Ren's class was not the only one graduating from the Ninja Academy that year.
There were three graduating classes in total, and although Ren's match had concluded, the examination itself was far from over. Two more team battles still had to be conducted before the instructors could calculate the final rankings.
After the students cleared the arena, Oki-sensei and Kakashi entered the damaged field. The earth was scarred by impact craters, shattered stones, and the remains of various traps. Even the raised platform in the center had suffered considerable damage during the fighting.
Oki-sensei placed both hands against the ground and used Earth Release to seal the largest cracks. Beside him, Kakashi repaired the damaged platform with remarkable precision.
Unfortunately, precision was not the same as professionalism.
While rebuilding one side of the platform, Kakashi secretly carved several small dog heads into the stone. Some were growling, some were sleeping, and one had an expression that looked suspiciously similar to Obito whenever he lost an argument.
Ren watched from the sidelines and felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
Kakashi clearly had too much chakra left.
Once the arena was usable again, the second class entered the field, followed by the third. The remaining students gathered around the boundary to watch, hoping that the next two matches would be as exciting as the first.
Their hopes were quickly crushed.
The other two classes were ordinary classes without many clan heirs or exceptional talents. Their strategies began with charging forward and usually ended with everyone forgetting the plan entirely. Most of the fights consisted of wild punches, clumsy kicks, and academy-level ninjutsu thrown in directions that had only a passing relationship with their intended targets.
One student spent nearly a minute hiding behind a tree, waiting to ambush the enemy, only to discover that he had been facing the wrong side of the battlefield.
Another tried to use the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as a rock. Unfortunately, he transformed directly in front of three opponents and then remained completely still, apparently hoping they would forget what they had just witnessed.
They did not.
Obito still watched with great enthusiasm, shouting advice that nobody on the field could hear. Rin occasionally clapped for a clever move, while Kurenai observed the matches more seriously, paying close attention whenever someone attempted to use genjutsu.
Ren, however, found it difficult to remain interested.
After facing Asuma, Hyūga Homon, and Nara Shinen in the same battle, watching two academy students wrestle over a wooden kunai lacked a certain amount of excitement.
By the time the last match ended, the sun had already begun descending toward the western wall of Konoha. The students returned to the side of the field while Oki-sensei, Kakashi, and the other instructors gathered beneath a nearby tree to calculate the final scores.
The graduation examination was not decided by a single battle. Written tests, practical exercises, transformation accuracy, throwing skills, clone stability, tactical judgment, and combat performance were all included in the total.
That meant one moment of brilliance could improve a student's ranking, but it could not completely erase a year of terrible written scores.
This was extremely unfortunate news for Obito.
The students sat in scattered groups around the training field as they waited. Some excitedly reenacted their best moments, while others argued over whether their defeats had been caused by bad luck or incompetent teammates.
Asuma sat with his back against a tree, arms folded and expression dark. A fresh bruise was forming along his jaw, but his wounded pride seemed to hurt considerably more.
Hyūga Homon remained a short distance away from him. He sat with his legs crossed and his eyes closed, pretending to meditate, though the tension in his face betrayed his frustration.
Both had entered the examination expecting to compete for first place. Instead, they had attacked Ren together and still been eliminated in the same exchange.
Ren had not merely defeated them.
He had used them to secure his own victory.
Nearly forty minutes passed before the instructors finished reviewing the results. Oki-sensei collected the score sheets, checked the final calculations twice, and walked toward the center of the field.
The restless conversations gradually faded.
Every student turned toward him.
Oki-sensei looked over the assembled graduates before raising the document in his hand.
"The final rankings have been determined," he announced. "These results combine your performance in the written examinations, practical assessments, and today's team-combat exercise."
Obito immediately sat straighter. Kurenai clasped her hands in her lap, while Rin glanced at Ren with an expectant smile.
Oki-sensei began with the lower rankings and slowly worked his way upward. Some students cheered when their names were called. Others groaned, and a few stared at the ground as though refusing to make eye contact with reality might somehow change their scores.
Eventually, only the top three remained.
Oki-sensei paused deliberately.
"In third place, Kurenai Yūhi."
Kurenai's eyes widened. She turned toward Rin as though checking whether she had heard correctly.
"Third?" she whispered. "I actually placed third?"
Before she could recover, Oki-sensei continued.
"In second place, Nara Shinen."
Shinen released a slow breath. There was a trace of disappointment in his eyes, but he did not appear surprised. He had commanded the attacking team effectively and made very few tactical mistakes. Unfortunately for him, even a sound plan could collapse when the opposing side possessed a fighter capable of breaking through it by force.
Oki-sensei's gaze finally settled on Ren.
