Konoha Year 49, July 1st. Graduation Day.
The sun hung high in the sky. The gates of the Ninja Academy were shut tight, and groups of parents waiting for their children stood clustered outside.
The scorching sunlight only added to their unease, amplifying the anxious heat already simmering in their hearts.
Some parents stared nervously at the academy's gate, while others engaged in idle small talk with strangers, trying to ease the tension. Even seasoned shinobi who had faced death without flinching found themselves rattled on a day that could determine their child's future.
One man, clad in a standard shinobi vest with spiky hair and face paint, stood with arms crossed, visibly irritated. Watching his companion hop about restlessly, he finally lost patience.
"Gaiya, stop jumping around. Sit still."
The wolf-like giant dog gave a low whine and obediently slumped beside its master, sitting listlessly with drooping ears.
A swordsman leaning on his back laughed lightly at the scene. "Inuzuka Yuu, you're the one who's anxious. Why take it out on Gaiya? Besides, what are you even worried about? With your daughter's talent, if Ayaka doesn't graduate today, then no one will."
Yuu chuckled and slapped his thigh. "Your kid's not bad either. That wind-style brat of yours—just needs to work on that weak constitution. Needs more training!"
The swordsman shook his head. Deep down, he knew that his son's issue wasn't just a lack of exercise. Sometimes he wondered whether letting Hayate walk the path of a shinobi was the right choice at all.
While the parents chatted nervously outside, the soon-to-be graduates had already completed the first phase of their exams and handed in their written papers. They remained seated, awaiting the final part of the test—the ninjutsu evaluation.
After all, this was the shinobi world. Being good with a pen meant little. What mattered was whether your fists were stronger.
Soon, a Chūnin proctor entered the classroom holding a name list.
"Next is the ninjutsu assessment. If your name is called, follow me to the next room. The rest, stay here."
"Yagyū Ichirō!"
A boy wearing a green forehead protector stood up.
"Hyūga Yō!"
A white-eyed boy rose from his seat.
"…"
"Uchiha Aozora!"
As Aozora stood, every eye in the room turned toward him.
Like most Uchihas, he had jet-black hair and sharply defined features. But unlike the others, his eyes were always half-closed as if he had just woken from a nap, and a faint smile played on his lips. He looked harmless—almost too gentle for his clan's reputation.
"You ten, follow me."
With that, the proctor turned and exited the room. The students whose names had been called quickly followed.
As the group left, whispers filled the classroom. At first, they quietly speculated about what questions might appear on the test. But soon, they began loudly guessing how well the ten students would perform.
A chubby boy with a watermelon haircut stood up and declared smugly, "I bet Hyūga Yō passes, no doubt!"
From the way he said it, one might think he was Hyūga Yō.
The girl behind him smashed a fist into his head, knocking him back into his seat. Hands on her hips, she snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting? If Yō hadn't been injured during the Nine-Tails' attack last year, he'd have graduated already."
The chubby boy opened his mouth to argue, but when he saw the face paint on hers, he immediately caved. "You're right, boss!"
Inuzuka Ayaka ignored his flattery and turned to the pale-faced boy beside her. "Hayate, what do you think? How many of them will pass?"
"Cough, cough…" Hayate raised a hand to his mouth and coughed softly, then replied, "They probably all will."
"Oh?" She looked surprised, then probed, "Do you think they'll lower the standards again this year like they did last year?"
Hayate nodded thoughtfully.
Ayaka let out a short laugh, then added, "Even so, I don't quite agree with you."
"Oh? Then please, enlighten me, Ayaka." Hayate's voice remained gentle and patient.
Ayaka hummed and began listing confidently, "Yō, Ichirō—they'll definitely pass. Yoshino and Kimoku have a decent shot too. Their taijutsu is alright."
"But that Uchiha Aozora… that sleepyhead, what's he got going for him?"
"Taijutsu? Just look at his pale skin. He probably never leaves the house."
"Ninjutsu? He only learned how to mold chakra this year."
"Genjutsu? Maybe. He does spend all his time dreaming."
Ayaka wasn't a genius, but she was one of the top students in the class. When she spoke, others listened.
The moment she said "training in dreams," the boys burst into laughter. The girls, however, shot glares at her and started speaking up in Aozora's defense.
"Aozora's not that bad! He's the best at shuriken throwing!"
"He's super nice!"
"You're just jealous. Don't insult our Aozora!"
"…."
Feeling the heat from her classmates' glares, Ayaka rolled her eyes.
Konoha had existed for forty-nine years—yet still no female Hokage. If kunoichi kept being this shallow, how could they ever become strong?
She was different. She was destined to become as powerful as Princess Tsunade. Boys meant nothing to her.
Feigning apology, she said sweetly, "Oh right, I forgot. Aozora's actually very gifted. He might just pass the test."
Just as the girls began to smile again, Ayaka added with a smirk, "I mean, he is really pretty. If he smiles at the proctor, maybe some male shinobi will pass him out of pity."
"Ugh! Inuzuka Ayaka!"
Hayate shook his head and stopped listening to the squabble.
His gaze drifted to the window, watching the ten students being led to the examination room—his eyes settling on the one trailing at the end.
Uchiha Aozora.
Of the ten, Hayate knew nine of them well. But Aozora remained a mystery—the lowest-ranked student in class.
His older brother was hailed as the greatest Uchiha prodigy of his generation. When Aozora enrolled, people expected greatness. Yet six years had passed with no signs of talent.
He always slept at his desk, gave half-hearted effort in taijutsu drills, surrendered without resistance in sparring matches, and only learned to mold chakra in his final year. Aside from his skill in shuriken throwing, a proud Uchiha tradition, he seemed to excel at nothing.
To most, Aozora was nothing but a handsome face.
But to Hayate—something felt off. His instincts as a swordsman told him this boy was… dangerous.
And Hayate wasn't wrong.
This was a special time. Though Konoha's destroyed buildings had been rebuilt, the shinobi lost in the Nine-Tails' assault could never return.
Even though many had been promoted last year, the village still faced a severe shortage of ninja. It would take years to fill the gap.
Which was why the graduation exam had been significantly simplified.
Whether it was ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu, as long as a student had one area of competence, they would be allowed to graduate.
Aozora strolled into the exam room unhurriedly, half-lidded eyes slowly lifting as he entered. In an instant, he took in the entire layout of the room using only his peripheral vision.
The proctor, Yamanaka Seigetsu, raised her eyebrows with interest. Gazing at the graceful boy before her, a smile tugged at her lips.
"We'll now begin the ninjutsu test. Uchiha Aozora, prepare yourself."
Aozora took his place in front of the two examiners and gave a slow, deliberate nod.
"Demonstrate the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Technique in order."
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!