Shattering the Graduation Dream with a Single Blade (Bonus Chapter)

Chapter 48: One Slash Shatters the Graduation Dream (Bonus Chapter)

"Rin! I'm here!"

Obito Uchiha rushed to Rin Nohara's front door, his face brimming with excitement.

Today was the day for advancing to the second year—the registration day.

He had woken up early, determined to be the first person Rin saw this new semester.

Registration for the new term was an especially significant day for Obito Uchiha.

Because last year, he had been late and missed registration, but he had met Rin Nohara.

That gentle girl had helped him, allowing him to successfully enroll.

"Oh, it's Obito."

The door opened, and a young man stepped out.

He bore a slight resemblance to Rin—it was her father.

"Uncle Nohara, is Rin here?"

Obito Uchiha asked, his face full of anticipation.

"She's already left."

The young man shook his head and replied.

"Huh?"

Obito Uchiha asked in surprise, "I remember she always leaves at seven-thirty."

"She went to Yuhi Kurenai's house."

The young man explained.

"Yuhi Kurenai?"

Obito Uchiha was even more puzzled.

Rin Nohara and Yuhi Kurenai had only a so-so relationship—hardly close friends. When had they become so chummy?

No, wait!

Obito Uchiha suddenly froze.

He remembered—Hikawa was staying at Yuhi Kurenai's house.

"Thanks, Uncle Nohara."

Obito Uchiha's expression shifted drastically, and he turned to sprint away.

Soon, he arrived at Yuhi Kurenai's house.

The door was open.

He ran inside and spotted Rin Nohara.

She sat to Hikawa's left, holding a book and reading.

Yuhi Kurenai sat on the right, tugging at Hikawa and whispering something.

"Obito?"

Rin Nohara heard the footsteps, turned her head instinctively, and looked surprised.

"Rin."

Obito Uchiha asked urgently, "What are you doing here?"

"I ran into a question I didn't understand, so I came to find Hikawa."

Rin Nohara explained.

"You could've come to me too!"

Obito Uchiha said confidently, "I studied hard all break—I've memorized the textbooks!"

"Do you know Medical Ninjutsu?"

Rin Nohara flipped the book in her hands, showing him the cover, which read Human Anatomy and Histology.

"Huh?"

Obito Uchiha was dumbfounded. "You... when did you start learning Medical Ninjutsu?"

"Just this break."

Rin Nohara glanced at Hikawa and said a little sheepishly, "It's all thanks to Hikawa's help."

Obito Uchiha couldn't help but grind his teeth.

What use was a Medical Ninja? Were they any good at fighting?

I'm an Uchiha!

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

A white-haired boy walked in.

"I'm looking for Hikawa."

Hatake Kakashi ignored the scene in the living room and asked directly.

"Hey, Kakashi, I was here first!"

Obito Uchiha immediately protested.

"What do you want with me?"

Hikawa studied Hatake Kakashi as he asked.

Two months apart, the aura around him had grown heavier—clearly the result of some intense training.

"A duel."

Hatake Kakashi said expressionlessly. "If I beat you, I can apply for early graduation."

"What?"

Obito Uchiha exclaimed in shock. "You're graduating? Why?"

Rin Nohara also looked incredulous.

Enrolling at five and graduating at five—there had never been such a precedent in the Ninja Academy.

"Aside from Hikawa, there's no one left in the Ninja Academy who can beat me."

Hatake Kakashi said coolly.

In summary, it was the loneliness of being invincible.

"Bastard!"

Obito Uchiha felt insulted and shouted, "Let's go outside and settle this one-on-one!"

"I need to be in top condition to fight Hikawa."

Hatake Kakashi replied calmly.

"You—!"

Obito Uchiha's face turned red.

"Obito."

Rin Nohara quickly pulled him back.

"Right now?"

Hikawa stood up and asked.

"Yeah."

Hatake Kakashi said. "After this, I graduate. No need to waste time reporting in."

He wasn't like Obito Uchiha, making empty boasts—he was stating a fact.

According to Hatake Sakumo, his current Hatake Swordsmanship had surpassed Hikawa's from two months ago.

