"Well then, let's begin today's mission."
On the base's training ground, a Ninja in his thirties clapped his hands, signaling everyone to come over.
Amane, who was practicing Water Release, saw Chōjūrō and a conspicuous brownish-red figure not far away heading over. So, she followed the children of various ages and approached the Ninja.
Seeing everyone approach, the Ninja nodded with satisfaction and said, "Given that many new partners have joined us recently, I'll explain things once more." He paused there, then stepped aside to reveal the bulletin board behind him.
"Requests from everyone living in the base will be collected here periodically, and after our approval, they will be assigned to you all to complete. This is because, even in times like these, Ninjas must ultimately live by fulfilling requests. This is a form of training, and the rewards from the requests will be your payment."
[Wow~ This move is incredibly effective at boosting the children's motivation.]
Amane herself was a bit tempted; the rewards listed on the request forms were quite high, just enough to buy the solid rubber ball needed for the second stage in advance.
More importantly, these requests would allow her range of free movement to expand.
With space, things would be much easier to handle!
For instance, a Shadow Clone could suddenly appear out of nowhere while she was walking.
"Additionally, war-related tasks won't be placed here; it's not yet time for you to head to the battlefield. For those interested, follow the old rules: complete three c-rank missions and then go take the exam."
After saying this, many wails came from around Amane. Displeasure was visible on many children's faces, and the sounds of teeth-gritting opposition and complaints were incessant for a moment.
[Good grief, the environment really does shape the people.]
Recalling how her previous life's education constantly preached the suffering and horror of war, Amane couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
She had no right to criticize; after all, this was the setting of the Naruto world. Moreover, though it was against her will, how many lives had Amane herself already taken?
[Humans are truly insignificant, as tiny as sand drifting with the wind, unable to control themselves. That's why I'm grateful to fate for bringing me to this world, perhaps...]
"Quiet! You have no idea of the horrors of war! If you're truly capable, go take the exam; you'll see it then. Alright, let's get back to the main topic!"
The Ninja's voice suddenly grew several times louder; it seemed he used Chakra to reinforce his throat. The situation was brought under control.
"To take a request, you must be in a team of at least three! Although the principle is four, as mentioned before, given the current situation, we can't arrange a senior leader for you."
Although the many children didn't speak, their eyes began to wander toward others.
Amane observed for a bit. Chōjūrō and Ameyuri Ringo attracted at least half the people; as expected, geniuses are popular everywhere.
"Now, the rookies whose names are called, please step forward. I will assess your abilities before assigning teams. First one, Takahashi Chizuru!"
A blue-haired girl stepped out from the crowd, looking very lacking in confidence. But it was no wonder; Amane used her sensing slightly and found that the girl's Chakra... was probably just enough to activate one Shadow Clone, and she likely couldn't maintain it for even a minute.
But that was the normal level. Ever since Amane learned the Sensing Technique, she realized exactly how terrifying she was.
[I wonder how I compare to Naruto now.]
Amane was truly very curious.
"Just throw a shuriken and use a Clone Technique."
After the Ninja instructor finished, the one named Takahashi Chizuru did as told. The result was that her shuriken throw wasn't very accurate, but her Clone Technique was performed quite well.
"Next, Harada Yae. For you, throw a shuriken again, and then perform the Water Clone Technique you learned a few days ago."
[This guy's Chakra is more than that girl's, but only by about a third. Also, I feel like he's practicing Nature Transformation.]
When someone who has practiced Nature Transformation uses Chakra, the feeling is different from ordinary Chakra. Currently, Amane found that Wind has a tearing sensation, Water is very smooth, and Lightning has a flickering feel.
It must be said that this was a form of enjoyment; Amane found practicing the Sensing Technique quite interesting.
So now, she would activate it whenever she had nothing to do. Even if she was occasionally discovered by a Ninja, seeing that she was just a child using a basic Sensing Technique, most would just sigh helplessly or pat her head, while a few hot-tempered ones would give her a warning.
"Next, Shimada Asakazu."
Less Chakra than the previous one, but more than the first girl.
"Next, Kamizaki Yu."
He's actually practicing Earth-natured Chakra? And his Chakra volume is the highest among those so far.
"Next, Minazuki Yoru."
minazuki? Amane couldn't help but look over.
It was a girl, wearing a female kimono, with black hair and black eyes. Her appearance carried a cold elegance, and her eyes were as calm as water as she stepped out from the line.
