"Well then, let's continue," the sensei announced. "Next comes a test of your taijutsu fundamentals — sparring matches. You'll be assigned pairs, and your task is to demonstrate your skills in an honest fight. Try not to cripple each other, but don't relax either."
Kuro smirked when he saw who his opponent was. Nawaki Senju stood across from him with a complicated expression. After all, during their training sessions, the Senju heir hadn't won a single time. He rolled his shoulders, preparing for the fight.
"So, Nara," he said challengingly, pulling himself together. "Let's show what we've learned over the years!"
Kuro merely shrugged. He didn't need to prove anything, but if a fight was inevitable, why not have some fun?
"Begin!" the examiner's voice rang out as soon as the two students took their fighting stances.
Nawaki immediately rushed into the attack, relying on his strength and speed to seize the initiative. Each time, Kuro dodged at the very last moment before impact, retreating smoothly, as if predicting every move of his opponent. The first exchange already made one thing obvious: Kuro surpassed his opponent in every aspect. But Nawaki didn't give up — he tried to compensate for the gap in skill with sheer pressure, endurance, and a larger chakra reserve.
Having had his fill, Nara decided to go on the offensive. His strikes were precise, and his movements too fast; every hit forced Nawaki to tense up more and more. Senju chose to create distance and, forming hand seals, used the Earth Bullet Technique. For a moment, it seemed as though the attack had hit Kuro, but he managed to use the Substitution Technique, and a log was struck by the barrage of stones instead. His opponent realized the attack had failed and tried to turn around sharply — but it was too late. Kuro was already behind him, a kunai resting on his shoulder.
"Do you give up?" he asked lazily.
"Damn it…" Senju exhaled, acknowledging defeat.
"The winner — Kuro Nara!" the examiner announced.
Next up were Mikoto and Kushina.
The two girls stood facing each other. Kushina was smiling broadly, clenching her fists, while Mikoto maintained a cool, composed expression.
"Hope you won't complain when you lose," Kushina said provocatively.
Mikoto merely snorted in response.
"We'll see."
The fight began with an exchange of shuriken, in which the Uchiha had a clear advantage. Uzumaki decided to use the Raging Wave Technique she had recently learned with Kuro's help. An unstoppable stream of water soon collided with a large fireball, and both techniques neutralized each other, shrouding the clearing in impenetrable steam. Realizing she wouldn't win like this, Kushina began closing the distance with her friend, apparently hoping to rely on brute strength.
Mikoto accepted close combat, relying on her speed and clan taijutsu style. Using well-thought-out tactics, she forced Kushina into taking greater risks, trying to catch her in a mistake. Their fight turned out to be one of the most spectacular, but the longer it dragged on, the more unfavorable the position became for the Uchiha. After all, when it came to endurance, Uzumaki had no equal. Understanding this, Mikoto decided to use her final trump card.
In an instant, her eyes turned from coal-black to blood-red, a single tomoe spinning in each pupil. A brief moment of eye contact was enough for Kushina to freeze. Naturally, the effect didn't last long, but it was enough for Mikoto's kunai to end up at her opponent's neck.
"The winner — Mikoto Uchiha!" the sensei said somewhat sluggishly, which was understandable. Awakening the Sharingan at such an age was astonishing; the last person he remembered doing so was Fugaku.
The next pair was Hiashi and Tsume. This fight brought together two very different combat approaches — the refined technique of the Hyuga versus the wild, instinctive style of the Inuzuka clan. Tsume relied on her speed and animal instincts, while Hiashi methodically blocked her attacks. Had the dog user faced a different opponent, she would have had every chance, but engaging in close combat against a Byakugan wielder was a losing battle from the start. Soon, the Hyuga caught his opponent and, with a couple of strikes, sealed her chakra pathways.
The next match was Minato versus Hizashi, and at first glance, the situation seemed similar. Speed against technique. However, Namikaze also possessed a sharp mind. From the very beginning, he used the Shadow Clone Technique he had honed through countless training spars. Although the blond could currently create only three clones, combined with the Body Flicker, Substitution, and precise tactics, it created incredible chaos for his opponent. In the end, he managed to confuse Hizashi with a series of lightning-fast maneuvers and landed the decisive punch to the jaw.
The remaining bouts were far less interesting. Inoichi and Shikaku defeated two civilian students. Kin overcame the much larger Atsushi thanks to her mastery of kenjutsu. And Shibi Aburame defeated an Akimichi who couldn't oppose the swarm of insects in any way.
