All For Our Future

The news Orochimaru brought caught Gojo Yoru off guard.

Even more unexpected was how highly Sarutobi Hiruzen regarded him.

Uzumaki Kushina had only become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki two months ago. Logically, Sarutobi Hiruzen should have given them some time to bond, letting Gojo Yoru soothe Kushina's heart.

Yet after just two months, he wanted Gojo Yoru to graduate early. Why?

Gojo Yoru couldn't help but speculate.

Could it be that Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing the growth of both him and Kushina, couldn't wait to bring Gojo Yoru into the Hokage's lineage?

Thinking about how the other man mastered the Crystal Viewing Technique and probably often spied on his and Kushina's battles, he might have even witnessed their daytime duel. Seeing Gojo Yoru starting to struggle against Kushina, he deliberately sent Orochimaru to offer timely aid?

The more Gojo Yoru thought about it, the more likely it seemed. The timing of this intervention was too perfect.

But this suited Gojo Yoru's plans just fine.

Nawaki would turn eleven next month. If the Butterfly Effect didn't occur, the Second Shinobi World War would break out next year.

Even if Gojo Yoru's class graduated, Orochimaru and Jiraiya wouldn't have much time to train them.

Gojo Yoru wanted to deepen his master-disciple bond with Orochimaru to sign a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave, which would also take a long time.

If he could become Orochimaru's disciple early, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for Gojo Yoru.

So Gojo Yoru made his decision immediately.

He nodded at Orochimaru and said, "Teacher Orochimaru, I'm willing to graduate early."

Orochimaru didn't seem surprised by Gojo Yoru's decision at all. He smiled and nodded. "Good. Then I'll wait for you at the Ninja Academy tomorrow."

With that, Orochimaru rose and vanished into a blur.

"Yoru... will it be hard for me to see you again after this? Can we still train together every day?"

Even though she knew it was for their own good, Kushina still felt a little down.

Gojo Yoru reached out and patted Kushina's head, speaking softly. "This is all for our future."

Those almost blatant words made Kushina's cheeks flush red, and she shyly lowered her head.

The next day, Gojo Yoru arrived at the Ninja Academy early.

Yuya, who had already received the news, led him to an examination room.

Graduating early didn't require defeating a veteran genin.

If you could already beat a veteran genin, why bother graduating early to become a genin? You might as well just take the Chunin Exam directly.

To graduate early, three steps were needed.

First, the teacher's approval, followed by the teacher helping the student apply. Second, the principal's—Sarutobi Hiruzen's—consent. Third, the parents' agreement and their signature at the school.

In the Original Work, Uchiha Itachi's early graduation went exactly like this.

Gojo Yoru's parents were gone, so he only needed to sign for himself.

After completing these steps, Gojo Yoru still had to demonstrate his ability, proving he had the strength to be a full-fledged genin.

Inside the examination room, Gojo Yoru first threw shuriken and kunai, then performed the Body Flicker Technique and the Invisibility Technique, and finally took the test for the Three Body Techniques.

The three examiners in charge of scoring all gave him full marks.

Because Gojo Yoru didn't use the Clone Technique but instead used the B-rank Shadow Clone Jutsu, stunning everyone.

After all, many veteran genin only knew a single C-rank Five Element Ninjutsu.

Mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu in the fifth grade, and reportedly even using a C-rank Earth Style ninjutsu in the practical exam—strength like that surpassed many veteran genin. He could even go straight to the Chunin Exam.

With the school's stamp, news of Gojo Yoru's early graduation quickly spread through the Ninja Academy.

Learning that the Demon King had graduated early, all the boys in the school cheered.

That bully was finally done coming to school. How wonderful!

The girls, on the other hand, felt a little regretful. The school had lost one more easy-on-the-eyes handsome face.

The students of Class 5-1 cheered too, but they were also very curious about Kushina's reaction.

Strangely enough, Kushina looked completely indifferent, still studying earnestly.

Except for Namikaze Minato, who sensed something off, no one noticed that the Kushina in the classroom was actually just a Shadow Clone.

"Congratulations. From now on, you're a full-fledged genin. Number 007185."

Just as Gojo Yoru finished taking his file photo, Orochimaru's figure finally appeared, handing him a genin forehead protector.

Gojo Yoru took the protector and tied it around his forehead, then looked at Orochimaru and asked, "Teacher Orochimaru, are you planning to take me on alone?"

"Yes. From today onward, you are my disciple." Orochimaru nodded.

Gojo Yoru's face lit up with surprise. "Really? That's great!"

Although genin all called their Jounin Instructors "teacher," in reality, the relationship between them wasn't master and disciple—it was superior and subordinate.

If the superior didn't like this batch of subordinates, then once someone in the team was promoted to chunin, they'd wash their hands of the matter, with no obligation to teach them ninjutsu.

Only when a Jounin Instructor takes a liking to you does a true master-student relationship form, where techniques—even secret arts—are passed down.

That alone shows the weight of Orochimaru's words.

As for a Jounin Instructor taking on a single disciple, while examples are rare in Konoha, they do exist.

And every one of those examples is Orochimaru.

Like Nawaki in the Original Work, like Yugao Uzuki in the Original Work—both followed Orochimaru alone.

"Don't get too excited. My instruction is very strict." Orochimaru smiled.

"That suits me just fine." Gojo Yoru grinned back at him. "Teacher Orochimaru, please don't go easy on me."

"Heh, let's leave here first."

Orochimaru led Gojo Yoru out of the school.

Just as they stepped through the gate, a flash of red hair came jogging over.

"Teacher Orochimaru, Yoru."

Uzumaki Kushina greeted Orochimaru first, then spotted the headband on Gojo Yoru's forehead. Her eyes lit up. "Yoru, did you graduate?"

"Yeah. Want a preview?" Gojo Yoru took off the headband and handed it to Uzumaki Kushina, who accepted it without hesitation and put it on.

Orochimaru watched them with a smile, then said to Gojo Yoru, "Before we start any missions, I need to assess your strength. You have half an hour to prepare. I'll wait for you at your usual training spot."

With that, Orochimaru vanished.

Uzumaki Kushina, having heard his words, widened her eyes. "Yoru, are you going to fight Teacher Orochimaru?"

"Yeah. Come watch too. Let's see how far we are from a Jounin."

"Alright."

Uzumaki Kushina's interest sparked instantly, and she walked side by side with Gojo Yoru back home.