Chapter 33: Learning Earth Release Ninjutsu
While not participating in the graduation exam as a top-performing student might raise some questions, it was far better than dying due to a mistake on a dangerous C-rank mission.
However, unlike Kaito, the other children in his class had been thoroughly influenced by the Will of Fire ideology.
Therefore, many were genuinely interested in taking the early graduation exam.
At the same time, knowing that their children would likely not pass, many parents refused to allow their children to participate in such a risky endeavor.
In the end, a total of 7 students signed up for the graduation examination.
Uchiha Rai, Shimura Shin, Senju Teru, Hyuga Hodaka, one civilian student, and two students from the Aburame and Hatake clans decided to take the exam.
Kaito noticed that Genshu seemed somewhat disappointed that he hadn't chosen to take the graduation exam. However, Genshu didn't approach him about it directly, which was a relief.
The graduation exam was scheduled to be held approximately a week after the regular third-year final exam. The third-year exam proceeded as usual.
Based on the survival skills Genshu had taught throughout the year, several new assessment criteria were added to the examination.
This year, the Hokage's traditional rewards would also depend on performance in the graduation exam. This meant that Kaito would not be able to receive any rewards for achieving first place in the regular exam.
So he deliberately lowered his score on the written test and once again didn't demonstrate his full capabilities on the ninjutsu assessment. As a result, he only ranked fourth overall.
Senju Teru ranked first, followed by Shimura Shin in second place, and Hyuga Hana in third.
Kaito was actually relieved that Hyuga Hana hadn't taken the graduation exam either. Although he didn't know her reasons, it meant he wasn't the only high-performing student who chose not to participate in early graduation.
However, what he didn't know was that Hyuga Hana was deeply upset that her parents wouldn't allow her to become a full shinobi so quickly. She desperately wanted to graduate early.
A week later, the graduation examination began.
For students in the elite class, this exam was structured similarly to a regular final exam, but its requirements were significantly more comprehensive and demanding.
The main new addition was a 50-point scenario-based section that presented students with various dangerous situations they might face in the field and asked how they would respond. Except for Shimura Shin, who seemed naturally tactical, everyone else struggled considerably with this section.
In the taijutsu tournament, only Hyuga Hodaka and Senju Teru performed above their usual level, while Uchiha Rai and Shimura Shin delivered average performances.
However, in the ninjutsu demonstration section, Senju Teru, Uchiha Rai, and Shimura Shin clearly demonstrated why they were fully qualified to become genin.
Uchiha Rai flawlessly executed two C-rank techniques: Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu and Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
Senju Teru was able to demonstrate jutsu from two different elemental natures. He performed a C-rank Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu, and three D-rank techniques: Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu, Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique, and Earth Release: Stone Shuriken.
Shimura Shin demonstrated his versatility by performing one E-rank technique from each of the five basic elements.
Additionally, he was able to cast higher-level Fire Release techniques, which appeared to be his natural talent. He executed two C-rank jutsu: Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique and Fire Release: Flame Bullet.
After all examinations were completed, the performance of all students was thoroughly evaluated by the Academy instructors and supervising jonin.
In Kaito's class, only Senju Teru, Uchiha Rai, and Shimura Shin successfully graduated and officially became genin.
Because Senju Teru performed better in taijutsu than both Shimura Shin and Uchiha Rai, he was ranked first in the graduating class.
Among the students one year senior to Kaito's class, 11 students graduated, and 28 students from even higher grade levels also passed the examination.
However, Kaito remained completely unaware of these detailed results.
As soon as summer vacation officially began, Kaito immediately returned to intensive ninjutsu training.
He felt quite satisfied with the progress of his Wind Release techniques and decided it was time to begin studying Earth Release ninjutsu, so he headed to the Library.
He thoroughly examined all the Earth Release jutsu available in Sections E and D and compiled a comprehensive list.
The first thing he noticed was that Konoha possessed far more Earth Release techniques than Wind Release techniques in their archives.
Considering the smaller number of shinobi who specialize in Wind Release, this disparity wasn't particularly surprising.
The list of Earth Release jutsu he compiled was as follows:
E-Rank Earth Release Jutsu:
Earth Release: Rock Throw
Earth Release: Mud Wall
Earth Release: Stone Fist
Earth Release: Ground Softening
Earth Release: Earth-Style Transformation
Earth Release: Pit Trap
D-Rank Earth Release Jutsu:
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld (Minor)
Earth Release: Earth Clone
Earth Release: Stone Spike Bed
Earth Release: Stone Shuriken
Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu
Earth Release: Earth Shore Return
Earth Release: Tremor
Earth Release: Seismic Sense
Earth Release: Earth Mound
Earth Release: Mud Barrier
Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage
Earth Release: Stone Armor
Earth Release: Added Weight
Earth Release: Shelter
Earth Release: Earth Recording
His first thought was:
"Hmm, there's no Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall here? That's a fairly fundamental defensive technique. Is it classified at a higher rank? Even Kakuzu's Earth Release: Earth Spear isn't available here. I hope to find them in the higher-level sections."
