The Next Day at the Ninja Academy
The graduating class had gathered for one final time before being assigned to their squads.
"I didn't expect you to graduate, Obito," said Shiranui Genma, a senbon in his mouth as he saw Uchiha Obito and Shisui arriving together.
Obito immediately flushed. "What do you mean by that, toothpick?! I'm a genius, believe it!"
Shisui let out a quiet chuckle as he passed by.
A genius? he thought. Just because he barely passed the graduation exam after being late? The only reason he got through was probably because the teacher let it slide. Embarrassing.
He didn't say anything, but his smirk said it all.
"Hmph! Whatever… I don't need to explain myself," Obito muttered. He wanted to brag about unlocking his Sharingan, but he held back. Shisui, after all, was a prodigy. Obito hadn't even awakened his yet.
Besides, even if he did...
He now understood something important thanks to his teacher, Jingyi, and his sessions with Shisui:
Talent means nothing without the foundation. Even with the Sharingan, I'd still be behind them.
It was a hard truth but a necessary one.
"Looks like you're all energetic," came a familiar voice.
"Sensei?!"
The students perked up. Jingyi their temporary instructor during the final phase of the Academy had appeared unexpectedly.
Most students assumed he'd be gone after the war effort pulled most high-level ninja away from the Academy. But here he was.
"You're all good kids. Even you, Obito though being late to your exam wasn't exactly inspiring. As a ninja, that kind of behavior can cost your teammates their lives. Keep that in mind. That goes for all of you."
His tone was serious now.
Though he had only taught them for a month, he clearly cared.
A quiet weight settled in the room. Some students, like Yamashiro Aoba and Iwashi Tatami, were especially moved. They were civilian-born kids who had received training usually reserved for elite ninja. Jingyi had gone above and beyond.
"Alright. Team One: Uchiha Shisui, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai come with me."
"Wait… what?!"
The room was shocked. Obito, Rin, and the others hadn't known Jingyi had passed the jōnin test recently. Seeing him now, summoning his team, made it real.
"The teacher's a jōnin now?"
"And he's leading a team like that? Shisui, Asuma, Kurenai? That's the elite group!"
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Jingyi just smiled as he waved and led the trio out of the room.
Once outside, Kurenai couldn't help but grin. "This still feels unreal."
Asuma rolled his eyes. "Hey, Sensei, you trying to scare us into obedience?"
Jingyi chuckled. "Relax. You're not officially my students yet."
The three blinked, surprised.
"I'll be testing you first. Don't be too nervous. This tradition goes back a long way like the bell test the Third used when he took on disciples."
He glanced at them meaningfully.
The bell test? That sounded intense.
"But we won't do bells," he said. "All you have to do is land a single hit on me. If you can do that, you pass."
His voice was calm and friendly but Shisui could tell this wouldn't be easy.
"Let's move to the Forest of Death."
And in a flash, Jingyi vanished with a perfect Body Flicker Technique.
Shisui's eyes widened. "That movement… it's faster than before."
"Huh? You could tell?" Asuma asked, scratching his head.
Kurenai just nodded, impressed. "He wasn't holding back this time."
They raced to the training ground, reaching the forest's entrance where Jingyi sat waiting for them, perfectly relaxed.
"You're out of breath already," he said. "Physically, you've got a ways to go. Shisui, you stayed at the rear, monitoring the group. That's the mindset of a good team support. Even if you fail the test, I'd still take you."
"What?"
Asuma looked stunned.
"And Kurenai," Jingyi continued, "You noticed my presence right away and kept the center position, which shows solid perception. You pass."
Kurenai smiled then quickly hid it as she noticed Asuma sulking.
Asuma stared at them, betrayed. "Seriously? You two already passed? When did this become a pop quiz?"
Jingyi grinned. "Well, I did say I was testing you."
Then he turned serious again.
"Shisui, Kurenai you've passed. But if you insist, you're welcome to continue with the test. Just remember if you fail now, I might only keep Shisui."
Asuma froze.
What kind of test was this?
Would you like this rewritten as a scene script or kept in prose?