Chapter 4
Assessment Task Settlement
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and realized that there were only a few people he could actually choose from.
Let's shift our perspective back to the ninja academy's training ground.
Sarutobi Enjun is about to give up!
With the help of oil, his fireballs were able to hold their own against Uchiha Gen for a few breaths at the beginning. However, he could only hold a mouthful of oil, and once that mouthful was exhausted, the power of his fireballs plummeted, and he was quickly overwhelmed by the Great Fireball.
Just as Mokumo Kōdō, hiding in the distant stands, was about to intervene to save Sarutobi Enjun, Uchiha Gen proactively strengthened his control over his ninjutsu, reducing the power of the Great Fireball Jutsu.
This level of chakra control is enough to demonstrate the profound mastery of this ninjutsu by Gen.
After the fireball dispersed the flame projectiles, it gradually shrank a bit and then scattered under the control of the source.
The powerful shockwave sent Sarutobi Enjun flying, and then several shuriken tied with elastic steel wires flew out and pinned to his side, trapping his torso, arms, and legs.
"You lost, Flame Falcon."
Uchiha Gen walked up to Sarutobi Enjun and said with a smile.
The rewards for this graduation assessment will definitely far surpass those for previous midterms and finals exams, and the experience gained will certainly be much greater.
Based on past experience, those who achieve first place in the graduation assessment gain significantly more experience than those who rank second or third, potentially allowing them to advance to the next level and earn a chance to draw a card.
"Why is your Fire Release technique so powerful?"
Sarutobi Enjun said in a way that was beyond comprehension.
"Of course it's from practice. Did you think I'd get some kind of magical teachings from the Sage of Six Paths in my dreams while I'm sleeping?"
Gen Uchiha removed the net and reached out to pull Sarutobi Enjun up.
He did train hard, but he trained with cheat codes.
Sarutobi Enjun scratched his head in frustration.
Why can't he master it?
He was clearly very hardworking.
When I get back, I'll have to get my father, who's the Hokage, to show me some real skills.
"The live-fire exercise has concluded, and both sides have signed the seal of reconciliation!"
As the Chunin Mona's voice rang out, Gen Uchiha extended his hand and formed a reconciliation seal with Enjun Sarutobi, then they walked side by side toward the crowd.
"Yuan! That move was so cool!"
"As expected of Yuan, the second most handsome man in the class after me!"
"Shigeya, you've really lost all shame."
……
As soon as the two stepped off the stage, a crowd gathered around them.
For a group of ninja academy students who weren't even genin yet, today's two battles were quite an eye-opener for some of them.
"You mastered all your ninjutsu by yourself?"
Uchiha Inahime forced a calm expression as she spoke to Gen, though her eyes held a complex look.
The opponent's ninjutsu level was clearly a level higher than his and Sarutobi Enjun's. Even if the latter used tricks, he was still no match for Uchiha Gen.
Then he would have even less chance of defeating Uchiha Gen.
"Not entirely."
Gen Uchiha shook his head.
Inahiko was taken aback, then heard Uchiha Gen continue:
"There is a spiritual practice notebook left by my father before his death. Although there is still a lot of content in it that I can't understand now, it has still helped me a lot."
Seeing Uchiha Gen's deeply moved expression, Uchiha Inahi felt a pang of guilt, but still stubbornly insisted:
"Next time, my ninjutsu will be stronger than yours, so don't disappoint me then."
"Then I'll wait."
Gen Uchiha reached out his hand towards the fire.
The latter hesitated for a moment, but still gave Yuan a high five.
If it were anyone else, the fire would have been ignored and walked away, but Yuan...
He is different.
"Next time, you'll have to beat me first, Inahashi."
Sarutobi Enjun casually patted Uchiha Inahime on the shoulder.
"Hmph, you know perfectly well how you beat me this time. Although oil isn't among the ninja tools prohibited in the assessment, if you want to become a true strongman, you can't keep using these little tricks."
"Um...you have a point, but I'll definitely win next time."
Sarutobi Enjun scratched his head and gave a perfunctory reply, but his attention was quickly drawn to Uzuki Ruri, who was walking towards them. He eagerly followed her and became her devoted admirer.
Not far away, the proctor, Mengna, had already arranged the order according to the scores registered on the form.
"This graduation assessment has successfully concluded, and all members of this class have passed. Next, please come up on stage according to your ranking to receive your ninja headbands after the results are read out."
First place: Uchiha Gen, 100 points in written test, 100 points in practical assessment, and 100 points in overall score.
Second place: Sarutobi Enjun, with a written test score of 97, a practical assessment score of 99, and an overall score of 98.
Third place, Uchiha Inahi, 98 points in the written test, practical test...
After Mengna finished reading out the results, Uchiha Gen was the first to step onto the stage and receive his ninja headband.
"Congratulations, Gen. You will definitely become an excellent ninja and contribute to the village in the future."
"I will, Ms. Mengna."
Gen Uchiha nodded slightly, took the ninja headband with both hands, stepped off the stage, and tied the headband to his forehead.
From this moment on, he was a formally registered Konoha ninja.
In the system panel, the exclamation mark on the taskbar has changed from white to a rich gold.
[Special E-Rank Mission: Graduation Assessment (Mission Completed)]
[Task submitted...Settlement in progress...]
Settlement Rating: S
[Experience points being awarded...]
Current character level: 9
Available card draw attempts: 1
……
Looking at the updated data on the system panel, a smile appeared on Uchiha Gen's face.
Great, I can draw cards again.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, looking through the crystal ball at Sarutobi Enjun, who had received the Konoha ninja headband after Uchiha Gen, the Third Hokage also had a gratified smile on his face.
Although he didn't win first place, the Third Hokage could still see how outstanding his son was.
Perhaps in the future, under his guidance, Sarutobi Enjun might become a Kage-level powerhouse.
Who knows, this kid might have a chance to take over the mantle of Hokage?
Hiruzen Sarutobi touched the Hokage hat on his head and looked at a standing photo frame on the table.
The photo in the frame is a group photo of him with his three disciples when they were still young.
Orochimaru is his preferred candidate for the Fourth Hokage, so if Enjun has the opportunity to compete for the Fifth Hokage in the future...
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at a form on his desk outlining the selection of Jonin (senior ninja) to lead newly graduated Genin, and crossed out the name of Koto Mokumei in the first row.
"Yoryn, go and call Orochimaru over."
"Yes, Lord Third Generation!"
From the shadows, an ANBU ninja wearing an animal mask appeared and vanished in an instant before the Third Hokage.