Graduation

The remaining time was for self-study. The students began chatting at their desks. (No teacher meant class was over.)

Once the dismissal bell rang, the students left their seats and gathered together to chat and fool around. Honestly, they were still quite excited. After all, tomorrow was the graduation exam.

Pass, and they would become genin.

Fail, and they would remain civilians.

Well, perhaps some of those with less talent were feeling worried.

Ding-ding-ding.

The class bell rang, and the students returned to their seats, waiting for the next teacher to come teach.

The morning classes were relatively uneventful, mainly reviewing ninja rules and basic theory.

Though he had long since memorized all of it by heart, Ning Xue still maintained an outward appearance of concentration. In truth, his mind was already elsewhere.

It was still the same problem. His spiritual energy far exceeded his physical energy, and his chakra precision training had reached a bottleneck. Without a sudden flash of insight, he simply could not break through. No matter how long he practiced, it would be useless.

Thinking of a certain green-skinned watermelon, perhaps he could try adding weights to his limbs so he could train even in his daily life.

As for his research into Ice Release, honestly, it was rather difficult to practice in an environment like Konoha. Aside from Ice Needle, the skill he had developed himself that barely counted as a ninjutsu, he only knew Ice Shield and the Ice Wall Technique.

As for Wind Release, he could only coat weapons with it, along with Wind Blade and Gale Palm.

For Water Release, he only knew Water Wave. Well, if controlled properly, it was quite useful for washing dishes. Think of it as a high-pressure faucet.

As for taijutsu, aside from the Hyuga clan's inherited Eight Trigrams Palm, he only knew the academy's Three Basic Jutsu.

During breaks between classes, he could clearly sense the subtle atmosphere filling the classroom, a mix of excitement and nervousness. Tomorrow was the graduation exam that would determine so many people's fates.

Of course, that did not include those who were naturally talented or possessed inherent advantages from their family bloodlines.

Ning Xue had always felt that it was truly difficult for civilian children to become ninja. Even if they did become ninja, it would be hard for them to make a breakthrough in their entire lives.

Other than the library and publicly available ninjutsu, if they wanted to learn other techniques, they either had to find a master or follow the path of taijutsu. But not everyone could take that path, after all, not everyone was called Might Guy.

And among civilian ninja, how many could truly rise from obscurity?

Those from major clans or with special Kekkei Genkai did not need to go through so much trouble. Their bloodlines naturally gave them advantages, and their clans possessed secret techniques. At the very least, they could scrape together the strength to become chunin.

But then again, civilians were not entirely without a way forward. After all, Minato Namikaze had also been a civilian ninja.

He had relied on talent and intelligence, mastering Flying Thunder God and creating the Rasengan. Those two techniques made him famous throughout the Shinobi World.

He had even grown into the Fourth Hokage, taking on the responsibility of the village.

Oh, right, there was also inheritance.

A jonin of civilian origin could pass down the ninjutsu and secret techniques of his life to the next generation. If that generation learned and improved them, then perhaps after several generations, a new clan would form.

Perhaps quite a few small clans had originated this way.

In short, civilians still had a way forward in this world. They simply had to pay an equal price, because danger and opportunity went hand in hand.

Of course, if you lived in Kirigakure, pretend I said nothing.

The noon dismissal bell rang, and the students around him took out their lunches, sitting with close friends to eat.

Ning Xue, meanwhile, still left his seat and went to the rooftop, even though he was currently the only one there.

And if you were wondering whether the rooftop was hot, what a joke. He came with built-in air conditioning.

Though the midday sun was rather harsh, it had no effect on Ning Xue whatsoever. He sat alone in the shade, quietly enjoying his simple lunch.

The rooftop breeze carried a trace of hot, dry air, but the temperature near him was faintly lower. It was the slight coolness produced by circulating his Ice Release chakra—his personal air conditioner.

As he ate, he wondered whether he should go to the blacksmith and have some lead weights made to tie onto his body.

But he seemingly did not have that much money. Custom-making too many would be—no, perhaps he did not need that many right now.

He would take a look after school.

The afternoon class was shuriken and kunai throwing practice. For Ning Xue, who possessed the Byakugan, practice against stationary targets held no difficulty whatsoever.

He even had the illusion that he could hit them with his eyes closed. No other reason—he had practiced throwing needles every day before, so his accuracy was naturally good.

And relying solely on muscle memory, he could easily hit the targets.

