Konoha's Hextech Ninja

Hearing Kakashi Hatake's words, Obito Uchiha was extremely unconvinced and shouted loudly, "So what if I'm number one! I'll get it sooner or later! And I'll become Hokage!"

Seeing the two start arguing again, many people looked on with amusement.

Yagami Yoruichi was already used to it.

I don't know if these two are just naturally incompatible. Kakashi Hatake is a very cold person who is only interested in geniuses of the same level. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have much interaction with Obito Uchiha.

But for some reason, he disliked Obito Uchiha and would often make sarcastic remarks about him.

Obito Uchiha also disliked Kakashi Hatake, and the two would start arguing after only a few words together.

This kind of scene has happened many times during this semester.

Even their homeroom teacher, Nobuyuki Imai, was too lazy to bother with their bickering and went on to say, "After school today, we'll be on a longer winter break. During the break, everyone should keep practicing and not be lazy. The next semester will be even more challenging."

Nobuyuki Imai went on and on, rambling on and on, until the very end.

"Yoruichi-kun".

Kurenai immediately went to Yoruichi Yagami's side and asked, "You have more than a month of vacation, Yoruichi-kun, what are your plans?"

"Working and training, that'll probably be it for now," Yagami Yoruichi said casually. "Umino-senpai found me a part-time job, and I'll be starting next week. After delivering goods every morning and evening, I'll go to the training ground to train."

The legendary Ichiraku Ramen is opening in just a few days.

Yoruichi Yagami was also very curious about this amazing ramen shop.

The saying "Otsutsuki Ichiraku" is, of course, just a joke.

But the fact that this shop has attracted so many loyal customers from Konoha Village has made Yagami Yoruichi very curious about just how good its ramen really is.

Yoruichi Yagami had already met with Teuchi Ichiraku and agreed on the job details and compensation with him.

"You still have to work?" Kurenai Yuhi said in surprise. "You're working so hard!"

It was a purely exclamatory tone, without any additional meaning.

After only a sigh, Kurenai changed the subject, saying somewhat dejectedly, "I was hoping to train with you during the holidays. But with work, it's impossible."

"My job is just delivering goods to the store every morning and evening, it doesn't affect my training." Yagami Yoruichi said with a smile, "If you want to train together, no problem, just come find me at the training ground. I'll be there most of the time during the day, at the usual place."

“Then it’s settled!” Kurenai nodded her little head excitedly and said, “My dad said he’ll teach me illusion magic during the holidays, but I’ll come to the training ground to find you every afternoon.”

"Okay, it's a deal." Yagami Yoruichi looked at Kurenai Yuhi's adorable appearance and couldn't help but reach out and pat her little head.

Unbeknownst to him, Sarutobi Asuma, standing in the crowd behind him, was grinding his teeth in fury at the sight.

"Damn it! Let her go! Take your hands off me!" Sarutobi Asuma screamed inwardly, ready to charge forward and challenge Yagami Yoruichi at all costs.

Suddenly, Kakashi Hatake rushed forward and called out to Yoruichi Yagami.

"Yoruichi-kun." Kakashi Hatake called out to Yoruichi Yagami, "I've thought it through. I want to challenge you formally one more time. If I fail again, it means I still need to continue studying at the Ninja Academy. If I defeat you, I will apply to graduate early."

"Didn't we just spar a couple of days ago?" Yagami Yoruichi asked, somewhat puzzled.

The two have sparred quite a few times and are well aware of each other's abilities.

It hasn't been more than a few days since their last encounter. In that short time, how much could Kakashi Hatake's strength have improved?

Knowing defeat is inevitable, why still take the challenge? What's the point?

"I've come up with a ninjutsu technique, although it's not fully developed yet, but I think it might be very powerful."

Kakashi Hatake looked at Yoruichi Yagami and said, "Let's have a match, Yoruichi-kun."

Develop ninjutsu?

Chidori?

Kakashi Hatake started developing Chidori so early?

Isn't this timing a bit off?

Countless questions arose in Yagami Yoruichi's mind, but he did not refuse.

A new ninjutsu, even if it is not yet completed or is only in its prototype, can significantly boost a ninja's strength.

Yoruichi Yagami was also very curious about how much Kakashi Hatake would improve his strength with this new ninjutsu.

Yagami Yoruichi glanced at Hatake Kakashi a few times, confirming that his injuries wouldn't affect his fighting ability, and said directly, "Let's go to the training ground. This place is too small. If the two of us fight, we won't be able to move freely."

The ninja academy's training ground is more than enough for ordinary ninja students, and even for sparring among ordinary genin.

However, Yoruichi Yagami and Kakashi Hatake are definitely exceptions.

In such a small place, a few ninja techniques can drastically change the terrain.

