Shushi: Haven't finished eating soft rice, and you want me to graduate?

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

During practical combat class.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

"Hundred Mountain Charge!" (My naming ability is really bad. I originally wanted to come up with a taijutsu name like Sakura's Cherry Blossom Charge. Here, I'm soliciting taijutsu names with a Naruto feel.)

The fierce hurricane blown from Asuma's mouth was shattered by Soseki's punch, and the air currents scattered towards the surroundings.

In the swirling dust and mist, Soseki suddenly leaped out, his raised arm smashing down fiercely in front of him.

Boom!

The ground split open violently, forming a "meteor crater" five meters in diameter.

Looking at the replacement scattered into fragments in the crater, cold sweat broke out on Asuma's back. "Why does it feel like Soseki is getting more violent?"

Seeing Soseki charging at him again, Asuma didn't dare to be careless. He threw shuriken to disrupt Soseki's attack while quickly forming hand seals.

"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"

Seeing a giant dragon spitting flames blocking his path, Soseki unflinchingly swung his fist to meet it.

Normal taijutsu ninja would naturally not dare to play like this, but for him, it was just a matter of condensing Yang Release chakra in advance to heal his wounds. There was no need to dodge.

The ferocious fire dragon was directly blown apart, scattering into sparks.

Even Asuma was a little stunned. Soseki wasn't this reckless last time!

But he no longer had time to think too much and could only hastily form a few hand seals.

"Wind Release: Vacuum..."

Painful Sky Leg!

While charging, Soseki stomped on the ground, causing the earth to tremble violently. Asuma's body swayed slightly to the side.

"Damn it, I messed up the hand seals..." Asuma's eyes widened. The small air sphere that should have been spat from his mouth could only be ejected through another channel.

Pfft~~~

Hearing that lingering, drawn-out sound, Asuma's face flushed. While he was distracted, a gust of wind hit him in the face.

Asuma looked up and saw that Soseki's fist had stopped steadily in front of him.

On the other side, Teacher Yagami made a judgment, "Shimizu Soseki wins! Both sides form the 'Reconciliation Seal'!"

"Soseki-kun is really amazing, he tore apart that fierce fire dragon!"

"Speaking of which, Asuma is really tenacious."

"Yeah, I thought he would have given up challenging the Class Leader long ago!"

"Although he's never won, but... pfft, sorry, when I think about him ranking last in win rate in the whole class, I feel so pathetic!"

Amidst the quiet discussions of the surrounding classmates, Soseki patted Asuma's shoulder. "How is it, are you okay?"

"Hmph, I'm just..."

"Don't worry, he's long used to losing," Ibiki, who was showing increasing potential for sharp tongues, said unexpectedly from the side.

Asuma's eyes widened. "You bastard, don't look down on me. I've improved a lot. Just another two... three, four, that's right, just four more years, and I'll definitely be able to defeat Soseki!"

As he was speaking, Asuma suddenly noticed Shizune holding a small notebook and writing something.

"Shizune, what are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm writing down what you just said. If you still lose in four years..."

Asuma looked like a wronged child and said dejectedly, "Shizune, even you've become bad."

Just then, Teacher Yagami spread his hands and said, "Everyone, please be quiet."

"I'm very happy that you've all entered the second year. From today onwards, you can be considered seniors at school."

Hearing this, everyone's faces showed expressions of eager excitement. They couldn't wait to show off their "senior" demeanor to the newcomers.

"However, don't think you can relax. If you don't work hard, you might be surpassed by those newcomers one day."

Many of them secretly curled their lips. They had already figured out Teacher Yagami's routine. Although it was his first time as a teacher, he liked to imitate other teachers by saying that they were the worst batch of students he had ever taught.

Of course, since he had only taught one batch, he could naturally say they were the worst.

Seeing that they didn't seem to believe him, Teacher Yagami put on a serious expression. "Don't think I'm joking. This batch of newcomers includes geniuses with talents no weaker than Soseki's!"

"No way, there are geniuses among those newcomers who are on par with the Class Leader?"

"Oh~ Newcomers are indeed monsters!"

Asuma muttered, "Teacher Yagami is too much, he's already categorizing me with 'them'."

Ibiki couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, maybe Teacher Yagami didn't even count you."

Seeing this, Teacher Yagami nodded with satisfaction. "Now, do you understand the pressure from your previous seniors?"

Upon hearing this, everyone chuckled sheepishly.

Indeed, the previous batch of seniors had a really tough time. Not only were they bullied by the seniors from the batch before them, but they also had to bear the pressure from these newcomers.

After finishing the important notes for the start of the school year, Yagami Kei shifted his gaze to Soseki.

"Soseki, with your current strength, you're already eligible to apply for early graduation. What are your thoughts on this?"

The previously boisterous crowd suddenly fell silent, their anxious gazes turning towards Soseki. "What, are we going to be separated already?"

Seeing Soseki remain silent, Yagami Kei continued, "Aside from wartime, the earliest graduation record from the academy is 7 years old. If you apply for graduation now, you'll break that record."

In the ninja world, where the trend of "genius" was prevalent, setting various "records" was something to be immensely proud of.

Therefore, the gazes of his classmates also dimmed. They were reluctant to part with Soseki, but they also didn't want him to give up his own honor.

However, as for Soseki—he had no intention of graduating early. He was enjoying his comfortable life just fine, so why would he abandon his plans for something so trivial?

Moreover, Konoha wasn't a charity. Once graduated, he would have to join a team and carry out missions.

After all, a significant portion of the expenses to keep Konoha running came from the commission earned by completing missions.

Except in certain special circumstances, ninjas had to complete their assigned mission quota each month before they could rest.

For Soseki, who was in a phase of rapid improvement, he naturally didn't want to waste precious time on such boring missions.

Of course, staying in school wasn't exactly a good look either. So, his explanation naturally became—

"The more knowledge I learn, the more I realize my own insignificance and ignorance. For someone as shallow as myself, early graduation isn't a suitable choice," Soseki said, his gentle gaze sweeping over everyone. "More importantly, I promised to face everything together with all of you!"

A moment of silence fell over the training ground, and then, it erupted into a surging tide of cheers.

"That's great! I knew the Class Leader wouldn't abandon us!"

"Waaah, it's all our fault for holding Soseki back. Starting today, I'm doubling my training intensity!"

Beside them, Yagami Kei's lips curved into a subtle arc. "Heh heh, you all thought I wouldn't have a new trick up my sleeve?"