At the Konoha Ninja Academy, the graduation combat exams were in full swing.
The presence of the Third Hokage and the Sannin ignited the students' fervor. Such prominent figures wouldn't show up without reason.
Perhaps catching their eye could launch a student's career.
This was the hope of many, even those from the Uchiha and Hyuga.
While these clans held significant power in Konoha, their influence among the village's leadership was limited.
Naturally, precocious students were eager to shine.
In their minds, only clan members deserved the attention of figures like the Hokage.
In truth, Tengen was among the youngest taking the test. Most students were ten, eleven, or even twelve.
This age range was typical for graduation.
Prodigies like Kakashi in the past, Tengen now, or potentially Itachi in the future, graduating early was exceptional.
Only geniuses pulled that off.
On the arena, a Konoha ninja wielded a kunai, relentlessly attacking a young student.
The boy retreated steadily, no match for the chunin.
"I surrender!" He shouted, raising his hands. He hadn't lasted a minute.
Though the chunin held back, he ensured only the worthy passed.
This was the final hurdle.
"Next, Uchiha Mokawa." The referee announced.
From the sidelines, a tall, stern-faced Uchiha boy leapt into the arena.
"Uchiha Mokawa, here to learn from you, sir." He said respectfully.
"Not bad." The chunin nodded. The boy's presence was stronger than the previous student's.
"Begin!" The referee called.
Mokawa stepped back, flinging three kunai. They streaked through the air like bolts of light.
"Impressive." The chunin halted his advance. His kunai deflected the projectiles with precise strikes.
Clang! Clang!
The clashing metal echoed as the kunai scattered.
"Hm." The chunin's eyes narrowed. Mokawa was forming hand signs, leaping into the air. A torrent of flames roared forth, engulfing the area around the chunin like a fiery hurricane.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
No one expected Mokawa to wield such a powerful ninjutsu with such skill and perfect timing.
The kunai had bought him the seconds needed to form the signs.
"He's on another level!"
"That ninjutsu's so strong!"
"Looks like he'll pass." The surrounding students murmured, awed by the gap between Mokawa and themselves.
"Tengen, know that Mokawa?" Anko asked.
"Nope." Tengen shook his head.
"Let me tell you, you're called the academy's strongest because you crushed Hayate so easily. Before that, Mokawa tangled with Hayate for a bit before beating him." Anko explained. "But they say Mokawa wasn't even trying hard, being a Uchiha and all."
"Got it." Tengen said with a faint smile.
No one knew the Uchiha better than Tengen, not even Madara or others. He was crystal clear on their kekkei genkai's progression.
Mokawa was just an average Uchiha.
The real geniuses were Shisui, whom he'd met recently, and that kid, Itachi.
"Still, beating a genius sounds fun." Tengen chuckled.
At the front of the arena, Tsunade and the others watched with mild boredom. Their strength made these matches lackluster.
"That Uchiha kid's not bad." Jiraiya commented.
"Not bad? Just a regular student. Barely genin." Tsunade scoffed.
"That's a bit harsh." Jiraiya grinned.
"Students need time to grow, Tsunade." Hiruzen said gently.
"No idea why you dragged us here." Tsunade grumbled. "Whatever. At least I can watch Tengen's match. He might make this interesting."
"Yeah, there's Tengen! He's really taking the exam." Jiraiya pointed to where Tengen waited for the referee's call.
"Tengen?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Tsunade, Jiraiya, you both know him?"
"Yup." They nodded.
"Seems Tengen's no ordinary kid." Hiruzen smiled. He'd come largely because of Tengen, having heard from Minato about his feats.
That was extraordinary.
"Orochimaru, do you know Tengen?" Hiruzen asked.
"No." Orochimaru shook his head.
"Is that so?" Hiruzen nodded.
"Interesting. If you two know him, this Tengen must be something special." Orochimaru touches his face with a sly smile.
"Just watch." Jiraiya smirked.
***
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