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Due to the absence of the Sarutobi clan team, after waiting for a while, the Anbu member had no choice but to announce the start of the actual combat assessment.
He couldn't wait any longer because the heat was making him dizzy.
"There are exactly six people in your Team Minato. Next, you will draw lots to determine your opponents."
After scanning Akira and the others, the Anbu announced the rules for the combat assessment.
Of course, the combatants were already determined by default under the Third Hokage's order: Akira, Yamato (the 'little devil'), and Kakashi.
"Draw lots?"
"Our own people fighting our own people?"
"Is this considered an assessment?"
Hearing the rules, the entire Team Minato was suspicious.
Next.
The drawing began.
Kakashi got No. 2, Yamato got No. 3, and the other three girls (Rin, Anko, and Yūgao) got No. 4, 5, and 6 respectively.
Akira was too lazy to move, so he was automatically assigned No. 1.
"Heh... brat, you've got quite the attitude."
The Anbu sneered coldly, his mask filled with disdain.
He hated this kind of ninja with Bloodline Limits the most; they all acted more arrogant than the Hokage.
"Next, No. 1 will fight No. 4, No. 2 will fight No. 5, and No. 3 will fight No. 6."
After announcing the matchups, the Anbu crossed his arms, ready to watch a good show.
Akira glanced at the Anbu in surprise.
This was truly a 'coincidence' in the battle arrangement.
The matchups were three men versus three women.
If someone claimed there was no 'black box operation' (slang for fixing/rigging), he definitely wouldn't believe it.
"It's over! I'm fighting Akira..." Rin looked at the No. 4 tag in her hand, wanting to cry.
She couldn't beat Akira at all.
Last night, the two had fought all night, and Rin's legs were still weak.
Step! Step!
The two sides entered the arena and performed the Sign of Reconciliation.
Immediately, the battle began.
Rin was on high alert and adopted a fighting stance.
But her legs were slightly trembling, as if she might fall into Akira's arms at any moment.
In contrast, Akira.
With his hands in his pockets, he walked towards Rin step by step.
Their eyes met, filled with a strange ambiguity.
"I surrender!"
With a casual shout, Akira turned and left the stage, hands still in his pockets.
Team Minato: "???"
Anbu: "???"
Rin: "Huh?"
The Anbu was dumbfounded.
He admits defeat without a fight?
It seemed that the regulations didn't prohibit admitting defeat.
"I see!"
Kakashi suddenly realized and walked into the arena.
His opponent, Anko, also came forward, looking very nervous.
Then, Kakashi also threw in the towel.
"What?"
Anko was bewildered and surprised.
Now, the little devil, Yamato, trembled.
He found that his seniors, Akira and Kakashi, were staring at him.
It seemed the eyes of the two seniors could speak.
Akira: "Little devil, just admit defeat!"
Kakashi: "Otherwise, you'll have to fight."
In the end, Yamato succumbed to the strong pressure and also surrendered.
Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the assessment report submitted by the Anbu, frowning.
"Where is the Sarutobi clan's team?"
"We just received word that the team is at the hospital," the Anbu reported.
"Hospital?"
"Yes! Two of the three lost an arm, and Yotsuki lost both arms."
"What? Who did this?" Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed.
"According to Yotsuki, their team was attacked by Akira before the assessment, causing all members to break their left arms."
Wait a moment!
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't figure it out.
"Since everyone's left arm was broken, why were both of Yotsuki's arms broken?"
"Uh... that line was interrupted again by the Sarutobi agent," the Anbu responded awkwardly.
Then he added: "Maybe Yotsuki revealed the truth, and the angry Sarutobi agent interrupted him."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless.
Disgraceful!
"Lord Hokage, what about Team Minato's actual combat assessment?" the Anbu asked.
"Everyone passes!"
Waving his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in no mood to continue talking.
When Team Minato received the news that all members had passed, they were honestly stunned.
"What is this? This passes?" Anko curled her lips, feeling the Third Hokage was up to no good.
"I smell conspiracy..." Yūgao Uzuki sniffed her nose, looking serious.
"Smell what? If you keep smelling, you'll walk right into a barbecue restaurant," Akira exposed Yūgao's little trick.
Evening.
Team Minato entered the barbecue restaurant and began to eat dinner together.
Surprisingly, halfway through the meal, Danzō appeared.
"Hey, he must be looking for you again," Kakashi nudged Akira and whispered.
"Look, Danzō has entered that box again, and he will definitely call Akira soon," Rin gestured.
"You have to be careful," Yūgao warned.
"I think Lord Danzō is very nice..."
Suddenly, an untimely voice sounded, with a hint of seriousness and puzzlement.
Team Minato collectively turned their heads and stared at the kid, Yamato.
Yamato felt the pressure again.
"But... but Lord Danzō is genuinely kind to me," Yamato muttered in a low voice, lowering his head.
"Yamato!"
At this moment, Danzō's voice sounded, beckoning to Yamato.
"What? He's calling me?"
Yamato stood up hastily and ran to the box.
Half an hour later.
Yamato came back with his head down.
"Hey! Brat, what did Danzō want from you?" Kakashi asked in a low voice, slightly threatening.
Akira and the others also looked over.
"This..."
Yamato didn't know how to speak.
"How about this: each of us reveals a secret, and then we all keep it confidential!" Akira suggested.
Hearing this suggestion, Yamato's eyes lit up.
This way, he could build a good relationship with his seniors, and Danzō wouldn't find out that he revealed the secret.
Captain Akira is so smart!
"Yamato, let's start with you! Tell us, what was Danzō looking for?" Akira smiled.
"Uh, Lord Danzō said, he wants me to monitor you," Yamato whispered.
Then, he quickly added: "You promised to keep it secret from each other!"
The team.
The seven members of Team Minato frowned.
Monitor Akira?
What did Danzō mean by this?
Under the bright night sky.
Obito sat outside the cave, looking at the night sky alone.
After a while.
He stood up.
"Wait for me!"
"When I become very strong, I will definitely surprise Team Minato!"
Clenching his fist, Obito continued to practice.