Genin Yamanaka Tohru

The Third Hokage's desk in the Hokage's office held a graduation application. The Third Hokage stood by the window smoking a cigarette, while Yamashiro Ginichi, who had come to deliver the application, waited for the Third Hokage's approval.

"Ginichi, do you think Yamanaka Tohru can successfully graduate?"

"Hokage-sama, if it were an ordinary exam, Yamanaka Tohru would definitely pass." Yamashiro Ginichi's answer did not surprise the Third Hokage. Two years ago, Tohru could already have become a Genin, let alone two years later.

From the Third Hokage's standpoint, he did not want Tohru to graduate early. Just as Tohru and Hatake Sakumo had thought, the Yamanaka doctor at Konoha Hospital and the Genin Yamanaka Tohru were simply incomparable.

After much deliberation, the Third Hokage ultimately felt it was better to keep Tohru in the Ninja Academy for a while longer. The Third Hokage had no reason to refuse Tohru's early graduation application, nor would he refuse it. The Third Hokage decided to teach Tohru a lesson in tomorrow's exam, to make him give up the idea of early graduation and focus on working at Konoha Hospital.

"Ginichi, I approve. Go inform Yamanaka Tohru that tomorrow at 9 AM, at the Third Training Ground."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Yamashiro Ginichi notified Tohru of the exam time.

"Truly something to look forward to." Tohru was well aware that graduating tomorrow would not be easy, but he had great confidence in himself. He would not fail tomorrow.

The next day, Tohru timed it perfectly, arriving at the Third Training Ground at exactly nine o'clock.

"Tohru, making an old man like me wait for you isn't very polite!"

"Hokage-sama, it's exactly nine o'clock now. I haven't been late; you arrived early."

"Haha, Tohru, you seem very confident!"

"Of course. I don't perform surgeries I'm unsure of, and I certainly don't do things I'm unsure about." Tohru appeared brimming with confidence.

"Very well then! Tohru, this old man won't make things too hard for you. This is Uchiha Mitsuru, a Chunin of the Uchiha Clan. If you can hold out without losing for ten minutes, you pass." The Third Hokage once again pushed the limits of the word 'shameless.'

One was a student of the Ninja Academy, the other a Chunin of the Uchiha Clan. In the ninja world, facing the Uchiha Clan in battle, even with equal strength, one would flee in a one-on-one fight, let alone with the apparent gap in strength between Tohru and Uchiha Mitsuru.

"Hokage-sama, this isn't quite appropriate." Yamashiro Ginichi couldn't bear to see his student at a disadvantage.

"It's fine, Yamashiro-sensei."

"Heh, Tohru doesn't object, so Ginichi, don't say any more."

"Hokage-sama, let's begin!" Tohru had long wanted to see to what extent a member of the Uchiha Clan could develop their Sharingan.

Tohru's confident demeanor made the Third Hokage a bit uneasy. The Third Hokage glanced at the eager Tohru, then at Uchiha Mitsuru beside him, who possessed Elite Chunin-level strength.

"Then, the exam begins!"

At the Third Training Ground, Tohru and Uchiha Mitsuru faced off. Mitsuru, looking to be in his early twenties, stared coldly at Tohru.

"Kid, being a ninja isn't child's play. I suggest you back down now, to avoid getting hurt later."

"I suggest you open your Sharingan right now, so you don't miss my speed and get taken out in an instant."

"Damn brat, you're asking for death!"

Mitsuru, provoked by Tohru, formed hand seals: Snake – Ram – Monkey – Boar – Horse – Tiger. "[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique]!"

Although Tohru didn't have a Fire affinity, he had seen the hand seals for the Great Fireball Technique countless times. The moment Mitsuru began forming seals, Tohru was already a step ahead, releasing "[Water Release: Water Ripple]." Mitsuru's Great Fireball Technique was extinguished by the Water Ripple as soon as it was released.

"How is this possible!" Mitsuru was shocked. Tohru's hand seal speed was faster than his. He could form four seals per second. Tohru had only started forming seals after seeing his, yet Tohru's ninjutsu was released before his Great Fireball. This meant Tohru could form at least five seals per second.

Mitsuru, worthy of being an Elite Chunin, after the first probing ninjutsu, realized Tohru's hand seal speed was superior. He stopped using ninjutsu and began attacking Tohru with taijutsu.

"Aren't you going to open your Sharingan? If you don't, you won't get another chance."

After several exchanges, Mitsuru's taijutsu failed to subdue Tohru. Over half of the ten minutes had passed. Mitsuru knew Tohru was right; if he didn't open his Sharingan now, he might lose!

Mitsuru snorted coldly and activated his Sharingan. Tohru, however, was somewhat disappointed. Mitsuru had the same two-tomoe Sharingan as him.

Tohru immediately lost interest and activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

"Is that the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?" The Third Hokage watched Tohru with surprise and uncertainty, never expecting that besides being a Medical Ninja, Tohru's Lightning Release was also this outstanding.

"Uchiha Mitsuru, it's over!" Tohru said, then used a Lightning Body Flicker to appear behind Mitsuru. The two-tomoe Sharingan could barely track Tohru's figure, but Mitsuru's body couldn't keep up. Tohru's short sword was drawn and pressed against the back of Mitsuru's neck.

"I lose!" Mitsuru conceded readily.

"Hokage-sama, can I graduate now?"

"Sigh! Tohru, you've given this old man quite a surprise. Your exam is passed. From now on, you are a Genin of Konoha." In front of everyone, and given the strength Tohru had displayed, it was enough to protect himself.

Tohru went to a photo studio to have his picture taken, filled out the ninja registration form, and officially became a Genin of Konoha.

After becoming a Genin, Tohru did not receive a Jonin instructor, nor was he assigned any missions. He continued as before, spending his days going back and forth between Konoha Hospital and the forest.

A month later, having reached his limit, Tohru went to find the Third Hokage.

"Hokage-sama, why don't I have a Jonin instructor or any missions?"

"Well, Tohru! As of now, all of Konoha's squads are full. There's no suitable squad to place you in. How about you wait a while longer? Let me think carefully about how to arrange things."

Tohru knew exactly what the Third Hokage was thinking. He was helpless against this old man's thick skin.

"Then, Hokage-sama, I'll wait at home for a while. During this time, I'll handle things at Konoha Hospital."

"Tohru, I suddenly remembered. There is one Jonin who doesn't have a student yet."

Tohru's threat was quite effective; the Third Hokage suddenly recalled.

"Hokage-sama, don't just try to fool me."

"How could that be? That person is among the top Jonin in Konoha."

With the Third Hokage's assurance, Yamanaka Tohru could only leave half-convinced.

The top among Konoha's Jonin? Yamanaka Tohru thought for a long time but couldn't figure out who it was. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, was currently at the border of the Land of Earth. Hatake Sakumo had also accepted a mission and was about to leave soon. Yamanaka Tohru racked his brain for a long time but still couldn't think of who among the Jonin was considered the top.

Yamanaka Tohru shook his head. Remembering how unreliable the Third Hokage seemed, he felt even less confident about tomorrow's instructor.

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