Chapter 33: 32: Graduation
Konoha.Year 36, February.
The war between Konoha and Suna had been ongoing for two years and showed no signs of ending. The number of ninjas mobilized on both sides continued to increase, and the constant transportation of medicines and supplies to the front lines indicated that the war was far from over.
Shiraishi's classmates who hadn't chosen to skip grades were already sixth-grade graduates. In March, there would be a school graduation assessment, and those who passed would become official genin of Konoha.
However, Shiraishi believed that the graduation assessment was merely a formality. The teachers already knew which students would graduate and who would need to repeat a grade.
With the front lines in need of new troops, Shiraishi and others like him were required to gain battlefield experience to excel in their respective fields in the future.
Currently, his routine consisted of attending the academy in the morning, interning at the hospital in the afternoon, and conducting research in the evening.
Graduation was inevitable, so there was no need to rush or wait longer. Everything would fall into place as it should.
Nearly a month had passed without much noise, and it was now the morning of graduation.
The weather was bright, birds chirped in the empty courtyard, and the maids diligently prepared for the day ahead. Unlike Shiraishi, who had lived comfortably for years, these maids were hardworking and capable.
To ensure the students were in good condition for the graduation test, there was no need to arrive at school too early. Shiraishi woke up at seven in the morning and felt that life might not be as peaceful after today.
A few days ago, he had halted his research and stored the large-scale equipment in a safe and secret location with the help of the ninja cats summoned by Ruri. He only took the scrolls containing the research results, which he deemed most valuable and reassuring.
After having breakfast with Ruri, they made their way to the school.
Once inside the designated exam room, some students appeared nervous, while others seemed relaxed. For most, the graduation exam was not particularly challenging.
Shiraishi's examination room was supervised by the head teacher, Fujimura Taiga. As Shiraishi looked at Fujimura-sensei, who was still unmarried after six years, he couldn't help but sigh.
"The graduation exam will test the Three Body Technique. As long as you meet the standard in two of the three techniques, there's no need for much explanation. Just take your seats one by one."
With that, Fujimura Taiga walked into the empty classroom next door, accompanied by two chunin examiners.
Following the seating order, each student's name was called, and they proceeded to the adjacent classroom to take the Three Body Jutsu assessment—a basic ninjutsu they had been exposed to for six years. In theory, it was impossible for anyone to fail this extremely simple exam.
In the hushed atmosphere, it was finally Shiraishi's turn.
The Three Body Techniques was not challenging, and only two of the three techniques needed to meet the standard to pass and receive the Konoha forehead protector.
Shiraishi stood at the center of the examination room, formed seals with his hands, and focused on performing the Three Body Technique.
"Congratulations, Chiba-san, you have passed."
All of Shiraishi's techniques met the standard, as Fujimura Taiga had expected.
Shiraishi was one of the few students in the class with a solid foundation. As long as he followed the usual rhythm, passing the graduation exam was a mere formality.
"Thank you, Fujimura-sensei."
Shiraishi bowed slightly to express his gratitude.
Receiving the Konoha forehead protector from Fujimura Taiga meant that Shiraishi was now officially a qualified Konoha ninja.
At least, that's what others would think.
The graduation exam concluded in a subdued atmosphere.
With nothing else to do the next day, they just had to wait for the assignment to their new teams tomorrow morning.
"I wonder who will be the team leader tomorrow? I heard that only outstanding students get special Jonin as their teachers after graduation. For someone like me, the team leader will probably be a regular Jonin" Shiraishi speculated on his way back.
"You'll be in a team with me," Ruri suddenly said.
"Huh?" Shiraishi looked at Ruri in surprise.
"Why the surprised expression? Do you have an issue being in a team with me?"
"Oh, no, I just wasn't informed about this," Shiraishi replied.
"That's because I didn't think I needed to ask for your opinion, and your input wouldn't matter anyway. But since you brought it up, I'll tell you a little about it."
Ruri explained truthfully, which was quite shocking to hear.
