"What kind of kenjutsu is that?"
Astonishment spread across Ishida Yu's face.
As a Chunin, he was familiar with numerous sword styles—but none matched what Natsuki had just displayed.
More importantly, where had he learned such powerful kenjutsu?
"Minato lost? Am I caught in a genjutsu?"
"He actually defeated Minato that easily?"
"When did Natsuki learn swordsmanship? He's terrifyingly strong!"
"So cool! I just realized Natsuki is even more handsome than Minato!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Class 1-A erupted into chaos. Several girls were screaming.
Ishida Yu snapped back to reality—and felt a surge of elation.
Class 1-A had suddenly produced another genius. A genius who had defeated Namikaze Minato. This was free career advancement falling into his lap!
The only issue was that this kid had hidden his abilities far too well. He hadn't shown his true strength before—fooling even his own instructor.
"Winner: Natsuki!"
Ishida Yu announced excitedly.
"Minato."
Natsuki walked over, helped Namikaze Minato to his feet, and asked, "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
Minato shook his head.
Natsuki had used a wooden sword, so there were no actual wounds.
Pain, of course, was unavoidable.
"Your strength is far greater than mine."
After steadying himself, Minato looked at Natsuki with lingering disbelief.
He had always assumed that even if Natsuki was hiding something, the gap wouldn't be that large. At worst, they'd be evenly matched.
He never expected to be defeated so effortlessly. The difference in their abilities was staggering.
"I'll work hard to catch up to you."
Minato took a deep breath, his eyes burning with determination.
He was nothing like Onodera. Defeat didn't fill him with anger or jealousy—only the drive to improve.
"With your talent, you'll catch up soon."
Natsuki smiled. "When that day comes, we'll fight again."
Minato nodded.
The two left the field, and the practical combat exam continued.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
A crystal ball sat on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk. Its surface rippled like water, reflecting the images of Natsuki and Namikaze Minato.
Sarutobi Hiruzen studied the crystal ball, lost in thought.
As principal of the Ninja Academy, he naturally knew today was the final exam for all grades.
After finishing his paperwork, he had used the Telescope Technique to observe the matches.
He hadn't expected Natsuki to deliver such an enormous surprise.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held many titles. One of them was "The Professor."
He was proficient in all five elemental releases, possessed every chakra nature, and was intimately familiar with countless secret and forbidden techniques.
But he could say with certainty: the kenjutsu Natsuki had used didn't belong to any known style.
In other words—it was most likely self-created.
The thought filled him with anticipation.
Geniuses were common enough. But geniuses who could create their own ninjutsu were exceptionally rare.
If another Senju Tobirama emerged, it would significantly bolster Konoha's strength.
After all, the foundation of any ninja village lay in its techniques.
"Minato isn't bad either."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.
During that battle, he had noticed Minato's greatest advantage: his extraordinary reaction speed.
Immediately, he thought of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Perhaps Minato could learn it.
The Flying Thunder God was a strategic-level ninjutsu.
If Minato mastered it, the mere threat would deter other villages.
An enemy who could appear in your base camp at any moment—just the thought was terrifying.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe.
An idea began to form.
After Namikaze Minato and Natsuki graduated, he would have Jiraiya and Orochimaru serve as their Jonin instructors.
There weren't many Konoha ninjas who excelled in kenjutsu.
Aside from Hatake Sakumo, there was Orochimaru—and at most, the eternal Genin, Maruboshi Kosuke.
Orochimaru was his student. A ninja of the Hokage's faction.
Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen preferred to keep the best assets within the family.
He also thought of Yakushi Nonou.
With her talent as a medical ninja, she could easily become Tsunade's student.
That way, his three students would each have a disciple of their own.
The only complication was that normally, a Jonin instructor should have three students. Finding two others to fill out each squad would be difficult.
But as students of the Hokage himself, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade held high status. Making exceptions wouldn't be a problem.
They could even form Minato, Natsuki, and Nonou into a single squad in the future.
Of course, graduation was still years away. Anything could happen.
Noon arrived, and Class 1-A's practical combat exam concluded.
"I will now announce the practical combat rankings."
Ishida Yu's voice rang out. "First place: Natsuki!"
[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Zoro Template Ability 2: One-Sword Style — 36 Pound Phoenix.]
A smile spread across Natsuki's face.
With this, all abilities of his Zoro template were now unlocked.
After reading the practical combat rankings, Ishida Yu announced the theory exam results—and the final overall standings.
Although Natsuki had taken first in practical combat, his theory exam had been a disaster. He'd placed only third.
The final ranking: Namikaze Minato in first place. Natsuki in second.
But Natsuki didn't mind.
In a world where strength reigned supreme, practical combat rankings obviously carried far more weight than theory scores.
Namikaze Minato clearly thought the same.
The result was a strange scene: the student who took first place looked like he'd come in last.
[You have awakened the Shiba Tatsuya Template.]
Natsuki blinked in surprise.
Shiba Tatsuya?
The protagonist of The Irregular at Magic High School?
Why had he suddenly awakened this template?
Natsuki thought it through and concluded it was probably related to his second-place finish.
Shiba Tatsuya was the quintessential hidden genius—top of his class in every respect, a monster in both theory and combat.
Yet during enrollment, he'd been classified as a Course 2 student. An "irregular." An underachiever.
From that perspective, the parallel to Natsuki was clear: hiding his true abilities, playing the fool while waiting to strike.
Seems like second place isn't so bad after all.
Natsuki quickly examined his new template.
[Name: Shiba Tatsuya]
[Era: Enrollment Arc]
[World: The Irregular at Magic High School]
[Rank: C-Rank]
[Ability 1: Weight-Type Magic — Water Spider — Unlocked]
[Effect: Ability to walk or run on the surface of water.]
[Ability 2: Weight-Type Magic — Gravity Mitigation — Locked]
[Effect: Slightly reduce one's own weight, enhancing mobility.]
[Unlock Condition: Complete tree climbing training.]
[Ability 3: Non-Systematic Magic — Phantom Blow — Locked]
[Effect: A pure psionic shockwave. Upon impact, induces the sensation of a concussion, rendering the target unable to fight.]
[Unlock Condition: Obtain first place in a final exam.]
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