Graduation(1)

After the mock battle between Tsunade and Arashi; Kushina, Mikoto and Kana fought against each other in a three way match. Though there fight was not as breath taking as Arashi's and Tsunade's, they used their own jutsu and their strongest elemental techniques to show that they were not inferior compared to them.

Kushina's Ice style has improved over these five years. Now she can turn an area in to ice field with just a thought. She had improved her affinity towards water and wind. Now she didn't need to concentrate to draw moisture from the air. With the addition of nature energy, she could directly use air and moisture to turn them in to ice. If she improved her affinity to another level, she would be deadly whether she has any water source or not. Her Akaigan had improved her chakra control very much.

Now she could make ice spears and launch them towards enemies with deadly accuracy and speed. Furthermore, she was trying to use ones body fluid as weapon. For example, if she could turn someone's blood in to ice or use the water contained within blood, she could easily manipulate it. With just a thought her enemies blood would freeze or she reverse their blood flow causing their immediate death.

When others heard about this theory, they were terrified. Just imagine, every living organism has fluid in its body. If Kushina could directly manipulate them, no one was safe from this technique. Even Tsunade couldn't come up with a counter for this technique.

Though to reach this level of proficiency, one had to have very high affinity with water. Even 2nd hokage, Tobirama Senju wasn't capable of such feat. Kushina would start a whole new era for water style shinobi. Other shinobi thought water style as a weak style. Though it has destructive powers, it couldn't be compared to fire or lightning.

But Kushina's theory would shut everyone's mouth. Also Kushina didn't neglect her wind affinity. Like water style, wind style has a huge potential. Just think about it for a moment. Everywhere you go their is air. Except oceans, air is around us everywhere. If she could use this air to do her own bidding, then she could just create a vacuum space around someone, choking them to death. Or she could create cyclones and tornados in a whim. She could create invisible air blades and cut her opponents.

After watching the fight between Arashi and Tsunade and watching them use their chakra to create titanic avatars to fight, Kushina also wanted to create such an avatar using her Ice style. Just the thought about it made her all excited. Using a giant ice avatar to fight against Tsunade and Arashi had become a goal for her. Also this technique was an army destroyer. It was an one man army level technique. Who wouldn't want such a jutsu for their own.

Like Kushina, Kana had also trained her earth affinity to the next level. She could easily use natural earth to form golems and use them against her opponents. Though she could create small golems now, she decided to create a technique similar to Tsunade's 'Goddess's Avatar'. She was deeply inspired from her battle. She couldn't wait to create her own avatar.

Kana also learned from Kushina's theories and decided to find her own path. Earth style was very powerful. Creating armor around yourself to protect your body, making earth some thing lighter or heavier, making your body lighter or your punches heavier at the time of impact are some of the ways in which earth style could be used. Kana would be invincible as long as she was on the ground. Along with her byakugan, she could be a force to reckon with.

Lastly, Mikoto. She used the last five years to hone her skills in fire style. Her affinity with fire element had also improved. She could now use her special blue flames in all her jutsu. Her flames were hotter and deadlier compared to Arashi's crimson flame. Arashi had also taught her how to mix yang chakra with her fire to make it more powerful. But after some experiments, it proved difficult to mix yang chakra with the blue flames.

Her blue flames would become more unstable whenever she tried to mix yang chakra. Later when she added yin chakra, it proved to be useful. It turned out that, her blue flames already had some yin chakra mixed with it. So, she had to gain a perfect balance of yin and yang chakra to use them empower her blue flames.

After much training and patience, she finally managed to learn to do it. But she still couldn't use it in her battles. She had to maintain a high level of concentration to balance yin and yang chakra. Arashi guessed if she awakens her Rinnegan, she could use it properly.

But this didn't stop her from training in her blue flames and creating new jutsu. Due to the nature of yin chakra already present inside her flames, it was easier for her to control them. This proved to be useful. Now she had created a jutsu called 'Phoenix's Descent' which creates a phoenix made of pure flame not she could control it to wreck havoc against her opponent.

