Friday, the students all arrived at the training ground early, even the last person came twenty minutes before the start.
Everyone knew this was the last day of special training, and after today, most of them would have a hard time seeing Mokgetsu again.
The Ninja Academy students were fine; although Mokgetsu didn't teach other classes, they could occasionally encounter him at the school. But for those students who became ninjas, it was much harder to meet Mokgetsu again, so everyone attached great importance to this last day, wanting to leave a good impression on Mokgetsu.
Ten minutes before the start, Mokgetsu and Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with some other teachers from the Ninja Academy, appeared before the students.
"Teacher Mokgetsu! Third Hokage!"
Many students took the initiative to greet Mokgetsu and Sarutobi Hiruzen. Mokgetsu responded with a gentle smile, and Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded with a cheerful expression.
"So many students, there must be six hundred of them." A teacher, seeing so many students, was shocked, as this number was almost the total number of two grades at the Ninja Academy.
They also noticed that half of the students were wearing headbands, meaning there were about three hundred ninjas here, and some teachers even saw students wearing Chunin waistcoats.
Iketani Isamu was completely stunned, as there were even Chunin among this special training group, knowing that the teachers at the Ninja Academy were basically Chunin...
"The groupings are still the same as before, divided into three groups ABC for teaching, but to enhance teaching quality, each group will also be taught separately according to different Chakra attributes." Mokgetsu briefly introduced the general content of this special training.
"Then how can you teach them all by yourself, Teacher Mokgetsu?" Oshima Hiroaki asked, unable to hold back.
His teaching level was decent, so he was selected by Sarutobi Hiruzen as a special training instructor last time, but the results were not very satisfactory.
Seeing so many students, Oshima Hiroaki really couldn't imagine how Mokgetsu taught them. If they were taught together, it would be understandable, but Mokgetsu even had to teach each group separately by attribute. He really couldn't figure out how Mokgetsu usually taught.
"I have to thank the Second Hokage. It is indeed difficult for one person to teach so many students well, but as long as more Shadow Clones are divided out, there is no problem." Mokgetsu smiled and replied.
"But the fatigue after releasing Shadow Clones..." Oshima Hiroaki was even more puzzled. Shadow Clones were indeed convenient, but the fatigue they brought was undiminished; wasn't this workload tiring to death?
"As long as the students can learn well, it doesn't matter if I get a bit tired." Mokgetsu continued to answer.
Oshima Hiroaki immediately remembered that Mokgetsu was different from him. Mokgetsu was not a Chunin, but a powerful Jonin who could play a role in battles with Tailed Beasts.
"But even as a Jonin, it's hard to bear such fatigue." Oshima Hiroaki sighed in his heart. He truly didn't envy Mokgetsu for the status he has now; it's too taxing.
"Why divide according to Chakra attributes?" Iketani Isamu asked, puzzled.
"Because they need to be taught Nature Transformation." Mokgetsu answered concisely.
The teachers all showed shocked and puzzled expressions; they had the impression that special training was about teaching the Three-Body Jutsu and Chakra Control, not expecting that even Nature Transformation would be on the agenda this time.
Although Mokgetsu's words were brief, the information contained within them was astonishingly shocking.
"It's truly becoming more extraordinary." Shimotsuke Hisanobu sighed in his heart.
Some younger teachers might not know, but the Ministry of Education did hold meetings to try to enhance the quality of Ninja Academy students, and Nature Transformation, as a practice that runs through a ninja's life, was certainly not neglected.
At that time, Shimotsuke Hisanobu was not the head of the teachers' class, only the deputy head.
The Ministry of Education discussed it for a long time and ultimately found that there were too many problems if Nature Transformation were to be taught at the Ninja Academy, so they finally chose to maintain the status quo.
Shimotsuke Hisanobu, who participated in the meeting, deeply understood the difficulty, and Mokgetsu, alone, solved a problem that the entire Ministry of Education couldn't solve. How could Shimotsuke Hisanobu not admire this?
It wasn't just about teaching ability; Mokgetsu could teach the five Nature Transformations alone, indicating he was capable of executing Five Elements Ninjutsu like Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Shimotsuke Hisanobu estimated that in a few years, he could retire and give way to Mokgetsu.
Following that, Mokgetsu divided out Shadow Clones to start hosting the final exam, while the main body explained beside Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Due to the large number of people in Groups C and B, Mokgetsu divided out four Shadow Clones to simultaneously conduct multiple battles, as it would take too much time for so many to compete one by one. Since Group A had fewer people, things proceeded as usual.
Sarutobi Hiruzen started by watching from Group C as he did last time.
Because he felt that this group's level best reflected the results of the special training; since Group C was the slowest advancing group, if even they could show strength that surprised him, then Group B and Group A would be even more impressive.
"Mitarashi Anko versus Mukai Yashiro!" Shadow Clone Mokgetsu read the students' names according to the list.
