Mysterious Examiner

Just as Lihuo was diligently preparing for his graduation exam, a discussion regarding the upcoming test was being held in the Hokage Office.

The attendees were few, consisting only of the Third Hokage, Teacher Oshima, and Orochimaru, yet they were the ones who understood Lihuo and Kakashi the best.

"I called you two here for no other reason than to discuss the choice of examiner for the practical combat drill."

"Hehehe, given the strength of those two, it really isn't easy to find a suitable candidate," Orochimaru chuckled in agreement.

"Your Majesty, why don't I act as their opponent?" Teacher Oshima's expression was stern, as if he were unable to fully shed his Anbu habits.

"Hahaha, Ryunosuke, I transferred you to be a teacher precisely because you were injured during a mission; how could I possibly use you at a time like this?"

"Our Konoha is full of talent; there is no need for a retired Anbu like you to take the field again."

The Third Hokage raised his hand slightly, signaling for Teacher Oshima not to be so tense.

A long silence followed in the office, as if everyone were searching for a suitable candidate.

The Third Hokage said, "Ah! I have an idea."

"Isn't there a genius from the previous generation who has just returned and is currently the talk of the village?"

Upon hearing this, Teacher Oshima displayed immense confusion; given his current status, he was unable to keep track of the village's personnel movements.

Orochimaru, however, looked thoughtful.

"If it is him, then this battle should be quite interesting."

Seeing that his disciple agreed with him, the Third Hokage was even more pleased.

"Good! It just so happens that Sakumo has taken over his mission of patrolling the Cloud Village border, so he is rarely free right now."

"He is perfect to be our mystery guest!"

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head and glanced toward a shadow in the office.

"Go and invite... the Jonin."

Meanwhile, Lihuo was still busy digesting the rich harvest brought about by this "mass head-patting."

Alas, if only these weren't a hundred children, but a hundred Kage-level powerhouses.

I would be unimaginably strong.

Lihuo could not be blamed for such wild thoughts, as the system had provided far too much this time.

The money alone was enough for Lihuo to live a secure life forever.

Furthermore, he had received three enhancement-type rewards, such as "Minor Physical Enhancement."

One had to realize that with Lihuo's current physical condition, even a slight improvement required immense effort.

That was why Lihuo was so happy. Over the past few days, he had managed to get his hands on the exams of previous graduates from somewhere.

Although Lihuo had never studied them, the questions were as easy as pie to him.

"Advanced Knowledge Mastery" truly lived up to its reputation!

Moreover, Lihuo followed Orochimaru's training plan strictly every day.

He was surprised to discover that by training through Orochimaru's methods, his growth was even more comprehensive and rapid, which only made Lihuo more determined to take him as his master.

Although he knew this was a double-edged sword, Lihuo was confident he could wield it well!

Soon, half a month passed in a flash. During these days, Lihuo and Kakashi didn't even send shadow clones to school.

Some students with backgrounds learned through various channels that they were going to graduate early, especially those backed by great clans like Lu Miao and Aotian.

Yet, they all tacitly chose not to disturb them. Even Obito, who had been clamoring for Lihuo to restore his reputation, was now quietly leaving him alone.

Finally, the highly anticipated final exam arrived, and Lihuo and Kakashi welcomed the "graduation exam" that belonged to geniuses.

Usually, Teacher Oshima would personally invigilate every final exam, but this time, he acted out of character and did not appear in the classroom at all.

Because he had to go to a more important location.

The teachers' office was empty, as all the teachers had gone to their respective classes to invigilate.

At this moment, led by the Third Hokage, Orochimaru and Teacher Oshima brought Lihuo and Kakashi to the door of the office and pushed it open.

"This is where you will take your theoretical exam," the Third Hokage said.

"You have 120 minutes. Cheating is not allowed. Start answering once you are ready."

Lihuo and Kakashi exchanged glances, both discovering the confidence in each other's eyes.

"Let's begin, Your Majesty," the two said in unison.

With that, they began to write with fluid, sweeping strokes.

Ordinarily, for people of Orochimaru and the Third Hokage's stature, there would be no need to personally observe even the most talented students.

Yet this time, both of them had unexpectedly arrived at the scene.

This put immense pressure on Teacher Oshima, as he was the one who had written the questions for the theoretical portion.

Teacher Oshima appeared as calm as a mountain on the surface, but he was actually panicking, because he realized he had made his own test too difficult!

