[POV - TETSUYA]
"I can't believe it's already been two months," Mei said as our Advanced Foundations group gathered in our usual classroom corner before morning lessons. The autumn sunlight streaming through the windows felt different today, charged with nervous energy.
Daisuke was practicing his defensive stances more intensely than usual, his movements sharp and focused. "Today's assessment determines if we stay in Advanced Foundations or get moved to standard track."
"No one's getting moved" Rina said quietly, but I could hear the uncertainty in her voice as she checked her basic supplies for the third time.
Takeshi sat in his meditation pose, eyes closed, but his breathing was too controlled to be truly calm. "Nakamura-sensei said they just want to measure our progress against our starting abilities."
I adjusted my training weights, feeling their familiar resistance as I stretched. Eight weeks of Academy training had made them feel lighter, which meant Father would probably increase them again soon. "We've all improved since enrollment day. The assessment is just proving what we already know."
The morning bell echoed through the Academy corridors, and students from all years began moving toward their designated areas. Unlike regular class days, today felt more formal. Instructors moved with purpose, carrying clipboards and assessment materials.
"Advanced Foundations first-years, report to Training Ground Seven," Nakamura-sensei called from the hallway. "Leave all personal items in your classroom. You'll only need yourselves."
Training Ground Seven was smaller than our usual practice area, with stations set up for different types of evaluation. Three other instructors I didn't recognize flanked Nakamura-sensei, all carrying official-looking documentation.
"Today's assessment covers four categories" Nakamura-sensei announced once we'd arranged ourselves in a line. "Individual chakra control, basic taijutsu forms, written theory, and cooperative problem-solving. Each of you will rotate through the stations alone, then we'll conclude with the group exercise."
My stomach fluttered with nerves, but I tried to remember Genzou-jii's lessons about staying calm under pressure. The instructors were watching us carefully, not with hostility but with the focused attention of people taking detailed notes.
The first station tested chakra control through increasingly difficult leaf-sticking exercises. Not just making leaves adhere to our hands, but maintaining them while walking, running, and performing basic movements.
When my turn came, I approached the instructor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and precise movements. She handed me a fresh leaf from a small collection on her table.
"Begin with basic adhesion, then progress through the movement sequence as you feel ready," she said, making notes on her clipboard.
The leaf stuck to my palm immediately, years of practice had made this exercise second nature. The Academy's formal structure was different from clan training, but the fundamental skills transferred perfectly. Walking was easy, running required more concentration, and the final test, maintaining adhesion while performing stretching exercises, pushed my control and concentration to its limits.
"Very good stability," the instructor noted as I completed the sequence. "Your chakra remains steady even under physical stress. Continue with that focus."
The taijutsu station challenged us with kata demonstrations and basic sparring forms against practice dummies. The instructor, a young man with sharp eyes, watched every movement carefully.
"Show me the opening sequence of Foundation Form One," he requested when I stepped up.
Foundation Form One was the basic kata all Academy students learned, but Advanced Foundations students were expected to perform it with greater precision and understanding. I moved through the sequence slowly, focusing on proper stance, balance, and the flow between techniques.
"Good form. Now demonstrate the same sequence at combat speed."
The faster version required everything I'd learned about maintaining balance while moving quickly. My training weights, combined with gravity-enhanced conditioning, had built the strength and control needed to execute techniques properly.
The instructor observed, making notes. "Your form remains consistent at both speeds."
The written portion took place in a quiet classroom where we answered questions about Academy principles, basic strategy concepts, and village history. Eight weeks of lessons in the academy and years of previous clan education had prepared me well for most questions, though some required careful thinking about concepts I was still learning.
Finally, we gathered for the group exercise at a station set up with ropes, wooden blocks, and various obstacles.
"Cooperative problem-solving" the lead instructor explained. "Your team must transport all five blocks from the starting area to the target zone. Constraints: no block can touch the ground between start and finish, all team members must participate actively, and you have fifteen minutes."
Mei immediately took charge of analyzing the problem. "We need to understand the constraints before attempting solutions. Tetsuya, can you test how much weight the ropes will support?"
I tested the rope tension while Daisuke examined the obstacles and Takeshi studied the target zone. Rina checked the distances involved and noted potential hazards.
"If we create a relay system," I suggested, "we can pass blocks hand-to-hand while using the ropes for support."
"But all five of us need to be actively involved," Rina pointed out. "Simple relay might not meet that requirement."
"What if we create a moving formation?" Takeshi suggested quietly. "Everyone has a role in supporting the transportation chain."
