Graduation Assessment

(Chapter 3: Graduation Exam)

After the homeroom teacher finished speaking, he announced that school was dismissed. This was the first time they had been dismissed without having a single lesson, but it was clear that the matter Nakamura-sensei had announced was of great importance, and the students truly needed to go home and discuss it with their parents.

Although they could become Genin after this graduation, they would be sent to the battlefield early, which carried immense risks.

After the teacher left, the classroom erupted. Even though graduating to become a ninja now meant facing great danger, every student dreamed of becoming a ninja to protect the village and become a hero.

Naturally, everyone was talking about how they would definitely apply for the Genin graduation exam. Mirai and a few others gathered together.

"Mirai, what have you decided? Will you apply?" Hyuga Hiben asked Mirai. The others also looked at him, wanting to know what he would do. Mirai had no parents in this world, so he had to make all decisions for himself.

Mirai nodded and said, "I will apply for the Genin graduation exam. I have learned almost everything the school has to offer over this past year, and continuing here won't lead to much improvement. What I lack now is practical combat experience, so I intend to apply for the assessment during this graduation exam."

"Since Mirai is applying for the assessment, then I will apply too," Cunxia Ye chimed in.

"Your grades are so poor right now; even if you apply, you'll just be rejected. Itachi, what about you? Will you apply?" Shiba Bun looked at Cunxia Ye with disdain before asking Uchiha Itachi. Among the group, it seemed only Mirai and Uchiha Itachi were truly qualified; their strength far exceeded that of their classmates.

"I need to go back and ask for my father and mother's opinions. If they agree, I suppose I will apply for the assessment."

"I also need to go back and ask," Hyuga Hiben said. Mikazuki Sora nodded in agreement.

Mirai shook his head and said, "You all should stay in school for another year and wait until you are stronger before taking the exam. You know the situation—ninjas from other villages have invaded the Land of Fire. If you aren't strong enough, you will be in mortal danger the moment you enter the battlefield to carry out missions. You are still too young."

Upon hearing Mirai's words, Hyuga Hiben wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. "Hmph! As if you're so grown up. Aren't you a child too?"

Mirai smiled and said, "True, but I am stronger than you."

"Only by a little bit."

"Haha, don't make rash decisions. It's better to go home and discuss it properly. Of course, there's no harm in applying for the graduation exam; whether you pass or not is still an unknown."

Hearing Mirai's words, the others felt it made sense. They truly weren't qualified to make such decisions on their own. After a while, everyone left the classroom to return home and consult their parents about the matter.

Mirai filled out the application form. When school was over, he handed it to Nakamura-sensei. Seeing Mirai, the teacher wore an expression that said he had expected this. "I guessed you would apply for the graduation exam. You are the most outstanding student in the class. To be honest, I really don't want you to go to the battlefield so soon."

"Every ninja needs to experience the baptism of battle to grow. It is already difficult to make progress in school, so I feel this battle is more suitable for me," Mirai told Nakamura-sensei. His system hadn't issued him a new mission in a long time, so he felt that becoming a ninja as soon as possible might trigger new tasks and allow him to grow more rapidly.

It was like playing an online game; if you don't reach a certain level, no quests will appear. Perhaps he just needed to change his class.

"Very well, I won't try to persuade you otherwise. With your strength, you should be able to survive on the battlefield. Perhaps you will become a great ninja in the future."

"By the way, Nakamura-sensei, who else has applied for graduation?"

Nakamura Hino picked up two application forms from his desk. "Besides you, there is Uchiha Itachi and Mikazuki Sora."

"Mikazuki Sora?" Mirai was surprised to hear this. Uchiha Itachi applying was normal, as Itachi was a genius with powerful strength and a calm mind. The Uchiha clan's upbringing was also strict, so he wouldn't shrink back or be content to fall behind. It was only natural for Itachi to apply.

But Mikazuki Sora was a girl. Of course, Mirai didn't look down on girls—there were many powerful female ninjas, such as Tsunade, Terumi Mei, or even someone more ruthless like Otsutsuki Kaguya, who was the ultimate boss.

However, in Mirai's impression, Mikazuki Sora was a quiet, soft-spoken girl who studied diligently and trained hard, but in terms of pure strength, she still seemed a bit lacking.

"Perhaps she wants to test her own strength. However, this assessment will be overseen by the Third Hokage, and the requirements for the students' strength will be very strict. I imagine that in the end, student Mikazuki will return to the classroom."

Mirai nodded; that seemed to be the only explanation. "Nakamura-sensei, when is the assessment?"

"Gather at the school at 8:30 tomorrow morning, and then you will be taken to the assessment site."

"I understand. Then, Nakamura-sensei, I will take my leave." Mirai left the office and closed the door behind him. He hadn't expected the number of applicants to be so small. Presumably, the others were told to study for another year or two after going home. That wasn't a wrong choice; perhaps it was the correct one.

The next morning, Mirai arrived at the school. The first-year students were on break, and the large classroom on the first floor was filled mostly with second and third-year students. Soon, Mirai saw two familiar figures. Uchiha Itachi and Mikazuki Sora were both there, and upon seeing Mirai, they approached him.

"Cousin Mirai," "Mirai, you're here. Do you know what will happen next?" Uchiha Itachi and Mikazuki Sora greeted him. Mikazuki Sora asked Mirai, looking a bit uneasy at seeing so many strangers for the first time.

Mirai said to them, "Yes, you arrived quite early. Someone will come to tell us the content of the assessment shortly. Let's wait patiently."