“Number three.” After drawing a paper slip from the box, Matsuake stepped aside and unfolded it.
The paper bore the number three, a relatively early position.
Looking around, he could see that the number of participants in the graduation exam was not large—only about fifty or so.
Moreover, battles between ninja could easily result in mutual injury, so many of them might withdraw from subsequent rounds even if they won the first.
Thus, this elimination tournament would likely only require about three or four rounds.
“Look, it’s the Hokage!” Someone suddenly shouted, and everyone turned to notice a group of people who had quietly arrived at the edge of the field.
Among them, Hashirama, wearing the Hokage’s hat, walked at the forefront, followed by Tobirama and other clan leaders and ninja from various clans.
In Konohagakure at that time, Hashirama was the most beloved figure.
If the older generation of ninja revered him, the younger generation simply idolized him.
Seeing the next generation of Konohagakure greet him, Hashirama smiled and waved back.
“The Hokage is as popular as ever.” Beside Tobirama stood several teenagers in their teens.
One of them, who resembled a monkey, sighed with emotion.
Among these youths were Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Akimichi Torifu.
They were the top talents of their generation, among the earliest graduates after the establishment of Konohagakure’s Ninja Academy.
With no missions at hand recently, they had come with Tobirama to observe the graduation exam.
“Teacher Tobirama, are there any promising talents in this year’s batch?” Hiruzen asked curiously.
Hearing this, the others nearby also turned their attention, pricking up their ears.
After a moment of thought, Tobirama replied.
“Among the graduating class, your cousin Sarutobi Go is quite outstanding.” At this point, Sarutobi Sasuke, the current head of the Sarutobi Clan and father of Hiruzen, chimed in.
“Logically speaking, he already had the strength of a Genin two years ago, but he refused to graduate early.
It’s really…” Sasuke shook his head in disappointment.
As one of Konohagakure’s founders, he had fought alongside Hashirama and others for many years, so their interactions were more casual.
Hashirama said earnestly, “Sasuke, one of the reasons we founded Konohagakure was to prevent children from being sent to the battlefield too early.
There’s nothing wrong with that.” Hearing this, Sasuke nodded in agreement and added.
“From what I understand, barring any surprises, Go should be the strongest among this year’s graduates.” The usually taciturn Danzō suddenly asked, “Teacher Tobirama, what about among those who graduated early?” He noticed that Tobirama had only mentioned the graduating class, excluding those who graduated early.
Yet, according to convention, true geniuses often chose to graduate early.
“Among those who graduated early, two individuals stand out in terms of talent.” “Senju Matsuake of the Senju Clan, and Uchiha Suke of the Uchiha Clan.” When mentioning the former, Tobirama’s expression softened slightly, but when mentioning the latter, it turned somewhat stern.
Upon hearing the former’s name, Hiruzen and the others were momentarily taken aback before realization dawned on them.
“It’s Matsuake.
I didn’t expect him to be graduating already.” “Time really flies.
The last time I saw him at your home, teacher, he was still a child.” As students of Tobirama, they sometimes visited the Senju Clan’s territory and had met Matsuake a few times.
“Uchiha Suke—do you know this person, Kagami?” Hiruzen looked at his good friend and asked.
Kagami, wearing an awkward expression, raised his right hand to scratch his cheek.
“I suppose I know him.
He’s the younger brother of Senior Setsuna.” At the same time, they both belonged to the hawkish faction within the Uchiha Clan, which had always looked down upon clansmen like Kagami who were close to Konohagakure and the Hokage.
Just then, Hashirama patted Tobirama on the shoulder.
“Look, it’s little Matsuake’s turn for the exam.” In the arena, Matsuame, carrying a short sword on his back, walked straight to the center.
On the other side was a girl with short brown hair, wearing a flower headband.
Though her appearance wasn’t stunning, she was quite delicate and refined, with a sense of resilience and calmness visible in her eyes.
“Senju Matsuake and Biwako, both of you, form the opposing hand seal!” After the two arrived in the arena, the examiner announced loudly.
Hearing the other’s name, Matsuake couldn’t help but pause.
Biwako was Hiruzen’s future wife.
When Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, went into labor, Biwako accompanied her to a barrier far from the village and assisted in the delivery.
Unfortunately, she was killed by Uchiha Obito, who took advantage of the situation.
Biwako’s talent was clearly not as exceptional as Hiruzen and the others, so she hadn’t graduated early and was only taking the Graduation Exam this year.
Outside the arena, Hiruzen stared blankly at the field and suddenly murmured, “I feel like… I think I’ve fallen in love.” Hearing this, Danzō beside him furrowed his brows and looked at him.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, “The Hokage and Teacher Tobirama probably wouldn’t approve of this.” “Danzō, what are you talking about!
I mean that girl!” Realizing the misunderstanding, Hiruzen grabbed Danzō by the collar in frustration.
The other boys nearby burst into laughter.
“Both of you, form the reconciliation hand seal!” On the field, the battle ended in less than five minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Matsuake emerged as the winner.
The fight could have ended even faster, but doing so would have lacked a proper process, making it difficult for the examiner to assign a fair score.
As the winner, he would still have opportunities to showcase his abilities later.
However, for Biwako as the loser, if she failed to demonstrate enough during the battle, she might not graduate smoothly.
Now, even though she lost, she had at least shown her proficiency in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and other areas during the fight.
For students in the graduation year, as long as they met the standards of a Genin, they were generally not held back from graduating.
After all, Matsuake and Hiruzen were on good terms, so there was no need to make things difficult for someone who might become his wife in the future.
The exams continued.
Some other examinees also delivered impressive performances in the practical exam.
Unlike Matsuake’s gentle approach, Suke decisively defeated opponents weaker than himself.
Since those he eliminated failed to demonstrate any ninja qualities during the exam, they would likely have to wait for the next exam.
Additionally, one person’s performance caught the attention of the spectators outside the arena.
“That little girl from the Hyūga Clan is doing quite well,” Hashirama remarked in surprise.
After some thought, Tobirama said, “She is Hyūga Tsukuyomi, the younger sister of Clan Head Hyūga Terudake.” “It seems her talent never showed itself during her time at the Ninja Academy.” As someone who also inherited a dōjutsu kekkei genkai, Kagami remarked with admiration, “To have already awakened the Byakugan at six years old—she truly is a rare genius.”