The First Mission

"Young people these days are really something."

The smile on Dan Katō's face deepened.

By now, Meikyō had displayed several C-rank Fire Style ninjutsu. He was also skilled with shuriken and had decent combat awareness. Those qualities alone already put him on par with many Chunin.

In Dan Katō's view, Meikyō only lacked sufficient real combat experience and a more systematic range of combat abilities before he could be considered a true Chunin. Given a few months to make up for those shortcomings, he would become an excellent Chunin-level fighter.

For someone his age to have learned so many Fire Style ninjutsu, it could only be said that his student truly deserved to be called an Uchiha who had awakened the Sharingan. No wonder he was considered the Uchiha clan's most outstanding genius in recent years.

Those exceptional geniuses generally advanced to Chunin within a year of graduating, because their overall abilities were already close to that level. They merely needed to make up for a small amount of missing combat experience, situational judgment, basic command skills, and the ability to lead a team in coordinated combat.

Moreover, after becoming Chunin, their strength would continue to grow rapidly over the following years. By around thirteen or fourteen, they could become Jonin. Only by maintaining that pace of improvement would they have a chance of reaching Kage-level before the peak of their lives as ninja arrived.

While inwardly marveling at Meikyō, Dan Katō did not forget to deal with the Great Fireball before him. He first kicked Inuzuka Ryo away, then swiftly formed several hand seals and unleashed Wind Style: Great Breakthrough to block it.

The flames and violent wind collided, rolling waves of scorching air in every direction. Nami's insects could not approach at all.

"Ow!"

While Meikyō was locked in a ninjutsu struggle with Dan Katō, Inuzuka Ryo fell flat on his face on the other side.

"Woof, woof!"

Tetsu Maru ran over happily with his tail wagging, then stuck out his tongue and licked Inuzuka Ryo's face.

After rubbing Tetsu Maru's head, Inuzuka Ryo looked toward Meikyō, who was gradually falling into a disadvantage in the ninjutsu clash, then suddenly turned his head toward Tetsu Maru beside him.

"Teacher Kato, you're not the only one who knows that ninjutsu."

With his Sharingan open, Meikyō could naturally see that he was at an absolute disadvantage in his ninjutsu clash with Dan Katō. Fortunately, during the graduation examination a few days ago, he had copied Gekko Hayate's Wind Style: Great Breakthrough.

Fortunately, when he tested himself afterward with chakra paper, Meikyō had also confirmed that his chakra affinities were Wind, Lightning, and Fire, allowing him to use this Wind Style.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A violent wind surged forth, pushing the Great Fireball forward once more.

Wind fed the flames, and its momentum suddenly grew far greater.

Dan Katō nodded inwardly in satisfaction.

This group of students had performed quite well. There was no need to mention Meikyō; the other two were also among the best of the newly graduated Genin. From their earlier battle, the three of them had clearly made a conscious effort to coordinate as a team, though their teamwork still lacked some polish.

Just as Dan Katō felt that the test had gone on long enough and it was time to go easier on them so they could seize the bells, Inuzuka Ryo suddenly charged over. As he ran, he rapidly spun his body, transforming into a tornado that tore toward Dan Katō.

"Fang Dance!"

"Trying to ambush me while I'm tied down by Meikyō's ninjutsu?"

Dan Katō smiled and shook his head, then formed hand seals again.

"Earth Style: Earth Style Wall!"

The raging wind carrying the fireball slammed heavily into the thick, solid earthen wall, shaking loose countless fragments. Yet the wall's main body remained largely intact.

After blocking Meikyō's ninjutsu, Dan Katō swiftly formed seals with his left hand again. A layer of rock spread over his right hand, covering his palm. He clenched it into a fist, intending to stop Inuzuka Ya and send him flying.

As a Jonin, one generally mastered the nature transformations of at least two chakra affinities. Dan Katō was no exception.

His chakra affinities were Wind, Fire, and Earth, and he possessed considerable skill in all three types of ninjutsu.

Yet unexpectedly, in the instant before Inuzuka Ya was sent flying, he fiercely hurled a little white bundle from his arms.

Tetsu Maru's small body twisted nimbly through the air. Opening his mouth, he snatched the bell hanging from Dan Katō's waist in a single bite.

"Yeah! We won!"

Inuzuka Ryo excitedly sprang up from the ground and lifted Tetsu Maru, who had come over to claim credit with the bell in his mouth, high into the air.

"I knew the Super Fang Dance Fang Dance Infinity Loop Fang Dance Technique I invented would have an amazing effect! Hahahaha!!"

Inuzuka Ryo laughed excitedly as he accepted the bell Tetsu Maru offered him.

"You're quite capable, my adorable subordinates."

Dan Katō crossed his arms and spoke with a smile.

Having mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique, his spiritual power was extraordinarily strong, which also gave him excellent sensory abilities. Otherwise, he would not have come to lead a squad skilled in reconnaissance.

Both Inuzuka Ryo's and Aburame Nami's clan techniques possessed exceptional scouting abilities. Meikyō's Sharingan was somewhat inferior in that regard, but when the teams had been assigned, Meikyō had been designated as the main combatant to supplement this team's fighting strength.

"However, there are only two bells, while there are three of you. How will you divide them?"

Dan Katō wore an expression as though he were enjoying a show.

"Ryo, give me a bell."

Meikyō looked at Inuzuka Ryo and suddenly called out.

Hearing that, Aburame Nami silently lowered her head.

Inuzuka Ryo looked at Meikyō, then at Aburame Nami, at a loss for what to do.

Based on their performance, he and Tetsu Maru had been the ones to take the bells from Dan Katō. Yet Meikyō had borne the most pressure throughout the entire fight, so by all rights, he should indeed receive one. But...

"You're hesitating too much."

Meikyō shook his head, snatched a bell from Inuzuka Ryo's hand, drew his wakizashi, and cut it cleanly in two.

"This is yours."

Meikyō placed half a bell into Aburame Nami's hand, then turned to Dan Katō.

"Teacher Kato, all three of us now have bells we took from you, so that should count as passing, right? After all, half a bell is still a bell."

Hearing that, Aburame Nami silently tightened her grip around the bell in her hand and raised her head.

"Ah, of course!"

The smile on Dan Katō's face grew even broader.

Third Hokage-sama, it seemed that even without me, this child had already come to understand part of the Will of Fire passed down by the First Hokage!

"Congratulations on passing my test. Now, I have something to announce."

Kato Dan clapped his hands to draw his students' attention.

"Tomorrow morning at eight, gather at the plaza in front of the Hokage Building. Be prepared to accept your first mission as ninja!"