In the center of the training ground, the battle was nearing its end.
Sweat soaked the clothes of the four teenagers, their heavy panting clearly audible.
Although they had fought with all their might and their coordination had improved, they still seemed outmatched against Hikari's artistic Taijutsu and combat experience.
Hikari's figure moved like a ghost, each movement precisely cutting into the gaps in their cooperation.
She didn't use any flashy Ninjutsu, relying only on Chakra suppressed to the Chunin-level and peak-level Taijutsu to push them into a corner.
The first to fall was Sato.
After a fierce Fire Release attack, he tried to close in, exposing a flaw in his stance.
Hikari closed in as if she had predicted it, her foot lightly hooking his ankle. Saionji felt a sharp pain and lost his balance, falling heavily to the ground, unable to get up immediately.
"Offensive is fierce, but your stance is unstable, the flaws are too big. You need to strengthen basic physical fitness and Taijutsu stability." Hikari's cool voice rang in Sato's ear, pointing out his flaw, dousing the impatience in his heart like cold spring water.
Almost simultaneously, to protect Ai who was nearly grazed by a palm strike, Yusuke forcefully blocked, his training short sword flicked away by Hikari's finger, leaving him wide open.
Hikari's palm lightly pressed against his chest. A resilient yet irresistible force sent him stumbling backward, landing hard on his backside.
"Your swordsmanship is sharp, but your killing intent is too strong. It's good for death matches, but not conducive to infiltration and assassination missions. You need to learn to sheath your edge, hide the sword in its scabbard." Her critique went straight to the core issue of Yusuke's fighting style.
His swordsmanship had too much killing intent, and he needed to learn to conceal it.
Ai gasped and tried to use Medical Ninjutsu to aid her companion, but Hikari's figure had already appeared before her like a shadow.
Those calm, dark eyes looked at her. She didn't attack, but the intangible pressure alone made Ai freeze, the green Chakra gathered in her hand instantly dissipating.
"Having compassion and being good at rescue is good. But the battlefield changes in an instant. Excessive hesitation and timidity might put you and your teammates in greater danger. Sometimes, you need to be bolder and trust your own judgment." Hikari's words carried a hint of guidance.
Finally, only Toneri remained, his Byakugan activated, trying to capture every detail of Hikari's movements.
His insight did cause Hikari some minor trouble, but that was all.
When he tried to predict Hikari's next landing point and attack preemptively, she changed direction at a speed far exceeding his prediction, her fingertip lightly tapping his forehead.
"The Byakugan is a powerful aid, but over-reliance on the insight of a Kekkei Genkai can make you neglect the accumulation of bodily instinct and practical experience. Your basic Taijutsu and on-the-spot adaptability are a notch below the other three. You need to strengthen your training, and can't just be an observer." Hikari's evaluation was sharp, piercing the sense of superiority and detachment that Toneri carried due to his origins.
The battle was over. The four were either sitting or lying down, panting.
Hikari had been very measured… while they were physically fine, the sense of mental defeat was crystal clear.
They had fought with all their might but hadn't even touched the bell.
"We... are still too weak." Yusuke gritted his teeth, pounding the ground in frustration.
Sato lay sprawled on the ground, looking at the sky as he gasped, "Hikari-sama... is too strong... I couldn't see any hope of winning at all..."
Ai comforted softly, "After all... that's Hikari-sama..."
Toneri remained silent, just quietly closing his eyes. Hikari's words echoed in his heart. Ever since obtaining these Byakugan, he had indeed relied on them too much.
Hikari looked at the four dejected teenagers, her tone softening slightly, "No need to be discouraged. Your performance far exceeds that of ordinary Genin. Your sense of cooperation and on-the-spot adaptability all have commendable aspects. What I pointed out are just the directions you need to work towards in the future. Remember today's feeling… it will become the motivation for you to grow stronger."
Soon, several Medical-Nins came forward and used Medical Ninjutsu to relieve the four's fatigue and minor bruises.
Although their Chakra Consumption and mental exhaustion couldn't be recovered immediately, they could at least move without hindrance.
Afterward, the grand award ceremony began.
Including the four of them, a total of nineteen students successfully passed the assessment and became the Land of Stars's new batch of Genin.
Menma personally stepped to the front and presented the five-pointed red star forehead protectors, symbolizing the identity of a Star Ninja, to each new Genin, shaking their hands briefly.
When it was the turn of Toneri, Yusuke, Ai, and Sato, Menma's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer.
"Congratulations on your official graduation." His voice, transmitted through the speakers, was steady and powerful, "From today, you are no longer students, but Ninja of the Land of Stars, the cornerstone of protecting peace and creating the future."
"The road ahead may be full of challenges, but remember, you are not walking alone. The Land of Stars will be your most solid backing. I look forward to your future performance."
His words were concise but carried a commanding, convincing power, filling the new Genin's hearts with a sense of honor and responsibility.
Menma also announced that the specific rewards for the top nine and the mentor assignment list would be officially announced at the Ninja Academy tomorrow.
Furthermore, the names of the top four in this graduation exam's comprehensive ranking: Otsutsuki Toneri Otsutsuki, Iida Yusuke, Suzuhara Ai, Saionji Sato, would be engraved on the Ninja Academy's Honor Wall, to inspire future students.
