Konoha's Hextech Ninja

Even if he is a genius among geniuses, and has already been promoted to Jonin.

But isn't it a bit outrageous to accept disciples at the age of fifteen?

"We can place the order first and then collect it in a few years," Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, speaking casually.

"Then let's talk about it in a few years." Minato Namikaze remained noncommittal and did not mention the matter of 'pre-selecting a disciple'.

He had a good impression of both geniuses.

However, the decision to accept someone as a disciple cannot be made hastily.

"Kosuke, what do you think about that child?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, looking at the other person.

The latter was dressed in simple clothes, with a hunched back, carrying a large iron pot on his back, and looked very unremarkable.

However, only a few people in Konoha knew that this old man, who was nominally a genin, actually possessed the ability and status to influence the upper echelons of Konoha.

He was none other than Kosuke Maruboshi, one of the disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Because of a mistake that led to the death of his teammates, he vowed to be a genin for life, but his strength far surpassed that of an average jonin.

"This child, is his name Yagami Yoruichi? His Water Release techniques are quite ingenious." Maruboshi Kosuke nodded slightly and said, "I just don't know if he can learn the master's Water Release techniques."

“If you’re interested in teaching, you can give it a try,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

He had long intended to find a teacher from the 'Naruto lineage' for Yagami Yoruichi, and had summoned Yagami Yoruichi to the Naruto lineage ahead of time.

After considering many candidates, Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded that Minato Namikaze and Kosuke Maruboshi were the best choices, while the others were somewhat inferior.

If either of these two were willing to take Yagami Yoruichi as their disciple, that would be wonderful.

“During this exam, let’s find an opportunity to get to know him.” Maruhoshi Kosuke did not refuse, but said, “Talent is very important, but compatibility of personality is also crucial. I want to see what kind of person this child is.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly and said, "It seems we need to prepare for a special final exam."

Chapter 25 Wilderness Survival Drill

A new week begins, and final exams are on.

After this exam, there will be a vacation that lasts for more than a month.

Although the teaching pace at the ninja academy is not fast and the intensity is not high.

But since they had already completed a semester of classes, everyone was looking forward to the winter break.

Even Yoruichi Yagami is the same.

While ninja academies are good, during holidays, you have complete control over your time, which allows you to better plan your training and make the most of every minute.

The first day's theory exam was easily passed.

For Yagami Yoruichi, the theoretical courses in the ninja world were not of a high standard.

It's countless times easier than the college entrance exam, which was incredibly difficult in my previous life.

Apart from a few subjects related to the ninja profession, which are somewhat difficult, the rest of the basic subjects are practically at kindergarten level; you could easily get full marks with your eyes closed.

Those things related to ninjas are related to the survival rate after becoming a ninja in the future, and Yagami Yoruichi studied them seriously enough, so it goes without saying that she mastered them.

The next day, everyone gathered at the school and, led by Nobuyuki Imai, went to a training ground.

Outside the training ground stood a sign that read 'Third Survival Training Area'.

"Ahead is the third training ground, which is located in a valley and forest terrain, ten kilometers wide and six and a half kilometers long."

Nobuyuki Imai explained simply, “You all learned about this environment during this year’s wilderness survival training course. The content of this final exam is to reach the exit at the other end of the training ground by passing through the third training ground.”

"There are no restrictions on the techniques or methods used in this exam; the only thing prohibited is teamwork."

"One hundred scrolls have been set up in advance in the training ground. What you need to do is to collect as many scrolls as possible as you pass through the training ground. The ranking will be based on the number of scrolls collected. The more scrolls you collect, the higher your ranking will be."

"In addition, the village has arranged for some genin to enter the training ground, to compete with you for the scrolls, or to block your passage."

"If you suffer a serious injury along the way and are unable to continue, our proctors will deem your score 'fail'."

After explaining the rules, Nobuyuki Imai reminded everyone: "For this exam, you are not allowed to bring any additional supplies besides the basic ninja tools. If you need to replenish food, water, or any other resources, you must find them yourself in the training ground. Now, everyone, open your ninja tool bags for the proctor to check!"

