CHAPTER 33

The Next Day

Uchiha Tunan, who had worked late into the night, woke up early.

After a quick wash, he put on a fresh Uchiha clan-style shirt, secured his ninja pouch, and headed toward the Ninja Academy.

Today was the final exam—graduation day.

Outside the academy, a large crowd of parents had gathered, chatting among themselves.

As Uchiha Tunan approached the school gates, he could hear whispers from the adults.

"That's the Uchiha genius, Uchiha Tunan."

"I heard from my kid that both he and Hatake Kakashi have applied for early graduation."

"Isn't he a second-year student?"

"You don't seem to pay much attention to your child. Both Tunan and Kakashi are only in their first year."

"Why are other people's kids so gifted?"

"I heard Uchiha Tunan awakened his Sharingan after his parents died. He was devastated."

"Thinking about my own kid... Maybe if I put him through some hardships, he'd awaken his own power."

"Come on, having a peaceful, happy life is a blessing in itself."

"This Uchiha boy looks so polite. He doesn't seem as intimidating as people say."

"Wasn't he the one carrying that little girl's body around the village a while ago?"

"Oh, right! I heard she was his girlfriend."

"Kids these days fall in love so early. I need to educate my child properly—at least wait until the third year before thinking about romance."

"That's easy for you to say. Your child is a girl."

At that moment, Uchiha Tunan, who had been standing behind two gossiping parents, politely spoke up.

"Excuse me, could you please let me through?"

One of the parents turned, chuckled, and stepped aside.

"Go on, kid."

"Thank you, sir."

As Tunan entered the academy, one of the parents watched his back thoughtfully and murmured, "Honestly, if my kid ended up dating this one, I wouldn't mind."

The Graduation Exam

Uchiha Tunan walked through the hallways and arrived at the examination room.

Opening the door, he saw about fifty or sixty students already seated. It was still early—most students hadn't arrived yet. Even Kakashi, known for always being ahead of schedule, was absent.

Tunan greeted the other graduates with a gentle smile and took his assigned seat.

Half an hour passed before the rest of the students gradually filled the room.

"The white-haired kid and the one with glasses are the first-year students applying for early graduation, right?"

"Yeah, don't underestimate them. I usually sit by the window and watch upper-classmen sparring. Those two are ridiculously strong."

A sharp voice cut through the murmurs.

"Silence!"

The examiner stood at the front of the room, his expression stern.

"The written exam is about to begin. No talking. If you're caught cheating, your score will be nullified."

Papers were distributed across the room.

Tunan glanced at his exam sheet. The questions were incredibly simple.

"This is so easy even Naruto could pass… and it's all multiple-choice."

He shook his head, picked up his pen, and quickly filled in the answers.

Q: How is chakra produced?

A. Created from thin air.

B. Formed by digesting food.

C. Generated through the combination of physical and spiritual energy.

"Obviously C. If you're clueless, always go with the longest answer."

Q: What can clones created by the Clone Technique do?

A. Help with homework.

B. Tickle their creator.

C. Walk.

Tunan breezed through all twenty questions. Twelve of them had "C" as the answer.

By the time he finished, most of the students had also completed their exams and were waiting quietly.

After about thirty minutes, the examiners collected the papers.

Umino Iruka, who had been invigilating the first-year exam, entered the room to assist.

The moment he stepped in, he shot an encouraging glance at both Kakashi and Tunan.

Tunan nodded back with a small smile.

The lead examiner placed the collected papers aside and announced, "Next is the ninjutsu test. This year's required technique is the Clone Technique."

A wave of groans and complaints erupted from the students.

"What?! Why is it the Clone Technique?"

"The seals for the Substitution Technique are way harder!"

"I can remember the seals, but I fail nine out of ten times!"

"Last year's exam only required the Transformation Jutsu!"

"Damn it! Our teacher swore we'd only have to do the Clone Technique!"

The examiner's face darkened. Veins bulged on his forehead as he slammed his palm onto the desk.

"Silence! Anyone who keeps talking will fail immediately!"

The room fell deathly quiet.

"Additionally," the examiner continued, "two students have applied for early graduation. Since their test differs from the standard, they will go first."

He exchanged a glance with Iruka, who nodded.

"Kakashi Hatake," Iruka called out.

All eyes turned toward the silver-haired prodigy.

Kakashi, looking utterly disinterested, stood and lazily walked to the front.

Iruka smiled awkwardly and coughed. "Kakashi, please demonstrate the Three Basic Jutsu."

Without hesitation, Kakashi's hands blurred through hand seals so fast they seemed to vanish.

With no smoke or delay, a perfect copy of himself appeared.

Then, in an instant, his original form transformed into Uchiha Tunan.

The clone, without missing a beat, strolled toward the exit.

Iruka blinked in confusion. "And the Substitution—"

Poof!

A wooden log dropped where Kakashi had stood, while the real Kakashi was already at the door, gripping the handle.

The examiner nodded in approval.

"Excellent. Not only have you mastered the Three Basic Jutsu, but you also used them in combination." He jotted down Kakashi's results. "Come back in three days to receive your headband and meet your Jonin instructor."

Kakashi shrugged and left the room.

The students murmured among themselves.

"Incredible…"

"How is he even a first-year student?"

"If Kakashi's that strong, is the Uchiha kid even better?"

"I heard he awakened his Sharingan already…"

Iruka turned his gaze toward Uchiha Tunan.

"Next, Uchiha Tunan."

Tunan stepped forward and gave a polite bow to the examiners.

With a small smile, he formed the Ram hand seal.

A puff of white smoke erupted, and he transformed into Iruka.

Releasing the technique, he smoothly performed the Clone Technique, summoning two identical copies of himself.

The students whispered among themselves.

"It doesn't feel as impressive as Kakashi's."

"Yeah, I thought he'd be better."

"He's skilled, but nothing extraordinary."

Tunan then performed the Substitution Jutsu with a slow, deliberate rhythm.

A log dropped where he stood, and he reappeared a few feet away.

"Teachers, is this satisfactory?" he asked humbly.

The examiner, unimpressed compared to Kakashi's flashy display, simply nodded.

"It's good, but you need more practice. You pass. Come back in three days."

Tunan bowed deeply.

"Thank you, examiners."

Iruka, however, smiled warmly. Unlike Kakashi, who showed off, Tunan displayed discipline and respect—qualities Iruka admired.

As Tunan exited, the system prompt rang in his mind:

Ding! You have gained Umino Iruka's approval.

Tunan paused, his lips curling into a subtle smirk as he glanced back at Iruka.

A chill ran down Iruka's spine.

"Why does that kid's smile feel… unsettling?"

Tunan's expression brightened.

"Don't slack off, Iruka-sensei. I might surpass you soon."

Iruka laughed, scratching his head.

"This kid's got a sense of humor."