"Hmm, someone from a Bloodline Limit Clan? Have you awakened it?"
The Ninja instructor couldn't help but ask. He was answered with a nod and a white breath directed at a nearby blade of grass.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, the blade of grass was coated in a layer of white frost, then turned into ice shards with a kick from the instructor.
"Hmm, not bad. I'll report your Bloodline Limit training later and find a suitable teacher for you." After saying this, he smiled at minazuki and signaled her to return, then prepared to call the next person's name.
[Her Chakra feels chilly, and the volume... is not inferior to the level I've shown.]
That is, about the level of an ordinary Chunin, and she's at most three years older than Amane. This could be said to be very impressive.
Returning to the group, Minazuki Yoru suddenly looked at Amane, who quickly retracted her Sensing Technique and pretended nothing happened.
[She's not simple.]
"Next, Hibiki Tian Yin."
Finally, her name was called. Amane stepped out under the gaze of two sets of eyes. One was Minazuki Yoru, who had just noticed her, and the other was Ameyuri Ringo, who suddenly stared over.
[Sigh... I wasn't this popular in my previous life. It's a pity my "brother" is gone after transmigrating. But my looks and talent have improved, so I guess it's not a loss.]
"As for you, tell me the relative amounts of Chakra in those rookies just now."
The instructor said with an expression that seemed to have seen through her long ago.
As Amane answered, the people who had participated in the test earlier had various expressions. Among them, Shimada Asakazu showed a clearly defiant look, glancing disdainfully at the others, especially Minazuki Yoru.
"Good, very precise. I heard your sensing range is also quite large. Can you sense that person over there?"
While pointing, the instructor signaled to someone in the distance.
[500 meters away. Let's see... this person is roughly at the level of twice a Chunin.]
Thinking that this distance wasn't too exaggerated, Amane sensed for a while to confirm and then gave her answer.
The instructor and the surrounding Ninjas nodded to each other. Then he pointed in another direction. This time, looking from Amane's position, there was a small house-like building in the distance.
"Can you sense the situation inside that house?"
Amane began to feel uneasy; this distance was even further than when she first arrived and sensed the Kaguya Clan's battlefield.
Her eyes quickly observed the expressions of several instructors and Ninjas.
[They're expectant... To put it plainly, the range of the Sensing Technique is sustained by Chakra. With my current Chunin-level Chakra, I need to put on a bit of a performance.]
Thinking this, Amane kept her hands in a seal, and Chakra began to visibly emerge around her body as a drop of sweat slowly trickled down her forehead.
"Hmm... there are four people inside performing some kind of Ninjutsu. Such powerful Chakra... Jonin?"
As she said this, Amane's steps became unsteady, her body swayed a few times, and sweat began to pour profusely from her forehead.
"Tch! Putting on an act again."
Ameyuri Ringo's voice came from behind; though it was quiet, Amane still caught it.
[I see, but how did she tell?]
Her total Chakra was suppressed by the Suppressant, and she made Chakra appear when going all out. This was a deliberate display of insufficient control despite having enough skill, along with accelerating her metabolism to sweat.
These were all techniques learned through training and personally approved by Ding.
How on earth did you see through my act? Could it be that Ameyuri Ringo also has a Dojutsu?
Amane was very puzzled, but fortunately, the Ninjas present didn't think she was acting. With eyes full of pleasant surprise, they had Amane return to the line first.
"Very good. I'm sure everyone has an understanding of the rookies' levels. Now, let's begin the team assignments!"
As names were called one by one, people in the crowd gradually stood together in groups of three. Some were old friends and didn't say much, while others were teaming up for the first time and began to get acquainted through conversation.
"Next. Ameyuri Ringo, Minazuki Yoru, and Hibiki Tian Yin. You three will perform missions together as a team this month."
convex(艹皿艹)
Amane cursed inwardly.
Although she had been charmed by the cuteness of the Edo Tensei Ameyuri Ringo for a time in her previous life, in her current situation, she really didn't want to cause any trouble. How did fate arrange for this trouble to find her?
"Hehehe~ Please take care of me, Hibiki Tian Yin~"
"Please take care of me."
"Please take care of me, you two."
"Get along well, okay? I have the highest expectations for your team."
The Ninja instructor laughed exceptionally heartily and brightly, making Amane wish she could give him a Wood Spike. Surely, the wood would grow very well and lushly from inside his body.