It was time for Konoha's graduation exam.
A pink-haired girl pointed toward the exam grounds. "Huh? Isn't that Satoru?"
The girl beside her stood on tiptoe to peer over. "Why did he go in there? Isn't that where they hold the graduation exam?"
"Where is he? Where? Let me see!"
Someone else squeezed over, craning their neck to look around.
Before long, a crowd had gathered outside the exam grounds.
Gojo Satoru had perfect attendance at school and completed his assignments beautifully. By now, more than half the school recognized his face, and even those who had never seen him had heard his name here and there.
"Don't tell me Satoru's in there taking the graduation exam?"
"No way. He's only been at school for a little over a month. How could he graduate already? What are you thinking?"
"True. Even the youngest genius ninja to graduate was seven. Satoru's only five this year. Getting his diploma now would be ridiculous."
"I believe Satoru can do it too, but graduating early already? That's just too far-fetched!"
"Hey, I think that genius who graduated at seven was also an Uchiha. His name was Uchiha Itachi."
"Uchiha Itachi? Isn't that Satoru's older brother? Are both brothers that amazing?"
"Right, Uchiha Itachi. He finished every course in one year and graduated straight away. A young genius nobody could find fault with."
"Then wouldn't Satoru taking the graduation exam at five be even crazier?"
"Stop imagining things. A month might not even be enough to learn the Transformation Technique."
"Maybe the examiner called him in to help with something."
"Huh? What could an examiner possibly need kids our age to help with?"
"Quit arguing. Look, the examiner's coming out."
"How come I've never seen this examiner before?"
The crowd froze. Normally, the chief examiner for the graduation exam should have been one of the familiar faces from school, but this man was a complete stranger.
"Huh? What's Asuma doing as an examiner?"
Not far away, Anko raised her eyebrows as she asked.
She had come along with her teacher, Orochimaru. He had suddenly taken an interest in the Ninja Academy's graduation exam, so she had tagged along to see the fun.
Orochimaru did not answer. His golden eyes stayed fixed on Gojo Satoru inside the exam grounds.
"I'll now announce the exam rules."
"There's only one rule. Touch the hem of my clothes, and you pass."
"As for the time limit, you have until this stick of incense burns out."
Asuma tipped his chin toward the stick of incense beside him, his tone outrageously arrogant.
He was simmering with anger today and had no intention of going easy on these students.
Today was supposed to be the day he left Konoha to serve as a Guardian Ninja for the Land of Fire's daimyo.
He had already found his "king," the one worth protecting with his life. It was not the village or the Hokage, but the ruler of the nation-the Land of Fire's daimyo.
But the old man had insisted that he finish serving as chief examiner before leaving, saying something about savoring his memories of the Ninja Academy one last time.
He had graduated years ago. What damn memories was there to savor?
Asuma spat out the toothpick between his lips, his gaze darkening.
Was the old man making up this excuse to stall him because he did not want him to leave?
Whatever.
No one was going to stop him today anyway.
Since the chief examiner got to set the test, he would get it over with quickly.
One stick of incense. That was all the time he would give these brats.
Expecting him to go easy on them? Not a chance.
Anyone who needed someone to go easy on them just to graduate would not survive more than a few exchanges on the battlefield. They were better off staying at school and wasting their days.
"Get moving, brats!" Asuma's lips curled upward.
The moment he said that, the examinees opposite him erupted.
"Damn it, who does he think he's looking down on?"
"He's way too cocky! Let's teach him a lesson!"
"Let's show him what we can do!"
Riled up, the students felt the blood rush to their heads and unleashed the ninjutsu they had been keeping up their sleeves.
"Wind Release: Whirlwind Fist!"
"Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique!"
"Take my blade!"
"Watch out for my hidden weapons!"
Gojo Satoru rested his chin in his hand as he watched the lively scene, silently wondering.
Shouting the name of your ninjutsu before attacking-is that some kind of unwritten rule? Good to know, good to know.
But yelling at the top of your lungs when throwing hidden weapons seems a little too aboveboard.
There was also one boy who remained standing where he was.
"Brat, are you standing there waiting to swoop in at the last second?" Asuma raised his voice a few notches.
Brat?
Gojo Satoru glanced around, then looked down at his own small frame, a smile tugging at his lips.
Ah, he definitely wasn't talking to me.
"Why are you looking at everyone else? I mean you, the brat with the stupid grin!" Asuma pointed straight at him.
"Quit stalling. Show me your ninjutsu."
Before you continue