Promoted to Squad Leader, Status Raised Once More

In the span of just one month, the name Uchiha Yao had leaped from "a somewhat talented rookie" to a "genius" known throughout the Police Force!

A few days later, Uchiha Yao stood before the notice board at Police Force headquarters.

A new notice had just been posted—an announcement for the Squad Leader selection assessment.

"Squad Leader..." Uchiha Yao murmured.

This was exactly what he needed.

Higher status meant greater authority, more resources, and... more generous system rewards.

"Yao, you came to see the notice too?" A familiar voice came from behind him.

Uchiha Tekka strode over. He looked at the notice board, then at Uchiha Yao, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

"Well? Interested?"

"Do you think I should be interested, Captain?" Uchiha Yao countered with a question.

"Haha! You brat!" Tekka laughed heartily. "If even you aren't interested, then no one in the Police Force is qualified! Go on, I already signed you up!"

"Thank you, Captain." Uchiha Yao said gratefully.

"What are you thanking me for? You earned this!" Tekka patted Uchiha Yao on the shoulder, his tone full of expectation. "Do well. Don't embarrass me!"

The assessment was set for three days later.

The location was the Police Force's exclusive central training ground.

Besides Uchiha Yao, five other veteran Chunin from the Police Force were participating in this Squad Leader selection. All were over twenty years old, experienced, and quite capable.

The first round was combat.

Opponents were decided by drawing lots.

Uchiha Yao's first opponent was a veteran Chunin named Uchiha Mine. His taijutsu was fierce, and he was also quite proficient in Fire Release.

"Uchiha Yao, please enlighten me," Uchiha Mine said gravely, his expression solemn.

Facing the rapidly rising Uchiha Yao, Uchiha Mine did not dare let down his guard in the slightest.

"Please." Uchiha Yao was brief.

The instant the battle began, Uchiha Mine attacked first!

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A blazing fireball roared forth, charging straight at Uchiha Yao's face!

Uchiha Yao's figure flickered. Like a phantom, he evaded the fireball's direct path while rapidly forming hand seals!

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Dozens of fist-sized fireballs, as though they had eyes, attacked Uchiha Mine from every direction!

Uchiha Mine's expression changed slightly as he hurriedly dodged. But Yao's Phoenix Sage Fire Technique was controlled with such precision that several fireballs still grazed the corners of his clothes, bringing with them the smell of scorched fabric.

"Such fast hand seals! Such precise control!" Cries of surprise rang out from outside the arena.

Uchiha Mine steadied himself, his gaze becoming even more grave.

He took a deep breath and formed hand seals!

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

A highly compressed bullet of flame shot toward Uchiha Yao, carrying terrifying heat!

Uchiha Yao neither dodged nor retreated. A scarlet glint flashed through his eyes.

The One-Tomoe Sharingan activated!

At the instant the Flame Bullet was about to strike him, his body twisted at an unbelievable angle, narrowly avoiding a fatal hit.

Seeing Uchiha Yao activate his Sharingan, Uchiha Mine activated his own Kekkei Genkai as well—a pair of One-Tomoe Sharingan identical to Uchiha Yao's.

The two exchanged blows, clashing no fewer than dozens of times in just a few seconds.

Though both possessed One-tomoe Sharingan,

Uchiha Mine's mastery was clearly inferior to Uchiha Yao's.

Combined with Uchiha Yao's formidable taijutsu,

during one exchange, Uchiha Yao seized a gap in his opponent's reactions and unleashed a sweeping kick carrying tremendous force at Uchiha Mine's waist and ribs!

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out!

Uchiha Mine only felt an irresistible force strike his waist. He was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground and unable to get back up for a long while!

They had fought for less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, yet Uchiha Mine had already been utterly crushed.

The entire venue fell silent for several seconds before thunderous cheers erupted!

"He's too strong! Senior Mine lost that quickly!"

"Is Uchiha Yao really a Chunin?!"

In the following combat matches, Uchiha Yao was unstoppable. Even the strongest Elite Chunin among them could last no more than thirty-odd exchanges against him!

In the combat round, Uchiha Yao received a perfect score without any suspense!

The second round was tactical analysis.

The examiners presented a simulated scenario: traces of an enemy nation's spy had been discovered outside Konoha. The spy was suspected of carrying crucial intelligence, and the candidates were required to devise a capture plan while considering the integrity of the intelligence, minimizing casualties, and preventing the enemy from making a desperate last stand, among other factors.

The other candidates each explained their own views.

When it was Uchiha Yao's turn, he thought for only a moment before presenting a highly feasible plan.

"First, seal off all routes out of the village. Use the Police Force's patrol network to form an encirclement and gradually narrow the search area."

"Second, dispatch an elite reconnaissance squad. Use the Sharingan or secret techniques to pinpoint the spy's location. Do not alert the enemy."

"Once the target is located, a direct assault is inadvisable. Send members skilled in genjutsu to attempt a silent infiltration and control the target with genjutsu, prioritizing the safety of the intelligence."

"If the genjutsu fails, or if the spy is too powerful, use a squad combination technique to subdue them swiftly. They must be taken alive. The intelligence is more important than their life."

"At the same time, establish a second line of defense around the perimeter to prevent accomplices from providing support or the target from escaping with a special escape technique."

"The entire operation must be covert, swift, and efficient."

The three chief examiners nodded repeatedly.

One of them, Uchiha Gen, even clapped his hands and praised, "This kid is not only exceptionally strong, but also remarkably clear-minded. He has the makings of a commander!"

In tactical analysis, Uchiha Yao once again received a perfect score!

The third round was genjutsu dispelling.

It was personally administered by the examiner Uchiha Setsuna.

"Uchiha Yao, are you ready?" Uchiha Setsuna's voice remained cold.

"Please."

Setsuna's gaze sharpened abruptly, and an invisible force of ocular power instantly enveloped Uchiha Yao!

"Genjutsu: Mist Servant Technique!"

This was an intermediate genjutsu that caused its victim to see countless false figures, lose their sense of direction, and ultimately suffer a mental breakdown.

However, the instant the genjutsu was activated, the tomoe in Uchiha Yao's eyes suddenly spun faster!

He felt the scene before him sway slightly as countless figures of Uchiha Setsuna appeared. But in the next instant, he clearly sensed the trajectory of the Chakra flow disrupting his mind!

"Break!"

Uchiha Yao shouted softly. The Chakra within his body trembled slightly, and his powerful mental strength erupted. The illusion before him shattered like Mirror Flower, Water Moon!

The entire process took less than three seconds!

"This..." For the first time, obvious surprise appeared on Uchiha Setsuna's face.

Even an ordinary Jonin could not possibly break his Mist Servant Technique so quickly!

The assessment ended.

The result was beyond question.

Uchiha Inabi announced on the spot, "In this Squad Leader selection, Uchiha Yao ranks first with perfect scores in all three rounds! Effective immediately, he is promoted to Squad Leader of the Uchiha Police Force. He is granted a squad establishment and may personally select three members!"

Cheers louder than ever before erupted throughout the venue!