In the 44th year of Konoha, the shadow of war still loomed over the ninja world.

  Now, 11-year-old Miketsuki had one thing on his mind: passing the graduation exam today and officially graduating from the ninja academy.

  As for failing the exam? That was practically impossible. While the frontlines weren't as urgent right now, cannon fodder was always in high demand. Even if Miketsuki finished st in the exam, he would still graduate.

  At the moment, Miketsuki and Rin were walking toward the academy.

  Sigh...

  "Miketsuki, what's wrong? You've been sighing since this morning. Could it be that you’re still tired from yesterday?" Rin asked, looking at Miketsuki with concern.

  Her worry came from the fact that Miketsuki knew today was the graduation exam, and as always, during war time, the exam would involve a real combat scenario. So, Miketsuki had spent yesterday evening helping Rin with an impromptu study session.

  Sigh... "It's not about you, Rin. I just realized I'm already 11, and I'm not yet invincible in the ninja world. It's embarrassing..." Miketsuki replied, still sighing.

  "Huh?" Rin was puzzled, not understanding why Miketsuki would say such a thing.

  But that was a lie.

  The real reason Miketsuki was sighing was because he had secretly used his Six Eyes to peek at the list of new student groups for this term. And, to his dismay, he hadn’t been assigned to a team with Rin.

  As expected, Rin was still paired with Kakashi and Obito. And since Shikaku Hatake didn’t commit suicide, Kakashi didn’t apply for early graduation.

  Miketsuki had briefly hoped that since Kakashi didn’t graduate early, he might end up in the same team as Rin, but that wish was clearly in vain.

  "Good morning."

  "Good morning."

  After greeting their cssmates, Miketsuki and Rin returned to their seats.

  At that moment, Obito quietly snuck up to Miketsuki. "Miketsuki, have you heard? That..."

  Miketsuki rolled his eyes, silently cursing, What does ‘that’ mean?

  "Damn Obito, even if that person really becomes the supervising jonin, they wouldn’t choose you," Kakashi interrupted, walking over with his usual deadpan expression.

  Upon hearing Kakashi’s words, Miketsuki realized Obito was talking about Minato Namikaze coming to supervise this term’s student group.

  Obito, in his usual dramatic fashion, had made it sound like a huge secret. Miketsuki hadn’t guessed it, but of course, Kakashi understood Obito’s antics well.

  It seemed the Third Hokage was starting to favor Minato. Honestly, with Minato’s exceptional mobility and advanced combat abilities, it was a waste of time for him to babysit kids.

  It was probably just another one of Konoha's old tactics to foster bonds or some such nonsense.

  "Everyone, gather at Training Ground 7."

  Teacher Morino Idate walked into the cssroom, calling for everyone to head to the designated training ground.

  "Why didn’t we just meet at Training Ground 7 from the start?" Obito yelled in frustration.

  For once, Miketsuki couldn’t defend Obito.

  ...

  ...

  "Group One, Asuma Sarutobi vs. Miketsuki Shimizu," Teacher Idate called out, holding the list of matchups.

  "Huh? I’m fighting Miketsuki? Really?" Asuma, who had been joking around with Kurenai, blinked in surprise and pointed at himself.

  It was a typical reaction. Miketsuki hadn’t hidden his abilities or pyed the role of an underdog. Even with a few secret techniques up his sleeve, he had taken the top spot in every combat css since entering the academy.

  Asuma, on the other hand, hadn’t even managed to crack the top three in any of his combat lessons.

  Now, Asuma was feeling a little despondent. The night before, he had pnned out how to look cool in front of Kurenai, but it looked like his "coolness" was going to be overshadowed by Miketsuki's skills.

  Miketsuki and Asuma stood at opposite ends of the training ground under the supervision of another teacher, Kato Iku.

  "Hey, Miketsuki, I’ve been training hard tely, so don’t underestimate me!" Asuma, unwilling to be intimidated, unched into some pre-fight trash talk.

  "Okay, sure," Miketsuki replied dismissively.

  It wasn’t that Miketsuki was underestimating Asuma. It was just that, to him, this fight was almost too easy. His current skill level was on a completely different tier compared to the average Genin.

  "Both teams, get into position!"

  Teacher Idate raised his fg.

  "Graduation exam, Group One: Asuma Sarutobi vs. Miketsuki Shimizu—start!"

  As soon as the signal was given, Asuma shot forward, hoping to close the distance quickly. He knew Miketsuki’s ninjutsu skills were far superior, so he had to get in close for a chance to win.

  Miketsuki, watching Asuma charge at him, figured he wanted to engage in a taijutsu duel. While Miketsuki’s taijutsu wasn’t bad, it wasn’t his primary strength. He had a better option in mind.

  With a single hand seal, Miketsuki’s right hand crackled with a dazzling bolt of lightning.

  "This is...?"

  Teacher Idate watched in shock, eyes wide, as Miketsuki’s hand emitted irregur arcs of electricity.

  The other students, too, had never seen Miketsuki use such a fshy technique. Up until now, Miketsuki had mostly relied on basic Earth-style jutsu, which were practical and efficient.

  Miketsuki’s chakra was made up of Fire, Wind, and Lightning elements, while Earth and Water were techniques he’d developed more recently.

  Ignoring the reactions of the students, Asuma found himself staring at Miketsuki’s Chidori and felt his entire body break out in a cold sweat.

  I’m going to die.

  This was the only thought that ran through his head.

  Asuma quickly stopped his advance.

  But Miketsuki wasn’t one to wait for his opponent. Using the speed granted by his Chidori, he charged directly toward Asuma.

  At the same time, Miketsuki threw a kunai, then quickly made another hand seal.

  "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

  The kunai split into dozens of copies, flying toward Asuma at high speed.

  "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

  Asuma quickly formed hand seals, puffing out his chest, and then exhaled a gust of powerful wind, knocking Miketsuki’s kunai aside.

  "Take this! This is the result of my extra training!"

  Knowing he’d be defeated in a direct taijutsu exchange, Asuma poured most of his chakra into a combined jutsu.

  "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

  The fireball, powered by the wind jutsu, grew exponentially in size, and Asuma hurled it at Miketsuki.

  Miketsuki wasn’t worried.

  "Earth Style: Earth Return!"

  A massive rock shot up from the ground, blocking the fireball completely.

  Asuma wasn’t done, though. He turned around, but the only thing he saw was Miketsuki, glowing with lightning, charging toward him.

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