"Third Hokage-sama."
"Hokage-sama."
Group C had just finished drawing lots when Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived, and the students greeted him one after another.
"Just act as you normally would. I'm only here to observe," Hiruzen said with a benevolent smile.
"Number 1, Anko Mitarashi, and Number 2, Asakawa Miken—prepare for battle," Mugetsu's shadow clone announced, presiding over the match.
The two students quickly stepped into the battleground, taking their stances.
Hiruzen glanced around and noted that the three testing areas were spaced far apart to avoid interference.
"Mugetsu, you've worked hard these past five weeks, leading over three hundred students on your own," Hiruzen said with a sigh.
In such a large-scale program, one instructor alone was far from enough—Mugetsu had to rely on his shadow clones. Sure enough, his main body stood beside the Hokage while a clone ran the match.
"It's my duty," Mugetsu replied with a small smile, leaving it at that.
The Hokage nodded, then turned his attention to the fight.
Although Asakawa Miken was a Fourth Grade student and taller, Anko showed no hesitation. She charged straight in, engaging in close-quarters combat.
Her taijutsu was aggressive—trading hits without fear, determined to leave the opponent worse off.
Under the pressure of so many watching eyes, Asakawa Miken silently groaned. Anko's relentless style left him overwheld.
Using the force of her punch, he retreated to a tree, sprinted up the trunk, and flung a barrage of shuriken to keep her at bay.
But Anko wasn't so easily shaken. She had completed tree-climbing training long ago and was used to fighting in a forest setting. She caught up quickly, turning the match into a battle of wits and skill among the branches.
Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Substitution Technique—the three basics—were all brought into play.
"Mugetsu, this Anko Mitarashi is from your class, isn't she?" Hiruzen asked suddenly.
"Yes, she's a First Grade student in Class 1," Mugetsu confird.
"To have this level of chakra control and ninjutsu in the First Grade… she's an excellent student," Hiruzen said, stroking his goatee.
The Hokage was pleased with the results—both fighters were showing impressive ability, and this was Group C, the slowest-progress group.
"Yes. With this strength, even many Third or Fourth Grade students might struggle against her," a Chunin teacher accompanying Hiruzen remarked.
"Her opponent is good as well. With more practice, he could reach graduation level," Hiruzen added.
Several Chunin nodded in agreent. One in particular was astonished—Asakawa Miken was from his own class. Normally, the boy was unremarkable, yet in only five weeks of Mugetsu's training, he had made remarkable progress. The teacher couldn't tell if it was a matter of effort, previous laziness, or simply Mugetsu's teaching skill.
"Anko Mitarashi wins."
In the end, Miken fell just short, and Anko claid victory.
"Number 3, Kotetsu Hagane, and Number 4, Nakamori Gōichi—prepare," Mugetsu announced next.
"Nakamori Gōichi… that's my student," Ikeya Yu noted.
"Oh? How are his usual combat scores?" Hiruzen asked.
"Rather ordinary—around fifteen points," Ikeya admitted. "But his opponent looks like a First or Second Grade student, so there shouldn't be a problem."
Fifteen points told Hiruzen exactly where the boy stood—average by Academy standards.
"Not necessarily," Ueda Aya interjected before Mugetsu could respond. "Kotetsu is also from Mugetsu's class, and his combat scores are excellent."
While the teachers discussed, the match began.
Nakamori used his size advantage to press forward with a flurry of heavy blows. Kotetsu, lacking in strength but light on his feet, dodged with agility, refusing to be caught.
For the mont, the fight was even.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Nakamori should win," one Chunin comnted. Kotetsu's smaller fra ant less stamina; eventually, he'd be cornered.
"This student is also good. Not as strong as his classmates, but still impressive," Hiruzen observed, puffing on his pipe. For a cross-grade match, holding out like this was comndable.
"Enemy Confusion Technique!"
Seizing a brief pause, Kotetsu unleashed his best jutsu. To perfect it, he'd even visited a won's clothing store in advance.
In an instant, six alluring won in revealing outfits appeared around Nakamori.
"Huh?" Nakamori's eyes were pulled in against his will.
Kotetsu didn't waste the chance—he kicked Nakamori down and pressed a kunai to his body.
"Kotetsu Hagane wins!"
When Nakamori ca to his senses, he was both shocked and bewildered. He knew Kotetsu had such a jutsu, but he never imagined he'd dare use it here—right in front of the Hokage.
Silence.
The training field went still. Both teachers and students stared, stunned.
"Cough… cough."
It was Hiruzen's cough that broke the mont. The Hokage, having been caught off guard, discreetly wiped a spot of red from beneath his nose, then spoke with a straight face:
"Teacher Mugetsu's special training is clearly effective. Kotetsu made clever use of his strengths, and Nakamori's performance was comndable as well. How many points would you give this bout?"
"Twenty-four, I'd say," one Chunin answered first.
The other teachers offered similar scores. No one brought up Kotetsu's… unorthodox tactic. Praise focused on Mugetsu's program and the students' improvent, though so stole sidelong glances at Kotetsu, thinking privately, What a talent.
"Kotetsu, you're really going to make a na for yourself now," Izumo said enviously. Winning against a stronger opponent under the Hokage's gaze was the kind of mont every student dread of.
"Number 5, Ishii Yoshi, and Number 6, Izumo Kamizuki—prepare!"
Hearing his na, Izumo strode forward, eager to seize his own mont in the spotlight.
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