After all the sparring matches concluded, the final stage of the exam began — a demonstration of the three basic techniques: Substitution, Clone, and Transformation. For most students, especially those from clans, this task posed no difficulty. They had practiced these techniques throughout their years at the Academy and refined them at home with their parents. However, for several students — particularly from civilian families — this stage proved to be a real trial.
Sarutobi-sensei closely observed each student, noting their level of mastery. Most demonstrated the techniques flawlessly, received an approving nod, and stepped aside.
Nevertheless, a few students still managed to fail. The most difficult technique for most was Transformation. One boy, attempting to take on the sensei's appearance, produced some kind of caricature: the lips were disproportionately huge, and the ears stuck out to the sides like windmill blades. The class barely held back laughter, while the sensei sighed heavily and sent the failure away. Another student transformed into Kajiro, but with arms of different sizes and crooked eyes. At one point, even the sensei couldn't take it anymore and covered his face with his palm.
"Well…," he muttered.
Despite such comical moments, the majority of the class successfully completed the task. Kuro performed all the techniques flawlessly, without even thinking about it. His mind was already occupied with other questions — who would become his mentor? That was his main interest now, not a simple test of basic skills.
When the last group finished their demonstration, Sarutobi-sensei called everyone over and began reading from his list. He called each student by name, then handed them the forehead protector of the Hidden Leaf Village. It was a solemn moment they had all worked toward for four long years.
Kuro stood aside, watching as his classmates received their symbols of a ninja one by one. When his name was called, he calmly stepped forward, accepted the protector from the sensei's hands, and gave a slight nod in thanks. Now he truly could officially be considered a shinobi of Konoha — simply astonishing.
Soon, the Academy began to empty. Many graduates were met by their parents, congratulating them on successfully completing their studies. Some mothers hugged their children with tears in their eyes, while fathers proudly clapped them on the shoulders, wishing them luck in the future. Loud voices filled the Academy courtyard — joyful laughter, excited discussions about how the exam went, and anticipation of upcoming assignments.
Kuro, together with Minato, Kushina, Mikoto, Nawaki, Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi, headed for the exit. Their destination was a small barbecue restaurant, where they decided to celebrate their graduation.
"So, we're officially shinobi now!" Nawaki declared cheerfully once they were seated at a large table.
"Yeah," Shikaku snorted, stretching lazily. "Just imagine how many problems await us in the future."
"So what!" Kushina enthusiastically struck her fist into her palm. "The main thing is that I get a decent sensei on my team, not some weakling!"
"I think you'll be lucky," Minato smirked. "You performed really well, after all."
Kushina blushed slightly, then frowned when she noticed Mikoto's grin.
"What are you smirking at?"
"Just funny," the Uchiha shrugged. "You're as loud as ever."
"Oh, please! I'm just not afraid to express my thoughts, dattebane!"
"Yeah, shouting them for the whole area to hear," Inoichi added, immediately earning a punch to the shoulder from Kushina.
Kuro, watching the scene, simply smirked and took another piece of meat. To be honest, he was also curious about the identity of his new sensei. Besides, the old man had said that today, after he officially became a genin, they would go to Shikuma and show him the new technique.
Time flew by unnoticed amidst laughter and conversation. Choza, as always, ate more than everyone else, while never missing a chance to tease Nawaki, who constantly lost to him in eating contests. At one point, Minato stood up, raised a glass of juice, and proposed a toast:
"Let's drink to the fact that we all made it to this moment! Now each of us is a true shinobi of the Leaf! And despite the many trials awaiting us ahead, I'm sure we'll support each other no matter what."
"Yes!" Kushina shouted, raising her cup of tea. "To all of us becoming the best!"
They clinked glasses, continuing to chat about upcoming team assignments, new missions, and, of course, who among them would become the strongest. After sitting there for about three hours and seemingly discussing everything, they gradually began to disperse.
When Kuro returned home, he saw that his grandfather, as usual, was sitting in his study. The old man only glanced briefly at his grandson, but Kuro couldn't help noticing a faint glimmer of pride in his eyes.
"Did everything go well?" he asked.
"Yes. No problems," the young Nara nodded, sitting down across from him. "It was all pretty easy."
Enzo nodded, hiding a smile behind his stern mask.
"As expected. But be careful not to grow arrogant. I've met many shinobi far stronger than you who died because of excessive self-confidence."
"Don't worry, old man. Dying young was never part of my plans."
"I hope you're ready to go see Shikuma?"
"Absolutely."