Soon, the first and second rounds of the exam had concluded.
Unlike the first round, those with the strength to participate in the second round were essentially no pushovers.
Matsuake’s opponent in the second round was a boy from a civilian background.
He didn’t know any family-inherited Ninjutsu, nor did he possess a Kekkei Genkai, but he had mastered the basic Ninjutsu taught at the Ninja Academy quite well.
Although he ultimately lost to Matsuake, his performance clearly met the graduation standards.
Additionally, Tsukuyomi, Suke, and Go, whom Tobirama and the others had mentioned earlier, also successfully advanced to the third round.
After the first two rounds of matches, only six individuals remained capable of continuing to fight in the third round.
Besides Matsuake, Tsukuyomi, Suke, and Go, there were two other top performers from the graduating class who had also made it this far.
After all, this was an exam, not some formal competition.
It was impossible to pause and wait for everyone to fully recover before continuing.
Therefore, some who were injured or had exhausted their stamina and Chakra, even if they had won in the previous rounds, still withdrew from the subsequent matches.
Although the format of the Graduation Exam was an elimination battle, it wasn’t only the one who won to the end who could graduate.
The emphasis was on the process, not the outcome.
However, those who still had strength left by the third round couldn’t possibly not want to win to the end.
“I didn’t expect you all to make it to the third round either.” Just as the six were preparing to line up to draw lots, Uchiha Suke, who had originally been standing further back, suddenly took several aggressive steps forward.
After shoving Tsukuyomi, who was standing in front, aside, Suke came to the very front of the line as if it were only natural.
“But I suppose you’re just lucky you didn’t run into me in the earlier rounds.” As he spoke, he grabbed a paper slip from the lottery box and walked aside to open it.
With a hint of arrogance at the corner of his mouth, Suke directly unfolded the paper slip, showing the side with the number to everyone.
He had drawn number one.
That meant the person who drew the same number next would be his opponent.
“Don’t boast too soon, or you might regret it when you end up embarrassed later.” Matsuake ignored the other’s provocative expression, responding only calmly.
He patted Tsukuyomi’s shoulder, signaling her to draw next.
The process, which had stalled due to the earlier incident, resumed.
“It’s number two.” Glancing at the number she had drawn, Tsukuyomi whispered somewhat dejectedly.
She had hoped she would draw number one first, so she could eliminate Suke right away.
That way, Matsuake wouldn’t have to face this annoying Uchiha.
“Don’t worry, Tsukuyomi.
I’ll handle him.” Matsuake said with a smile, simultaneously unfolding his own paper slip and facing it toward Suke, who stood with his arms crossed not far away.
The number he had drawn was also clearly number one.
That meant the first match to follow would be between him and Suke.
Similarly unfolding the paper slip toward his opponent, Matsuake’s expression lacked the arrogance and provocation the other had shown moments before.
However, apart from his usual indifference, Matsuake’s face now carried a touch more sternness than usual.
Yet, it was precisely this expression that made Suke feel he was being looked down upon.
Gritting his teeth fiercely, he raised his right hand to neck level and made a throat-slitting gesture.
On the stage, many who saw this action frowned.
“Hmph.” Tobirama, who had always held a rather unfavorable view of the Uchiha Clan, frowned even more deeply and snorted coldly.
It was no wonder he had always been hostile toward the Uchiha Clan.
As could be seen from the original story, many members of the Uchiha Clan behaved rather extremely.
For example, Uchiha Obito, who wanted to destroy the entire world because the girl he secretly loved died.
In the ninja world, most ninjas had friends or family members killed by others, and they all understood that grievances had their source and debts their debtor.
However, some members of the Uchiha Clan, after being provoked, would act as if they had gone mad.
Having fought against the Uchiha Clan on the battlefield for many years, Tobirama naturally despised these unstable elements.
Moreover, after the establishment of Konohagakure, all the ninja clans, big and small, had behaved properly.
Only the Uchiha Clan still maintained an arrogant, overbearing attitude, unwilling to integrate into Konohagakure.
Such behavior sowed the seeds of misfortune for the Uchiha Clan in the future.
By the time of Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan’s situation was far worse than it was now.
Even if the Uchiha Clan wanted to integrate into Konohagakure, it would be thousands of times more difficult than it was at present.
Because trust between the two sides had long been eroded.
But let’s set that aside for now.
Soon, everyone on the field had finished drawing lots.
Matsuake and Suke, who drew the number one, were the first pair of opponents.
Tsukuyomi and Go drew the number two and were the second pair of opponents.
The remaining two drew the number three.
“It seems your luck has run out, Matsuake.” Suke eagerly walked to the center of the arena, simultaneously drawing a kunai from his ninja tool pouch.
“Without forming the opposing hand seal, put that kunai away!” Just as Suke was about to continue his taunts, the proctor nearby suddenly shouted sternly.
Hearing this, Suke seemed to feel somewhat embarrassed and did not comply immediately.
However, the proctor’s icy gaze seemed to say: If he did not comply, he would be declared to have failed the exam.
“Pfft—” Seeing the other party’s aggrieved expression, Matsuake did not hold back and laughed out loud.
Since the other party was so openly hostile, Matsuake naturally saw no reason to remain friendly.
Once both sides formed the opposing hand seal, Suke could no longer restrain himself.
His eyes filled with rage, he drew his kunai and charged toward Matsuake.
Watching this scene, the proctor nearby could only sigh helplessly.
He could tell that this Uchiha Clan brat was holding nothing back, aiming entirely to inflict fatal or crippling injuries.
If the situation escalated beyond control, he would have to be prepared to intervene and prevent casualties.
Meanwhile, Matsuake was not idle either.
After reaching the total concentration – constant level in his Breathing Technique, his body was constantly filled with immense power.
At the same time, his physical abilities were gradually improving under the influence of the Breathing Technique.
In the previous rounds of combat, his opponents were, after all, fellow villagers.
To give them a chance to showcase their abilities and to avoid seriously injuring them, he had held back.
Otherwise, his battles in the first two rounds would have ended much more quickly.
But now, facing someone who had been spouting nonsense and making arrogant remarks all along, Matsuake would not consider him a comrade!
Therefore, holding back was completely unnecessary.
If you graduate smoothly today, I’ll consider it my loss!