Graduation Exam

It's been 2 years since I started my training. It was going well for the first year and a half, but I've started to stagnate. I think I need to get into more dangerous battles before the system will boost my progress more. Well, without further ado, here are my stat's.

Progress tracker

[Taijutsu

Skills: [Flash Step, lvl 14], [Academy Taijutsu, lvl 5 (max)].

Progress: 32%]

[Kenjutsu

Skills: [Tanto-wielding, lvl 15 (max)] [Katana-wielding, lvl 19]

Progress: 33%]

[Fire Release

Skills: [Shikai, lvl 1 (Locked: fire release too low)]

Progress: 0%]

[Chakra

Skills: [Leaf-sticking, lvl 5 (max)] [Tree-walking, lvl 10 (max)] [Water-walking, lvl 15 (max)]

[Clone jutsu, lvl 15 (max)] [Transformation jutsu, lvl 15 (max)] [Substitution jutsu, lvl 20 (max)]

Progress: 52%]

I officially have jounin-level reserves as a 12-year-old, which puts me into the same category as Itachi and Kakashi when they were kids. Probably less experience, but the point stands. My kenjutsu actually overtook my taijutsu by a percent, which was expected because I actually have some natural talent for kenjutsu. That's probably the reason I got the Yamamoto template, heh. Both my taijutsu and kenjutsu are firmly chunin level from what I can tell, so that's cool.

But anyway, today's a big day; the graduation exam! I'm probably not rookie of the year, or even second best. Now, it's not because I'm bad at fighting; I'm definitely at the top of taijutsu in this class even with a Hyuga and Uchiha present. It's just, I never listened when Yamanaka-sensei talked about history and indoctri- ahem, the 'will of fire.' Not that I have anything against having values… I just already have values from my last life and I'm not looking to lose them.

"Kaen, you're going to be late if you don't hurry up! The exam starts in 10 minutes!" My mom yelled up the stairs at me.

"Coming!" I replied as I dashed down the stairs.

'Man, I really need to stop getting lost in thought so easily.'

As I got my sandals on and rushed out the door I said, "Love you, mom. Next time you see me it'll be as an official ninja of the leaf!"

She smiled at this, "Ok, honey. You got this." With that last bit of encouragement, I was out the door and running through the streets.

I would've used flash step, but I kind of want to keep that a secret for a little bit longer.

9 minutes later, I burst through the academy doors and almost ran into someone, but they dodged at the last second.

"Watch where you're going, loser."

Ah, classic Neji. He's had it out for me ever since I took the top spot in taijutsu. Well, I'm not into arguing with random kids, so I just ignored him and headed toward the people I actually care about.

"What's up, guys? Ready for the exam?" I asked.

"Yeah, as long as I don't get matched up with you or Neji, I'll be fine!" Isamu replied.

"Yes," Ayame said softly.

She's still kinda cold to other people and a little arrogant, but she's warmed up to me and Isamu over the years. She's still not one for many words, though.

As we took our seats, Yamanaka sensei called everyone's attention.

"Alright, it's been a long 5 years, but you guys are now ready to try and graduate. If you fail this exam, too bad; you'll have to try again next year. To my right is your taijutsu instructor, Mizuki. He will help proctor the written portion of the exam, which you will have two hours to complete.

Now, I'm going to hand out your exams. In 5 minutes, I will start the test, so prepare yourselves." As he started handing out tests, Isamu leaned over and whispered to me.

"Good luck, man. I know you suck at this."

"Thanks," I replied dryly, "Love the confidence."

"Heh, real friends don't lie to each other."

"Fair enough. But you better hope we don't get matched for the taijutsu portion."

He paled at that, "Hey, it's just a joke, you know that, right?"

I smirked at him and was about to say something when I was interrupted.

"Your time starts, now!"

So I turned away from Isamu and started my test.

///////// 2 hours later /////////

"So, how do you think you did? I probably got at least half right." I said.

"It wasn't that bad, I definitely got a passing grade," Isamu replied.

"Hm. It was easy," Ayame said.

'I guess that makes me stupid, then? I was in high school when I died, so how am I struggling with a test for 12-year-olds? Meh, people here are just built different. That's gotta be it.'

Yamanaka-sensei cleared his throat, "Ahem, now that I have your attention," Why do I feel like he just looked at me? "Please come down one at a time and pass your test to me. Once you've done that, head out to the field for the practical portion."

So we got up, definitely not one at a time, and passed our tests to him before following Mizuki outside.

When we got outside I observed a couple of targets for shurikenjutsu.

'Ah, shit. I knew I forgot to practice something.'

I can't be blamed, though. I had a lot on my plate. At least, that's my excuse.

Mizuki lined us up, and, one at a time, we all took turns throwing shuriken and kunai at the targets.

Predictably, Neji, Ayame, and Tenten all got perfect scores. I got 5/10 for shuriken and 6/10 for kunai. Damn, I need to practice that more.

"Now, I'm going to call you up in pairs for sparring. Don't worry if you lose, you are graded more on your form than whether or not you win." Mizuki announced. He then started calling up names. "I need Ito Isamu and Uchiha Ayame to come up please."

Oh, this will be fun to watch.

They both walked into the circle and made the seal of confrontation.

Mizuki and another instructor whose name I don't started the fight.

Isamu immediately ran at Ayame, knowing that the only way he was going to win would be to catch her off-guard. When he reached her, he sent out a kick towards her midsection.

