[Haruno Sakura: Wow, this is so boring! Why hasn't the team leader arrived yet? Team 7 is the only one left in the classroom.]
[Tenten: Have the classes been divided yet? @Yamanaka Ino, how are things going over there?]
[Yamanaka Ino: At the training grounds. I just finished introducing myself and am about to start a combat drill. Ugh, not only am I not in the same class as Sasuke, but my teacher is a scruffy, bearded man! I'm so pissed!]
[Haruno Sakura: Hey, aren't you in love with Itsuki? Why are you still thinking about my Sasuke-kun? Are you trying to have two relationships at the same time? No way, no way!]
[Yamanaka Ino: Don't be too proud of your broad forehead, your teacher must be a sultry pervert!!]
[Haruno Sakura: Impossible! Don't try to ruin my moral integrity. Sasuke-kun and I are on the same team now. I'll piss you off to death! Lulululu~!]
[Tenten: Okay, stop arguing. Have you forgotten the second rule of the group? Do you want to be punished?]
[Haruno Sakura: Tsk!]
[Yamanaka Ino: That's right. I can't become addicted to electric shocks like that broad-foreheaded girl.]
[Haruno Sakura: …]
[Yamanaka Ino: Ugh, this is so annoying. We even have to practice battles, and then verify the authenticity of future videos. I really envy those broad-foreheaded people who can just sit in the classroom and do nothing.]
[Haruno Sakura: Get out!!!]
"I…I didn't mean it!"
Seeing that Endo Daisho and Itsuki both had gloomy, angry expressions, Ryota fell to the ground, almost losing control of his bladder.
Chie Mai panicked for a moment but quickly forced herself to calm down, arguing:
"Teacher Daisho, you just said it yourself. There are no rules in the assessment process, and any means can be used!"
"Also, during our time at the Ninja Academy, our teacher taught us that a shinobi must prioritize the mission and complete it at any cost."
The reason sounded valid. In a world where the strong prey on the weak, it was indeed the shinobi way.
But whether the others would accept it was another matter.
Swish!
Endo Daisho's figure suddenly appeared in front of Chie Mai.
"That's true, but the assessment isn't over yet. Are you planning to give up by stopping?"
His cold voice rang in Chie Mai's ears.
Her expression changed drastically, and she immediately took out a kunai to defend herself.
But before she could act, Endo Daisho punched her in the stomach.
For someone who would even plot against her teammates, if he hadn't worried about killing her, he wouldn't have shown mercy at all.
Even so, the punch made Chie Mai vomit stomach acid, her face contorted in pain, nearly collapsing.
"And you…"
Endo Daisho's figure flashed again, appearing beside Ryota. His cold voice cut deep:
"If you were surrounded by enemies during a mission, would you really be scared enough to piss your pants?"
"I…" Ryota's face turned blue. He wanted to beg for mercy, even give up the test.
But Endo Daisho gave him no chance. With one kick, he sent Ryota flying.
Bang!
Ryota's body slammed into a tree trunk after sliding dozens of meters. He couldn't breathe and fainted instantly.
"I…I give up!!"
Chie Mai screamed, pale and trembling as Endo Daisho's gaze shifted back toward her. She feared if she hesitated even a second, he'd beat her to death.
After her outburst, she noticed a flicker of regret in Daisho's eyes. He really wanted to keep going!
Not only was he far from a role model, but he also showed no mercy to women. Chie Mai clenched her teeth in rage.
Just wait. I'll never give up becoming a shinobi! When I grow stronger, I'll repay today's humiliation tenfold—no, a hundredfold!
She was not someone who forgave. If she didn't have enough power, she'd find other ways to get her revenge.
Meanwhile, Itsuki also wanted to deal with Chie Mai and Ryota himself, but the timing wasn't right.
Before he could act, Endo Daisho had already handled them.
Even so, Itsuki's anger burned hotter. A strange force surged within him, igniting from his core and rushing through every part of his body.
Endo Daisho, unaware of Itsuki's abnormality, turned to him and spoke regretfully:
"Now you're the only one left. Unfortunately, you're all eliminated."
"Although with your strength and character you're qualified to pass, to become a shinobi you must form a team of three. You'll have to return to the Academy and retake the exam."
"Luck also decides fate. I hope you can find more reliable teammates next time."
He was about to make the final announcement—disbanding Class 9.
But at that moment, Itsuki suddenly raised his head and roared.
A violent surge of power erupted from his body, shaking the ground. The powerful and unfamiliar aura made even Endo Daisho's expression change.
"What is this?" he muttered in shock.
Even as a senior shinobi, he felt threatened by the aura.
"That guy…what's happening?" Chie Mai stepped back in fear.
Having wronged Itsuki earlier, she now instinctively felt targeted by his gaze.
Swish swish swish!
Suddenly, black matter burst out of the ground in response to Itsuki's power.
It wasn't quite soil, nor stone—its texture impossible to describe. Vine-like, the black mass shot up and instantly wrapped around those nearby.
The sudden eruption left everyone unprepared. Within moments, the vines covered the entire area.
Chie Mai and the unconscious Ryota couldn't resist and were bound immediately.
Endo Daisho's face darkened. He leapt into the air.
But the vines followed, snapping upward.
In midair, unable to gain leverage, Daisho underestimated their strength. He blocked twice but was still caught.
He planned to break free using a chakra burst—
—but as soon as he was restrained, an immense suction drained his chakra. His body weakened rapidly.
Like floodgates opening, his chakra spilled away uncontrollably. Struggling was useless.
Nearby, Team 10—who had been running combat drills—heard the commotion.
"Something's happened!" Sarutobi Asuma, their leader, immediately halted the training and rushed toward the noise.
Ino's expression shifted, and she darted after him without hesitation. At the same time, she sent a message in the group chat:
[Yamanaka Ino: Something's happening on Itsuki's side!]
"This is such a drag…" Shikamaru frowned.
He didn't want to follow, but seeing Ino sprint off, he sighed and pulled Choji along to chase after her.