At the time, Teacher Oshima had been dealing with the incident involving the complaints from the entire school's staff and students brought about by Lihuo.

There were complaints about Aotian, complaints about Obito, and even complaints about Guy.

However, Teacher Oshima had seen with his own eyes as Uchiha Lihuo swiftly pushed open the door and patted every teacher on the head. If he hadn't dodged quickly, he would have suffered the same fate.

Teacher Oshima was extremely angry because of this.

"Very well, Uchiha Lihuo, so this is the graduation gift you've left for your teacher, is it! How about I make sure you don't graduate at all!"

Just like that, in his frustration, he ended up creating the most difficult exam paper in history.

And now, while Teacher Oshima's anger had subsided, the paper could no longer be retracted.

Teacher Oshima thought to himself, It's over, it's over. If I cause these two children to fail to graduate because of my own petty mood, I will have truly committed a sin.

Furthermore, I've provoked the Hatake Clan and the Uchiha Clan because of this. It's over, it's over. How am I supposed to survive in Konoha now?

Oh no, Lihuo is raising his hand. He's going to report me.

Thinking of this, Teacher Oshima regretted his actions deeply.

"Grandpa Third Hokage, I'm finished. This test is too simple."

Teacher Oshima's face turned pale.

"See, I told you. Lihuo says this test is too simple."

"What? Simple?!"

Teacher Oshima: (･_･;

"Do you even hear what you're saying? This is a test I poured my heart and soul into creating!"

"Theoretically speaking, this is the most difficult exam in history."

Unable to believe it, Teacher Oshima hurried forward and took Lihuo's paper.

Seeing Teacher Oshima so agitated, the Third Hokage and Orochimaru also leaned in to carefully examine Lihuo's paper.

"Hmm... hmm..."

The Third Hokage stared at the paper, slightly stunned.

"Oh my, my future student has truly surprised me," Orochimaru also exclaimed.

Only Teacher Oshima pointed out the reality.

"Lihuo, your handwriting is truly something else."

"Your writing is practically no different from what a Ninja Dog would scratch out."

This made Lihuo feel slightly embarrassed; after all, since transmigrating, he had been busy training and hadn't practiced calligraphy for a single day.

However, setting aside the atrocious handwriting, the three men were shocked to discover that Lihuo had answered everything correctly!

"Is this what a true genius is?" Teacher Oshima sighed.

"Hahaha, good, good, good. Little Lihuo, you have truly opened this old man's eyes," Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't stop praising Lihuo either.

Even Orochimaru patted Lihuo on the shoulder at this moment and said, "Not bad."

Without a doubt, Lihuo had passed the knowledge assessment perfectly, earning the unanimous approval of the three examiners.

Not long after, Kakashi also finished his paper and successfully passed the exam.

The time it took for the two of them to finish was even faster than Aotian and the others, who had started at the same time.

"Alright, congratulations on passing the first round of the knowledge assessment."

"You now have a two-hour break."

Teacher Oshima checked his watch and said to the two of them.

"No need, Teacher Oshima. We are in great condition right now."

"Yeah, the sooner we finish, the sooner it's over."

Hearing this, the three examiners exchanged smiles.

"Oh my, our exam has been underestimated."

"Truly, heroes are born in youth."

After receiving confirmation from the two, Teacher Oshima announced that the practical exercise would begin now!

At a training ground in Konoha.

"To avoid disturbing the other students, your practical exam will be held here."

Teacher Oshima continued to announce the rules.

"The rules are simple: grab the bell. The examiner will carry a bell on them. As long as you grab it, you pass!"

Hearing this, Lihuo's heart was instantly filled with complaints. Just how many generations has this bell-grabbing exam been passed down?

It had been in use since the Third Hokage taught his students, and it was still being used now that Kakashi was teaching his own; they even used it for the graduation exam.

Are you people truly incapable of innovation?

However, the three examiners failed to notice the silent criticism in Lihuo's heart and continued, "And serving as your examiner today is..."

"It!"

Upon hearing this, Lihuo immediately began looking around, just as curious as anyone else to see who his examiner would be.

Yet, even after Lihuo stood on his tiptoes, he could not find a single trace of a ninja.

Just as he was about to use his "Perception," he realized that the Third Hokage was slowly crouching down.

He then drove a specialized Trident Kunai into the ground.

Following a flash of golden light!

"Am I late?"