"And in first place—ranking first in the written examination, first in practical performance, and first overall—is Ren."
Applause erupted across the field.
Rin was the first person to begin clapping. Her smile was so bright that one might have thought she had taken first place herself.
"I knew you would win!" she said, leaning closer to him. "Congratulations, Ren!"
Ren smiled. His body was still sore from the battle, and several shallow cuts had been wrapped in fresh bandages, but hearing the result made the pain feel far less significant.
Kurenai recovered from her surprise and joined the applause.
Obito, meanwhile, shot to his feet.
"Wait!" he shouted, pointing at himself. "What about me? Where did I place?"
An awkward silence followed.
Kakashi stood near the instructors with his hands in his pockets. He looked at Obito for several seconds before answering in his usual indifferent tone.
"Ren received the highest written score in the year, and his practical results were consistently excellent," Kakashi explained. "During the final match, he served as the core of the defending team, identified the attackers' strategy, and personally eliminated three opponents. His first-place ranking was obvious."
Obito opened his mouth, but Kakashi was not finished.
"Nara Shinen's command decisions were appropriate. His team failed because Ren was stronger than expected, not because Shinen made a major tactical error. That earned him second place."
Kurenai listened intently as Kakashi turned toward her.
"Kurenai defended the platform until the examination ended. She displayed strong taijutsu fundamentals, used genjutsu effectively, and was the only defender besides Ren who remained in fighting condition. Her performance in the final round was second only to his. Combined with her other scores, she placed third overall."
Obito's impatience grew with every word.
"Yes, yes, they're all amazing," he interrupted. "But what about me?"
Kakashi finally looked directly at him.
"You ranked tenth in practical performance, second from the bottom in the written examination, and twenty-fifth overall."
Obito froze.
His raised hand slowly dropped to his side. The confidence drained from his face as though someone had pulled a plug.
"Twenty-fifth?" he repeated weakly. "How could this happen?"
Compared with his previous results, twenty-fifth was actually a considerable improvement. It placed him in the upper half of the graduating year and should be enough for him to receive a forehead protector.
The problem was that Obito had spent the past week loudly declaring that he would take first place, graduate as the year's greatest genius, and begin his unstoppable march toward becoming Hokage.
Twenty-fifth did not sound like the opening chapter of that legendary rise.
Ren patted him on the shoulder, though his attention was elsewhere.
If Obito had placed second from the bottom on the written examination, then someone had somehow performed even worse.
Ren's gaze drifted across the other students, filled with genuine curiosity. Whoever had achieved that remarkable feat possessed a talent for academic failure that could rival Might Duy's talent for taijutsu.
Not far away, Asuma and Homon remained silent.
Under ordinary circumstances, both possessed enough strength to place near the top of the year. Asuma had strong fundamentals and access to excellent training, while Homon possessed the Byakugan and the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist.
Unfortunately, both had confronted Ren directly.
Their attempt to overwhelm him had ended with all three attackers being eliminated during the same clash. Instead of becoming the stars of the examination, they had become the foundation upon which Ren's first-place performance was built.
As a result, both had fallen outside the highest rankings and lost their opportunity to graduate with special honors.
They were frustrated, but neither could protest. Ren had defeated them openly, under the observation of multiple instructors. There had been no cheating and no questionable judgment.
Strength had decided the outcome.
When the excitement surrounding the rankings began to settle, Kurenai approached Ren. She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, her expression carrying both happiness and slight embarrassment.
"Thank you," she said. "I know I earned my points for defending the platform, but if you hadn't stopped Asuma and Homon, I wouldn't have placed third."
"You protected the position after I left it," Ren replied. "That was your responsibility, and you completed it. You don't need to give me all the credit."
Kurenai's smile softened.
"I'm still thanking you."
Rin watched their exchange from beside Ren. Her smile remained perfectly pleasant, though she moved half a step closer and took hold of Ren's arm, supposedly to keep him steady because of his injuries.
Before the conversation could continue, a wave of movement spread through the students at the far end of the training ground.
A familiar figure had appeared at the entrance.
He wore the white-and-red robes of the Hokage, though he had left the ceremonial hat behind. His presence immediately silenced the nearest students.
"The Hokage!"
"Lord Third is here!"
"Hokage-sama came to see our graduation!"
The students hurried to their feet. Even Obito recovered from the devastation of his ranking and stood upright, desperately attempting to look like someone worthy of future leadership.
Rin helped Ren rise. Pain pulled at his ribs as he straightened, but he kept his expression calm and bowed with the others.
Whatever private opinions Ren held about Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man was still Konoha's current Hokage. Showing public disrespect would accomplish nothing except attract unnecessary attention.
