Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 214 Orochimaru's Educational Order, the Cruel Graduation Exam

Today is another hot and humid day.

In front of the mirror, Sosuke is struggling with his tie.

"Isn't this thing a little too tight?"

Sosuke tugged at his bow tie, looking impatient.

"Today is a big day. It's the first graduation exam after the Ninja Academy's reform. Princess Enna and the Hokage will both be in attendance."

Kaori stood behind him and gently straightened his crooked bow tie.

"You are the Ninja Academy's biggest sponsor and special advisor, so your image is very important."

"Image————"

Sosuke sighed, looking at his impeccably dressed self in the mirror.

"I feel like wearing this outfit is more tiring than wearing a stab-proof vest."

Kaori covered her mouth and chuckled softly, handing Sousuke a water bottle.

"It contains chilled plum juice, which can help cool you down in the summer."

Kaori took his arm.

"Let's go. We'll be late if we don't leave now."

7

Konoha Ninja Academy, open-air training ground.

There were an unusually large number of people today. Not only parents, but also many Chunin and Genin who were free and had no missions came to watch.

This year's graduation exams have changed.

It is no longer a simple demonstration of the Three Bodies Technique, nor is it a gentle sparring session.

The first educational reform order signed by Orochimaru, the Fourth Hokage, was the "All-Staff Practical Ranking Tournament".

All students applying for graduation must fight a real battle in the ring.

Only the victor can obtain the headband.

Among these winners, the strongest will be chosen to receive a special reward personally awarded by the Hokage, as well as a generous scholarship provided by the Takaya Trading Company.

When Sosuke arrived, the place was full of people.

"Ah, those are Lady Mikoto and Lady Kushina."

-

Kaori pointed to a spot not far away.

Mikoto Uchiha, heavily pregnant, walked over, escorted by several security guards. Despite her weight, her steps remained steady.

Beside her, Kushina was carrying a large bag of things and chewing on something.

"Sousuke! Kaori!"

Kushina waved and walked over in a carefree manner.

"Here you go, takoyaki. Just bought it, it's still warm."

She shoved a cardboard box into Sosuke's hand.

Sosuke looked at the box, which was even a little hot to the touch.

"Takoyaki in this weather?"

"Is it delicious?"

Kushina wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth without caring about her image.

"In summer, you only feel cool when you sweat."

"Let's quickly find some seats."

Sousuke smiled reluctantly.

When Kushina wasn't looking, he quietly slipped the box to Kaori.

On the main stands of the audience.

Orochimaru sat in the very center. He wore a sacred robe but no hat, his long hair was loose, and he casually glanced at the students below.

To his left was Princess Enna, representing the Daimyo Prefecture at the ceremony. She was fanning herself with a folding fan, and a plate of grapes sat beside her.

She didn't seem to dislike this violent setting; on the contrary, she seemed quite interested in it.

"Lord Takaya, over here."

Upon seeing Sousuke arrive, Princess Enna smiled and waved, pointing to the empty seat next to her.

Sosuke didn't stand on ceremony and went over to sit down. Kaori, Mikoto, and Kushina went to the back row and sat together.

"What a grand display."

Looking down at the dense crowd below, Sosuke unscrewed his water bottle, took a sip of plum juice, and the sweet and sour, icy liquid dispelled the summer heat.

"yes."

Princess Yuanna picked up a grape and put it in her mouth.

"I see that the children below all have slightly different eyes."

"It's different." Sosuke agreed wholeheartedly.

The emphasis in the previous three generations was on bonds and protection. Orochimaru's educational philosophy, however, was simple: survival of the fittest.

"Let's begin."

Orochimaru said calmly.

They even skipped the opening remarks.

The examiner was Matt Day.

He was wearing a green bodysuit, standing in the center of the field, holding a roster in his hand, with a somewhat serious expression.

This is quite different from his usual passionate self.

Because he knows how cruel the rules are today.

"The first match!"

Dai shouted loudly.

"Obito Uchiha versus—Aoba Yamashiro!"

A commotion arose in the crowd.

"Obito? That Uchiha loser?"

"I heard he can't even master the Great Fireball Technique."

A boy wearing goggles walked out slowly.

Obito Uchiha.

He looked very nervous.

His opponent, Yamashiro Aoba, wore sunglasses and was a typical cold-faced person, already holding several shuriken in his hand.

"start!"

There was no probing.

Yamashiro Aoba swung his shuriken directly, simultaneously forming hand seals.

"Secret Technique: Scattering a Thousand Crows!"

Although it was only a very basic version, the crows still managed to obstruct Obito's view.

"Wow!"

Obito frantically dodged, slipped, and almost fell.

"Fire Release—Fire Release—"

His hands were trembling as he formed the hand seals.

"Too slow."

In the stands, Sosuke shook his head.

