After eating breakfast, Natsuki, as usual, sent Nonō to the entrance of Konoha Hospital.
"Natsuki."
After walking a few steps, Nonō turned back, clenched her small fists, and said, "Good luck!"
Natsuki smiled and nodded.
Today was the final exam for Year One Class A, but Nonō would not participate because she was already a student of the medical shinobi learning class.
Of course, the medical shinobi learning class also had exams.
But because it had only been established for a short time, no exams had been held so far.
The cultivation of medical shinobi was too difficult. It was hard to learn much in a short period of time, so naturally, there was no need for an exam.
Natsuki soon arrived at the Ninja Academy.
He did not go to the classroom, but went straight to the playground.
Year One Class A's first practical combat exam would be held on the playground.
"Natsuki."
When Minato saw him, he walked forward and greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning, Minato."
Natsuki replied.
"For the first practical combat exam, what rank do you think you can get?"
Minato looked at him and asked.
Over this year, Natsuki had followed his plan and gradually raised his ranking. Now, he had already stabilized at third place.
"First place."
Natsuki blinked and said.
"First place?"
Minato did not react for a moment.
Previously, when he had asked Natsuki similar questions, Natsuki's answers had always been doing his best.
This was the first time he had so clearly declared first place.
Why did he suddenly have such confidence that he could take first place?
Over this year, Natsuki had only mastered the Substitution Technique, while Minato had already learned all three of the Three Basic Techniques.
"It seems you were indeed hiding something before."
Minato froze for a moment, then said seriously, "For this practical combat exam, as your opponent, I want to see your true strength."
"As you wish."
Natsuki nodded and said.
"I'll look forward to it."
Minato felt pressure.
But as a genius, he also had his own pride. If Natsuki wanted first place, he had to go through him first.
At nine in the morning, Ishida Yū arrived at the playground on time.
He did not waste words and explained the rules of Year One Class A's first practical combat exam.
First, only wooden ninja tools could be used.
Second, the fight would stop when a point was made. Deadly attacks were not allowed.
Third, he would preside over the exam. Students would fight one-on-one according to their rankings. After three rounds of elimination, the final rankings would be decided.
After the rules were explained, Year One Class A's first practical combat exam officially began.
Natsuki fought in the second match and advanced easily.
As expected, it could only be described as rookies pecking at each other.
Aside from Minato and him, the other students basically only knew the Substitution Technique, plus crude taijutsu and ninja tool throwing.
Naturally, this kind of fight would not be very brilliant.
"Second round, first match. Minato against Onodera!"
Ishida Yū shouted loudly.
A match between first place and second place.
This immediately made Year One Class A's atmosphere become lively.
Especially since Minato had extremely high popularity in class. Many students shouted in unison to cheer him on.
The scene looked very spectacular.
"What are you shouting for?"
But Onodera's words naturally received no response.
"Minato!"
Seeing this, Onodera looked at Minato and gnashed his teeth as he said, "I've waited a long time for today. First place is definitely mine!"
Minato said nothing, only waiting for the match to begin.
After forming the Seal of Confrontation, Onodera immediately flicked both hands and threw six kunai.
All six kunai headed toward Minato's vital points.
Minato glanced at them, then rushed forward.
"What?"
Onodera could not help but feel his heart tighten.
In the next second, something unexpected happened.
Minato's movement speed did not decrease. He turned, shifted, and avoided the six kunai.
By the time Onodera reacted, Minato had already arrived in front of him.
He hurriedly raised his leg and kicked toward Minato.
Minato sidestepped, avoiding it. His right hand turned into a palm and reached behind him.
With a bang, he struck out with his palm and hit Onodera's back.
Onodera's leg had not even had time to retract before he was sent flying several meters by that strike.
"As expected of Minato, the first place. He's too strong!"
"Onodera didn't even last half a minute?"
"Incredible!"
The students of Year One Class A could not help but cheer.
Ishida Yū revealed a satisfied smile.
Minato had already begun using the Three Basic Techniques together skillfully, easily defeating Onodera.
What he cared about was not that Minato had defeated Onodera.
It was Minato's terrifying reflexes and insight.
With the same physical condition, Minato was simply faster and sharper than Onodera.
No wonder he would later be able to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was a Space-Time Ninjutsu, and its greatest feature was speed.
Not only would the enemy be unable to react, but the user might also be unable to react.
At that time, the user would need extremely high reflexes and perception.
These two abilities could also provide an advantage in battle.
"Winner, Namikaze Minato!"
Ishida Yū announced.
Minato's face immediately showed a sunny smile.
He raised his hand and waved to the girls supporting him.
In contrast, Onodera's expression was even paler than the defeated soldiers of Kumo.
But aside from his impotent anger, he had no other way. A loss was a loss, and a win was a win.
"Third round, first match. Minato against Natsuki!"
Ishida Yū gathered his spirit and shouted.
As long as Minato defeated Natsuki, he would basically be confirmed as first place in this final exam.
But he was not optimistic about Natsuki.
Even Onodera, who was in second place, had lost. What kind of waves could third-place Natsuki make?
After Natsuki went on stage, he casually picked up a wooden ninja sword from the weapon rack beside him.
"A ninja sword?"
Minato and the others immediately felt puzzled.
Because they had never seen Natsuki use a ninja sword before, and they did not even know that he had learned swordsmanship.
Minato formed the Seal of Confrontation with a serious expression.
The sound of wind rang out.
He took out four kunai from his ninja tool pouch and threw them out.
Compared to the kunai Onodera had thrown, his kunai were faster and more tricky.
Natsuki moved.
Minato's heart shook.
Natsuki's strength had truly exceeded his expectations.
Fortunately, his reaction was not slow.
Almost in an instant, he took out two kunai again and blocked the incoming ninja sword.
"One-Sword Style, Lion Strike!"
Natsuki's eyes narrowed.
The ninja sword suddenly erupted with a heavy force as it slashed downward.
Minato's pupils shrank, followed by a burning pain.
Natsuki's ninja sword cut through his two wooden kunai and brushed past his chest.
If he had not reacted quickly, and if it had not been a wooden sword, he would already have been split in half.
Minato looked at Natsuki with lingering fear.
He stood in place and did not pursue. He only looked at him quietly, but a wave of pressure suddenly arose.
Minato gritted his teeth and immediately formed hand seals.
Clone Technique!
Another Minato appeared.
The two Minato crossed over each other and rushed toward Natsuki.
The Clone Technique was not the Shadow Clone Technique. It had no combat ability and could only serve to confuse the eyes.
Minato's tactic was simple. He and the clone would use basic taijutsu together to attack Natsuki.
If Natsuki chose the wrong one, the other him could seize the chance to launch an effective attack.
"One-Sword Style, Iai, Lion Song!"
But Natsuki did not dodge.
Before the two Minato could reach him, he drew his sword.
His whole body seemed like a gust of wind, sweeping past the two Minato.
With a bang, Minato's clone turned into smoke and disappeared.
His real body stiffened and let out a muffled groan, then fell to the ground.
At that moment, the entire playground fell into dead silence.
"What just happened?"
Onodera's face showed a blank expression.
Everything had happened too quickly just now, and he had not seen it clearly at all.
(To be continued.)