She spun around his kick and launched a sequence of three punches; two at his stomach and a feint at his head. Since we all spar as a group quite often, he saw through the feint and blocked her other strikes. After blocking, he tried to grab one of her arms so he could leverage his superior physical strength, but she was too quick.

They traded many more blows, with Isamu slowly getting worn down as Ayame danced in and out of his reach. After a couple minutes of this, Isamu threw in the towel, "I give up." He said, "You're just too damn fast."

"Get faster, then," she said. She might sound like an ass, but we could tell she was being genuine.

"Haah," he sighed, "It's hard to be mad at you."

I then turned to look at Mizuki, who was surprised at the prowess that my friends showed during their fight. I mean, they practice with me once a week, and I'm chunin level in taijutsu, so it would be embarrassing if they were trash. "Good job, you two." Mizuki said, "Alright next up…"

And then I tuned out the rest of the fights. I was super bored of all their lame-ass fights until I got called up with someone I hadn't had much interaction with, despite them being an important character in canon.

"Rock Lee and Tsurugi Kaen, come up please." Huh, he looks nothing like his future self outside of his eyebrows.

"Yosh! Let's give it our best shot!" he exclaimed excitedly.

I guess some things stay the same, even if he hasn't met Guy yet and learned about 'youth.'

I didn't say any of that though, "Sure thing, man."

We made the seal of confrontation and Mizuki started the fight.

I knew I could beat him easily right now since he hasn't met Guy yet, but I'm pretty sure he still trained a lot beforehand.

"Come on. Show me your best," I said.

"Yosh!"

He charged forward at an impressive speed for an academy student and threw a right hook at my face. It was actually pretty decent, but nowhere near enough. I tilted my head back and let his fist fly by. He was expecting that though, and started to reel back his fist again.

'Too slow.'

I moved forward in a blur and buried my foot in his stomach.

"Ugh!" He skidded back and looked like he was about to lose his lunch.

"That all you got?" I taunted. Because I knew there had to be more to it for him to catch Guy's eye.

He looked even more determined after that, "Not even close!" He yelled back at me and jumped forward.

After two minutes, he was barely standing.

"I'm… Not… Done… Yet!" he croaked out. Just as he was about to charge me again, Mizuki took pity on him.

"Ok, that's enough! Winner, Tsurugi Kaen." At those words, Lee collapsed.

I walked over to him, "Hey, that was a good fight."

He laughed bitterly, "I didn't stand a chance… How did you get so strong?" he asked.

"Doing the same thing you are," I say, "Just training all day every day. You should keep it up, dude. If you train hard, maybe you'll even be able to give me a run for my money."

It was heartbreaking to see how hopeful he looked when I said that.

"You really think so?" His voice quivered. "I know so," I replied.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Then… Just you wait! I'll become the strongest taijutsu user in Konoha!" He exclaimed as he wiped his eyes.

"Heh, you'll have to surpass me first," I said as I walked away.

After our fight, which was the last one, it was time to test our jutsu. Mizuki had everyone line up.

"Alright, starting with the front, you will each perform the academy three before moving to the back of the line. Got it?"

We all nodded.

"Good, now first up…" Aaaand, I was back to waiting again.

After a torturous hour, we finally all passed through. I performed perfectly, by the way. I could've done it with no hand seals, but I didn't really see the point. I don't think I would get extra points for it anyways.

"Wait for about an hour while we process your results. After that hour, your homeroom teacher with call up everyone who passed. Now, shoo. I've got work to do." Mizuki said. So we all went back up to the classrooms, where I just chatted with Isamu and Ayame.

After about 45 minutes, Yamanaka-sensei entered the room.

"First, I have to say that I'm proud of all of you. Each and every one of you passed the exams! 1st place goes to Hyuga Neji. 2nd place goes to Uchiha Ayame and 3rd goes to Tenten.

Now when I call your name, come up and grab your headband. Make sure to be here at 9:00 am tomorrow, where you will be given your team placements."

After we were all called, I walked towards my house with Ayame and Isamu to go eat dinner.

"Good job, you guys," Isamu said.

"Yep, you too, man," I replied.

"Hm" grunted Ayame.

"Damnit, you gotta stop doing that. Reply with words." I complained. She just looked away and ignored me.

"Haah. Whatever."

We reached my house, where my mom had already set the table.

When we entered, she squealed, "Oh, look at you all! You passed! I'm so proud." She ushered us into the cramped dining room, "Now sit down, we're having barbeque tonight!"

After eating dinner and chatting for a bit, Ayame and Isamu went home. My mom then turned to me and got a little serious.

"Mom? Is something wrong?" I asked.

She sighed, "No, honey, I'm fine. I just know that you're going to be a ninja now and I'm worried you could get hurt."

"Mom, I'll be fine. I'll have a jounin-sensei with me whenever I leave the village."

"I know, but it's a mother's job to worry… Just promise me that you'll be careful, ok?"

I smiled gently, "Ok, mom. I promise to be careful."

She brightened at my words.

"Ok, I'll clean up tonight. You should head to bed; you have a big day tomorrow."

"Ok, goodnight, mom."

"Goodnight, honey."

And so I went to bed that night filled with hopes for the future.

//////// A/N /////////

Hello everybody. I appreciate the feedback I've gotten so far. I will be adding a few things. First, I picked a few Kido that I feel wouldn't completely break the Naruto world. He will unlock them through fire release training, which will be happening soon. Next chapter will be the genin test.

Please leave a review and some of the constructive criticism I am in desperate need of.