The next day.
Uchiha Tunan, who had stayed busy until the middle of the night before finally going to sleep, got up early.
After washing up, he changed into a brand-new shirt, put on his ninja tool pouch, and headed for the Ninja Academy.
Today was the final exam, as well as graduation day.
A large group of parents had gathered outside the Ninja Academy.
When Uchiha Tunan arrived at the school gates, the parents began whispering among themselves.
"That's the Uchiha Clan genius, Uchiha Tunan.
"I heard from my kid that he and another genius, Kakashi, both applied for early graduation."
"That little guy looks like he's only in his second year, doesn't he?"
"Just looking at you, I can tell you don't pay much attention to your kid. Uchiha Tunan and Kakashi are both first-year students."
"Why are other people's kids all so amazing?"
"I heard Uchiha Tunan awakened the Sharingan because he was too heartbroken when his parents died.
"When I think about my own kid, I practically want to jump into a river with his mother so he can awaken one too."
"Well, a peaceful and happy life together as a family is pretty good too."
"That little guy looks so refined. He doesn't seem all that impressive."
"I think he's the one who was carrying around a little girl's corpse some time ago."
"So it was him. I heard that little girl was his girlfriend."
"Kids these days are dating so early. No, I need to properly educate my child.
"At the very least, they shouldn't date until third year."
"What's there to manage? Your kid's a girl, right?"
Just then, Uchiha Tunan walked up behind the two parents who had been talking and politely said:
"Could you please make way?"
"Go on in, little guy."
"Do your best."
"Thank you, sir."
After Uchiha Tunan entered the school, one of the parents watched his retreating back, stroked his chin, and said:
"Actually, if my kid could date that little guy, it wouldn't be so bad."
Uchiha Tunan made his way to the graduates' examination room.
Pushing open the door, he saw around fifty or sixty graduates seated inside.
It was still early, and most of them had clearly not arrived yet.
Even Kakashi, who was always early, had not come yet.
With a gentle smile on his face, Uchiha Tunan nodded in greeting to the graduates in the classroom.
Then, under the proctor's arrangement, he took his seat.
A full half hour passed before the remaining graduates gradually arrived at the examination room.
"Are that white-haired brat and that bespectacled brat the first-year students who applied for early graduation this year?"
"That's right. Don't underestimate them. I often sit by the window and watch the practical drills of other grades.
"Those two brats are ridiculously strong."
"Silence."
The proctor said sternly:
"We will now distribute the exam papers. No whispering to each other.
"If I catch anyone cheating, your score will immediately be zero."
Very soon, the exam papers were placed before everyone.
Uchiha Tunan took a look. The questions on the paper were all incredibly simple.
They were so simple that even Naruto could pass, and they were all multiple-choice questions.
It seemed the theoretical knowledge taught at school was only useful during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Uchiha Tunan shook his head and picked up his pen, swiftly writing down the answers.
Question: How is Chakra produced?
a. It appears out of thin air.
b. It is produced by digesting food.
c. It is produced by combining physical energy and spiritual energy.
Of the three options, whether one picked c when clueless or simply chose the longest answer, it would be correct.
Question: What can a Clone created with the Clone Technique do?
a. Help with homework.
b. Scratch an itch.
c. Walk.
There were twenty idiotic multiple-choice questions in a row, and exactly twelve of them had c as the answer.
In other words, if one did not understand anything, picking c for everything would still earn a passing grade.
By then, most people had finished their papers and sat obediently in their seats.
About half an hour later, the proctor finally began collecting the papers one by one.
At that moment, Mizuki Uno seemed to have already finished proctoring the first-years' final exam and had specifically come to the graduation examination room to help proctor.
The moment he entered, he discreetly gave Kakashi and Uchiha Tunan encouraging looks.
Uchiha Tunan smiled and nodded in response.
After putting away the exam papers, the proctor stood and announced, "Next is the ninjutsu test. This year's ninjutsu question is the Substitution Technique."
As soon as he finished speaking, complaints and commotion erupted throughout the classroom.
"What?!"
"Why is it the Substitution Technique, the hardest one with the most hand seals?"
"I can't even remember all the seals for the Substitution Technique."
"I know the seals, but I fail nine times out of ten."
"Last year's graduates were only tested on the easiest Transformation Technique."
"Damn it, Teacher Yejie swore yesterday that this year's graduation prediction was the Clone Technique."
Faced with the scene before him, veins bulged on the proctor's forehead. He slammed his palm heavily on the desk and shouted:
"Shut up! Say another word and get out."
The examination room immediately fell silent.
Seeing that no one spoke again, the proctor continued:
"Also, two people applied for early graduation this year.
"Since their examination content differs from the others', they will be tested first."
Then he nodded to Mizuki Uno beside him.
Mizuki Uno understood and called out loudly:
"Kakashi."
Everyone turned their eyes toward Kakashi.
Kakashi looked listless as he lazily walked to the front of the room.
