"Tamura Hiroshi!"
"Clone Technique: Passed!"
In a classroom at the Konoha Ninja Academy, the homeroom teacher watched the burly little boy perform the Clone Technique. Nodding with satisfaction, the teacher announced that he had passed and handed him a forehead protector.
Today was the academy's graduation exam. Since this was only the preliminary test, it was very simple: students only needed to master the Basic Three Jutsu to pass. The practical test was handled by their team leaders.
Anyone who failed to pass the team leader's test and earn their approval would be sent back to the academy for another year of study, then given another chance the following year. If they failed three times, it would prove they simply didn't have what it took to become a ninja.
Of course, that was how things worked for ordinary students. Special cases had to be handled differently.
Thinking of that, the homeroom teacher glanced at the thick-browed boy sitting at the back of the classroom.
He was a special admission, and the Lord Hokage had personally put in a word for him. All he had to do was pass the practical test to graduate.
Meanwhile, Tamura Hiroshi looked conflicted as he took the forehead protector and returned to his seat.
"Lord Hiroshi, congratulations on passing the graduation exam."
His deskmate, Katsuyu, congratulated him, glad that he had passed.
"Lord Hiroshi, congratulations!"
Might Guy, who was sitting on his other side and looking nervous, turned to congratulate him too, flashing two rows of gleaming white teeth.
"It's too soon to congratulate me. We still have the team leader's test coming up. Only after we earn our team leader's approval can we truly graduate and become ninjas.
I wonder who our team leader will be. I hope we can earn their approval."
Tamura