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"Please wait a moment!"
Umino Iruka, ever protective of his students, stood up abruptly.
"What is it, Iruka?" asked Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, turning to him calmly.
"The Genin just mentioned—Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Iori Yedou—were all students of mine at the Ninja Academy. There's no doubt they each have potential, but... it's still too early for them to take the Chūnin Exams."
Iruka's voice was firm, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.
As a former Chūnin examinee himself, he knew better than anyone that the Chūnin Exams were far harsher than the graduation test at the Academy. Missions during the exams could turn deadly. He didn't deny Sasuke's Uchiha bloodline or Yedou's extraordinary talent, but that didn't change the fact—they were still fresh Genin.
"They should complete more missions, gain real-world combat experience, and only then consider such a dangerous step," Iruka argued.
Despite knowing his stance might be unpopular, especially in front of elite Jōnin like Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma, Iruka stood his ground.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "Then let us prepare a special preliminary assessment for these Genin. Iruka—you will be the examiner. You'll determine whether they're ready to face the Chūnin Exams."
Iruka bowed solemnly and left the chamber, determined to test his former students fairly but thoroughly.
---
[Iruka's Special Test Begins]
Confident in his understanding of his students' strengths and weaknesses, Iruka began making preparations. He had taught Naruto and the others for years. He knew what made them tick.
As he strategized, Kakashi approached, still holding the exam registration scroll. "Just a word of advice, Iruka—don't try that with Yedou."
"What are you talking about, Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka frowned. "I've taught all of them. As their teacher, I must treat them equally."
Kakashi shrugged. "Your call," he said simply, then walked off.
---
Haruno Sakura's Test – Emotional Illusion
Iruka's first target was Haruno Sakura.
He remembered her well—intelligent, sharp, but often distracted by her obsession with Sasuke. She had potential, but lacked the killer instinct of a true shinobi.
"This is for your own good, Sakura," Iruka muttered, forming a hand seal.
With a transformation jutsu, Iruka disguised himself as Uchiha Sasuke and appeared casually at the alleyway entrance.
"Sakura," he said in Sasuke's usual cool tone.
"Huh? Sasuke-kun?" Sakura's face lit up.
"Want to take a walk?" he offered.
Without hesitation, Sakura smiled and nodded.
Iruka sighed inwardly, then silently led her away, intending to use a genjutsu that would simulate a tragic battle and force her to confront the harshness of the shinobi world. He planned to make her witness the 'death' of Sasuke to awaken her survival instincts.
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Hyūga Hanabi's Test – Deceptive Approach
At the Hyūga compound gate, Iruka prepared for his second test.
Hanabi Hyūga—known as Huahuo—was younger but incredibly gifted, a prodigy of the Hyūga clan. Compared to Sakura, she was far more disciplined and sharp-eyed, with the Byakugan giving her a natural edge in perception.
But Iruka knew she had one soft spot: Yedou.
Smirking, Iruka again used the transformation technique, this time taking the form of Iori Yedou. Mimicking his reserved demeanor, he approached the gate just as Hanabi stepped outside.
"Hanabi," he said in a muted voice, "Shall we go for a walk?"
She blinked, then smiled. "Sure."
Satisfied, Iruka walked off with her. If she was emotionally vulnerable to Yedou, he could exploit that to test her ability to stay composed under deception or stress.
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Iori Yedou's Test – Direct Assault
Meanwhile, in a secluded Konoha training ground, the real Yedou was practicing in silence.
Iruka watched from the shadows. "Yedou, you work hard, but this world doesn't bend to hard work alone. The Chūnin Exams aren't child's play. You're not ready."
Iruka planned to test him with a frontal assault and follow up with a last-minute 'rescue' using a shadow clone. It was a classic drill: overwhelm the student and pull back just before real harm was done.
But as he watched, Iruka hesitated.
Unlike the others, Yedou had no obvious weaknesses. He was quiet, calculating, and detached. No cockiness like Naruto. No emotional attachments like Sakura or Hanabi. No flashiness like Sasuke.
"How do I even approach this kid?" Iruka muttered.
He sighed. "Forget tricks. I'll hit him with a straightforward jutsu barrage and gauge his reactions. Ninjutsu and genjutsu—he's still raw in those areas. That's my angle."
He steeled himself and formed a clone to assist in the test.
---
[A Mongoose's Suspicion]
Not far away, a mongoose with a peculiar golden eye stirred atop a training post.
Watching Iruka mutter to himself, the creature raised a furry brow. "What's this guy plotting now?"
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