Chapter 101: Second-Year Exam

The sun had barely risen, spreading its golden light over the misty landscape of Kirigakure. At the Ninja Academy, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Today was the day of the second-year exam, and all second-year students had been summoned to the academy's main hall.

The instructors of each class, including Fujimoto-sensei, stood before the gathered students. Among them were ANBU operatives, their presence lending an air of solemnity to the event. Their masked faces betrayed no emotion, but their mere presence was enough to silence even the most unruly students.

Fujimoto stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the students.

"Listen carefully," he began, his voice laden with authority. "Today's exam will test not only your individual skills but also your ability to adapt in a dynamic battlefield. It will be similar in structure to the third-year exam: a battle royale, but on a smaller scale."

A murmur rippled through the crowd as students exchanged glances filled with excitement and nervousness. Fujimoto raised his hand, silencing them instantly.

"The battlefield will be the academy's training grounds, prepared specifically for the occasion. The entire area has been covered in water. Your objective is to remain standing on the water while fighting. Falling into the water will result in immediate disqualification."

The other instructors nodded in approval as Fujimoto continued. "This exercise aims to test your control, agility, and combat skills while maintaining balance. You'll need to effectively utilize both ninjutsu and taijutsu. Strategy will be crucial, and low blows are not excluded."

Jun'ko fidgeted nervously next to Ren, but recomposing herself, she whispered, "On the water? Is that why you made us train on the lake?"

Some Week Before

Jun'ko and Aoi were at the East Training Ground. Ren arrived with Kurara, announcing that they would now engage in continuous sparring with her. In return, Jun'ko and Aoi were to help Kurara improve her water-walking control.

The scene shifted to Jun'ko and Aoi, exhausted after countless training sessions, while Kurara, calm and excited, continued practicing. Although she couldn't yet move like them on water, she was visibly progressing.

Jun'ko, bent over with her hair sticking to her face from sweat, puffed, "How is she so calm after all this?"

Aoi, sitting beside her and panting, raised a hand to respond but collapsed backward, staring at the sky. "She's not human. She can't be."

Kurara, however, turned to them with a serene smile, dipping her foot into the water and creating small chakra whirlpools with effortless calm. "You're not tired, are you? Can we do another set?"

Jun'ko glared at Aoi. "If we survive her, the exam will be a breeze."

Aoi closed his eyes, pretending to faint. "I'm already seeing my life flash before my eyes. Goodbye, cruel world…"

Kurara tilted her head, confused, while Ren chuckled in the distance, amused by the scene before him.

Returning to the present, Jun'ko crossed her arms, shaking her head with a smile. "Now I understand the reason for that insane training."

Ren remained calm, calculating possible strategies in his mind. He thought, Well, I didn't know it would be on water; I just wanted Kurara to master water walking and kill two birds with one stone by giving them real combat experience. No, they shouldn't have any problems; the only wild card is Kurara. We've improved her control, but she's still not as comfortable as Jun'ko or Aoi.

"Each of you has received a token," Fujimoto added, showing a small wooden tag. "Your goal is to collect as many tokens as possible while avoiding disqualification. The exam ends when only one student remains or when time runs out."

"And if time runs out?" Aoi asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Those with the most tokens will be declared winners and evaluated accordingly," Fujimoto replied. "Remember, teamwork is not prohibited, but alliances are often short-lived in this type of test. Trust at your own risk."

The students gathered at the edge of the water-covered training ground as the start signal drew near. The tension was palpable as they took their positions, chakra already flowing beneath their feet to maintain balance.

"Begin!" Fujimoto's voice rang out.

Chaos erupted immediately. Students dashed into action as rippling water reflected the confusion of the initial skirmishes. 

Hiroshi moved swiftly, raising his hands and launching a barrage of "Water Droplets" in all directions. The liquid projectiles splashed everywhere, causing the water's surface to bubble. He had no specific target, but his tactic served to create chaos, forcing nearby opponents to scatter to avoid the hits.

On the other side of the battlefield, Misaki and her group had already engaged in the first duels. Misaki, with fierce grace, blocked a blow aimed at her and countered, lightly wounding her opponent. The injury, though superficial, was enough to trigger her control over blood. With a fluid motion, she turned the blood into lethal darts, hurling them with precision at surrounding enemies.

Shinji, meanwhile, seemed almost unaffected by the chaos around him. Coral formations on his forearms acted as natural shields, deflecting direct attacks while he maintained his outward calm. With slow but deliberate movements, he traversed the water, observing the battles and carefully choosing the right moment to intervene.

Elsewhere on the field, the intensity of the clashes escalated. Some inexperienced students struggled to maintain their balance on the water and fell quickly, while others demonstrated surprising skill in combining ninjutsu and strategy. The water's surface rippled, reflecting the tumult of the battle.

The exam had just begun, but the competition was already proving fierce and ruthless.

[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^ 

Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 , Braden_T, Matheus_Santos_9759, akari_000,Acnol, Overlord_Of_KARMA,Cordell_Clinton, Ian_Clark_6978, DaoistAZmi17, Kay_smiles101, Strandarn, AKIB19, ERRO4004, BagusPardana, DarkGambit,Diegoa, Desert_Dust0 , Daoist0thxiB, and Miguel_024!

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