It Was Fine, Even a Few Minutes Was Already Impressive

Defeating a Genin who had graduated a year ago while still a Ninja Academy Student was rare; it basically qualified one as a genius in the conventional sense.

This graduation assessment had most likely been designed to distinguish the mediocre from those with truly high potential.

The former would most likely not be assigned any particularly capable Jonin Instructors. They might even be sent to the battlefield and eliminated as Cannon Fodder, while the latter should receive better resources and protection.

"Now then, we'll begin drawing lots. Students whose numbers are called will proceed to the training ground downstairs for the assessment."

Kuroda Ofune pulled a box from beneath his desk and placed it on the podium.

The students went up one by one to draw their lots.

After Uchiha Meikyō drew his, he opened it and looked inside.

Transformation Jutsu, No. 27.

"Meikyō, what's your test?"

When Inuzuka Tsume saw Uchiha Meikyō walk down from the podium, she asked curiously.

"Transformation Jutsu."

"I got the Clone Technique. It's a pity my clan hasn't taught Kuromaru and me the Beast Clone yet. Otherwise, I could've easily gotten a high score on this one."

The Inuzuka Clan's Beast Clone could turn a Ninja Hound into a clone identical to its user. Not only could it use some of the Inuzuka Family's Ninjutsu, but compared to other clones, it possessed excellent resistance to damage. Its resemblance to the original was also extremely convincing, and even ordinary Sensory Ninjutsu could not identify it. It was an exceptionally fine cloning technique.

"It's fine. The first test probably isn't important. Whether you can achieve a sufficiently high score will most likely depend on how you perform in the second test, which better demonstrates actual combat ability. Besides, Tsume, your regular Clone Technique isn't bad either."

Uchiha Meikyō comforted her.

Inuzuka Tsume stroked Kuromaru's head and said,

"I wonder how strong those Genin who graduated a year ago really are. I hope I don't get assigned an opponent who's too strong."

Uchiha Meikyō did not particularly care about that.

During this time at the Ninja Academy, he had already figured out his current level of strength.

After all, among students their age, he had not heard of anyone else mastering C-rank Ninjutsu in their fourth year, let alone possessing the Sharingan, a deadly weapon that could provide a considerable advantage in battle.

Awakening the Sharingan before the age of ten was rare enough.

Coupled with the exceptional ninja aptitude he had inherited from the original owner of this body, which had practically ranked first among his peers, he should be able to secure the top student position in this class with ease.

There was no way the top student of a class would fail to be assigned a Jonin as an instructor.

Just then, Kibata, who had been called away for the assessment earlier, returned.

His number had been two, placing him among the first batch to take the assessment.

"Kibata, how did it go?"

Inuzuka Tsume asked Kibata quietly.

"Don't worry. The examiner seemed pretty gentle. He even praised my Substitution Technique!"

"What about the second test? Was the senior Genin on the other side strong?"

Kibata scratched his head sheepishly.

"My luck wasn't great. I faced a Genin with the Byakugan. I only held him off for a few minutes before he knocked me down with Gentle Fist."

"It's fine. Lasting a few minutes was already very impressive."

Inuzuka Tsume comforted him.

Before long, Kibata had pulled himself together again.

"It was just a tiny setback! Once I become a Genin, I'll train even harder, become the village's hero in the war, and eventually become Hokage!"

Uchiha Meikyō felt that this guy had been rather severely poisoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire.

Still, lasting several minutes against a Genin with the Byakugan should not have been a bad result.

Soon, it was Inuzuka Tsume's turn.

Her number was nineteen, putting her in the second batch to enter the testing ground.

As someone born into a Ninja Clan, her foundations in every aspect were far better than Kibata's. She had not been matched against any particularly formidable opponent either, so her final result should be quite satisfactory.

Not long after Inuzuka Tsume came out, it was time for the ten students in Uchiha Meikyō's batch to enter the testing ground.

On the raised platform of the training ground sat a handsome man with light blue hair. Several accompanying examiners sat on either side of him, while below stood ten Genin who appeared somewhat older than the students.

Not far away, another group of Genin waited outside the field—they were the test subjects for the other students.

For these Genin, this was a D-rank mission that was both easier than catching cats and far less laborious than clearing river channels.

"Everyone, I am the chief examiner for this graduation assessment, Dan Katō. Your batch's test is the Transformation Jutsu. I will require you to transform into my appearance."

Dan Katō said with a smile.

"Now, you may begin demonstrating your Transformation Jutsu."

As Dan Katō's words fell, puffs of white smoke rapidly rose across the field.

Ten Dan Katōs stood neatly in the field. However, some had clothing styles that differed somewhat from Dan Katō's, and one student was so nervous that he had even retained his original hair color instead of changing it to Dan Katō's light blue.

The Transformation Jutsu tested not only the technique itself, but also a ninja's most basic powers of observation and imitation. From one's image and appearance to movements, expressions, and voice, everything was important.

Naturally, Uchiha Meikyō did not make any of the mistakes the others had made. He even wore the exact same faint smile as Dan Katō.

"Examiner Katō, may we proceed to the next test?"

Uchiha Meikyō stepped forward and spoke with a smile. From his expression and movements to the sound of his voice, he was extremely close to Dan Katō himself.

The smile on Dan Katō's face deepened.

"Uchiha Meikyō? An excellent Transformation Jutsu. You may now cancel it and begin your next test."

As Dan Katō finished speaking, puffs of white smoke rose again, and the ten Dan Katōs reverted to their original appearances.

At the same time, the ten Genin stepped forward and stood opposite each examinee, reminding them to keep their distance from one another so their respective battles would not be affected.

"Same old rules. Each of you pick a student and observe them closely for scoring. As for Uchiha Meikyō, leave him to me."

Dan Katō quietly instructed the surrounding examiners, then walked down from the raised platform and stood beside Uchiha Meikyō and his opponent.

Standing opposite Uchiha Meikyō was a young Genin with medium-length hair. His clothes bore a Moon Symbol.

"Gekko Hayate."

The Genin opposite him gave a brief introduction, then extended one hand toward Uchiha Meikyō and formed the Confrontation Seal.

"Uchiha Meikyō."

Meikyō made the same gesture.

"Then begin."

As Dan Katō's raised arm swung down, Uchiha Meikyō instantly pulled Shuriken from the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist and hurled them toward Gekko Hayate.