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"Haori, Obito, Guy, I found out what's on the graduation exam." Rin said.
"Rin, how did you find out?"
At that moment, Rin walked over. She was probably the only girl who was willing to befriend the trio of "idiot + watermelon head".
Anyone with a bit of sense would understand. Haori, Obito, and Guy hanging out together basically shielded Haori from female attention. While Haori was very popular, because he was associated with those two weirdos, school life was relatively peaceful for him.
"Rin, what's the exam content?" Obito immediately asked. Clearly, he wasn't actually as confident as he'd claimed about the graduation exam.
"It's a practical exam. The graduation ranking will be based on performance in a battle. The teacher will then judge whether you pass based on your performance in the battle."
"So, if you perform well, even if you lose, it doesn't mean you'll fail?" Haori thought for a moment and then reached that conclusion.
"Yes." Rin confirmed.
The duo of perennial bottom-feeders were already jumping up and down with excitement. Might Guy was thrilled, because a practical exam basically guaranteed he could pass. As for Obito, it was simple: Compared to a battle, he would definitely perform worse on something like a written test.
"Um… Haori, what exactly did you mean by what you just said to Rin?"
After a while, Obito asked again. What did she mean by "judging your performance in battle" to determine whether you'd pass? The perennial bottom-feeder couldn't understand.
"It means that even if you win, you might not pass, and you might fail. Even if you lose, you won't necessarily be stuck in the academy. As long as you perform well in the battle, you might still pass." Haori explained. He could relate, since during wartime, that kind of examination system was much more realistic.
"Oh~~"
Obito and Guy immediately feigned understanding.
"Class 1, pay attention! Go to the eighth training field immediately!" At that moment, a teacher from the academy yelled towards Haori and the others.
Aizawa, 35 years old, Ninja Academy Teacher, chūnin. During wartime, for a ninja to survive to his age, let alone without any missing limbs or missing an arm, that probability was basically equivalent to a 60-year-old woman giving birth to a healthy baby… He was probably their homeroom teacher, Haori thought.
Haori and the others followed their teacher to the eighth training field.
As expected, the test was a practical exam.
The eighth training field wasn't far from the Ninja Academy. The entire class of thirty students soon arrived.
As a teacher, Sensei Aizawa announced that the graduation exam was going to be a battle, amidst the students' complaints.
It couldn't be helped. Compared to showing a few jutsu, or doing a written exam, a battle was much less appealing to most of them.
Sensei Aizawa completely ignored the students' opinions, and didn't even give them time to prepare. He immediately announced the pairings for the first group.
Haori looked at the two extras who were going to battle. He silently nodded, their skill levels were pretty good.
During wartime, because of the differences in education and external environment at the Ninja Academy, ninja growth rates were different. For example, Obito, without the Sharingan, was the undeniable bottom-feeder at the academy. But he was still able to become a chūnin at eleven, while students in a peaceful time wouldn't even graduate from the academy at eleven.
One group after another went up to fight, and it was soon Haori's turn.
"Group six, Shiraishi Haori vs. Yuhi Kurenai!"
Upon hearing his name, Haori didn't hesitate, and went straight into the practice field.
Genjutsu, a form of mental attack. Through powerful mental intent and seemingly unintentional but hidden actions, sounds, images, drugs, or objects, the opponent is brought into a state of mental confusion and hallucinations.
Haori was interested in a genjutsu ninja like Yūhi Kurenai, because he had never encountered a genjutsu opponent in his practical classes at the academy. In this battle, he could test out whether his abilities had any effect on genjutsu.
If he couldn't even deal with normal genjutsu, then he'd have to be careful when facing the Sharingan.
"Rin, who do you think will win?" Obito asked Rin, seeming to be concerned about Haori.
As for why he was hanging around Rin, you guess?
"It should be Haori." Rin answered confidently, but she didn't say the rest out loud.
If Haori didn't forfeit.
You see, in normal practical classes, Haori often forfeited, citing chakra depletion…
Haori's theory scores were super high, but why was his overall class ranking always in the middle? The reason was simple: In all sorts of practical, taijutsu, and shuriken classes, he often forfeited, and he always found various reasons that convinced his teachers.
Of course, Rin didn't really need to worry. Haori wouldn't forfeit this time, for two reasons: First, it was the graduation exam, and if he just forfeited without doing anything, he would definitely not graduate. Second, he was really curious to see if his techniques would work against a genjutsu ninja.
"No way, I think Kurenai will win. Her overall score is way better than that guy Haori who's always lacking in motivation." Obito retorted. Why didn't he stand on the side of his friend, Haori? It was simple. Rin speaking for Haori made him a little annoyed, perhaps without even realizing it.
"Who knows…" Rin wasn't wrong to be uncertain. Haori had forfeited in practical classes so many times, it was countless.
If only Haori could have a tenth of Might Guy's motivation…
Rin couldn't help but imagine putting a watermelon head on Haori, then she shivered. Um, Haori was perfectly fine right now, and there was no need for him to learn from Might Guy, especially in terms of fashion.
"Battle start!"
With the chūnin teacher's voice, everyone's eyes turned to the training field.
Then, under Kurenai's and everyone's shocked gaze, Haori closed his eyes as soon as the battle started.
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Are you going to fight or not?" Kurenai yelled, confused about what her opponent was trying to do.
"I'm preparing for battle, aren't I? Closing your eyes is the first step." Haori's voice was still that listless tone, his attitude was half-dead.
Kurenai was almost furious. Closing your eyes is the first step? This guy who was always forfeiting in all kinds of classes was looking down on her, wasn't he?
She was a bit irritated. She gritted her teeth and said, "How can you fight with your eyes closed?"
"Oh, you mean that? Although it's not a good idea to reveal information to your opponent, I'll explain anyway. You're a genjutsu ninja, right? Closing my eyes is to counter your genjutsu." Haori said in a tone as if he was generously answering a sincere question.
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