Chapter 17: chapter 17
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"Young people nowadays are truly remarkable."
Kato Dan's smile grew wider as he watched.
Haruto had already demonstrated multiple C-rank Fire Release ninjutsu, shown proficiency with shuriken, and displayed good combat skills. These qualities were comparable to many Chunin.
From Kato Dan's perspective, what Haruto lacked was sufficient practical experience and a more systematic combat skill set to become a true Chunin. With a few months of focused training, he could easily be considered a strong Chunin.
Learning so many Fire Release techniques at such a young age made it clear that this disciple was worthy of the Uchiha name, especially having awakened the Sharingan. It was no wonder he was considered the most outstanding Uchiha genius in recent years.
Most exceptional geniuses usually reach Chunin within a year of graduating, as they only need to fill minor gaps in practical experience, decision-making in combat, basic leadership skills, and team coordination.
Once they become Chunin, their strength grows rapidly over the next few years, often reaching Jonin by age thirteen or fourteen. If they maintain this pace, they could even reach Kage-level before their prime.
As Kato Dan admired Haruto's potential, he didn't forget to deal with the large fireball hurtling towards him. He kicked Inuzuka Ryo aside and quickly performed a series of hand signs, releasing Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to counter the fireball.
The flames and wind collided, creating a rolling wave of hot air, preventing Kurono Ohna's insects from getting any closer.
"Ouch!"
Haruto was locked in a ninjutsu standoff with Kato Dan, while Inuzuka Ryo tumbled to the ground.
"Woof woof!"
Tetsumaru ran over happily, wagging his tail, and started licking Ryo's face.
Ryo petted Tetsumaru's head and glanced at Haruto, who was struggling in the ninjutsu clash, before suddenly turning to Tetsumaru with a grin.
"Sensei Kato, you're not the only one who can use that technique!"
Haruto activated his Sharingan and could clearly see he was at a disadvantage against Kato Dan. Fortunately, during the graduation test a few days earlier, he had copied Moonlight Cyclone's Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Afterwards, Haruto tested his chakra nature and found that his attributes were wind, lightning, and fire, allowing him to use wind-style techniques as well.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A surge of wind pushed the fireball forward again, increasing its momentum as wind fed the flames.
Kato Dan nodded in approval.
This group of students was performing exceptionally well. Haruto's abilities went without saying, but the strength of the other two was also impressive for newly graduated Genin. Though their teamwork was a bit lacking in coordination, they consciously tried to cooperate.
Just as Kato Dan considered ending the test and letting them try to snatch the bells, Inuzuka Ryo suddenly charged forward, spinning into a tornado as he ran, launching an attack.
"Fang Over Fang!"
"Trying to sneak attack while I'm focused on Haruto's ninjutsu?"
Kato Dan chuckled, forming hand signs once more.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The fireball-enhanced wind struck the sturdy earth wall, shaking off debris but failing to breach it. After blocking Haruto's attack, Kato Dan quickly formed another hand sign, coating his right hand in rock before preparing to block and counter Ryo's attack.
As a Jonin, Kato Dan had mastered at least two chakra nature transformations, and he was skilled in wind, fire, and earth techniques.
However, what Kato Dan didn't expect was that just before being knocked away, Ryo threw a small white-furred ball forward.
In mid-air, Tetsumaru twisted, snatching the bell from Kato Dan's waist with his mouth.
"Yes! We did it!"
Ryo jumped up excitedly, lifting Tetsumaru, who wagged his tail proudly with the bell in his mouth.
"I knew my ultimate technique, Super Infinite Cycle Fang Over Fang, would work wonders! Hahaha!"
Ryo laughed excitedly, holding the bell Tetsumaru had retrieved.
"You've got quite the resourceful team," Kato Dan remarked, smiling with his arms crossed.
Thanks to his mastery of the Spiritual Transformation Technique, Kato Dan's mental abilities were sharp, and he possessed excellent perception skills. That's why he was selected to lead a team with such strong reconnaissance capabilities.
Inuzuka Ryo and Kurono Ohna's family jutsu both excelled in scouting, while Haruto's Sharingan, though less useful for reconnaissance, positioned him as the team's main combat force.
"But there are only two bells, and three of you. How will you decide who gets them?" Kato Dan asked, watching them with amusement.
"Ryo, give me one of the bells," Haruto said suddenly.
Kurono Ohna lowered her head silently.
Ryo looked at Haruto, then at Ohna, feeling conflicted.
He and Tetsumaru had managed to take the bell in the end, and Haruto had carried the most weight during the fight. Logically, Haruto should have one of the bells, but...
Haruto shook his head, took one of the bells from Ryo's hand, and drew his wakizashi. He swiftly cut the bell in half.
"This is yours," Haruto said, handing half of the bell to Ohna before turning to Kato Dan.
"Sensei, now all three of us have bells that we took from you, so we should all pass. After all, half a bell is still a bell."
Hearing this, Ohna clenched the bell fragment in her hand and lifted her head.
"Of course!" Kato Dan's smile widened.
"Third Hokage, it seems that even without me, this child has already grasped part of the Will of Fire, passed down by the First Hokage!"
"Congratulations on passing the test. Now, I have an announcement to make," Kato Dan said, clapping his hands to get their attention.
"Tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., meet in the square in front of the Hokage Building. You'll be ready to take on your first mission as ninja!"
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