This cohort of graduates wasn't just Mikami Yuu's class.
There were three classes total.
After their match ended, Kakashi and Ooki-sensei stepped in and used Earth Style to quickly repair the arena. While repairing the central platform, Kakashi even deliberately carved a few dog heads into the side of it… too much chakra to burn, basically.
After that,
the other two classes took turns entering the field and fighting there as well.
But since those two were "ordinary classes," the battles weren't exciting—mostly just clumsy brawling, no real spectacle.
When all three rounds of exams were done,
Ooki-sensei, Kakashi, and the others began calculating scores.
Meanwhile, Mikami Yuu and the other students sat around the edges of the field in small groups, resting, chatting, and reviewing what happened while waiting for the final results.
After about forty minutes of compiling, Ooki-sensei stepped forward and read out the final graduation rankings—
"Based on the written exams and practical exams over the past week—especially today's confrontation match—Mikami Yuu performed the best, ranking first in the event and first overall! Second place is Nara Mayumi. Third place is Yūhi Kurenai…"
"Huh? I'm third?"
Kurenai's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
"Wow, Yuu-kun really is first!"
Rin clapped for Mikami Yuu immediately.
"Wait—what about me?!"
Obito jumped up and shouted.
Kakashi explained from the side: "Mikami Yuu had the top score in written subjects, and strong performance in practicals. Especially today—he was the defensive core, used tactics properly, and defeated three opponents, so first place overall is unquestionable.
"Nara Mayumi's command and coordination were appropriate. Even though he lost due to the opponent's strength, it wasn't a subjective mistake.
"As for Yūhi Kurenai, as a defender she kept protecting the position, showing solid taijutsu and genjutsu fundamentals. She was the only defender still standing on the platform when the exam ended, so her final-round score was second only to Mikami Yuu. Combined with other subjects, she placed third overall."
"And as for you, Obito… you ranked tenth in practicals, second-to-last in written subjects, and twenty-fifth overall."
"Ah… why is it like this…"
Obito wilted.
Compared to his usual results, 25th place was actually decent—upper-middle of the whole grade. But it was miles away from his dream of first, and he wasn't even sure he could graduate smoothly…
Mikami Yuu, meanwhile, muttered internally: he'd thought Obito's "idiot value" was already low enough, but written exams second-to-last? Who was even worse than Obito?
Not far away,
Asuma and Hyūga Kamon were both gloomy.
With their strength, in a normal exam they would've scored well. But because they tunnel-visioned on Mikami Yuu, got 1v3'd, and became stepping stones, their final ranks fell to around fourth or fifth—missing the "excellent graduate" slots.
Still, gloomy as they were, they couldn't say much. Mikami Yuu really had won by strength.
With the rankings announced,
Rin was naturally delighted for Mikami Yuu.
Kurenai also came over with a bright smile to thank him.
That gratitude was only fair. Setting aside the special training earlier, if Mikami Yuu hadn't dragged Asuma and Hyūga Kamon down with him, Kurenai could never have taken third—top five would've already been good.
At that moment,
the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, appeared at the edge of the field.
"Wow—the Hokage came to see us!"
"Third Hokage-sama!"
Students stood up one after another to salute.
Mikami Yuu, supported by Rin, also stood and bowed slightly.
—No matter what, this was the current Hokage. Even if he didn't respect him that much inside, he still had to show proper manners on the surface. And besides, Mikami Yuu was first place—his reward would come from Hiruzen, so he had to be extra polite.
"No need for formalities. Sit and rest."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "I've already heard from Ooki and Kakashi about how you fought. You did very well—very impressive. Seeing you children so full of life makes me feel twenty years younger."
"Hahaha."
The students laughed.
Hiruzen never mentioned that he'd been watching from afar earlier. He just said some high-charisma pleasantries, then strolled over to Mikami Yuu and cleared his throat.
"Yuu, congratulations. You've taken first place in this exam."
"I said before that those who perform excellently in this graduation exam would receive a special reward. Now that the results are out, it's time for me, as Hokage, to fulfill that promise. Is there something you want, or a special wish?"
Hearing that,
before Mikami Yuu could speak, the other students around him were already looking over with envy, jealousy, and admiration.
Even Asuma couldn't help turning his head to look.
Honestly, there was no need to ask this here, and no need for Hiruzen to ask personally.
Normally, he could just have Kakashi ask. Kakashi, as a rare all-nature prodigy, knew most common Konoha techniques and could provide guidance, then report Mikami Yuu's choice up to Hiruzen.
But,
the ninja world was ultimately a world where strength ruled.
Mikami Yuu's performance had pleasantly surprised Hiruzen, so he came in person to show importance.
And at the same time, he could talk to the other students, reinforcing his "friendly Hokage" image—two birds with one stone.
Seeing that Mikami Yuu didn't answer right away,
Hiruzen smiled. "Yuu, don't be nervous. Just say what you want. Whether it's a ninjutsu, a secret technique, ninja tools, or anything else—anything is fine. If there's something you want to know, you can ask me too. I'll answer honestly."
Mikami Yuu fell silent in thought.
He'd already been thinking about this.
First, he definitely wanted a ninjutsu.
But he couldn't ask randomly.
One, he needed a reasonable "intel source." If he dared name a forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals, Hiruzen would have ANBU investigate him the next day to see if he was a spy from another village.
Two, it had to fit his status.
Jutsu ranks were based on learning difficulty. Generally, chūnin focused on C- and D-rank techniques; jōnin focused on B- and A-rank. As a freshly graduating Academy student, Mikami Yuu "should" choose a C-rank technique, otherwise he'd look overly ambitious.
"…Hokage-sama, do you have any suggestions for what this reward should be?"
"Well…"
Hiruzen thought briefly. "Your chakra nature is Water and Fire, correct? Below chūnin level, it's usually not suitable to train two elemental natures at once. And Water Release requires high chakra reserves and favorable terrain—ordinary ninja find it hard to bring out its full power.
"So personally, I suggest you major in Fire Style, and treat Water Style as support.
"On that basis, if you want more offensive options, you could choose Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu or Dragon Fire Jutsu. If you want to strengthen defense, you could choose Fire Style: Fire Dragon Wall, or the Water Style: Water Formation Wall.
"If you're interested in taijutsu, Konoha Style Taijutsu and Konoha Style Swordsmanship are also good."