Chapter 47: Graduating with Distinction
She then continued by performing Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique and Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique to complete her examination.
Her performance was genuinely excellent. In Kaito's assessment, regarding ninjutsu proficiency, her demonstration was second only to a fifth-year Hatake student.
After the examination concluded, the instructors began tallying the final scores.
Nara Takamasa delegated this task to his subordinates. His responsibility was fulfilled once he decided to pass these 41 students.
Nara Takamasa reported to Hiruzen:
"Hokage-sama, all 41 of these students have passed my examination standards. There was 1 from third year, 9 from fourth year, and 31 from fifth year. They should all become capable shinobi. Combined with the 94 students who graduated from the sixth year class, this year's results are quite favorable for the village."
Hiruzen nodded and offered a few polite words of appreciation to Nara Takamasa.
After the scores were completely tallied, they were displayed for all the students to review.
Kaito still ranked first in his class overall. He was followed closely by Hyuga Hana in second place, then Hyuga Hodaka in third, who had improved his ranking due to his excellent performance in the graduation exam.
Subsequently, all 41 graduating students assembled before Hiruzen. The Hokage smiled warmly and began his speech about the "Will of Fire" once again.
Only this time, he was considerably more enthusiastic, more passionate, and more intense than any of his previous speeches.
Even Kaito felt somewhat dumbfounded, wondering how anyone could so blatantly indoctrinate children and appear so proud of doing it.
However, as soon as the speech concluded, Kaito sneered internally:
"Will of Fire, Will of Fire, Will of Fire! Now let me see exactly how much 'Will of Fire' you truly possess when I make my request. Hahaha."
After the inspirational speech concluded, Hiruzen announced:
"Hatake Rai, Suzuki Kaito, and Uchiha Mieko, step forward."
The three top-performing students all stepped forward and stood before the Hokage. He said warmly:
"All three of you have worked exceptionally hard and performed remarkably well. Tell me, what reward would you like?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Hatake Rai immediately took a step forward.
Many people present, including Kaito and Mieko, considered this somewhat rude.
But Kaito didn't particularly mind, while Mieko pouted with mild annoyance.
However, Hatake Rai's next words made everyone understand why he was so eager. He said urgently:
"Hokage-sama, my mother is gravely ill, and all the doctors we've consulted cannot cure her condition. Can you arrange for a skilled Medical-nin to treat her?"
Although everyone now understood his anxiety, another question arose in their minds. Kaito thought:
"Isn't he from the Hatake Clan? Sakumo Hatake has indeed been dead for many years, but their situation shouldn't be that desperate, right? Moreover, they should have sufficient funds for medical treatment, shouldn't they? Unless the illness is extremely difficult to treat and requires someone of Tsunade's caliber, then I could understand. But even so, I seriously doubt Hiruzen can summon Tsunade back to the village."
Kakashi also appeared clearly confused by this situation.
Only a few instructors and Hiruzen knew the full truth. Hiruzen thought sympathetically:
"After Sakumo Hatake's death, the Hatake Clan has truly declined significantly. It's unfortunate that Kakashi hasn't paid adequate attention to his clan's welfare. This boy suddenly performed exceptionally well this year, so I investigated his background thoroughly. His father died during the Third Shinobi World War, and his mother is merely a civilian, not even from the main Hatake family line. So she hasn't received much support from the clan."
"She fell seriously ill six months ago, becoming this young man's primary motivation for working so hard. Although I do want Kakashi to eventually lead a genin squad, this situation is my main reason for bringing him here today: to encourage him to properly assume leadership of the Hatake Clan and restore its former prosperity."
Hiruzen nodded solemnly and said:
"I will personally arrange for our best Medical-nin to treat your mother."
He smiled encouragingly and continued:
"Continue training diligently and let the Will of Fire within you burn even brighter."
Hatake Rai responded excitedly, promising enthusiastically to continue his training with dedication.
Kakashi observed the young boy carefully and decided:
"I need to properly understand what's actually happening within the clan."
Hiruzen secretly observed Kakashi's reaction and felt very satisfied with it.
He could foresee the Hatake Clan's relatively quick resurgence under proper leadership.
After receiving the Hokage's promise to treat his mother, Hatake Rai stepped back respectfully.
Mieko stepped forward next and said firmly:
"Hokage-sama, I don't want any reward."
This declaration surprised everyone present. Even Hiruzen appeared surprised, though he concealed it quickly and analyzed calmly:
"Is this some form of protest from the Uchiha Clan due to the constant surveillance they endure?"
He attempted to persuade her multiple times, but she adamantly refused to accept any reward whatsoever.
Hiruzen sighed internally, looked toward Kaito, and thought:
"The Uchiha situation makes me feel my age. Well, at least this boy should have a reasonable request. This ceremony should conclude positively."
Meanwhile, Kaito felt absolutely stunned by his fellow top performers. He thought:
"What the hell is happening here? One desperately pleads for his mother's life, while the other completely refuses any reward? Why are their actions leaving me completely speechless?"
Then he composed himself and muttered internally:
"Whatever. It doesn't matter. The shameless path must continue regardless!"
He steeled his resolve and walked forward confidently. He displayed an excited and hopeful expression, while thinking strategically:
"This is the moment I've been preparing for. For this very moment, I've been openly carrying two swords for five straight months to establish my interest!"
Then he said clearly:
"Hokage-sama, as my reward, I would like two swords forged entirely from chakra metal."
Then he gazed at the Hokage with an excited and hopeful expression, attempting to make his eyes sparkle with innocent enthusiasm like in anime.
Most students didn't understand the significance of chakra metal. However, nearly every instructor knew about it perfectly well.
They were absolutely shocked by this audacious request! Genshu, standing nearby, practically dropped his jaw when he heard Kaito's words.
If Kaito had glanced at him, he could have easily fit an egg in Genshu's gaping mouth.
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly in response. He thought:
"How extravagant! Even my father's White Light Chakra Sabre isn't forged entirely from chakra metal."
However, the most shocked person was undoubtedly Hiruzen.
Despite wearing the Hokage hat and maintaining excellent emotional control, Kaito could still perceive his obvious shock.
Of course, Kaito completely ignored this reaction. He thought:
"Whether Hiruzen is pleased or has a heart attack from shock, it has absolutely nothing to do with me. Wait! If he actually dies right now, that would be genuinely terrible for my plans. But... no, I seriously doubt such minor shock can kill this old survivor. After all, he endured three brutal shinobi wars without suffering a single critical injury!"
Hiruzen's mind went completely blank for a moment. Then he thought rapidly:
"Forged entirely from chakra metal? Even the premium swords sold in Konoha's finest shops only contain approximately 15% chakra metal content. The remainder is crafted from high-quality conventional materials."
"The last time someone commissioned a blade forged purely from chakra metal was when my sensei ordered that legendary sword. And the total cost of creating that weapon exceeded 100 million ryo! Of course, this child probably doesn't know the true cost, so I could deceive him, but it would still be worth tens of millions of ryo minimum!"
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