Yagami Yoruichi untied the ninja tool pouch hanging from her waist and opened it, but her gaze was fixed on the training ground ahead.

Yagami Yoruichi visited this place last month during the 'Survival Training Course'.

At that time, Nobuyuki Imai and several other teachers brought the students of Class 1-A here to teach them how to survive in the wild.

Unexpectedly, the practical test for this final exam will be held here.

"As long as you pass, at least you're considered a passing grade, right?"

Yagami Yoruichi had some doubts: "However, with genin blocking the way, the difficulty has already exceeded the graduation exam in the original work. Is the ninja academy system different in this era? Or was it specifically designed for our class?"

In the original work, the graduation exams at the ninja academy only required a random selection of one of the Three Body Techniques.

And now, the final exam for the first semester of first grade is a 'survival exercise' conducted directly in the training ground, with real ninjas interfering and obstructing it?

Saying that this level of difficulty is comparable to the 'Forest of Death' challenge in the Chunin Exams of the original work is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is still several times more difficult than the Three Body Techniques test.

Yoruichi Yagami hadn't met many people and hadn't specifically looked into this matter.

However, in just over a decade, not only has the examination system for ninja academies changed, but the difficulty level has also changed so much.

Yoruichi Yagami felt something was off.

But Yagami Yoruichi didn't have time to think too much. After the proctor checked her ninja tool bag and confirmed that she wasn't carrying any prohibited items, she headed towards the entrance.

"Yoruichi-kun," Kurenai Yuhi said with some worry, "this exam is so difficult! I'm a little scared."

"Don't worry, there are proctors watching, there won't be any problems. At worst, you can just give up," Yagami Yoruichi comforted her.

Teams were not allowed in this exam, so Yoruichi Yagami couldn't help Kurenai Yuhi and could only advise her to give up if she couldn't hold on.

However, if a real danger arises, even if Kurenai herself is unwilling to give up, the proctors will not allow her to continue despite her efforts.

As for safety, Yoruichi Yagami doesn't need to worry too much.

The third training ground, although also themed around 'wilderness survival,' is on a completely different level of danger compared to the 'Forest of Death,' the location of the Chunin Exams in the original work.

At least there aren't any gigantic beasts or highly venomous insects here; at most, just ordinary wild animals.

Even ninja academy students who haven't yet become ninjas can easily deal with someone who has chakra, at least without risking their lives.

"Anyone who hasn't reached the exit by tonight will be deemed unqualified!" Nobuyuki Imai announced. "Now, the examination begins!"

At Imai Shinichi's command, all members of Class 1-A shot out like arrows and rushed into the training ground.

The middle of the training ground.

Several ninjas received the signal and exchanged glances.

"We're supposed to be pretending to be genin, this is really..." Minato Namikaze said with a helpless expression, holding a kunai, "Then let's have some fun with these kids."

"Hehehe, I'll teach these young upstarts a lesson!" Kushina Uzumaki grinned mischievously, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles cracked.

"Yagami Yoruichi is mine, the others are yours." Kosuke Maruhoshi carried a black pot on his back and slowly walked into the jungle.

……

"Kurenai, let's part ways here." Yagami Yoruichi walked a short distance ahead and said to Kurenai Yuhi, who was following behind her, "You should follow behind me and take the route I've taken; it'll be safer that way."

The rules prohibit teaming up, but in this way, Yoruichi Yagami can also reduce some of the risks that Kurenai Yuhi will face.

"Don't underestimate me." Kurenai Yuhi put on a stern face, deliberately making an angry expression: "I'm very strong! Not only will I pass the exam, but I'll also get a top-three finish!"

“Yes, yes, Red is certainly very strong.” Yagami Yoruichi smiled and agreed, then immediately said, “Well then, I’ll take my leave first. Be careful.”

Yagami Yoruichi naturally wouldn't take Kurenai's stubbornness seriously, but would try his best to reduce the risks for her in his own way.

