Familiar—so familiar.
The classic approach of a seasoned ninja instructor.
Just when the Genin thought the exam hadn't started, the real test had already begun silently, without warning.
As expected, the proctor posed a question.
No one dared to be careless. The map they had glimpsed moments ago now flashed in fragments through their minds, but…
"I've memorized it," Shisui muttered.
Asuma and Kurenai glanced at him, momentarily stunned. But they quickly turned away they couldn't afford to get distracted. Just remembering a part of the map was good enough.
One minute.
Normally, that would be enough to memorize a map.
But seeing the map once or twice was one thing extracting and retaining every critical detail was another. And with fifty or sixty Genin crammed into a single room, no one could take the time to analyze it calmly. After all, they weren't allies here. They were competitors.
There was no perfect solution.
"Next," said Jingyi calmly, "we will be confiscating all ninja tools and scrolls. Any gear required for the second test can only be found inside the test area."
The Genin stirred uneasily.
"Also…" Jingyi smiled. "Your team compositions will be disrupted."
An uproar broke out.
Team disruption?
That meant former teammates could now be rivals. Any intel they'd gathered beforehand might be worthless.
Kurenai Yuhi exchanged looks with her companions. They were speechless.
The setup… the atmosphere… it was unmistakable.
This was the touch of a true shinobi examiner.
"The rest of the information was on the map," Jingyi continued. "I won't be repeating it."
A Genin raised a hand. "What if we didn't catch all the details?"
Jingyi's smile didn't fade. "If you couldn't extract the intel from a one-minute viewing, then you aren't qualified to be a Chūnin."
Silence.
Some were angry, but no one had a rebuttal.
Jingyi clapped his hands. "Move out! Head to the Forest of Death!"
---
As the Genin walked in silence toward the infamous training ground, Shisui signaled to Asuma and Kurenai using subtle hand signs. A little coordination, nothing too obvious.
Obito, not far away, noticed and perked up. Hand signals!
He lit up, grabbed Rin, and frantically gestured to Shisui.
But halfway through he forgot the sign.
Awkward.
Fortunately, Shisui understood and gave a brief nod in return.
Obito's intent was simple enough watch Rin's back.
He didn't even know how to spell "fear."
Around them, tension brewed. Some Genin eyed each other warily; others whispered, trying to form temporary alliances especially those who'd trained together or had pre-existing trust.
---
Behind them, Jingyi and Might Guy's father, Might Duy, followed at a distance.
"Jingyi, your mind… it's like a trap full of twists!" Duy said in awe.
He had been assigned as one of the proctors not to intervene unless absolutely necessary.
Only now did he understand Jingyi's real plan. Even as an adult, he was learning alongside the Genin.
"I just stand on the shoulders of giants," Jingyi said modestly.
"That's the spirit of youth!"
"…You're getting excited again."
Jingyi ignored Duy's energetic poses and turned his attention back to the Genin ahead.
Their intelligence and instincts were already being tested.
Breaking up the teams didn't just challenge leadership or combat skill it forced participants to evaluate the bigger picture. If three individuals ended up scattered across three different temporary squads, but managed to secretly coordinate and seize control, they could dominate early.
On the battlefield, no one followed the rules.
This was war.
Those who didn't understand that… had no place here.
Jingyi slowed his pace near the edge of the Forest of Death. From here, there was no need to continue walking.
It was time for surveillance.
He turned and made his way toward the observation post where Hiruzen Sarutobi was stationed.
---
"Lord Third," Jingyi greeted.
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you with the others? You're the chief examiner."
"There's Minato-senpai watching over them. I heard you have a technique for long-distance observation. I'd love to see it in action."
"…You mean the Telescope Technique."
Sarutobi cleared his throat, feeling slightly awkward. His "hobby" was no secret among a few trusted subordinates.
Still, he obliged.
Jingyi unsealed a massive mirror from a scroll. "I prepared this in advance."
Sarutobi sighed but performed the jutsu, projecting the visuals from the Forest of Death onto the mirror's surface.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
This jutsu… incredible.
Now they could monitor the exam as if watching a live broadcast.
Unfortunately, it made the Hokage look less like a revered leader and more like… a camera operator.
Nara Shikaku and the others quietly smirked.
Only Jingyi would dare request something like this.
---
The first image flickered onto the mirror: Team Obito.
Obito Uchiha, Yamashiro Aoba, and Might Guy.
"This team has strong potential," Akimichi Chōza noted. "Guy's taijutsu is excellent, Obito adds ninjutsu, and Aoba is solid at reconnaissance."
But Inoichi shook his head slightly.
"They're strong but coordination is key."
Jingyi chuckled. "This team looks good on paper. But honestly? Three people, two brains barely."
Kakashi nodded.
That's painfully accurate.
Obito and Guy…
Each with half a brain.
"I memorized the map," Obito declared confidently. "First, we'll head for a resource point, then"
"What are you talking about? Let's hunt a team down right now!"
"My blood is burning!"
Sarutobi fell silent. He began to second-guess his earlier judgment.
"…Is Obito really the next Uchiha Kagami?"
Jingyi crossed his arms. "Apologies, Lord Third. I may have overestimated them. They can't even form one brain between the three."