Konoha 60 years, January.

In the forest where the winter snow is piled up, a huge wild boar is running fast in the forest, and when it gallops, it drives the icy snowflakes to fly. On the pale snow, there are hoof prints that are visible to the naked eye.

Wild boars are just ordinary beasts, not rare psychic beasts, but they still have a dangerous sense of smell that surpasses that of humans.

Sensing a cold aura in the dark locks on to itself, no matter what, it makes it restless, and can only run through more complex terrain to avoid the pursuit of the hunters in the dark.

Although I don't know if the hunter in the dark is a human or a beast more powerful than myself, it is enough to run all the way according to this instinct to escape.

Bang!

Without the slightest warning, a light stretched out of the darkness.

The wild boar, which had fled rapidly in the forest, stiffened, slid through the snow for some distance, and then lay motionless on the snow.

The skull was punctured from the side by a small object.

The snow on the ground turned blood red.

Thousands of meters away in the grass, a young man with white eyes, about twelve years old, could clearly see that his mission target had been killed through the far-sighted and clairvoyant ability of his eyes.

So he exhaled softly, took a long-range sniper weapon called a 'sniper rifle', stood up from the snow-covered ground, and patted the snow on his clothes in front of him.

He slung his heavy sniper rifle behind his back and sped towards the location where he had killed his target.

In less than half a minute, the white-eyed boy arrived at the scene of the incident.

Next to the boar carcass, there was also a black-haired boy wearing monocles and a white coat, slightly older than himself, about fifteen or sixteen years old, standing there with his hands in his coat pockets, looking down at the wild boar killed by a sniper bullet, as if he was observing something.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, he turned his head and saw the white-eyed boy who was younger than himself, and smiled in an appreciative tone: "Good job, Cai, the goal of 1,400 yards away has also been easily solved, and it has improved a lot compared to a while ago." How's that, after my improved sniper rifle, is it still easy to use? ”

"The feel is very good, and the weight is moderate. The only problem is that I think the magnifier that comes with the sniper rifle is a bit redundant. ”

The white-eyed boy gave a fairly pertinent evaluation.

"Uh...... That's for someone like you who has white eyes, and the magnification does seem a bit redundant. But the snipers of the military, it is impossible for everyone to have the blood limit of white eyes, and sometimes, it is necessary to consider those snipers who do not have white eyes. ”

The black-haired boy in the white coat scratched his head helplessly.

This big and small boy is none other than Uchiha Asuka and Chiba Asa.

Although they are not brothers, but half-brothers, the two have lived in the same place since they were children, and they have a deep relationship with each other, and they are not brothers but brothers.

Now, three years have passed since the Oni Country became the sixth largest country.

Now the status of the sixth great power of the country of ghosts is not as unstable as it was three years ago, with the rapid development of the past few years, the country of ghosts has quickly established its own alliance forces in the western part of the continent, making the identity of the sixth country even more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The allied forces with the country of ghosts as the core country mainly include the country of bears, the country of ghosts, and the country of snow, and the country of ghosts has tended to be dominant since ancient times, needless to say, the country of bears also openly became a vassal state of the country of ghosts three years ago, and sooner or later it will be unified into the management system of the country of ghosts.

And the country of snow also has an unclear relationship with the country of ghosts, and the high-level contacts are also very close, although it has not been officially announced, but presumably the intelligence personnel of various countries will also guess something according to some clues.

However, on the premise that the other five big countries do not speak, even the small countries that disagree with this have to pretend not to see.

In addition, there are several small countries with very small land areas on the map, and in order to adapt to the development of the new era, it also means to move closer to the land of ghosts.

Because in the past, there were many contradictions and conflicts with the big countries of the country of wind and the country of the earth, but because of the powerful forces of the two big countries, they had to endure it.

Now that a new pattern has emerged in the western part of the continent, and the country of ghosts, which has not had too many grievances and contradictions with them in the past, has become the first choice to move closer to it.

For this, the country of ghosts is also not refused, compared to the rest of the big countries, the country of ghosts is indeed a little thin in this regard, and it is in urgent need of new blood to join.

With the current size of the Ghost Country, as long as you don't eat too much land and people in one bite, there won't be too many hidden dangers.

The land under his rule has been comparable to that of other large countries, and with the expansion of its territory, the population has also increased significantly, and it is not considered to be the bottom of the large countries.

The only problem is that in the event of a war, there will no longer be any buffer zone between the country of wind and the country of earth, which are also great powers, and the territories will begin to border each other.

