Chapter 32: Graduation Exam (2)

For the next test, a few academy teachers brought the kids to a part of the training grounds. On reaching there, the students noticed a long white line drawn on the ground and a bunch of obstacles placed ahead of it. Fujin thought, 'Is this an obstacle race?' However he soon shook his head denying that thought, 'No way, this is too simple.'

All the 64 students were made to stand behind the white line. Genki then appeared and announced, "This will be the next phase of your exam. This is an obstacle race, and you have to run 500 metres straight to the white line that is drawn there."

This announcement excited all the students. They thought, 'Finally an easy exam!' The ones who had taken the graduation exam previously thought, 'Why wasn't this exam there the previous year?'

Fujin was confused by such an easy exam. However, he noticed that there was another man standing behind Genki. And when Genki finished his announcement, he looked at him and nodded.

Kisho looked at the excited kids and chuckled, he thought, 'This should be fun. Sadly the kids don't know that the guy standing there is an experienced Jounin from the Kurama clan. He is Kurama Illumi. In the previous war, hundreds of enemies fell prey to him and his bag of tricks.'

Genki then announced, 'On your mark, Get set, GO!' However, while he was announcing, Kurama Illumi was making some hand signs. And when he heard 'GO', he casted his jutsu, 'Demonic Illusion : Heaven and Earth Reversal'.

As soon as he launched his jutsu, all the 64 students were shaken! It was as if someone grabbed the ground and the sky and reversed them! The gravity felt upside down! Most of the students were incredibly frightened and tightly hugged the ground underneath them.

There were only 4 exceptions. A young girl from the 3rd year, who was from the Uchiha clan. She activated her Sharingan as soon as she felt the changes. 2 students from the 5th year, who were from the Kurama clan and aware of this jutsu. And Fujin, who kept an eye on Illumi and saw him performing the hand signs. He also felt someone trying to influence his nervous system, which let him know that it was a Genjutsu. He was planning to disrupt the Genjutsu, however when he noticed that others were being affected too, he didn't disrupt it so as to not attract any attention. Even though Fujin noticed the Genjutsu, he was extremely impressed at the guy's ability to cast a Genjutsu on 64 students at the same time!

Kurama Illumi, smirked looking at the reactions of all the students. He had used rank B Genjutsu on them. He had used this Genjutsu many times to disrupt his enemies enough for his allies to kill them in the 3rd Great Ninja War. Kisho observed the students attentively. He thought, 'This test will test the willpower of the students. If they don't complete the race, then there's no way I'll pass them.'

While all the students were struggling, Fujin was trying to find his balance. He thought quickly about what this test is about. He quickly figured out that there were 3 possibilities which were, 'Either they are testing our ability to break the Genjutsu, or test our willpower or perhaps our capability to react in an unexpected situation. Either way, this is just a Genjutsu. I should just look downwards and try to move along. If others break the Genjutsu, I'll do so too.'

After the exam was over, the teachers began tallying the score. Nara Kisho passed this work to his subordinates. His job was over when he decided to pass these 41 students. Kisho then reported to Hiruzen, "Lord Hokage, all these 41 kids have passed my exam. Overall there is 1 from the 3rd year, 9 from the 4th year and 31 from the 5th year. They should make splendid shinobi. Combined with the 94 that passed from the senior most batch, this year's results have been very good for us." Hiruzen nodded and said some kind words to the Nara shinobi.

After tallying the scores, they were displayed for all the students to see. Fujin was still ranked 1st in his class. He was followed by Hana and then Hoka, who's rank increased due to superior performance in the graduation exam.

After that, all the 41 students were gathered before Hiruzen. Hiruzen smiled and began giving another speech on the 'Will of Fire'. Only this time, he was much more passionate, spoke with more fervor and his speech was more intense than any of his earlier speeches! Even Fujin was a bit dumbfounded on how someone can brainwash little kids so openly, with such vigor and be extremely proud about it!

However as the speech ended, Fujin smirked internally thinking, 'Will of Fire, Will of Fire, Will of Fire! Let me now see how much Will of Fire you actually have. Hahahaha'

After the speech, Hiruzen said, "Hatake Rei, Suzuki Fujin, Uchiha Mieko step forward."

All the 3 kids stepped forward and stood in front of Hiruzen. He said, "All three of you have worked very hard and performed splendidly. Speak, what reward would you like for your performance?"

As soon as he said that, Hatake Rei stepped forward. It was seen as rude by many, including Fujin and Mieko. While Fujin didn't mind it, Mieko did pout. However, Rei's next words made everyone understand why he stepped so hurriedly. He said, "Lord Hokage, my mother is very sick and the doctors we visited couldn't cure her. Could you please arrange a good medical ninja to treat her?"

While everyone now understood why he was so restless, it did pop another question in their mind. Fujin's thoughts were, 'Isn't he from the Hatake clan? Sure Sakumo is long dead, but their condition shouldn't be that desperate, should it? Also, shouldn't they have enough money to arrange it anyways? Unless it requires someone like Tsunade to deal with it, then I can understand. But even then, I don't think Hiruzen can call Tsunade back anyways.' Kakashi too was visibly confused.

Only a few teachers and Hiruzen knew the truth. Hiruzen thought, 'Sigh, the Hatake clan has really deteriorated after Sakumo's death. Sadly Kakashi hasn't paid much attention to the clan. This kid suddenly began performing really well this year, and hence I had looked into his background. His father died in the 3rd ninja war, and his mother was only a civilian who wasn't even from the Hatake clan. Therefore she hasn't been paid any attention by the clan. She fell sick half year back, and became the motivation for this lad to work hard. Though I do want Kakashi to lead a squad of genins, this was my main purpose to bring him here today. For him to take reins of the Hatake clan and bring it back to prosperity.'

Hiruzen nodded and said, "I'll arrange the best medics to treat your mother." He then smiled and said, "Keep training hard. Ensure that the Will of Fire in you burns brighter than ever." Hatake excitedly said yes and promised to keep training hard. Kakashi observed the young kid and decided, 'I need to take a proper look at what's going on in the clan.'

Hiruzen secretly paid attention to Kakashi's reaction, and was very satisfied with it. He could see the Hatake clan making a comeback soon.Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Ñôv€l--B1n.