The battlefield is a harsh and brutal environment.
Especially in the world of Naruto, ninja battles often hinge on intelligence.
But no one can intercept intelligence in advance.
Take the Akatsuki's Hidan during the Shippuden era.
If his abilities were known beforehand, a few jonin could kite him to death with long-range ninjutsu.
The battlefield is the same—no long-range communication devices, so ninjas can't confirm when reinforcements will arrive.
During the Second Ninja War, Orochimaru nearly killed Jiraiya, proving this point.
Ninjas can't predict enemy movements or whether traps lie in wait.
But…
The current ninja world's mainstream is peace.
Tobirama couldn't use real wars to train his disciples.
So he devised the wilderness survival exercise to simulate war.
To teach them the technical essentials for handling warfare.
First: Energy replenishment.
Life depends on water, and all creatures rely on food for stamina.
Though ninjas carry rations and water, they might get trapped or run out due to prolonged conflict.
Mastering wilderness survival skills gives an edge.
Second: Observation.
In wilderness survival, the key is cultivating a natural eye. Nature and humans lack a shared language but are deeply intertwined.
When Kakashi escorted Tazuna with Team 7, he noticed puddles on the ground, deducing an ambush.
It hadn't rained, so puddles shouldn't exist.
Similarly, snow rabbit fur varies by environment, revealing whether it's wild or bred.
If bred, it suggests nearby reconnaissance ninjas.
Using snow rabbits to confuse is a common tactic.
Third, and most critical: Crisis response.
The Forest of Death teems with aggressive beasts, their combat prowess rivaling average ninjas.
Wasting time on self-pity until mental collapse only strips away analytical and judgmental abilities.
Good training and knowledge breed confidence, helping ninjas overcome fear, despair, and fatigue.
These were Tobirama's intentions for the exercise.
But now…
Kazuku had adapted to this place in less than an hour!
His keen senses were like a professional hunter's.
His observational skills seemed innate.
Most terrifyingly, facing two behemoths, he resolved it with a single chakra outburst.
And those were among the forest's most dangerous beasts.
The result?
Instant kill!
So what crisis could this forest pose to Kazuku?
If there was no crisis…
Crisis response was irrelevant!
"Kid, what improvement can this survival exercise offer you?" Tobirama asked.
"The point of crisis response is to activate your potential in life-or-death moments, so you can stay calm in future crises."
"Panic prevents optimal strategies."
Tobirama paused, his gaze falling on Koharu.
She lowered her head in shame.
Koharu was now the textbook counterexample.
Her panic cost her the chance to escape the danger zone.
Nearly getting herself and Kazuku killed by the beasts!
"This is a critical point for ninjas!"
"Even more vital than observation or energy replenishment!"
Tobirama spoke loudly, as if reminding Kazuku, Hiruzen, and the others to engrave his words in their hearts.
Scanning their reactions, seeing them earnestly absorbing his points…
Tobirama abruptly shifted tone. "But for someone who can freely wield monstrous strength, this place can't create any sense of crisis."
"Even the mightiest beasts were easily dispatched by your strength. What could threaten you?"
"For you, with monstrous strength mastered, this survival exercise is no different from a picnic."
"With your power, you could walk through here sideways!"
Tobirama explained to Kazuku, implying that continuing the exercise…
Would be a waste of time.
"Though I hate to admit it, with your strength, this wilderness survival exercise has become meaningless."
Tobirama really didn't want to admit it!
Who'd want to acknowledge that a ten-day training exercise was rendered obsolete in under an hour because a participant was too strong?
And that participant was a seven-year-old!
Especially in front of his disciples, it was a blow to Tobirama's pride.
But…
Tobirama's feelings were complex.
On one hand, he couldn't accept that his carefully planned training was nullified in under an hour.
On the other, he was immensely proud of Kazuku's talent!
Who was Kazuku?
My brother Hashirama Senju's grandson!
Which means my grandson!
The future hope of the Senju clan!
Mastering monstrous strength at seven, effortlessly nullifying my training exercise.
Across the entire ninja world, who could do that?
Who could replicate it?
No one!
Even Big Brother Hashirama wasn't this outrageous at seven!
No one in the ninja world could match him!
"Indeed, as long as Young Master Kazuku unleashes his chakra in danger, he can handle any beast charging him, and we don't need to do anything," Hiruzen said, taking a deep breath, fully agreeing with Tobirama.
Yes, with Kazuku here, they didn't need to do much.
Just travel slowly, help Kazuku conserve energy, and ensure water and food.
If a tough beast appeared, one chakra outburst from him would settle it.
Calling it a wilderness survival exercise…
It was practically a sightseeing trip.
And after all this, Hiruzen and the others had no heart to continue training.
This exercise they'd anticipated for three months, prepared for two, and simulated for one…
With extensive planning, arrangements, and designs…
Was nullified by Kazuku in under an hour.
And he'd had no prior training, no knowledge of the content, and no advance planning!
Compared to him, Hiruzen and the others felt like trash.
No!
It wasn't that they were trash.
Kazuku was too outrageous, transcending genius into a human-skinned monster!
But Tobirama was already thinking of something else.
"Big Brother, you can't imagine how terrifying this kid Kazuku is."
Tobirama thought that if he told Hashirama what happened today…
He'd be shocked speechless!
(End of Chapter)