What followed was twelve minutes of smooth cooperation as we developed and executed a solution that used everyone's strengths. Daisuke anchored our formation with his strength and stability. Mei coordinated movements and called adjustments. Takeshi handled the most delicate maneuvering. Rina monitored safety and caught potential problems. I used my enhanced conditioning to handle the most physically demanding positions.
All five blocks reached the target zone with two minutes to spare.
"Excellent teamwork," the lead instructor said with obvious approval. "You functioned as a coordinated unit rather than five individuals. That's advanced-level cooperation."
After the assessments concluded, we were dismissed for regular lunch break while the instructors compiled their evaluations. The main courtyard buzzed with students from all years comparing their assessment experiences.
"How did Advanced Foundations go?" Yuki asked as she approached our group with her lunch. Her standard track assessment had been scheduled for later in the week.
"Challenging but fair," Mei replied diplomatically. "How is your preparation going?"
"We have ours in two days," Yuki admitted with a grin. "But I've been practicing the leaf exercise you showed me. I can almost get it to stick for thirty seconds now!"
"That's really good!" I said encouragingly. "The instructors will be impressed with that progress."
"I hope so," Kenji said as he joined us, looking a bit nervous. "Our assessment is the same day as Yuki's. I've been practicing every evening, but I'm still worried about the written portion."
"Speaking of practice," Masa said as he joined us, "my assessment went really well yesterday, and I think I did better than expected."
"That's great, Masa!" Yuki said excitedly. "What did they test for second-years?"
"More advanced chakra control, some basic jutsu theory, and team coordination exercises," Masa explained proudly. "Having an older brother at the Academy really helped with preparation."
I glanced at the others. We'd been practicing together for months now, sharing the basic exercises I'd learned from clan training. Helping classmates was encouraged, and these were fundamentals anyone could learn.
"Remember when you could barely balance on one foot?" I said to Kenji with a grin. "Now you can do it for almost a minute."
"That balance training you showed us really helped," Kenji agreed.
"And the breathing techniques" Yuki added. "Those made the physical endurance tests much easier."
"All basic stuff" I said carefully. "Nothing exclusive. Just exercises anyone can practice."
The afternoon brought regular lessons, but everyone seemed distracted by thoughts of assessment results. Even Nakamura-sensei appeared more focused than usual, occasionally glancing at papers he carried between exercises.
"Results will be posted tomorrow morning" he announced as classes ended for the day. "Remember, these assessments measure progress, not absolute ability. Everyone has different starting points and different growth rates."
Walking home with my Advanced Foundations classmates, we found ourselves discussing not just our own performance but what we'd observed about Academy life in general.
"Did you notice how the different years interact?" Rina asked thoughtfully. "Older students help younger ones, but there's also this respect hierarchy."
"Akira-nii explained some of that," I said. "Academy years create natural leadership structure. Fourth, fifth and sixth years have responsibilities for helping first and second years."
"Like how Masa's brother helped him prepare?" Takeshi observed.
"Exactly. It's not just about age, it's about experience and proven ability."
"I like that system" Mei said approvingly. "It encourages people to grow into leadership roles gradually."
At home, the family gathered for dinner with the usual warmth, but I found myself thinking differently about my Academy experiences. The assessment had gone smoothly, confirming what our group already knew about our abilities. More importantly, it had demonstrated how our group functioned as a team.
"How did the evaluation go?" Father asked as we shared the evening meal.
"Smoothly" I replied honestly. "The individual portions felt manageable, and our group worked together well."
"Group cooperation often matters more than individual excellence," Elder Genzou observed from his place at the table. "The strongest shinobi are those who can function effectively with others."
"I've talked with some of my friends in the standard track too" I added. "They're working really hard to keep up with Academy standards."
"Good" Mom said with approval. "Helping others helps you understand concepts more deeply. Teaching forces you to think about why techniques work, not just how to perform them."
Later that evening, as I adjusted my training weights for the following day, I reflected on how much had changed since Academy enrollment. The daily routine had become natural, my abilities had continued improving, and I'd developed friendships both within and outside my Advanced Foundations group.
The assessment had been a straightforward demonstration of what we'd learned, testing not just our skills but how well we could apply them under observation. Whatever the results showed tomorrow, I felt confident that we'd shown our instructors the progress we'd made.
Outside my window, lights glowed throughout the village as families settled into their evening routines. Academy students across Iwagakure were probably having similar conversations about assessments and growth.