With the increase of territory and population, coupled with the booming economy, the country of ghosts has become more and more complete in the industrial system.

Both the civilian industry and the military industry have made more obvious progress than three years ago.

Among them, the sniper rifle is an insignificant new weapon produced in the process of military technology development.

But it is this insignificant new weapon, in terms of individual combat ability, it is very terrifying, especially after combining with the white eyes of the Hyuga clan, it is even more terrifying.

Especially in the complex terrain environment, the white eye can ignore all terrain and obstacles, accurately find the target location, and only need to find a good angle, you can carry out remote hunting at any time.

With long-range vision, perspective, insight, and the ability to adjust the focus at will, the sniper rifle with long-range sniper ability is simply a tactical combination made in heaven.

Generally speaking, if the ninjutsu exceeds the attack range of ten meters, it can be classified as long-range ninjutsu.

Within five meters, it is classified as a short-range ninjutsu.

Five to ten meters is a medium-range ninjutsu.

Ninjas will judge the characteristics of themselves and their enemies based on these three distance ninjutsu, and formulate appropriate tactics for fighting.

Normally, ninjas who are good at ranged ninjutsu have an advantage over mid-range and short-range ninjas when it comes to combat.

The so-called one inch is long and one inch strong, this is the truth.

And a single weapon like a sniper rifle, which has a range of more than a kilometer and can also snipe enemies accurately from a distance, is definitely a weapon beyond common sense in the world of ninjas.

In fact, if it is not limited by the attack range of the sniper rifle, with the ability to observe with white eyes, it can directly and accurately snipe the target from a distance of five kilometers.

Even if the enemy is aware of the location, the sniper with white eyes can immediately change positions, because the distance between himself and the enemy is too far away, and the sniper cannot immediately lock the exact location of the sniper, unless it is a sentient ninja.

It can be said that as long as this ultra-long-range sniper tactic is maintained, the ninjas of the Hyuga clan will be inherently invincible.

Even if you encounter a problem, you can use the ability of the white eye to quickly leave the battlefield and escape thousands of miles away.

"That's right, but unfortunately, this weapon can't be used in formal exams. Otherwise, even if it is a difficult middle ninja exam, you can easily pass it. ”

Cai reached out and touched the heavyweight sniper rifle that was placed behind her back, feeling sorry.

Accustomed to this convenient way of fighting, he felt more than once that traditional ninja tactics had gradually been obsolete by scientifically created weapons.

Of course, it is not a complete obsolescence, but the need for a combination of traditional tactics and the science of the new era, and diversification of tactics.

Ditch the cumbersome things in traditional tactics and opt for more direct and effective scientific ninja tactics.

Even so, it is forbidden to use weapons with superior abilities such as sniper rifles in official ninja exams.

"The basic quality of a ninja will determine the upper limit of what a ninja can achieve with weapons, ordinary people flying ninja equipment, and ninja driving flying ninja equipment, in the rating assessment, it is often the ninja with the highest rating."

Asuka said disapprovingly.

The reason is that even if the same weapons and equipment are used, the basic quality of ninjas determines that they can get started with all kinds of weapons faster.

The nervous response is also stronger than that of ordinary people.

Even if they are controlling flying ninja equipment and practicing bomb throwing, after discovering the target, the ninja can quickly attack the target with relatively accurate bomb throwing according to their reaction ability.

There is also the ability to capture motion, which is also an advantage for ninjas.

Even the new age of scientific weapons still does not change the fact that it is humans who create and use them.

As long as human flesh and blood control weapons, then the details will determine the difference between ninjas and ordinary people using scientific weapons.

Neurological response and dynamic vision are the top priorities.

And there will also be cases of weapon damage, and the ninja's own ability will also determine the outcome of the battle.

It is precisely for this reason that with the gradual popularization of scientific weapons, the country of ghosts has paid more strict attention to the basic abilities of ninjas, rather than only cultivating the ability of ninjas to use weapons in the new era.

"It's the same with the middle ninja exam, this is an exam that belongs to the ninja's own ability, and scientific weapons that are too superior will naturally be classified into the scope of forbidden use. However, for you, there are still several years to go before the middle ninja exam. ”

Unlike the six-year education of other ninja villages, the country of Oni adopts a nine-year education for the training of ninjas.

Cai is only a six-year student now, and she has three years to go to school.

After graduation, they will automatically be incorporated into the military system and be named in the army. But you also have to go through the internship period of the lower ninja, and then you can go to the middle ninja exam through the recommendation of the leading team of the upper ninja.

