The Graduation Exam Proctor Was Actually Uchiha Fugaku!

The founding of the Ninja Academy can be traced back to the administration of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Its original intent was to break the monopoly that the ninja clans held over ninjutsu. However, faced with immense pressure from the major clans, the policy was eventually forced to compromise, evolving into an institution aimed at cultivating more civilian ninjas.

Students typically enroll at the age of six, with a six-year curriculum during peacetime. On campus, they learn to control chakra, master ninja tools, acquire theoretical knowledge, and flexibly apply the basic Three Body Techniques. As for the ninjutsu they are exposed to, it is limited strictly to fundamental skills like the Three Body Techniques.

For those born into ninja clans, the situation is relatively better. Clans often pass down unique secret techniques and advanced ninjutsu to ensure the inheritance and development of their strength.

Civilian ninjas, however, rely more on luck. If they are fortunate enough to encounter a passionate instructor willing to teach them, they might learn a jutsu or two; but in most cases, the level of the techniques learned is not very high. If their luck is poor, they have no choice but to work twice as hard on missions, using their earnings to purchase the ninjutsu they need.

For the majority of students who graduate through the standard process, they must pass assessments covering written exams, the Three Body Techniques, and the use of ninja tools. For those applying for early graduation, an additional practical combat duel against an experienced genin is added as a test of their true strength.

For Liuxia, the theoretical exam, the Three Body Techniques, and the ninja tool proficiency tests were all tasks he could handle with ease.

During the first theoretical exam, Liuxia finished his paper and handed it in after only half an hour, his speed leaving the proctor stunned. Since he had started working as a proctor, he had never encountered a student who finished so quickly! Furthermore, when the proctor hurriedly glanced over the paper, he was shocked to find that every single answer was correct. Even if he were to take the exam himself, he might not be able to answer with such speed and accuracy!

The second exam was on the use of ninja tools. During this test, Liuxia, facing a proctor from the Uchiha clan, made no attempt to hide his mastery of the Uchiha-exclusive shurikenjutsu. The proctor checked the candidate's information repeatedly, doubting whether this student truly wasn't from the Uchiha clan.

The final exam was the Transformation Technique, one of the Three Body Techniques. Liuxia had earned his enrollment scholarship specifically through his mastery of these techniques; when it came to these skills, he dared to claim second place to no one—not in all of Konoha, nor in the entire ninja world!

For this final exam, the Third Hokage changed the rules. According to the original plan, a genin was supposed to be arranged for the duel. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Liuxia's strength was extraordinary, so he personally hand-picked an opponent for him—Uchiha Fugaku!

At this time, although Uchiha Fugaku was only sixteen years old and had only graduated four years prior, he was already an experienced chunin. As the young clan head of the Uchiha, he had already begun to make a name for himself in the Konoha Military Police Force, serving as a squad leader.

Liuxia stared at Uchiha Fugaku, who was dressed in the unsightly dark green Konoha chunin flak jacket, draped with a battle cloak bearing the Uchiha crest. Despite being only sixteen, he exuded a maturity beyond his years, especially with that signature sullen face that made one wonder: did he really come from the Uchiha clan, known for its handsome men and beautiful women?

Liuxia really wanted to know how he managed to father such handsome brothers as Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Sasuke. It must have been thanks to his wife's superior genes! It was a pity that Liuxia couldn't remember who his wife was; otherwise, he would have made an effort to get to know her! I really should have studied Naruto more thoroughly back then!

On the other side, Uchiha Fugaku was also sizing up Liuxia, thinking to himself, "Is this the member of the Senju clan, Liuxia, who has defeated our Uchiha geniuses several times? He actually looks a bit like one of our own. Still, he is far too young and lacks my maturity and charm. Hmm... perhaps he will be more impressive when he is older."

However, Uchiha Fugaku knew clearly that since the Third Hokage had personally summoned him and designated him as the examiner for Liuxia's early graduation, it meant this young man's strength was undoubtedly extraordinary—at the very least, not inferior to an average chunin.

Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. "In truth, with my current strength, I should have been promoted to jonin long ago. It is only a pity that the village remains wary of our Uchiha clan and intentionally suppresses our development." Thinking of this, a flicker of imperceptible sorrow crossed his eyes—as the young clan head, he was conflicted by the Uchiha clan's inability to integrate into Konoha.

Just then, the proctor on the sidelines could no longer stand it; the two of them were so busy staring at each other that they seemed to have forgotten the exam entirely. He had to speak up to remind them: "Will both parties please prepare! Perform the Seal of Confrontation immediately!" He knew that neither Uchiha Fugaku nor Liuxia were people a special jonin of civilian origin like himself could afford to provoke.

After Liuxia and Uchiha Fugaku performed the Seal of Confrontation, Liuxia did not hesitate to unleash the Uchiha clan's unique shurikenjutsu, launching an aggressive opening strike against Uchiha Fugaku. He wanted to catch him off guard—after all, this was the father of Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Sasuke, and in the anime, he possessed the powerful Mangekyo Sharingan! Even if he was a bit ugly, his strength was not to be underestimated!

When Uchiha Fugaku saw Liuxia using his own clan's signature throwing technique, he was initially stunned. After all, no outsider had ever dared to use their clan's techniques against him. However, relying on his strong mental fortitude, he forced himself to adjust quickly, focusing entirely on the battle, and intercepted with the same shurikenjutsu.

At this moment, both of their throwing techniques had reached the pinnacle of perfection, and the duel turned into a magnificent performance. The clinking and clanging of shuriken colliding sounded like a beautifully played musical instrument, crisp and melodic; their movements were like those of dancers, full of rhythm, yet within this beautiful scene lay endless killing intent.

Seeing that he could not gain the upper hand using his own clan's shuriken techniques, Uchiha Fugaku felt it was truly humiliating. If word got out that the young head of the Uchiha clan was inferior to a Senju in his own specialty, he wouldn't be able to show his face again. He had no choice but to decisively activate his Sharingan!