While not participating in the graduation exam as a top student might raise questions, it was better than dying due to a mistake on a Rank C mission.
However, unlike Feng Zheng, the other children in his class had been thoroughly brainwashed by the will of fire.
Therefore, many were interested in taking the graduation exam.
At the same time, knowing that their children would not pass, many parents did not allow their children to participate.
In the end, a total of 7 students signed up for the graduation exam.
Uchiha Rai, Shimura Shin, Senju Teru, Hyuga Hodaka, a civilian child, and two from the Aburame and Hatake clans decided to take the exam.
Feng Zheng saw that Genshu was a bit disappointed that he hadn't taken the graduation exam. However, Genshu didn't talk to him about it, which relieved him.
The graduation exam was held about a week after the third-year exam. The third-year exam proceeded as usual.
Based on the skills Genshu taught this year, some new assessment criteria were added to the exam.
This year, the Hokage's rewards would also depend on the performance in the graduation exam. This meant that Feng Zheng would not be able to receive any rewards for first place.
So he deliberately lowered his score on the written test and once again didn't go all out on the Ninjutsu exam. As a result, he only ranked fourth.
Senju Teru ranked first, followed by Shimura Shin, and then Hyuga Hana.
Feng Zheng was actually glad that Hyuga Hana didn't take the graduation exam. Although he didn't know the reason, it meant he wasn't the only high-scoring student who didn't participate.
However, what he didn't know was that Hyuga Hana was very sad that her parents wouldn't allow her to become a Ninja so quickly.
A week later, the graduation exam began.
For students in the elite class, this exam was similar to a regular exam, but its requirements were more comprehensive.
The main new addition to the exam was a 50-point section that presented students with various scenarios they might face and asked how they would respond. Except for Shimura Shin, everyone else struggled with this part of the exam.
In Taijutsu, only Hyuga Hodaka and Senju Teru performed above their usual level, while Uchiha Rai and Shimura Shin performed averagely.
However, in Ninjutsu, Senju Teru, Uchiha Rai, and Shimura Shin demonstrated why they were fully qualified to become Genin.
Uchiha Rai perfectly executed two Rank C Ninjutsu: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique and Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
Senju Teru was able to cast Ninjutsu of two different elements. He could cast a Rank C Water Release: Water Bullet Technique, and three Rank D ninjutsu: Earthquake Technique, Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique, and Stone Shuriken Technique.
Shimura Shin demonstrated his versatility by casting one Rank E Ninjutsu for each element.
Additionally, he was able to cast higher-level Fire Release Ninjutsu, which was his talent. He cast two Rank C Ninjutsu: Fire Release: Fire Dragon Technique and Fire Release: Fire Bullet Technique.
After all exams were completed, the performance of all students was evaluated.
In Feng Zheng's class, only Senju Teru, Uchiha Rai, and Shimura Shin successfully graduated and became Genin.
Because Senju Teru performed better in Taijutsu than Shimura Shin and Uchiha Rai, he ranked first in the class.
Among the students one year above Feng Zheng, 11 graduated, and 28 students from even higher grades also graduated.
However, Feng Zheng was completely unaware of these developments.
As soon as the summer vacation began, Feng Zheng returned to Ninjutsu training.
He was quite satisfied with the progress of his Wind Release Ninjutsu and decided to start cultivating Earth Release Ninjutsu, so he went to the Library.
He checked all the Earth Release Ninjutsu in sections E and D and made a list.
The first thing he noticed was that Konoha had far more Earth Release Ninjutsu than Wind Release Ninjutsu.
Considering the smaller number of people who use Wind Release, this was not surprising.
The list of Earth Release Ninjutsu he created is as follows:
Stone Throwing Technique (E)
Rock Shield Technique (E)
Stone Gauntlet Technique (E)
Swift Earth Technique (E)
Earth Release: Transformation Technique (E)
Trap Technique (E)
Mud Swamp Technique (D)
Earth Release: Clone Technique (D)
Rock Thorn Bed Technique (D)
Stone Shuriken Technique (D)
Underground Hunting Technique (D)
Pebble Barrage Technique (D)
Earthquake Technique (D)
Earthquake Sensing Technique (D)
Earth Mound Creation Technique (D)
Mud Intercepting Technique (D)
Earth Army Movement Technique (D)
Stone Chestplate Technique (D)
Mud Weight Technique (D)
Camp Technique (D)
Earth Record Technique (D)
His first thought was:
“Hmm, no Earth Flow Wall Technique? That’s a fairly simple Ninjutsu. Is it because it’s a higher rank? Even Kakuzu’s Earth Dragon Bullet isn’t here. I hope to see them in the higher sections.”
