Time passed, and soon the day of the graduation exam arrived.
The graduation exam at the Ninja Academy was completely different from the one Naruto would take in the future.
Back then, ninja were judged more heavily on combat ability.
This was a tradition passed down from the Warring States Period, and with the Second Shinobi World War approaching, even more emphasis was being placed on combat strength.
And this strange team-based examination was especially rare.
Beside the enormous training ground, many ninja stood quietly watching.
Whenever they spotted an outstanding talent, they would consider taking them as a disciple.
These people were generally Tokubetsu Jonin, with a few being true Jonin.
When taking disciples, they required outstanding talent, strength, and even political aptitude.
Of course, that was how things were described in theory.
In reality, this was merely an examination.
Those who passed would become Genin, while their supervising Jonin would be assigned by the Third Hokage afterward.
However, Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin were the village’s elite, so the Hokage naturally had to take their opinions into account.
Rather than saying the Third Hokage assigned them, it would be more accurate to say that these ninja took a liking to certain geniuses and consequently became their instructors.
As for those who were not talented enough…
They could only follow a Chunin into the field, complete a few missions, and eventually fade into the crowd.
The students lined up and formed their teams.
Under the teachers’ arrangements, the examinations began.
“First team, Asuma, Hyuga Mei, Mizuno Masao…”
Asuma and the others stepped forward, exchanged glances, and charged toward the Chunin waiting in the examination area.
Although he had been thoroughly beaten by Chen Fan, as the son of the Third Hokage, Asuma had received the best ninja education available.
He had also trained alongside many excellent instructors, so his strength was considerable.
His two teammates were no pushovers either.
The three of them worked together and quickly engaged the Chunin in battle, exchanging blows without falling behind.
Seeing this performance, the spectators nodded one after another.
“As expected of the Third Hokage’s son.
His strength is impressive!”
“I doubt even an ordinary Elite Genin could defeat him.”
“Their teamwork is pretty good too.
They must have thought carefully about their tactics and prepared properly.”
One ninja could not help saying, “Actually, this kind of team-based examination is pretty good.
Orochimaru-sama really put a lot of thought into it.”
Everyone nodded upon hearing this.
On the surface, the team-based exam only added the process of choosing teammates, but in reality, it tested every individual in its own way.
Forming a team could not be based solely on feelings and friendship.
A true ninja should consider their own weaknesses, consider their teammates’ abilities, think about whether they could cooperate effectively, and determine whether everyone could work toward the same goal…
It was a comprehensive test of self-awareness, understanding others, and even social awareness.
What looked like an ordinary team battle could easily reveal a person’s true nature.
Asuma was clearly a qualified ninja.
Although the other two were somewhat weaker than some of their peers, they were willing to play supporting roles for Asuma, allowing the three of them to form a perfect combination.
The team after Asuma’s, however, was a different story.
Their individual strength was not weak, but each had their own ideas.
Their teamwork was a complete mess, and none of them was willing to listen to the others.
They nearly caused a serious problem during the battle.
Although they eventually passed the examination and could become Genin, the observing Jonin silently shook their heads.
None of them was willing to take such students as disciples.
A true ninja couldn’t simply rely on fighting ability!
Orochimaru stood leisurely in the best viewing position, dressed in his loose kimono as he quietly watched the center of the examination field.
His expression was cold, and his gaze was as sharp as a snake’s.
Although he possessed tremendous charisma and formidable strength and was one of the hottest candidates for the Fourth Hokage, his aloof temperament made people instinctively reluctant to approach him, leaving a small empty space around him.
Even when everyone had been flattering him earlier, nobody had dared stand too close.
“Orochimaru-sama.”
A somewhat enthusiastic voice made Orochimaru slightly turn his head.
“Minato, you’re here too.”
The newcomer had bright golden hair and handsome features that naturally made people feel close to him at first glance.
The Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato!
“My team is short a few people.
Kakashi graduated too early, so I couldn’t find suitable teammates for him.” Minato explained, then smiled frankly.
“I thought it would be better to find some of his former classmates.
That way, I can help Konoha cultivate more talent.”
As he spoke, Minato smiled openly.
If someone else had talked about ‘cultivating talent for Konoha,’ nine times out of ten, people would have taken it as nothing more than official rhetoric.
But when those words came from him, his sincere eyes and gentle tone made it easy to believe that he genuinely meant them.
“That sounds like hard work.” A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru’s pale face.
“Orochimaru-sama isn’t any different.
I never expected you to come and watch this graduation exam.” Minato smiled lightly.
The graduation exam was extremely important to the students, but to top-level ninja, it was hardly anything special.
No matter how talented the students were, they were still only talented.
In the eyes of Jonin-level powerhouses, their battles were basically children fighting.
Perhaps a few geniuses might reveal some impressive qualities, but most of the students were simply painful to watch!
What difference was there between this and forcing someone to read a story filled with every possible terrible trope?
“I’m here on the old man’s orders.
He asked me to take a look at someone.” Orochimaru did not hide the truth.
Minato had only just returned from a mission, so he was unaware of the matter.
“Hmm…
He’s coming out.”
Chen Fan had arrived.
An excited smile covered his face, with the two girls following behind him.
They wore cloaks over their clothes, their eyes carrying a hint of nervousness.
“Is that him?
He certainly looks extraordinary.” Minato narrowed his eyes as he looked toward Chen Fan.
At his level, a person’s footsteps, movements while walking, and even the direction of their gaze could reveal certain information and allow him to estimate their opponent’s strength.
“Yes.
That’s why I specifically brought in an Elite Jonin to serve as their opponent.” Orochimaru nodded.
In reality, during the current examinations, most students fighting Chunin were only able to pass because the Chunin held back.
After all, this was merely a small graduation exam!
But Chen Fan had defeated Kakashi and Shisui.
An ordinary Chunin obviously would not be able to control the pace of a battle against him.
So Orochimaru had brought in an experienced Elite Jonin…
“Now we just have to see what kind of tactics he chooses…” Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his snake-like pupils fixed on Chen Fan.
Victory was impossible.
That was an Elite Jonin.
But how Chen Fan performed during the battle would demonstrate his talent as a ninja.
He wondered what this person…
“Get ready, Kurenai, Rin.” Chen Fan spoke seriously.
“Follow our tactics!”
Kurenai and Rin hesitated slightly, but they gritted their teeth and nodded.
“Okay!”
“Then let’s do this!”
“Okay!”
Whoosh!
The next second!
Kurenai and Rin simultaneously flung off their cloaks, revealing the outfits beneath.
Red short-sleeved shirts and athletic shorts.
They kicked out their long legs!
Waving their pom-poms, they shouted,
“Go!
Go!
Chen Fan is invincible!
Chen Fan will definitely win!”
Huh?!
The Elite Jonin standing opposite them froze.
Minato, watching from a distance, was stunned.
Everyone opened their mouths wide, staring in disbelief.
Orochimaru, who had always maintained a cold and composed demeanor, was moved for the first time.
W-What the hell was this?
“Excellent!
I’m going!”
Chen Fan laughed loudly and suddenly charged forward.
This was the tactic Chen Fan had come up with at Kurenai’s house the previous night!
The tactic was called:
I’ll Carry You to Victory.
You two just be good cheerleaders.
Leave everything else to me!