"This graduation exam ends here."
Kitazawa stepped into the center of the field. "After a ten‑minute break, the final rankings and team assignments will be announced."
The break wasn't for the students—it was for the Konoha Arena, which needed time to be repaired.
As his voice fell, Anbu began appearing one after another in the arena that had basically turned into ruins, starting emergency repairs.
"It was truly a graduation exam beyond imagination," Hiruzen said quietly.
"It was worth the trip," Jiraiya added, still looking like he wanted more.
Even he had to admit this exam had completely opened his eyes.
If he hadn't come to watch, it would have been a huge loss.
Kage‑level power at eleven or twelve years old—if he hadn't seen it himself, he never would have believed it.
"Without a doubt, this is the strongest generation of students since the Ninja Academy was founded," Shikaku said with emotion.
No previous class could compare.
The most outrageous part was that this class, right at graduation, already had peak strength on par with other years' shinobi at their prime.
Normally, a ninja didn't reach their peak until after twenty.
"The students of the Genius Class have already surpassed us the moment they graduate," Choza said, eyes full of expectation. "Their future will definitely be amazing."
Fugaku nodded without thinking.
The most dazzling ones in this graduation exam were clearly Sasuke and Naruto.
The two of them already had half a foot on the Hokage's seat.
His only regret was that the final winner wasn't Sasuke, but Naruto.
That meant Naruto was already half a step ahead in the race for Hokage.
Fortunately, the future was long.
There was still hope for Sasuke.
Hiashi sighed inwardly.
Even though two of the final four were from the Hyuga clan, the gap between them and Sasuke or Naruto was too big.
If nothing unexpected happened, the chances of a Hyuga becoming the Seventh Hokage were very slim.
In the end, the Hyuga clan had still lost to the Uchiha.
"Letting Kitazawa teach the Genius Class really was the right decision," Hiruzen said, stroking his beard, pride in his tone.
"Old man, that's because Kitazawa is amazing. It has nothing to do with you," Tsunade said bluntly.
"In any case, I still deserve a little credit," Hiruzen replied with a chuckle, not minding her attitude at all.
"Tsunade."
Jiraiya suddenly remembered something. "Is it still in time for me to be a team leader for the Genius Class?"
"Is Lord Jiraiya interested in a particular student?" Shibi's heart stirred as he asked.
If they could choose a leader for their own children, Kitazawa would undoubtedly be the first choice.
But Kitazawa was too sought after.
No matter how he calculated it, Shino wasn't likely to get one of those three spots.
If Jiraiya was willing to take on students, he would instantly become the second‑best choice, right after Kitazawa.
He was one of Konoha's Sannin, Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple, and Minato Namikaze's teacher.
Becoming his student would mean entering the Hokage's lineage and gaining the qualifications to compete for the Hokage position.
Even if they couldn't become Hokage, there was still a real chance of becoming a high‑ranking official in Konoha.
Hiashi subconsciously glanced at Jiraiya.
His thoughts were similar to Shibi's.
Kitazawa would only take three students. Neji and Hinata might not necessarily be among them.
After all, Naruto and Sasuke had the highest probability of being chosen—but none of the four were Medical‑nin.
According to the traditional configuration of a three‑man cell, a Medical‑nin needed to be added.
"Naruto and Sasuke," Jiraiya said with a smile, not bothering to hide it.
He felt that both Naruto and Sasuke had the potential to be the Child of Prophecy.
Their strength was simply too overwhelming—several levels above their peers.
If they really were the legendary Child of Prophecy, then everything would make sense.
After all, the Child of Prophecy was said to possess the power to change the entire ninja world.
And to change the ninja world, both talent and strength were absolutely essential.
"You're too late; all the team leaders have already been decided."
Tsunade paused, then added, "Besides, you're away all year round. You're not suited to be a team leader."
Jiraiya hesitated, but couldn't argue.
Until he confirmed who the Child of Prophecy really was, he indeed had no plans to stay in Konoha for long.
He thought it over and finally chose to give up.
Besides, even if he didn't become the official team leader for Naruto and Sasuke, he could still be their teacher in his own way.
For example, teaching them Sage Mode would be enough to count as half a teacher.
Ten minutes passed in a flash.
Thanks to the efforts of the Anbu, the Konoha Arena was more or less restored to its original state.
It had to be said, using Ninjutsu for construction work was incredibly convenient.
"After the final rankings and class assignments are announced, please don't leave yet."
Kitazawa walked back into the arena and reminded everyone, "Hokage-sama will be giving a speech."
No one was surprised.
Since Tsunade had been watching the entire exam, it was only natural for her to give some concluding remarks.
Not to mention, this graduation exam had been so unusual it could almost be called unprecedented.
"First place, Uzumaki Naruto."
Kitazawa announced.
Naruto raised his hand and waved, grinning from ear to ear.
Except for Sasuke, none of the other students felt any jealousy or envy.
The gap between them and Naruto was so great it was almost hopeless; there was simply no way to catch up.
"Second place, Uchiha Sasuke."
Kitazawa continued.
Sasuke's hands clenched into fists before he realized it.
This complete defeat left him very shaken.
Even after awakening the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, he still hadn't been able to surpass Naruto.
Could the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan be evolved even further?
The gap was huge, but Sasuke still refused to give up.
He was still young. Someday, he might still have a chance to defeat Naruto.
"Third place, Hyuga Neji. Fourth place, Hyuga Hinata."
Kitazawa read on, "Fifth place, Kurama Yakumo. Sixth place, Rock Lee. Seventh place, Akimichi Choji. Eighth place, Yamanaka Ino."
These top eight were the students who had entered the third round.
"Ninth place, Kimimaro. Tenth place, Aburame Shino. Eleventh place, Tenten. Twelfth place, Inuzuka Kiba."
Kitazawa continued, "Thirteenth place, Haruno Sakura. Fourteenth place, Nara Shikamaru. Fifteenth place, Tayuya."
These top fifteen were all students who had made it to the second round.
"Sixteenth place, Jugo. Seventeenth place, Karin. Eighteenth place, Haku."
Kitazawa paused, then read, "Nineteenth place, Shion. Twentieth place, Chino. Twenty-first place, Hotaru."
The strength of these six students was actually about the same.
Their exact ranking mostly came down to luck.
Even so, while they were at the bottom of the top twenty-one in the Genius Class, their strength was far from weak. Reaching the level of Jonin in the future would be almost effortless for them.
"Twenty-second place... The above is the ranking of the thirty students in this graduation exam."
After finishing the list, Kitazawa announced, "From today onward, they officially graduate and become Genin."
Naruto and the others immediately broke into excited smiles.
Even though they had already been going on missions for some time, becoming official ninja was an entirely different feeling.
But they quickly calmed themselves.
What came next was the real highlight: the graduation team assignments.
Rankings were already in the past.
They were just a summary of their performance during five and a half years at the Academy and did not decide their future.
But team assignments could shape the path ahead.
The choice of team leaders and teammates would bring the students tremendous benefits.
Besides the Genius Class students, parents like Hiashi and Fugaku were also tense and full of anticipation.
After all, their children's jōnin instructors and teammates would indirectly influence them as well, along with the clans they represented.
It was no exaggeration to say this was another reshuffling of Konoha's power structure and social status.
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