If she manage to add yang chakra to this jutsu, she would make it even more deadlier. Like Kana and Kushina, she also wanted to create an avatar of fire goddess. Nobody can complain about the usefulness of this jutsu. Against an army of shinobi, you could devastate them in minutes. The reason Susanoo was called 'Avatar of Destruction' was due to it's ability to cause wide spread destruction. A perfect Susanoo could fight against multiple kage level shinobi with ease. It could destroy an army single handedly.

So, all three of including Arashi made up their mind to create their own version of Susanoo. Though Mikoto didn't need to worry as her 'Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan' would help her to use the perfect Susanoo, she wanted to combine her Susanoo with her avatar of fire to create even more terrifying 'Avatar of Destruction'.

"Well it seems everyone has reached at least jonin level of strength. That's impressive for your current age. The upcoming graduation test is just a piece of cake for all of you."

Mito was clearly happy with the results of their fight. She was nostalgic watching the fight between Tsunade and Arashi. Watching Tsunade using Wood Style and her new jutsu brought many old memories of her late husband 1st Hokage Hashirama. She was glad that Tsunade and Nawaki could use Wood Style. This way she could finally rest in peace.

For all these years, she was worried of the future of both Senju and Uzumaki clan. Now watching their fights, she knew they would be fine without her. They didn't need her protection anymore.

With the pocket space connected to all of them, they could always retreat from any dangerous situation.

'I can finally be united with Hashirama.'

Mito made up her mind. After their graduation, she transfer the Kyubi to this space and join Hashirama in the pure land.

After taking a rest for a while, everyone left the space together and started to prepare for their graduation test two days from now.

Arashi, Kushina and Kana were in one team. So they didn't worry too much about it. But Mikoto was with another team. She needed to plan along with her teammates to pass the test.

As for the survival inside the forbidden forest, they had already stored dry food and water along with tents and other necessities inside their storage seals. They had been taught how to make simple storage seal in the academy.

Also they had several mock survival training in the forest before. So everyone knew what to do. Students of new curriculum were more than prepared for this test.

The only problem was the written test. They didn't know what type of questions they have to face in the test. One thing for sure was it would not be any easier for them.

As for the last one on one battle in front of the whole village, all the students were excited to show their skills to everyone. This way they would gain fame even before fighting in life and death battles and completing dangerous missions.

In this month, the whole village was preparing for the graduation events. They would be the third batch of students to face such test. The two previous graduation test had become popular among the villagers and nobles of Land of Fire.

For this occasion, many people from outside the village, would come to watch the fights. Not everyday they would see fight between shinobi without any fear of death. This has become a festival. Konoha higher ups didn't left any chance to not profit from this development. They use this occasion to gather more funds.

Also this event has resulted in significant increase in missions. So village higher ups have turned this test to a show casing festival where young, freshly graduated students would show their skills to the people and promote the strength of Konoha shinobi.

The only downside was village security became extremely laxed. Due to large number of people coming to the village, it was difficult to find out spies among them.

This situation has helped Uchiha clan tremendously. They were responsible for the village security. So they use this event to fully mobilize their clan to maintain order and peace. This in terms had helped them to gain more respect from villagers and outside people. Now a days, Uchiha clan was more famous than the warring period.

This in fact has helped the Uchiha clan to clear their reputation. Now a days people respect the Uchiha Police Force more and more. This had caused people like Danzo to become wary of the growing power of Uchiha clan. But with Hiruzen as the hokage and his forgiving nature made it difficult for the ambitious and ruthless Danzo to do anything.

Hiruzen also has began to suspect Danzo for many irregularities in the village. With the decline of Senju and Uzumaki clan, Uchiha clan was the only one left from the founding members of the village. Hiruzen didn't want any conflict with them. In fact he was good friend with Kagami Uchiha who was an elder of the clan.

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Two days passed quickly. Finally the day that everyone had been waiting for arrived.

Arashi and Kushina checked all their scrolls and weapons. Making sure that they haven't forgotten anything, they ate their breakfast and started to walk towards the academy.

"Good luck Kushina and Arashi. I know you will pass the test." Mito wished them good luck. She was very confident in their abilities.

