the left. But Taiichi had already finished gathering strength on that side. Like a hunter waiting for a rabbit, he watched Captain Yamaguchi dodge toward him and slashed down.

In the blink of an eye, Captain Yamaguchi raised his kunai to block the Short Sword. With a sharp clang, the long-prepared Short Sword cut through the kunai like tofu, and in the same stroke cleaved Captain Yamaguchi in two from neck to waist.

The entire field fell silent. Even Taiichi froze. But with a bang, white smoke rose, and the captain's severed body turned to smoke and vanished. It had only been a Shadow Clone.

The three came to their senses and quickly drew close, forming a triangular defensive formation as they watched their surroundings warily.

Not far away, Masasuke Yamaguchi's real body stood behind a large tree. It turned out that the one who had fought Taiichi and the others from the beginning had been his Shadow Clone. At that moment, Yamaguchi had seen everything. The three had achieved such outstanding coordination with nothing more than a glance between them. They truly were among the most exceptional of this year's graduates.

With a Body Flicker, Masasuke Yamaguchi appeared in the field. The three immediately adjusted their formation and stared at Captain Yamaguchi with guarded expressions.

Clap, clap, clap. Captain Yamaguchi applauded as he said to the three, "Very good. You can lower your guard now. You've passed this assessment."

The three were slightly stunned when they heard that, then all put away their weapons.

"Your coordination was excellent. It's hard to imagine that you only met recently. And both your strength and your determination in battle are quite commendable."

"Thank you for the praise, Captain Yamaguchi!" x3

"Alright, I now officially announce the establishment of Team 8." Captain Yamaguchi smiled as he looked at the excited trio, especially Yohei, who was practically jumping up and down.

"Then, to celebrate the formation of Team 8, I'll treat everyone to barbecue today!" Captain Yamaguchi spoke again while everyone was still excited.

"Yeah!" x3

This time, even Taiichi and Saori cheered.

The sunset stretched the shadows of the four—one adult and three children—until they met in the distance, as though their fates had also become intertwined at that moment.

Barbecue Restaurant.

Looking at the table piled high with skewers, Captain Yamaguchi's face darkened. He was beginning to regret bragging about treating the three of them. He truly had not expected these three to eat so much. The two boys were one thing, but Saori, despite being a girl, had an appetite no weaker than Taiichi's or Yohei's. The three of them ate through the reward for one B-rank mission in a single meal. He felt the money in his pocket. Thankfully, he had brought enough today, or he would have utterly embarrassed himself.

"Alright, that's it for today. Go back and get some rest early. Gather at the Hokage Building at nine tomorrow. We'll officially start taking missions then," Yamaguchi said somewhat impatiently, perhaps worried that the three were not full yet.

After hearing that, Taiichi and the other two stood up with their bellies stuffed full. They had eaten so much that even walking was difficult.

After returning home, Taiichi carried out his usual daily training—Advanced Taijutsu and Advanced Meditation. Seeing that both skills were about to enter the ranks of Lv1 through his daily efforts, Taiichi felt full of energy. After finishing his daily training, he went to bed early to rest.

Lying in bed, Taiichi thought back over everything that had happened that day. Captain Masasuke Yamaguchi was an upright and serious man. From today's assessment, it was clear that even among Jonin, his strength was outstanding. Though rough around the edges, he was attentive and considerate toward his subordinates. He would be a good captain.

As for his two teammates, Taiichi was very satisfied with them. Setting aside their strength, they were both sharp-minded. With just one glance, they had understood each other's intentions. With people like that as teammates, even on the battlefield, their odds of victory would be a little higher.

Thinking of how his ninja life would officially begin tomorrow, Taiichi could not help feeling excited. But when he considered that newly graduated Genin could initially only carry out D-rank missions—harmless tasks like catching cats, finding dogs, and cleaning up trash—he felt a little bored again. Then he remembered how Captain Yamaguchi had used a Shadow Clone to fight them during the day. If he could use Shadow Clones too, he could have them handle those tasks for him. He decided he would find a chance later to see whether Captain Yamaguchi could teach him the Shadow Clone Technique. After all, teaching newly promoted Genin was also part of a supervising Jonin's duties.

With those thoughts in mind, Taiichi slowly drifted off to sleep.