Of course, Hikawa would have improved too.

But his Konoha-Style Swordsmanship was ultimately inferior to Hatake Swordsmanship, with a low ceiling and limited growth, so Kakashi was confident.

Hikawa walked outside.

A free word entry delivered to his doorstep—of course he'd take it.

Based on Sarutobi Asuma's experience, this would likely trigger another upgrade.

After all, Hatake Kakashi looked way too confident!

Plus, he had a father with a sharp eye.

But... sorry.

Hikawa drew a samurai sword.

This was the Chakra Metal blade he'd commissioned from Tenmura, costing ten million ryo.

[C-rank Ninja Tool Word Entry: Thunder Fire Sword.]

[Activation Condition: Possess a Chakra Metal samurai sword.]

[Effect: Chakra conduction speed +10%, durability +100%.]

"Let's begin."

Hikawa gestured for him to make the first move.

Hatake Kakashi snorted lightly.

This was contempt!

He was no longer the same as before.

Hatake Kakashi moved, instantly appearing in front of Hikawa.

He thrust the short sword forward with one hand.

"So fast!"

Obito Uchiha's face twisted in dismay.

He couldn't even see it!

But the next second, he froze in shock.

Hatake Kakashi flew backward at an even greater speed.

"What just happened?"

Rin Nohara blinked.

How had the match ended in an instant?

Two months ago, at least they'd traded blows back and forth.

Kakashi lay on the ground, stunned.

He'd charged in, his short sword blocked by Hikawa, and then a powerful recoil sent him flying.

"Are you hurt?"

Hikawa walked over to him and asked, "I can heal you."

"My hand."

Kakashi felt his right hand had gone numb.

Hikawa extended both hands, and a pale green chakra lit up.

"Is that... Medical Ninjutsu?!"

Rin's eyes went wide.

She was studying Medical Ninjutsu herself, but only the most basic fundamentals—nothing involving real techniques.

As far as she knew, because Medical Ninjutsu was extremely difficult, most ninja couldn't learn it until long after graduation.

[E-Rank Talent Entry 'Thunderclap Sword' effect upgraded.]

[Lightning Style talent and swordsmanship talent increased by 30% from the original base.]

Hikawa withdrew his hands, quite satisfied.

Kakashi picked up his short sword and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Hikawa smiled and extended an invitation. "Let's go to the academy together."

Kakashi stopped in his tracks.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he nodded.

A single duel had crushed his dream of graduating.

He had no choice but to report back, and he wanted to know why Hikawa's progress was so terrifying.

If Hikawa knew what he was thinking, he'd only tell him: kid, this is what a cheat looks like.

In two months, he'd learned three Medical Ninjutsu: Hemostatic Technique, Healing Technique, and Anesthesia Technique.

Then, he'd obtained a new entry.

[D-Rank Talent Entry: Medical Ninja.]

[Trigger condition: Possess three Medical Ninjutsu entries.]

[Effect: All Medical Ninjutsu effects increased by 30%.]

The effect was no surprise, but Hikawa was more looking forward to the synthesized entry.

[C-Rank Talent Entry: Heavenly Strength.]

[Trigger condition: Synthesize D-Rank Entry 'Medical Ninja' and E-Rank Entry 'Nimble Steps'.]

[Effect: Yang Style talent increased by 100% from the original base, physical strength increased by 50% from the original base.]

[Note: Has two synthesis paths.]

[First: Add C-Rank Entry Medical Chunin and C-Rank Entry Strong and Robust to synthesize B-Rank Entry Physical Recovery.]

[Second: Add C-Rank Entry Medical Chunin, C-Rank Entry Strong and Robust, and C-Rank Entry Swift as the Wind to synthesize B-Rank Entry Signless Healing.]

His most anticipated Yang Style talent had come through as hoped, with a strength boost thrown in as a bonus.

Unlike 'Innate Full Soul', 'Heavenly Strength' could be upgraded.

No need to think twice—Hikawa knew he'd pick the second path.

He just wondered if this Signless Healing was the same as Hashirama Senju's.