Early Graduation?

Early Graduation?

Inside the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage opened the report Kakashi had submitted.

The report showed that Naruto had mastered the ability to sense Chakra and displayed combat strength comparable to a Chunin. He had also taught himself the Ninja Academy curriculum through the sixth grade.

For these reasons, Naruto had proposed graduating early and becoming a ninja.

The Third Hokage tapped his fingers on the desk and looked at Kakashi standing beside him. "Kakashi, you also graduated early. Do you think it would be better for Naruto to stay at the Ninja Academy now, or graduate and become a Genin?"

"Based on my own experience, it would naturally be better for Naruto to remain at the Ninja Academy and hone himself for a few more years."

"However, Naruto probably doesn't truly want to become a ninja by graduating early. He wants to know about his origins—who his parents are."

After saying that, Kakashi looked at the Third Hokage and spoke honestly.

The Third Hokage stopped tapping the desk, weighing the gains and losses in his heart.

From a rational perspective, he could not reveal Naruto's origins. Naruto was still young; if he accidentally let something slip, it would only be detrimental to Naruto's growth...

But I did promise him that once he became a ninja, I would tell him the truth...

Yet if Naruto learned that he was actually the Fourth Hokage's son, only to realize that he had suffered such unfair treatment from the villagers, he would likely come to hate the village and blame me for standing by and doing nothing.

For a moment, the Third Hokage found himself in a dilemma, unsure whether he should tell Naruto about his origins.

If he told him, he feared Naruto would resent him. If he allowed Naruto to graduate early and become a ninja, Naruto might slip out of his control and bring even greater backlash in the future.

After pondering for a moment, the Third Hokage said to Kakashi:

"For now, we still cannot tell Naruto the truth. However, we can allow him to graduate early. Given Naruto's identity, he will become a ninja sooner or later. It would be better for him to adapt to a ninja's life earlier and make new friends."

"Kakashi, are you willing to leave the Anbu and become Naruto's Jonin instructor?"

Become Naruto's Jonin instructor... Kakashi froze. He was only the messenger—how had he somehow ended up becoming Naruto's Jonin instructor? He had never been a Jonin instructor before.

After thinking for a moment, Kakashi said, "I can do that, but according to the rules, I need to lead three Genin. This year's Ninja Academy graduates have already all been assigned. I can't just lead Naruto alone, can I? That would be too unusual."

The Third Hokage thought for a moment and said, "That is indeed a problem. For now, reject Naruto's application and have him graduate next year. When the time comes, I'll be relying on you. Over the next year, spend more time with Naruto."

At that moment, Kakashi seemed to recall something. "Third Lord, Naruto's sensory ability can already detect the movements of the Anbu. Shouldn't we change the way we've been protecting him?"

"You decide. Just remember not to let Naruto approach the Uchiha Clan Compound."

Hearing this, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief. Although he had not been able to let Naruto learn about his origins, he had at least secured some time for Naruto to move about independently. It counted as doing something for his teacher.

He also had one more person to worry about, even if he was just a troublesome little brat.

After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage continued handling his work. Recently, he had been receiving more and more complaints, most of them concerning the Military Police Force.

The Military Police Force being complained about was actually a good thing for him. It proved that the Uchiha were unpopular.

But aside from the complaints, he had received feedback from the Anbu: the Police Force had been purchasing more and more supplies. Large quantities of Explosive Tags, kunai, and shuriken were being transported to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

It had already far exceeded what was needed to maintain public order—enough to fight a small-scale ninja war.

Even if they truly intended to launch a coup, they would not need so many supplies, would they?

The Third Hokage felt somewhat helpless, but he also knew this was the Uchiha's way of expressing their dissatisfaction, a means of fighting for greater benefits. But what the Uchiha wanted was not positions in individual departments or Jonin posts—they wanted his position as Hokage.

The Uchiha could not be allowed to have a Hokage. That was his view, and the consensus among several of his old friends as well.

The Uchiha's extreme temperament would also isolate the village internationally and prove the failure of Tobirama's policies of weakening clan identity and strengthening the village.

Nor could the Uchiha produce any respectable achievements. If one of them became Hokage, it would be impossible to convince the public.

Most importantly, given the number of Uchiha Jonin, if they became Hokage, they would likely occupy a considerable number of departments in the village, forming deeply entrenched roots and turning the village into the Uchiha's village.

At that moment, there was a knock on the office door. Itachi Uchiha's arrival interrupted the Third Hokage's thoughts.

The Third Hokage looked at Itachi, the only Uchiha he could communicate with after Shisui's death, and slowly asked, "Itachi, what new information is there from the Police Force?"

"My father is actively contacting other Ninja Clans, hoping to form an alliance with them."

Form an alliance with other Ninja Clans? In other words, they had no plans to take things further for the time being.

The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief. He was certain that none of the village's large or small clans would ally themselves with the Uchiha. Whether it was the risks of taking sides or the Uchiha's arrogant nature, it would be difficult for them to forge alliances with other clans.

What worried him more was the possibility that the Uchiha would make a desperate gamble and directly storm the Hokage Building. That would cause far too much damage to the village.

As one of the Five Kage, he naturally was not afraid of being surrounded and attacked by the Uchiha. But the Anbu and clerical staff under him were different; they could easily be killed one-on-one by Uchiha Jonin.

And personal strength alone could not govern an entire village.

Even the mighty First Lord had delegated the affairs of the ninja village to Tobirama.

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage rose from his seat and patted Itachi on the shoulder. "You've worked hard. Your clan is on one side, the village on the other. Being caught between them must be difficult."

Itachi shook his head. "It's not hard. My father's current actions and ideas will only harm the clan and the village, benefiting the other ninja villages. They have never considered those consequences. Their vision has always been limited to their own clan."

The Third Hokage showed a weary smile and said with some emotion:

"You are the one who truly sees the bigger picture. If you were thirty-five now, I would want to hand the position of Hokage over to you. If it were you, you would surely be able to handle the conflict between the village and the Uchiha."

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I am still far inferior to you."

Itachi did not accept the Third Hokage's praise. After briefly reporting the information, he left the Hokage Building.

Watching Itachi's departing back intently, the Third Hokage found himself missing Shisui somewhat. Shisui had little scheming in him and believed in the Will of Fire with utmost devotion.

Yet Itachi Uchiha gave him the same feeling as Danzo—he was difficult to control.

But aside from Itachi Uchiha, he could not find another Uchiha he could communicate with.

What exactly had Shisui died for? Had it really just been suicide?