I Fūgetsu's invitation was like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering Shira up.
He then realized a crucial issue he had long overlooked—he wasn't even Genin.
An eight-year-old child without ninja status, or even before graduating from the Ninja Academy, is not qualified to participate in any official missions, let alone the kind of classified reconnaissance operation that I Fūgetsu is in charge of.
"You... you're not even Genin yet?" I Fūgetsu seemed to have just realized what was happening, and a rare look of astonishment appeared on her face.
The strength, composure, and maturity that Shira displayed made him completely overlook the other party's actual age and status.
"Emmm, that's how it is." Shira's answer was simple and direct, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
A moment of silence fell over the air. I Fūgetsu frowned, her fingers unconsciously tapping her arm.
Giving up on Shira, such an excellent candidate, is impossible. His Taijutsu, resistance to Genjutsu, and unwavering will are exactly what the team desperately needs. There's no other way; Sunagakure is currently short of people. Not only did the promising Sasori of the Red Sands run away, but he also took the Third Kazekage with him.
"Graduate early." I Fūgetsu made a quick decision. "You must obtain your Genin qualification immediately. I'll handle that, but you'll need to pass a formal promotion exam. Be prepared, it won't be easy."
Shira's heart skipped a beat, then she nodded heavily. "Yes!"
I Fūgetsu was extremely efficient. The next day, an order from the Kazekage's Office reached the Ninja Academy and Jonin Baki: to conduct an exceptional Genin qualification examination for student Shira, with Baki serving as the chief examiner.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Sunagakure. An eight-year-old child, unable to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, was applying to graduate early, and even being personally assessed by the elite Jonin Baki? This immediately caused a huge sensation.
On the day of the assessment, the training ground was unusually crowded with people. There were curious villagers, ninja trainees of all grades, and even many Chunin Jonin who had come after hearing the news.
They all wanted to see for themselves what this boy, rumored to have amazing Taijutsu and who had saved people in the black storm, was really capable of.
Meanwhile, inside the Kazekage's office building, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, was coldly observing everything on the training field through the Eye of Sand.
He wasn't particularly interested in the assessment itself, but rather in evaluating the true value of Shira as a "variable," and in Baki and I Fūgetsu's attitudes toward the matter.
Shira's parents stood at the front of the crowd, their hands clasped tightly, their faces filled with tension and pride. Ameno had arrived early and secured a good spot, her clear eyes brimming with worry and anticipation.
In the shadow of a towering rock at the very edge of the training field, a red figure stood silently.
Gaara green eyes were fixed on the familiar figure in the arena, her hands unconsciously clenching slightly.
He didn't approach the crowd; he simply watched from a distance.
Temari and Kankuro stood not far away, their expressions complicated. Kankuro muttered, "Is this guy really a monster?" while Temari pursed her lips.
The Saya and Sana sisters also arrived. Saya was holding her doll, her face showing scrutiny and a hint of unconvinced curiosity.
Sana followed behind her sister as always. Even some classmates who usually ignored Shira squeezed into the crowd.
In the center of the arena, Baki stood there with a serious expression. He was wearing a standard Sunagakure Jonin vest, his expression was solemn, and he exuded a calm and composed aura of someone who had been through many battles.
As the right-hand man of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, his assessment undoubtedly represented the will of the village's higher-ups.
I Fūgetsu, arms crossed, leaned against a stone pillar, staring blankly at the scene, as if it had nothing to do with him, but his slightly tense jaw betrayed a hint of his attention.
" Shira," Baki's voice was steady and powerful, echoing throughout the training ground, "The early graduation assessment has no fixed content. My assessment is simple: withstand my attacks for ten minutes. Or, let me acknowledge your strength. You can use any means necessary; I won't use lethal Ninjutsu, but I will show no mercy. Understand?"
"Understood!" Shira took a deep breath, her eyes instantly becoming incredibly focused, and she assumed the most solid Taijutsu. Her aura was contained, like a cheetah poised to pounce.
"Start!"
Before Baki could finish speaking, his figure blurred instantly!
Wow, so fast!
Shira's pupils contracted. Without even having time to think, she relied purely on her honed combat instincts to retreat rapidly to the side and rear!
laugh!
A sharp blade of wind grazed his nose, cutting a deep gash in the ground where he had just stood.
"Good reaction." Baki's voice was flat, but his attacks did not stop. His hands flew, and Wind Blade of compressed air shot towards Shira like a storm, blocking all of his evasive routes.
"It's Jonin Baki's Wind Blade!"
"Too fast! There's no way to dodge it!" exclaimed aloud from the stands.
Shira's expression was solemn as she pushed her speed and perception to their limits.
He stopped retreating and began to move in a zigzag pattern at high speed within a small area, sometimes crouching down and sometimes sliding sideways, narrowly avoiding every attack.
His movements are concise and efficient, without any unnecessary frills; they are purely practical combat Taijutsu honed for survival.
"Dodging alone isn't enough!" Baki shouted, changing his attack again. He stopped attacking from a distance and instantly rushed in front of Shira, unleashing a straight punch that was simple yet contained terrifying power! The force of the punch was so strong that it was hard to breathe!
