For a moment, the Council just stared. Finally, the lead man spoke.

            “Very well done. This explains how easily you were able to convince your teacher when you asked to leave the school building.

            “For your next challenge, you must pass the test of intelligence. A ninja has an active mind that can create battle plans in a matter of seconds. An untrained Ninja Master must have a mind that is ten times more active, vigilant, and creative than that of a trained ninja.

            “We ask you to solve the solution to this puzzle. It is a controversy that occurred centuries ago, resulting in the death of the previous Ninja Master.”

            Emma gasped, “It isn’t going to… kill me… is it?”

            “I can confirm that every part of this test is completely safe. At least, it is physically safe. You have a maximum of thirty minutes to come up with a battle plan. Your time starts… now.”

            Emma looked to her left, where a small table, a pencil, and a piece of paper lay. Running to the table, she picked up the piece of paper and studied it. The main army was completely surrounded and the side army was hurt. Only one backup ninja was cowering in a tree, too afraid to touch the ground.

            Emma smiled. Picking up the pencil, she calculated the distance from the ground to the top of the tree. “Perfect,” she muttered as she drew a line connecting them both. The line landed right in the middle of the surrounded army. Standing up confidently, Emma began to speak.

            “This shouldn’t have cost a life. The answer is extremely simple.”

            The members of the Council exchanged confused glances. Ultimately, the lead man spoke, “And what is that?”

            “The ninja in the tree has a rope in his pack. Simply tie the rope to the strongest branch on the tree and connect it to the ground where the surrounded army is.”

            “Is there enough room to fit all the ninjas in the tree?” asked the lead man.

            “No, sir. You must tie the same rope to another nearby tree and connect them. That will be plenty of room for the army.”

            The lead ninja gasped.

 “You have completed a feat that even the once greatest ninja of all time was unable to complete, Ms. Andros,” he informed. “I congratulate you, but there is one challenge remaining.

            “In the room adjacent to this one, a group of highly trained ninjas will be waiting. I have instructed them to fight you until you, or all of them, drop unconscious. There will also be obstacles, such as a swinging spear. This challenge will test your physical endurance and stability, along with your quick thinking and attentive mind. This is the final test determining your fate. I wish you good luck Emma Andros, for even I have not been able to complete this challenge.

            “Enter through the back doorway. Your challenge begins… now.”