At this time, the Ninja Academy was different from how it would be later in the original series.
In the original, students were divided into grades based on their age.
But during this period, the system was still underdeveloped.
There were no official grade divisions in the Academy, which is why prodigies like Kakashi Hatake could graduate at five years old and become a Chūnin at six.
Exams like the Combat Ranking Assessment allowed students to apply for early graduation if they ranked high enough.
However, students who had joined the Academy for less than a year usually chose to forgo this test altogether.
After all, geniuses like Kakashi were rare—most students still needed several years of steady learning and training.
Even so, the number of participants in the Combat Ranking Assessment was enormous.
By the time of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Allied Shinobi Forces had amassed 80,000 soldiers. Without a massive student base in the Academy, where would all these ninjas come from?
Due to the large number of participants, the assessment was held across five different arenas.
The process was straightforward:
All students were randomly paired through a drawing lots system.
Winners fought against winners, while losers fought against losers.
This elimination process continued until a final ranking was determined.
At the start, four sub-arenas were used for the initial matches. The strongest among them then advanced to the main arena, where the final rounds would take place.
And in the main arena, none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would personally oversee the battles!
This showed just how much Sarutobi valued the growth and training of young ninjas during this era.
The opening ceremony of the Combat Ranking Assessment was, of course, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
As the Hokage walked onto the stage, draped in his signature white robe, the surrounding ninjas all gazed at him with utmost respect.
The moment he stepped forward, the entire Academy erupted in cheers.
The atmosphere was electric.
In Konoha, the Hokage was unquestionably the highest authority and the most revered figure.
Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't particularly tall, no one looked down on him. Instead, every gaze was filled with admiration.
Because he was the Third Hokage—the strongest ninja in Konoha!
Looking at the young faces before him, all burning with anticipation and admiration, Hiruzen's lips curled into a warm smile.
He raised a hand, and the entire venue fell silent.
"Konoha carries on the Will of Fire."
"The future of the village lies in your hands."
"This will of fire will be inherited by you, the fresh leaves of Konoha.
"So, my children—strive forward! For the prosperity of the village and the continuation of the Will of Fire!"
With just a few words, Hiruzen successfully ignited the fighting spirit of every young ninja present.
Among them, even Minato Namikaze felt his blood boil with excitement.
Standing amidst the crowd, Yoru silently watched Hiruzen's passionate speech, his expression carrying a hint of nostalgia.
The Hokage…
For the children of this world, including Minato Namikaze, the Hokage was their ultimate goal.
If Yoru wasn't a reincarnated traveler who knew the future, perhaps he, too, would have been inspired by Sarutobi's words and set his sights on becoming Hokage.
But in Yoru's heart, the Hokage's position—though distant—was not the highest peak.
Above it stood Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha… and even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki!
They were the true, untouchable heights Yoru secretly aspired to reach.
Of course, that goal was still far away.
Yoru clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.
No matter how distant or difficult, he would never give up.
And to achieve his dream, he first had to seize this moment!
With Hiruzen's speech concluding, the Combat Ranking Assessment officially began.
The students were divided into four arenas, while Hiruzen and other high-ranking officials went straight to the main arena, waiting for the strongest to emerge.
The battles in the sub-arenas were not important enough for the Hokage to personally oversee.
Only those who reached the main arena were considered worthy of his attention—the future elites of Konoha.
Yoru was assigned to the third arena.
Coincidentally, Kushina Uzumaki was in the same arena as him.
But compared to her own results, Kushina only cared about one thing—whether Yoru could achieve a high ranking.
She was far more nervous than Yoru himself.
Silently watching from the sidelines, she rooted for him in her heart.
"You have to make it to the main arena!"
Third Arena.
It wasn't an actual battlefield, just an open training ground overseen by two examiners and four ANBU operatives to maintain order.
Yoru's first opponent was a fellow student from his class.
The moment the boy saw that he was facing Yoru, his face immediately turned pale.
If there was anyone in the entire Academy he didn't want to fight, it was either Minato Namikaze or Yoru.
Minato was the undisputed top-ranked student, always out of reach.
Meanwhile, Yoru had displayed terrifying power in his battle against Uchiha Izumiya, striking fear into the hearts of many students.
"I… I surrender!!"
At first, the boy considered putting up a fight, but the moment Yoru clenched his fist and revealed a dim, eerie white glow, he shrank back in terror and immediately admitted defeat.
After all, Uchiha Izumiya had been utterly crushed—his bones shattered in a single blow.
Even the examiner was slightly surprised but ultimately shook his head and announced Yoru's victory.
Yoru himself hadn't expected his opponent to surrender without a fight, but thinking about it, it made sense.
After all, this was Ninja Academy, and the participants were still children.
Very few were as mentally mature as himself and Minato.
The next few battles went the same way.
Either his opponents surrendered immediately, or Yoru won in one swift attack.
It was a complete domination.
Spectators watched in awe.
"He's way too strong."
"Yeah, ever since he awakened his Kekkei Genkai, Yoru's strength has completely skyrocketed!"
Many students who had looked down on Yoru before now gazed at him with pure envy.
They all wished they could awaken a Kekkei Genkai and gain Yoru's overwhelming power.
Even the examiner and ANBU members glanced at Yoru with undeniable admiration.
Kushina's bright eyes sparkled with excitement—she was absolutely thrilled.
By his fourth match, his opponent was finally a bit stronger.
But compared to Uchiha Izumiya, he was still far too weak.
The outcome was inevitable.
After a brief exchange, the examiner's voice resounded across the training ground.
"Yoru—victorious in his fourth match!"
At that moment, the entire third arena fell silent.
Then, in the next second—
A deafening wave of cheers erupted.
"He did it!"
Kushina jumped up in excitement, her face glowing with joy.
Because—
Four consecutive victories meant Yoru was an official arena champion!
He had qualified for the main arena!
Every student in the third arena stared at Yoru with eyes filled with admiration and jealousy.