The morning sun streamed through the clean glass windows, illuminating the spacious and bright dining room of Kanon's home.
Kimimaro emerged from his bedroom on the second floor. He was still dressed in a plain white kimono, his pale hair impeccably neat, his expression cool and detached.
After washing up, he quietly entered the dining room.
Haku was already seated there, wearing light blue casual clothes, his demeanor gentle as he sipped warm water.
Seeing Kimimaro, he offered a warm smile, "Good morning, Kimimaro."
"Morning, Haku." Kimimaro nodded slightly and took a seat beside him.
On the other side, Karin was idly swinging her legs. Her red hair was tied into two buns, and upon seeing Kimimaro, she immediately grinned and greeted him, "Good morning, Kimimaro-nii!"
"Morning, Karin." Kimimaro's tone remained flat, but his eyes softened a little.
At the head of the dining table, Kanon was carefully reading a copy of the [Star City Daily], a cup of coffee steaming in front of her.
A hired middle-aged maid was busy in the kitchen, the aroma of fried eggs and toast filling the air.
Ever since arriving in the Star City and being adopted by Kanon, Kimimaro and Haku had lived here.
For them, who had experienced hardship from a young age and were even seen as weapons by their own clans, Kanon's home provided rare familial warmth and a sense of belonging.
Deep down, they had long regarded Kanon as a mother.
Breakfast was soon served: simple toast, fried eggs, and milk.
The atmosphere during the meal was quiet yet warm.
After finishing breakfast, Kanon put down the newspaper, adjusted her glasses, and looked at the three children, "The Ninja Academy has graduation exams today. It should be quite a spectacle. Kimimaro, Haku, take Karin to see it. Let her see what excellent peers look like, and motivate her a bit."
As she spoke, she cast a slightly helpless glance at her daughter, "This child, clearly inheriting the Uzumaki Clan's excellent physique and sensory abilities, still stumbles over the most basic Chakra Shape Transformation. She can't even touch the edge of early graduation."
Karin immediately pouted, somewhat dissatisfied but unable to refute, she could only mutter under her breath, "I... I'll work hard..."
Haku smiled gently and comforted, "Kanon-obasan, Karin is still young. Staying in the Academy a few more years to build a solid foundation will allow her to walk more steadily in the future. Rushing things isn't good."
Kimimaro also nodded, succinctly agreeing, "Haku is right. Foundation is important."
Kanon looked at the two defending their 'little sister', shook her head helplessly, a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth, "Alright, alright, you two always stick up for her. Hurry up now, I need to get to the Administration Building too."
They split up to take action.
Kanon headed for the Administration Building, while Kimimaro and Haku took the excited Karin to the Ninja Academy.
The closer they got to the academy, the livelier the atmosphere became.
Many students and people who looked like parents were streaming into the campus.
Before they even entered the gates, they ran into some familiar faces.
"Yo! Kimimaro! Haku! Over here!" A boisterous voice called out.
They saw Shunji waving vigorously. He was wearing a Star Ninja's reserve uniform, his black hair cut short, full of energy.
Next to him stood Hazuki, the girl with a neat, light tea-colored short haircut, curiously observing the growing crowd.
Nearby, Chino also approached. Her white short hair was conspicuous in the sunlight, her blood-red pupils scanning the group before giving a slight nod in greeting.
Her demeanor was much steadier than a year ago, but that never-say-die spirit seemed etched into her bones.
"Yukimi-nee is here too!" Karin, sharp-eyed, pointed not far away.
They saw Yukimi running over, her medium-length brown hair flowing in the wind, the freckles on her face looking lively.
She greeted everyone with a smile, her deep blue eyes full of excitement.
These were the first batch of geniuses who graduated early in the Land of Stars, now new rising forces in the military. Their names and deeds were still widely circulated among the Academy Students, benchmarks looked up to by many who came after.
"Everyone's here," Haku smiled, looking around, "It's been a long time since we were all together like this."
Shunji slapped Kimimaro on the shoulder heartily, which Kimimaro deftly avoided. He then sighed, "Yeah! In the blink of an eye, we graduated two years ago! Feels like the academy has so many more people now!"
Chino, with her arms crossed, recalled, "I remember my year, the fourth class, had expanded enrollment, about sixty-something people. After annexing the three countries, the fifth class recruited even more. There must be over a hundred students in the Academy now, right?"
As the daughter of the Finance Minister, she was a bit more sensitive to these figures.
Hazuki asked curiously, "I heard the new vice-principal, Yakushi Nono-san, is a very gentle and capable person? The previous vice-principal was transferred to the Judiciary Department, I think?"
