Ninja.
A profession with staggering mortality rates demanded rigorous testing.
From academy to jōnin ranks, each promotion carried exacting standards.
Some remained genin for life, never overcoming chūnin exams.
Comparatively,
Genin exams were simplest.
Master the three basic jutsu through diligent study to earn the forehead protector.
Simple.
Yet... this simplicity excluded early graduation candidates.
Especially two first-years seeking early promotion.
Whoosh!
A figure landed before the children.
Bearded face chewing a toothpick resembled a thirty-something uncle.
Qingchuan's brows furrowed deeper.
Him?
Well.
Graduation secured.
Though unclear on specifics.
Rebellious Ashma differed vastly from matured Asuma.
No reason to fear.
"Huh?"
"Teacher, why's he here?"
Outside, Anko complained to Orochimaru.
"Shouldn't I proctor my juniors? Pfft..."
Her glare at Asuma intensified.
Nepotism!
Big deal!
Beside her,
Orochimaru maintained enigmatic silence.
Seeing Asuma, he instantly grasped the Third's intent:
Let hotheaded Asuma witness Konoha's new generation.
Compare with his younger self. Reflect.
Of course...
The real game lay in exam rules.
As proctor, Asuma must follow regulations.
Though rebellious, Asuma possessed competence.
If he could crush two Uchiha prodigies within rules...
The psychological blow would linger lifelong.
Possibly even destroying both geniuses.
"Tsk tsk..."
Orochimaru chuckled disdainfully.
Who'd truly collapse?
That girl wouldn't lose.
Yet his wariness toward the Hokage remained.
Regardless of outcome,
The father-Kage stood to gain either way.
A broken son with Hokage father
Beats rebellious loose cannon...
Exam grounds.
Asuma rolled his toothpick, eyeing the children.
One arrogant brat.
One naïve lovely girl...
Sighing, Asuma's impatience softened. He raised five fingers.
"Five minutes."
Glancing at Itachi, he declared.
"Last five minutes against me to pass."
"Our gap's huge, but I won't hold back..."
"Alternatively, land any injury for instant pass."
His gaze shifted to Qingchuan.
Another silent sigh.
"Don't complain. Orders are orders."
"But relax girl, I'll go easy."
"Quit now... still an option."
The real challenge was the girl.
Asuma mused inwardly.
Despite this being the old man's test, he couldn't brutalize such cuteness.
He hoped "Haruko" would withdraw...
"Haruko, let me first."
Itachi stepped forward decisively.
"I'll prolong the fight..."
He recognized the proctor.
The Hokage's son. As Uchiha heir, he knew all elite ninjas:
Asuma's close-combat specialty, wind techniques, unique fire jutsu.
Dangerous.
But merely inflicting injury? Child's play.
Nine battle plans already formed!
But Haruko differed.
Swordsmanship-focused, weak in ninjutsu.
Close combat disadvantaged.
Thus,
Itachi resolved:
Maximize stamina drain!
Secure mutual graduation!
Bowing flawlessly:
"Please instruct."
Asuma jutted his chin.
"Begin."
Whoosh!
Shuriken flew instantly!
Simultaneously,
Itachi's hands flashed through seals. Chakra condensed. Chest expanded.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Blazing sphere roared forth!
Shuriken sealed escape routes.
Fireball closed in!
Qingchuan's eyelid twitched...
No Mangekyō yet, but already this skilled?
Need reconsider future "skirt removal" timing.
Meanwhile,
"Go Itachi!"
Cheerleader Haruko activated.
Beat him senseless!
Full power!
Perfect recon opportunity. Qingchuan wouldn't waste it.