Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The only ninjutsu taught at the ninja academy were the basic three techniques: the Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu. None of these techniques were offensive. Although Ye Zi's chakra level had surpassed that of a genin, the lack of offensive ninjutsu significantly diminished the effectiveness of his chakra. The only means of attack left were taijutsu and ninja tools.

Given these conditions, the exam seemed inherently unfair, especially with Orochimaru having swallowed the bells.

Kushina pondered for a moment before jumping down from the tree to join Ye Zi. Since the bells were swallowed, it was no longer feasible to try and grab them directly. The current problem was to immobilize Orochimaru, but the gap in their abilities was too vast, making it extremely difficult to subdue him. Cooperation would at least increase their chances of success.

Yoru, who had been planning to cooperate from the start, also quickly descended from the tree.

"Let's work together." Kushina said in a serious tone, looking at her two teammates.

Yoru nodded vigorously, "Only by working together do we have a chance."

Ye Zi glanced at his teammates, frowning slightly. Cooperation was feasible, but they had never worked together before and lacked any real coordination. However, it seemed they had no other choice.

Seeing all three reveal themselves, Orochimaru's expression remained calm. Not only did he not make a move, but he also discarded the kunai he was holding.

This was just his shadow clone. If Ye Zi and the others could inflict enough damage to the shadow clone, the bell would still fall out. This meant the exam wasn't as impossible as it seemed.

"Go."

Although they decided to cooperate, the three lacked any real coordination. There was no time to discuss tactics, so Ye Zi shouted to notify his teammates and charged towards Orochimaru, holding a kunai.

He leaned forward, like a crouching leopard preparing to pounce.

"Good focus."

Orochimaru admired the focused gaze of Ye Zi during his charge. However, the attack was still too naive, without any feints. Such a direct assault was akin to a death wish, especially a frontal one.

He understood this well, but he knew that Orochimaru would not deal a fatal blow to him. Under these conditions, he wanted to test the difference in close combat with Orochimaru.

Daily training and opponents in the academy posed no real pressure, so the results were meaningless.

As he approached, his powerful legs kicked up sand and dust on the ground. Just before reaching Orochimaru, he swung his arm and threw the kunai at Orochimaru's face.

Whoosh!

Orochimaru tilted his head expressionlessly, easily avoiding the kunai, which flew past his neck and into the trees.

At this moment, Ye Zi was already close, crouching in front of Orochimaru. Under Orochimaru's gaze from above, he used his hands to push off the ground, launching his most powerful kick aimed at Orochimaru's chin.

Since the purpose of the exam was to test their abilities, even though Orochimaru could easily dodge this attack, he chose to endure it.

His right leg, with its forceful wind, struck Orochimaru's palm, which blocked the kick.

Bang!

The moment the powerful force transferred to Orochimaru's hands, he realized he had underestimated Ye Zi's strength and was kicked backward.

"Impressive strength."

A hint of surprise flickered in Orochimaru's eyes as he flew through the air. He didn't have time to think further as his keen ears caught the sound of shuriken slicing through the air.

Following the sound, he saw several shuriken shooting out from the dust, all targeting him in mid-air.

The sand here was fine and loose, easily stirring up dust that obscured vision. While this was equally challenging for both sides, the fact that his opponents could accurately locate him puzzled him.

Despite his confusion, even a shadow clone of Orochimaru would not be easily defeated by a few shuriken.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

While airborne, Orochimaru quickly performed hand seals and blew a powerful gust of wind towards the incoming shuriken.

The howling wind instantly dispersed the shuriken and then blew away the dust and Ye Zi.

Whoosh!

The strong wind arrived in an instant, sending the three of them flying without resistance.

Yoru crashed into a tree trunk with a painful cry, while Ye Zi and Kushina, skilled in taijutsu, managed to stabilize themselves and land securely by bracing against the tree trunks.

However…

As soon as they landed, they found kunai stuck into the ground at their feet.

The two stared at the kunai, their spirits deflated.

If this had been a real fight, those kunai would have struck their hearts long ago.

Ye Zi and Kushina exchanged glances, both seeing a sense of unwillingness in each other's eyes.

Ye Zi then turned his gaze towards Kushina and walked toward the fallen Yoru, and Kushina did the same.

Seeing each other's actions, the two were momentarily surprised, but then he suddenly stopped and allowed Kushina to approach Yoru.

They both wanted to check Yoru's condition, but Ye Zi, seeing Kushina's actions, decided that one person was enough for that task.

Kushina, walking towards Yoru, glanced sideways, unable to see Ye Zi's current expression. She approached the tree, helping the dejected Yoru to his feet.

This failed exam meant they would have to return to the ninja academy for re-training.

The disappointment was evident in their faces, hearts, and actions.

At this moment, Orochimaru transformed into a puff of white smoke, and as the smoke cleared, three silver bells fell to the ground.

"A shadow clone?" Ye Zi stared at the white smoke and the fallen bells, his expression changing. Did even a shadow clone have no resistance?

Realizing this, his face darkened slightly.

"I'm curious, how did you detect my location through the dust?"

A raspy voice suddenly came from behind them, causing the three to jump and turn around. They saw Orochimaru standing calmly behind them.

The cold realization that someone had silently approached without them noticing sent a chill down their spines.

Yoru replied weakly, "My hearing is very sharp. I heard Lord Orochimaru's faint voice and used that to determine his position. Then, I had Kushina throw shuriken in that direction."

Orochimaru's face showed a moment of understanding. No wonder the shuriken arrived in a staggered sequence, but the difference was minimal. Despite the varying angles and obscured vision, the accuracy and speed were impressive.

Orochimaru glanced at Kushina and thought silently. The purpose of this exam was to test the abilities of the three. Although he had only seen a part of their capabilities, he was quite satisfied with the results.

"Gather here at the same time tomorrow."

With this cold statement, Orochimaru gave no further explanation and vanished from sight, leaving the three to look at each other in bewilderment.

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Ye Zi immediately understood. The exam had been a failure, but the outcome was not as Orochimaru had stated; they did not have to return to the ninja academy.

He felt no joy in avoiding re-training. His mind was filled with the recent events, and the realization of still being so weak after three years of training left him deeply disheartened.

The unclear future, when would he ever touch a piece of it? When would he see an opportunity?

Clenching his teeth, he ignored Yoru and Kushina and walked towards his residence.

Moments later, Yoru, regaining his composure, cheered, "This is great!"

Kushina also sighed in relief, watching Ye Zi leave, her mind lost in thought.