Cannon Fodder's Early Graduation

Tsunade took the skewer of squid and took a big bite, satisfied. She then casually pulled Nawaki, who had a greasy mouth from eating, closer and looked at Sen with an expression that said, "You know what's good for you."

"Hmph, don't think a skewer of squid can buy me off. Since you've shown some capability, I'll entrust Nawaki and little Kushina's taijutsu training to you from now on.

If even a single hair on their heads is harmed, I'll hold you responsible!"

Sen pouted. Although Tsunade's tone was harsh, the legendary Sannin was practically beaming like an aunt.

He still nodded and agreed.

As for training Nawaki, it was perfect timing. The [Mastery of Ninja World Traps] he had acquired from the Root ninja earlier would finally have a use.

Time flew by, and more than three years passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three years, Sen's life was filled with training and "leveling up."

He sparred with Kushina every day without fail, training himself while copying abilities from her body.

Only when the useful tool, Minato, learned a new ninjutsu would Sen condescend to fight him once to precisely copy it.

Of course, he also didn't forget to gain some mental power from Uchiha Setsuna's guards, from Uchiha Hikaru.

Three years of effort, day in and day out, had inflated his strength to an unbelievable level.

It was just a pity that despite his excellent talent, the system was a failure.

He sat in the back of the classroom, spacing out, and casually opened his status panel:

[Name: Uchiha Sen]
[Age: 9]
[Physique: 203 (Due to physical age and body limitations, the current maximum is 203. The restriction will be lifted after turning 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 Release: Great Fireball Jutsu, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation, Lightning Release: Lightning Clone Jutsu, Lightning Release: Lightning Ball, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Technique, Skillful Hand Shuriken Jutsu, Uchiha Style Swordsmanship]
[Other: Uzumaki Physique, Chakra capacity increased by 100%, strong vitality, wounds that are not fatal can be rapidly repaired.
Chakra Nature: Fire, Wind, Lightning]

Sen closed the panel and shook his head. His current true strength was that of a Chunin, but unfortunately, his young body seemed to be limiting his performance.

But then again, what normal two-month-old baby has eight-pack abs? And who can activate Susanoo at the age of eight?

Is this TM really eight years old?

However, with his current strength, he should be considered top-tier among Chunin!

As he was thinking, his teacher, Murashita Ryukawa, walked onto the podium.

Several students followed behind him, carrying a box full of armor and brand-new ninja tools.

His expression was solemn as he scanned the classroom.

The previously noisy classroom fell silent instantly, and everyone watched him with eager eyes.

Murashita Ryukawa cleared his throat and spoke with a complex emotion:

"Ahem, starting today, all cultural classes are canceled. Both morning and afternoon classes will be changed to ninja tool simulation and combat.

Furthermore, the school will have an early graduation this year, with everyone graduating at the age of nine. This means you will become ninja in a month."

Upon hearing this, the classroom erupted in a thunderous cheer:

"Great, we're finally graduating! No more homework!"

"I will make a name for myself in the ninja world! Becoming Hokage is just around the corner!"

"Tch, you? Beat me first!"

Even Kushina was cheering. Only Minato in the third row and Sen in the last row exchanged a solemn glance.

They both understood that there could only be one reason behind this arrangement:

War was coming.

And these cheering classmates would become fodder for the war.

Sen sighed inwardly:

No wonder so few students from Minato's generation appeared in the original story. Most of them probably wouldn't live past twelve.

In this large classroom, how many would ultimately survive?

"Quiet!" Murashita Ryukawa slammed the table. "From today onwards, shuriken tests will no longer use wooden targets. They will all be live targets. At that time, students will be arranged to wear this specially made armor."

Some students laughed and egged him on: "Hooray! I always missed the wooden targets, but I'm sure to get a perfect score with live targets!"

"Alright!" Murashita Ryukawa interrupted him and continued, "Everyone, gather in the training ground! Shimura Saburo, and you two next to him, you three are responsible for wearing the armor and being targets today!"

"Huh?" Shimura Saburo complained, "Why is it us again? That armor looks heavy, I'm not wearing it!"

Murashita Ryukawa casually flicked a piece of chalk, hitting his forehead precisely:

"This is also part of the training, it's called weighted practice. Besides, you guys are the least serious during training. I'm doing this for your own good, to let you get familiar with it first!"

"Understood..." Shimura Saburo and the other two reluctantly put on the heavy armor and headed to the training ground.

In the training ground.

Murashita Ryukawa announced to all the students, "The targets will move unpredictably, so pay attention to prediction! The new scoring method is: hitting the head is excellent, the body is good, the limbs are passing, and missing completely is failing.

This score will be directly counted towards your graduation total!"

Upon hearing this, the students excitedly went to collect their weapons.

Minato weighed the kunai in his hand and whispered to Sen, "The weapons are different this time, they're made of fine steel with sharpened edges, finely crafted, just like..."

"Like they're prepared for killing, right," Sen finished his sentence.

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, after school, we'll train extra. I have a premonition, war... is coming soon."

Hearing this, Kushina's face instantly lost all color, turning pale. What he just said reminded her of past memories.

The Land of Whirlpools was also destroyed by war.

She tightly gripped the kunai in her hand and slowly nodded, "I understand! I will go all out and absolutely will not let Konoha suffer the same fate!"

Seeing her determined expression, Sen smiled and comforted her, "Konoha won't fall that easily. For us, the most important thing is to survive."

Soon, it was their group's turn to throw.

At this moment, Shimura Saburo and the other two, who were acting as targets, were already exhausted and their movements had slowed down.

Minato seized a brief moment of respite and threw five shuriken in rapid succession, all hitting the head, drawing gasps of admiration.

Kushina was not to be outdone. Five shuriken hit the head twice, the body twice, and one missed, giving her an above-average score.

Sen nodded. These three years of training had not been in vain.

It was Sen's turn.

Shimura Saburo, who was already exhausted, saw it was him and immediately dodged behind his two teammates like a rabbit, shouting defiantly:

"Uchiha Sen, I absolutely won't let you hit my head!!"