Then he began to read each Ninjutsu and analyze them. He spent about two hours going through each one. He concluded:
“Earth Release Ninjutsu are more comprehensive than Wind Release Ninjutsu. The only downside is a slight lack of offensive Ninjutsu.”
Surprisingly, many Ninjutsu on this list had similar potential to Wind Release Ninjutsu.
However, Earth Release Ninjutsu had a major drawback. Most Earth Release Ninjutsu, especially those with higher potential, would be severely countered if fighting over water.
Now that he thought about it, Iwagakure should be very lucky not to border Kirigakure. Otherwise, they would be in a very passive position in a war.
Feng Zheng thought that he could ignore all offensive Earth Release Ninjutsu.
But for defense, Earth Release Ninjutsu was a good choice.
He continued to look down.
Rock Shield Technique. This was probably an inferior version of the Earth Flow Wall Technique, so it could be upgraded later. He also wondered if a Hard Sealing Jutsu could be used to make the shield stronger.
For containment, Mud Swamp Technique was a good choice. It created a 2-meter deep, 2-meter wide embankment around the user. It should serve as the basis for that Rank A Swamp Technique, which was Jiraiya’s Ninjutsu, but he couldn’t remember the name.
As for movement, Earth Army Movement Technique was a must-learn. It allowed for short-distance travel through the ground. It was always good to have another escape method.
Camp Technique was also very convenient. It could create a cave in the mountains.
There were several small mountains in the Village, just like the one with the waterfall. He could try this Ninjutsu somewhere nearby.
Moreover, these four Ninjutsu were a clever combination.
Feng Zheng could use Camp Technique to build a cave in the mountain. Then use Rock Shield Technique to hide the entrance. An embankment could be prepared around the mountain, and if someone found the cave, he could escape using Earth Army Movement Technique.
Feng Zheng began his Earth Release Ninjutsu training.
Although his Earth Release had not been honed as thoroughly as his Wind Release, it had still been honed quite a bit.
He could crush boulders into dust in a matter of seconds. That's why he was able to learn them quickly.
However, compared to Wind Release Ninjutsu, Earth Release Ninjutsu were still more difficult.
He learned Rock Shield Technique in a few minutes, then spent a few more days increasing the size and durability of the rock shield he raised from the ground.
He also tried applying a Hard Sealing Jutsu to the rock shield he raised, which increased the shield's durability.
However, applying the Sealing Jutsu and activating it took about 1.5 seconds, which might not be enough time in a battle.
Camp Technique was learned within a day.
Although the cave was dusty, he could clean it up with the Wind Release Breakthrough Technique.
If he wanted to hide, he could also use Rock Shield Technique to conceal the entrance.
However, he had to leave a small space for air circulation.
He didn't bother to further refine this Ninjutsu, as it wasn't needed yet.
Next was Mud Swamp Technique. It also had an aspect of Water Release. It took him almost a week to learn.
To further improve this Ninjutsu, he would need to improve his Water Release. So he decided to leave this problem for his future self.
Finally, he practiced Earth Army Movement Technique. This one was quite difficult to learn.
This Ninjutsu involved moving through the ground like swimming in water, so he had to greatly soften the ground to do so. It took him 11 days to successfully complete it for the first time.
Another two weeks passed before he could move freely.
His movement was limited by the amount of oxygen underground. Softening the ground allowed some oxygen to enter underground, but the quantity was very limited.
He stopped training this Ninjutsu when he could move 100 meters. He thought:
“Alright, this part of Earth Release Ninjutsu has been learned. Although I still need to put more effort into Rock Shield Technique and Earth Army Movement Technique. However, I can take my time next year. Next, I need to learn Chakra flow.”
He went to the Library again to prepare to learn about this aspect.