At that time, they can choose to stay in the army, or go to the national garrison and be transferred to the central or local government.

At Cai's age, if you want to take the middle ninja exam, you need a three-year study period, and then there is a half-year or one-year internship period as a lower ninja to take the middle ninja exam.

For this kind of thing, Asuka feels that there is no need to rush Cai.

Aya looked up at Asuka and said, "Not necessarily, Asuka Brother." Dad mentioned to me a few days ago that it is said that the military will select some students with better grades from the school this year to enter the internship period of Shinobi in advance. The range of choices is from 6th grade to 8th grade. ”

Because ninth-grade students will graduate normally in March and April this year, they don't need to graduate early, they just need to graduate at a normal pace and become a shinobi.

"Huh? Is there such a thing? ”

Asuka was slightly surprised.

It was the first time he had heard of it.

"Maybe it's because Brother Asuka, you're a graduate this year, so when you were in school, you didn't let me know in advance."

Cai guessed.

"It's also possible."

Asuka thinks that Cai's analysis makes sense.

He is a ninth-grader at the ninja school, and according to the normal procedure, he will graduate in March this year and become a shinobi.

Although he had been recruited into the military's research department in advance, and the position belonged to the senior technician advisor, in essence, it did not change the fact that he was a recent graduate of the ninja school.

After all, the research department and the combat department are two very different departments of business.

But for him, whether it's lower forbearance, middle forbearance, or upper forbearance, it's just a matter of going through a process.

Therefore, he is not particularly keen on the Zhongnin exam that will be held in the second half of this year, and he usually doesn't pay much attention to the Zhongnin exam.

"You say that, Cai, do you want to graduate early and take this year's Zhongnin exam?"

Asuka asked earnestly.

"With this in mind, although my father didn't give an accurate answer, my mother wanted me to participate."

All the courses in the school have been completed.

The so-called actual combat training, through the practice with the family, has accumulated quite a wealth of practical experience.

Many times, I will be covered in wounds, and I am used to seeing blood.

The rest is only real combat, but that requires the tempering of blood and fire, which is fundamentally different from actual combat training.

Only a real battle can improve him now.

"It's really strange, obviously you don't need to inherit the position of patriarch of the Hyuga clan like Aunt Ayane."

Asuka was puzzled.

Although the country of ghosts is surrounded by enemies on all sides, the rest of the big countries are very restrained and don't want to provoke the country of ghosts.

So today's international environment is relatively peaceful.

Even Yun Yin, who has been collecting secret techniques all over the ninja world, has become more and more low-key recently, focusing on safety, probably not wanting to get the position of the head of the five major countries that he has managed to get, what kind of accident has happened, but his style of doing things is not as arrogant and domineering as in the past, and he has begun to cultivate himself.

Without such external pressure, competition between countries is under control. Therefore, Asuka was a little puzzled by the behavior of letting Aya graduate early and participate in this year's middle ninja exam.

It's not that you don't think that the same color ability, but there is no need to do so, just follow the procedure steadily.

In addition, Cai's surname is with his father's surname, and it can also be seen that Cai is different from him, there is not much family pressure, and there is no need to rush to obtain the strength to be recognized by the family behind him.

The nature of the problem is slightly different from the 'shame' of the Uchiha clan like him.

"I heard that Sister Yiji also graduated early in the past."

Cai said.

"Ah, you don't have to compare that monster."

Asuka shook his head slightly.

The Uchiha clan is a clan that obeys the supremacy of power.

The strongest is the patriarch, and this rule has been the same since ancient times.

All the fame of the patriarch is based on his own strength.

Compared to his sister Kazuhime, his talent as a ninja is indeed much dwarfed.

The natural three-hooked jade writing wheel eye, and the chakra comparable to the tailed beast, the starting point of the other party is already an end that many ninjas can hardly reach in their lives.

Even as an elder brother, he now doesn't know how much his sister's strength has grown.

After all, it will not be lower than the level of the five shadows.

"What monster? Are there any interesting topics you guys are talking about? ”

A cold voice came from behind.

The figures of Asuka and Aya stiffened.

Turning around, I saw a cold and beautiful girl's face, which was much more mature than a few years ago, and the face gradually got rid of immaturity, standing on the snow with an expressionless face, looking at the two.

"Uh, Kazuhime, why are you here?"

Asuka was surprised by the girl's arrival, and then looked away a little weakly.

Because it is the New Year, the other party will also return to the land of ghosts from the country of waves and enjoy the opportunity to reunite with their families.

"The old man told me to come and call you home for dinner."

"Has it come to this point?"

