Early Graduation

The next day, on his way to school, Watanabe noticed significant changes in the village. Countless villagers were gathered in the streets and alleys, discussing the war. Anbu ninjas wearing masks leaped and bounded across rooftops, creating an atmosphere of panic and tension, as if Konoha could join the war at any moment.

"Konoha suffered too heavily in the First Great Ninja War. Facing the Second Great Ninja War, which could erupt at any time, we must be fully prepared," Watanabe thought to himself.

Tsunade's grandfather was once hailed as the God of Shinobi, suppressing the entire ninja world single-handedly. While admirable, it also pushed Konoha into the spotlight. Once a large-scale conflict broke out, Konoha easily became a target for all factions. The First Great Ninja War was a stark reminder of this.

"My school life is probably over."

Watanabe sighed, wondering how the war between Amegakure and the Land of Iron would change his life's trajectory.

He hadn't fully grown yet, his Taijutsu was still a weakness, and he didn't yet have the means to establish himself in these chaotic times.

Upon arriving at school, his classmates were all fervently discussing the war, their accounts even more exaggerated than those of the villagers outside.

"Last night, the Hokage convened an emergency high-level meeting. After the meeting, Konoha immediately entered Level 2 combat readiness. Do you know what that means?"

"It means war! The Second Great Ninja War is about to begin, and it will surely be another bloodbath."

"I've decided. I'm going to apply for early graduation and join everyone on the battlefield to protect Konoha!"

"I want to apply for early graduation too. Where the leaves dance, fire also burns. No one will be allowed to invade Konoha."

"When it comes to war, how can I, Jiraiya, be left out? I, Jiraiya, am destined to become famous in battle!"

"..."

They were all just chuunibyou teenagers brainwashed by the Will of Fire, Watanabe thought silently. He wasn't as passionate (or naive) as Jiraiya and the others.

Applying for early graduation at a time like this was like telling the Konoha higher-ups, "I'm foolish and easily fooled, hurry up and send me to the battlefield as cannon fodder!"

He didn't feel much sense of belonging to Konoha, nor did he have a strong desire to protect it. In his heart, the entire Konoha wasn't as important as Tsunade, but Tsunade didn't need his protection.

"The Great Ninja War shouldn't start that soon," Watanabe thought, believing his classmates were exaggerating. Tsunade had more accurate insider information. Rather than listening to a bunch of chuunibyou teenagers boasting, it would be better to ask her.

With that thought, Watanabe looked up. Tsunade's usual seat in the front row was empty, her bright and beautiful figure nowhere to be seen.

"Did something happen that made her late?"

Watanabe guessed. Tsunade was usually very punctual and would even bring him breakfast. Her lateness today was unusual.

Tsunade still hadn't appeared by the time the class bell rang. Watanabe felt a growing unease, wondering if she had encountered any unusual circumstances.

It wasn't just Tsunade who was late; their homeroom teacher, Osaka Rukawa, was also late. He arrived at the end of the first period, his face stern, and announced to everyone:

"In the next two days, the school will arrange a graduation exam. Participation is voluntary. All students can take the exam, and if they pass, they can become ninja early."

This statement was like a bombshell, and the classroom erupted in chaos. Jiraiya, Inuzuka Kiba, and others eagerly declared their intention to participate in the graduation exam.

"Has it really come to this?"

Watanabe remained calm. His defense was incredibly strong, and with his mastery of the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Mutual Multiplication Paper Bomb, and other advanced ninjutsu, he could definitely meet the criteria for early graduation if he unleashed his true strength.

However, he didn't want to leave school so soon. His strength still had a lot of room for improvement, and there was no better place to develop discreetly than school.

After school at noon, Watanabe temporarily set aside the graduation matter and decided to visit Tsunade's house to check on her.

Unexpectedly, as he reached the school gate, he saw Tsunade waiting not far away, dressed in a black, form-fitting outfit that gave her a heroic and spirited aura.

"Why weren't you here this morning?" Watanabe walked up and asked.

"Something came up," Tsunade explained calmly. "Let's go."

Watanabe understood that "let's go" meant heading to the small forest, and he nodded.

As they passed through the shopping street, Watanabe bought a cup of milk tea, planning to give it to Tsunade to quench her thirst after their spar. This small gesture made Tsunade look at him a couple more times.

After three months of interaction, the two had developed considerable tacit understanding. Although Tsunade didn't say it aloud, she was inwardly pleased with Watanabe's thoughtfulness.

"I won't hold back today. If you can't take it, tell me in advance," Tsunade warned seriously as they arrived at the familiar small forest.

Watanabe was surprised. "Haven't you stopped holding back for a long time now?"

"It's different," Tsunade's tone was calm. "You'll soon understand what I mean."

Watanabe blinked, feeling that Tsunade was a bit unusual today.

"Okay."

He placed the milk tea aside and faced Tsunade, ready for battle.

"Come on, you can use as much strength as you want..."

"Bang!"

Before she could finish speaking, Tsunade instantly appeared before Watanabe and landed a heavy punch on his chest, sending him flying out like a cannonball, shattering the tree trunks in his path.

[Attacked: Blood Essence +44, Defense +20, Pain -19...]

This force felt about the same as usual.

Watanabe felt refreshed, without any pain, just unable to resist the impact of Tsunade's immense strength.

But the next moment, a chill ran down his spine. He twisted his head and saw Tsunade flash behind him again, her long, firm, beautiful leg raised sharply.

"Bang!"

[Under Attack: Blood Essence +65, Defense +33, Pain -32...]

Another heavy blow, Watanabe reacted too late and was sent flying dozens of meters into the air.

Tsunade stomped on the ground, quickly catching up to Watanabe's flying figure and launching a continuous combo on him, raining punches down on him one after another.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

[Under Attack: Blood Essence +51...]

[Under Attack: Blood Essence +49...]

Watanabe finally understood what Tsunade meant by not holding back. In their previous spars, Tsunade would go all out, but to train Watanabe's Taijutsu, she would deliberately leave him a few opportunities to counter.

But today, she seemed to have entered berserk mode, treating Watanabe like a sandbag and beating him unilaterally. Watanabe couldn't keep up with her speed at all; he was sent flying back and forth the entire time, unable to even land.

"I'm too weak. When Tsunade gets serious, there's no room for me to fight back."

Watanabe sighed to the sky, completely giving up on defending and letting Tsunade do as she pleased.

The gap in their Taijutsu was not small. Fortunately, his Defense was strong; otherwise, he would have already been smashed into a pulp.

After brutally beating Watanabe for over ten minutes, Tsunade's stamina was greatly depleted. She finished the combo with a Heavenly Guardian Kick.