The students whose names were called quickly walked to the open battle ground to face off.
"Fire Release: Small Fireball Jutsu!"
Anko formed seals and used Fire Release as soon as she stepped into the arena.
Her opponent, Mukai Yashiro, also used a Fire Attribute Ninjutsu taught by Anko, and also started forming hand seals as soon as he entered the arena.
Mukai Yashiro's hand seals were slightly slower than Anko's, but since the speed of the fireball was not very fast, a slight delay didn't matter. He quickly spewed out a fireball as well.
Even though they were using the same Ninjutsu, everyone could see that Anko was stronger because her fireball was noticeably larger.
There is no trick in opposing Nature Transformation Ninjutsu; strength is strength, and weakness is weakness. Mukai Yashiro's fireball was directly swallowed by Anko's, forcing Mukai Yashiro to dodge and ultimately get caught and defeated by Anko.
"Mokgetsu, your student could graduate directly without any issues," Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard and said with a smile.
The grades in Mokgetsu's class were exceptionally outstanding, particularly the ones at the top, so Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered a few names, with Mitarashi Anko being one of them.
"Indeed, with Fire Release like hers, even some Genin who graduated six months ago might not be able to use it," said a teacher nearby.
"His opponent wasn't bad either, having been able to use Fire Release Ninjutsu," another teacher praised Mukai Yashiro.
Mukai Yashiro's homeroom teacher nodded, as Mukai Yashiro was usually quite ordinary in the class, and learning Nature Transformation Ninjutsu in such a short time was already quite commendable.
"It's just that she's especially outstanding in actual combat, but she still has a lot to learn in other areas," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and replied.
As for early graduation, unless someone has the level of Shisui, Mokgetsu didn't recommend it. Once graduated, anything could happen.
Initially, the teachers were praising some students for being able to use Ninjutsu. After watching a few battles, they found that everyone could use it; it was just a matter of some doing it well and some doing it poorly.
"The five Ninjutsu you developed, Mokgetsu, are quite interesting and very suitable for middle and lower-ranked ninja," Sarutobi Hiruzen observed a few clever points while watching Mokgetsu use them compared to the students.
He thought that Mokgetsu's five Ninjutsu could be promoted for more middle and lower-ranked ninja to learn.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said this casually, which again amazed the teachers — the Ninjutsu being taught were actually self-developed.
Mokgetsu humbly said a word and continued with his explanation.
Even though they were standing close, the teachers felt as if they were in two different worlds from Mokgetsu.
Then they moved to Group B. As Sarutobi Hiruzen imagined, the average level of Ninjutsu in Group B was significantly higher than in Group C. However, considering that Group B mostly consisted of ninja, it somehow didn't feel as impressive as Group C.
By the time they reached Group A, the exam was almost halfway through, and the remaining students were the more capable ninja.
"Sarutobi Asuma versus Shiranui Genma!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others happened to arrive just in time to see Asuma's battle.
The teachers instinctively glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and then watched the battlefield in complete silence.
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed no special expression, looking at the battle with his usual demeanor, the same as in other places.
"It looks like this exam will end here, but don't get careless, Asuma. It won't be that easy to beat me," Shiranui Genma said with a smile.
Asuma had already been first in real combat twice in a row. Although he considered himself not a match, he wouldn't let Asuma win comfortably either.
His teacher was Teacher Chen, who was reputed to be the first in Konoha Taijutsu, and he couldn't disgrace his name.
"Then let me see how not easy it is," Asuma replied with a hearty laugh.
Although they had a good personal relationship, Asuma didn't intend to hold back. After an exchange of Taijutsu, realizing that Shiranui Genma's Taijutsu was indeed commendable, Asuma immediately used Wind Release to accelerate his body and suppress Shiranui Genma.
Shiranui Genma's Chakra Attribute was lighting, which was exactly countered by Wind Release. Moreover, his Lightning Release cultivation was average, so once Asuma used his Ninjutsu, the situation changed dramatically, and Shiranui Genma was quickly defeated.
"I remember during the Chunin Examination, Asuma's Wind Release wasn't that proficient. It's surprising that he has improved so much in such a short time," teachers praised Asuma's strength.
It was not just because Sarutobi Hiruzen was present; Asuma's performance was indeed very strong.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled gently and said, "It's just bullying his juniors who are a year younger. If his opponent were Kakashi or Obito, he still wouldn't stand a chance."
No teacher dared to follow up on this statement since Sarutobi Hiruzen could make fun of his son, but they shouldn't follow along.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was in a good mood. He called Shiranui Genma over and explained some of his battle mistakes and mentioned a few little tips on Ninjutsu.
"Thank you, Lord Third," the defeated Shiranui Genma immediately cheered up.
Sarutobi Hiruzen happily placed his pipe into his mouth and blew out a puff of white smoke. Watching in person felt more real than reviewing documents, and when he returned, he could prepare for Mokgetsu to become the vice-principal.