Ninja Academy.
Playground.
The teachers at the Ninja Academy stood ready, directing the candidates taking the graduation exam to line up in order.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and a group of elite Jonin were standing on the nearby platform.
No mistakes could be made in front of these important figures.
"Hehe, these kids this year are full of energy," Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, puffing on his pipe until the wrinkles on his face bunched together.
"Hmph! Ninjas are tools; being so cheerful is inappropriate!"
Danzo Shimura frowned slightly.
"Danzo, you're being too strict," Hiruzen shot Danzo Shimura an unhappy glance. "Among these candidates, there are quite a few young ones I have high hopes for."
"Oh?" Orochimaru, pale-faced beside them, showed slight interest in his serpentine eyes. "Teacher, who exactly do you favor?"
"Mirai Uchiha."
"I've heard that child already has a double-tomoe Sharingan, trained personally under Fugaku for a while, and has a solid grasp of the Will of Fire. From every angle, he's practically flawless," Hiruzen said calmly.
[sound effect] Tch~
Danzo scoffed disdainfully.
What could a kid from the Uchiha clan possibly understand about the Will of Fire?
Orochimaru, however, stared at the playground ahead and licked his lips slowly.
Indeed, ninja possessing Kekkei Genkai were naturally stronger than ordinary ninja.
He'd hit a wall with his current power and hadn't made progress in ages.
Would everything change if he also possessed a powerful Kekkei Genkai?
"Kakashi, unless something changes, Mirai Uchiha will be your opponent today. You mustn't let your guard down," Hiruzen smiled toward Kakashi Hatake, who stood at the edge wearing a mask over half his face.
Kakashi graduated many years ago but still hadn't found suitable teammates, becoming increasingly withdrawn.
Therefore... following Minato Namikaze's suggestion, Hiruzen specially arranged for Kakashi to participate in this graduation test as well.
"I won't lose."
Kakashi's voice carried a hint of coldness.
Known as the "first prodigy ninja of Konoha," he was certain he could beat anyone his age.
"Hahaha... I look forward to seeing an exciting match between you two."
Hiruzen grinned broadly.
Then, he shifted his gaze toward the somewhat youthful figure of Minato Namikaze standing behind him.
"Minato, this will be your first time serving as a supervising Jonin. Do you have potential candidates in mind for your future students?"
"Hokage-sama, I've gone through their records and already have initial candidates in mind."
"Then that's good," Minato Namikaze said, nodding in satisfaction. A warm and radiant aura surrounded him as he chuckled, scratching his head.
As the group conversed, the graduation exam officially began.
...
"The first match is: Might Guy versus Obito Uchiha!"
The moment Instructor Kunayama's voice rang out, a boy wearing a green jumpsuit with a bowl haircut excitedly rushed to the center of the arena.
"Wow, I'm up first! Guess I better put on a great show!"
"That's the spirit of youth!" Might Guy shouted, giving a thumbs-up, his signature buckteeth visible as he radiated energy and enthusiasm.
Obito, however, muttered discontentedly under his breath. "Seriously? My opponent is just a failure like him?"
"I was hoping I'd get to teach Mirai Uchiha a lesson."
Stepping forward to face Might Guy, Instructor Kunayama raised his arm high. "There will be no need for forming seals today. This is a real ninja battle—so don't go dying carelessly!"
At those words, everyone wore expressions mixing excitement, eagerness, and anxiety.
The atmosphere had become completely electrified.
"Bowl-haired kid, I suggest you just give up now. Otherwise, I definitely won't go easy on you," Obito boasted arrogantly.
If there was anyone in the Ninja Academy who performed worse academically than himself, it was only this Might Guy standing before him.
Therefore, regarding this upcoming fight, Obito felt quite confident.
"Youth doesn't allow retreat," Might Guy clenched his fist tightly. "I'll also give it my all in this battle."
Seeing both fighters ready themselves, Kunayama swung his arm forcefully downward. "Begin the match!"
"Go get 'em, Obito!"
As Rin Nohara shouted encouragement, Obito immediately turned around, flashing her a confident smile. "Don't worry, Rin," he replied.
"I definitely will..."
[Leaf Whirlwind!]
Before Obito could finish speaking, he received a powerful kick straight to the face from Might Guy.
Thud!
With a loud noise, Obito flew backward and landed flat on the ground, knocked unconscious instantly.
"Might Guy wins!"
Witnessing this dramatic scene unfold, Rin Nohara helplessly covered her forehead.
What exactly was that guy doing out there?!
"Hahaha... That was hilarious! With skills like that, how can he think he has any chance against Mirai Uchiha? Where did he even get this confidence?"
Kurenai Yuhi was laughing so hard that she had to clutch her stomach because of Obito Uchiha's antics.
He was kicked into oblivion right from the start—it was simply absurd.
Instructor Kunayama let out a helpless sigh.
He had specifically paired Obito Uchiha with Might Guy, whose skill level was comparable. Yet unexpectedly, Guy got knocked out without even managing to throw a single punch.
It was really giving him a headache.
But despite his headache, the exam still needed to continue.
Instructor Kunayama could only begin the next match.
"The next match: Kurenai Yuhi VS Ebisu!"
"Good luck."
Mirai Uchiha gave Kurenai words of encouragement. Kurenai nodded firmly and quickly walked into the center of the arena.
As for Ebisu, he kept his head lowered, face slightly red, clearly too shy to look directly at Kurenai.
"He truly is as secretly flirtatious as he was in the original story."
Seeing Ebisu blushing and avoiding eye contact, Mirai Uchiha already knew how this match would end.
Ebisu was doomed to lose.
This elite ninja, who in the original story had been defeated in one move by Naruto Uzumaki using the [Sexy Technique], couldn't even last ten minutes against Kurenai before being beaten.
"Mirai, I won!"
Kurenai happily ran over to Mirai Uchiha's side.
She hadn't expected the battle to be such an easy victory.
"You've always regarded me as your rival, yet you've already left most people far behind."
Mirai said calmly.
"Mirai..."
"Hmm?"
"You're really good at acting cool."
Kurenai looked at Mirai Uchiha with flushed cheeks, her eyes filled with admiration.
Ignoring the disapproving looks from the surrounding crowd, Mirai reached out and patted Kurenai on the head. "What are you talking about? I'm not acting—truthfulness is my strong suit."
The matches continued.
Overall, they were rather uneventful.
Just as Mirai Uchiha was starting to feel bored, he heard his own name called.
"The next match: Mirai Uchiha vs. Asuma Sarutobi!"
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