Hiruzen glanced toward Santoryu and Kakashi as they approached and gave them a small nod of acknowledgment. Without exchanging words, the two fell in step behind him, following the Hokage through the corridors of the Ninja Academy.
Hiruzen wasn't alone. Walking beside him were his longtime advisors, Koharu and Homura. They had initially come to his office to discuss internal village matters, but when Hiruzen mentioned the unusual request from Santoryu and the test he had sanctioned, both of them expressed interest. Curiosity piqued, they decided to accompany him and witness the evaluation firsthand.
Moments later, the group arrived at the Academy's main training ground.
Santoryu, understanding his role without instruction, stepped forward and walked to the center of the field. He stood alone now, the air around him still, the gazes of several senior shinobi settling on his back.
It wasn't long before Nakamura arrived—the same Academy teacher who had once overseen Santoryu's class two years ago, before ultimately recommending his expulsion. He entered with a few other instructors, all drawn by the Hokage's sudden presence on school grounds and the rare summons that had singled out Nakamura specifically.
The other teachers kept their distance, watching quietly, offering polite bows from afar. Nakamura, however, stepped forward and approached Hiruzen directly.
"Lord Hokage," he said with a respectful bow. "You asked for me?"
Hiruzen gave a nod, then motioned toward the boy standing in the center of the field. "You remember him?"
Nakamura had already noticed Santoryu the moment he walked in. There had been a flicker of recognition, but now, hearing the Hokage confirm it, the pieces clicked into place. Of course—this was about him.
And it seemed, from the look in Hiruzen's eyes, that this wasn't going to be a casual reunion.
Nakamura didn't hesitate. "Yes, I remember him—Santoryu Hatake. He was admitted to the Academy on the recommendation of Lord Sakumo himself. But even after two full years of training, he showed no aptitude for basic ninjutsu. Not even the fundamentals. I ultimately made the decision to expel him. Frankly, he displayed no potential in ninjutsu—like any ordinary civilian child with no chakra affinity or discipline. That decision was made with full approval from you, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Yes. And you weren't wrong to make that call. I didn't summon you here to revisit it."
He paused, letting his next words land with quiet weight.
"Earlier today, Kakashi came to me. He claimed Santoryu has developed formidable strength—enough to hold his own against a Chunin in battle. Maybe even defeat one. He requested that I consider promoting Santoryu to Genin."
Hiruzen gestured toward the boy standing alone on the training ground.
"If Kakashi's assessment is accurate, then it warrants a proper test. And who better to administer that test than you—his former instructor. You saw what he was back then. Now, you'll see what he is today. What do you say?"
Nakamura understood exactly what was being asked—and more importantly, what wasn't. This wasn't a request. It was a carefully delivered directive. Hiruzen was giving him an opportunity to either validate the Academy's original judgment or be proven wrong in front of his peers—and in front of Konoha's leadership.
If he refused, his credibility would crumble. The man who once declared Santoryu unfit to become a shinobi would be seen as afraid to face the consequences of that judgment.
There was no way out. The only option was to fight—and win. Or, at the very least, stop Santoryu from reclaiming a path he'd once been denied.
Nakamura gave a formal nod. "Understood, Lord Hokage. I'm more than willing to test Santoryu—after all, he was once my student."
Hiruzen nodded in return, then made a simple gesture toward the training ground. The message was clear: begin.
Without another word, Nakamura stepped forward and entered the field. Santoryu remained still at the center, his focus unwavering. The two soon stood opposite one another, a stretch of packed earth and silence between them.
Nakamura looked at the young man facing him and spoke with a faint trace of nostalgia. "It's been quite some time since we last met."
Santoryu's reply was brief. "Yes, it has."
With that, he reached for his weapons.
In a smooth, practiced motion, Santoryu unsheathed three swords—one he held in his right hand, another in his left, and the third he gripped between his teeth. He lowered into a grounded stance, the three blades angled with deadly precision.
The murmurs from the observing teachers and advisors rippled softly in the background. Nakamura's expression shifted as he stared at the unusual posture. His brow furrowed slightly, mouth tightening.
"What kind of ridiculous stance is that?" he scoffed. "You plan to fight me like that?"
With the sword still clenched between his teeth, Santoryu's response came clear and firm. "You don't need to worry about my stance. Just fight. I'm here to complete my test."
His tone was calm, not disrespectful—but it carried weight. Challenge. Finality.
The tension on the training field thickened as the first winds of battle began to stir.
From the edge of the training field, Hiruzen stood with Homura and Koharu, observing in silence. The unusual stance Santoryu had taken drew immediate comment.
Homura narrowed his eyes. "That's certainly an odd posture."
Hiruzen nodded slightly. "Yes, it's unorthodox. But what matters isn't how it looks—it's whether it can be used effectively in real combat."
Koharu gave a thoughtful nod. "If it works, it works. Style means nothing without substance."
They all understood the same thing: the true test wasn't visual. It was whether this technique, however strange, could stand up to the skill of a Chunin-level opponent.
On the field, Nakamura gave a low exhale and shook his head. "Alright then," he said, voice edged with restrained tension. "Let your former teacher see just how far you've come."
He took a fighting stance, his demeanor sharpening. This wasn't going to be a half-hearted evaluation. Nakamura knew exactly what was at stake—his own credibility was on the line.
More importantly, he didn't take Kakashi's words lightly.
If Kakashi Hatake had vouched for Santoryu's strength, there was almost certainly truth to it. Kakashi wasn't the type to speak carelessly or offer empty praise. If he said Santoryu could match a Chunin, it meant Santoryu was dangerous.
Which is why Nakamura wasn't holding anything back.
This was no longer just a test—it was a battle to prove whether the student once cast aside had truly become a warrior worth recognizing.
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