As for the idea that you absolutely must get into the top three, just listen to it and forget about it.

Yagami Yoruichi is well aware of Kurenai Yuhi's strength. With hard work and some extra effort, there is hope for her in this class.

But the top three will always be the unchanging Yoruichi Yagami, Kakashi Hatake, and Tekka Uchiha.

Others have absolutely no chance.

Chapter 26 Brute Force

Yoruichi Yagami moved swiftly through the jungle, her attention extremely focused, trying to keep track of everything happening around her.

However, Yagami Yoruichi is not a detective or perception type.

Even with the finest sense of sight and hearing, it's impossible to grasp the situation in the distance as accurately as a sensory ninja.

“This training ground isn’t very large, but even if you throw dozens of people in, it would be difficult to cover the entire training ground. The chance of finding all one hundred scrolls is almost zero. I estimate that finding a few would be enough to get a good result. But if you want to secure first place, you have to collect as many as possible.”

Yagami Yoruichi was deep in thought.

This practical test is not just a contest of combat power.

More importantly, it tests a wide range of abilities, including the ability to gather information and intelligence in the wild, as well as the ability to survive in the wild.

"Um?!"

Suddenly, Yagami Yoru's eyes narrowed, and his chakra exploded beneath his feet, instantly unleashing a powerful suction force. His forward momentum abruptly stopped, and he stood atop the canopy of a large tree.

Dozens of meters ahead, a steel wire gleamed with a barely perceptible reflection.

If you're not careful, you might miss it.

If you step into a trap, who knows what awaits you.

"A trap? I don't know what kind of trap it is. It's just a test for first-year students, so it shouldn't be too outrageous."

"They wouldn't go so far as to use explosive tags... would they?"

Yagami Yoruichi was somewhat uncertain, but she still intended to use this trap to assess the situation of this test in order to decide on her next strategy.

"There seems to be no one around, but I can't be 100% sure. In that case, I'll use a clone to test the waters. A normal clone technique has no physical form and won't trigger the trap. But if someone attacks me when I enter the trap, it means there's an enemy hiding there."

Yoruichi Yagami quickly determined her strategy, hiding in a blind spot hidden by the dense canopy of trees, and sent a clone to check the location of the trap.

"Oh, the little guy is very cautious."

Not far away, within the canopy of another large tree, Kosuke Maruhoshi took in the scene and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Although Yoruichi Yagami's response seemed to have many flaws in his eyes.

But for a first-grade student, this is already quite remarkable.

"The traps I made are at the level of a typical Chunin. Any Chunin with a strong ability to set traps could easily break them. Let me see what you can do without my interference."

Kosuke Maruboshi did not rush to show himself, but silently observed Yoruichi Yagami's movements.

The two were less than twenty meters apart.

However, Yagami Yoruichi was completely unaware of Maruboshi Kosuke's existence and was not aware of it at all.

Even when Yagami Yoruichi was observing her surroundings, her gaze swept across the tree canopy where Maruboshi Kosuke was several times, but she failed to spot him hiding there.

This is the difference between a ninja academy genius and an elite Jonin.

Talent is just talent.

However, to turn it into real strength, it requires more than just hard work and practice.

The huge gap in experience alone cannot be easily bridged by the simple word "talent".

……

"The trap was not triggered or attacked, but that doesn't mean there are no enemies around. It's possible that the other side saw through my clone."

Yagami Yoruichi made a mental judgment, but still cautiously stepped out from the tree canopy where he was hiding and began to try to break the trap.

"Steel wire, kunai, lasso, binding net... this trap is really complicated."

Yagami Yoruichi observed carefully for a long time before determining the structure of the trap.

To be precise, this is not a single trap, but rather a 'trap array' consisting of more than a dozen smaller traps.

If any one of them is triggered, or if a mistake is made while disarming one of the smaller traps, the entire trap array will be activated.

At that time, even if you are strong, it will be difficult to escape.

You'll have to pay a price to get away with it.

“Under normal circumstances, I could simply ignore this trap.”