Naruto: Chronicles of A Fire Ninja

"Enough of your chatter. Let's move on to the main reason we're here," Hiruzen said, exhaling another puff of smoke before placing his pipe aside and extinguishing the flame.

"Okay, Sensei." 

"Yes, Lord Third."

"Since you three are going to participate in the Chunin Exam as a team, it's very important for you to know each other well—how you fight, what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, and how you can cooperate with each other.

That's why, from now on, for one week, you guys are going to train together. But first, as an icebreaker, let's do something interesting to show each of you why you have these partners and how they are not weaker than you," Hiruzen explained.

"We naturally don't doubt your choice anyway, Lord Third," Itachi said respectfully.

"I know, Itachi, but still—don't you want to know how powerful your teammates are?" Hiruzen asked in a tone as if he were talking to a child, even though the person he was addressing was more mature than most adults in Konoha.

Itachi nodded at that, not wanting to refuse Hiruzen, though he thought, 'Since we are going to train together for a week anyway, we will naturally learn how powerful each person is,' but he kept that to himself.

"Since everyone is ready, let's head to the training area for this," Hiruzen instructed.

---

All six of them were standing in Training Area 6, the largest and most well-equipped training ground in Konoha, second only to the one reserved for the Hokage.

"So, what you guys have to do is simply show your most powerful jutsu, technique, or method—anything. Just demonstrate your strongest move," Jiraiya said, getting nods from the three genin.

"But it would be boring to simply use your moves in the air, so let's do this," Jiraiya continued, making several hand signs before slamming his hand on the ground.

The land in front of him began to shift, and many rock spikes emerged from the ground—250 rock spikes to be exact. This was an astonishing number, even for a Kage-level ninja. Considering earth jutsu wasn't even Jiraiya's specialty, this feat was even more impressive.

But what happened next was even more remarkable. Hiruzen, the Hokage himself, began making hand seals before slamming his hand on the ground as well. The rock spikes that had emerged started to change shape.

In just a minute, 250 human-shaped statues made of rock stood in front of everyone. The look on the three genins' faces was worth seeing—this was the first time they had witnessed something like this. Kaida, in particular, had some interesting thoughts.

'Such fine control. Like Yamato, Hiruzen must also be able to build buildings from scratch,' he thought.

But before those absurd thoughts could continue, Jiraiya started speaking again.

"Thanks, Sensei. Now, you three will perform your strongest move on these. Don't hold back, because the person who destroys the most statues will be the team leader, okay?" Jiraiya said.

"Yes, Sensei." 

"Okay, Jiraiya-sama." 

"Okay, Jiraiya-sama."

"So, who's going first?" Jiraiya asked, but no one stepped forward. 

"Fine, pick one stick from these," Jiraiya said, presenting three sticks to the genin.

Everyone took one.

"Kabuto, you're first. Kaida, second. Itachi, third," Jiraiya announced after seeing the numbers on the sticks.

'This damn world always wants to make him the main character, coming in at the end to show off his power. You're lucky I saved you from having a tragic backstory,' Kaida thought, looking toward Itachi.

"Sorry?" Itachi said, not understanding why Kaida was looking at him like that.

"Can you guys step back a bit? I still don't have full control over this move," Kabuto said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"Okay." Everyone, including the Hokage, moved back, giving Kabuto ample space.

Fugaku was especially interested in Kabuto, as this boy had been an unknown until recently. And within just a month, he was on the same team with two of the most talented youths of the Uchiha clan. Naturally, Fugaku was curious.

Kabuto took a deep breath and started making hand seals. After completing several seals, he released a stream of water from his mouth.

*Water Release: Raging Current Technique*

But it wasn't the grand display everyone had expected. It was a simple C-rank water release jutsu, useful for creating a water source. Everyone understood that, for a student trained by "the Professor" himself, this couldn't be Kabuto's best or strongest move.

And true to everyone's expectations, Kabuto began making hand seals again—this time far more complex. He completed more than 35 hand seals in just two seconds and then slammed his hand on the ground. The earth cracked open, and from the soil, now turned into mud from his previous jutsu, a massive wolf began to rise.

It was monstrous, nearly the size of a small house. Its body was made entirely of thick, glistening mud, with chunks of earth dripping from its form. Sharp, stone-like fangs jutted from its massive jaws.

*Earth Release: Mud Wolf Jutsu!*

The wolf emerged directly beneath the dummies, swallowing more than 30 of them as it rose. Then, with a flick of Kabuto's hand, it lunged toward the area densely packed with dummies. Some were shredded by its jaws, while others were smashed by its sheer weight.

After wreaking havoc for 30 seconds, the wolf's form finally collapsed into a pile of mud, leaving a small mountain of debris behind. Kabuto was panting, his hands on his knees.

"Sensei, you taught him his jutsu?" Jiraiya asked, equally surprised.

Fugaku was stunned as well.

"He has the same elemental affinities as him. Besides, the White Fang was the most loyal shinobi I've ever seen. I would be ecstatic to have another ninja like him. Though comparing Kabuto to the White Fang would be unfair, we don't know what the future holds for him.

As for this jutsu, the White Fang modified an Iwagakure technique himself and never claimed ownership. Even when he was alive, he was happy for anyone to learn it, saying the rise of Konoha's strength was enough for him. So there's no problem teaching Kabuto this jutsu," Hiruzen explained.

"But if other villages think he has even the slightest potential to become the next White Fang, they'll spare no effort in eliminating him," Jiraiya said, knowing how feared the White Fang was by enemy nations.

"They can try. I'm planning on nurturing this boy as Tsunade's heir, so he'll be in the village for quite some time after returning. If they have the guts to try something in the village, they're welcome to try whenever they want," Hiruzen said confidently.

"Sensei, you're just making my work more difficult," Jiraiya sighed.

"Don't worry, I've taught him many other things. This is just a last resort," Hiruzen replied with a small laugh.

"Sigh, alright. Next is your turn. Let me quickly fix the ground first," Jiraiya said. And within a minute, 250 statues were standing in front of them again.