More than a month had passed since Naruto's family reunited.
During that time, Naruto had worn a smile on his face every single day.
He had always been fairly cheerful, but rarely had he looked as he did lately, as though the words I'm so happy were practically written across his face.
Especially not for over a month straight.
Many of his friends assumed Naruto was so happy because he was about to graduate.
After all, judging by Naruto's performance at the Ninja Academy, barring any surprises, his worst possible graduation rank would be second place!
That was how dominant Naruto had become at the Ninja Academy!
As for ending up as dead last like in the original story, or nearly failing to graduate, that was even more impossible in this life.
If anyone could threaten Naruto's first-place ranking, it was probably only Sasuke.
Graduation from the Ninja Academy actually assessed several different areas.
Of course, if graduation itself was the only criterion, then all one had to do was learn the Three Body Technique.
Anyone who mastered the Three Body Technique could graduate and become a genin.
But if they wanted to compete for rankings, then they had to take all the other aspects into account as well.
Theoretical knowledge, wilderness survival knowledge, simulated enemy encounters, tactical assessments, taijutsu assessments, Ninja Tool Throwing assessments, and, most importantly, personal strength assessments—all of these affected one's graduation ranking.
Naturally, for certain exceptional students, the bonus from the Graduation Trial Mission carried the greatest weight.
However, only a few students managed to pass the Graduation Trial Mission each year.
Among this year's students, three had passed the Graduation Trial Mission: Naruto, Sasuke, and the usually inconspicuous Shino.
Among Konoha's nine rising stars, everyone else had voluntarily given up on completing the Graduation