"Tsunade-sensei, how was it?"
Taking advantage of the break, Kitazawa walked over to Tsunade.
She was seated right in the middle, taking up an entire table and chair by herself.
"How was what?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him. "What, you want me to praise you for doing a good job?"
"Verbal praise won't satisfy me."
Kitazawa sat down on her left, shameless as ever.
"Then you can wait."
Tsunade gave a light snort.
She knew exactly what kind of "reward" he wanted, but agreeing so easily would be letting him off too cheap—better to make him guess first.
"Tsunade-sensei."
Heat surged in Kitazawa's chest. "Then I'll wait and see."
From what he knew of Tsunade, as long as she didn't reject him outright, it meant he still had a chance.
Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
The spectators all straightened up and looked toward the field.
The Advanced Class graduation exam had only gotten through the first round, but it had already shocked everyone.
Even the Chūnin Exams and jōnin assessments weren't this outrageous.
Because every Advanced Class student had displayed strength far beyond what their age should allow.
Especially Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
At eleven or twelve years old, they were already stronger than many jōnin.
It made a lot of ninja truly understand what it meant for the next generation to surge forward like a rising tide.
"Second round, first match."
Kitazawa walked down from the stands to the drawing box and called out loudly, "Yamanaka Ino versus Tayuya!"
"Ino, I won't hold back," Tayuya said, glancing at her.
They got along pretty well, but rankings were on the line—she didn't want to fall in the second round.
"I don't need you to hold back either."
Ino answered with a confident grin. "I've gotten a lot stronger!"
Tayuya gave a snort. "So have I."
"Me too!"
Ino nodded and stepped onto the field.
Tayuya took her place across from her.
"Begin!"
Kitazawa retreated to the edge of the arena.
Tayuya bit her thumb and slammed her hand to the ground.
Summoning Jutsu!
Smoke billowed—and her three Doki appeared.
Ino calmly pulled out a scroll.
Tayuya froze for a moment, confused, but she didn't hesitate to use Demon Flute: Illusionary Warriors Manipulating Melody.
The flute's notes rang out. Under her control, the three Doki charged Ino together.
A thunderous rumble shook the air.
Ino's small frame looked perilously fragile in front of the enormous summons.
Super Beast Imitating Drawing!
Ino unfurled the scroll and quickly drew two lions.
The instant they took form, they sprang forward and pounced on the two closest Doki.
Ino didn't stop—she drew a giant python next.
The python shot forward at blistering speed toward the third Doki.
In an instant, the three Doki were tangled up with the lions and the python.
Six massive beasts erupted into a chaotic brawl in the middle of the field.
"What jutsu is that?"
Sakura's face filled with surprise.
It was her first time seeing Super Beast Imitating Drawing.
Ino had only learned it recently.
"It looks a lot like Yakumo's kekkei genkai."
Tenten instinctively looked at Kurama Yakumo.
"This is Super Beast Imitating Drawing," Yakumo explained. "Kitazawa-sensei taught it."
"So of course it was Kitazawa-sensei…"
Nara Shikamaru sighed.
"Why is Ino secretly getting stronger too?"
Kiba clenched his fist.
"Maybe Tayuya is getting stronger too."
Jūgo said calmly.
"…"
Kiba immediately went speechless.
Even though he'd improved a lot, if everyone else kept improving too, the gap still wouldn't close.
While they were talking, a loud boom echoed across the arena.
One Doki smashed a huge club down, killing one of the tigers.
But Ino immediately used Super Beast Imitating Drawing again and created a new tiger on the spot.
"No wonder you were so confident."
Tayuya took a deep breath.
If her summons couldn't carry the fight, then she'd have to step in personally.
Cursed Seal of Earth: Level Two!
Tayuya's body transformed instantly.
Her skin and eyes darkened, her red hair grew longer, and two pairs of white horns jutted out from both sides of her head.
Ino's eyes narrowed.
It was her first time seeing Tayuya use the Cursed Seal, but she understood immediately.
After all, Kaguya Kimimaro and Jūgo also underwent drastic physical changes when they used it.
Ino instantly felt the pressure.
Under Cursed Seal Stage Two, Tayuya's power spiked explosively.
"That's the Cursed Seal?"
Tenten sized her up and asked.
"Yeah."
Jūgo nodded.
He'd happened to see Tayuya use it once before.
"When did Tayuya learn the Cursed Seal?"
Kiba's mouth twitched.
So his earlier words had come true—both Tayuya and Ino really had gotten a lot stronger.
"Probably half a month ago," Jūgo guessed.