The grand graduation exam concluded amidst cheers and applause.
Students and spectators gradually dispersed with various feelings, many still excitedly discussing the spectacular 'bell test' from earlier.
On the high platform, the Land of Stars' higher-ups did not leave immediately.
Hikari, Nono, Kanon, Kisame, Gotta, Natsuhi, Hotarubi, and others gathered around Menma, quietly reporting their observations and suggestions regarding the new Genin.
Menma listened carefully and quickly made arrangements.
"Gotta, Hotarubi," He called their names, "Each of you select three outstanding new Genin with resilient character to form squads. You will lead them personally for training."
"Yes, sir!" Gotta and Hotarubi accepted the order. One was in charge of construction and the other led teams year-round… both were experienced and good at nurturing newcomers.
For the remaining new Genin, Menma made a general assignment based on the availability and expertise of the various Jonin and Special Jonin, ensuring everyone would receive relatively suitable guidance.
Finally, his gaze fell on the last four names.
"Toneri, Suzuhara Ai, Saionji Sato," Menma looked at Hikari, "Hikari, these three children are entrusted to you."
Hikari seemed to have expected it. The corner of her mouth lifted almost imperceptibly as she nodded, "Hmm. I will 'train' them properly."
Her gaze swept over the three teenagers whispering in the distance, making them shiver inexplicably.
Then, Menma singled out Kisame.
"Kisame," Menma's voice lowered slightly, "That child, Iida Yusuke, I want him to enter the Anbu."
Kisame's shark-like eyes shifted, showing a hint of interest, "Anbu? Sir, you want him to... be exposed to the darker side early?"
He knew well that the missions carried out by the Anbu were completely different from those of regular Ninja, filled with shadows, blood, and unavoidable choices.
Menma nodded slowly, his gaze deep, "Only by truly gazing into the darkness, by personally understanding what darkness is, can one more deeply comprehend the meaning of protecting the light, and can one wield the sword in their hand more firmly."
"Iida Yusuke, his Taijutsu and swordsmanship talent are outstanding. More importantly, he possesses composure and calm far beyond his peers, and the potential for on-the-spot command. He is an uncut gem that needs the most severe polishing. Let him follow you. He can learn many things here that he can't learn in the light, and these things might save him and his teammates in the future."
Kisame grinned, revealing his signature shark-like teeth, "Understood, sir. I will 'polish' this uncut gem properly."
He had also developed a strong interest in that silver-haired, black-eyed boy with the resolute gaze.
That evening, in a bustling barbecue restaurant in the Star City.
"Boss! Another five plates of premium beef tongue! My treat today!" Shunji slapped the table, his voice loud, his face beaming with the joy of his mission reward arriving.
He, Kimimaro, Haku, Yukimi, Chino, Hazuki, and the other students from the same year were gathered for a celebration.
"Whoa! Shunji, so generous today? Seems the reward from that last A-Rank mission and the S-Rank team mission from the Land of Darkness Campaign was substantial!" Yukimi teased with a laugh, picking up a sizzling piece of meat and putting it in her mouth.
Shunji raised his chin proudly, his gaze flicking toward Kimimaro, who sat quietly opposite, only sipping water, a hint of competition in his eyes, "Of course! I'm someone who's been through big scenes now! So, Kimimaro, how have your missions been lately? Want to exchange notes?"
Kimimaro lifted his eyelids, glanced at him, his tone flat and unfluctuating, "Not bad. Completed two S-Rank missions and five A-Rank missions, that's all."
"Pfft-!" Shunji nearly choked on the meat in his mouth, coughing violently, his eyes wide, "How many?! Two S-Ranks? Five A-Ranks?! You... you're a mission machine?!"
He had thought his own rapid progress had narrowed the gap, but the other party hadn't just stopped… he had left them in the dust at an even more terrifying speed!
This feeling of being completely outclassed was both frustrating and unwilling, but more than that, it was a kind of admiration.
'Kimimaro's strength and efficiency were indeed far beyond ours.'
Haku smiled gently beside them, smoothing things over, "Alright, alright, the number of missions doesn't mean much. It's good that everyone came back safely. Let's eat the meat, it's about to burn."
The atmosphere at the gathering became lively again, though the look in Shunji's eyes when he looked at Kimimaro now held more respect and determination to catch up.
…
Elsewhere, in the Otsutsuki Clan's compound.
This was a residence located in a quiet area of the Star City, with an ancient and mysterious style.
Toneri returned home. His father, Otsutsuki Shuto, was sitting on the engawa. Though still aged, his expression was much more peaceful than before. He had lost most of his power, but his [Mind's Eye] perception remained.
"Father, I'm back." Toneri said softly.
"Hmm. How was today's assessment?" Shuto asked in a hoarse voice.
Toneri was silent for a moment, then truthfully recounted the process, his defeat, and the critiques he received, without hiding anything.
After listening, Shuto was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Uchiha Hikari-sama... evaluated you correctly. Ever since... eliminating the main family, our branch family has indeed relied too much on bloodline and Dojutsu for a long time, and lacked true tempering."
"It's good that you were made aware of this. The Land of Stars... is different from the Moon. It's more vibrant here, and also more cruel. Follow that lady, train hard. This is good for you."
Toneri looked at his father and nodded solemnly, "I understand, Father."