In the end, only the Kumogakure made progress.
Hiruzen sat in his chair, looking at Danzo through the swirling smoke, his tone tinged with displeasure.
"Now that Iwagakure is on guard, they naturally won't be able to succeed again. Fortunately, Kumogakure, the most unstable Kumogakure, has lost its Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and won't launch another war anytime soon."
Seemingly oblivious to the other's displeasure, Danzo stood expressionless in front of Tobirama's photograph, his hands behind his back.
"So why did you even propose such an irrational plan!"
Hiruzen slammed his extinguished pipe onto the table, grabbed the new plan that Danzo had just handed him, and nearly threw it at Danzo.
"They only stripped one of the Kumogakure's Tailed Beast of its fighting power. The Iwagakure was not only unharmed, but they also showed us the abilities of their Jinchuriki. With such powerful enemies surrounding them, war is now inevitable."
Looking at Tobirama's serious expression in the photo, Danzo's voice remained neither humble nor arrogant, unchanged despite Hiruzen's outburst.
"Relaxing the conditions for early graduation will allow us to quickly build a considerable force of Genin, while also letting them experience ninja life earlier to prepare for future wars. It will also help us select talented children and train them in advance."
"You should know that our covert forces have suffered heavy casualties recently and desperately need fresh blood."
"But—" Hiruzen wanted to say something more.
"Hiruzen, I'm not sending them to their deaths, I'm just having them prepare in advance." Seeing that Hiruzen still wouldn't budge, Danzo turned around and slowly walked to a seat to the side.
Hiruzen did not agree with Danzo's statement. He believed that once these children graduated early and put on ninja Forehead Protector, they would have to accept the village's conscription to fight on the battlefield during wartime.
This contradicts Hashirama's original intention in establishing the village.
"If we don't relax the early graduation requirements, and then conscript them again when the war gets intense, it will only make them die faster."
Seeing that Hiruzen was still hesitating, Danzo's tone finally turned stern.
"Once Konoha is defeated, everyone will die, including you and me, and those so-called children. The enemy will not sheath their blades because of age!"
Danzo slammed his hand on the table, Danzo up abruptly, and strode over to Hiruzen: "Hiruzen, we can't be naive anymore! We need to prepare in advance!"
Looking at Danzo's face so close to his own, Hiruzen leaned back slightly, picked up the pipe he had just slapped on the table, and lit it in front of Danzo.
"That's fine..."
"Have you heard? The village is going to lower the requirements for early graduation."
As soon as the notice was posted, the students and parents of the Ninja Academy learned of the news.
"To graduate early and become Genin, all you need is the signature of an immediate family member and the signature of your class teacher."
"It's so simple, you don't even need a graduation exam?"
"Yes, I heard that in the past, the exams would randomly select a question from the Three Body Technique, and then be graded by at least three teachers."
"This is a great opportunity. If I become Genin sooner, I can take on jobs to earn money for my sister's living expenses."
Contrary to Hiruzen's expectations, many children from commoner ninja backgrounds supported the decision.
Those who are physically different from the Ninja Clan members would inevitably be eliminated if they graduated through the normal process.
In contrast to the cheering commoners, the Ninja Clan members remained indifferent.
"War is really coming."
Asuma watched as many of his classmates, who were preparing to graduate early, began to gather in the teachers' office, and he started to consider his own abilities.
"Well, it's much later than expected." Kazashiro looked up at Kai, who was walking upside down in the back row of the classroom, and removed Anko's arm from his shoulder.
"What do you think, Kazashiro? Let's apply for early graduation too."
Obito seemed oblivious to their discussion and was eager to join the ranks of those graduating early.
"I don't have the final say..." Kazashiro rolled his eyes at the silly Obito, yawned, and slumped back onto the table.
Only Old Deng can decide when I graduate.
"Let's graduate together, Kazashiro. Then we'll form a team with Rin and make a name for ourselves in the Shinobi World!"
Obito's words reminded Kazashiro of some unpleasant things.
Holy crap, if I really team up with these two, who's going to get their heart ripped out, me or Lin?
"Anyway, we'll see when the time comes."
Kazashiro, who was lying face down on the table, said in a muffled voice.
"This is the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the application for early graduation; I've already signed it."
Danzo, sitting in the center of the sofa, pointed to two items on the table.
Has it finally come? This moment.
Kazashiro perked up, his heart pounding with excitement.
Become a ninja and fight against the enemy on the battlefield...
This was completely different from being whipped normally. At least Yamanaka Zen and Shimura Ikko knew when to stop, but the other villagers were all there to take their lives.
"Anyway, do your best. Until you become Chunin, just follow Hiruzen's instructions and carry out missions with your teammates."
Kazashiro is graduating early, and Asuma is graduating early as well.
Upon receiving the news, Obito grabbed Rin and eagerly submitted their applications.
But the result was...
"Why?!!!"
Seeing the word "Approved" written on his application form, Obito felt like crying.
His own application was approved smoothly, but Lin's application was rejected by Makoto Ito because Lin's abilities were not up to par.
"Idiot."
Kakashi was reading a comic book nearby, promptly delivered the finishing blow.
"Damn it, I refuse to acknowledge a ninja career without Rin!" Obito slammed his fist on the table, about to confront Makoto Ito, but was grabbed by Kazashiro.
"I'm telling you, Obito, the teacher is doing this for Rin's own good. After all, aside from Medical Ninjutsu and academic subjects, Rin's other courses are just barely passing. Besides..."
Kazashiro pointed to the empty seats around him. "So many people have already graduated. If Professor Ito approves a few more, there won't be a single person left in the class to listen to his lectures."
In Kazashiro's opinion, it was a very good thing that Rin was not approved to graduate early. At least for the time being, he didn't have to worry about Obito being kidnapped by the strange old man, nor did he have to worry about Obito, that mentally unstable guy, holding Rin's corpse and shouting, "I want to create a world with Rin."