"This is bad for Ino… I don't know if she can win."
Sakura said, worried.
Even though she and Ino were always butting heads, she still supported her when it mattered.
After entering Cursed Seal Stage Two, Tayuya rushed Ino without hesitation.
She was far faster than before—almost instantly right in front of her.
Demonic Illusion: Tree Bind Death!
The moment Tayuya caught Ino's gaze, she launched her genjutsu.
Leaf Body Flicker!
Ino had anticipated it—at the moment she saw Tayuya, her body turned into leaves and vanished from the spot.
Tayuya frowned slightly.
She glanced at her three Doki, still bound up, and immediately blew her flute again.
The three Doki shuddered violently—strength surging—then they broke free, tearing through the lions and python.
The flute's melody changed.
The three Doki split into three directions and charged toward Ino.
"Ino, you can't run!"
Tayuya's lips curled upward. Victory felt certain.
Ino glanced around.
Three Doki plus Tayuya—exactly enough to block all four directions.
But she didn't panic.
She immediately formed hand seals and cast Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.
Seeing that, Tayuya hurriedly directed the three Doki to attack.
In the next second, she froze.
All light vanished completely—her entire world turned pitch black.
"What—what is this?!"
Fear rose in Tayuya's chest.
Super Beast Imitating Drawing!
Ino didn't give her a moment to react.
In a single burst, she released a massive amount of chakra and summoned a whole pack of fierce beasts—lions, tigers, pythons, and more.
Hearing the commotion in the darkness, Tayuya hastily commanded her three Doki to form a guard around her.
But there were too many beasts. The three Doki couldn't hold the line.
Tayuya wasn't a taijutsu-type shinobi, and against that many beasts she had no good answer.
With her vision stolen as well, she ultimately had no choice but to surrender.
"Winner: Yamanaka Ino!"
Kitazawa nodded and announced loudly.
Bringer-of-Darkness Technique paired with Super Beast Imitating Drawing—surprisingly effective.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino sprinted over to Kitazawa, exhilarated.
"This is only the second round."
Kitazawa lifted a hand and flicked her forehead, reminding her, "Release your Bringer-of-Darkness Technique."
Only then did Ino remember Tayuya was still trapped in the dark.
She stuck her tongue out at Kitazawa in embarrassment and quickly dispelled the jutsu.
"What was that jutsu now?"
Kiba asked with a headache.
"No idea," Sakura shook her head.
A moment ago she'd been worried Ino would lose—now she was worried she would lose.
Bringer-of-Darkness Technique plus Super Beast Imitating Drawing felt extremely troublesome.
"It's genjutsu," Uchiha Sasuke said in a low voice.
In his eyes, Ino's overall strength wasn't close to his, but the way Bringer-of-Darkness Technique stripped vision still made him feel pressure.
Because that kind of effect countered the Sharingan hard.
Still, he had the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—he could react before she cast it.
But if it wasn't Ino, and instead an opponent about as strong as him…?
Fortunately, no such opponent existed.
At the very least, Uzumaki Naruto didn't know Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.
Just then, Ino and Tayuya left the field.
"Ino, what genjutsu was that?"
Yakumo asked curiously.
She felt Bringer-of-Darkness Technique suited her perfectly—and she was genuinely surprised.
In her mind, after awakening her genjutsu bloodline, she shouldn't need to learn other jutsu.
But she hadn't expected a genjutsu like Bringer-of-Darkness Technique to exist—its effect even tempted her.
"It's the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."
Ino paused, then smiled. "Kitazawa-sensei taught it to me."
"No wonder it's so strong."
Yakumo's face lit with realization.
The stands were buzzing too.
"That was the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique?"
Nara Shikaku asked, stunned.
Uchiha Fugaku looked like he could barely keep his expression under control.
At a glance, it was obvious the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was designed to target the Uchiha.
If the Uchiha clan weren't already beyond worrying about being targeted, he would've put Ino on a watch list immediately.
"Looks like Ino has great genjutsu talent."
Tsunade couldn't help smiling.
Kitazawa really did teach everything.
From a power and authority standpoint, that wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Advanced techniques and secret arts were precious resources—if you wanted them, you were supposed to pay a price.
But Konoha was thriving now, so nobody minded that little "problem."
"It's all thanks to Kitazawa teaching her well."
Yamanaka Inoichi immediately said.
Under normal circumstances, there was no way Ino could've learned Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.
Whether by merit or status, it simply wouldn't be allowed.
Hyūga Hiashi and Aburame Shibi and the others all nodded in agreement.
Still, their own children received similar treatment, so they weren't exactly jealous.