Shira's eyes flashed with a sharp look. Knowing she couldn't dodge, she crossed her arms and braced herself in front of her!
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, Shira was slammed backward by the immense force, sliding more than ten meters, her feet carving two deep furrows in the sand. Her arms went numb.
"The difference in power is too great!" Kankuro exclaimed.
"But he blocked it!" Temari's eyes flashed with surprise.
Without pausing, Baki followed closely, his legs whipping like whirlwinds as he swept towards Shira's lower body.
Shira leaped up suddenly, but Baki seemed to have anticipated his movement, his other hand already Hand Seals.
" Wind Release: Air Current Binding!"
An invisible current of energy instantly enveloped Shira in the air, causing his movements to freeze slightly.
Right now, Baki's hand chopped mercilessly toward Shira's neck!
In the stands, Ameno covered her mouth in fright.
In that critical moment, a resolute glint flashed in Shira's eyes.
" First Activation - Open!"
The scorching steam erupted with a roar! The Air Current Binding were instantly broken!
Shira twisted her body forcefully in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the fatal hand strike. At the same time, she kicked off Baki's parrying arm, using the momentum to somersault backward and land steadily.
"He's back to that state again!"
"Such explosive power!" The crowd stirred again.
Baki looked at Shira, who was surrounded by steam and had a determined look in her eyes, and nodded. "That's more like it. But it's not enough!"
His attacks became more ferocious, faster, and stronger, even incorporating some elusive, manipulative attacks.
Shira pushed the power of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method to its current controllable limit, struggling to maneuver against Baki's relentless and tempestuous attacks.
He no longer simply dodged; he began to try to use skillful force to block and deflect the force, and even occasionally seized an opportunity to launch a fierce counterattack!
His combat intelligence is extremely high; he constantly learns and adapts to Baki's attack rhythm.
Time ticked by, and the ten-minute time limit was fast approaching.
Shira's breathing became rapid, and the steam became somewhat unstable. The high level of activity was putting a great strain on him.
Baki spotted an opening and delivered a powerful side kick that broke through the defense, aiming straight for Shira's chest!
If that kick lands, the assessment will probably be over!
A fierce glint flashed in Shira's eyes, as if he had made a decision. He neither took the blow head-on nor completely dodged. Instead, he took a deep breath, his chest slightly bulging, and with a small sideways movement and a diagonal block with his arm, he forcefully absorbed most of the force of the kick!
"Bang!"
He was knocked back again, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were unusually bright. He successfully neutralized most of the force and used the momentum to create distance once more.
Just then, the whistle blew, signaling the end of the assessment.
Baki instantly stopped his attack, standing still as he looked at Shira, though panting heavily, still had a determined look in her eyes and clearly had some strength left.
The entire training ground was silent; everyone awaited Baki's verdict.
Baki stared at Shira in silence for a few seconds before slowly saying, "Ten minutes are up. You held on."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the shocked, envious, and complex looks in the stands before finally returning to Shira.
"Your Taijutsu, reflexes, willpower, and especially that unique explosive technique, far surpass the level of an ordinary Genin. Although the inability to use Ninjutsu Genjutsu is a huge weakness, the qualities you've demonstrated more than make up for it. I acknowledge your strength."
He took a brand-new Sunagakure Forehead Protector from his ninja tool pouch and walked towards Shira.
"From today onwards, you are Genin of Sunagakure. I hope you will not fail the responsibility that this Forehead Protector represents."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Baki personally handed the Forehead Protector to Shira.
Shira took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and solemnly accepted the Forehead Protector with both hands, then carefully tied it to her forehead.
As for why he didn't tie it around his waist like Rock Lee, well, he felt it was inappropriate to do so in public, so he'd tie it around his waist later.
The cool metallic touch against my skin felt as if it carried a scorching weight.
At this moment, he was no longer an ordinary student at the Ninja Academy. He was a ninja from Sunagakure — Genin Shira.
In the stands, Ameno smiled genuinely. Temari and Kankuro had complex expressions, but a hint of approval was also deep in their eyes.
Saya snorted softly, picked up the doll, and turned to leave, with Sana quickly following. The other students erupted in various exclamations and discussions.
On the distant rocks, Gaara gazed at the Forehead Protector on Shira's forehead, which shimmered slightly in the sunlight. In her emerald eyes, which were always filled with loneliness and violence, a fleeting, extremely faint light flashed, like a traveler trekking through darkness finally seeing the faint glow of another solitary lamp in the distance.
He smiled, turned around, and silently disappeared into the sandstorm.
As I Fūgetsu leaned against the stone pillar, a barely perceptible smile finally appeared on her lips.
Shira touched the Forehead Protector on her forehead, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance.
Meanwhile, in the Kazekage's Office, Rasa deactivated the Eye of Sand and calmly gave an order to the ANBU Anbu standing beside him, "Record Shira as Sunagakure Genin, add her to the register with a number. Temporarily bind her mission permissions to the I Fūgetsu squad. Continue to observe her."
"Yes." The Anbu member vanished in a flash.