Life at the Konoha Ninja Academy carried on.
Ren Akihara’s reputation, however, did not.
It exploded.
For years, Kakashi Hatake had been the benchmark every student was measured against.
Whenever an instructor wanted to motivate the class, they only needed three words.
“Look at Kakashi.”
“Learn from Kakashi.”
“Why can’t you be more like Kakashi?”
The silver-haired prodigy had become less of a person and more of an educational tool.
Then Ren happened.
Now the same Kakashi everyone admired had been beaten senseless by an Academy student.
Not once.
Repeatedly.
The impact on the student body was catastrophic.
What made it worse was Ren’s complete lack of sophistication.
He hadn’t outsmarted Kakashi.
He hadn’t unveiled some secret clan technique.
There had been no brilliant strategy.
His method was absurdly straightforward.
Charge forward.
Punch the enemy.
Keep punching the enemy.
Win.
Simple.
Direct.
Terrifyingly effective.
And exactly the sort of thing Academy students loved.
Rumors spread faster than wildfire.
One story in particular had already become legendary among the instructors.
During a lesson on infiltration techniques, a lower-grade student had reportedly raised his hand.
“Sensei, Senior Ren said that if everyone who sees you gets knocked out, then it’s still a successful infiltration mission.”
The boy’s expression had been completely sincere.
“So what’s the fastest way to knock everyone out?”
The teacher had nearly fainted.
The Academy staff were beginning to realize a horrifying truth.
Ren wasn’t just a problem.
He was an influence.
And that influence was spreading.
Fortunately, graduation was approaching.
Soon, he would become somebody else’s problem.
As the graduation exams drew near, the atmosphere throughout the Academy gradually changed.
The usual noise and excitement remained, but an undercurrent of tension had begun to appear.
Even the Elite Class had become noticeably more focused.
After all, graduation wasn’t merely the end of school.
It was the beginning of a shinobi’s real career.
No one could afford to take it lightly.
“I wonder what the exam will be this year.”
A student leaned back in his chair.
“I heard there are going to be some major changes.”
“Changes?”
Another student lowered his voice.
“My cousin said someone important is coming to observe.”
The surrounding students immediately perked up.
“Important how?”
The boy grinned.
“Important enough that they might take apprentices.”
Several students inhaled sharply.
His grin widened.
“What if I get picked?”
A nearby student folded his arms confidently.
“Whatever the exam is, I’m not worried.”
The room immediately turned toward him.
“Oh?”
“What if it’s like Kirigakure’s graduation exam?”
The classroom fell silent.
Instantly.
Everyone knew about the Bloody Mist.
Students were forced to fight each other to the death.
Only the survivors graduated.
The latest story was even more terrifying.
A prodigy named Zabuza Momochi had reportedly slaughtered every other examinee in his class by himself.
The incident had been so extreme that even Kirigakure had abandoned the system afterward.
Of course, that hadn’t stopped them from boasting about it.
The message was obvious.
Can your village produce a monster like this?
Most villages couldn’t.
The tale had impressed countless people across the shinobi world.
In Konoha, however, the students reached a very different conclusion.
One student swallowed.
“If we had that system…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
The entire class slowly turned toward the same person.
Ren Akihara.
Nobody argued.
Nobody disagreed.
The logic was impossible to refute.
If Konoha adopted the Bloody Mist system…
They would all die.
Fortunately, Konoha wasn’t Kirigakure.
The village wasn’t insane.
The Third Hokage was wise.
Compassionate.
A shining beacon of reason.
At that moment, nearly every student felt overwhelming gratitude toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even Asuma found himself silently thanking his father.
Thanks, Dad.
Please never do that.
Meanwhile, the source of everyone’s fear sat quietly in the corner of the classroom.
Ren paid absolutely no attention to the discussion.
His legs were bent in a deep horse stance.
His fists remained clenched at his sides.
Each breath was slow and controlled.
Combat accelerated Feast’s digestion.
Training helped as well.
Not nearly as much.
But every bit counted.
Despite possessing a system that most people would kill for, Ren had never neglected physical conditioning.
Strength gained through shortcuts was still strength.
But strength earned through effort felt more reliable.
As a result, he trained whenever possible.
The sight was strangely familiar.
If someone draped him in a green jumpsuit, he could probably pass as a distant relative of a certain taijutsu fanatic.
Then the classroom door slid open.
“Attention.”
The instructor stepped inside.
The room immediately quieted.
Conversations ceased.
Every student sat up straight.
“The graduation examination format has been finalized.”
A wave of anticipation swept through the room.
The instructor nodded.
“The importance of this examination should already be obvious to all of you.”
His gaze swept across the class.
“However, this year’s exam will differ from previous years.”
Curiosity immediately spread through the room.
The instructor allowed the suspense to build before smiling.
“Lord Orochimaru will personally attend the examination.”
Silence.
For one brief second, nobody reacted.
Then chaos erupted.
“What?!”
“Orochimaru-sama is coming?”
“Seriously?!”
The classroom exploded with excitement.
Among Konoha’s younger generation, few names carried more weight.
Tsunade had long since left the village.
Jiraiya spent most of his time traveling.
Of the three Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru was the one students actually saw.
Many already regarded him as the most likely candidate to become the Fourth Hokage.
As for Minato Namikaze?
He was unquestionably talented.
A rising star.
But compared to a Legendary Sannin, his reputation had yet to reach the same level.
The possibility of being noticed by Orochimaru was enough to make every student’s heart race.
The instructor cleared his throat.
“Quiet.”
The room gradually settled.
Though several students still looked ready to explode from excitement.
“Now, regarding the examination itself.”
He glanced at the paper in his hand.
“This year’s graduation test will be conducted in teams.”
The students blinked.
Teams?
The instructor continued.
“You will choose your own teammates.”
Murmurs spread instantly.
“Each team will face Academy-appointed Chunin instructors.”
“Your performance during the battle will determine your final evaluation.”
The room erupted again.
A team examination?
That was completely different from previous years.
Graduation assessments traditionally focused on individual performance.
No one understood why the format had changed.
The instructors themselves didn’t know.
The order had come directly from Orochimaru.
Questioning it had never been an option.
“Listen carefully.”
The instructor’s expression became serious.
The room quieted once more.
“Choose your teammates wisely.”
His gaze swept across the class.
“This decision may affect not only your graduation results…”
He paused.
“But your future as a shinobi.”
The students grew thoughtful.
Everyone understood the implication.
Graduation evaluations influenced future team assignments.
Instructor recommendations.
Career opportunities.
A strong performance could open doors.
A poor one could close them.
“Choose excellent teammates.”
The instructor repeated firmly.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Then every student in the classroom turned toward the same corner.
Toward the same person.
Ren Akihara.
The room became eerily quiet.
Because what sat there wasn’t merely an excellent teammate.
He wasn’t even the strongest student.
At this point, Ren had become something far more valuable.
A guaranteed pass.
A one-man army.
A walking insurance policy.
The ultimate carry.
And for the first time all year—
Ren looked up from his training and discovered he was surrounded.