Chapter 14

Since it was the weekend, most people in the village seemed relaxed. The ninjas who were usually out on missions had a rare chance to rest. Some stayed home to catch up on sleep, while others took a short break to shop and enjoy street food, soaking in the peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.

Children, as always, were full of energy—sometimes so much that adults couldn't help but wonder, Don't these kids ever get tired? How do they have this much energy every single day? Their curiosity about the world was endless, especially for those in the Academy. Before they learned actual ninjutsu, they were just mischievous brats, but once they gained some skills, they became outright reckless.

"Watch out! Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A group of kids from a roadside ninja school were playing, pretending to fight in small teams. They exaggerated their movements and shouted out techniques with excitement.

"Look at me! Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Another group wasn't about to lose, responding just as loudly. Of course, it was all just for fun—there wasn't a single flame or drop of water to be seen.

The lively energy of the children spread to the adults nearby, making the streets feel even more vibrant. The morning breeze, the clear blue sky, the playful kids, and the chatting villagers created a warm and harmonious scene.

"Hey, look over there! Aren't those Hyuga and the others?"

Some sharp-eyed children spotted Zixu and his team walking down the street and quickly gathered around.

Over the past three years, Zixu's squad had earned a reputation as one of the best among their peers. They excelled in both theory and practice. However, Zixu himself had always maintained a low profile, his performance seemingly average. Many believed he was just lucky to have skilled teammates carrying him.

Some students even challenged him, convinced that he didn't deserve to be in the "top team." But every single time, it was Hyuga Chinano and Aburame Hatsuizumi who easily shut them down.

"Uzumaki Zixu! I challenge you! If you're a real man, accept my challenge! I've already mastered the Clone Jutsu and now have the power to destroy the world!"

"I just had a major breakthrough! I created my own kunai-throwing technique! I call it... Kunai Throwing Technique!"

"Dammit, why is this guy so lucky? He gets put on such an amazing team, with Hyuga and Aburame supporting him. Anyone would look good with teammates like that! And yet, his grades are still just average! Seriously, what the hell?"

Zixu heard all of this, of course, but he didn't care. In his mind, this was just how kids their age were supposed to act. Some jealousy, some childish bravado... nothing out of the ordinary. At least none of them were as extreme as that one guy, Yuanye.

But while Zixu could ignore them, Chinano and Hatsuizumi weren't as tolerant. They had a decent grasp of his strength. While they weren't sure exactly how powerful he was, they could tell that even when sparring with them, Zixu never seemed to break a sweat.

In fact, his acting was so bad that it was laughable. If his fights were a stage play, it'd be like watching Ultraman collapse before the warning light on his chest even started blinking. So fake it was obvious.

"Everyone, please step aside. We need to see Mr. Gouda Takeshi for our graduation exam. Kindly make way."

Chinano's voice was gentle, yet firm enough that people instinctively wanted to listen.

Her personality had changed a lot over the years. She used to carry a heavy burden, especially after learning about the fail-safe poison insects left by previous Hokage inside her clan's minds. That knowledge had weighed on her.

But as she grew stronger, she learned that those insects only affected Aburame members who had awakened poisonous strains. Since she had performed only moderately in the beginning and hadn't awakened anything particularly dangerous, she was safe. She had made sure to explain this to the others.

She had done it on purpose—to make herself and Zixu feel a sense of crisis. It also strengthened the cohesion of their little group. After experiencing their own share of hardships, she had finally begun to let go of her anxieties, and her mindset had shifted.

Hatsuizumi, however, was not as polite. With a cold look and a raised brow, she said impatiently, "Move. Don't block the road."

Her sharp tone immediately shut up the kids who had been itching for a fight. Some things were better solved with intimidation than diplomacy.

"Well, everyone, let's go."

Zixu walked at the back, flashing a grin that, no matter how you looked at it, had a bit of a smug edge. The kids watching were itching to put him in his place.

But if any of them actually fought Zixu, they'd quickly realize that their attacks wouldn't do much—probably less than Inuzuka Daichi's did. And that guy? He had already given up long ago, sitting in a corner, silent tears running down his face after failing to break Zixu's defense.

"Man, those were the days back at the Academy," an older villager said, sipping steaming tea as he watched the scene unfold.

"Yeah, the Academy days are the easiest part of a ninja's life," another added. "You don't learn any real jutsu yet, but the friendships you make there? Those last a lifetime."

"I heard they're about to take the graduation exam. Once they pass, they'll be Genin and start going on missions."

"That's when the real ninja life begins..."

—

With books, the lesson drags on. Without books, it flies by.

Zixu and his squad soon arrived outside Gouda Takeshi's office. Normally, teachers got weekends off, but they had delayed their exam for so long that it had to be rescheduled. Their excuse? They needed to solidify their basics.

