Rankings Announced, and Choosing Rewards

This year's graduates did not consist of just Mikami Yu's class.

There were three classes in total.

After their match ended, Kakashi and Teacher Oki stepped in, using Earth Style to make some simple repairs to the arena. While repairing the platform, Kakashi had even deliberately carved several dog heads into its side... He really had too much chakra to burn.

After that,

The other two classes took the field one after another and continued fighting in the same arena.

However, since those two were "regular classes," the fights were hardly exciting. It was mostly wild flailing and punching, with little entertainment value.

After all three groups had finished their exams,

Oki and Kakashi began tallying the scores.

Meanwhile, Mikami Yu and the other students sat around the edges of the training ground in small groups, resting, chatting, reviewing the match, and waiting for the final results.

After around forty minutes of sorting things out, Teacher Oki stepped forward and announced the final rankings for the graduation exam—

"Based on the written and combat class examinations from the past week, especially today's match, Mikami Yu performed the best. He ranked first in individual subjects and first overall! Second place goes to Nara Zhenyuan, and third place to Yuhi Kurenai..."

"Huh? I'm third?"

Yuhi Kurenai's eyes widened when she suddenly heard her name, her face full of disbelief.

"Wow, Yu-kun really did get first place!"

Nohara Rin immediately applauded and congratulated Mikami Yu.

"Wait, what about me? What about me?!"

Obito jumped up and shouted.

Kakashi spoke up beside him to explain, "Mikami Yu ranked first in the grade in written subjects and performed exceptionally in combat classes. Especially in today's match, as the core of the defending side, he used tactics wisely to defeat all three opponents. His overall first place was beyond question.

"Nara Zhenyuan directed and coordinated properly. Although he failed because his opponent was too strong, it was not due to any personal error.

"As a defender, Yuhi Kurenai kept striving to protect the position. She displayed solid foundations in taijutsu and genjutsu, and she was the only defending student still standing on the platform when the exam ended. Therefore, her score in the final round was second only to Mikami Yu's. Combined with her other subjects, she ranked third overall."

"As for you, Obito... you ranked tenth in combat classes, second from last in the grade in written subjects, and twenty-fifth overall."

"Ah, how could this happen..."

Obito wilted.

Compared to his previous grades, twenty-fifth place was actually not bad. It put him slightly above the middle of the grade. But it was still far too distant from the first place he had dreamed of. He did not even know whether he could graduate smoothly...

Mikami Yu quietly muttered to himself, I thought Obito's intelligence stat was already low enough, but he was only second from last in written subjects? Who was even fiercer than Obito?

Not far away,

Asuma and Kaimon Hyuga were both in a terrible mood.

With their strength, under normal exam circumstances, they should have earned decent scores. Instead, because they had stubbornly gone after Mikami Yu and been taken down three against one, they had become Mikami Yu's stepping stones. Their final rankings had fallen beyond fourth and fifth place, leaving them no chance of becoming outstanding graduates.

Still, frustrated as they were, neither of them could say anything. After all, Mikami Yu had truly won through strength.

As the score rankings were announced,

Nohara Rin was naturally delighted for Mikami Yu.

Yuhi Kurenai also came over with a smile and thanked Mikami Yu.

That gratitude was only proper. Setting aside the special training from earlier, if Mikami Yu had not dragged Asuma and Kaimon Hyuga down with him, Yuhi Kurenai could never have taken third place. Making the top five would already have been impressive enough.

At that moment,

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also appeared at the edge of the training ground.

"Wow, Lord Hokage came to see us!"

"Lord Third!"

Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, the students all stood and bowed.

With Nohara Rin supporting him, Mikami Yu stood up as well and gave a slight bow.

—No matter what, this was the current Hokage. Even if Mikami Yu did not respect him that much in his heart, he still had to show proper manners on the surface. Besides, as the first-place winner, Mikami Yu still had a reward coming from Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he had even more reason to be polite.

"There's no need for such formality, everyone. Sit down and rest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly. "Oki and Kakashi have already reported to me about your battle just now. You all did very well. You are all outstanding. Seeing children like you brimming with such energy makes me feel twenty years younger."

"Hahaha!"

The students burst into laughter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mention at all that he had been watching from afar earlier. He merely offered a few exceptionally friendly pleasantries before strolling over to Mikami Yu. Clearing his throat, he said, "Yu, congratulations on taking first place in this exam."

"I said before that those who performed exceptionally in this graduation exam would receive special rewards. Now that the results are out, it is time for me, as Hokage, to fulfill that promise. Is there anything you want, or any special wish you have?"

Upon hearing that,

Before Mikami Yu could say anything, the surrounding students began looking at him with envy, jealousy, and admiration.

Even Asuma could not help turning to look over.

In truth, there was no need to ask such a question here, nor did Hiruzen Sarutobi need to ask it personally.

Normally, he only needed to have Kakashi ask. As a genius proficient in all five natures, Kakashi basically understood all of Konoha's common ninjutsu. He could have offered Mikami Yu some guidance, then reported Mikami Yu's choice to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But,

The Shinobi World was ultimately a world where strength reigned supreme.

Mikami Yu's performance had pleasantly surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he had come personally to show his regard.

At the same time, he could take the opportunity to say a few words to the other students and reinforce his approachable image, killing two birds with one stone.

Seeing that Mikami Yu did not answer immediately,

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Yu, there is no need to be nervous. Just tell me what you want. Whether it is ninjutsu, secret techniques, ninja tools, or anything else, it is all fine. If there is anything you wish to know, you may ask me as well. I will answer everything I can."

"..."

Mikami Yu pondered.

He had already been considering this question.

First of all, he definitely needed to choose a ninjutsu.

But he could not choose carelessly.

First, he needed a reasonable source of information.

If he dared mention a forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals today, Hiruzen Sarutobi would send the Anbu to thoroughly investigate him tomorrow and see whether he was a spy sent by another village.

Second, it needed to suit his identity.

The different ranks of ninjutsu were based on learning difficulty. Generally speaking, Chunin specialized in C-Rank and D-Rank Ninjutsu, while Jonin specialized in B-Rank and A-Rank Ninjutsu. As a newly graduated ninja student, Mikami Yu should logically choose a C-Rank Ninjutsu so he would not seem overly ambitious.

"...Lord Hokage, do you have any suggestions regarding the contents of this reward?"

"Well..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered briefly. "Your chakra natures are Water and Fire, correct? Generally, those below Chunin are not suited to cultivating two elemental styles at once. Water Style ninjutsu also has high demands for chakra reserves and terrain, making it difficult for ordinary ninja to bring out its full power.

"So, my personal suggestion is that you focus on Fire Style and use Water Style as support.

"On that basis, if you want more offensive methods, you can choose the Phoenix Flower Jutsu or the Dragon Fire Technique. If you wish to strengthen your defense, you can choose the Great Fire Wall Technique, or Water Style's Water Formation Wall.

"If you are interested in taijutsu, Konoha-Style Taijutsu and Konoha-Style Swordsmanship are also good choices."