Chapter 20: The Squad
With the team members essentially decided, Shūji's thoughts turned to the practical side: squad tactics. This was no longer the standard-issue squad he'd been in before—one specialist for tools and intel, one taijutsu expert, and himself as the ninjutsu-based firepower for complex situations. This new team was unique and full of variables.
He spread out a piece of paper, and the ink bled into it, forming clear entries:
Uchiha Itachi:
Strengths: Exceptional talent, far surpassing his peers. Ninjutsu mastery is already at a Chūnin level (especially Katon, genjutsu, and shuriken-jutsu). Keen combat sense, with extremely strong observation and analytical skills. Possesses the two-tomoe Sharingan. Immense potential.
Weaknesses: Only eight years old; his body is not fully developed. Stamina, explosive power, and sustained combat ability are far inferior to an adult shinobi's. Chakra reserves, while high for his age, are insufficient for a prolonged Chūnin-level battle. Relatively lacking in real combat experience, especially in high-intensity, complex battlefields.
Tactical Role: Cannot be used as the main attacker or the core of a protracted fight. Better suited as a tactical core, support, or for field-control. He should use his Sharingan's perception, genjutsu interference, and precise shuriken-jutsu, along with a powerful Katon blast at the key moment, to provide critical support from the perimeter or mid-range. He must be strictly kept out of close-quarters brawls that require high stamina or massive chakra consumption.
Mitarashi Anko:
Strengths: A textbook elite Chūnin. Solid taijutsu foundation with well-balanced speed, strength, and flexibility. Comprehensive ninjutsu mastery (specializes in Katon, Doton, and the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands series of jutsu). Extremely high poison resistance (from long-term exposure). Excellent stamina and a tenacious will. Extensive combat experience.
Weaknesses (Current State): Due to Orochimaru's defection, she has suffered severe psychological trauma. She is in a state of apathy and confusion. Her combat morale is low, and her reflexes are likely below their peak. Her overall combat effectiveness is an unknown variable.
Tactical Role: Theoretically, she should be the squad's main attacker and front-line assault specialist. Her explosive power, combining taijutsu and ninjutsu, is a weapon for breaking enemy lines. However, her current mental state must be considered.
Temporary Strategy: Until her true state can be confirmed, avoid placing her in a close-combat position where she must bear the brunt of the initial assault. She can be used as a flanking force, a second-wave attacker, or to use her ninjutsu from mid-range to create chaos.
Shūji's brush paused next to "Anko," leaving a heavy dot of ink. An analysis on paper was just that. The gap between the Sandaime's intel, the listless person he'd seen, and the "elite Chūnin" in her file was massive. Was her taijutsu still sharp and ruthless? Were her snake jutsu still fluid? Were her instincts in a crisis still reliable? These were all unknowns.
A non-standard, problematic squad. He put the brush down and rubbed his brow. Itachi's genius was shackled to a child's body. Anko's blade was covered in the rust of "trauma." Tactical synergy, building trust, combat assessment... the foundation for all of it had to be built on reality.
Armchair theorizing was pointless. He decisively added one final line to his plan:
First Priority: Internal squad combat assessment.
Only in a real exchange could he see the quality of the blades and whether the hands that held them were steady.
Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, listening to the report from the Anbu.
The silver-haired shinobi, Hatake Kakashi, had removed his mask, revealing his signature "dead fish eye," but his reporting tone was exceptionally clear. "Subject: Shūji. Assessment for promotion to Special Jōnin (Ninjutsu Specialist) is complete."
The Sandaime nodded, signaling him to continue.
"In terms of combat performance," Kakashi's voice was flat, "his combat sense classifies him as an expert. To be able to master all five chakra nature transformations at his age, he can be called a genius."
"Hn..." The Sandaime's voice was unreadable.
"Core assessment: Chakra control and endurance," Kakashi noted. "During the exam, he continuously used jutsu of five different elemental affinities, no fewer than six in total, including the Wind-Fire combination jutsu to counter the Birth of a Dense Forest. Throughout the entire process, while his breathing fluctuated, his chakra showed no signs of depletion, and his focus remained high. His total chakra reserves are far greater than an average Jōnin's..." He paused. "Even better than mine."
Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes. Hatake Kakashi's chakra reserves were not small, and even with the drain from his Sharingan, his output was higher than most Jōnin.
He knew Shūji's background, and the village had his records from the past few years. He had not been at a level where he could use five elements in a row without breaking a sweat. It wasn't just the number of jutsu, but the difficulty and consumption of rapidly refining different chakra natures, which was far greater than using the same one repeatedly.
But Hiruzen didn't ask for details. He only said, "The five nature transformations... how was his application?"
"Masterful," Kakashi gave his clear evaluation. "His basic jutsu (Water Wall, Great Breakthrough, Earth Crawl) were timed perfectly and chained fluidly. His combination jutsu (using Wind to fuel Fire) showed excellent chakra shape and nature transformation, with considerable explosive power. His jutsu selection favors practicality and battlefield adaptability. No obvious weaknesses."
"Taijutsu and reflexes?"
"Solid taijutsu fundamentals. High-efficiency evasion that he integrates well with his ninjutsu. Excellent battlefield awareness. When ambushed or facing complex field-control, his judgment is cold and his decisions are decisive. He finds the optimal solution under high pressure." Kakashi recalled the figure shooting through the tunnel of flames. "Overall assessment: His ninjutsu mastery and practical application not only meet, but exceed, the standard for a Special Jōnin. The promotion is well-deserved."
The office fell silent. The Sandaime's gaze grew distant.
"Tenzō's Wood Style. How did he react?" Hiruzen asked, changing the angle.
Kakashi recalled the scene. "His initial response was with conventional ninjutsu, and he was fast. When faced with the Birth of a Dense Forest, he chose the high-risk, high-reward option of a Wind-Fire combination to break through. He did not attempt to counter with any other secret jutsu. Throughout the entire fight... he showed no sign of Wood Style himself."
He added, "His expression was well-controlled, but the instant the forest jutsu activated, his breathing hitched for a split second. He recognized it. His subsequent choice to force a breakthrough was tactically sound, but it could also imply an intent to avoid revealing his own hand or being compared."
"However, not reacting to the Wood Style is, in itself, a reaction."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Hn," and nothing more, just waved his hand. Kakashi understood. He put his mask back on, and his figure melted silently into the shadows of the office and disappeared.
Through the coiling smoke, the Sandaime's gaze settled on the heavy dusk outside his window.