However, Shiraishi didn't let such trivial matters bother him.
"In that case, our team leader will likely be a very powerful Jonin."
Shiraishi had a clear understanding of Ruri's strength. At almost twelve years old, she was as strong as an ordinary Jonin. Combined with her strong personality, a regular Jonin might not be able to handle her, leading to potential issues within the team.
If they were on the same team, then their team leader would undoubtedly be no ordinary Jonin.
"The clan only told me that the leader would be a very powerful Jonin, but they didn't reveal the name."
"I guess we'll find out whether it's unfortunate or lucky soon enough."
An exceptional team leader can enhance the efficiency of a team's mission execution and greatly improve the survival rate. However, on the contrary, the stronger the team leader, the more likely their true strength will be exposed. Good and bad are always relative.
"At that time, you just need to utilize your medical ninjutsu skills."
"Exactly. It's only logical to include a medical ninja in the team, considering the village's setup. The Jōnin teams that perform tasks more efficiently will naturally benefit the most from having medical ninjas."
Thinking about it this way, it made sense that he was assigned to join Ruri.
Due to the scarcity of medical ninjas, even though the village had a perfect team arrangement that included them, the supply was limited, so only a select few elite teams were qualified to have medical ninjas.
His displayed strength was remarkable, and as a medical ninja, his importance was on par with that of an ordinary chunin. It wasn't surprising that he was assigned to an elite group.
....
The next morning.
The students who had successfully graduated and received their forehead protectors gathered in their respective classes for the final team placement meeting.
Fujimura Taiga, standing in front of the podium, spoke in a voice that carried throughout the classroom.
"First of all, congratulations to all of you. From the moment you received your forehead protectors, you are ninjas in your own right. However, as there is an ongoing war outside, being a ninja is not just a reason to celebrate. You are all rookies now. Remember, don't bring a game mentality to the battlefield; it could cost you your life!"
Unlike his usual self, Fujimura Taiga's face was serious, and his eyes showed concern and intolerance.
His words stunned the usually lively and active students. Though they might have wanted to crack a few jokes to lighten the mood, they saw the seriousness and coldness in Fujimura Taiga's expression, which made them swallow their words and sit quietly in their seats.
Fujimura Taiga realized that his words might have been too heavy, but he preferred to portray the way of the ninja as harsh and unforgiving rather than seeing them die with naive ideals.
Fujimura Taiga then conducted a roll call to form groups of three.
Soon, Shiraishi learned which group he was in.
"Team 5: Uchiha Ruri, Hyuga Ayane, Chiba Shiraishi. You are a team."
As Fujimura Taiga continued to name the students, Shiraishi and the others exchanged glances, as if they were reevaluating their future teammates.
"This is great luck. Please guide me in the future, Shiraishi-kun, Ruri-san" Ayane said, wearing a white ninja kimono, her long black hair cascading softly on her shoulders, and her white pupils displaying a distant yet polite smile.
"As long as you don't drag me down," Ruri added, showing no dissatisfaction with being in a group with Ayane. In fact, she saw it as the perfect match. She paid attention to Ayane, considering they both shared the inheritance of blood, and Baiyan was more versatile than Sharinyan in many cases.
"By the way, this guy is quite weak and has nothing to offer except medical ninjutsu. You need to be mentally prepared" Ruri bluntly belittled Shiraishi's combat abilities.
"I understand. It's a common perception that most medical ninjas are weak, deeply rooted in people's minds. Leave the battle to me and you, Ruri" Ayane replied, her meaning clear that Shiraishi was in charge of medical duties while the two of them handled the combat.
Though it sounded reasonable, Shiraishi couldn't help but feel a subtle sense of comparison in Ayane's tone.
Was it just his imagination?
Leaving that aside, there was something else that made Shiraishi feel oddly excited.
A team composed of Byakugan, Sharingan, Medical Ninjas, and a powerful Jōnin... This team didn't seem to be meant for ordinary tasks.
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