Tsunade took the squid skewer and bit into it with satisfaction. Then she grabbed Nawaki, who had grease all over his mouth, and gave Sen a look that said, "At least you know what's good for you."
"Humph. Don't think one squid skewer is enough to buy me off. You've got some skill, so I'll let you handle Nawaki and little Kushina's taijutsu training from now on.
"If they lose even a single hair, I'll hold you responsible!"
Sen pursed his lips. Tsunade's tone was harsh, but the legendary Sannin was practically grinning from ear to ear.
Still, he nodded and agreed.
As for training Nawaki, the Mastery of Ninja World Traps he'd obtained from the Root Ninja would finally come in handy.
Time flew by, and more than three years passed in the blink of an eye.
During those three years, Sen's life was filled with training and "grinding experience."
Every day, without fail, he sparred with Kushina, training while copying traits from her body.
Only when his tool, Minato, learned a new jutsu would Sen deign to fight him once and copy it precisely.
Of course, he didn't forget to grind some Mental Power from Uchiha Setsuna's guards and Uchiha Hikaru.
Three years of relentless effort had pushed his strength to an unbelievable level.
It was a shame his talent was so good, yet his system was such a letdown.
He sat daydreaming at the back of the classroom, casually opening his status panel:
[Name: Uchiha Sen] [Age: 9] [Physique: 203 (Due to his age and physical limitations, the current maximum is 203. The restriction will be lifted after he turns ten.)] [Mental Power: 117 (Due to restrictions...)] [Chakra: 219 (Due to restrictions...)] [Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan, Uzumaki Physique] [Ninjutsu: Three Basic Jutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu, Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation, Lightning Style: Lightning Clone Jutsu, Lightning Release: Lightning Ball, Wind Style: Great Breakthrough Jutsu, Skillful Hand Shuriken Jutsu, Uchiha Style Swordsmanship] [Other: Uzumaki Physique, Chakra limit increased by 100%, powerful vitality. Nonfatal wounds heal rapidly. Chakra Nature: Fire, Wind, Lightning]
Sen closed the panel and shook his head. His actual strength was already at the level of a Chunin, but his body was so young that it seemed to be limiting his potential.
Then again, what kind of baby had a six-pack at two months old? Was there anyone who could use Susanoo at eight?
What the hell was this, eight years old?
Still, with his current strength, he should be among the best of the Chunin!
As he pondered this, their teacher, Murashita Ryukawa, walked up to the lectern.
A few students followed behind him, carrying a box filled with armor and brand-new ninja tools.
He wore a solemn expression as he surveyed the classroom.
The room, which had been somewhat noisy, fell silent in an instant. Everyone watched him eagerly.
Murashita Ryukawa cleared his throat and spoke with mixed emotions.
"Ahem. Starting today, all academic classes are canceled. Both morning and afternoon classes will be replaced with ninja tool simulations and combat practice.
"Also, the school will be holding an early graduation this year, for everyone at age nine. In other words, in another month, you'll become ninja."
The announcement set off a deafening cheer across the classroom.
"Awesome! We're finally graduating! No more homework!"
"I'm going to make a name for myself in the Shinobi World! Becoming Hokage is just around the corner!"
"Hah! You? Beat me first!"
Even Kushina cheered. Only Minato, in the third row, and Sen, in the last row, exchanged a solemn look.
They both understood that there could only be one reason for this arrangement:
War was coming.
And all their jubilant classmates would become casualties of war.
Sen sighed inwardly.
No wonder so few of Minato's classmates appeared in the original story. Most of them probably wouldn't live past twelve.
In a classroom this big, how many would survive?
"Quiet!" Murashita Ryukawa tapped the desk. "Starting today, shuriken tests will no longer use wooden posts. Instead, you'll throw at live targets. Some of your classmates will wear these specially made suits of armor."
A student laughed and called out, "Great! I can never hit the wooden posts. With real people, I'm sure to get full marks!"
"Enough!" Murashita Ryukawa cut him off and continued, "Everyone, to the training field! Shimura Saburo, and you two beside him—you'll be wearing the armor as targets today!"
"What?" Shimura Saburo complained. "Why us again? That armor looks heavy. I'm not wearing it!"
Murashita Ryukawa flicked a piece of chalk at him, hitting him squarely on the forehead.
"This is part of your training. It's called weight training. Besides, you're the ones who take training the least seriously. I'm doing this for your own good, so you can get used to it first!"
"Got it..." Shimura Saburo and the other two had no choice but to put on the heavy armor and head for the training field.
On the training field.
Murashita Ryukawa announced to the students, "The targets will move around, so pay attention and lead your throws! The new scoring system is as follows: a hit to the head earns an excellent, a hit to the body earns a good, a hit to a limb earns a passing grade, and a complete miss is a failing grade.
"This score will count directly toward your final graduation grade!"
The students hurried off to collect their weapons, all excited.
Minato weighed the Kunai in his hand and said quietly to Sen, "These weapons are different. They're made of sharpened high-grade steel, and the craftsmanship is excellent. It's almost like..."
"Like they were made for killing, right?" Sen finished.
Only Kushina looked confused. "Isn't it a good thing that the weapons are better? Why are you two so serious?"
Sen looked at her solemnly. "Kushina, starting today, we're going to train extra after school. I have a feeling the war... is about to begin."
At his words, the color drained from Kushina's face, turning it deathly pale. What he'd said reminded her of her past.
The Land of Whirlpools had been destroyed by war, too.
She clenched the Kunai in her hand and slowly nodded. "I understand! I'll give it my all. I won't let Konoha suffer the same fate!"
Sen smiled at her determined expression and reassured her. "Konoha won't be destroyed so easily. The most important thing for us is to survive."
Soon, it was their group's turn to throw.
By then, Shimura Saburo and the other two, acting as targets, were exhausted and moving more slowly.
Minato seized a moment when they paused to catch their breath and threw five shuriken at once. Every one hit a head, drawing a chorus of gasps.
Kushina wasn't about to be outdone. Of her five shuriken, two hit heads, two hit bodies, and one missed. It was a solid score.
Sen nodded. Three years of training hadn't gone to waste.
Now it was Sen's turn.
Shimura Saburo had already been exhausted, but when he saw Sen, he immediately darted behind his two teammates like a rabbit and shouted arrogantly, "Uchiha Sen, I'm not letting you hit my head!"
Before you continue