Inoiki sensed Izumo's struggle, the subtle tension in his muscles, and the futile attempt to resist the telekinetic force holding him in place. With a calm, almost detached voice, Inoiki spoke. "Any kind of resistance is useless, Izumo-sensei. You won't be able to break free. To resist my power, you'd need the strength of a Jonin, which you clearly don't have."
He stepped closer, his eyes unwavering. Without breaking a sweat, Inoiki used his telekinesis to lift the bell tied to Izumo's waist, making it float effortlessly toward his outstretched hand. The small bell jingled as it passed from Izumo's grasp to Inoiki's, a symbol of his control over the entire situation.
Once he had secured the bell, Inoiki turned to where Ishida and Rishu were trapped in the syrup-like substance of Izumo's Water Release technique. Concentrating, he used his telekinesis again, lifting the sticky field that held them captive, freeing his teammates from their immobilized state.
Only after ensuring his team was safe did Inoiki release Izumo from his telekinetic hold. Izumo stumbled slightly, his body sagging as he caught his breath. His chest rose and fell heavily, the effort of resisting Inoiki's power having drained him. As he stood regaining his composure, he looked at Inoiki with a mixture of awe and self-reflection.
"You controlled me with your mental strength, didn't you?" Izumo asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Inoiki nodded and offered a small smile, not one of arrogance but of calm acknowledgment.
Izumo let out a bitter chuckle, a self-mocking smile creeping onto his face. He had completely misjudged the situation. He had come into this test thinking he could push Inoiki to his limits, test his abilities—but instead, he had found himself outmatched. He had underestimated Inoiki's strength and overestimated his own capabilities.
Straightening his posture, Izumo spoke with renewed seriousness. "Inoiki, you did an excellent job. Not only did you take the bell from me, but you also saved your teammates. I'm very impressed and satisfied with your performance."
He paused, his tone becoming heavier. "However," Izumo said, glancing at Ishida and Rishu, "I can't say that all of you passed."
Ishida and Rishu tensed, dread creeping into their expressions as Izumo turned fully toward them. "Your strength is not at the level of a Genin," he said bluntly. "That alone I could overlook, allowing you time to train and catch up. But what I cannot ignore is your inability to follow simple commands, especially when those commands came from a sensory ninja acting as your captain. In a real mission, that kind of failure would endanger not just you, but your entire team. I'm afraid I have no choice but to fail both of you."
Ishida and Rishu looked crestfallen, their heads hanging low, the weight of their failure sinking in. Izumo then turned back to Inoiki. "As for you, Inoiki, you performed admirably. I can't find any fault in your skills or leadership. I'll report this to the Hokage and let him decide how to proceed with your placement."
Inoiki's brows furrowed slightly, concern for his teammates overriding his sense of accomplishment. "Isn't there any way for Ishida and Rishu to pass?" he asked, his voice genuine and calm, but tinged with a hint of urgency.
Ishida and Rishu, catching onto Inoiki's plea, immediately added their own desperate requests. "Please, Izumo-sensei!" Ishida begged. "We'll train harder! We'll do whatever it takes!"
"Just give us one more chance!" Rishu echoed.
But Izumo shook his head, resolute in his decision. "No, I've made up my mind, and it wasn't an easy decision. I've thought about this carefully. You two will have to return to the academy and refine your skills. This isn't a punishment, but a chance for you to truly learn what it means to be a ninja. When you're ready, you'll succeed. But for now, this is how it has to be."
His words, though firm, carried the weight of experience and responsibility. There would be no reconsideration. With a heavy silence hanging in the air, Ishida and Rishu were left to absorb the gravity of their situation while Inoiki stood quietly, knowing he had done all he could for them.
"Okay, everyone dismissed," said Izumo, his voice carrying a finality that signaled the end of the test. Without another word, he turned and left the training ground, his mind still lingering on the events of the day.
Inoiki turned toward Ishida and Rishu, his expression soft but resigned. "Take care, you two," he said, offering a faint smile. "I hope that next year, you'll both become qualified Genin."
Ishida and Rishu nodded, their disappointment heavy in the air. They knew Inoiki had tried his best to help them, but their own shortcomings had held them back. With nothing left to say, they trudged away, defeated but hopefully wiser.
Inoiki watched them go, shaking his head slightly. He had done everything he could as their teammate, but in the end, their failure wasn't something he could change. He had to accept it, even though part of him wished things could've turned out differently.
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