Could things get any better?

Before he had finished speaking, Asuma spotted Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha, and embarrassment crept across his face.

He swallowed the words he had been about to say. Badmouthing someone to their face still made him feel a little guilty.

After all, they had saved his life. But he could not tolerate or condone behavior that corrupted Konoha's atmosphere, either.

The Third sensed something off about the mood and coughed.

He felt there seemed to be some misunderstanding between his son and Zou's group.

"Zou Hyuga, do you know why I called you here today?"

"No..." Zou Hyuga shook his head.

If I knew, would I have come?

Still, even if the things he had done were discovered, they were no big deal. Plenty of Ninja had done similar things. Everyone had to put food on the table, after all.

As long as they had not discovered that he had mastered Senjutsu, everything was fine. He still wanted a peaceful life.

The Third looked at Zou Hyuga, interlacing his fingers on the desk. "You've been a Chunin for quite some time now, haven't you? You never took the Chunin Ninja Exams... you were promoted directly."

"But I think it would be better for you to undergo an assessment before serving as a Chunin instructor."

With that, the Third smiled at Zou Hyuga like a kindly old man from next door.

Phew...

Zou Hyuga breathed a sigh of relief, only for his heart to lurch when he heard about the assessment.

An assessment? Why an assessment?

Since when did the Hokage personally get involved in Chunin assessments?

Zou Hyuga instinctively glanced at Asuma again. This had to have something to do with that petty bastard!

With that thought, Zou Hyuga looked toward the Third, his smile utterly sincere. "Lord Third, where should I go for the assessment? The Chunin Ninja Exams in a few months?"

The Third gently shook his head and pointed out the window. "Right outside. We can do it shortly."

"?"

The corner of Zou Hyuga's mouth twitched, and he waved his hands repeatedly. "Oto and I are just ordinary Ninja. We can take the Chunin Ninja Exams. Sorry for the trouble, Lord Third. You're so busy..."

If the Third assessed him personally, it would be difficult not to expose his true strength.

He considered himself about as strong as an experienced Genin, and Oto Uchiha was much the same.

An experienced Genin and a Genin might sound about the same, but not all Genin could be lumped together.

If he had to put it into words, he might be just a tiny bit stronger than the average Chunin.

Really, just a tiny bit.

"As it happens, I have some free time today. Why not assess the village's younger generation and treat it as a little break?"

As he spoke, the Third rose from his seat and even patted Zou Hyuga on the shoulder as he passed through the doorway.

He was growing increasingly fond of this child from the Hyuga Clan.

The boy's summary of the Will of Fire could make him think, So that's what I meant.

At the Ninja Academy, he was also loved by both teachers and students.

He had even managed to temper the disposition of that girl from the Uchiha Clan, making her less arrogant.

Zou Hyuga was a talent-a talent who had inherited the Will of Fire!

Zou Hyuga stood rooted to the spot. After glancing at Oto, he gritted his teeth and followed the Third.

There was no escaping today. He could only do his best to pretend to be weak and ensure he did not catch the Third's eye.

Although he really was not that strong, there were always exceptions. What if he ended up being recruited into ANBU?

Pah, what rotten luck!

I can't even think about that! There's absolutely no chance of me joining ANBU.

"I've failed to raise my son properly!"

Looking at the office door hanging loose from its hinges, the Third sighed and turned toward Asuma and Kakashi.

"If you two want to come along, you can come and watch!"

Nothing changed beneath Kakashi's mask. He immediately followed, simply because the Third had said so.

Although it had not quite been an order, in Kakashi's mind, it was one.

Asuma paused, then followed as well. He felt that the Third had looked at him with a hint of displeasure.

But if there was a chance to join in the excitement, he certainly would. He also wanted to see Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha's true strength.

Thinking back to their earlier battle, he always felt that fight had been far too strange.

Could a formation laid out with Explosive Tags really kill that many Cloud Ninja?

At a training ground near the Hokage Building.

Because the Third had specifically given instructions, there were no bystanders. Only five or six people remained in the entire training ground.

To become a Chunin, strength, intelligence-gathering ability, and teamwork were all indispensable. Conducting an assessment required at least several Special Jōnin to be present.

Zou Hyuga surveyed his surroundings. Unable to find the examiners responsible for the assessment, he could not help looking toward the Third.

Was the Third only testing their strength? Or would he assess them personally?

The Third walked to the edge of the field, showing no intention of taking part himself. He pointed at Kakashi and said, "You'll assess their strength."

Kakashi nodded, drew the short sword at his waist, and walked toward Zou Hyuga and Oto.

"Zou, Oto, he's an ANBU Chunin about your age. Defeat him, and you'll pass the Chunin assessment." The Third vanished from the spot with a swish and appeared behind Zou Hyuga.

Like hell I believe you! You rotten old man!

That white-haired guy in the fox mask is clearly Kakashi, the monstrous genius who became a Jonin at twelve.

His strength had long since reached a level that stood out beyond the village, even beyond the country.

After silently cursing a few times, Zou Hyuga discreetly signaled Oto with his eyes, warning her not to use strength beyond what their ranks warranted.

Oto Uchiha quickly responded, indicating that she would hold back.

Zou Hyuga shrugged in satisfaction. As long as they could communicate, it was fine. They had better not accidentally defeat Kakashi.

The best outcome would be a stalemate, or even a slight disadvantage, followed by an eventual defeat.

That way, he would neither be promoted nor lose his job as a Ninja Academy teacher. The perfect plan.

"Zou, Oto, if you fail this assessment, I'll revoke your Chunin ranks."

As though worried that Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha might slack off, the Third spoke slowly as he watched their backs.

"Could things get any better?!"

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha exchanged a glance and mysterious smiles.

It seemed they could relax a little more in the coming fight. Compared with being Chunin instructors, being Genin sounded even more appealing.

"Rest assured, Lord Third. We'll give it everything we've got!"

Hearing that, the Third nodded in satisfaction, walked over to sit in the shade, and lit his tobacco out of habit.

It had been a long time since he had watched a fight between youngsters, and memories of his youth unexpectedly came back to him.

Memories of youth really are wonderful!

The Third took a deep, contented draw from his pipe and exhaled a smoke ring shaped like a crystal ball.

Beside him, Asuma also lit his tobacco, frowning as he watched Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha's backs.

He could not shake the feeling that those two had become excited after hearing that they might lose their Chunin ranks.