The Ninja Academy's Incredible Legends (13): Ninja Investigations Cannot Let Any Clue Slip By

Mizuki had not watched a ninja competition on the level of the Chunin Exams in years.

He simply could not bring himself to say any insincere words of praise.

Even if he picked out a few standouts from among a large group of children who threw shuriken a little better or performed ninjutsu with some semblance of skill, Mizuki could not see any great future awaiting them.

Then again, that generation of the Konoha 12, who had almost all reached the level of elite jonin, had practically drained several decades' worth of fortune from the Shinobi World. In recent years, not only Konoha but the other hidden villages as well had produced few talents striking enough to catch the eye.

This should have been the norm in the Shinobi World. Every few years, producing a few solid pillars like Aoba Yamashiro, Ebisu, and Ibiki Morino was perfectly natural. If several Hatake Kakashis and Sasuke Uchihas emerged every year, the Shinobi World would have long since descended into chaos.

Looking at the Sixth Hokage seated on the main stand across from him, Mizuki maliciously thought that if his status as Hokage had not prevented him from behaving so rudely, he might already have fallen asleep. The first round in particular was truly rather boring.

The few genin were giving it their all, and for their age, they were decent enough. Still, they somehow seemed to lack perseverance and spark.

Fortunately, the weather was pleasant today, and the sunlight felt warm against his body. Tsubaki, beside him, had been tasked with securing the venue. Though nothing seemed amiss, and nobody was likely to cause trouble at a time like this, it never hurt to be prepared.

As for little Miyuki, after sitting with her parents at first, she no longer wanted to