"Second round, second match."
Kitazawa drew two slips and called out, "Nara Shikamaru versus Akimichi Chōji!"
"Why does it have to be Chōji…"
Shikamaru sighed.
"Shikamaru, you better go easy on Chōji," Ino said immediately.
"You don't understand how strong Chōji is right now."
Shikamaru shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
Kiba cut in right away.
"It means in the first round, Chōji didn't even show all his strength," Shikamaru replied.
"…?"
Kiba instinctively looked at Chōji.
So you, Mr. Honest-Face-and-Thick-Brows, were secretly getting stronger too?
"Seriously?"
Sakura and the others were equally shocked.
"You'll see in a second."
After saying that, Shikamaru walked onto the field.
Chōji followed close behind.
"Begin!"
Kitazawa announced.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Shikamaru flung shuriken without hesitation.
They trembled—and split midair.
In the blink of an eye, a storm of shuriken blanketed Chōji.
"Isn't that Tenten's Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
Neji and the others were surprised—and even more curious about just how strong Chōji had become.
Because Shikamaru's strength was already quite solid now.
Yang Release Chakra Mode!
Butterfly Chōji Mode!
Chōji decided to show his friend the greatest respect.
In the original timeline, he needed to swallow three forbidden pills to use Butterfly Mode.
But after learning Yang Release Chakra Mode, he no longer needed the pills.
Boom!
A terrifying surge of chakra burst from Chōji.
His body snapped back to normal in an instant, and a pair of enormous butterfly wings unfurled behind him.
Facing the incoming shuriken, Chōji flew straight up.
"What is that?!"
The entire Advanced Class stared in shock.
"Chōji learned Butterfly Mode?!"
Ino's eyes went wide.
"What's Butterfly Mode?"
Sakura asked reflexively.
Ino immediately explained.
Butterfly Mode was the Akimichi clan's ultimate secret technique—releasing all stored fat at once and turning it into chakra.
In simple terms, it massively boosted physical performance—strength, speed, and more.
And it could also grant flight.
In a way, Butterfly Mode was similar to Yang Release Chakra Mode or Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
"No wonder Shikamaru thought he couldn't beat Chōji."
Yakumo nodded.
"I feel like Chōji can rank in the Advanced Class top ten now."
Tenten clicked her tongue.
"He's insane!"
Naruto said, blazing with fighting spirit.
He practically itched to have a youth-filled battle with Chōji.
Neji, Kimimaro, and the others didn't speak, but they felt the pressure.
The one feeling the most pressure, though, was Shikamaru.
He'd planned to take control early with Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu—only for Chōji to dodge it effortlessly.
Shadow Wall!
Shikamaru quickly formed hand seals.
The instant the shadow wall appeared, Chōji dropped from the sky.
He landed on the wall. It bent under him—then shattered.
Shadow Imitation Jutsu!
Retreating, Shikamaru formed more seals.
His shadow stretched out and caught Chōji's shadow.
Chōji froze for a moment—then his chakra surged, and he tore free.
Butterfly Bullet Bombing!
He clenched his left fist, butterfly markings blooming along his arm.
Leaf Body Flicker!
Shikamaru instinctively evaded.
Chōji's punch slammed into the ground.
Boom!
The earth cracked outward from the impact, forming a massive crater.
The power was far greater than Karin's earlier "monster strength."
Not because "monster strength" was weak—Karin's level simply wasn't there yet, nowhere near Tsunade or Kitazawa.
"I surrender!"
Shikamaru shouted the moment he landed.
"Winner: Akimichi Chōji!"
Kitazawa declared.
Honestly, among Ino–Shika–Chō, the Akimichi were indeed the most combat-oriented.
The Yamanaka and Nara clans leaned more toward support.
"Chōji already feels jōnin-level now."
Nara Shikaku said after snapping out of it.
"At his age, he shouldn't be able to use Butterfly Mode without pills."
Yamanaka Inoichi said grimly. "That jutsu he used before Butterfly Mode—that's the key."
Ino's performance had made him think the Yamanaka were the strongest of the trio—but then Chōji put on an even more exaggerated display.
"Kitazawa taught him Yang Release Chakra Mode," Tsunade said with praise. "That's something Kitazawa created—right now, only a handful in Konoha can master it."
Everyone present was jōnin.
Given what they'd just seen, it wasn't hard to guess what Yang Release Chakra Mode did.
Most of them felt pure envy.
Even as jōnin, they hadn't learned it.
Yet Chōji could pick it up easily in the Advanced Class.
"Second round, third match."
