NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: The upcoming graduation exams
Chapter
18: The Upcoming Graduation Examination
Sasuke's stubbornness was evident.
During each practical course, even without direct words, the determination in
his eyes was unmistakable to Iruka. Iruka, not wanting to discourage his
students' enthusiasm, could only watch Sasuke lose repeatedly.
'But this time, Menma's attack was
really heavy. Is he getting a bit impatient?' Iruka thought, glancing at Menma
who had returned to the queue with a calm expression.
"Today's practical course ends
here. This is also your last practical course in the ninja school. Today is
December, and your graduation exam is coming soon. In the short time left, you
must study hard and prepare for the exam. Don't make any low-level mistakes in
the graduation exam. I hope to see all of you graduate smoothly. Do you
understand!?" Iruka announced, checking the time.
Iruka walked to the front of dozens
of students, including Menma, Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata, with a
solemn look and a very serious tone.
In peacetime, very few students
graduated early from the ninja school. Unlike prodigies like Uchiha Itachi, who
graduated at age 7 after more than a year of enrollment, recent years had seen
none. The few who graduated early were all over ten years old. Now, almost all
students had to take the regular graduation examination after six years of
study to become Genin. The exam was usually set in January, which was less than
a month away.
"Iruka sensei , what will our
graduation exam be about? Will it be the same as the previous years?" one
student asked.
"Yes, yes, Iruka sensei , can
you tell us in advance?" another chimed in.
Iruka's words had barely fallen when
the queue below erupted, much like hot water hitting an oil pan. Everyone
started chirping, looking at Iruka with shining eyes.
Graduation! Becoming a ninja! This
was what almost everyone in this world dreamed of, especially the younger
generation who had not experienced war. Even though they had heard countless
words about the risks of war and the survival of ninjas from the older
generation, they couldn't empathize without personal experience. They only saw
the bright and powerful side of ninjas.
Danger? What was that? These kids
were not afraid at all. They all aspired to become great ninjas and future
stars who would reach the position of Hokage. Whether others believed it or
not, they believed in themselves.
The closer they got to graduation,
the more excited these kids became.
"Tell you the content of the
test? You really wish. The test changes every year. Don't think it will be the
same as before, and don't think the sensei will tell you. I can say that the
content of the test is based on what we have learned before. As long as you
prepare well and perform normally, you can graduate!" Iruka said sternly,
looking at the students.
"Eh!?" "No way!"
"Iruka sensei , how can you do this?" "Tell us, Iruka sensei !"
"That's right, that's right!"
Iruka's usual kind personality had
made him well-liked over the past six years. He almost never yelled at
students, unless they were really naughty, like Naruto from the original story.
Even then, Iruka usually convinced them with reason. Students' mistakes were
mainly addressed through persuasion, making them close to and fond of Iruka,
but not very afraid of him. There were advantages and disadvantages to this
approach.
"That's right, Iruka sensei ,
just tell us directly!" Naruto led the chorus of complaints, giving Iruka
a headache.
"Okay, today's class is over,
school is dismissed!" Iruka said unhappily, striding away.
"Eh!?" "No way! Iruka
sensei !" "Wait a minute, teacher!"
A group of kids was left
"wailing" on the spot.
Menma also left after Iruka,
stepping away from the playground with a faint expression. Over the past six
years, Menma had not deliberately built relationships with anyone—be it Sasuke,
Naruto, or other members of the Twelve. He kept a respectful distance. When
people approached and talked to him, Menma responded with the most indifferent
attitude. His future was destined to be incompatible with any in-depth
communication with these guys. Unless some people could really wake up, which
was unlikely, Menma would firmly follow his own path.
Others were just passers-by in his
life. Either he succeeded or he failed. There was no third option, and even if
there was, it wouldn't be one that Menma was willing to accept.
Menma's departure naturally
attracted the attention of some classmates, but they were long accustomed to
it. When it came to indifferent expressions, Sasuke was No. 1 in the class,
while Menma occasionally wore a formal smile. Therefore, classmates mostly
thought Menma's personality was a bit cold.
Only a few people, such as Shikamaru
and some thoughtful girls, could sense the deeper sense of alienation hidden
beneath Menma's appearance. But these people didn't say it out loud. They
didn't pay attention to or care about what others thought of Menma.
Menma strode away and went straight
back home. Unlike his classmates who looked forward to graduation, Menma viewed
the arrival of Konoha's 60th year with mixed emotions. It signaled the opening
of the original plot—Orochimaru's attack, Konoha's collapse plan, and the
return of Uchiha Itachi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others to Konoha. The Akatsuki
organization was also about to take action.
Each of these individuals except
jiraya & tsunade could become Menma's mortal enemy.