NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88: Chapter 88
Only Nara Shikaku and Nara Suzaku seemed to grasp the entire picture. They quietly averted their gazes, choosing not to look at the chaos unfolding before them. At this moment, they finally understood why, after the founding of Konoha, the village's higher-ups placed so much emphasis on the composition of ninja squads.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Binding Technique!"
One after another, the older students unleashed the full extent of their abilities, bombarding Fujiwara Tetsuya with every jutsu they had mastered. It didn't matter whether the techniques were effective or not. All that mattered was attacking him with everything they had.
Yet, despite the impressive display, the result was a bitter disappointment.
"How is this possible?"
"I know about the Water Release: Water Prison Technique! It's just a C-rank jutsu! How could it block all our combined attacks?"
Staring at the undisturbed curtain of water before them, the exhausted senior students felt utterly defeated. Their voices trembled with disbelief and frustration.
"Why?"
Tetsuya's calm, authoritative voice cut through the tension. "Ninjutsu is important, yes, but what matters even more is the person wielding it. If you're strong enough, even an ordinary B-rank jutsu can rival the power of an A-rank—or even an S-rank—technique. Your vision is far too narrow."
As his voice fell, the water barrier suddenly collapsed, splitting into dozens of streams that wrapped around each of the senior students. In moments, more than ten of them were bound tightly, rendered completely immobile.
"Congratulations. You're out."
The sound of flowing water subsided, leaving a silence so profound it seemed to swallow the training ground whole. Every spectator, from the students on the sidelines to the Chunin and elite instructors observing, was left speechless by Tetsuya's overwhelming display.
Who would have thought that a technique as basic as the Water Prison could have so much potential for development?
"Damn it! That guy has the worst sense of humor!"
"Next time! Next time we'll definitely beat him!"
As Tetsuya turned to leave, a few of the senior students from noble clans couldn't suppress their frustration and shouted after him. Their indignation only fueled their humiliation.
Without looking back, Tetsuya chuckled and said, "If I were you, I wouldn't speak to a graduation examiner like that. Who knows? Maybe I'll request to be your official proctor during your final exams."
The students froze, their bravado evaporating instantly. Tetsuya's words hit their mark; behind him, the defeated seniors grew noticeably quieter. In his perception, their hostility had significantly diminished.
"Is this guy a demon?" one of them whispered, shivering involuntarily.
If they encountered Tetsuya in their graduation exam, the result would likely be no different than today—complete and utter failure.
Tetsuya shifted his gaze to three figures standing at the edge of the training ground.
"So, what's it going to be? Will you continue to fight, or will you forfeit?" he asked calmly.
Emerging from the shadows were Nara Shikaku, Nara Suzaku, and Akimichi Choza. Displaying the keen insight characteristic of their clans, Shikaku and Suzaku had pulled Choza back just in time to avoid Tetsuya's water-based assault. Yet, their tactical retreat did little to change the outcome.
"We forfeit," Shikaku declared without hesitation.
Though less than a minute remained on the clock, Shikaku glanced at the scattered, defeated figures of his peers and made the pragmatic choice. Continuing to fight would only invite a devastating counterattack from Tetsuya—one they were ill-equipped to endure.
"As expected of the twin stars of the Nara Clan," Tetsuya said with a faint smile. "A wise decision. Congratulations, you're out."
After briefly locking eyes with Shikaku, Tetsuya turned away, sheathing his blade, Mist Marrow. He walked steadily toward the instructors, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.
The instructors, all seasoned Chunin or elite Chunin, were visibly shaken. The ease with which Tetsuya had subdued the senior students left them in stunned silence.
Dozens of upperclassmen—including many touted as geniuses by their teachers—had been utterly crushed. This graduation exam was bound to go down as one of the biggest scandals in the academy's history.
"Tetsuya, you…" One of the instructors, Sanjodou, stepped forward, her hand trembling slightly as she tried to address her student.
Yet, no words came. How could she possibly reprimand this brat for showing no mercy? For leaving not a single senior student with a passing grade?
Sanjodiu's frustration was palpable. "This reckless kid! Did you even think about leaving them some dignity? How are we supposed to explain this to Lord Hokage? To their parents?"
Tetsuya faced his teacher without flinching. "If you're asking why I did this, then you're wasting your breath," he replied evenly. "I acted this way for their own sake. As their lives' overseer during this exam, I must ensure they understand the reality of being a ninja."
He paused, scanning the disapproving faces around him. "The results of this graduation exam are as follows: zero pass, thirty-six fail, and three forfeits. I will personally report the details to Lord Hokage. Of course, I also ask that each of you prepare an official written report for submission to the Hokage's office."
With that, Tetsuya turned and left, leaving behind a group of stunned instructors and a battleground littered with exhausted, defeated students.
---
After the exam, Tetsuya wasted no time departing the academy. He exchanged a quick farewell with Uchiha Mikoto before heading toward the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, the graduation exam unfolded as I described."
The office was enveloped in its usual haze of smoke. Today, however, it felt unusually quiet. None of the vexing elders of Konoha were present, allowing Tetsuya to deliver his report without interruption.
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