Chino nodded, "Principal Nono is indeed very gentle, and her Medical Ninjutsu and intelligence processing abilities are outstanding."
She had received guidance from Nono before and could speak with authority.
On the other side, Yukimi was chatting with Haku, "Haku, any new progress with your Ice Release lately? I always feel like my Kekkei Genkai isn't just turning into smoke... sometimes I feel other powers surging inside, but I can't grasp them."
She frowned slightly, seeming troubled. Haku listened patiently, "Kekkei Genkai development can't be rushed, it requires patient sensing and guidance. My Ice Release was also slowly explored. Maybe we can find time to practice together, exchange insights?"
Kimimaro remained relatively silent, holding Karin's hand as she looked around, preventing her from getting lost.
But his thoughts drifted to last night's opponent in the Genjutsu Space, Neji.
That boy's talent and resilience were indeed astonishing. Although Kimimaro never showed it outwardly, he had to admit internally that if Neji hadn't grown up in the oppressive Hyuga Clan's branch family in Konoha Village but had received systematic and open training in the Land of Stars from a young age, his strength might truly pose a serious challenge to Kimimaro's position as the 'top of the new generation'.
This inexplicable sense of competition made him feel a hidden sense of anticipation for today's exam as well.
'Just how many promising seedlings were hidden among the Land of Stars's new generation?'
The group chatted as they entered the academy and made their way to the massive First Training Grounds at the back.
It was already bustling with noise and excitement.
The training ground was clearly divided into several areas.
The spectator stands were already quite full, mostly mid-to-high level Star Ninja, government department personnel, and some invited representatives from various sectors.
Most notably, the appearance of a certain figure on the raised platform on one side of the training ground caused suppressed, excited murmurs.
Menma had unusually taken off his iconic white three-eyed fox mask today, revealing his delicate and serene face.
He wore a black happi coat with red trim, standing there with an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.
He was speaking quietly with Hikari, Kanon, and Nono beside him, his gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd below.
In a slightly forward position in the spectator stands, Minato and Kushina were also seated.
Minato looked at the grand, well-organized scene, especially the young boys and girls below with their fervent, energetic eyes, and couldn't help but whisper to Kushina beside him, "This is truly more grand and lively than Konoha's Ninja Academy graduation ceremonies back in the day."
Kanon gripped her husband's hand tightly, her eyes filled with excitement and pride. This was the world their son had created!
Not far from Minato and Kushina in the crowd, Shisui watched the lively figures on the training ground below with a heavy expression.
For the first time, he felt that the Star Ninja force Asura had built already possessed the ability to continuously nurture fresh blood!
Below, the students taking the exam had formed five relatively neat squares according to their class years.
Standing at the front were the slightly older first, second, and third-year students.
Most of them were orphans saved from the war and ruins of the Land of Bears and Land of Demons during the Land of Stars' founding, or children from Ninja Clans who had followed Menma early on.
From the initial thirty-plus, supplemented by some genius youths over time, they now numbered sixty-four and were the main force in today's exam.
Although their class years differed, their experiences were similar. Their eyes generally held the resilience born of hardship and a cherishing of their current lives.
Behind them were the fourth and fifth-year students.
The fourth-year were students normally enrolled last year, while the fifth-year were the large batch of new students recruited after annexing the three new counties this year, including many talented commoner children and children from minor Ninja Clans.
Their numbers were noticeably larger, their eyes filled with envy for their seniors and longing for the future.
Around the training ground, many Ninja in Star Ninja flak jackets from the military were busy maintaining order, planning the exam areas, and setting up exam equipment.
In the spectator stands, a group of Land of Stars' Jonin and Special Jonin, including Kisame, Miru, Natsuhi, Hotarubi, and Gotta, had already taken their seats.
Their eyes scanned the students below like searchlights, ready to scout fresh blood for their future teams or departments.
When everything was ready, Menma stepped up to a microphone set up at the front of the high platform.
He didn't need to raise his voice… his words were clearly transmitted throughout the training ground via the amplification equipment.
The noisy grounds instantly fell silent.
All the students, and even many spectators, held their breath, their gazes fervently fixed on the figure on the platform.
He was the founder of the Land of Stars, the 'god' who had saved them and given them new life, the supreme idol in countless hearts.
Menma's voice was steady and powerful. He didn't talk about specific exam rules, but instead reiterated the fundamental difference between 'New Era' Ninja and old era Ninja.
"Ninja of the old era were blades in the hands of nobles and Daimyo, tools of slaughter, links in the cycle of hatred," His voice spread across the grounds.
