Grant Marshall, the world-changing ninja

The days leading up to the exam were filled with a sense of unease. Training had never been more intense, and the pressure to perform was mounting. It wasn't just about showing what I had learned—it was about proving to everyone, including myself, that I was ready for what was to come.

The academy buzzed with nervous energy as everyone prepared. Students gathered in groups, reviewing notes, practicing techniques, and discussing strategies. Rin seemed unusually calm about the whole thing, but I noticed that even she was sharpening her focus. The entire academy felt like it was holding its breath.

I spent most of my time in the library, poring over texts about the exam format. The instructors had told us it would be a comprehensive test, covering everything from basic jutsu to tactical thinking and problem-solving. I had already learned most of the physical techniques, but the thought of applying them in a real-world scenario—under pressure—was a different matter entirely.

One morning, just a few days before the exam, Kaito pulled me aside.

"You've been working hard, but you're not ready yet," he said, his tone blunt as always. "This exam isn't just about showing what you can do. It's about thinking on your feet, using the skills you've learned in ways you haven't considered before."

I clenched my fists, determined not to show any sign of doubt. "I can handle it."

Kaito met my gaze, his eyes calculating. "We'll see."

He led me to a training ground at the far side of the academy. The field was empty, the grass swaying gently in the wind. It was here that he would put me through my paces one last time before the exam.

"You're going to face me in a mock battle," he said, his expression serious. "No holds barred. I want to see how you handle stress, how you think when the situation turns dangerous."

I nodded, stepping into the center of the training field. This was the moment I'd been waiting for—the moment I could prove to myself that I was ready.

Kaito didn't waste any time. He moved with blinding speed, appearing in front of me in an instant. Without hesitation, he launched a barrage of kunai toward me. The air around me seemed to hum as my instincts kicked in. I leapt backward, twisting midair to avoid the knives.

As I landed, I focused on Kaito, my mind racing. He wasn't just fast—he was also unpredictable. Each of his movements seemed designed to throw me off balance. I needed to think ahead, anticipate his next move.

I formed a few hand seals, gathering chakra to my core. The wind around me began to stir, but I wasn't going to rely on just one element. I could already sense Kaito's next move. He was going to attack from above.

I raised my hand, a burst of chakra forming into a gust of wind that exploded outward, knocking back the kunai and forcing Kaito to land on the ground. But he was already moving again, charging toward me with a kunai in hand. I wasn't fast enough to evade, so I formed a quick seal to reinforce my defense.

The wind surrounding me hardened into a shield, blocking the incoming strike. But Kaito wasn't done. He shifted his stance, his eyes locked onto mine with a dangerous gleam. I could see he was testing me—pushing me to my limits.

I exhaled slowly, pushing my chakra into the wind shield to make it denser, stronger. The wind whipped around me, creating a force that would make it harder for Kaito to get through. He lunged again, but this time, his kunai met the shield with a loud crack.

We were in a stalemate. But I couldn't afford to stay defensive. If I didn't act soon, I'd be the one on the back foot.

I flicked my wrist, releasing a blast of wind that sent Kaito tumbling back. But before I could press the advantage, he was up again, this time more cautious. The battle had gone longer than I expected, but it wasn't over yet.

In a split second, Kaito threw a smoke bomb, and the air was filled with thick, choking clouds. I had no choice but to rely on my other senses. I reached out with my chakra, feeling for any sign of Kaito's movement.

He was close. I could feel his chakra signature just above me, preparing to strike. Without warning, I dropped to the ground and launched a burst of wind directly upward, catching him off guard. He tumbled backward, falling hard onto the ground.

Before he could recover, I held a kunai to his throat, a move that surprised even me. The battle had ended before I could fully comprehend what had just happened. Kaito lay still, his eyes wide in slight shock.

"You've improved," Kaito said, slowly getting up. "You've learned to think faster, to react to the unexpected. But you're still not ready."

My heart sank for a moment, but I refused to show it. "I'll be ready."

Kaito nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "We'll see. Just don't let this test you. Show them that you can do more than follow orders. Show them that you can think for yourself."

The day of the exam finally arrived.

I stood in line with the other students, my stomach a knot of nerves. It wasn't the first test I had faced, but it felt different. This one wasn't about theory or technique—it was about applying everything I had learned in a real-world scenario. I had to be ready for anything.

When my turn came, I entered the exam area with a calm I hadn't felt before. The instructors were watching from the sidelines, their eyes sharp and calculating.

The first part of the exam was straightforward. We had to demonstrate our proficiency with basic jutsu—kunai throwing, basic ninjutsu, and our ability to form seals under pressure. I didn't think much of it, but it still felt like a test of endurance. Each task was more challenging than the last, and I had to keep my focus to ensure I didn't slip up.

But it was the second part of the exam where things got interesting.

We were thrust into a simulated battle scenario. A group of us was given a mission to complete under strict conditions. Our objective was simple: infiltrate a mock enemy base and retrieve an item of value. We had to navigate through traps, enemy combatants, and obstacles while utilizing the techniques we had been taught.

The enemy forces were tough. I had to think on my feet, using everything I had learned to navigate through the obstacles. I wasn't alone, either—Rin was with me, and we worked together to bypass traps and take down opponents.

I had to admit, working with someone else was a new experience for me. But it felt natural. Rin and I complimented each other's strengths and covered for each other's weaknesses. In the end, we completed the mission faster than I had expected.

As I walked away from the simulated battle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The exam wasn't over yet, but for the first time, I felt like I was actually moving forward.

It wasn't just about being the best. It was about proving that I could keep up with the rest, and that I wasn't just a student anymore. I was ready to face whatever came next.