I, Konoha's Sage of Life

Asuma, Shisui, and Kurenai exchanged glances.

Familiar!

Way too familiar!

This was their teacher's classic tactic.

Just when you thought the test hadn't started yet, the exam had already begun.

Of course, it was Kyoichi's doing.

They didn't dare let their guard down. The map they had just seen flashed through their minds again and again, but…

"Be content..."

Shisui murmured softly.

Asuma and Kurenai paused for a moment before quickly understanding—don't be too greedy, just remember part of the map.

One minute…

Normally, that was plenty of time to memorize a map.

But…

There were only a couple of clear vantage points.

And there were fifty to sixty people here.

In that instant, there was no way to convince everyone to rationally transcribe the map. They weren't teammates; they were competitors.

It was unsolvable…

Kyoichi's voice interrupted their thoughts.

"Next, we will confiscate all ninja tools and supplies. Everything you need for the second exam, you'll have to obtain inside the test site."

"Additionally…"

"Be prepared. We will be shuffling all teams."

Kyoichi's smiling eyes swept over the crowd.

An uproar broke out instantly.

Shuffling the teams?!

That meant former teammates could now be enemies.

Which meant…

The intelligence they had just gathered…

Everyone looked at each other, speechless.

Kurenai glanced at her two teammates, silently exchanging wry looks.

Yep. This felt exactly like their teacher's work.

That distinct sense of mischief—it was so thick you could almost smell it.

"The rest of the details were on the map earlier, so I won't repeat myself."

"Sensei, what if we didn't see the map clearly?"

"If you couldn't see it clearly in a minute, then you're not qualified to be a Chūnin."

The field fell into silence.

Some were angry but had no way to argue.

Kyoichi didn't give them a chance to dwell on it, simply waving his hand to signal them forward—

To the Forest of Death!

---

The atmosphere was tense on the way.

Shisui exchanged hand signals with Asuma and Kurenai.

Nearby, Obito's eyes lit up when he saw them.

The Police Force's hand signs!

Excited, he pulled Rin over and started wildly signaling to Shisui.

But…

Halfway through…

He forgot how to sign a particular word.

Awkward.

Fortunately, Shisui understood his intention and signed back with a slight nod.

It wasn't hard to guess—probably something about protecting Rin.

Because Obito himself had never learned the word "fear."

Most of the examinees were cautious around each other.

But…

Some had already started forming temporary alliances—especially those who were former teammates or had good relationships.

Meanwhile…

Kyoichi and Might Duy trailed behind them.

"Kyoichi, how does your mind even work? All these twists and turns… you sure have a lot of devious tricks."

Might Duy was amazed.

As a proctor, he was only observing and providing emergency protection if necessary.

So…

He had no idea what Kyoichi had planned until now.

This…

He wasn't sure about Guy, but he himself definitely couldn't handle it.

Duy knew his own abilities.

Sure, his Taijutsu was strong, and he had the Eight Gates, but he lacked the knowledge and strategic thinking required of a Chūnin or Jōnin. If he were in charge of a squad, he'd only be a liability.

Seeing how this exam was playing out only reinforced that belief.

"It's nothing special. I'm just standing on the shoulders of giants."

"That makes sense! This is youth!"

"Uh…" Here we go again.

Kyoichi ignored Duy's sudden outburst of passion and focused his gaze on the Genin ahead.

By now, it was easy to tell who was smart and who wasn't.

Some had already started forming alliances.

The team shuffle wasn't just to test command skills or improvisation—it was also a test of grand strategy.

If three original teammates managed to spread across three separate squads while maintaining control of those teams, they could coordinate and systematically eliminate the competition.

In a structured exam, this kind of tactic would be considered cheating.

But on the battlefield?

It was standard practice.

Life-and-death combat didn't care about sportsmanship.

If you couldn't grasp that concept…

You had no business being a ninja.

Kyoichi followed them to the outskirts of the Forest of Death but didn't go in.

Rushing around to watch in person was too exhausting.

Better to find Hiruzen!

Hiruzen's Telescope Jutsu was the ultimate live broadcast tool—no need to run around.

As for emergency rescues…

That's what Minato and the medical team were for.

No need to get his hands dirty.

"Lord Hokage…"

"You're not supervising the exam site? What are you doing here?"

Hiruzen looked at him curiously.

He was stationed at a distance from the Forest of Death. If something happened, it would take him a moment to reach.

Usually…

The head proctor should be nearby monitoring the test.

Kyoichi grinned.

"Minato-senpai is already there. What would a mere junior like me need to contribute? I heard you have a Jutsu that allows remote observation. I was just curious and wanted to see it in action."

"Uh…" Hiruzen was speechless.

Telescope Jutsu.

That technique…

Was a little embarrassing to talk about.

His small personal hobby was basically an open secret among the younger generation now.

Awkwardly clearing his throat, he said, "Fine. Using it to monitor the exam is actually a good idea—it allows for a broad perspective."

"Lord Hokage, I've prepared a large mirror for you."

Kyoichi unsealed a massive mirror from a storage scroll.

Hiruzen was speechless.

After a long silence…

He still cast the Jutsu, using the mirror to project a real-time view of the Forest of Death.

Though the technique needed a small adjustment, it was nothing difficult for Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

This Jutsu…

Was amazing!

With this mirror, they could instantly switch perspectives and track multiple areas within the exam.

The only downside?

The Hokage had basically been demoted to a live broadcast cameraman.

Shikaku sighed.

Kyoichi has no fear.

No one else would have dared ask the Hokage to use this Jutsu.

The first image that appeared in the mirror was—

Uchiha Obito.

His team: Obito, Yamashiro Aoba, and Might Guy.

"This team is actually pretty strong. Guy's Taijutsu is top-tier, Obito compensates with Ninjutsu, and Aoba specializes in reconnaissance."

Chōza analyzed thoughtfully.

He wasn't entirely wrong.

But Hagane Kotetsu knew better.

He sighed softly.

He already saw the inevitable failure.

Obito and Guy.

In the same squad?

"Chōza-senpai, you're only half right. On paper, this team is strong. But the problem is, between the three of them, they only have the combined intelligence of two people."

Kyoichi chuckled.

Minato really did them dirty with this grouping.

Kakashi thought it over carefully.

And realized…

Kyoichi's assessment was absolutely spot on.

Obito and Guy…

Together, they barely had half a brain.

"I memorized the map! First, we should secure a resource point, then—"

"What resources? Let's find an enemy team and take them down first!"

"Yes! My youth is burning!"

Hiruzen watched the scene unfold and fell silent.

He started doubting his own judgment.

Was Obito really the second coming of Uchiha Kagami?

"...I overestimated them."

"Clearly, they don't even have a single brain between them."

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