"And we Ninjas of the Land of Stars are the power to break chains, the shield that protects peace, the cornerstone that builds the future! The Chakra and Ninjutsu we master are not for creating hatred and division, but for eliminating injustice, for bringing true, lasting peace and stability to this world!"
His words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring huge waves and resonance in the hearts of the young boys and girls.
Thunderous, fanatical cheers erupted from below, countless eyes shining with worship and determination.
Next, Nono stepped forward and began announcing the specific exam content, rules, and the enticing, generous rewards.
The top nine entering the elite class, Jonin leadership, D-rank, C-Rank, even B-Rank Ninjutsu scrolls as rewards... each item made the students below breathe faster, their eyes becoming sharper and more combative.
She also encouraged those who didn't make the top nine not to be discouraged, as the Land of Stars' military and various departments always kept their doors open to qualified graduates.
The exam officially began!
Three Special Jonin and nine experienced Chunin dispatched by the military served as examiners, conducting strict basic assessments for the sixty-four students of the first three years: proficiency in the Three Basic Jutsu, and mastery of at least one practical tool technique or offensive Ninjutsu.
The assessment process was tense and orderly.
To Menma's slight surprise on the high platform, thirty-two people actually passed the rigorous basic assessment in the end!
A pass rate of over half far exceeded his expectations.
He keenly noticed that these children had very solid foundations. The Chakra Control and tactical thinking displayed by many of them, with a bit of experience, could fully reach Chunin-level.
"It seems Nono and the previous vice-principal put a lot of effort into education," Menma said quietly to Kanon and Nono beside him.
Both women showed gratified smiles.
After the basic assessment concluded, the practical sparring immediately followed.
The thirty-two students were divided into sixteen groups by lottery, facing off in designated areas.
The rules were simple and direct: within the set time limit, fight until one side surrenders, loses the ability to fight, or is knocked out of bounds.
The atmosphere instantly became more white-hot.
The sound of shuriken cutting through the air, the collision of ninjutsu, the dull thuds of Taijutsu exchanges, and the shouts of the students' efforts rose and fell across the field.
The Jonin in the spectator stands watched even more carefully.
Hikari, with several members of the Jonin Team, observed like precise scanners, calmly evaluating each student's performance.
Her gaze lingered for a moment on a doll-faced girl with golden hair and black eyes.
That girl, named Suzuhara Ai, showed unexpected calmness and tenacity when facing a physically strong opponent. Not only did she skillfully maneuver with Taijutsu, but she also used quite impressive Medical Ninjutsu at critical moments for assistance, evasion, and counterattacks, displaying clear tactical thinking.
Kisame sat with his arms crossed next to Miru, his shark-like face expressionless, but a glint of interest flashed in his small eyes.
He noticed a boy with silver hair and black eyes, named Iida Yusuke. This boy's swordsmanship style was fierce and sharp, carrying a distinct aura of real combat and killing, completely different from the swordsmanship typically taught in the Academy, clearly indicating a different lineage. His temperament also seemed exceptionally steady, his eyes as firm as a rock even in intense combat.
Even Minato in the spectator stands couldn't help leaning forward slightly.
His gaze was drawn to a boy with medium-length black hair, a scar over his right eyebrow, and crimson eyes that somewhat resembled his memory of that reckless student.
Saionji Sato. This boy's fighting style was full of passionate, broad strokes. His Fire Release Ninjutsu was powerful but control was slightly rough, his taijutsu was aggressive but defensive loopholes were obvious. That impulsive energy and occasional hot-bloodedness made Minato momentarily see the shadow of a young Obito, causing him to lose focus for a moment.
And Menma on the high platform, his gaze sweeping the entire field, finally settled on one figure, a trace of barely perceptible surprise flashing in his eyes.
It was Otsutsuki Toneri.
This descendant of the Otsutsuki from the moon was actually quietly standing among the participating students.
He was currently using his Byakugan to counter his opponent's attacks, his movements elegant and precise, an ethereal, transcendent aura subtly emanating from him, out of place with the surroundings.
A slight curve touched Menma's lips.
Toneri's participation undoubtedly added more variables and anticipation to this already fascinating graduation exam.
Sixteen to eight, eight to four...
The battles grew increasingly intense.
The students spared no effort, fighting for the precious slots and honor.
During the mid-exam break, they could only quickly replenish their stamina with soldier pills, simulating the harsh conditions of the battlefield, which also tested their willpower greatly.
Finally, as the afternoon sun began to tilt westward, the final four were born!
Otsutsuki Toneri, Iida Yusuke, Suzuhara Ai, Saionji Sato.
The intense semi-finals and finals were about to begin, pushing the graduation exam to its climax!