It would be better to go to a specialized training ground, which would be more suitable for the two of them to spar.

“Then let’s go to the training ground.” Kakashi Hatake nodded and quickly followed Yoruichi Yagami and Kurenai Yuhi.

"Kakashi, Yoruichi, can we watch from the sidelines?" a voice called out.

It was Ibiki Morino with a gloomy expression.

Among this year's Class A, Ibiki Morino's presence was not very noticeable.

But he always ranked at the top of his class in every exam, making him a rather low-key 'genius'.

"I have no objection," Kakashi Hatake said casually.

“I have no objection either.” Yagami Yoruichi nodded to Morino Ibiki, then looked at the others and said, “Anyone who wants to watch can come along.”

I have already made contact with Kosuke Maruhoshi and have received his initial approval.

It's time to establish an image of a 'super genius'.

The students in Class A of Grade 1 are the best example.

This encounter with Kakashi Hatake was also the best stage.

Survival training assessments, which are rarely seen by most people and only involve rankings, are a better place to shine.

Chapter 31 Evaluation of Minato Namikaze

Inside the Hokage's office.

A group of ninjas, including Kosuke Maruboshi, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, submitted their evaluations of their respective assessment targets.

"Most of the students I examined this time are quite mediocre," Kosuke Maruhoshi said bluntly. "Apart from Yoruichi Yagami and Kurenai Yuhi, the others will at most become ordinary Chunin. However, Yoruichi Yagami and Kurenai Yuhi both have very good talent. If they are trained well, it won't be too difficult for them to reach Jonin level. In fact, Yoruichi Yagami's current strength is already very close to Jonin level. She may be able to truly possess Jonin strength before graduating from the Ninja Academy."

"Approaching Jonin?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised. "You think so highly of him? I thought he was just strong in terms of chakra reserves and physical attributes, with potential for further development."

"His taijutsu and timing in battle are excellent. Although he hasn't reached the level of a Jonin, he is still considered one of the best among Chunin."

Kosuke Maruboshi recalled his battle with Yoruichi Yagami. When Yoruichi Yagami released Water Release: Water Chaos Wave, she clearly only activated a portion of her chakra, with much more chakra hidden within the water.

Recalling the 'Water Rumble Wave Two-Stage' that Yagami Yoruichi used when sparring with Hatake Kakashi, how could he not know what Yagami Yoruichi had prepared?

If Yagami Yoruichi hadn't suddenly made a mistake in the battle and fainted, he might have been able to personally experience the power of 'Water Rumble Wave Second Stage'.

While thinking, Kosuke Maruhoshi said, "What surprised me the most was his talent in ninjutsu. A simple Water Release: Water Chaos Wave, after being modified by him, could easily catch a weaker Jonin if they were not careful enough."

This two-stage release ninjutsu has a strong 'first-meet kill' effect.

If the enemy is certain that Yoruichi Yagami is only using the more powerful and larger-scale Water Rage Wave, but doesn't anticipate the subsequent changes, they could very well fall victim to it.

This level of ninjutsu has high practical value in the hands of Jonin, and if it continues to be improved, it is enough for elite Jonin to use it as their core ninjutsu.

“I see.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, put away the scroll, and said, “I will seriously consider the arrangements for them later.”

"Lord Hokage," Minato Namikaze said, taking out a scroll as well, "This is my assessment of the twelve candidates, and my personal evaluation."

"Any geniuses you've taken a liking to? Tell me briefly." Hiruzen Sarutobi put away the scroll, not checking it immediately either.

"Kakashi Hatake is quite good. His path is different from that of Sakumo-senpai, but there are similarities. In my opinion, Kakashi is definitely a genius among geniuses."

Minato Namikaze made a brief assessment, then changed the subject, saying, "There's another kid named Obito Uchiha, I think he also has a lot of potential."

"Uchiha Obito?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked doubtfully, "Judging from the results, Uchiha Tetsuka is more outstanding, isn't he?"

In his memory, although Obito Uchiha was not the 'loser' that others called him, his performance was indeed unworthy of the name of the Uchiha clan.

Aside from his passable mastery of Fire Release ninjutsu, all other qualities were mediocre.

For the Uchiha clan, this was already considered very bad.

“Uchiha Tekka’s fire-style ninjutsu, swordsmanship, and shuriken are all quite good, and his strength is above Obito’s.” Minato Namikaze nodded and continued, “But I don’t know why, maybe it’s just my intuition, but I think Obito will achieve even greater things in the future.”

"Intuition?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eye twitched, but he did not refute it.

Sometimes, the 'intuition' of some ninjas is indeed very unreasonable.

Especially for ninjas who are skilled in perception, they may sense something in the dark, but their brains are not aware of it and they cannot explain the reason clearly. However, they can make accurate judgments based on their intuition.

