Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

The graduates of the Ninja Academy also learned about the assessment they would be taking a week before it was scheduled to begin!

The personnel groupings were also announced at the same time!

In Iwagakure, at the Ninja Academy, on the largest training ground in the central area, several notice boards were set up, displaying the content and group assignments for this graduation exam.

Upon seeing the assessment content, and later when it was emphasized that the assessment results would take into account the scores of three people, many candidates' expressions changed slightly.

"Holy crap!? Seriously? We're going to see all three scores?"

"If we get held back, wouldn't all our work have been for nothing?"

"Why did this year's performance review turn out like this?"

"I heard that the chief examiner is Lord Uchiha Shoji!"

"Huh? Is that General Jiang Si, who single-handedly breached the Southern Fortress six months ago and even defeated the Wind Shadow in a single battle? He's actually here to personally oversee the assessment?"

"Wow! No wonder!"

"Why don't we go ask Itachi-kun? He's also from the Uchiha clan!"

"Huh? Then you go ask?"

"Then why don't you ask Izumi-kun?" (Note: In Japan, women can also be addressed as 'kun'!)

"Haha~~"

The three-person team is a crucial evaluation criterion, as the collective performance affects the assessment results. However, it is not absolute. While ninjas do generally follow a team-based approach when carrying out missions, stronger individuals possess the ability and potential to perform missions independently.

The assessment is never a cold, impersonal evaluation based on a fixed standard; that applies to 'ordinary people'!

If you really are a chosen one!

A prodigy far beyond the reach of ordinary people!

Even if you undermine the 'teamwork' ability that should be assessed in the evaluation, you may still pass, but the premise of undermining the 'standard' is that you have sufficient value!

Almost none of the 'prospective ninjas' graduating from these ninja academies could see through the deepest meaning of this assessment.

Only Itachi could roughly guess some of it!

Having always been good at thinking, he viewed this assessment from a more unique perspective, and the conclusions he could draw were naturally unmatched by ordinary people.

'Brother Si really knows how to make things difficult for people.'

Itachi glanced up at the notice board and scanned the assessment details. A faint smile of confidence appeared on his still youthful and immature face as he silently thought to himself.

For Itachi.

This assessment is merely a self-test!

Itachi, whose goals have always been set on his senior clansmen such as Shoji and Shisui, never limits his own potential!

"Itachi, let's do our best together!"

On the left, a girl with long, glossy black hair, wearing a purple coat, and a beauty mark under her right eye stepped to Itachi's side, her face filled with endless gentleness, and she smiled and spoke.

"Yes, Izumi, you too!"

Looking at the arriving girl.

A gentle expression appeared on Itachi's face as he smiled and nodded.

This girl was none other than Izumi, also from the Uchiha clan. She was the gentlest member of Itachi's generation, and like Itachi, she had awakened the Sharingan.

Even within the vast Uchiha clan, he is considered a genius. He is currently 9 years old, exactly one year older than Itachi.

Those who were originally arranged by Elders Fugaku and Sōgen to study at the Ninja Academy were almost all the most composed and peaceful people in their clans. In addition to their talents, the vast majority of them were also quite gifted. In this graduation assessment,

Several Uchiha clan members applied to graduate early, and Izumi was one of them!

"Yes, I will!"

Izumi raised her eyebrows slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on her delicate face. It should be said that the personalities of men and women in the Uchiha clan are really two extremes. Judging from the women who have appeared in the story—Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Chiri, and Uchiha Izumi—they are almost all 'Yamato Nadeshiko' type women. It is very rare to see a violent Uchiha woman in the clan!

Furthermore, unlike many male members of the tribe who always appear serious and aloof, the female members are known for their cheerfulness and gentleness!

Itachi's own mother was like that, so he also admired and liked girls of the same type. Although it was not explicitly stated at the moment, and the two were still quite young, Itachi clearly had an extraordinary affection for Izumi.

"Hehe! Itachi-san! We're in the same group this time! I'll have to rely on you for the graduation exam!"

Just as Itachi and Izumi had barely exchanged a few words, a shorter figure suddenly appeared from not far away!

A dashing figure and a beautiful face!

There was no need to turn around to face the person; they could just hear that familiar tone of voice.

Itachi could almost instantly identify the person who came. It was during this year that a rare person in the Ninja Academy took the initiative to get close to Itachi. This person was also the one with the most special identity in the Ninja Academy: the granddaughter of the current Tsuchikage—Kurotsuchi!

Itachi is also one of the few who is difficult to deal with, because Kurotsuchi's personality is just too lively.

And because of the special nature of their identity.

They didn't need any special instructions from their fathers.

Itachi knew very well that this was someone he absolutely had to befriend.

"Hmm, black soil!"

However difficult it may be, Itachi must take it seriously. This is not only his own business, but also a major issue concerning the entire clan!

263. Itachi, Izumi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi (Third Update)

Moreover, Itachi only felt that Kurotsuchi was a little too lively and he couldn't get used to it. In fact, a little girl with a personality like Kurotsuchi is quite likable.

At least Itachi himself couldn't possibly have any real ill feelings towards them.

"Good morning, Heitu!"

When Quan saw Heitu, he also showed a gentle smile, nodded slightly, and greeted him with a smile.

Kurotsuchi noticed Izumi's presence immediately. She felt extremely fond of this "older sister" who was like a "Yamato Nadeshiko" (ideal Japanese woman). Most importantly, Izumi always treated her with an "equal attitude," something Kurotsuchi herself hadn't realized, but which made her very happy.

