Graduation Day and the Golden Reward

Today was the day. The day Haruto had been working toward with quiet determination, careful planning, and relentless training. His eyes opened with sharp clarity as the early morning light filtered through the window. He had declared his intention to graduate, and now, everything he had prepared for was about to be tested.

It wasn't just him, though. Daichi Uzumaki had also stepped up to the plate, declaring his own intention to graduate. The two of them, along with the older students, would be going through the tests together. Haruto respected Daichi—his ability to spam low-level jutsu was a real advantage in battle, allowing him to keep the pressure on without tiring. But even with all that talent, Haruto still found himself wondering, "How did Daichi not make it into the anime?" With his relentless chakra reserves and resilience, he would've been a powerhouse on screen.

But those were thoughts for another time. Right now, Haruto had to focus on the graduation exam.

The morning air was crisp as he made his way to the academy with Daichi by his side, both of them quietly confident, though there was an undeniable tension hanging between them. This was it—time to prove themselves.

Phase 1: The Written Exam

The first test was a written exam, much like the ones Haruto had breezed through before. He sat down at his desk, the exam sheet placed in front of him. His eyes scanned the questions. Chakra theory, village history, strategy, the basic mechanics of ninjutsu. His photographic memory kicked in, instantly recalling pages of textbooks, lectures, and notes. He wrote his answers methodically, confident that he had every answer correct.

Daichi, sitting nearby, worked quickly as well, his focus intense. Haruto could see the determination in his eyes, even though written exams were not where Daichi excelled.

With the first phase completed, Haruto turned in his exam and waited for the next part, the real test—the part that mattered.

Phase 2: Shuriken and Kunai Precision

The next test was on the practice field, where accuracy with shuriken and kunai would be tested. Haruto lined up alongside Daichi and the older students, the targets set up at various distances. He had practiced this endlessly, and it showed.

With calm, deliberate movements, Haruto threw his shuriken and kunai in quick succession, each one hitting its mark with precision. The targets shifted to further distances, but he adjusted effortlessly, landing each hit cleanly. Daichi, for his part, performed similarly well, his throwing skills honed over countless training sessions.

Still, Haruto felt confident. He wasn't just passing the test—he was excelling.

Phase 3: Ninjutsu Proficiency

Now came the part Haruto had been anticipating the most—ninjutsu. The instructors gathered the graduating students and called them up one by one to demonstrate various techniques. Haruto watched as the older students performed their basic jutsu—Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and the Substitution Jutsu. The instructors were looking for control, efficiency, and creativity.

When it was Haruto's turn, he stepped forward calmly. His mind flashed back to all his training, and with a focused breath, he performed the Clone Jutsu first. His clone appeared perfectly beside him, stable and controlled. He followed it up with a flawless Transformation Jutsu, taking the form of one of the instructors for a moment before reverting to himself.

Finally, the Substitution Jutsu. As he activated it, Haruto seamlessly replaced himself with a log nearby, moving with such precision that it almost looked like he had teleported.

The instructors nodded in approval, but Haruto wasn't done. He moved fluidly into one of his lightning jutsu, sending a small spark of electricity crackling from his fingertips as he formed the Lightning Palm technique. It wasn't required for the exam, but he wanted to leave an impression. His control over his elemental affinity had grown, and this was a chance to show it.

As he finished, Daichi stepped forward, ready for his own demonstration. Haruto watched with interest as Daichi executed the basic jutsu with ease, but then, as expected, Daichi's real strength showed. With his massive chakra reserves, Daichi spammed low-level jutsu in quick succession—clones, substitutions, and transformations, over and over. His ability to create and maintain multiple clones at once was impressive, though it lacked the finesse Haruto's control exhibited.

Still, Daichi's sheer endurance and stamina were remarkable. Haruto had to admit, Daichi's ability to overwhelm an opponent with numbers was a legitimate tactic.

Phase 4: Taijutsu Combat

The final test was Taijutsu—hand-to-hand combat. The instructors paired the graduating students against one another in sparring matches. Haruto was matched with one of the older students, a tall boy with solid skills and experience. But Haruto had been sparring with Daichi and Guy for months, and this opponent, while competent, wasn't on their level.

As the match began, Haruto moved fluidly, blocking and countering his opponent's strikes with precision. His movements were economical, wasting no energy, and within moments, he saw an opening. With a quick, decisive strike, he ended the match, sending his opponent to the ground. The instructors nodded in approval again, impressed by his control and effectiveness.

Daichi's match was similarly intense. His opponent tried to overpower him, but Daichi's resilience and ability to keep going wore his opponent down. In the end, Daichi's brute strength and endurance won out, though his movements weren't as refined as Haruto's.

As the final phase ended, Haruto stood tall, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had completed the exam, and his performance had been more than enough to secure his graduation. The day had gone exactly as he had planned.

But more than that, it was time.

The moment he had been waiting for—the system's golden reward.

As the graduation ceremony began, Haruto felt the familiar warmth of the system activating, the anticipation of what would come next thrumming through his veins. He had earned this, and now, he was ready for whatever the system had to offer him next.