Then he began systematically reading through each technique's description and analyzing their applications. He spent approximately two hours thoroughly reviewing each one. He concluded:
"Earth Release techniques are more comprehensive and versatile than Wind Release jutsu. The only notable weakness is a slight shortage of purely offensive techniques."
Surprisingly, many techniques on this list showed similar developmental potential to Wind Release jutsu.
However, Earth Release techniques had one major tactical disadvantage. Most Earth Release jutsu, especially those with higher combat potential, would be severely countered when fighting over bodies of water.
Now that he considered it strategically, Iwagakure should be extremely fortunate not to share a border with Kirigakure. Otherwise, they would find themselves at a severe disadvantage in any conflict.
Kaito decided he could essentially ignore most offensive Earth Release techniques for now.
But for defensive purposes, Earth Release jutsu were excellent choices.
He continued analyzing the list carefully.
Earth Release: Mud Wall. This was probably an inferior version of the Earth-Style Wall technique, so it could potentially be upgraded later through training. He also wondered if applying a Hardening Seal could make the barrier even more durable.
For area control and containment, the minor version of Swamp of the Underworld was an excellent choice. It created a 2-meter deep, 2-meter wide muddy bog around the user. It should serve as the foundation for that A-rank Yellow Springs Marsh technique, which was one of Jiraiya's signature jutsu.
For mobility and escape, Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage was absolutely essential to learn. It allowed for underground travel over short to medium distances. It was always valuable to have another escape method available.
Earth Release: Shelter was also extremely convenient. It could create an artificial cave within mountains or hillsides.
There were several small mountains scattered throughout the village, including the one with the waterfall where Team 7 trained. He could practice this technique somewhere in those areas.
Moreover, these four techniques formed a clever tactical combination.
Kaito could use Shelter to construct a hidden cave within a mountain. Then use Mud Wall to conceal the entrance effectively. A swamp trap could be prepared around the mountain approach, and if someone discovered the cave, he could escape underground using Subterranean Voyage.
Kaito began his Earth Release training regimen.
Although his Earth Release nature transformation hadn't been refined as thoroughly as his Wind Release, he had still developed it considerably.
He could now crush boulders into fine powder within seconds. This foundational skill allowed him to learn new techniques relatively quickly.
However, compared to Wind Release jutsu, Earth Release techniques were still noticeably more difficult to master.
He learned the basic Mud Wall technique within a few minutes, then spent several additional days increasing both the size and structural durability of the earthen barrier he could raise from the ground.
He also experimented with applying a Hardening Seal to the mud wall he created, which significantly increased the barrier's defensive capabilities.
However, applying the sealing formula and activating it required approximately 1.5 seconds, which might not provide sufficient time during actual combat situations.
Earth Release: Shelter was mastered within a single day.
Although the cave interior was dusty and rough, he could easily clean it with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
If he needed to hide the entrance, he could also use the Mud Wall technique to seal it convincingly.
However, he had to leave a small opening for proper air circulation to avoid suffocation.
He didn't bother refining this technique further, as he didn't currently need an emergency shelter.
Next was the minor Swamp technique. It also incorporated aspects of Water Release nature transformation. It took him almost a full week to learn properly.
To further improve this technique's effectiveness, he would need to develop his Water Release capabilities. So he decided to leave that challenge for his future self to tackle.
Finally, he practiced Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage. This technique proved quite difficult to master.
This jutsu involved moving through solid earth as if swimming through water, which required dramatically softening the ground around him to achieve. It took him 11 intensive days to successfully execute it for the first time.
Another two weeks passed before he could move freely and naturally underground.
His maximum travel distance was limited by the available oxygen supply underground. Softening the earth allowed some air to filter down, but the quantity was extremely limited.
He stopped actively training this technique once he could reliably travel 100 meters underground. He thought:
"Alright, this core set of Earth Release techniques has been learned adequately. Although I still need to invest more practice time into Mud Wall and Subterranean Voyage for true mastery. However, I can work on refinement gradually throughout next year. Next, I need to focus on learning chakra flow techniques for weapon enhancement."
He returned to the Library once more to begin studying this essential combat skill.
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