Because of her long-standing identity, Kurotsuchi is actually very 'lonely' in the Ninja Academy. Every student in the Ninja Academy is always extremely respectful when facing Kurotsuchi. She is the only direct granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, and her father is also a famous hero in the village!

Under such a halo effect.

Kurotsuchi couldn't possibly not stand out in the Ninja Academy!

The only person Kurotsuchi could not get along with was Deidara, but that guy was only thinking about his own art and didn't care about Kurotsuchi at all. This meant that Kurotsuchi couldn't find any real companions among her peers.

This is why Itachi and Izumi arrived.

One of the biggest reasons that easily attracts Kurotsuchi, and of course the most important reason, is the outstanding performance of Itachi and Izumi themselves. A sparrow can never compare to a swan!

Only those who are equally outstanding can share a common language!

The Uchiha clan was originally a highly renowned ninja clan in the ninja world!

Itachi and Izumi are still the best of the clan!

With the two combined, it's only natural that the black soil would be attracted.

"Good morning, Izumi-neechan!"

Kurotsuchi revealed a very cheerful smile. In terms of personality, Kurotsuchi can be considered a very rare type of straightforwardness among girls. If you really want to make a comparison, she should be compared with heroines like Tsunade and Mei Terumi!

Of course, Kurotsuchi is still a long way from the two of them, but her talent and ability are already there. Izumi also likes Kurotsuchi very much. She has no spoiled nature and never has any of the so-called 'self-importance' problems!

Even without special instructions from the clan, Izumi would be very willing to get to know a girl like Kurotsuchi better!

"Hurry up! Deidara, you're too slow! All you ever do is mess with your art. If you drag us down in this assessment, I'll tell Grandpa what I'm going to say!"

However, she still occasionally showed her little girl side. Almost immediately after smiling and greeting Itachi and Izumi, she turned to look at a blond boy who was slowly walking over from the other side and said in a 'fierce' tone.

"Hmph, what do you know, Kuroto? My art is the best! Besides, who knows who'll hold us back by then! Hmm!"

The blond boy, Deidara, is Onoki's direct and last disciple, possessing exceptional personal talent and brilliance!

At this moment, Deidara, who is just over seven years old, has not yet evolved into the form he will take in the later years of the original work. Right now, Deidara can only be considered a little boy who is immersed in his own 'art world' and has a bit of a verbal tic!

"What did you say?! In previous exams, my theoretical and practical scores were both better than yours! You, who often skips classes, have no right to talk to me like that!"

Hearing Deidara's words.

Kurotsuchi immediately glared at Deidara with a stern expression and said angrily.

It's as if they were born to be incompatible. Whenever the two of them get together, they can't stand each other without arguing. Over the past year, Itachi has seen similar scenes countless times. They are indeed very talented. Whether it's Kurotsuchi's superhuman talent in Earth Release inherited from her father and grandfather, as well as her kekkei genkai of Lava Release, or Deidara's self-made white clay Explosion Release, these are talents that ordinary people cannot reach!

In terms of personality, well, he is indeed a bit different from ordinary people. Kurotsuchi is normal, but this mainly refers to Deidara.

For example, right now, Deidara is bickering with Kurotsuchi while looking at Itachi with an eager expression. This is something that Itachi is used to, but still finds very troublesome. Ever since the beginning of the school year, when he easily broke Deidara's Clay Explosion Release and defeated Deidara by using his Sharingan and the most basic Lightning Release technique, Deidara has been completely attached to him.

They always want to challenge themselves.

This caused Itachi to be mentally exhausted very often.

Although Izumi didn't spend much time with the three of them, she had seen similar scenes a couple of times before. When she saw Itachi's rare expression of distress, Izumi covered her mouth and smiled slightly. When Itachi saw this and gave a wry smile in return, she was surprised.

Quan then gently stuck out her tongue, revealing an even more playful expression.

"You've all seen the content of this assessment. It tests both individual abilities and teamwork skills. Although we still have more than a week to prepare, we still need to be vigilant. If you two are free tomorrow, let's meet at the designated training ground. I happen to have some preliminary thoughts on the assessment, so let's discuss them beforehand!"

Itachi looked at Kurotsuchi and Deidara with a calm expression and spoke.

"Yes, Itachi-san! No problem!"

"Humph!"

Upon hearing Itachi's words, Kurotsuchi immediately raised her hand and replied with a smile.

Deidara gave a haughty hum, though he didn't say anything more, which was a response in itself.

This assessment was not particularly difficult. Shoji's initial intention was to assess the graduates' overall qualities as much as possible, since they had completely come to regard Iwagakure as their own home!

Shoji naturally hoped that Iwagakure would become as strong as possible!

This is not only reflected in the current combat strength, but also in the future development of the ranks. The Ninja World War is not a matter of a day or two. Even if Shoji already has the corresponding confidence, if he really wants to realize his ideals...

The timeframe for this plan is also measured in 'years'!

The hundreds of graduates each year are the key to everything!

If everyone improves their overall abilities by even a little bit, it means that the overall level of Iwagakure Village will be raised!

In order to ensure the smooth conduct of this assessment, Shoji even requested a group of specialists from Onoki to assist him. This graduation assessment was conducted entirely based on the Chunin Exams model and system, only with slightly lower intensity requirements!