Minato Namikaze's "intuitive" statement made Hiruzen Sarutobi take Obito Uchiha more seriously and resolve to pay more attention to this somewhat unconventional Uchiha clansman in the future.

"There's nothing of note here, everything's quite ordinary." Kushina Uzumaki also submitted a scroll.

Upon hearing Kushina Uzumaki's evaluation, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched, as if he wanted to ask something, but he held back.

His youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma, was examined by Uzumaki Kushina.

The latter seemed to have guessed what Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking and was about to say something.

Suddenly, the image in the crystal ball on the desk changed, and the figures of Yagami Yoruichi, Hatake Kakashi, and others appeared in it.

It was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi's exceptionally skilled 'telescope technique'.

This ninjutsu can monitor the entire Hidden Leaf Village. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi sometimes uses it to spy on women's bathhouses, it is more often used to keep an eye on certain special individuals.

What outsiders don't know is that Hiruzen Sarutobi can leave a mark on certain targets. As long as the target is in Konoha, once the conditions are met, the 'Telescope Technique' will be activated immediately, displaying the target's image in a crystal ball.

Of course, this technique only works when used in conjunction with the Konoha Barrier; it becomes completely useless once you leave Konoha, which is one of its few drawbacks.

However, as the Hokage, this technique can greatly help Hiruzen Sarutobi improve his control over Konoha Village.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the scene that suddenly appeared inside the crystal ball.

"Hmm?" Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at them a few times and deduced the content of their conversation from Yoruichi Yagami and Kakashi Hatake's lip movements. He couldn't help but say, "Are they going to spar? These are the two most outstanding geniuses in the last ten years, no, even after Minato and your generation. Although I've seen them spar several times, I'm still really looking forward to it."

"Is Kakashi going to use his unfinished technique?" Minato Namikaze, who could also read lips, was surprised after understanding what Kakashi Hatake was saying.

"That technique?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Minato Namikaze and asked, "You've already seen it?"

“Hmm, an incomplete but very interesting technique.” Minato Namikaze smiled and said, “If I hadn’t already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, I might have considered developing a similar technique to increase my speed.”

Minato Namikaze's greatest strength is speed, especially reaction speed, and he naturally wants to maximize his advantage.

If he didn't have the Flying Thunder God Technique, Chidori, a ninjutsu that can greatly increase dash speed, would also be very suitable for him.

"Is this the genius you've been praising? He looks a lot like Sakumo-senpai." Uzumaki Kushina also looked at Hatake Kakashi with curiosity.

"Since everyone is interested, let's all watch this sparring match," Hiruzen Sarutobi invited with a smile. "After watching it, perhaps you'll adjust your opinions of these two kids."

Chapter 32 Shadow Clone

On the training field.

Yoruichi Yagami and Kakashi Hatake stood on an open space in the training ground.

The other students who came to watch stayed far away and stepped aside.

"Seriously, they made us retreat 500 meters away. Did they think they could affect us from that distance?" Obito Uchiha said indignantly.

When Yagami Yoruichi told them to step back, Obito Uchiha was extremely unhappy.

If it weren't for the fact that the other students all seemed to agree, he would have definitely gone up and argued with them.

"Exactly, that's too arrogant." Sarutobi Asuma immediately agreed with Obito Uchiha's words.

But noticing Kurenai's eager and adoring gaze towards Yoruichi Yagami, Asuma Sarutobi still didn't dare to say it aloud, only uttering a few words in a low voice.

However, apart from Obito Uchiha and Asuma Sarutobi, everyone else was really looking forward to the match between Yoruichi Yagami and Kakashi Hatake, and many people were even excitedly discussing it.

"I heard it's a no-rules sparring match, where any means are allowed." Tobitake Dragonfly and Morino Ibiki huddled together, discussing, "The sparring at school only compares taijutsu, which puts Kakashi at a disadvantage. If ninjutsu and swordsmanship can be used, Kakashi will have a significant advantage."

“But Yoruichi’s taijutsu is also a clear advantage. In addition, we don’t know if Yoruichi has mastered any ninjutsu, so it’s still quite suspenseful.” Morino Ibiki said, “This is a good opportunity to gather information about them. We are very likely to face them in the actual combat at school later. The more information we have, the better our chances of winning.”

"No..." Flying Bamboo Dragonfly couldn't help but complain, "You really intend to defeat them in the actual combat test? These geniuses are not even in the same league as ordinary geniuses like us!"

“If we don’t try, there’s definitely no hope. Only by trying will we have a chance.” Ibiki Morino’s gaze was firm: “If we still can’t find any way to win after gathering information, then it’s not too late to give up.”

A few others, including Uchiha Tekka, shared the same idea as Morino Ibiki; they were geniuses not too far off from Yagami Yoruichi and Hatake Kakashi.