"What kind of sword technique is that?"
Ishida Yu's face filled with astonishment.
As a Chunin, he knew plenty of sword techniques, but none of them resembled the one Natsuki had used.
And where had he learned such a powerful technique?
"Minato lost? Am I under a Genjutsu?"
"He actually beat Minato that easily?"
"When did Natsuki learn sword techniques? He's ridiculously strong!"
"He's so handsome! I just realized Natsuki is even more handsome than Minato!"
After a brief silence, First Grade Class A erupted into an uproar, punctuated by shrieks from more than a few girls.
Ishida Yu snapped out of it, and then came the elation.
A genius had suddenly appeared in First Grade Class A—and he was a genius who had beaten Namikaze Minato. That was a performance bonus he'd practically stumbled into!
The kid had really kept his strength under wraps, though. He'd never used his full power before and had even fooled Ishida Yu.
"Winner: Natsuki!"
Ishida Yu announced excitedly.
"Minato."
Natsuki stepped forward and helped Namikaze Minato up. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
Namikaze Minato shook his head.
Natsuki had used a wooden sword, so he hadn't left any cuts.
Of course, the pain was unavoidable.
"You're much stronger than me."
Once he was steady on his feet, Namikaze Minato looked at him, still unable to believe it.
He'd always thought that even if Natsuki was hiding his strength, he couldn't be hiding much. At most, they'd be evenly matched.
He hadn't expected Natsuki to beat him so effortlessly. The gap between them was absurdly wide.
"I'll work hard and catch up to you."
Namikaze Minato took a deep breath and spoke with determination.
He was nothing like Onodera. When he was defeated, he didn't grow angry or jealous; instead, he resolved to catch up.
"With your talent, I'm sure you'll catch up to me soon."
Natsuki smiled. "Then we'll have another match."
Namikaze Minato nodded.
The two of them left the field, and the Combat Exam continued.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Office,
a Crystal Ball sat on the Hokage's desk. Its surface rippled like water, reflecting Natsuki and Namikaze Minato.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the Crystal Ball, lost in thought.
As principal of the Ninja Academy, he naturally knew that the Final Exams for every grade were being held today.
After finishing his paperwork, he had used the Telescope Technique to watch the exams.
He hadn't expected Natsuki to surprise him so greatly.
He had many titles, one of which was Professor of Ninjutsu.
That was because he had mastered the Seven Release Ninjutsu.
But he could say for certain that the sword technique Natsuki had used wasn't one he'd ever heard of.
In other words, it was most likely a sword technique Natsuki had created himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a flicker of anticipation.
There were plenty of geniuses, but very few could create their own Ninjutsu.
If another Senju Tobirama emerged, Konoha's strength would increase tremendously.
After all, a ninja village's foundation lay in its Ninjutsu.
"Minato is impressive, too."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
During the battle, he'd noticed one of Namikaze Minato's strengths: his exceptionally quick reactions.
The Flying Thunder God Technique immediately came to mind. Perhaps Minato could learn it.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was a strategic-level Ninjutsu.
If Namikaze Minato mastered it, he could deter other ninja villages without even being seen.
The thought of an enemy who could appear at your headquarters at any time was terrifying.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe.
An idea came to him.
After Namikaze Minato and Natsuki graduated, he would have Jiraiya and Orochimaru teach them.
Not many ninjas in Konoha were skilled with the sword.
Besides Hatake Sakumo, there was Orochimaru, and perhaps the perennial Genin Maruboshi Kosuke.
Orochimaru was his student, and a ninja of the Hokage's line.
Naturally, Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped to keep such talent within the village.
He also thought of Yakushi Nonō.
With her talent as a medical ninja, she could certainly become Tsunade's student.
That way, all three of his students would have students of their own.
The only problem was that, under normal circumstances, a team leader was supposed to have three students. It would be difficult to find two more for each of them.
But Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were students of the Hokage and already held high status. Making an exception would be no problem.
He could even have Namikaze Minato, Natsuki, and Yakushi Nonō form a team someday.
Of course, graduation was still a long way off, and nothing was certain.
By noon, the First Grade Class A Combat Exam had come to an end.
"I'll now announce the Combat Exam rankings."
Ishida Yu raised his voice. "First place: Natsuki!"
[Congratulations, Host. Zoro Template Ability Two unlocked: One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon.]
A smile spread across Natsuki's face.
That meant he had now unlocked every ability in the Zoro Template.
After announcing the Combat Exam rankings, Ishida Yu revealed the written exam rankings and the overall standings.
Although Natsuki had placed first in the Combat Exam, he'd stumbled in the written exam, coming in only third.
In the end, Namikaze Minato took first place overall, while Natsuki came second.
But Natsuki didn't mind.
In the Ninja World, where strength was everything, the Combat Exam ranking was clearly worth more than the written exam ranking.
Namikaze Minato thought so, too.
And so a strange sight emerged: the first-place student looked like he'd come in last.
[You have awakened the Shiba Tatsuya Template.]
Natsuki froze.
Shiba Tatsuya?
The protagonist of The Irregular at Magic High School?
Why had he suddenly awakened a Character Template for Shiba Tatsuya?
Natsuki thought it over. He suspected it had to do with coming in second place.
Shiba Tatsuya was a typical top student, exceptional in every subject and a genius in both theory and combat.
But when he enrolled, he'd been classified as a Course 2 student—in other words, an irregular.
In that respect, he was a lot like Natsuki: the type to hide his abilities and play the fool until the right moment.
"Looks like second place isn't so bad after all."
Natsuki hurriedly checked the Shiba Tatsuya Template he'd awakened.
[Name: Shiba Tatsuya.] [Period: Enrollment Arc.] [World: The Irregular at Magic High School.] [Rank: C.] [Ability One: Cast-Weight Magic: Water Spider, Unlocked.] [Effect: Grants the ability to walk or run across the surface of water.] [Ability Two: Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction, Locked.] [Effect: Slightly reduces the user's weight, improving mobility.] [Unlock Condition: Complete Tree Climbing training.] [Ability Three: Non-System Magic: Phantom Strike, Locked.] [Effect: A simple psion shock wave that causes the illusion of a concussion upon impact, leaving the target unable to fight.] [Unlock Condition: Place first in the Final Exam once.]
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