Still, he controlled his power and precision, making most of his shuriken strike the edge of the bullseye, with only one or two occasionally landing dead center.

Uchiha Sasuke was naturally the focus of this class. With the Uchiha's superior bloodline, his movements were smooth and precise, and every throw drew quiet gasps from the girls.

(Lament your unfortunate fate of not having the Sharingan.)

Naruto was still as clumsy as ever. When using kunai, he even nearly injured a classmate beside him.

This earned him plenty of complaints from the students nearby, but even so, his shuriken accuracy was unexpectedly high.

Perhaps Naruto had more talent with shuriken than kunai?

After school, he did not immediately go to work at Ichiraku Ramen. Instead, he turned and went to a nearby blacksmith shop. After asking around, he then went to a ninja tool store and bought a pair of iron-and-lead ankle weights.

Only then did he head to Ichiraku Ramen. When Uncle Teuchi saw him, he warmly greeted him.

"Oh, Ning Xue, you're here! You look pretty energetic today!"

"Yeah, Uncle Teuchi. Sorry for the trouble." Ning Xue nodded slightly, changed into an apron, and began skillfully washing the piled-up bowls and chopsticks.

As he worked, he listened to the customers chatting.

These customers might have been parents of children, or teachers working at the academy.

Most of their conversations revolved around tomorrow's graduation exam: what this year's questions might be, and which student had the best chance of taking first place.

"I heard Mizuki-sensei is one of this year's examiners."

"Huh? Really? I hope it isn't too hard... I'm really afraid that brat won't pass."

"Hey, which kid do you think will get first place this year?"

"Hmm... Well? That Uchiha kid should definitely be fine, right?"

"Looks like that demon fox, Naruto, is graduating this year too."

"Huh? No way? Then I really hope he doesn't graduate."

Hearing Naruto's name, Ning Xue's hand paused slightly as he wiped the dishes. He remembered that Sexy Jutsu from this morning.

"...The Shinobi World's version of a honey trap." After a moment of silence, he could only mutter that under his breath before continuing to work.

Yet that evening, two people arrived who were both expected and unexpected.

Naruto and Iruka-sensei.

Ning Xue said nothing. He merely greeted the two of them before continuing his work.

Iruka and Naruto did not mind either, since they were used to it.

The two sat on the stools. Iruka ordered, while Naruto removed his goggles and began chattering away.

"Naruto, why were you scribbling graffiti all over a place like that?"

"You should know what kind of person the Hokage is, right?"

"Of course." Naruto answered without lifting his head as he slurped his noodles.

"Simply put, they're the people who inherit the Hokage name. They're the strongest ninja in the village, right?"

"Especially the Fourth Hokage. He was apparently the hero who protected the village from the demon fox, wasn't he?"

"Then why?" Iruka was somewhat puzzled. This brat sounded like he respected them quite a bit.

"Because one day, I'm going to inherit the title of Hokage."

"And I'll surpass every Hokage who came before me!"

Holding his bowl, Naruto spoke with earnest confidence.

"Then I'll make everyone in the village acknowledge my strength."

Iruka stared blankly at those words, but Naruto immediately changed his tone and expression.

"But... Sensei, I have a request." Naruto grinned ingratiatingly at Iruka.

Iruka was puzzled by Naruto's sudden change in demeanor and asked,

"Want another bowl?"

"No, not that. Could you maybe... give me a forehead protector?" Naruto rubbed his hands together and asked Iruka expectantly.

"Oh, this." Iruka suddenly understood, feeling both amused and helpless. But then—

"No." He answered in a serious tone.

"This is proof that you've graduated from the academy and been recognized as a ninja capable of standing on your own."

"Wait until tomorrow."

Hearing that firm refusal, Naruto was instantly disappointed. Then he shouted,

"Cheapskate! Another bowl!!!"

After hearing that shout, Ning Xue came out to take a look. Once he collected their bowls, Uncle Teuchi served them two more.

On the day of the graduation exam in Konoha's sixty-fourth year.

The classroom atmosphere was more solemn than on any other day. Even the students who were usually the noisiest had quieted down considerably. The air was thick with tension and anticipation.

Iruka entered the classroom and announced loudly,

"Today, the graduation exam begins."

"Those whose names are called, come to the classroom next door."

"And now, I'll announce the topic of this graduation exam..."

"Clone Jutsu!!"

Upon hearing that the exam topic was Clone Jutsu, some were happy while others were worried.

