Graduation Exam

The long years of studying at the Ninja Academy were like a book hastily flipped through. Before anyone knew it, they had reached the final page.

"Next, we'll hold the final practical exam. This exam is different from the ones you've taken before. Your results will be recorded in your individual files.

"Lord Hokage will review them personally. After you pass the graduation exam, you'll be assigned to classes based on your records.

"I hope everyone gives it their all and strives for a higher ranking. Lastly, head to the training ground below and gather there."

As soon as Kotetsu Hagane finished speaking, all the students in the classroom stood up in unison and filed neatly toward their destination below.

"Isho, what do you think your chances are of coming in first this time? Usually, you're first or second, but Lord Hokage will be reviewing this exam. It'd be a shame if you came in second."

Tiancheng Changyang, Isho's deskmate and friend, spoke in a low voice.

Walking ahead and carefully watching the steps as he went downstairs, Isho looked thoughtful. A few seconds passed before he replied,

"As long as I pass the graduation exam, that's enough. I don't really care what place I get in this one.

"But if we all graduate and end up in the same class, with Qiupu too, that'd be pretty great."

Qiupu nodded quietly at that. While the three of them chatted in low voices, they had arrived at the designated spot and taken their places before they knew it.

In the blink of an eye, Kotetsu Hagane appeared before them in a Body Flicker Technique, having vanished from the classroom. He was several times faster than the Chunin instructor who usually supervised Isho's exams.

[ Ding! New system quest triggered ]

[ Quest One: Feel the gap between us. From now on, I'll be someone you can only ever look up to. Fight against everyone and win, then shout: "You're all pretty good. You're worth making me use three-tenths of my strength." Reward: 35 Luck. Failure penalty: lose 70 Luck. ]

[ Quest Two: I'll take on ten! Let the other side have the first five moves, then fight ten opponents alone and win both rounds. Reward: 20 Luck. Failure penalty: lose 400 Luck. ]

[ Quest Three: Keeping a low profile is the way to go. Finish last in this exam. Reward: 10 Luck. Failure penalty: lose 20 Luck. ]

After rapidly scanning the blue screen, Isho's brows suddenly knitted together as he fell into thought.

With the exam about to begin, Isho followed his heart and tapped Quest One,

I can't help it. The reward's just too tempting. I really have no choice.

With a sigh, as if he were the one getting the short end of the stick, Isho composed himself, stepped forward, and spoke earnestly,

"Teacher, I don't know why, but I'm feeling especially eager to fight today. So I'd like to ask for a chance to let off some steam. I want to challenge every student here at once!"

Everyone standing there was stunned by his words. Even Kotetsu Hagane couldn't help but scrutinize Isho for several seconds.

The silence lasted barely three seconds before the students erupted into chatter, wondering why Isho had suddenly become so arrogant.

After all, aside from Isho, there were nearly thirty students in the class. Neji Hyuga and Jingchuan Lirang alone could beat him if they teamed up.

Meanwhile, Isho's hand never stopped moving. He hurriedly opened the Ninja Lottery interface, which only he could see, and tapped the option for one regular draw. To anyone watching, it just looked like he'd casually waved his hand.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host. You obtained the common ninja Neji Hyuga. ]

*Why did I get this guy? No way. I can't explain how I learned the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, and I'd need the Byakugan to use it properly.

Even if this card is of Neji Hyuga from when he was fifteen or sixteen and a Chunin, just relying on Taijutsu would probably give me away. The Anbu might take me away for research.

After glancing at his remaining 503 Luck, Isho knew he couldn't waste more time hesitating. He could only pray for a lucky streak and select the regular draw again.

Kotetsu Hagane had brown hair and wore a ninja cap, with his right eye hidden by his bangs. Though he was curious about what gave Uchiha Isho the confidence to act so haughty, he considered that Lord Hokage might be watching through the Telescope Technique and decided to follow the original plan.

Just as he was about to refuse, a familiar Anbu member suddenly appeared with a Body Flicker Technique and spoke in a low voice,

"Lord Hokage has approved this student's request. The other students will proceed with the regular one-on-one matches."

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, and the other Jonin team leaders all had their eyes fixed on the white crystal ball. Onscreen, Isho was still gesturing with his left hand.

"Lord Hokage, did you agree because you think that kid will win?"

Kakashi Hatake asked, sounding a little surprised.

The Third Hokage smiled. His old, pipe-smoking face looked somewhat kind as he puffed out another cloud of smoke,

"Kakashi, he's one of the most talented students in this year's class. His name is Uchiha Isho. I know him. He's sharp, cautious, lazy, and exceptionally gifted.

"He likes playing pranks and doing strange things, but he's an upright person. When he sees a classmate in trouble, he's quick to lend a hand. He has a strong sense of justice."

"Oh, so he's someone you can trust to watch your back. Lazy... yet still capable of beating everyone. Could it be that he's awakened his Sharingan, and not just a single Tomoe?"

"That's right. He survived the Uchiha Clan Massacre by sheer luck, and the first time he awakened his Sharingan, both eyes had two Tomoe. His talent is truly exceptional."

[ Ding! Congratulations, host. You obtained the common ninja Rock Lee. ]

This one's from his Chunin days too. But Rock Lee's strength at this point was probably close to Jonin level. He still counts as a common ninja?

Looking at the card depicting Rock Lee in a green jumpsuit and a Konoha flak jacket, Isho felt the draw had been worth it.

He'd used forty Luck in one go. That was enough to make his heart ache for quite a while. If he didn't get anything good by the time he was done...

By his calculation, even if he completed the quest, he'd still be down five Luck. He'd never made a deal at a loss in his life.

The summer sky was an intense blue, and the sun scorched the earth like fire. The hot air seemed to envelop everything like the inside of a steamer.

Just then, a powerful cool breeze swept across the ground, blowing Isho's medium-length hair back and making his trousers flap.

It also eased some of the pent-up anger among the students, who had been itching to take down the arrogant, conceited Isho and give him a good thrashing.

Isho was now twelve years old and had grown to 1.6 meters tall. He stood straight, his features brimming with confidence, and a faint smile always played on his fair face.

Despite Isho's showy behavior, quite a few girls in the class still liked him.

Their gazes were often gentle and focused, as if Isho looked even more heroic and imposing to them at that moment, with an irresistible charm. Beside them, the boys seemed like a complete contrast. They were absolute fangirls.