The truth? Zixu had a mission requirement to delay it. By all logic, their team should've already met the necessary strength, but the mission hadn't registered as complete. So he had no choice but to stall, helping his team grow stronger. But now? There were no more delays. If the exam didn't trigger mission completion, then he'd have to figure something else out.

Inside the office, Gouda Takeshi sat at his desk, revising lesson plans. The higher-ups had been pressuring him to get Zixu's team through the exam as soon as possible. At this point, he just wanted them gone so he could stop worrying.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

"Fatty—uh, I mean, Teacher Gouda Takeshi, we're here..."

Hyuga Chinano was about to explain their purpose, but before she could, Gouda Takeshi spotted them, pulled out a prepared notebook, cracked his knuckles, and spoke without hesitation.

"I know why you're here. No need to say a word. You're here for the graduation exam. Rules are rules, so let's get this over with."

He talked so fast, it was like he was afraid they weren't here to take the test.

"Draw a lot. The test's contents are written inside."

With practiced ease, Gouda Takeshi pulled out a stack of papers. His movements were so smooth, it was almost depressing.

"Uh, okay..."

The three of them were a little speechless at how over it he looked. It had only been a few days... er, weeks... months... cough cough. Okay, maybe they had delayed a bit too long.

"I got Transformation and Clone Jutsu."

"Same here."

"Me too."

"Good. You'll be tested on both, so get started."

"...Then why even draw lots?" Zixu muttered, narrowing his eyes at Gouda Takeshi. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

Aburame Hatsuizumi stepped forward first. She lightly walked toward Gouda Takeshi and gave a small bow.

"I'll start now."

She put her ring fingers and pinkies together, forming her hands into a gun shape. Her left index and middle fingers pressed against her right palm, thumbs slightly bent, forming a strange hand sign.

Poof!

A small cloud of white smoke appeared around her. When it cleared, her figure had disappeared, replaced by a large cicada. Its head and abdomen were brown, covered in tree-ring-like patterns. The transparent wings on its back looked like overlapping leaves.

"Good transformation," Gouda Takeshi said, jotting down notes.

Another puff of smoke, and Hatsuizumi returned to her original form. Then, she formed a cross with her index and middle fingers.

Poof!

A second, slightly smaller cloud of smoke appeared. When it cleared, an identical copy of her stood next to her, effectively doubling her presence.

With a satisfied nod, she stepped aside, looking at Chinano and Zixu with a slight smirk.

Hyuga Chinano moved quickly. She weaved through the seals at impressive speed, successfully transforming into a pigeon with soft rosy feathers on its chest. But despite the cute form, her eyes remained sharp and human-like.

If someone stared too long into this pigeon's eyes, they'd get an unsettling feeling—like the bird was judging them.

She then performed the Clone Jutsu, summoning a perfect copy of herself. Her technique was flawless.

Once done, she folded her arms and leaned back, waiting for Zixu.

"Alright, my turn."

Zixu greeted Gouda Takeshi with a casual nod before forming the necessary seals.

Poof!

When the smoke cleared, a two-meter-long snake lay on the ground like a dead fish. For a moment, it stayed still. Then, suddenly, it began to slither at high speed, its slender tail cracking against the ground, its tongue flicking out menacingly.

After a few moments, he dispelled the transformation and returned to his original form. Then, he performed the Clone Jutsu, creating an exact replica of himself. Unlike the Shadow Clone Technique he had learned from Chinano, this was just the standard Academy-level illusion clone.

Gouda Takeshi scribbled a few notes in his book. "Solid fundamentals. Meets the standard."

With a deep sigh of relief, he shut his notebook and pulled out a drawer, retrieving three Konoha forehead protectors. Holding them in both hands, he carefully examined the three of them, taking in their expressions.

Finally, he spoke, his voice solemn.

"Congratulations. You've successfully graduated. From this moment on, you are officially Genin. Konoha will need you to protect it in the future. Remember—wherever Konoha flies, the fire will continue to burn. You must carry the Will of Fire."

The three of them didn't particularly agree with that, but they all nodded seriously, giving the impression that they did.

Zixu looked at the forehead protector in his hand, its simple leaf insignia staring back at him.

For a moment, he felt a strange sense of melancholy.

This was his third year in the Naruto world. And today? Today was the first day he was officially recognized as a ninja.

This wasn't just about passing a test. It meant he had finally gained real power—the strength to change the course of future events. He had stepped onto the chessboard of the ninja world.

"Genin are the strongest class, right?" he muttered. "I mean, I heard before that Genin fights destroyed the world... Maybe this Genin isn't that Genin... or maybe the real Genin are even stronger than Kage-level masters..."

As he was lost in thought, a notification popped up.

The mission that had been stuck for so long had finally registered as completed.

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