"It's that you've been out for too long. Hurry up and go, I'm hungry. ”

One Ji urged the two.

"Got it."

Asuka disposes of the carcass of a wild boar in the snow and leaves the woods with Aya following Kazuhime.

◎

"Unite with other countries to hold the Zhongnin exam?"

In the study, Shiraishi mentioned the incident to Ruri.

Three years have passed, and their appearance has basically not changed much, and they remain very young.

This youthful state is not only reflected in the appearance, but also in the various functions of the body, and even the energy is maintained in an extremely strong state.

"Yes, as the status of the sixth largest country in the country of ghosts is gradually consolidated, I also have this kind of confidence to further show my strength to the rest of the countries to expand my international influence."

Even with the advent of technology, the status of ninjas has not become obsolete.

On the contrary, the diversity of tactics has become an important topic for all countries to study today.

But that doesn't mean that traditional ninja skills will be abandoned.

On the contrary, what the country of ghosts can think of, the other big countries can naturally understand the truth, even if the technological weapon is powerful, it needs an equally powerful ninja to control and use it, in order to bring the technological weapon to the limit.

The advantage of ninjas over ordinary people is simply too strong.

Therefore, for the selection examination of the middle ninja, all countries with ninja villages began to increase the difficulty year by year, as well as to raise the standard for the selection of the middle ninja.

Using the Zhongnin test to show strength to other countries will also become a limited-scale 'war' between countries.

At this time, the country of ghosts is no longer the small country that needed to take advantage of the chaos of the ninja war in the past to take advantage of the opportunity to develop.

Now that we have joined the arena of great powers, it is necessary to compete for the right to speak in the international arena.

This is something that every major country is longing for.

Inviting other countries to hold the Zhongnin exam together is a good opportunity to show the strength of the country.

"Is it any wonder that you decided to let some students graduate from the ninja school early this year?"

Ruri touched her chin and thought about it for a moment, thinking of the key to it.

"Although the order has not been officially issued yet, I plan to implement the specific early graduation measures around March. Students between the ages of 12 and 15 will graduate early this year. But the graduation criteria are those who have already completed school and are only short of actual combat ability. ”

Nakashinobi is nothing to a ninja of Shiraishi's level.

But for most students who haven't graduated from ninja school, it's still a difficult hurdle.

Geniuses with the ability to skip grades are in the minority after all.

Most ninjas have very ordinary talents and need to graduate according to normal procedures.

These students, naturally, are not among the candidates for early graduation.

And even in order to show off your country's ninja abilities to other countries, you must follow the criteria of 'merit-based admission'.

"In that case, let's let Asuka participate in it, he is graduating this year."

Ruri decides to come down.

"It's not just Asuka, Ayane seems to be planning to let Aya graduate early in March of this year, and then immediately enter the Shinobi internship period to prepare for the Chunin exam. When the time comes, let them form a team, otherwise I don't worry about the safety of the lottery. ”

Although he knows that Aya is a ninja and has a talent above his brother Asuka, Shiraishi recognizes Asuka's ability more than Asa.

In the case of ninjas, it is indeed Aya that is even better.

There are a lot of things other than ninjas, which are areas that Asuka is good at.

Even if the bird's writing wheel eye has a very low degree of awakening, it has only evolved to the level of Nigotama at the age of fifteen.

In terms of ninjas in the new era, Asuka can participate in the middle ninja exam as a squad leader, but Aya cannot.

"Color?"

Ruri nodded slightly.

Aya is not his own son, but he has trained the other party in the past and knows that the other party is strong in ninja talent. And with the addition of white eyes, many dangers can also be avoided.

For the detection ability of the white eye, Liuli is very recognized.

During the White Fang Squad, Ayane was everyone's eyes.

Yun Yin's covetousness for the white eyes is also reasonable.

The white eye is too powerful in terms of strategic value.

"Do you have a choice with the third member of the squad?"

Ruri asked.

"There are a couple of candidates, but they're still being considered. According to my original intention, I was going to select a sentient ninja from the Uzumaki clan and merge it into Asuka and Asa's team. Until then, it is necessary to negotiate with the remaining major powers in advance. ”

"And what is your choice?"

"All the big countries are invited, and the small countries that have ninja villages will also be invited. As for how many countries can agree, it is not known. ”

Having said that, Shiraishi had a confident smile on his face.

This is an opportunity to gather information on the Oni Country, and the small countries are not sure, but when the big countries learn of the Oni Country's moves, they will inevitably take corresponding measures to test the military power of the Oni Country.