Besides, Hiruzen had promised a special reward to the student who performed best.
Now Ren had come to collect it.
"There's no need to be so formal," Hiruzen said with a warm chuckle. "You have all been through a difficult examination. Sit down and rest."
The tension among the students eased almost immediately.
"I have already received reports from Oki and Kakashi regarding today's match," Hiruzen continued. "Your performance was excellent. Seeing so many young shinobi filled with determination makes this old man feel twenty years younger."
The students laughed, exactly as he intended.
Hiruzen smiled with them, appearing every bit like the kindly grandfather who watched over the village. He did not mention that he had personally observed part of the examination from a distance.
After exchanging a few more encouraging words with the students, he walked toward Ren.
His arrival was no coincidence.
Kakashi could easily have delivered the promised reward on his behalf. Despite his age, Kakashi possessed a broad understanding of Konoha's standard ninjutsu and could have helped Ren select a suitable technique before reporting the choice to the Hokage.
Hiruzen had chosen to appear personally because Ren's performance had exceeded expectations.
It allowed him to show favor toward a promising young shinobi while reinforcing his approachable image before the graduating students. With a few warm words and a single reward, he could secure gratitude, loyalty, and admiration all at once.
The Professor had not become Hokage without understanding people.
Hiruzen stopped in front of Ren and gave a small, approving nod.
"Ren, congratulations on taking first place."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"I promised that whoever distinguished themselves during this graduation examination would receive a special reward," Hiruzen said. "Now that the results have been announced, it is time for me to fulfill that promise."
Every nearby conversation stopped.
Students who had previously pretended not to listen turned openly toward them. Envy, curiosity, admiration, and jealousy appeared across their faces.
Even Asuma looked over.
"Tell me, Ren," Hiruzen said. "Is there a ninjutsu, secret technique, ninja tool, or special favor that you desire?"
Ren did not answer immediately.
He had considered this question long before the examination began. A ninjutsu was the most valuable option, but choosing one required caution.
He could not ask for knowledge he had no reasonable way of possessing. If a newly graduated civilian student suddenly requested a forbidden technique hidden inside the Scroll of Seals, the Anbu would probably investigate every person he had spoken to since birth.
His request also had to suit his current status.
Ninjutsu ranks were generally determined by their learning difficulty and risk. Genin usually relied on E-rank and D-rank techniques while gradually learning C-rank jutsu. Chunin commonly used C-rank techniques and began adding B-rank ninjutsu to their arsenals. A-rank techniques were normally reserved for Jonin or exceptional specialists.
If Ren requested an advanced A-rank technique immediately, he would appear reckless at best and suspicious at worst.
A C-rank ninjutsu was the safest choice.
The problem was choosing the right one.
Hiruzen noticed his hesitation and smiled.
"There is no need to be nervous," he said. "You earned this opportunity through your own performance. If you are uncertain, ask whatever you wish. I will advise you to the best of my ability."
Ren raised his gaze.
"In that case, Hokage-sama, what would you recommend?"
Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Your natural chakra affinities are Water and Fire, correct?" he asked. "For a shinobi below Chunin rank, developing two elemental transformations simultaneously can slow progress. Water Release also tends to demand considerable chakra and is affected by the availability of water in the surrounding environment."
Ren listened without interrupting.
"My recommendation would be to focus primarily on Fire Release for now and develop Water Release as a secondary path," Hiruzen continued. "If you want an offensive technique, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire or Fire Release: Dragon Fire would both suit you."
Several students inhaled sharply.
Even a C-rank elemental ninjutsu was an extraordinary reward for someone who had not yet officially become a Genin.
"If you would prefer to strengthen your defensive abilities," Hiruzen added, "you could choose Fire Release: Great Fire Wall or Water Release: Water Formation Wall. If your interests lie in close combat, Konoha-style taijutsu or the introductory forms of Konoha-style kenjutsu would also be reasonable choices."
Each option had value.
Phoenix Sage Fire could attack from multiple directions and conceal shuriken within the flames. Dragon Fire was fast, focused, and powerful. Water Formation Wall offered reliable defense, while Konoha's taijutsu and kenjutsu systems could provide a stronger foundation for close combat.
The surrounding students stared at Ren, silently urging him to choose.
Ren lowered his eyes as though carefully weighing every option. Inside, however, his thoughts were already moving in a completely different direction.
The techniques Hiruzen had offered were good.
But Ren had not fought his way to first place merely to choose something ordinary.
He lifted his head and met the Hokage's gaze.
A flicker of expectation appeared in Hiruzen's eyes.
Ren had finally decided what he wanted—and his choice was not among the techniques the Hokage had just named.