Graduation

"Mist Ninja... what's going on?"

Tsunade asked in confusion. Clearly, she did not know about this.

Gengetsu briefly explained the situation. Tsunade frowned, and Orochimaru said, "Looks like Kirigakure is envious of Kumogakure's mastery of the Eight-Tails... Hmm, the Cloud Ninja may have had a hand in pushing this forward!"

Orochimaru was extremely perceptive. Konoha's Jinchuriki were kept under strict secrecy, and among the other villages, it seemed only Kumogakure had achieved relatively ideal use of their Eight-Tails. As for the Jinchuriki of the other villages, every one of them was trouble.

Mentioning the Eight-Tails reminded Gengetsu of the peculiar Killer B. He had not expected the Shinobi World's number one rapper to have already begun making a name for himself.

"You need to be careful during this time. Those people aren't easy to deal with. For now, don't go cultivating in remote places!"

Tsunade warned him.

"Since we already have the intelligence, there's no need to worry about safety within the village. However, all the major ninja villages have been expanding their military forces lately. The situation in the Shinobi World does not look optimistic."

Jiraiya offered some reassurance, but his previously good mood could not help but be overshadowed. War... when would it ever end?

"Is another great war about to begin...?"

Tsunade's expression darkened, sorrow filling her eyes. The atmosphere fell silent for a moment, and Gengetsu felt somewhat speechless. Was I about to become a conversation killer?

After Jiraiya and Orochimaru left, Gengetsu made up his mind and said to Tsunade, "Teacher, I'm preparing to graduate from the Ninja Academy!"

Tsunade had yet to emerge from her sadness. She froze for a moment before reacting. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Gengetsu explained honestly, "Judging from the current situation, a great war will arrive soon. Since I've become a ninja, taking part in it will be unavoidable. With my current learning progress, rather than staying at the academy, I might as well graduate early and accumulate practical combat experience to deal with the coming war!"

No one was guaranteed to survive a great war. He did not think that simply because he was a transmigrator, he would definitely have protagonist plot armor, capable of crushing heaven and earth with ease or blessed with absurd luck.

He needed to build up combat experience and improve his strength before the war arrived. By the time the Third Shinobi World War came, if nothing else, at least his chances of survival would be much greater.

Besides, he had originally planned to graduate next year anyway. It was already winter, so graduating a few months early was nothing much.

"I see... That's fine too!"

Tsunade nodded, then forced a smile. She patted Gengetsu on the head and said with a smile, "Don't try to show off in battle. Don't rush too far ahead. Keep in step with your teammates, and use your head more!"

"Yes, I understand!"

After returning home, Gengetsu told Kushina and Minato about his plans as well. Though Kushina was worried, she did not object, while Minato felt that Gengetsu had thought everything through very thoroughly.

And so, his early graduation was decided.

The next day, Gengetsu's Main Body went to the academy, submitted an application for graduation, and received approval. His graduation assessment was scheduled for two days later.

After school that afternoon, Gengetsu and Asuma walked together, planning to head to the Training Ground for a spar. However, they stopped halfway there. Gengetsu looked at Orochimaru blocking their path with some surprise. He had not expected him to come looking for him so quickly.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Gengetsu and Asuma bowed together.

"Gengetsu-kun, could you spare me a little of your time?"

Orochimaru asked politely.

Gengetsu nodded, then said to Asuma, "Looks like our match can only be postponed!"

"Then I'll be going first. We'll fight next time!"

Asuma could not wait to get away. Orochimaru gave him a very bad feeling—he was terrifying!

Watching Asuma's departing back, Orochimaru suddenly gave a sinister smile. "Gengetsu-kun, you're very special. It seems you're quite interested in me?"

In Konoha, he could practically be said to be feared by everyone. Yet the first time he met Uzumaki Gengetsu, he sensed that not only was the boy unafraid of him, but he even seemed eager to try something. This intrigued him greatly. As it happened, he had encountered a difficult problem, which led to this current scene.

Gengetsu withdrew his gaze and smiled openly. "As one of the Sannin, Lord Orochimaru is a hero of Konoha. I admire you greatly!"

The current Orochimaru truly was worthy of admiration—not because of his strength, but because of his spirit of research. Of course, whether that would still be the case after he started using his own people as test subjects was another matter.

"People really are good at double standards!"

Gengetsu mocked himself inwardly.

Orochimaru chuckled softly and said nothing more before turning and setting off. Gengetsu quickly gathered his thoughts and hurried after him.

The two moved one in front and one behind, their speed increasing steadily. Before long, they had left Konoha's central district far behind and arrived in a vast forest, where they entered an underground facility.

"Be careful. There are quite a few traps set up here!"

Orochimaru said over his shoulder without slowing down.

Gengetsu had already raised his guard. His eyes continually scanned the gloomy underground structure, and he even began to regret not sending a Shadow Clone instead.

What if Orochimaru captured him and sliced him up right away?

At his current level, he seemed to have little ability to resist Orochimaru!

However, he had clearly been overthinking it. Orochimaru had genuinely invited him to help—or perhaps to test him. After entering the laboratory, everything proceeded normally.

Still, Orochimaru's laboratory was an eye-opener for Uzumaki Gengetsu. The Shinobi World truly was not scientific at all.

Two hours later, Gengetsu left the underground laboratory and glanced back at the entrance. He decided that from now on, he should let a Shadow Clone come instead.

Thus, over the next two days, he sent a Shadow Clone to the underground laboratory to help out, while also taking the opportunity to secretly learn from Orochimaru.

It had to be said that Orochimaru truly was one of the Shinobi World's top scientific madmen. Not only did he research a dazzling variety of things, but he delved deeply into every one of them. Much of it left Gengetsu completely baffled.

Unfortunately, he did not find any experiments related to Hashirama Cells.

Two days passed quickly. On this day, Gengetsu arrived at Training Ground 7 as instructed. This would be the site of his graduation assessment.

It was still early, and no one was there yet, so Gengetsu sat down and closed his eyes to rest.

A moment later, the sound of something cutting through the air rang out. Gengetsu opened his eyes and saw figures landing one after another.

This was quite a lineup!

He had known that Kushina and Minato would come to watch his graduation assessment. Tsunade's presence was normal too, and it was barely understandable for the other two Sannin to come as well. But the appearance of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi made things seem a little too solemn.

After a series of bows, Tamoki, the teacher presiding over the assessment, spoke gravely. "Gengetsu, this will be a practical combat assessment. Your opponent is Chunin Nobukazu. The teachers will judge whether you are qualified to graduate based on your performance in battle against Nobukazu. Do you understand?"

"In other words, the outcome doesn't matter?"

Gengetsu's gaze narrowed slightly.

Tamoki nodded. "Exactly!"

"Understood!"

Gengetsu looked at the ordinary-looking middle-aged man across from him. Clearly, this was an experienced Chunin, perhaps one whose strength was already nearing that of a Jonin. He could not afford to underestimate him.

Seeing that Uzumaki Gengetsu understood, Tamoki immediately raised a hand and gave the order. "Then, begi—"

Before his voice had fully fallen, Gengetsu and Nobukazu across from him both moved without hesitation.

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