The weather was clear, the sky a perfect blue, and birds chirped nonstop on the branches. Gentle sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, mixing with Kurai's lively lecture as if composing a delightful little melody.
The entire graduating class felt listless. They already knew that Ye Mizunotsuki had applied for an early graduation exam, and today was the day of that exam.
Although some wanted to cheer him on at Training Ground 40, they had no choice but to attend class as usual.
"I wonder how Ye-kun is doing? If he graduates early, we won't even be able to be on the same team with him, right?"
"He definitely won't pass. A skip-level student wanting early graduation? Impossible!"
…
Some speculated anxiously, some excitedly, but the outcome wouldn't be influenced by anyone else—it depended entirely on Ye Mizunotsuki himself.
…
Training Ground 40
"Today is such a nice day."
Ye Mizunotsuki basked in the warm sunlight, feeling cozy all over. Although he didn't yet know what kind of assessment Hiruzen Sarutobi would set, he was confident he could pass.
His only concern now was how he should pass.
Training Ground 40 was on the outskirts of Konoha. The village had forty-four training grounds in total; higher numbers meant farther from the center and larger areas. Training Ground 44 was essentially a vast forest, but 40 was more modest—an open clearing with nothing special.
At this time, Konoha wasn't as prosperous as it would be later. Although the Third Great Ninja War was ending soon, finances were tight, and there was no money to lavish on training grounds.
When Ye Mizunotsuki entered Training Ground 40 carrying the Enma Blade, only four people were waiting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and a middle-aged man in a black kimono with a stern expression.
Shizumura Danzo.
Ye recognized him immediately, although Danzo had yet to be fully wrapped in bandages at this time.
And the last one?
Ye's eyes flickered. Around fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing Konoha-standard armor, the boy's gaze never left Hiruzen, Minato, and Danzo. His expression showed both reverence and excitement.
If Ye guessed correctly, this boy was one of his opponents for the exam, with strength surely at least Chunin level.
After six months in Konoha, Ye knew that only Chunin or higher could wear that armor.
"You're here?"
"Go get 'em, Ye-kun!"
Hiruzen and Minato spoke in unison. Danzo slowly lifted his eyes, a sharp gleam passing through them.
Ye nodded lightly.
"Since you've arrived, I hereby declare the early assessment officially started," Hiruzen said, wearing his Hokage robes and holding a pipe. "The exam has three parts: ninja tools, basic ninjutsu usage, and the final combat assessment."
"Ninja tools count for twenty points, basic ninjutsu for thirty, and the combat assessment for fifty. Sixty is the passing score. Surpass sixty, and you pass this exam."
Minato smirked mischievously, wagging his finger. "Ye-kun, don't say I didn't warn you. Your opponent for the combat assessment is a top graduate from a few years ago, recently promoted to elite Chunin."
Seeing Minato's gleeful expression, Ye couldn't help twitching his lips. The towering Fourth Hokage, the legendary "Yellow Flash," turned out to have such a lowbrow sense of humor?
Where was the "maximum friendliness" persona? The little sun?
Heh. Ye felt some mild heartbreak—but then he turned his gaze to the boy half a head taller than him.
"An elite Chunin, huh?"
If previous early graduates had faced such difficulty, he would genuinely doubt anyone could pass.
"Cough, cough," Hiruzen cleared his throat, noticing Ye's thoughts. "You requested to join the Anbu, right? Nakamura has applied recently, too, so…"
He paused. "Consider this another part of your assessment."
Danzo seemed about to speak but was silenced by Hiruzen's warning gaze.
"I understand, Hokage-sama," Ye said, expression calm, lips curled slightly. He acted as if facing a powerful elite Chunin was trivial—as if the boy were merely a random passerby.
Nakamura frowned, determined to give Ye a memorable lesson.
"Very well. Let's begin the first part of the exam."
Hiruzen's words had barely ended when a rush of wind sliced through the air. Six iron kunai formed a straight line, fired simultaneously, and in the next second, all six struck a target dozens of meters away, forming perfect concentric circles.
Each kunai spaced almost identically, a feat impossible to detect by the naked eye. This wasn't just skill—it was absolute mastery over subtle force control.
Astounding!
Could this really be a seven-year-old still enrolled in the Ninja Academy? Even Jonin unskilled in weapons would feel humbled.
Nakamura, intending to intimidate Ye, froze in shock. Hiruzen and the others were also stunned.
"Proceed to the next part."
Ye broke the silence, lowering his hands. This was only the beginning.
"Uh… oh… yes… next…" Hiruzen stammered.
Ye immediately formed hand seals.
Substitution, clone, and transformation techniques—his fingers moved in a blur. Unlike ordinary students, he performed them with only one hand.
This was a Mizunotsuki clan trait, achievable only by the elite few.
One-handed hand seals!?
Nakamura froze again. Could this be the genius worthy of early graduation and Anbu qualification?
Despair filled his heart, witnessing the chasm between genius and ordinary.
"No, I can't be intimidated. I'm twice his age; no matter the talent, time's laws cannot be broken!"
Hiruzen observed Ye's constantly changing forms and pityingly glanced at the bewildered Nakamura. He would never understand what ordinary people truly meant to geniuses.
Merely stepping stones.
Soon, the second part of the exam concluded. At that moment, a whirlwind suddenly rose in the field.
"Looks like I'm not late. Perfect timing."
Orochimaru appeared midair, hands still forming seals. He had just finished an experiment, and everyone's expressions shifted upon seeing him.
Ye felt slightly annoyed. Why had this master arrived? Could he be targeting him? Thinking of Orochimaru's infamous habit of luring children, Ye felt slightly overwhelmed…