A graduation exam wasn't simply about showing off the basic Clone Jutsu or passing a written test. It included knowledge of mission roles, situational analysis, and ethical decision-making in the field.
The academic portion was even more challenging.
If you failed in any field, you'll have to repeat the year.
Of course, Naruto's graduation was an exception. As an observation object for the higher-ups, his Jonin instructor had long been selected before even going through the exam.
In addition, there was a physical and combat component. Toji had expected that Lord Third would assign a chunin instructor to evaluate him.
However, Sarutobi created a Shadow Clone of himself. "I'll personally oversee your physical assessment," he smiled. "If you can force me to use anything beyond pure taijutsu, you pass."
The real Sarutobi tapped his pipe against the table but refrained from lighting it, respecting the indoor environment of the school.
"Should we move somewhere more spacious?" Toji asked, glancing at the closed room.
"No need," Sarutobi replied lightly. He didn't feel the need to switch places while only facing a student. Besides, he wouldn't even use half of his strength.
Facing the Shadow Clone, Toji exchanged the customary "Seal of Confrontation."
Then, chakra wrapped around Toji's fist as he launched the first blow. The clone didn't use ninjutsu, relying solely on basic chakra reinforcement to block the attack barehanded.
But the moment he made contact, the chakra embedded in Toji's punch exploded outward.
Without a pause, Toji followed up with a second strike, moving so swiftly it almost blurred. At the same time, he secretly condensed a small Rasengan in his right hand, striking with his left as a feint before swinging the Rasengan at the clone's midsection.
It's just a Shadow Clone, Toji thought. No need to hold back.
The clone blinked in surprise. Such fine control!
The boy could concentrate chakra into a blow without injuring himself and could mold a one-handed Rasengan in the midst of combat, a feat many jonin would struggle with.
A terrifying natural talent.
Sarutobi's clone twisted to block both attacks, then flickered behind Toji, sweeping a low kick for his legs.
But Toji dodged with a swift backflip.
The real Sarutobi narrowed his eyes as he watched the fight. Even accounting for the weakened clone, his taijutsu was still equivalent to that of an elite chunin. Yet Toji was matching him move for move.
Guy hadn't exaggerated a single word.
For several exchanges, they battled fiercely, yet the Clone couldn't overpower Toji relying solely on taijutsu.
As the clone retreated slightly, Toji hurled five kunai in rapid succession.
The Hokage's clone immediately sensed something odd.
Chakra threads.
Thin, almost invisible strands of chakra attached to each kunai.
His instincts sharpened. With precise movements, he slashed three of the threads with his own kunai, but the remaining ones twisted through the air unpredictably, flanking him.
When the kunai struck, the clone transformed into a block of wood.
Substitution Jutsu.
From his vantage, the real Sarutobi watched, impressed. "You've mastered chakra threads and used them fluidly in actual combat. Very impressive."
As the professor of ninjutsu, Sarutobi immediately saw the depth behind Toji's techniques. Not only were his chakra threads finer and tougher than average, but his ability to manipulate them mid-flight was exquisite. Such control was rare.
He could even be compared to a few puppet masters of the Sand Village.
With the skills Toji demonstrated, he was already beyond most fresh graduates.
A true genius.
Even without Ninjutsu, he reached such a level solely with shape manipulation.
"So how was it?" Toji panted lightly but stood straight.
"You pass," Sarutobi said with a warm smile. "From now on, you'll only need to submit a weekly report to the medical division and the academy. You are excused from regular classes."
He wasn't going to formally allow early graduation, but by exploiting loopholes, he could approve a 'special study track.'
"Thank you very much!" Toji said, bowing deeply.
Getting into the medical division was vital for him.
One reason was for his physical development.
Proper medical knowledge was essential for safely pushing the body's limits.
The other was for deeper research.
To develop advanced taijutsu techniques, like the terrifying superhuman strength of Tsunade, one needed an intimate understanding of muscle fibers, human anatomy, and chakra pathways.
Trying to recreate such techniques blindly was a death wish.
"You earned it yourself," the Hokage said, shaking his head slightly with a smile. "No need to thank me. Thank your own hard work."
He hesitated for a second, then asked curiously, "Why did you think to train with chakra threads?"
Toji explained honestly.
Initially, he hadn't been aiming to master chakra threads. He had wanted to condense chakra to a degree where it could physically break objects, then blend it into taijutsu strikes. Understanding that, Sarutobi immediately connected the dots.
Chakra scalpels.
It made sense why Toji wanted access to the medical division.
The boy wasn't just thinking about brute force.
He was learning from parallel fields, borrowing concepts, and refining them into his own martial system. His planning was meticulous and forward-thinking.
A deep sadness flickered across Sarutobi's face.
In Toji, he caught a faint glimpse of someone he had once believed in... a student he had once cherished... who now wore the cloak of a rogue ninja.
Sarutobi fell silent reminiscing before finally waving his hand, signaling to Toji that he could leave.
***
Toji didn't notice the Hokage's conflicted expression.
He bowed again and exited the room quietly.
Only after stepping into the corridor did he let out a long breath. Facing the Hokage's clone had been intense. And he realized the true gap that the fighting experience could bring.
Even with his immense physical potential, he still needed constant fighting to hone his style and instinct.
But simply winning wasn't the point today.
He needed to display the full breadth of his capabilities to earn not just permission but recognition. He needed Sarutobi to see him as a serious investment, someone worth granting access to resources.
Because in this world, especially for an orphaned civilian like himself, books and scrolls were worth far more than money.
Toji slipped back into the classroom as if nothing had happened.
He listened to the lectures, took notes, and kept his head down.
The teachers said nothing about his meeting with the Hokage; everything continued as normal.
After school, Toji started jogging laps around Konoha and accidentally ran into Guy.
"Hey, I heard the Hokage visited your school today?" Guy called out, jogging up to him.
"Yes, Guy-sensei," Toji replied, slowing his pace slightly. "He tested me, and I'm now allowed to study with the medical division.
So, thank you very much, Sensei. I'll never forget what you did for me."
Guy laughed heartily, scratching the back of his head.
"Hahaha! Don't mention it, my youthful student! It's all because of your own burning spirit!"
Then he paused, frowning slightly.
"Wait... you're going to the medical corps? To study medical ninjutsu?"
Toji shook his head. "No, Sensei. I lack the ability to perform even ninjutsu. It's not about learning healing jutsu. I want a broader, deeper understanding of human anatomy."
"Huh?!"
Guy looked utterly baffled. He couldn't wrap his head around it. But after a moment, he simply shrugged and burst out laughing again.
"Well, I don't really get it. But if it's what you believe in, go for it! The flames of youth must burn bright! Let's go find Lee!"
"...Right."
Toji chuckled and let Guy's youthful energy infect his own spirit.
The two sprinted into the fading sunlight, leaving behind long shadows that danced on the village walls.