Chương 33: Graduation Exam

Early morning, within a Konoha training ground, Dongye Zhen sat cross-legged on a tree branch, quietly practicing the second phase of chakra control. Now nine years old, he had grown significantly taller, even surpassing most of his peers. His features had matured; he still kept his hair in a short, messy style, but his deep brown hair seemed a shade darker than before.

To his relief, he still took after his mother, Hui Dongye; his features were well-proportioned, ensuring that in the future, he would certainly be a handsome man capable of leaving young girls awestruck and charming the older women. After a long while, Zhen opened his eyes and sighed softly. He wasn't entirely satisfied with his progress. The second phase of chakra control involved adjusting the ratio of physical and spiritual energy when molding them into chakra, pushing toward the extremes of Yin or Yang.

Through his time helping at the hospital over the last few years, he had learned that a typical shinobi who could push their physical energy ratio to 60% could become a decent medical ninja. Conversely, those with a spiritual energy ratio of 60% would find themselves at home with genjutsu or certain Yin-style secret techniques. Zhen had pushed his Yin-Yang ratio to 70% by the age of five.

He didn't know the specifics for the Senju or Uchiha, but for an ordinary shinobi, that might well be the peak of a lifetime's cultivation. Beyond that, without the blessing of a bloodline, a normal person simply couldn't take another step forward; it wasn't something that could be achieved through hard work alone. Kurenai Yuhi had practiced genjutsu for decades, only to fall from a single glance from Itachi Uchiha.

A fatal injury that a normal medical ninja couldn't heal would be fixed by Karin Uzumaki simply by letting the patient take a bite of her arm. In the shinobi world, the "bloodline cheat" was just that unreasonable; the finish line of a lifetime's training for a commoner was merely the starting point for a powerful bloodline. If not for the continuous refinement of his body by the white natural energy, Zhen would never have had the chance to break through this "commoner's ceiling."

However, four years had passed, and after pushing both the Yin and Yang ratios to 85%, his progress had slowed to a crawl. Much like his natural energy cultivation, he had hit a wall at the second stage. Furthermore, he had a premonition that if he pushed any further, his physical body would not be able to withstand it. Perhaps once his natural energy entered the third stage—a stabilized Sage Mode—the situation would change.

After all, besides his day-to-day diligence, the white natural energy was the primary contributor to his current progress. For now, his development of offensive and defensive methods was temporarily complete. Even his medical ninjutsu had grown rapidly due to his frequent stints assisting his mother at the hospital. Since neither of his primary paths could be rushed, it was time to graduate. Having decided on his course, Zhen leaped from the forest, his body drifting toward home like a wisp of light smoke.

His method of travel was entirely different from that of an ordinary shinobi; his movements were elegant and fluid, possessing a style far beyond the linear paths typical of ninja. At the breakfast table, Hui Dongye seemed somewhat distracted. After Zhen finished his meal meticulously, he asked, "Mom, are you worried about me?"

"How could I not be? Son, I don't know whether to praise your sharp mind or scold you for being a jinx. That damned Hidden Mist actually joined the war."

"Don't worry, Mom. A Hidden Mist at full strength might have significantly influenced the overall situation, but that broken village is currently in a crippled state; they won't change the final outcome. Weren't the strongest members, the Seven Swordsmen, neutralized by Senior Duy?" The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Duy... I never imagined he could reach such a level. Though he died in the line of duty, he saved his own son. A truly great father." Hui sighed and continued, "While what you say is true, no matter how useless the Mist is, they've delayed the end of the war. And you... you're about to graduate."

"The timing is perfect. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I hope so. Do you need me to walk you to school?"

"No need. You focus on your own work." Zhen waved and headed out the door toward the academy. Hui watched his back and shook her head. Her child had grown up so suddenly. She was likely the most carefree mother in Konoha's history. Perhaps having another child would allow her to experience the joy of raising one again, but she and Jiro had gradually moved away from that idea. What if another war broke out in a few years? The children of shinobi families were destined to become ninja if they had the aptitude.

She truly didn't want to go through that anxiety again. Konoha appeared even more desolate than before. Foot traffic had decreased significantly, and the families holding funerals changed every few days. What thoughts did those fallen shinobi harbor before they died?

Did any of them wonder why, despite possessing extraordinary power, they were consumed generation after generation by the meat grinder of war, while the powerless Daimyo and nobles slept soundly, their lineages prospering, holding onto power and living lives of luxury and decadence? He wondered when a shinobi would be born who would "trample the bones of the nobility." Given the warped education system and distorted ideologies of the shinobi world, it was likely difficult.

In any case, Dongye Zhen would not be the one to do it. After all, he had been an adult with fixed values before his reincarnation. Fundamentally, aside from his family and a small circle of friends, he felt little cultural identification with this Japanese-style world. He hadn't changed; he had reincarnated into this world to enjoy a different and exciting life, not to be a savior.

Letting his mind wander while admiring the familiar scenery, Zhen soon met up with Uzuki Yugao, and they arrived at the integrated classroom together. A fair number of people were already there—all the remaining students of the fourth year. In reality, they had only attended school for three years. Having just entered the fourth year, they were being required to graduate early. Compared to the full six-year curriculum of peacetime, the duration of wartime education had been cut in half.

In the crowd were some older students who had failed to graduate previously, as well as some very young students from the second and third years who were confident in their strength and eager to become official shinobi. He wondered what Hashirama Senju, watching from the Pure Land, would think of this scene.

"Hey, Zhen-niisan, what do you think this year's graduation topic will be?" Yugao was testing her external brain again.

"How would I know? Do you take me for a fortune teller? Besides, what difference does it make to you? Which of the Three Basic Jutsu can't you do? I could teach you right here on the spot."

"Ahaha, true." Amidst their idle chatter, the exam soon began. After a forty-minute written test on general knowledge, they had an hour-long break. The teachers quickly graded the papers and recorded the scores before moving on to the ninjutsu assessment phase. To everyone's surprise, this year's ninjutsu exam wasn't a specific one of the Three Basic Jutsu. Instead, the students were given a choice.

Those lacking confidence could choose the one they were best at, while the sufficiently confident could demonstrate them in rotation. Before the numerous grading teachers and the Third Hokage, the students were like products being inspected, excitedly displaying their skills on the stage. The Three Basic Jutsu, as the most fundamental entry-level arts, served more as a test than for actual combat.

They allowed teachers to judge a student's level of chakra and ninjutsu mastery, their basic observation and instantaneous memory, and their grasp of timing. Based on these factors, appropriate sensei could be assigned and future paths planned. Currently, during wartime, manpower was scarce; the team leaders wouldn't necessarily be Jonin—they might be Tokubetsu Jonin.

As for what the students would learn from their sensei in the future, that depended entirely on the teacher's responsibility and the rapport between the two. However, generally, those chosen to be team leaders were either possessed of good character or were specifically selected by the high command based on special relationship considerations with the students.