Chapter 52: Developing a Battle Strategy
This announcement elicited different reactions from the three genin.
Kaito asked in confusion, "Eh! No survival test?"
After thinking for a moment, he realized, "Ah, their personnel might still be recovering from the Nine-Tails attack. That's probably why there's an observation period instead of the traditional bell test to determine if we're ready."
However, the other two didn't take the news lightly.
Mieko asked impatiently, "Why? Didn't we already pass the graduation exam?"
Hodaka added firmly, "Yeah, I defeated everyone in the taijutsu tournament!"
Renjiro replied calmly, "The graduation exam represents only the minimum requirement to become a shinobi. Your attitude, personality, courage, and values matter far more. And those qualities will be judged by me over the next three months."
Mieko and Hodaka were still unsatisfied and wanted to protest further, but Renjiro didn't give them the opportunity, announcing, "Tomorrow morning at 6 AM sharp, we'll meet at Training Ground 17. I'll test your combat abilities then. Be on time—I don't tolerate tardiness."
After speaking, he vanished in a Body Flicker.
As Renjiro disappeared, Kaito thought wryly, "Besides his name, he didn't tell us anything about himself... Even Kakashi would've said more to his team than that."
After their instructor left, Mieko snorted dismissively and prepared to leave without saying a word.
Hodaka, on the other hand, bid a polite farewell to Kaito and also turned to leave.
Kaito sighed and called out, "Hey, wait a moment."
This caught both their attention immediately.
Hodaka looked at him without speaking, while Mieko asked with obvious annoyance, "What do you want?"
Kaito explained patiently, "Tomorrow, we'll most likely need to work together against a jonin-level opponent, so we need to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses. We should also plan how to coordinate our attacks."
Hodaka agreed, nodding thoughtfully.
Mieko, however, declared arrogantly, "You two don't need to worry about anything. I'll defeat him by myself tomorrow."
Kaito gave her a blank stare, which clearly annoyed her. She demanded, "What? You don't think I can beat him?"
Kaito suppressed the overwhelming urge to facepalm and said, "Then explain to me exactly how you plan to defeat a jonin by yourself."
She smirked confidently and said, "I'll hit him with Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique when he's not paying attention."
Kaito replied flatly, "He's from the Senju clan and specializes in Earth Release and Water Release techniques. Even if you somehow catch him off guard, he'll still be able to defend against your Fire Release easily."
This answer clearly surprised her.
She thought for a moment, then smiled again and said, "I have my Sharingan genjutsu. As soon as he looks into my eyes, I can trap him in an illusion."
Kaito sneered inwardly, "As if an elite jonin would fall for such a basic genjutsu from a fresh Academy graduate. Forget it, I'm too tired to argue with her!"
He said aloud, "Alright, let's call that Plan A, and we'll attempt it first. Now let's discuss a backup plan."
Mieko replied dismissively, "Why would we need a backup plan?"
Kaito explained with forced patience, "He already knows you possess the Sharingan, so what happens if he simply never makes direct eye contact because he understands how dangerous your eyes can be? We can't just stand there doing nothing, right? Even worse, he might not take you seriously at all because you're just a fresh genin..."
This argument finally caught her attention.
Seeing this shift, Kaito breathed a mental sigh of relief, thinking, "Finally! So I either have to praise her abilities or suggest someone might underestimate her—or both—to get her to actually participate in planning."
She then asked with genuine interest, "So what do we do if Plan A fails?"
Kaito said, "First, let's discuss what each of us can do and what we're particularly skilled at. I'll start. I'm a sensor-type ninja. I can detect chakra signatures within a five-hundred-meter radius. I'm proficient in taijutsu and kenjutsu. I can use Wind Release techniques, as you saw during the exam. I also know Shadow Clone Technique and Body Flicker Technique. What about you two?"
Mieko continued, "I'm also very skilled in taijutsu and can use the Uchiha interceptor fist style. My Sharingan allows me to perceive chakra flow and cast genjutsu. I'm highly accurate with shuriken and kunai. Besides the basic Academy techniques, I can also perform several Fire Release jutsu, which you saw in the exam. I can also use Body Flicker Technique—in fact, this technique was taught to me by one of our clan's best jonin!"
Kaito was genuinely surprised by this information, thinking, "Was this technique taught to her by Shisui Uchiha himself?"
Hodaka then stated, "I'm skilled in the Gentle Fist style and can seal an opponent's chakra points through direct contact. My Byakugan can see clearly up to eight hundred meters away in all directions. Besides that, I also know Water Release: Wild Water Wave and Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall."
Kaito nodded approvingly and suggested, "If possible, you should learn Body Flicker Technique as well, Hodaka. If all three of us can use it effectively, it'll greatly expand our tactical options."
Hodaka snorted and said stubbornly, "But I don't want to waste time learning more ninjutsu."
Kaito replied persuasively, "It's just a movement technique. You can relocate at extremely high speeds during combat. This will make your taijutsu far more lethal. Imagine your usual palm strike—now imagine suddenly appearing directly in front of an enemy and striking them before they can react."
As Kaito expected, this argument immediately piqued Hodaka's interest, and he agreed to learn the technique.
Kaito then began discussing tactical approaches they could employ.
He said, "We need to decide who will engage the jonin in close combat and who will provide mid-range support with ninjutsu. I think—"
However, Hodaka interrupted him and declared, "I want to fight close-range."
Kaito was about to nod in agreement when Mieko interjected, "No, I want to fight close-range."
Hodaka immediately argued back, and then they began bickering loudly.
Kaito sighed heavily, thinking, "They're acting like little kids!"
He stopped them both and said firmly, "Among the three of us, Hodaka ranked first in the taijutsu tournament, so it makes the most sense for him to engage Renjiro-sensei in close combat."
Mieko started to protest, but Kaito continued quickly, "However, he can't handle a jonin alone. So you and I will assist him periodically from close range. Besides, both of us have effective mid-range ninjutsu that would be completely wasted if we didn't utilize them properly."
Hodaka wanted close combat experience, so he quickly supported Kaito's plan. Mieko reluctantly agreed after a moment's consideration.
Kaito thought with exhaustion, "I originally intended to discuss much more—like combining Wind and Fire Release for enhanced attacks, and I even wanted to ask Hodaka to learn more advanced Water Release techniques since they synergize extremely well with Wind Release. Unfortunately, I've completely lost my patience with these two. It'll take considerable time before they're mature enough to listen to these advanced tactics. I really hope Renjiro-sensei teaches them a harsh lesson tomorrow so they won't remain so arrogant."
"But I'm worried that if he really does go all out, he'll beat me up too! And it's incredibly difficult to evade a jonin's attacks for extended periods without openly using Underground Movement Technique and some of my other hidden abilities. I wonder when I'll finally be able to use these techniques without hiding them. Fighting with fake hand seals, restricted power output, and not using half the jutsu I actually know—it's genuinely uncomfortable."
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