Before Obito could react, a gust of wind was already beside him. Yamashiro Aoba's movements were clean and swift, his right leg sweeping across.

"Bang!"

Obito was hit in the waist, lost his balance, and rolled several times on the ground, his goggles tilting to his forehead.

Obito struggled to stand up.

A cold sensation pressed against his throat.

Yamashiro Aoba had already arrived in an instant. He held a kunai in his right hand, the sharp blade resting against Obito's neck.

"The victor is Yamashiro Aoba!"

Dai announced loudly.

"Obito Uchiha has failed the exam. He will not graduate."

"No----"

Otsuchi lay on the ground, his fingers gripping the soil.

"I want to graduate—I want to become Hokage—"

No one paid any attention to his cries.

In the stands.

Mikoto Uchiha sat in the audience and sighed softly.

"That child—is it still not working?"

Kushina, standing next to her, was eating takoyaki with her cheeks bulging.

"Hmm—Obito actually works very hard."

Kushina swallowed her food, looking at Obito with a touch of heartache. As the honorary president of the scholarship, she was very familiar with the children.

"But... Aoba is too strong."

The match continued.

The following matches were unremarkable.

Ebisu lost to Genma Shiranui—because Genma's "Senbon" was far too insidious.

Namishita Raidou, relying on a black knife, defeated the Flying Bamboo Dragonfly.

until----

"Next game!"

Dai's voice rose a few decibels.

"Sarutobi Asuma, versus—Yuhi Kurenai!"

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

Sarutobi Asuma. The youngest son of the Third Hokage.

Since the death of the third generation, this somewhat rebellious boy has become a different person. His eyes have lost some of their frivolity and gained more determination.

He came up.

Kurenai hesitated. She and Asuma were friends, and she was somewhat worried about Asuma's condition.

"Asuma————"

"Red, don't hold back."

Asuma drew his chakra blade.

"On the battlefield, no one will let you go just because you know them."

All I need now is victory.

"start!"

Hong gritted her teeth and formed a hand seal.

"Magic Tree Binding Kill!"

Asma's figure disappeared.

He wasn't under the illusion spell. The instant the red seal was formed, he had already severed visual contact and rushed over by sound.

Wind Release chakra adhered to the blade.

"brush!"

The blade stopped at Red's neck.

Hong hadn't even reacted yet.

You lost.

Asuma sheathed his sword.

"So fast!"

In the stands, Princess Enna covered her mouth in surprise.

"Is this the son of the Third Generation Lord? That murderous aura—"

Sosuke squinted.

"He grew up—pain is the best catalyst."

Asma won decisively. He didn't even step down, but instead stared coldly at the list.

"Who's next?"

He wants to keep playing until he wins first place.

"No rush."

Dai stopped him.

"This is a qualifying round, there's a break time."

"Next match————"

Dai glanced at Ming and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Maki, battle—Might Guy!"

Sosuke sat up straight.

This was his most important match.

Yi Qi is a whale warrior who has poured his blood into the ninja tool style.

One reason is that he has put his efforts into physical combat, which is a testament to his genius.

This is also a clash of two ideas.

"Oh? It's Maki's turn?"

Princess Yuuna is also looking forward to it.

"She looks very nervous. And that guy in the green dress—that strange outfit."

Kai came up.

He was wearing a green bodysuit, and his watermelon-shaped hair was slicked back and shiny.

But he didn't shout "youth" as usual.

He was very quiet.

He faced Maki and respectfully performed the Qi opposition seal.

"Maki-san, nice to meet you."

Maki took a deep breath.

She reached out and placed her hand on the ninja tool pouch at her waist.

That was her source of confidence.

"Please advise, Kai-kun."

"Open the Buddha!"

The words were not finished.

Maki's hand had already moved.

She didn't test the waters; she went all out from the start.

"Smoke grenade!"

Bang bang bang!

Three specially made "Maki's Tears" exploded in the room.

Acrid smoke instantly filled the air.

At the same time, she retreated rapidly, unrolling a scroll in her hand.

"Manipulation Tools and Silk Array!"

Countless strands of root art intertwine into a net amidst the smoke.

This is the standard ninja tool playstyle: block vision, restrict movement, and then use ranged attacks.

If it were an ordinary student, they would have panicked by now.

But Kai didn't panic.

He didn't even try to hide. He stood in the smoke, his eyes closed.

"My father said that if you can't see, you should feel with your body."

"The movement of the wind—"

Kai got into a fighting stance.

"Since we can't avoid it, then—"

"Break it!"

"Eight Gates Formation - First Gate Open - Open!"

boom!

A wave of green chakra erupted from Guy's body.

The violent physical energy broke through the brain's limiters.

The blast wave instantly dispersed the surrounding smoke.

Before Maki could even fire her crossbow bolt, she saw a green afterimage crash into her silk netting and shatter it.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The steel wire broke.

