The Hidden Cloud's medical shinobi's expression changed:
"What did you say?!"
Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist shinobi chuckled quietly, clearly enjoying the show.
The medical shinobi from Hidden Stone wasn't afraid to stir the pot. Laughing, he said: "The one who got schooled by Uchiha Sasuke was a little brat from your Hidden Cloud, right?I think his name was Omoi?And I heard he's the disciple of your village's Eight-Tails jinchūriki!Didn't expect him to be so useless, getting subdued by Uchiha Sasuke in just one move!"
"You're spouting nonsense!"
The Hidden Cloud's medical shinobi's face turned dark.
After all, Darui and Omoi, who had traveled with their team, were among the Hidden Cloud's new generation elites.Darui possessed the Storm Release Bloodline Limit and was highly valued by the Fourth Raikage.Omoi was the disciple of Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails jinchūriki—a recognized prodigy.
There was no way he could believe Omoi had been defeated by Uchiha Sasuke in just one move!
The medical shinobi from Hidden Stone shrugged:"Why don't you just go ask and find out yourself?"
"Hmph!"
The Hidden Cloud shinobi gave a heavy snort and turned to leave.
After he left, the Hidden Mist shinobi spoke seriously:"Did that Uchiha Sasuke brat really defeat Omoi from the Hidden Cloud with just one move?"
The Hidden Stone shinobi's mocking smile faded as he nodded:"Yeah. That Uchiha Sasuke guy... he's strong."
At this, Chiyo, deep in thought, spoke:"But I heard that the Uchiha Shinji who just left was actually the top genius among the Hidden Leaf Academy's four prodigies?"
—
At the Hidden Cloud guest residence.
Bang!
Omoi smashed his fist against the wall: "Damn it!I actually got played by that bastard Uchiha Sasuke!"
Darui shook his head:"You probably weren't his match."
Omoi opened his mouth to argue—but couldn't say anything.
During the earlier scuffle with Uchiha Sasuke, he had failed to even track Sasuke's movements—an unforgivable mistake in shinobi combat!
Darui said solemnly:"We probably underestimated the Uchiha.If he's that famous even in the Hidden Leaf, then he really must be strong."
Omoi asked:"If you fought him, would you win?"
Darui thought for a moment, then said:"I should be able to win, but it would be a hard fight."
—
Meanwhile, at the Hidden Sand's guest residence:
Kankurō grumbled:"Those Hidden Leaf guys are seriously arrogant!"
Temari said:"That Uchiha Sasuke earlier was one of the Hidden Leaf Academy's four prodigies.He does have some real skill."
Kankurō snorted:"Now you've made me interested in these so-called Leaf Academy prodigies!"
Just then, the previously silent Gaara suddenly said:"I want to fight him."
"Gaara!"
Both Kankurō and Temari tensed up immediately.
When Gaara fought, he never held back.Forget academy students—even chūnin or jōnin could be killed if they weren't careful.
Gaara shot them a cold glare:"That Uchiha Sasuke... is worth my attention."
"This is bad..."
Temari and Kankurō exchanged looks, secretly mourning for Sasuke.Anyone targeted by Gaara never had a good end.
—
In the days that followed, the Hidden Leaf Village grew extremely lively.
On one hand, all four great shinobi villages had sent delegations again, each bringing several volunteers willing to undergo the First Hokage cell transplantation surgery.
On the other hand, the Academy's small team combat assessment was about to begin.
Ordinarily, a simple academy test wouldn't attract much attention.
But this time was different.
Not only would the four major academy prodigies go all-out, but even Kurama Yakumo, the heiress who had awakened Wood Release, would participate.
Rumors also spread that because Yakumo was participating, Uchiha Shinji, Uchiha Sasuke, and Hyuga Neji had formed a temporary alliance, planning to defeat Wood Release once again during the exam.
—
Inside the Academy.
With his hands in his pockets, Sasuke asked Shinji: "The test starts tomorrow. Where's Karin from your team? Why hasn't she come to school yet?"
Shinji said calmly:" Her eye wound hasn't fully healed.She won't be able to participate in this test."
"Is Karin alright?" Neji paused before asking: "Won't your team be short one person, then?"
"She's fine."Shinji shook his head.
After all, it was just a combat assessment—win or lose, it didn't matter.Karin fusing with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was far more important.
Sasuke misunderstood Shinji's meaning and said: "Yeah, true.She'd just be a burden anyway.To defeat Yakumo and Kimimaro, it's going to be up to the three of us!"
Shinji didn't continue discussing Karin and instead changed the subject: "Sasuke, I heard you clashed with some shinobi from the Hidden Cloud? What happened?"
Sasuke answered nonchalantly: "Not really a clash.Just casually taught them a lesson."
Shinji asked: "Were they strong?"
Sasuke replied: "Eh, just average."
Neji then said: "I already confirmed with Iruka-sensei. Considering Yakumo's Wood Release, the combat test will likely take place inside the Forest of Death.So our strategies should still hold."
Clap.
Sasuke punched his fist into his palm: "Awesome!"
The last time Shinji defeated Yakumo had made Sasuke burn with envy.This time, he wanted to beat Yakumo himself—showing everyone that the Uchiha's Sharingan was in no way inferior to Wood Release.
Neji continued: "I also heard from Iruka-sensei that, for exchange and learning purposes, the Academy might allow shinobi from other villages to participate in the test too."
"What?!"
Shinji was shocked.
Sasuke was a little surprised too, but he didn't care, laughing: "Don't worry about them.We only need to focus on Yakumo and Kimimaro."
Neji shook his head and warned: "Sasuke, don't be careless.The visitors this time are supposedly the top talents from each village. Especially the Hidden Sand—they even sent their jinchūriki.If they participate, it'll definitely shake things up!"
—
At the Hidden Cloud guest residence:
Omoi grinned:"Tomorrow, we'll get to join the Hidden Leaf Academy's combat test. Hmph, finally I can teach that bastard Uchiha Sasuke a lesson!"
Darui sighed:"What a pain..."
—
At the Hidden Sand guest residence:
Gaara stared coldly at Temari and Kankurō: "Tomorrow, don't drag me down. Otherwise, I'll kill you both."
"We... we get it!"
Temari and Kankurō groaned inwardly. They had no desire to get caught up in this mess.
—
At the Hidden Mist guest residence:
Suigetsu hugged a water jug and laughed: "Finally, we get to see the Hidden Leaf's so-called geniuses!"
Chōjūrō, setting down the Academy's intelligence report, sighed.
Suigetsu asked: "What's wrong?"
Chōjūrō replied: "One of the Hidden Leaf Academy's Four Prodigies—Kimimaro—was originally a shinobi of the Hidden Mist...Such a pity."