Kitazawa drew two slips and called out, "Kurama Yakumo versus Tenten!"
Tenten slapped her forehead as soon as she heard it—she felt zero chance of winning.
"It's not that your luck is bad," Kiba sighed. "Anyone who made it into the second round is tough."
"True," Shino said, adjusting his glasses.
In the past, he could reliably stay in the top seven, but watching this graduation exam, he no longer felt confident he could even make the top ten.
For example, the strength Chōji showed just now—Shino wasn't sure he could beat that.
"The graduation exam doesn't restrict anything."
Neji suggested, "Tenten, you can open with a summon—bring out the Shiromari to block Yakumo's line of sight."
"That could work!"
Tenten's eyes lit up.
Yakumo's expression didn't change at all.
The two of them stepped onto the field.
Summoning Jutsu!
Without looking at Yakumo, Tenten bit her thumb and slammed her hand down.
Boom!
The enormous Shiromari appeared.
"Attack her!"
Tenten exhaled in relief and shouted.
The Shiromari charged Yakumo head-on.
Its massive size made its collision feel like a mountain dropping—an overwhelming pressure that made hearts tighten.
A lot of ninja looked stunned.
They hadn't expected a summon this huge outside the Three Great Summoning Sanctuaries.
Super Beast Imitating Drawing!
Yakumo calmly opened a scroll.
Her massive chakra poured out—and in the blink of an eye, a tiger no smaller than the Shiromari materialized.
Everyone stared, dumbstruck.
Including the Advanced Class students who thought they understood Yakumo.
The tiger roared and clashed with the Shiromari in a brutal melee.
The two giants fought so violently the entire arena shook.
"Why is Yakumo's Super Beast Imitating Drawing so strong?!"
Ino blurted, eyes wide.
"Because she has a lot of Yin Release chakra."
Even Sasuke was surprised.
He'd always believed that once he awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he'd be able to beat Yakumo for sure—but now it didn't feel so certain.
Her Yin Release wasn't just greater than Ino's—it was greater than his.
"This might be the first time Yakumo's used a ninjutsu that isn't genjutsu."
Neji unconsciously activated his Byakugan—and his heart jolted.
Yakumo had always crushed people with genjutsu, so they hadn't noticed just how terrifying her Yin Release was.
Only Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
In the original timeline, Yakumo had so much Yin Release power that it awakened a Yin Release monster called Id.
From what was shown, Id wasn't on the level of a tailed beast, but it was comparable to beings like Mōryō or the Zero-Tails.
Now, with Yakumo going all-out through Super Beast Imitating Drawing, it was essentially like summoning Ido itself.
"…?"
Even Tenten had never seen the Shiromari get overwhelmed like this.
With no better option, she tried using Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
But Yakumo used Leaf Body Flicker to avoid the shuriken—and appeared right in front of her.
With the Shiromari no longer able to block her, Tenten immediately fell into genjutsu.
"Winner: Kurama Yakumo!"
Kitazawa announced in time.
"Yakumo was already strong, but she can go even further now?"
Kurenai tugged at her mouth and sighed. "Being her team leader really is pressure."
"My three students are stronger than me too."
Asuma complained. "Especially Chōji. I don't even know what I can teach him anymore."
He didn't even know Yang Release Chakra Mode himself.
"Are students these days all this ridiculous?"
Anko thought back to when they graduated.
She'd become Orochimaru's student because she stood out in the academy.
But after watching the Advanced Class graduation exam, she felt like her old performance was honestly terrible.
If Orochimaru came to recruit from the Advanced Class, there was no way he'd choose her.
"Get used to it," Yamato said calmly.
"We might be their team leaders," Kakashi shook his head, "but probably not for long."
"With their strength, they'll be jōnin soon."
"Yeah…"
Kurenai sighed. "Harsh as it sounds, we really are just a transitional step for them."
"Second round, fourth match—Uchiha Sasuke versus Inuzuka Kiba!"
Kitazawa's voice cut through their chatter.
"I'm finished…"
Kiba said, face ashen.
Against Shino or Sakura, he still had a chance.
But against Sasuke? Zero chance.
Still, he didn't forfeit.
The moment the battle began, he used Inuzuka Style: Man-Beast Combination Transformation—Three-Headed Wolf.
It was the Inuzuka clan's ultimate secret technique—the real deal version of the hellhound three-headed dog.
In terms of power, speed, and defense, it was a huge boost across the board.
But against Sasuke, it didn't matter.
Sasuke activated the second stage of Susanoo immediately, crushing Kiba so completely he couldn't fight back at all.
~~~
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