Graduation Exam Rewards

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered his options and found that there were really only a few candidates he could choose from.

The scene returned to the Ninja Academy training ground.

Sarutobi Enju was nearly unable to hold on any longer!

With the oil fueling it, his Flame Bullet could initially contend with Uchiha Gen for a few breaths. But he could only hold one mouthful of oil. Once it ran out, the power of his Flame Bullet plummeted and was quickly overwhelmed by the Great Fireball.

Just as Mokume Koto, watching from the distant stands, was preparing to step in and save Sarutobi Enju, Uchiha Gen voluntarily strengthened his control over the ninjutsu and reduced the Great Fireball's power.

Such chakra control was enough to show just how deeply Gen had mastered this ninjutsu.

After scattering the Flame Bullet, the Great Fireball gradually shrank as well before bursting apart under Gen's control.

The powerful shockwave sent Sarutobi Enju flying. Then several Shuriken attached to Elastic Steel Wire shot out and pinned themselves beside him, binding his torso, arms, and legs in a net.

"You lost, Enju."

Uchiha Gen walked up to Sarutobi Enju and said with a smile.

The rewards for this Graduation Exam mission would definitely surpass those from midterms, finals, and the like. The Experience Points gained would surely be much greater as well.

Based on past experience, taking first place in the Graduation Exam would yield far more Experience Points than second or third place. It might even let him level up directly and earn a Gacha Pull.

"Why is your Fire Release so powerful?"

Sarutobi Enju asked in disbelief.

"Of course I trained for it. Did you think the Sage of Six Paths would teach me in my dreams while I slept?"

Uchiha Gen removed the net and reached out to pull Sarutobi Enju to his feet.

He had indeed trained for it, just with cheats.

Sarutobi Enju scratched his head in frustration.

Why couldn't he train to that level?

He was clearly working hard too.

When he got home, he needed to make his Hokage father teach him a few more tricks.

"The practical exercise is over. Both sides, form the Seal of Reconciliation!"

Chunin Muna's voice rang out. Uchiha Gen extended his hand, formed a Seal of Reconciliation with Sarutobi Enju, and then the two walked shoulder to shoulder toward the crowd.

"Gen! That move was so cool!"

"Just as expected of Gen, the only man in class more handsome than me!"

"Shigenari, you're getting shameless too."

The moment the two stepped down, the surrounding crowd swarmed over.

For a group of Ninja Academy students who had not even become Genin yet, the two battles today had certainly opened some of their eyes.

"Did you train all your ninjutsu by yourself?"

Uchiha Inabi forced his expression to remain calm as he spoke to Gen, though his gaze was somewhat complicated.

The other party's ninjutsu was clearly a level above both his and Sarutobi Enju's. Even with the latter's little trick, he still had not been Uchiha Gen's match.

That made it even more impossible for him to defeat Uchiha Gen.

"Not entirely."

Uchiha Gen shook his head.

Inabi could not help but freeze before Uchiha Gen continued.

"My family has a set of Training Notes my father left behind before he died. There is still a lot in it that I can't understand yet, but it has still helped me greatly."

Seeing Uchiha Gen's deeply sentimental expression, Uchiha Inabi could not help feeling a little guilty. Still, he stubbornly said, "Next time, my ninjutsu will be stronger than yours. Don't disappoint me when that time comes."

"Then I'll be waiting."

Uchiha Gen held out his hand to Inabi.

The latter hesitated for a moment, but still high-fived Gen.

If it had been anyone else, Inabi would have ignored them and walked away long ago. But Gen...

He was different.

"Win against me first next time before you say that, Inabi."

Sarutobi Enju said carelessly, patting Uchiha Inabi on the shoulder.

"Hmph. You know perfectly well how you beat me this time. Although oil isn't among the ninja tools prohibited in the exam, if you want to become truly strong, you can't keep relying on such petty tricks."

"Uh... you have a point. But next time, I'll definitely still win."

Sarutobi Enju scratched his head and gave a perfunctory response. His attention was quickly drawn to Utsuki Ruri, who was walking over, and he eagerly hurried up to fawn over her.

Not far away, examiner Muna had already arranged the rankings according to the scores recorded on the sheet.

"This Graduation Exam has concluded successfully. Everyone in this class has passed. Once the results have been announced, please come up in order of rank to receive your Ninja Headbands.

"First place, Uchiha Gen: written exam, 100 points; practical exam, 100 points; total score, 100 points.

"Second place, Sarutobi Enju: written exam, 97 points; practical exam, 99 points; total score, 98 points.

"Third place, Uchiha Inabi: written exam, 98 points; practical exam..."

After Muna finished announcing the results, Uchiha Gen was the first to step onto the stage and receive his Ninja Headband.

"Congratulations, Gen. You will definitely become an outstanding ninja in the future and contribute to the village."

"I will, Teacher Muna."

Uchiha Gen nodded lightly, accepted the Ninja Headband with both hands, walked off the stage, and tied it around his forehead.

From this moment onward, he was an officially registered Konoha Ninja.

In the System Panel, the exclamation mark in the mission tab changed from white to a rich gold.

[Special E-rank Mission: Graduation Exam (Mission Complete)]

[Mission submitted... Calculating rewards...]

[Evaluation: S]

[Distributing Experience Points...]

[Current Character Level: 9]

[Available Gacha Pulls: 1]

...

A smile appeared on Uchiha Gen's face as he looked at the updated information on the System Panel.

Wonderful. He could do another Gacha Pull.

At the same time, in the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage watched through the Crystal Ball as Sarutobi Enju received his Konoha Ninja Headband after Uchiha Gen. A pleased smile appeared on his face as well.

Although he had not taken first place, the Third Hokage could still see his son's talent.

Perhaps, under his guidance, Sarutobi Enju might have a chance of becoming a Kage-level Expert in the future.

Perhaps this child might even have the chance to inherit his Hokage's Mantle?

Hiruzen Sarutobi touched the Hokage Hat on his head and looked toward a standing photo frame on the desk.

Inside the frame was a photograph of him with his three disciples when they had still been young.

Orochimaru was his favored candidate for Fourth Hokage. If Enju had a chance to compete for the Fifth someday...

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the assignment sheet for newly graduated Genin on his desk and crossed out Mokume Koto's name in the first row.

"Yoru Kashi, go call Orochimaru over."

"Yes, Third Lord!"

From the shadows, an Anbu Ninja wearing an Animal Mask appeared, then vanished before the Third Hokage in a Body Flicker.