The Competition Begins

There were truly a lot of people at the Training Ground.

That was Uchiha Chen's first reaction. Mikoto quietly followed beside him without making a sound.

It seemed she took this outdoor class very seriously as well. Under normal circumstances, she would occasionally pull Uchiha Chen aside for a quiet chat.

It seemed the young Three Sannin were still extremely popular in Konoha.

Of course, that only applied to most people who did not truly understand them.

The Ninja Academy had been founded by the Second Hokage. After the Third Hokage took office, the academy underwent another major renovation and expansion.

Along with the addition of an enormous Training Ground, all kinds of training facilities had gradually been added as well.

This not only represented the village's emphasis on the academy, but also more deeply expressed the Hokage and Konoha's regard for and cultivation of Civilian Ninja.

That was precisely why Konoha could continuously produce one genius after another, like chives sprouting anew.

The saying that Konoha was the cradle of geniuses was not mere talk. Even with a genius destroyer like Danzo within its ranks, geniuses would still emerge generation after generation.

This was inseparable from the Ninja Academy's well-developed system.

"Alright, kids, quiet down first."

It was now Konoha Year 26. At only sixteen years old, Jiraiya looked almost no different from the future Toad Sage aside from the Jonin Flak Jacket he wore.

His long white hair gave him the air of a delinquent youth.

He stood atop a wooden platform erected in the Training Ground and spoke loudly.

His voice, infused with chakra, allowed every student below to hear him clearly even without anything like an amplifier.

"Let's start with introductions. I believe many of you already know our names."

"That's right. My name is the renowned Jiraiya, Konoha's outstanding Jonin, a genius ninja blessed with both good looks and wisdom."

"And this fellow beside me is my teammate and subordinate, Orochimaru. Over here is Princess Tsunade."

Hearing Jiraiya call him his subordinate, Orochimaru revealed an extremely subtle expression. He really dared to say that.

As Jiraiya spoke, Tsunade nodded in greeting. Her golden hair looked especially beautiful, and she even waved at the students below.

The boys immediately became excited.

Orochimaru, the future Uncle Snake, also gave the students below a friendly nod.

"We came to the Ninja Academy this time mainly because our teacher, the current Third Hokage, asked us to. As Konoha Village's future, he hoped you would gain a clearer understanding of the ninja world you would one day enter. That is why the three of us have come here to guide you."

"This is great! Long live the Third Hokage! Thank you, Lord Hokage! Long live Lord Jiraiya! Long live Lady Tsunade! Long live Lord Orochimaru!"

The quiet atmosphere was quickly heated up. Jiraiya really had a knack for this sort of thing.

Nearly every student was excited by the Third Hokage's decision.

The chants rose up at once, though everyone shouted them willingly.

Compared to clan ninja, Civilian Ninja undoubtedly made up the larger share, so the atmosphere in the Training Ground was especially fervent.

This had nothing to do with Konoha's politics. It was merely about cultivating a righteous and glorious image. After all, it had to start with the children.

Of course, besides starting with the children, they also had to "work hard and put it into practice; implementation was what mattered." Naturally, they also needed acting skills worthy of an award-winning actor.

Danzo's gloomy expression simply would not do.

Naturally, the benefits these children received were also very real.

"Orochimaru, it's up to you now." Jiraiya took a step back and yielded the platform to his good friend Orochimaru.

"...Mm."

With a calm nod, the pale-skinned Orochimaru stepped forward.

"One day is very short, and there are only three of us. Therefore, this outdoor training class will not use the usual one-on-one format. The specific rules will need some adjustments."

Orochimaru formed Hand Seals with both hands. The Training Ground soon began shifting rapidly, with parts of it rising upward until several elevated platforms suitable for battle had formed.

"If you wish to grow into towering trees that support Konoha, sufficient combat is indispensable. So show your strength to the fullest, young ninja. We will be watching from above."

"Now, let me explain the rules. First, there will be competition within each grade. The top three from each grade will form a team and compete against teams from the other grades. In the end, the top three in the entire academy will each receive guidance from me, Jiraiya, and Tsunade."

"If I find any students particularly outstanding, you may also seek my guidance in the future. My promise will always stand."

The Ninja Academy was never a place that taught only theoretical knowledge. It was perfectly normal for students to spar with one another during outdoor classes, and the academy strongly encouraged such healthy competition.

Therefore, no student objected to the rules Orochimaru had laid out.

"Here are the boxes for drawing numbers. There is one in front of every grade. Those who draw the same number may go onto the platform and compete. The winner will enter the next round of drawing."

After carrying all six boxes to their respective platforms, Jiraiya continued speaking.

"Don't rush. One at a time."

The grade numbers had been written beside each platform. After Uchiha Chen and Uchiha Mikoto arrived at "Platform Two," Jiraiya, who stood to the side, spoke to them.

"Mikoto, you go first." Uchiha Chen shrugged indifferently. Every grade in the current Ninja Academy had a great many students, probably two or three hundred each. Thus, the spacious Training Ground was now packed with nearly a thousand people.

"Alright." Mikoto obediently nodded and reached toward the box before her.

"Wait a moment." Uchiha Chen grabbed Mikoto's hand before it reached the box. Then he formed Hand Seals with his right hand, and the spot where the box had been became a Kunai.

"What a trick. Lord Jiraiya really has a sense of humor."

"Hahaha, necessary vigilance is also part of being a ninja. Kid, what's your name?" Jiraiya asked with a laugh, having noticed the clan crests on Mikoto and Uchiha Chen.

"Uchiha Chen."

"You noticed the traces of Genjutsu immediately. Not bad, not bad. As expected of the Uchiha Clan. Your skills are quite good. You should have been the first to notice it as well." Jiraiya glanced around the Training Ground and found that none of the other number boxes showed any signs of their Genjutsu being dispelled.

"Just luck." Uchiha Chen shook his head, not becoming smug because of Jiraiya's praise.

It was only a very simple Genjutsu. It was nothing to him.

"Go ahead now, Mikoto."

"Okay."

"What number?"

"Number six."

After Mikoto drew her number, Uchiha Chen reached into the box and drew number eight.

After Uchiha Chen came Nawaki, then Minato. Only after them came Nara and Akimichi, followed by the children farther out on the edges.

The order of drawing numbers did not seem to matter, but that was only on the surface.

Uchiha Chen, the top student of the second grade, should originally have drawn first. However, he gave Mikoto the chance first, followed by Nawaki, Minato, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clan.

The strong went first. This was also an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by the Ninja Academy.

"What number did you get?" Uchiha Chen leaned over in front of Minato.

"Number one. I'll be the first to go on." The blond-haired Minato smiled, then slowly walked onto the sparring platform.