"Ah?! Why is it Clone Technique again?"

"Great! I've practiced this for a long time!"

"Ah, just my luck. This is the ninjutsu I'm worst at!!"

Ning Xue understood immediately. Clone Technique? That was fine.

The key to this technique was creating a physical duplicate identical to oneself, one capable of confusing the senses.

That was not particularly difficult for him.

He sat quietly in his seat, watching his classmates get called out one after another, then return in high spirits.

"Uchiha Sasuke!" Iruka called from the doorway of the next classroom.

Sasuke rose with a cool expression, hands in his pockets, and walked out. Not long after, he returned with a brand-new Konoha forehead protector tied around his head and a faint, barely noticeable trace of pride on his face. The girls immediately let out a small cheer.

"Haruno Sakura, passed!"

"Yamanaka Ino, passed!"

"Nara Shikamaru, passed!"

"Akimichi Choji, passed!"

"Aburame Shino, passed!"

"Inuzuka Kiba, passed!"

"Hyuga Hinata, passed!"

Hinata blushed and softly said that it was great, yet her gaze could not help drifting toward someone, as though she were worried about someone.

One name after another was called, but surprisingly, not a single person had been eliminated.

"Hyuga Ningxue."

Upon hearing her name, Hyuga Ningxue calmly stood and walked toward the classroom next door.

Only Iruka and another ninja were inside the room. Mizuki.

Mizuki wore a gentle smile, but Ning Xue keenly sensed that a trace of ill intent seemed to lurk behind it.

"Ning Xue, begin." Iruka said, encouragement in his eyes.

Ning Xue nodded, slowly forming hand seals with perfect precision.

"Clone Technique!"

Poof! After a puff of white smoke, three figures identical to Ning Xue appeared at his sides.

He could actually create more, but there was no need. Passing was enough.

Iruka examined them carefully and nodded in satisfaction.

"Hyuga Ningxue, passed!"

Ning Xue gave a slight nod, then accepted the Konoha forehead protector Iruka handed him.

It felt cool to the touch.

Feeling the metal's distinctive texture.

Rather than excitedly putting it on like the other children, he calmly put it away and turned to leave the examination room.

Back in the classroom, he silently returned to his seat and placed the forehead protector into his Ninja Tool Pouch.

The children around him all wore their forehead protectors, their faces flushed with excitement as they shared their joy with their companions.

"Uzumaki Naruto!"

Hearing his name, Naruto nervously swallowed, clenched his fists, and walked out as if marching to his death.

After entering the exam room, Iruka encouraged Naruto before telling him to begin.

Standing in the examination room, Naruto muttered to himself as he worked up his courage.

"It's fine. I'll just give it a try."

Then he took a deep breath and shouted,

"Clone Technique!!"

Poof! As the smoke cleared, there was no clone like the examiners had expected.

Instead, there was a...? A half-baked clone with a somewhat grayish-white appearance?

Iruka's face darkened as he looked at it. Then he coldly declared,

"Failed!!!"

Mizuki also said a few words afterward, giving Naruto a way to save face.

Then he sent Naruto back to class and called for the next student.

After school that afternoon, Ning Xue felt no particular stir as he watched the warm interactions between the parents and their children around him. He simply slung his schoolbag over his back and headed home.

When he got home, he opened the door and said, "Mother, I'm back."

Hearing Ning Xue's voice, Hyuga Yuki, who was sitting on the tatami, looked toward the door.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but when she saw her son return, she still forced a gentle smile.

"Ning Xue, you're back. How did... the exam go?" Her voice carried a trace of barely perceptible tension.

Ning Xue walked to his mother's side, took out the brand-new Konoha forehead protector from his bag, and calmly held it out before her.

"I passed."

Hyuga Yuki's eyes instantly welled up, though there was a hint of complicated emotion in them.

After a moment of silence, she said with relief.

"Ning Xue, you're amazing. You've become a ninja."

"If your father knew, he'd be proud of you too," Hyuga Yuki said softly, but her voice grew quieter and quieter as tears slipped down her face.

Seeing his mother cry, Ning Xue did not know how to comfort her. He could only step forward and hold her tightly.

Within his embrace, Hyuga Yuki wiped away her tears, struggling to calm herself as she urged him.

"Mm... Ning Xue, you've grown up. Be careful... You must be careful."

Hearing his mother's reminder, Ning Xue lowered his gaze where she could not see, his eyes deep and serious as he replied.

"Okay, I will..."