Graduation Exam

The long years of study at the Ninja Academy were like a book flipped through in haste; before one knew it, the final page had been reached.

"We will now conduct the final practical assessment. The results of this assessment will differ from those in the past, as they will be recorded in your respective personal files.

These will be reviewed personally by the Hokage. Once you pass the graduation exam, you will be assigned to teams based on these files.

I hope everyone will put forth their best effort and strive for a high ranking. Finally, everyone, proceed to the training ground below to assemble."

As soon as Kotetsu Hagane finished speaking, the students in the classroom rose in unison, moving in an orderly formation toward the destination below.

"Isho, take a guess—do you think you can take first place this time? You're usually first or second, but since this assessment is being reviewed by the Hokage, it would be a real pity if you ended up in second."

Tiancheng Changyang, Isho's desk mate and friend, whispered.

Isho, who was walking in front and focusing on the stairs as he descended, showed a thoughtful expression. After a few seconds, he replied, "As long as I pass the graduation exam, that's enough. I don't really care what rank I get in this assessment.

However, it would be quite nice if we could all graduate and be assigned to the same team, along with Qiupu."

Qiupu nodded in agreement upon hearing this. While the group whispered among themselves, they arrived at the designated spot and stood in position before they knew it.

In the blink of an eye, Kotetsu Hagane, who had been in the classroom just a moment ago, suddenly appeared via Body Flicker. His speed was many times faster than the Chunin instructors who usually oversaw their assessments.

[Ding! New system mission triggered]

[Mission 1: Feel the gap between you and me; from now on, I shall be an existence you forever look up to. Defeat the crowd single-handedly, and after winning, shout loudly: "You are all quite good, worthy of me using thirty percent of my strength." Reward: 35 Luck Points. Failure penalty: Deduct 70 Luck Points.]

[Mission 2: I want to fight ten. Let the opponent make the first five moves, then defeat ten people single-handedly and win two rounds. Reward: 20 Luck Points. Failure penalty: Deduct 400 Luck Points.]

[Mission 3: Low-profile is the way to go. Take the last place in this assessment. Reward: 10 Luck Points. Failure penalty: Deduct 20 Luck Points.]

Scanning the blue light screen in a flash, Isho's brows furrowed tightly as he fell into deep thought.

Seeing that the assessment was about to begin, Isho followed his inner desire and tapped on Mission 1.

"I have no choice; who told this reward to be so tempting? I really can't help myself."

Sighing as if he had suffered a loss, Isho immediately composed his expression, stepped forward, and spoke with a serious look, "Teacher, I don't know why, but my desire to fight is exceptionally strong today. Therefore, I request that you give me a chance to vent; I want to challenge all the students present at the same time!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone standing at the scene was stunned, and even Kotetsu Hagane couldn't help but scrutinize Isho for a few seconds.

The silent atmosphere lasted for no more than three seconds before the students erupted into a clamor, chattering about why Isho had suddenly become so arrogant.

One had to know that excluding Isho, there were nearly 30 students in the class. Neji Hyuga and Jingchuan Lirang alone would be enough to guarantee a win against him.

During this time, Isho's hands didn't stop; he hurriedly opened the Ninja Lottery interface that only he could see and clicked on a single Normal Draw. To others, it just looked like he was waving his hand dismissively.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the common ninja: Neji Hyuga.]

"Why did I draw this guy? No, I can't explain how I learned the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, and I'd have to activate the Byakugan to use it in tandem.

Even though this card is Neji Hyuga during his fifteen or sixteen-year-old Chunin period, relying solely on taijutsu would likely expose me. I'd probably be dragged off by the Anbu for research."

Glancing at the remaining 503 Luck Points, Isho couldn't afford to spend too much time hesitating. He could only pray for a burst of good luck and clicked the Normal Draw again.

Kotetsu Hagane, with his long brown hair, ninja hat, and right eye covered by his bangs, was surprised by Uchiha Isho's confidence.

However, considering that the Hokage might be watching the situation here via the Telescope Technique, he decided to follow the original procedure.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to refuse, a familiar Anbu member suddenly appeared via Body Flicker and whispered, "The Hokage has agreed to this student's request. The other students will proceed with normal one-on-one combat."

"Understood!"

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

"Hokage-sama, did you agree because you think this brat will win?"

Kakashi asked with slight surprise.

The Third Hokage smiled, his old, pipe-smoking face showing a hint of gentleness as he exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"Kakashi, he is one of the top geniuses among this year's students, named Uchiha Isho. I know him; he is a sharp, cautious, lazy, and exceptionally talented student.

Although he likes to play pranks and do strange things, he is upright. He actively helps classmates in need and has a strong sense of justice."

"Oh, so he is a companion worth entrusting one's back to. Lazy... and yet he has the potential to defeat everyone. Could it be that he has awakened the Sharingan, and it's not just a single-tomoe?"

"Indeed. He was lucky enough to survive the Uchiha clan massacre, and his first awakening was a Two-Tomoe Sharingan. One can see his innate talent."

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the common ninja: Rock Lee.]

"This is also from his Chunin period. But Rock Lee's strength at this time is probably close to a Jonin; how is he still in the common ninja range?"

Looking at the card of Rock Lee in his green jumpsuit and Konoha flak jacket, Isho felt it was worth it.

He had spent 40 Luck Points all at once, enough to make his heart ache for a good while. If he didn't draw anything good after finishing...

Calculating this, Isho felt that even if he completed the mission, he would still be at a loss of 5 Luck Points. He never did business that resulted in a loss.

The summer sky was incredibly blue, and the sun scorched the earth like fire; the hot air enveloped everything like a steamer.

At this moment, a fierce, cool breeze swept across the land, blowing Isho's medium-length hair backward and making his long pants rustle.

At the same time, it smoothed out some of the restless, unbearable anger in the hearts of the students who wanted to take down the arrogant Isho and give him a good thrashing.

By now, the 12-year-old Isho had grown to 1.6 meters tall. He stood tall and straight, his brows exuding a heroic spirit, and his fair face always wore a faint, elusive smile.

Even though Isho was so flamboyant, there were still many female students on the field who liked him.

Their gazes were often gentle and focused, as if the Isho in their eyes at this moment was even more mighty and domineering, possessing a unique charm. It formed a huge contrast with the male students beside them—they were proper little fan girls.