The Ninja Academy was founded during the rule of Second Hokage Tobirama Senju in Konoha. Its original purpose was to break the great clans' monopoly on ninjutsu. However, facing fierce pressure from the major clans, the policy ultimately had to be compromised, and the Academy became an institution meant to train more civilian ninja.
Ninja students usually enrolled at the age of six, and in peacetime, their schooling lasted six years. On campus, they learned to control chakra, use ninja tools proficiently, master various theoretical subjects, and apply the basic Three Jutsu with flexibility. The ninjutsu they could learn was limited to basic skills such as the Three Jutsu.
For ninja born into clans, things were somewhat better. Their clans often taught them unique secret techniques and advanced ninjutsu to ensure the continuation and growth of their strength.
Ordinary civilian ninja, on the other hand, depended more on luck. If they were fortunate enough to meet a kind instructor willing to teach them, they might learn a jutsu or two. But in most cases, the jutsu they learned weren't very advanced. If they were unlucky, they had no choice but to work extra hard on missions and use their earnings to buy the jutsu they needed.
Most students who graduated on the regular schedule had to pass several assessments, including a written exam, the Three Jutsu, and the use of ninja tools. Students applying for early graduation also had to take part in an additional practical match against an experienced Genin to test their strength.
For Liuxia, the basic exams in theory, the Three Jutsu, and the use of ninja tools were all easy to handle.
In the first exam, the written test, Liuxia finished and handed in his paper in just half an hour. His speed left the proctor dumbfounded. In all his time as an examiner, he had never seen a student hand in a test so quickly! What was more, after hurriedly scanning the paper, the proctor was shocked to find that every answer Liuxia had given was correct. Even he might not have been able to answer so quickly and accurately!
The second exam was on the use of ninja tools. Facing a proctor from the Uchiha Clan, Liuxia openly demonstrated the Uchiha Clan's unique Shuriken manipulation technique. The proctor kept checking the candidate's records, wondering if this student really wasn't from the Uchiha Clan.
The final exam tested the Transformation Technique, one of the Three Jutsu. Liuxia had earned his enrollment reward with the Three Jutsu, and when it came to mastering these techniques, he could claim to be second to none—not in all of Konoha, or even the entire Ninja World!
The Third Hokage changed the rules for the final exam. The original plan called for a match against a Genin. But Hiruzen Sarutobi knew how formidable Liuxia was, so he personally chose an opponent for him: Uchiha Fugaku!
Though Uchiha Fugaku was only sixteen, and had graduated just four years earlier, he had already become an experienced Chunin. As the Uchiha Clan's heir, he had begun to make a name for himself in the Konoha Military Police Force and had even become a squad leader.
Liuxia looked at Uchiha Fugaku. He wore an ugly, dark green Konoha Chunin vest, with a battle robe bearing the Uchiha Clan Crest over it. Though only sixteen, he had a solemn air that seemed far beyond his years. His signature drooping face in particular made Liuxia wonder: could this really be someone from the Uchiha Clan, a clan full of handsome men and beautiful women?
Liuxia really wanted to know how Fugaku had managed to father such handsome brothers as Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Sasuke. He must have relied on his wife's good genes! Unfortunately, Liuxia couldn't remember who his wife was. Otherwise, he would have gone out of his way to meet her! He really should have studied Naruto more carefully back then!
Uchiha Fugaku was also sizing up Liuxia, thinking to himself, So this is Liuxia, the Senju Clan member who has defeated our Uchiha Clan's prodigies several times? He looks more like one of us. Still, he's much too young. He doesn't have my maturity or charm. Hmm... maybe he'll be more impressive when he's older.
However, Uchiha Fugaku knew very well that since the Third Hokage had summoned him personally and appointed him to assess Liuxia's early graduation, this young man's strength had to be extraordinary—at the very least, on par with an ordinary Chunin.
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help feeling a little helpless. With my current strength, I should have been promoted to Jonin long ago. Unfortunately, the village has always been wary of the Uchiha Clan and deliberately held back our progress. A trace of worry flickered in his eyes. As the clan heir, he was troubled by the Uchiha Clan's inability to fit in with Konoha.
At that moment, the proctor could no longer stand watching the two of them sizing each other up and seemingly forgetting about the exam. He had to remind them, "Both of you, get ready! Form the Seal of Confrontation at once!" After all, neither Uchiha Fugaku nor Liuxia was someone a Special Jōnin from a civilian background could afford to offend.
After Liuxia and Uchiha Fugaku formed the Seal of Confrontation, Liuxia immediately used the Uchiha Clan's unique Shuriken manipulation technique to launch an attack on Fugaku. He wanted to catch Fugaku off guard first. After all, Fugaku was the father of Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Sasuke, and in the anime, he even possessed the powerful Mangekyo Sharingan! He might not be much to look at, but his strength was definitely not to be underestimated!
When Uchiha Fugaku saw Liuxia using his clan's signature throwing technique, he was momentarily stunned. After all, no outsider had ever dared to use their clan's techniques against him. But thanks to his strong mental fortitude, he forced himself to recover quickly, focused on the battle, and countered with the same Shuriken manipulation technique.
By then, both of them had brought their throwing skills to the pinnacle. Their duel had become a dazzling performance. The clinks and clangs of colliding Shuriken rang out like a beautiful melody, crisp and clear. Their movements were like a pair of dancers in perfect rhythm, yet the breathtaking scene concealed a deadly intent.
Seeing that he couldn't gain the upper hand with his own clan's Shuriken throwing technique, Uchiha Fugaku felt thoroughly humiliated. If word got out that the Uchiha Clan's heir had been outmatched in his own clan's technique by a member of the Senju Clan, how could he go on as heir? He had no choice but to activate his Sharingan!
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