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Time flew by like a rushing river, and four years passed in the blink of an eye.
Throughout those years, Shin diligently attended the Ninja Academy. As for graduating early? No, that had never crossed his mind.
Now, it was finally time for him to graduate. Currently, the Academy's program was five years, a year shorter than it would be in the future.
"The graduation exam is coming up soon. Are you nervous, Shin?"
Nawaki sidled up to Shin, his voice laced with anxiety.
Graduating required passing an exam, and the current exam was more challenging than the one in the future.
First, you had to demonstrate proficiency in the Academy Three: the Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Clone Jutsu.
Then, you had to survive a spar against a Chunin for ten minutes. Only then could you graduate. Otherwise, you were held back.
The Academy recognized that surviving ten minutes against a Chunin was a tall order for a student, so they allowed them to form teams.
Teams could have up to three members. As long as one member survived the full ten minutes, the entire team passed. That made it a bit easier.
"I'm not nervous, but you seem to be, Nawaki."
Shin noticed Nawaki's trembling hands.
"Yeah, a little. It would be embarrassing to fail. How about we team up?"
"Sorry, I've already teamed up with Kushina and Mikoto. You'll have to find someone else."
Shin glanced at Kushina and Mikoto, then back at Nawaki. It was obvious who he'd rather be with.
"Fine. I knew it. I was going to carry you, but I guess you don't need my help."
Soon, Tanaka-sensei arrived and announced the start of the exam. The morning was dedicated to the Jutsu proficiency test.
This part was easy for everyone in the class. They were in the elite class, after all. Either clan members or exceptionally talented civilians.
The Academy Three posed no challenge to them.
After the morning session, they didn't go home. They ate the lunch Mikoto had prepared in a quiet corner of the training ground.
"We're finally graduating! Does that mean we can go on missions now?" Kushina asked excitedly.
Mikoto was unusually quiet, her expression downcast.
"What's wrong, Mikoto? Are you worried about the exam?" Shin asked.
"No, I'm confident I'll pass. But... we'll be separated after graduation, won't we?"
Mikoto looked at Shin, her voice laced with sadness.
"Don't worry, Mikoto! Maybe we'll all be assigned to the same team!" Kushina said, trying to sound cheerful.
But even she was worried about being separated from Shin.
"If you don't like your assigned team, you can always request a transfer."
Shin reassured them. There was no need to worry. They could always ask Tsunade for help.
Mikoto and Kushina relaxed, relieved.
In the afternoon, the second part of the graduation exam commenced. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was present.
He wouldn't normally pay attention to a graduation exam, but this wasn't an ordinary class.
The students in this class were the future of Konoha. Even Hiruzen couldn't ignore them.
And it wasn't just Hiruzen. Danzō was also observing, looking for promising recruits for his Root organization.
After forming their teams, they were assigned their opponents. Shin's team was up against a Chunin who looked about sixteen.
Being a Chunin at sixteen had made him arrogant. He looked down on the Academy students.
As a Chunin who had completed several missions, he saw these students as pampered flowers who had never experienced real combat.
He didn't even bother hiding his disdain.
"You three brats should just surrender. Don't blame me if I'm rough."
Kimura, their opponent, held his Kunai, his eyes filled with contempt.
"We'll see how rough you can get."
Kimura's arrogance annoyed Shin. He was just a lowly Chunin; what was he so smug about?
"You're asking for it."
Kimura sensed Shin's disdain and felt a surge of anger.
A mere Academy student, looking down on him, a real Shinobi? He was determined to make sure Shin didn't graduate.
"With that attitude, you'd think you were a Kage. What's with the arrogance, newbie?"
Shin said calmly. He disliked this Chunin from the start. Just a Chunin, and he dared to look down on him? Did he think he was Madara Uchiha?
"Begin! No lethal force!"
The Chunin examiner announced. He was there to assess their performance and ensure no one got killed.
"No need for you two to get involved. I'll take care of him," Shin said to Kushina and Mikoto.
He walked towards Kimura, his steps measured and confident.
Kimura glared at Shin, enraged by his casual attitude.
"I'll show you the difference between you and a real Shinobi!"
He charged at Shin, his speed impressive.
Well, impressive for a regular person. To Shin, he was moving in slow motion.
Kimura lunged, thrusting his Kunai towards Shin. He aimed for non-lethal areas; he wasn't going to kill him.
He wouldn't kill, but he wouldn't hesitate to injure.
Shin casually deflected the Kunai and punched Kimura in the gut. Kimura flew backward like a cannonball, crashing to the ground. He twitched a few times, then passed out.
"Examiner-san, I believe we passed?"
Shin looked at the examiner, who was staring at him with his jaw hanging open.
Shin chuckled. He had shocked the examiner.
He had revealed a bit of his strength, but he didn't care anymore. He wasn't the same weakling he used to be.
Before, he had hidden his strength because he was weak. But now, he was strong enough to not have to hide.
In four years, his Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Kenjutsu had improved drastically. Most importantly, his three-tomoe Sharingan had evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The Mangekyō Sharingan, combined with his Perfect Sage Body, meant he could use its powers without fear of blindness. What did he have to fear now?
It was time to step into the spotlight.
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