Sarutobi Hiruzen-sama's thoughts spun, and he realized that there were only a few candidates he could choose from.
Turning the perspective back to the Ninja Academy's training ground, Sarutobi Enjun was almost at his limit!
With the oil as a combustion aid, his Katon: Kadan could initially stalemate Uchiha Gen for a few breaths, but he could only hold one mouthful of oil.
After this oil was exhausted, the power of his ninjutsu plummeted and was quickly overwhelmed by the Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu.
Just as Kome Aki, who was hiding in the distant stands, was about to step in to save Sarutobi Enjun, Uchiha Gen proactively strengthened his control over the ninjutsu, reducing the power of the Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu.
This level of Chakra control was enough to demonstrate Gen's profound mastery of this technique.
After the fireball dispersed the flame bullet, it also gradually shrunk a bit, then spread out with a roar under Gen's control.
The powerful shockwave sent Sarutobi Enjun flying.
Immediately after, several shuriken tied with elastic steel wires flew out, pinning next to him, netting his torso, arms, and legs.
"You lost, Enjun," Uchiha Gen walked up to Sarutobi Enjun and said with a smile.
The rewards for this graduation assessment mission would definitely far surpass those from previous midterm or final exams, meaning he would gain much more experience.
According to past experience, achieving first place in the graduation assessment would yield significantly more experience than second or third place, very likely allowing him to level up directly and gain a gacha chance.
"Why is your Katon so powerful?" Sarutobi Enjun asked incredulously.
"Of course, it's from practice. Did you think I'd have the Rikudo Sennin teach me in my dreams while I sleep?"
Uchiha Gen took off the net and reached out to pull Sarutobi Enjun up.
He really did train it out, but with a cheat.
Sarutobi Enjun scratched his head in distress.
Why couldn't he train it out? He was clearly very diligent too.
He'd have to make his Hokage dad show off more of his skills when he got back.
"Practical exercise concluded, both parties form the Tairitsu no In!"
Chūnin Suzumi's voice rang out.
After Uchiha Gen extended his hand and formed the seal with Sarutobi Enjun, they walked side-by-side towards the crowd.
"Gen! That move just now was so cool!"
"As expected of Gen, the most handsome man in the class, second only to me!"
"Mao-kun, you're a bit shameless."
As soon as the two walked down, the surrounding crowd gathered around.
For a group of academy students who weren't even Genin yet, these two battles today were quite an eye-opener.
"All your ninjutsu, did you train them all by yourself?" Uchiha Inabi said to Gen, forcing a calm expression, but his eyes were somewhat complex.
The opponent's ninjutsu level was already clearly a notch above his and Sarutobi Enjun's.
Even if the latter resorted to petty tricks, he was still no match for Uchiha Gen.
Then it was even more impossible for him to defeat Uchiha Gen.
"Not entirely, no."
Uchiha Gen shook his head.
Inabi was momentarily stunned, then heard Uchiha Gen continue:
"My family has a training journal left by my father before his death."
"Although there's still a lot in it that I don't understand yet, it has still helped me a lot."
Looking at Uchiha Gen's emotional expression, Uchiha Inabi felt a hint of guilt in his heart, but still stubbornly said:
"Next time, my ninjutsu will be stronger than yours. Don't disappoint me then."
"Then I'll be waiting."
Uchiha Gen extended his hand to Inabi.
The latter hesitated for a moment, but still high-fived Gen.
If it were anyone else, Inabi would have ignored them and walked away, but Gen... he was different.
"Next time, win against me first, Inabi," Sarutobi Enjun patted Uchiha Inabi's shoulder carelessly.
"Hmph, you know how you won against me this time."
"Although oil is not within the scope of prohibited ninja tools for the assessment, if you want to become a true powerhouse, you can't always rely on these petty tricks."
"Uh... you have a point, but next time, I'll still be the winner."
Sarutobi Enjun scratched his head, gave a perfunctory reply, and his attention was quickly drawn to Uzuki Ruri-chan who was walking towards them.
He eagerly scurried over, acting like a sycophant.
Not far away, the proctor, Chūnin Suzumi, had already arranged the order according to the scores registered on the form.
"This graduation assessment has successfully concluded. All members of this class have passed."
"Next, please come to the stage to receive your hitai-ate according to your ranking after the results are announced."
"First place, Uchiha Gen: written test 100 points, practical assessment 100 points, overall score 100 points."
"Second place, Sarutobi Enjun: written test 97 points, practical assessment 99 points, overall score 98 points."
"Third place, Uchiha Inabi: written test 98 points, practical..."
After Suzumi finished announcing the results, Uchiha Gen was the first to step onto the podium to receive his hitai-ate.
"Congratulations, Gen. You will surely become an excellent shinobi in the future and contribute to the village."
"I will, Suzumi-sensei."
Uchiha Gen nodded gently, took the hitai-ate with both hands, walked off the stage, and tied the headband to his forehead.
From this moment on, he was an officially registered Konohagakure shinobi.
In the system panel, the exclamation mark in the taskbar had changed from white to a vibrant gold.
Special E-rank Mission: Graduation Assessment (Mission Complete)
Settlement Rating: S
Experience Points Issued... Current Character Level: 9
Available Gacha Draws: 1
Looking at the updated data on the system panel, a smile appeared on Uchiha Gen's face.
Great, time to draw cards again.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, watching Sarutobi Enjun receive his hitai-ate after Uchiha Gen through the crystal ball, Sarutobi Hiruzen-sama's face also showed a relieved smile.
Although he didn't get first place, the Sandaime Hokage could still see his son's excellence.
Perhaps in the future, under his guidance, Sarutobi Enjun might even have the potential to become a Kage-level powerhouse.
Perhaps this child might have a chance to inherit his Hokage mantle?
Sarutobi Hiruzen-sama touched the Hokage hat on his head and looked at a standing photo frame on his desk.
In the photo frame was a group photo of him with his three still young disciples.
Orochimaru was his chosen Fourth Hokage candidate, so if Enjun had a chance to compete for the Fifth Hokage...
Sarutobi Hiruzen-sama looked at a form on his desk regarding the selection of Jōnin squad leaders for newly graduated Genin, and crossed out Kome Aki's name in the first line.
"Susu, go call Orochimaru over."
"Yes, Sandaime-sama!"
From the shadows, an Anbu shinobi wearing an animal mask appeared and then disappeared with the Shunshin no Jutsu before the Sandaime Hokage.