The wind on the summit eventually began to calm.
Not completely.
Just enough that students could finally breathe without the constant roar in their ears.
Many had collapsed onto the rock after finishing the obstacle course.
Some sat quietly, staring down the mountain.
Others stretched sore legs.
Daigo lay flat on his back, staring at the sky.
"…I hate mountains."
Akari didn't even glance at him.
"You say that about every training exercise."
Daigo sighed dramatically.
"Because every training exercise is terrible."
Raizen stood near the summit edge.
The entire valley of Kumogakure stretched below the clouds.
Buildings clung to the mountain slopes.
Lightning towers rose above the city.
Inside his mind Astra spoke quietly.
"Heart rate stabilizing."
"Physical recovery progressing."
Raizen remained silent.
The climb had been exhausting.
But the instructors were not finished.
Not yet.
Gathering the Students
Takashi Aran stepped forward onto the summit platform.
Immediately, conversations stopped.
Even exhausted students pushed themselves to their feet.
Aran waited until the group was silent.
Then he spoke.
"The summit trial had one purpose."
His gaze moved slowly across the gathered students.
"To expose weakness."
No one argued.
Several students had already been escorted off the mountain earlier after collapsing on the trail.
Aran continued.
"Some of you relied on strength."
"Others relied on speed."
His eyes paused briefly on several students.
"Most of you ignored endurance."
A few heads lowered.
The lesson was obvious now.
Shinobi missions rarely ended quickly.
Aran folded his arms.
"If you cannot continue fighting after exhaustion…"
"…you will die."
The statement hung in the cold mountain air.
No one laughed.
No one protested.
Because every student understood the truth behind it.
Instructor Observations
Kaito Ren stepped forward beside Aran.
Unlike Aran's tone, Ren sounded almost relaxed.
"But it wasn't all terrible."
A few students looked up.
Ren pointed toward the obstacle course behind them.
"Some squads adapted quickly."
He gestured toward the center group.
"Akari Mizuta."
She stood calmly.
"Excellent balance and positioning."
Ren nodded.
"You crossed the course faster than most second-years."
Murmurs spread.
Ren continued.
"Daigo Mizuta."
Daigo immediately straightened.
"You almost fell twice."
Light laughter.
Ren raised a finger.
"But you didn't."
"Recovery under pressure matters."
Daigo grinned.
"…I'll take it."
Ren's gaze shifted again.
Then stopped.
"Raizen Tenrai."
The summit fell quiet.
Ren spoke slowly.
"You climbed the mountain without wasting energy."
He pointed toward the beam course.
"And you crossed the obstacle line with the fewest corrections."
Raizen said nothing.
Ren smiled faintly.
"That level of control is rare."
Aran stepped forward again.
His voice cut through the wind.
"Control is not victory."
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
Students straightened.
The Next Announcement
Aran looked across the summit.
"You have completed the final endurance exercise of this term."
Students exchanged glances.
Final exercise.
That meant only one thing.
"The academy examination period begins in three days."
The reaction was immediate.
Whispers.
Groans.
Nervous tension.
Daigo stared.
"…Three days?"
Akari nodded.
"That sounds right."
Daigo looked horrified.
"You knew?"
Akari shrugged.
"It's the end of the term."
Daigo groaned louder.
The Descent
Aran raised his hand once more.
"The trial is complete."
"You will descend the mountain."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"And recover."
A brief pause.
Because once the exams begin—
"You will not have the luxury."
The instructors turned and began walking toward the descent path.
Students followed.
Slower now.
Careful.
The climb down felt longer.
Heavier.
But something had changed.
Now everyone knew.
The final tests were coming.
Quiet Determination
As Raizen's squad began descending the trail, Daigo stretched his arms painfully.
"…I feel like I got hit by a cart."
Akari adjusted her bow.
"You'll survive."
Daigo glanced at Raizen.
"…You're not even tired, are you?"
Raizen didn't answer.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Energy reserves: moderate."
"Recovery period recommended."
Raizen looked toward the academy far below.
Three days.
Three days until the final examinations.
The academy had been testing them all year.
But the real evaluation—
Was about to begin.