"Good luck you two." Tsunade also wished them.

"Good luck Big brother Arashi and Kushina elder sister." With Nawaki wishing them luck, they quickly walked towards the academy.

As soon as they reached there, Mikoto and Kana joined them.

"So everyone prepared?" Mikoto asked.

"Yes. Well there is nothing to worry about. By the way where are your teammates? I don't see them anywhere." Kana searched for a while and after not finding them she asked Mikoto.

"Oh Don't worry about them. They are already in the class. I was waiting for you three here. Now that you all are here, Good Luck." Mikoto wished them luck and went to her classroom.

"Good luck to you too." The three of them wished her as well.

The trio went to their classroom after the meeting. When they reached there, students were already discussing with their own team mates about the upcoming written test.

All of them were busy speculating what questions they would be answering. Many teams were passing on different questions that they thought would be asked in the test. So the situation in the classroom was that of a fish market. Loud discussion along with arguments could be heard from a mile.

Without a teacher to supervise them, they were continuing their discussion in full throttle.

The trio ignored the discussion and went to their seats. They sat there silently. After some time Naori sensei and another teacher entered the classroom.

"Good morning students."

Quickly everyone went to their seat and wished her back.

"Good morning sensei."

"Are you all prepared for the test?"

"Yes"

"Good. Now follow me to the examination room. Don't make any noise."

Naomi sensei and the male teacher signaled everyone to follow them. Soon all the students made a queue and silently followed them. After a minute of walk, they reached a large hall where they generally have their written exam.

The exam hall was already filled with students of other classes. Arashi and his teammates found Mikoto seating on a single seat.

"Students, go to your respective seat where your name and student registration no is written. I have to remind you that if you are caught cheating, your team will be failed. Good Luck everyone."

As soon as Naomi sensei reminded them, she left them to search for their own seat. Soon Arashi found his own seat. It was closer to Mikoto but Kushina and Kana had their seat in the front. This way, you cannot cheat from your teammates.

Soon other students began to appear along with their class teacher. After 30 minute of waiting, a fierce looking man with a stoic expression and multiple scars on his face entered the hall.

All student's paid him close attention. They could guess the man was going to be their proctor.

Without wasting any time, the man went ahead and announced

"My name is Daikoku. I am the head of Information and Torture unit of Konoha. As you have been told, information regarding a mission is very important. Sometime you have collect information stealthily and protect it with your life.

As a shinobi of Konoha, you are expected to use your wit and intelligence to collect information.

The first test consist of 20 questions. You have to answer 18 of them correctly. Less than this, your team will be disqualified. You have two hours."

Soon they were distributed question papers. Many students appeared nervous after reading some questions. These questions let alone chunin, some jonin couldn't even answer them. It didn't help them that Daikoku was watching them like a hawk. Tension began to increase among several students.

When Arashi read the questions, he knew it would be difficult for others to answer them correctly. After much thinking, he suddenly felt that there was no way the village would come up with such an impossible task. There must have been a catch.

It was at this moment Naomi sensei's word came to his mind.

"If you are caught while cheating, you will be disqualified."

Every other teacher also repeated the same words to their students. It looked like a play. Soon he guessed that if they didn't get caught, then they were fine. Also, Daikoku's words about information gathering pointed to the same conclusion.

"So they expect us to cheat. Well, I can answer them all. Kushina and Kana can use their Byakugan to cheat. We should pass this round easily."

A nerve racking 2 hours passed by slowly. After calming down from their initial panic, students began to realize the motive behind the test. They began to use different methods to cheat from others. They soon found out there were some students with every answer mixed with them. Some guessed this was a way to make them pass.

Those who realized this began copying their answers. Some student didn't know what to do. They could only look at others. They tried to cheat but were caught by Daikoku.

As the time ended, everyone stopped writing. Arashi looked at the smiling face of Mikoto, Kana and Kushina. He knew they must have passed the test. Collecting their papers, Daikoku informed them to gather at the entrance of forbidden forest in an hour.

There they would be informed about their mission that they have to complete while staying inside the forest for 5 days.