After his initial shock, Instructor Mitsui finally ca back to his senses. Swallowing hard, he opened his mouth and said,
"Alright then... follow ."
Without another word, Mitsui suddenly flipped out the window, leaping deftly across the rooftops.
His intention was to show the kids just how serious and demanding a real ninja's path was—but the mont he glanced back, he locked eyes with an overly casual Jiraiya.
"Whoa! Sensei, why'd you turn around so suddenly? You scared the crap out of !" Jiraiya shouted, nearly losing his footing on the tiles.
Mitsui's face twitched in exasperation as he watched the five kids trail behind him like it was nothing. He sighed inwardly:
"Maybe this is what real genius looks like. I really can't use my own standards to judge kids like them."
Letting go of his initial pride, Mitsui turned his full attention to leading them toward the Hokage's office.
When they arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi happened to be free and greeted them with a warm smile. After all, having five young prodigies erge at once was sothing worth celebrating.
He motioned for them to wait a mont, then personally led them to the newly constructed Training Ground Six.
By the ti Hoshiyomi and the others arrived, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Uzumaki Mito were already present.
Hoshiyomi scanned the surroundings but didn't see Danzō anywhere. He chose not to ask, but couldn't help imagining that Danzō had probably annoyed Mito and gotten himself exiled to so remote post.
Homura and Koharu were still in their twenties, full of energy—completely unlike the rigid, conservative figures they'd beco in the future. Hoshiyomi silently marveled:
"Ti really does change people. Who would've guessed that the ones pushing for progress now would beco everything they once opposed in a few decades?"
Homura looked over the kids and spoke to Hiruzen.
"These are the prodigies you ntioned? They definitely look sharp and full of spirit."
Koharu gave them a warm smile.
"Do your best—I have high hopes for you."
Sarutobi clapped his hands to end the small talk and turned to Mitsui. The instructor nodded and stepped forward.
"As per the rules laid down by the Second Hokage, students applying for early graduation must first demonstrate proficiency in the Three Basic Techniques. Then, they must last three minutes in combat against a genin-level opponent without being defeated."
"If any of you feel like you can't et those requirents, you can withdraw now."
Unsurprisingly, none of the five backed out. Mitsui frowned slightly but continued,
"Very well, then proceed with your demonstration of the Three Basic Techniques."
The Three Techniques—Transformation Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Clone Jutsu—posed no challenge for them. Each of the five stepped forward and perford them flawlessly.
Homura and Koharu nodded silently. While basic, these jutsu were a good indicator of fundantal skill. Those who couldn't master them had little chance of succeeding in more advanced ninjutsu.
From their performance, it was clear these five already had excellent chakra control.
Now it was ti to test their real combat capability.
Following Hiruzen's signal, five young genin around eleven or twelve years old stepped into the training field. While this graduation exam was stricter than the standard one, they weren't pitting these six-year-olds against full-grown adults.
That said, these genin had graduated two or three years prior, and the gap between them and academy students was still significant.
Age alone was a factor—these genin were already hitting their growth spurts, with strength and speed far beyond that of six-year-old children. More importantly, they'd all tasted real combat, so even having killed before—versus kids who'd barely seen blood.
The genin eyed Hoshiyomi and the others with visible disdain. In their minds, applying for early graduation at six was idiotic. Even prodigies wouldn't stand a chance against veterans of blood and fire.
Mitsui looked between the genin and his five students. Oddly, he found himself a little pleased. Maybe a good thrashing would get these kids to take their studies more seriously.
Unfortunately for Mitsui, he was destined to be disappointed.
What unfolded next stunned not just Mitsui, but even Homura and Koharu.
Because none of the genin lasted the required three minutes. Not one.
Every single one of them was decisively defeated.
In the first match, Jiraiya led the charge. After a quick flurry of kunai, he dashed in with a Leaf Whirlwind, knocking his opponent into the air, then finished with a Lion Combo.
Orochimaru opened with a barrage of kunai to obscure vision, then used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands for a swift and silent bind. By the ti his opponent realized what was happening, they were already disard and pinned.
Tsunade showed everyone what it ant to co from a prestigious clan. She started with Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall to block projectiles, then chained it into Water Release: Water Trumpet and Lightning Release: Current Surge behind the cover—giving her opponent a full suite of pain.
The watching genin on the sidelines were speechless. They'd been out of the Academy for two years and still didn't know three jutsu—anwhile, Tsunade just hit them with triple-elental ninjutsu.
"So this is what pay-to-win looks like..." soone murmured.
Sakumo went straight for the throat—figuratively. He rushed his opponent, dodged incoming jutsu, deflected thrown weapons with his chakra blade White Fang, and had his sword at their throat before they could react.
No tricks. Just raw speed, precision, and terrifying intent.
"Good luck winning when the dragon lands on your face."
Last to go was Gekkō Hoshiyomi. He was more courteous—he exchanged a few probing blows with his opponent before drawing his wooden sword for close-quarters combat.
Unfortunately, his opponent's taijutsu was full of holes. Despite wielding a kunai, they couldn't land a clean strike. Hoshiyomi disard them with a single slash to the wrist, casually caught the falling kunai mid-air, and pressed it gently against their neck.
His movents were smooth, precise, effortless. His face was calm—almost bored.
The defeated genin wanted to cry.
"Mom… he's already handso. Why'd he have to fight so damn stylishly too?"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at spatreon/c/ReadJin
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