Graduation Season Arrives Again, An Unconventional Tradition of Postgraduate Entrance Exams

Over the course of the semester, Qi Luna and Minato grew increasingly close, establishing a special bond between them. During this time, Qi Luna and Kushina not only made academic progress but also made many new friends at the academy.

However, to Qi Luna's surprise, he heard several familiar names among them.

For instance, there was Uchiha Mikoto, who was a grade ahead of Nawaki yet had become Kushina's best friend; the Hyuga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, who were graduating this year; the Aburame brothers, Shibi and Shikuro, who were in the same cohort as Nawaki; the Ino-Shika-Cho trio of the Nara Shikaku generation; Akimichi Yoshimaru, who was Namikaze Minato's teammate in the original story; Hayama, who developed the unique wind-style sword technique, Vacuum Sword; and Yakushi Nonou, the director of the Konoha Orphanage, who would later be known as the "Walking Miko"!

Although the semester was short, Qi Luna experienced much growth and change during this time. He learned to cherish his relationships with others and understood how past experiences influenced the present. Those familiar names became important milestones on his life's journey; after all, since he had managed to transmigrate, he couldn't let the experience go to waste.

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and before they knew it, it was the year 37 of the Konoha era. Qi Luna and the others, now ten years old, reached the moment of graduation.

"Qi Luna, do you think we'll be placed on the same team?" Minato asked, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Unlikely. You and I are the top two students in our grade; it's basically impossible for them to put us on the same squad. After all, the teachers have to consider the balance of strength within the team," Qi Luna replied with a helpless shrug.

Just then, a man walked in with a tall, upright posture, long silver-white hair tied back, and red markings under his eyes that looked like tear tracks.

"Those whose names I call, come with me."

"Wow, it's actually Jiraiya-sama! I didn't expect him to be a jonin instructor this year. I wonder who will be lucky enough to become his students? Could it be me?" Some graduates recognized Jiraiya and whispered to their companions.

Jiraiya, however, ignored them and continued on his own, "Akimichi Yoshimaru, Namikaze Minato, and... Uzumaki Kushina, you three come with me."

With that, he turned and left, not caring whether Minato and the others followed.

Qi Luna pondered to himself. In the original story, besides Akimichi Yoshimaru, wasn't Minato's other teammate a Uchiha boy with a ponytail? Had the butterfly effect caused this change?

Just as Qi Luna was thinking, another jonin arrived in the classroom and called out the names of Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza, taking away the classic "Ino-Shika-Cho" combination.

"Hayama, Yakushi Nonou, Uzumaki Qi Luna."

Just as there were few people left in the classroom, a man with short silver-gray hair walked in. He acted with swift, decisive efficiency; after calling the three names, he turned and left, as if he had made up his mind about something.

"Hatake Sakumo—I hear he's a very powerful ninja." Qi Luna exchanged glances with his two teammates, feeling surprised that he would be their instructor. If he remembered correctly, Sakumo was among the Anbu members who had brought him and Kushina to Konoha.

"He doesn't look very easy to get along with," Nonou whispered.

"Never mind that, let's just follow him for now," said the last member of Team Sakumo, Hayama, as he prompted them.

The three of them did not hesitate and quickly followed Hatake Sakumo, who had not yet gone far.

They followed Sakumo to the rooftop of the school building. He turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over the three of them. "From today on, you are members of my squad. First, let's start with self-introductions. I'll go first: my name is Hatake Sakumo. I specialize in ninjutsu combining Lightning and Wind Release, and I like to maintain my family heirloom, White Fang, in my spare time. I hate people who don't value their comrades, and as for my dream... well, I'd rather not tell you. Alright, your turn."

When he mentioned his dream, Sakumo seemed to think of something and offered a smile, appearing to be in a very good mood.

Hayama and Nonou stood together, preparing to introduce themselves in turn.

Uzumaki Qi Luna stepped forward first, his striking red hair as dazzling as a burning flame, a confident smile on his face. "I am Uzumaki Qi Luna, from the Uzumaki Clan. I specialize in Water Release, sensory techniques, and sealing jutsu. I don't have anything I particularly like or dislike. As for my dream... I want to restore the Uzumaki Clan to its former glory!"

He finished by clenching his fist against his chest, his eyes filled with determination.

Next, Hayama stepped forward. He stood tall, his white clothes fluttering in the breeze, his temperament gentle. "My name is Hayama. I specialize in Wind Release and swordsmanship. I like to train under the morning clouds, feeling the power of the wind. I hope that through my own efforts, the wind can become a blade that protects the peace of Konoha and contributes to the village's tranquility."

He finished with a slight bow, his demeanor humble.

Finally, Yakushi Nonou stepped forward slowly. She had a beautiful face, and her eyes revealed both gentleness and resilience. "I am Yakushi Nonou. I am a medical ninja, specializing in medical ninjutsu and stealth. I love the peaceful life in Konoha, I hate war, and my dream is for all the children in the world to be far away from war."

Her voice was soft but full of strength.

"Very well, the self-introduction segment ends here. Next is the practical test. Come at me with the intent to kill; let me see what you are capable of." As he spoke, Sakumo's aura changed instantly. A thick, intense killing intent enveloped the three members of Team Sakumo. Feeling as if they were standing in a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, the three felt their bodies go out of control, cold sweat pouring down their backs, their faces turning deathly pale.

After a long moment, Qi Luna finally snapped out of it. He used a kunai to pierce his palm, overcoming his fear through the pain. He then dropped the kunai and pulled his two teammates to retreat quickly, putting as much distance as possible between them and the killing intent.

"Are you two okay? Can you still move?"

Qi Luna panted heavily, his expression grave as he struggled to speak.

Hayama gritted his teeth. "I'm still okay."

Nonou nodded as well.

Qi Luna took a deep breath and said, "We can't fight him head-on. We have to find a way to exploit his weaknesses."

Just then, Sakumo appeared before them like a ghost, the White Fang in his hand shimmering with a cold light. Hayama immediately drew his long sword and unleashed a wind-style sword technique, sending several wind blades toward Sakumo. Sakumo flickered, dodging them with ease, and then lunged toward Qi Luna.

Qi Luna quickly formed six hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A massive water dragon lunged at Sakumo, but it was easily sliced into several pieces by him. The ferocious dragon instantly disintegrated, turning into a puddle of water.

Taking advantage of the gap, Nonou used her stealth technique, attempting to circle behind Sakumo for a sneak attack. However, Sakumo had already sensed her; he spun around, and the White Fang nearly sliced through her clothes. Just as Sakumo was distracted, Hayama's wind blades struck again, but they were equally ineffective, each one parried by the White Fang in Sakumo's hand.