Kai rushed to Maki's side.

"Wooden threads and wind!"

A roundhouse kick.

No frills, just speed, just time.

Maki raised the exquisite shield on her arm to block.

"when!!!"

A loud bang.

Maki felt like she had been hit by a running wild boar.

The exquisite shield dented instantly.

She slid along the ground for more than ten meters until she crashed into the painting and stopped.

"Cough cough————"

Maki's arm went numb and she almost lost all feeling in it.

She stared in horror at the seven-green figure.

Is this still—physical martial arts?

Can someone possess such immense power solely through physical strength?!

In the stands, Sosuke's eyes lit up.

"really."

He said softly.

"In the face of absolute power, skill and ninja tools are utterly insignificant."

"That kid Kai—he made a killing on that investment."

Princess Yuannai was dumbfounded.

"That child Qi—is his body made of iron?"

On the field.

Kai did not give chase.

He straightened his legs and dispelled the Eight Gates Formation.

He walked up to Maki and extended his hand.

Are you alright?

Kai flashed his gleaming white teeth.

"Your setup is very clever. If I had been any slower, I would have been entangled by you."

Maki gave a wry smile, took Kai's hand, and stood up.

"I lost."

She was thoroughly defeated.

"The victor is Matt Kay!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

It wasn't for victory; Liang was there for that stunning kick.

Orochimaru sat on the high platform, looking at Kai with a hint of interest in his eyes.

"That kind of technique—"

Orochimaru licked his lips.

"Removing physical restrictions—that's interesting. Looks like there's a lot of interesting material among this year's students."

"Next match! Uzuki Yugao versus—Geko Hayate!"

Dai's voice rang out again.

In the audience, Kaori leaned forward slightly.

As the mother wax, she was more nervous than anyone else.

"Shine!"

Sosuke handed her a peeled grape from behind, comforting her.

"Xiyan's martial arts were taught to her by you, and her physical constitution was built up by me with medicinal liquid. If she could still lose, then there would be no reason for her to lose."

Kaori took the grapes and nodded.

On the field.

Xi Yan walked up.

She was dressed in light combat gear, with a straight sword that was rather long for her age slung over her back.

That was a sword that Sosuke had Master Kurofu meticulously craft.

Her opponent, Gekko Hayate, is a boy with a fierce gaze.

"Provide more guidance."

Jifeng drew his sword. His hand holding the sword was extremely steady.

His family is also a lineage of traditional martial arts practitioners.

"Open the Buddha!"

"when!"

The two figures collided instantly.

Sparks flew everywhere.

There are no fancy ninjutsu clashes; this is a pure contest of righteous techniques.

"Quickly, robe!"

The surrounding students gasped in surprise.

Xiyan's path of righteousness is agile and unpredictable, like a fluttering butterfly. Jifeng's swordsmanship, on the other hand, is unpredictable and cunning, like a shadow under the moon, penetrating everywhere.

"Kikuji-ryu: The Dance of the Crescent Moon!"

Suddenly, Jifeng's figure split into three, slashing at Xiyan simultaneously from the three directions.

This is an extremely advanced martial art. At his age, he actually used it perfectly.

"A hybrid entity/clone —"

Kaori's eyes narrowed. If it were her, she would naturally see through it at a glance, but Yugao was still relatively inexperienced.

Based solely on her swordsmanship experience, Yugao indeed couldn't tell the difference.

The blades of Sanqi Jifeng were already close to her vital points.

However, Liang is skilled in more than just martial arts.

Xi Yan didn't hesitate at all, as if she had seen through the truth at a glance.

She leaned back, and with the help of her waist, the long sword in her hand swung out a perfect circle.

"Iaijutsu: Against the Wind!"

puff.

The blade sliced ​​through Jifeng's sleeve, leaving a bloody gash on his arm.

If the wind hadn't receded so quickly, that attack would have been ineffective.

Jifeng clutched his arm and retreated rapidly. His face was pale, and he looked incredulous.

The other party actually saw through his righteous technique?

Orochimaru, seated at the head of the table, smiled.

"Well done."

He commented.

"Although his magical skills are still immature, he actually possesses the ability to sense things. He's a very promising child."

Off the field.

Jifeng gave a bitter laugh.

He knew he had lost.

In terms of skill and strategy, he might have a slight edge. But his opponent seemed to possess sensory abilities, and that weapon was clearly sharper than the standard longsword he carried—

"I surrender."

The swift blade is sheathed.

"The winner, Uzuki Xiyan!"

Dai announced the results.

"yeah!"

Xi Yan jumped up happily.

"Well done, Yugao!"

Kaori breathed a sigh of relief, a proud smile spreading across her face.

Sosuke calmly took a sip of tea.

"As expected."

He specifically asked Kushina to help develop Yugao's sensory talent.