Graduation

Sasuke's life at the Academy was peaceful and stable. Every day repeated itself. He did not deliberately grow close to anyone, nor was he as cold as before. Gradually, he could chat and laugh with many people. But if they wanted to play games together, he would rather pass. He needed time to train. There were only a few years left until graduation, and after that, he would often face life-and-death battles. One careless mistake and he would be dead. He was not the original Sasuke now. Who knew whether the protagonist's immortality law would still apply?

Training in the Three-Body Stance made Sasuke eat a great deal every day, and his body grew rapidly. At the same time, Chakra nourished his body and made it sturdy. His Chakra reserves also felt plentiful, though he was not sure exactly how plentiful. By now, he had learned many Fire Style Ninjutsu, mostly D-rank and C-rank techniques. B-rank techniques were still rather difficult for him, so he decided to learn more low-level ones first and combine them later. There were too few Water Style Ninjutsu at home, and most were low-level techniques that everyone knew. After all, the Uchiha Clan had always favored Fire Style. There were even fewer Lightning Style Ninjutsu, since such specialized techniques were rare.

There was one thing Sasuke could not understand: why did he possess both Fire and Water Chakra natures? Those were completely opposing attributes. It was far too strange for them to exist in the same person. Unable to figure it out, he could only attribute it to the benefits of transmigration. What Sasuke did not know was that it really was a transmigration benefit. His soul had crossed through space and carried a trace of spatial power, allowing the two attributes to coexist.

He increased his weights by fifty kilograms every three months. Sasuke could not imagine how much weight Rock Lee would eventually carry. If it fell to the ground, it would smash out two huge craters. That was simply monstrous. Sasuke could only increase his load slowly. By graduation, perhaps he would reach eight hundred kilograms. Do not think that was excessive. That was just what being a ninja was like. Splitting rocks and shattering stone tablets were minor feats.

Tai Chi had changed greatly as well. He used Chakra like internal energy, and the results were quite good. After it had nourished his body and meridians for so long, he felt incredibly strong, and his understanding of Tai Chi advanced rapidly.

The Sharingan had improved even more. He had already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. That was thanks to his insane body training: push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, running, and more. He learned them all from Rock Lee, made himself a brutal training plan, and punished himself whenever he failed to complete it. The Anbu responsible for watching and protecting him deeply admired the boy. He trained so relentlessly at such a young age, completing things even adults found difficult—and he had kept it up.

Sasuke felt a powerful sense of crisis as time flew by. He was someone Orochimaru would target. What did it feel like to be watched by a snake? Just thinking about it was terrifying. He had to have enough strength to resist, at least enough to hold out until rescuers arrived. He did not want to train under Orochimaru, where he could be devoured at any moment. A life like that was worse than working hard here. Besides, he hated snakes. They were disgusting.

In the blink of an eye, four years passed. Sasuke was twelve years old, and his class welcomed the Graduation Exam.

"Ugh, I wonder what the Graduation Exam will test?" Naruto muttered worriedly to himself. Sasuke looked at him with pity. What have you been doing all this time? But if you were not last place, you would not end up assigned with me. Naruto had the protagonist's halo. Come protect me. But not having a Summoning Animal was a problem. Jiraiya would not become his teacher, and he did not want to go to Orochimaru's place either. That giant snake was terribly disobedient too, so it was better to forget it. Then where could he find a Summoning Animal with formidable combat power? It really was a headache. He would not be able to summon Susanoo anytime soon. He knew how powerful Summoning Animals could be, and there was Sage Mode as well. Although he knew the training method, it was too dangerous and required someone else's help.

There were also the tailed beasts. Should he get himself one? They were Chakra extractors, after all. Since he knew their names, should he go find one? Sasuke was conflicted. He worried about the amount of Chakra he had. The more of it, the better. Having as much as an ocean would be even better. Of course, that was just wishful thinking.

"The exam begins now. When your name is called, go to the classroom next door." Iruka entered at that moment. The Graduation Exam was about to begin, and it was still that Clone Technique Naruto hated. If you still could not learn this after six years, Naruto, then how was I supposed to save you? Or perhaps I could share the Scroll of Seals with you?

Sasuke had long coveted the Water Style Ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals. They were techniques created by the Second Hokage, who was known as the Water God. It was not as though the techniques in the Scroll of Seals could not be learned. Kakashi knew the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, for instance. It was simply not something one could learn freely. As for the requirements, Sasuke had no way of knowing them.

As expected, Sasuke completed the exam with five perfect clones. His control was very strong now. He had completed both mandatory courses, Tree Climbing and Water Walking. He had also read a large number of introductory books on Medical Ninjutsu and experimented by treating fish. He was not studying Medical Ninjutsu to become a medical ninja. He was practicing his control so that, in real combat, he could perfectly grasp every bit of Chakra expenditure.

The Third Hokage had also taken notice of Sasuke's extensive reading. But what could anyone say about a child reading a lot? It was a good thing, after all. A student working hard at studying could never be wrong. Whether Sasuke had reminded him of Orochimaru, however, was impossible to know.

Naruto came out with his head hanging low, and Sasuke immediately knew he had failed.

"What's wrong, Naruto?" The other children had all gone to share their joy with their parents. Sasuke did not have that privilege, so it was only natural for him to talk to Naruto.

"I failed. I can't graduate." Naruto spoke with a mournful face.

"It's okay. There should be a makeup exam, right? Didn't you ask the teacher?"

"Ah, I didn't think of that. Forget it, I'll ask tomorrow. Why haven't you gone home?"

"There's no one at home to share my happiness with. It's the same wherever I am. I'll treat you to barbecue tonight. I'll go home first, then you can come find me at my barbecue restaurant tonight."

"Okay. At least there'll be barbecue." Sasuke left behind a hint and walked away. There was really nothing for him to do at home, but he still went to the Ancestral Hall to offer a stick of incense. Then he rambled on about becoming a ninja and how he would restore the clan in the future. Only after bathing and changing clothes did he head to the barbecue restaurant.

Naruto arrived before him and was waiting at the entrance. "Sasuke, why are you so late?"

"Why didn't you go inside? You could have gone in and had some tea first. Come on, let's eat our fill." Sasuke was delighted that his calculation had worked. Naruto should have spoken with Mizuki already. He would probably take action tonight.