Time flew by, and in a flash, it was already time for the Four Great Nations' Joint Chunin Exams to begin.
Before leaving the village, Shinji once again conducted a holiday assessment training for his disciples. After all, during the Chunin Exams, the Academy would already be in session.
In the Training Ground, after completing their assessments, the disciples stood before Shinji. Each of them displayed a significantly different mental outlook, and Shinji felt a great sense of accomplishment.
"Alright, this training assessment went very well for all of you."
"However, you mustn't become complacent, because as you improve, your companions are also making progress."
Facing Shinji's words, Naruto and the others exchanged glances.
They had already realized during their sparring that they usually held back during training. If they had approached it with the attitude that their strength was always the same, they might have lost terribly just now.
Even Sasuke, after drinking Shinji's potion, had his left eye evolve into a Three Tomoe Sharingan. He just hadn't shown it much until now. During the battle just now, Naruto almost fell for it.
Shinji was also curious, as he hadn't asked, and due to the system's potion, this evolution had almost no rewards to speak of.
After all, this was simply to improve Sasuke's bloodline purity. The left eye's evolution to Three Tomoe was merely a residual effect of the potion's power.
Thinking of how the future Sasuke had his left eye evolve into a Six Tomoe Rinnegan, Shinji couldn't help but wonder if it was the work of fate or due to the Indra's Chakra within Sasuke.
However, Sasuke was different from Naruto. He didn't have Minato's spiritual body that could be tracked. For now, Shinji could only continue to wait. He would try again when his Fuinjutsu showed some results later on.
Shinji withdrew his gaze and stopped thinking too much. The results of this holiday sparring were good, almost every disciple had gained him a lot.
[Holiday Training Mission Settlement.]
[Disciple Naruto
Overall rating: A+
Reward: Chakra +2500, Yang Chakra +1%]
[Disciple Sasuke
Overall rating: A
Reward: Chakra +2000, Yin Chakra +2%]
[Disciple Shikamaru
Overall rating: A
Reward: Chakra +2000, Shadow Imitation Jutsu Improved Version (can increase extreme range)]
[Disciple Choji
Oerall rating: A
Reward: Chakra +1800, Temporary Chakra amplification potion (Harmless version)]
[Disciple Ino
Overall rating: A
Reward: Chakra +1000, Mind Body Switch Technique Improved Version (Increased control)]
[Disciple Hinata
Overall rating: A
Reward: Chakra +1800, Byakugan purification potion (Purple)]
[Disciple Neji
Overall rating: A+
Reward: Chakra +2100, Gentle Fist Improved Version]
The dazzling rewards made Shinji very satisfied. The Chakra alone was already quite substantial.
However, apart from Naruto and Sasuke, the second reward for the other disciples was for themselves. This made Shinji quite curious, wondering if it was because he was afraid these few would fall behind the protagonists, or for some other reason. Still, it was already very good.
At least Shinji didn't have much research into secret techniques, so this would provide Shikamaru and the others with future training projects.
Shinji shook his hand, and a scroll flew out, which he immediately unsealed.
Aside from Naruto and Sasuke, the rewards for this holiday special training were directly given to the disciples.
"These are the training projects I have arranged for you next, just read them carefully."
"Choji's is a temporary Chakra amplification potion. There are no side effects after taking it, so I am giving you the second stage of the Gluttony Form. Remember to give the formula to your father."
Choji quickly opened the scroll in his hand, which read 'Butterfly Dance: Gluttonous Carnival'.
'Activate the second stage of enhancement in Butterfly Dance Mode, with the butterfly pattern on the body turning crimson, creating shockwaves with ultra-high-speed continuous punches, covering a fan-shaped area with the attack range.'
"So strong!" Choji couldn't help but exclaim.
Seeing this, Shikamaru and the others also opened theirs, and the new techniques inside all made their eyes light up.
"As for Hinata, drink that potion, and then practice the improved version of the Gentle Fist with Neji." Shinji said to Hinata.
"Yes, sensei."
Hinata opened it without a word and drank it in one gulp.
Shinji then turned to look at Sasuke and Naruto, who had envious expressions, and smiled, saying, "As for you two, continue with your elemental training, but Mimi might sign a summoning contract with you when he returns."
Naruto and Sasuke were stunned for a moment, then ecstatic.
It was no longer a secret that Shinji's summoning beast was Mimi. Moreover, Shinji had shown them his Sage Mode, but apart from Naruto and Sasuke, who had more Chakra, almost no one else could sign a contract with Mimi.
"No problem, sensei!" Naruto said with a wide smile, responding loudly.
Sasuke also looked excited, as gaining the assistance of a summoning beast was completely different.
As for Mimi, who was lying nearby, he merely lifted his eyelids when he heard Shinji speak. Although he only had one body, it wasn't impossible for him to separate into other individuals. It's just that the separated ones wouldn't be as strong as his main body.
This was something Mimi and Shinji had researched together not long ago, as they were already preparing to have Naruto and Sasuke both sign contracts, lest they couldn't even summon a summoning beast at that time.
"Oh, by the way, sensei, how long will you be gone this time?" Naruto asked curiously.
Shinji was going as a Jonin in charge of a team this time. And he was going to other ninja villages. Deep down, Naruto was a little scared.
With Shinji's teachings during this period, coupled with Minato's guidance, even a carefree person like Naruto knew that the outside Ninja World was no game.
Often, when ninjas from different villages met, it was a fight to the death.
"I'm not sure, but it will probably take about two months." Shinji shook his head.
A Shadow Clone would handle the teaching of the class, while Naruto and the others would be watched over by Mimi.
"Ah, that long?"
Naruto was a little disappointed. He had thought it would only take a few days, like before.
"Indeed, after all, it's the first joint examination for the major ninja villages, so it will be quite lively."
Except for Kirigakure, all four other great nations participated. Shinji estimated that the Kirigakure itself was likely already facing significant problems. He didn't know if this was the time when the future Fifth Mizukage, Mei, discovered that the Fourth Mizukage was under genjutsu control, leading to Kirigakure entering a state of chaos.
After all, Kirigakure had not responded to the Four Great Nations' Joint Chunin Exams.
Even Hiruzen had grown suspicious.