Practical Combat Assessment (New Book—Please Bookmark and Follow)

A few minutes later, the chunin instructor in charge of the practical combat assessment finally arrived in the classroom.

"Rogge!" the chunin instructor called out Rogge's name.

"Here!" Rogge swiftly rose to his feet, his determined gaze fixed on the teacher.

The chunin instructor glanced at Rogge, frowned slightly, and said, "Come outside for a moment. I need to talk to you."

Without the slightest hesitation, Rogge strode out of the classroom and into the corridor.

In a tone that sounded concerned but was actually full of contempt, the chunin instructor said, "Rogge, don't take part in this practical combat assessment."

"Why?" Rogge frowned and asked in confusion.

The chunin instructor's brow furrowed even deeper, his voice brimming with impatience. "You've been enrolled for nearly a year and still haven't mastered the Three Basic Techniques. You should apply to withdraw on your own."

"No! I have to take part in the practical combat assessment. If I lose today, I'll voluntarily apply to withdraw!" Rogge's voice was firm and powerful as he met the chunin instructor's gaze without backing down.

"You said it yourself. I didn't force you." The chunin instructor sneered.

"Yes, I said it." Rogge looked calm as he turned and left without hesitation, returning to the classroom with steady steps and sitting back down.

Ever since Rogge had enrolled, this chunin instructor had constantly mocked and ridiculed him, never once showing him a pleasant expression.

It was only because Rogge was not a child born and raised in Leaf Village. He came from another village, an orphan adopted by Leaf Village and placed in Sunshine Welfare Institute.

At this point in the shinobi world, less than ten years had passed since the end of the First Shinobi World War. Leaf Village was extremely hostile toward outsiders and highly xenophobic.

In their eyes, people from other villages were practically presumed to be enemies and foes. The hatred caused by the First Shinobi World War had carried over to the next generation.

Perhaps this chunin instructor had family or friends who had died in the war, which was why he naturally held indifference and prejudice toward children from other villages.

Especially after Rogge's ninjutsu grades became worse and worse, the chunin instructor racked his brains almost every day, trying to persuade Rogge to withdraw.

After all, Leaf Village's ninja academy provided compulsory education. Unless Rogge voluntarily applied to withdraw or committed a serious violation, the chunin instructor had no authority to expel him directly.

"What did the teacher say to you?" Kushina asked with concern.

Rogge gently shook his head. "Nothing."

At that moment, the chunin instructor entered the classroom. After delivering a few customary formalities, he led all the students outside to the spacious training ground.

Then, the chunin instructor began calling names and arranging one-on-one matches for the students.

"Minato Namikaze versus Hyuga Ningbo."

A handsome boy with blond hair calmly walked to the center of the field, and his appearance immediately drew cheers from a group of girls in the class.

There was no doubt about it. If Rogge was the dead last in the class, then Minato Namikaze was the undisputed number one.

Minato Namikaze was powerful. His ninjutsu grades, taijutsu grades, and written test scores all ranked firmly in first place.

Not only was he handsome, but he also came from a civilian background and had an easygoing personality.

From teachers to students, there was almost no one who disliked Minato Namikaze.

Compared to Minato Namikaze, Rogge was also fairly handsome, but he had terrible talent for ninjutsu and a gloomy, withdrawn personality. Naturally, it was difficult for him to win everyone's favor.

Sure enough, Minato Namikaze easily subdued Hyuga Ningbo in just three moves, holding a kunai steadily against Hyuga Ningbo's neck.

"Good match!" Minato Namikaze said with a smile, putting away his kunai before extending his hand and forming the Seal of Reconciliation.

"I didn't expect to lose again." Hyuga Ningbo sighed helplessly and formed the Seal of Reconciliation as well.

He accepted his defeat wholeheartedly. After all, this was not the first time Minato Namikaze had defeated him.

Minato Namikaze is too strong. Even though I'm a genius of the Hyuga Clan, I'm afraid it'll be difficult for me to surpass him...

Hyuga Ningbo felt somewhat bitter inside. He knew full well how great the gap between himself and Minato Namikaze was.

Seeing Minato Namikaze defeat his opponent so easily, Kushina could not help glancing at Rogge with concern. She sighed softly. "Rogge hasn't put in any less effort than Minato Namikaze. He's worked even harder, if anything. But because of the difference in their ninjutsu talent, the gap in their strength is only getting wider. Sigh... Can talent really not be made up for with hard work?"

The chunin instructor looked at Minato Namikaze with great admiration and secretly sighed to himself. How outstanding Minato Namikaze is. As expected of a child born and raised in Leaf Village—he really is strong...

"Next, Rogge! Versus Uchiha Iwa."

As soon as the chunin instructor's words fell, the students immediately broke into discussion.

"Now this will be interesting. Uchiha Iwa is a genius on par with Minato Namikaze. Rogge definitely won't last more than two moves."

"Hehe, you think too highly of Rogge, that dead last. If you ask me, he won't even last one move."

"Uchiha Iwa has hated Rogge for a long time. This is perfect. Rogge is definitely going to get beaten badly."

Kushina became anxious. She abruptly stood up and demanded angrily, "Teacher, why Uchiha Iwa? This isn't fair."

The chunin instructor had deliberately placed Rogge and Uchiha Iwa in the same match. His intentions were obvious.

The chunin instructor's face darkened as he said sternly, "Am I the teacher, or are you? There is no fairness in a shinobi duel. Only the winners survive, and the losers die. When you reach the battlefield someday, are you going to argue about fairness with your enemies?"

"But..." Kushina was left speechless.

Rogge stepped forward, gently clasped Kushina's hand, and said softly, "It's okay. I'll win."

"No, you'll die. Uchiha Iwa is known for being ruthless. He's a genius of the Uchiha Clan, and you can't beat him. Listen to me—go up there, take one move, and surrender immediately. I don't want you to get hurt." Kushina's eyes were filled with worry as she desperately tried to persuade Rogge to concede.

Rogge said nothing more. He simply turned around and walked toward the center of the field with a blank expression.

Let strength do the talking!

Uchiha Iwa also strode confidently to the center of the field and stood face-to-face with Rogge.

He said, "There's no point competing with trash like you. Just surrender. My opponent is Minato Namikaze."

"No, I'm your opponent." Rogge remained calm as his hands swiftly and skillfully formed the Seal of Opposition.

"I admire your courage." Uchiha Iwa smiled disdainfully and formed the Seal of Opposition as well.

Seeing this, the chunin instructor immediately announced loudly, "Begin!"

The moment his words fell, three kunai shot out from Uchiha Iwa with a whoosh, flying straight at Rogge's brow, throat, and heart with terrifying speed.