Yakumo's appearance on the training field sparked an immediate uproar.
Elite prodigies like Neji and Sasuke cast their attention her way, and even the typically indifferent Kimimaro briefly lingered his gaze on her.
Undoubtedly.
Both the students and teachers of the Ninja Academy felt Yakumo had far surpassed her peers.
Shikamaru sighed, "Here comes the one who kills all test suspense."
Choji, puzzled, asked, "Shikamaru, what does 'kills all test suspense' mean?"
Ino rubbed her forehead. "All you think about is eating! Can't you understand something so simple? With Yakumo here, what suspense is left in this team test!"
"Oh, right!"
Choji nodded, catching on.
Kimimaro was already absurdly strong, matched only by Shinji, Sasuke, and Neji in the entire academy.
Now, with Yakumo, even stronger than Kimimaro, rising in his team, no ordinary student could compete. Even Shinji, Sasuke, and Neji's teams might struggle against Kimimaro's squad.
No, it should probably be called Yakumo's squad now!
On the other side of the field.
Sasuke's face darkened, his mood grim. "She actually showed up!"
Naruto rolled up his sleeves. "Awesome! I can finally spar with Yakumo!"
Sakura shoved Naruto aside, sidling up to Sasuke. "Sasuke, what do we do now?"
Sasuke said with conviction, "One-on-one, no one can beat Yakumo's team! There's only one way to win—my team, Shinji's, and Neji's must join forces!"
Sakura gasped. "Huh? Isn't that…"
"What do you know!" Sasuke snapped, glancing toward the academy building. "Why do you think the academy arranged this team confrontation test?"
Sakura asked humbly, "Why?"
Sasuke, exuding confidence, explained, "Everyone in the village knows Yakumo's strength far exceeds the academy's level. Yet they still let her participate. Isn't it to test the adaptability of me, Shinji, and Neji?"
Sakura blinked. "You mean this test is specifically for the three of you?"
"Of course!" Sasuke continued, as if it were obvious. "Everyone knows we academy prodigies are the village's future!"
With that, he strode confidently toward Shinji.
Moments later, he reached Shinji. "Shinji, what's your take on this team confrontation test?"
"Take?"
Shinji, still mulling over the details of fusing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, was caught off guard.
Sasuke pointed at Yakumo in the distance. "There's only one way to beat her!"
At that moment, Neji approached.
Seeing Neji join them, Sasuke's lips curled. "Neji, looks like you've figured out the academy's true intent for this test!"
Neji hadn't thought that far. He came to hear how Shinji and Sasuke planned to handle the test.
Yakumo's team held an overwhelming advantage. Without a strategy, first place would slip away.
Sasuke declared, "Only if we three join forces do we stand a chance. Otherwise, none of us can beat Yakumo!"
"Join forces, huh…"
Neji pondered.
He was tempted but hesitant. Three teams ganging up on Yakumo's single team felt somewhat beneath them.
Shinji was about to refuse, but his peripheral vision caught the other students silently watching them. He changed his mind.
His current goal was to draw the academy's—and the village's—attention to Yakumo, masking Karin's recovery from her "eye injury" as she fused the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
If he, Sasuke, and Neji teamed up against Yakumo, it would spark a frenzy of gossip, becoming the talk of the academy and village.
This would divert attention from a student nursing an eye injury at home.
Thus, he said, "I'm fine with teaming up, but only against Yakumo! Once she's defeated, our alliance ends!"
Sasuke snorted. "Obviously! I haven't forgotten what you said before!"
With Shinji agreeing, Neji's reservations vanished. "Fine, we'll team up against Yakumo first. After she's defeated, we'll settle things among ourselves!"
Some nearby students overheard their conversation.
Soon, news of Shinji, Sasuke, and Neji's alliance against Yakumo's team swept through the academy like a whirlwind.
On a tree outside the academy.
Watching Yakumo on the field, Jiraiya asked Tsunade, "Is it really okay to let Yakumo join the academy at this stage?"
Tsunade replied, "Don't underestimate her. She's my disciple!"
Seeing Tsunade's pride, Jiraiya smiled knowingly.
Once, he had boasted about his own disciples to Orochimaru and Tsunade, earning their envy.
Noticing Sasuke, Shinji, and Neji's movements, Jiraiya chuckled. "Looks like the academy kids are scheming to deal with your disciple!"
Tsunade, also aware of their actions, said calmly, "Pointless. Even if they team up, they're no match for Yakumo. And don't forget, her team has that Kaguya clan kid, Kimimaro."
"True!" Jiraiya nodded, then mused, "For some reason, that Kimimaro kid always reminds me of Orochimaru."
At Orochimaru's mention, Tsunade's face darkened. "If I meet him again, I won't let him off lightly!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, then glanced at Naruto on the field. "With Akatsuki's threat looming, Naruto needs to grow fast. I have an idea!"
Tsunade looked at him. "You want Naruto to become a true Jinchuriki?"
Jiraiya nodded. "Only then can he better protect himself!"
Tsunade warned, "Don't forget the 'Nine-Tails Incident.' Provoking the Nine-Tails isn't wise!"
"Without 'Wood Release,' I wouldn't consider it." Jiraiya smiled. "But you've brought 'Wood Release' back, haven't you? With Yakumo here, it should be fine!"