Hiruzen Sarutobi’s voice echoed across the empty training ground, clearly reaching Orochimaru and the other two.
“Bell-snatching? Why have I never heard of that?”
Jiraiya’s eyes widened, and he scratched his signature white hair, a look of confusion on his face.
No one had told him about this part when he graduated!
“The point isn’t the assessment content, Jiraiya.
The point is… there are only two bells, but there are three of us.”
Orochimaru spoke, his gaze sweeping over the bewildered Jiraiya and the pensive Tsunade, finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As expected…
Upon hearing this, Tsunade’s slightly raised chin instantly tightened, and her expression suddenly changed.
She naturally understood the cruel implications hidden behind these seemingly simple rules.
Two bells, three people—this meant that one person would inevitably be eliminated!
Who was she? She was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!
With the blood of the Senju Clan flowing through her veins, how could she be eliminated in this initial test?
If she were truly eliminated, it would be a huge joke!
“Ah! So that’s it! Teacher, you brought one bell too few, didn’t you?”
However, Jiraiya, standing nearby, still hadn’t caught on. He slapped his palm as if enlightened, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a touch of innocence in his tone.
Pfft—
Upon hearing this, Tsunade almost choked, turning sharply to look at Jiraiya.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief, as if she were looking at a hopeless idiot.
She didn’t even bother to retort, simply labeling Jiraiya as “Elimination Pending” in her mind.
This idiot, he couldn’t even understand such a simple principle. It seemed he was destined to go back for re-education.
Orochimaru also struggled to maintain his composure, completely unable to comprehend Jiraiya’s thought process.
Even the usually composed Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but twitch his mouth a few times upon hearing Jiraiya’s “fresh and unconventional” remark.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to rub his forehead, and patiently explained:
“No, Jiraiya, I didn’t bring too few. The rule is just that, there are only two bells.
This means that even if some of you manage to snatch a bell, only two people will ultimately pass the assessment and officially become Genin.
And the person who doesn’t snatch a bell, or rather… is deemed unqualified, will be sent back to the Ninja Academy to restart their studies.”
As he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s tone involuntarily became a bit sterner, even carrying a hint of killing intent.
Go… back… to the… Ninja Academy…
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya’s smile instantly froze, and he finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
Because Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words didn’t sound like a joke…
“The time limit is until noon! Now, the assessment begins! Give it your all, and attack me with the resolve… to kill me!”
Seeing that his words had taken effect, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s sharp gaze swept over the three, taking in their varied expressions, and then he announced in a deep voice.
And almost at the very moment his voice faded…
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
Two figures vanished from their spots like ghosts, leaving only faint afterimages.
Orochimaru and Tsunade reacted almost simultaneously, instantly disappearing into the forest at the edge of the training ground.
Their presences also receded, vanishing from Hiruzen Sarutobi’s sensory range.
Watching their reactions, a subtle hint of approval flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes, and he nodded with satisfaction.
This keen judgment and decisive action were the qualities a qualified Ninja should possess.
Of course, with his current strength, let alone three newly graduated six-year-olds, even an experienced Jonin squad couldn’t take anything from him if he didn’t wish it.
This test was not meant to eliminate anyone.
His true purpose was to use this opportunity to understand the personalities, potential, and individual strengths of these three children.
Simply put, it was a preliminary assessment…
As for sending them back to the Ninja Academy? That was just a lie to make these three children take it seriously.
Leaving aside other factors, the current severe shortage of Ninja in Konoha Village due to the war made it impossible to turn away any potential combat power.
After all, if they didn’t go out on missions, Konoha’s finances would truly collapse!
When facing a powerful, unmatchable enemy, a Ninja’s first priority is always to hide themselves, preserve their own lives, and wait for an opportunity.
From this perspective, Orochimaru and Tsunade’s performance was undoubtedly excellent.
Especially Orochimaru…
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning the bushes where Orochimaru had disappeared.
He was surprised to find that the child’s presence was perfectly concealed, blending seamlessly into the forest, to the point where even he couldn’t immediately pinpoint his exact location.
In terms of simply hiding one’s presence, few Jonin in the Village possessed this level of skill.
In contrast…
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze shifted to the center of the training ground, to the white-haired brat who was still standing there dumbfounded, seemingly completely unaware of the situation.
Looking at Jiraiya’s expression, a mix of bewilderment and eagerness, the Third Hokage felt a vein throb in his forehead, and his face darkened.
Noticing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was looking at him, Jiraiya finally reacted.
His eyes lit up, and instead of feeling uneasy about his companions’ disappearance, he showed an expression of pleasant surprise.
Since those two guys were hiding, didn’t that mean he could pass the test by himself, just by snatching a bell from the teacher?
“Teacher! Take this!”
Jiraiya, having figured out the “key” to the situation, roared, struck what he thought was a cool charging pose, and pushed off with his legs, rushing straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi like a cannonball fired from a barrel!
“…”
Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite speechless. Had the Ninja Academy teachers not even taught the most basic common sense?
He didn’t even bother with hand signs, simply shifting his body casually, easily dodging Jiraiya’s wild straight punch.
Then he extended a finger and lightly flicked Jiraiya on the back of his head…
“Thud!”
A dull thud, accompanied by Jiraiya’s shriek, as he plunged headfirst to the ground, his limbs twitching a few times before he went still, leaving only the back of his head, emitting white smoke, facing the sky.
One-shot kill.
Hidden in the shadows of the bushes, Orochimaru watched this scene through the gaps in the leaves, his mouth twitching slightly.
This Jiraiya… he was too straightforward, wasn’t he? Facing a Shadow-level expert, he dared to charge head-on? Should he be called courageous, or utterly foolish?
Never mind…
Orochimaru withdrew his gaze, his mind racing.
Jiraiya’s reckless behavior, though foolish, had successfully captured Hiruzen Sarutobi’s full attention.
But this opening might be something the other party deliberately showed to him and Tsunade…
His objective was clear: snatching the bells was secondary. More importantly, he needed to demonstrate his value and potential as much as possible in this test.
After all, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind;
But if the environment is harsh, only by standing out enough, being conspicuous enough, can one receive more sunlight and rain.
Just like Orochimaru in the original story, if he hadn’t connected with the Third Hokage, how could he, a commoner by birth, have obtained research materials and data?
A commoner Ninja’s background, in this World that values bloodlines and inheritance, required displaying talent far beyond the ordinary to gain more resources and conduct deeper research.
And just as Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attention was fully focused on the “playing dead” Jiraiya on the ground.
“Swish!”
A golden figure, like an arrow released from a bowstring, suddenly darted out from the forest on the other side!
Tsunade! She chose to seize this fleeting opportunity, launching a surprise attack the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi was distracted…