Mizuki Uno awkwardly smiled at the proctor beside him, then cleared his throat and said, "Kakashi, be serious. Come on, demonstrate all three of the Three Body Technique."
At those words, Kakashi raised his hands. His hands seemed to vanish, making the path of his hand seals impossible to see.
Without even a puff of white smoke, another Kakashi appeared beside him.
The next moment, the Kakashi standing in place all transformed into Uchiha Tunan's appearance.
Meanwhile, the clone began walking toward the classroom door.
"And the Substitution Technique..." Mizuki Uno prompted.
The instant he finished speaking, a bang rang out.
The Kakashi standing in place instantly turned into a substitution log.
The Kakashi whom everyone had assumed was the clone was standing at the door, with one hand already on the doorknob.
The proctor looked impressed as he said:
"Not bad. You are not only proficient in the Three Body Technique, but can combine them in practical use.
"Come back to this classroom in three days to collect your ninja forehead protector and meet your squad leader."
After saying that, he recorded Kakashi's examination score in his notebook.
Kakashi shrugged, pushed open the door, and walked out.
"That's incredible."
"He's a first-year student? You're telling me he's a first-year student?"
"If that Kakashi is so strong, is the other Uchiha Clan genius even stronger?"
"I heard that guy awakened the Sharingan."
"Are we supposed to just give up living?"
Mizuki Uno then looked toward Uchiha Tunan, who sat upright in his seat, and called out loudly:
"Next, Uchiha Tunan."
Uchiha Tunan walked to the front, bowed to the two teachers, and formed the Ram seal.
A cloud of white smoke rose, and Uchiha Tunan transformed into Mizuki Uno.
After releasing the Transformation Technique, Uchiha Tunan began performing the Clone Technique.
"Ram—Snake—Tiger."
Two identical Uchiha Tunans appeared before everyone.
"It doesn't seem comparable to that white-haired guy just now."
"Yeah, I thought he'd be even stronger."
"Looking at it this way, he's not much after all. Though he's a little stronger than me."
"Ram—Boar—Ox—Dog—Tiger." Uchiha Tunan slowly formed the seals in a steady rhythm.
His body turned into a cloud of white smoke. A substitution log fell to the floor, while his true body appeared off to the side.
"Teacher, is that enough?"
Uchiha Tunan looked humbly at the proctor.
With Kakashi's dazzling performance preceding his, Uchiha Tunan's display seemed rather ordinary.
The proctor merely nodded indifferently, casually giving him a good score in his notebook as he said:
"Not bad, though you still don't seem very proficient. You need more practice in the future.
"You passed. Come back in three days."
Uchiha Tunan did not care at all about the proctor's differential treatment. He bowed with his hands resting on his knees and said:
"Thank you, Proctor. Thank you, Teacher Uno."
Mizuki Uno naturally knew that Uchiha Tunan's understanding of the Three Body Technique was no less than Kakashi's.
He instead felt even more favorably toward Uchiha Tunan for such an unpretentious performance.
Looking at the polite Uchiha Tunan, Mizuki Uno smiled knowingly and said:
"This is the result of your own hard work. Go back and get some proper rest."
Uchiha Tunan nodded, turned, and headed out of the examination room.
While organizing the materials, the proctor quietly said to Mizuki Uno:
"You really taught two fine students. They graduated after only one year at the academy. I'm truly envious."
Joy rose in Mizuki Uno's heart. He scratched his head happily and said, "Not bad, not bad."
"Ding, Mizuki Uno's recognition acquired."
Uchiha Tunan had just reached the examination room door when he heard the system prompt. His steps immediately paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his lips curled upward as he turned back to look at Mizuki Uno.
Mizuki Uno, who was scratching his head, suddenly frowned. He only felt a chill creep up his spine.
What was going on?
Mizuki Uno subconsciously raised his head and scanned the students in the examination room.
Only then did he glimpse Uchiha Tunan at the door, smiling as he looked back.
For some reason, Mizuki Uno found Uchiha Tunan's smile unsettling.
He immediately swallowed and asked in confusion, "Tunan, is there anything else?"
Uchiha Tunan's smile became even brighter, dispelling some of the chill around Mizuki Uno.
"Teacher Uno, I'm about to become a Genin.
"You should work hard too. Don't let me catch up to you."
Uchiha Tunan said it in a teasing tone, then turned and left.
Mizuki Uno gave a carefree laugh, instantly forgetting the strange feeling from before.
"That kid is even encouraging his teacher now."
The proctor pondered for a moment, then said leisurely:
"I think he meant it. With his talent, he will probably become a Chunin like you in just a few years."
"Next, Akimichi Enka."
Mizuki Uno froze at his words, then, after thinking it over carefully, agreed with the proctor's reasoning.
Being surpassed by his own students... it was actually quite gratifying to think about.
But if they surpassed him too quickly, they might look down on him.
Just wait and see. Before you and Kakashi become Chunin, I'll definitely be promoted to Jonin.
It seemed Tunan had already taken down a Chunin last time...
Before you continue