Advising Nawaki

"Sigh..."

Looking at Nawaki before him, Shuji sighed helplessly.

To be honest, the only benefit Shuji could think of from getting close to Orochimaru was the possibility of participating in experiments on Hashirama Cells with him.

Even then, due to a lack of information, he did not know whether he would even get such an opportunity.

And even if such an opportunity were placed before him, Shuji might not take it.

After all, compared to accumulating experience in genetic modification technology, Shuji was even less willing to have any kind of dealings with Shimura Danzō or Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Whether they were good people or bad people, whether they truly acted for Konoha or merely sought to satisfy their own selfish desires.

Shuji was not interested in any of it. He only wanted to cultivate steadily and peacefully in Konoha until he reached the realm of the Mad Tiger Emperor.

Only then could he thoroughly establish his foundation.

After that, whether he wanted to find a way to synthesize the Tenseigan or continue honing himself to comprehend Nen Essence and become a Nen Emperor,

Shuji would have sufficient initiative.

That was why he truly could not simply say yes.

Looking at Nawaki, who was tense yet faintly expectant, Shuji pursed his lips and said,

"Nawaki, we've spent more than a year together now. I have to say, I've been very happy spending this time with you, Hiashi, and everyone else."

Upon hearing that, Nawaki pursed his lips and said nothing. A trace of disappointment inevitably surfaced in his eyes.

Was this... a rejection...?

Although he had already prepared himself for it, Nawaki still could not help feeling disappointed when he actually heard those words.

Even though Shuji had not rejected him yet, no matter how he listened to it, it sounded like a prelude to rejection.

"I also understand your strength and personality very well."

After glancing around, Shuji's gaze finally settled on Nawaki.

"If you want to leave the Ninja Academy, I'll definitely go with you. With your personality, I really can't rest easy."

Nawaki abruptly raised his head, immense joy instantly flooding his heart.

It was hard for Nawaki to describe how he felt right now. He had clearly thought he was being rejected, but that was not the case after all.

It was not merely agreement, either. It was certainty.

The sensation of being rapidly pulled from the lowest depths straight into the clouds left Nawaki feeling dizzy.

"You're different from Hiashi. Although you're currently a little stronger than him, Hiashi possesses the Byakugan."

Shuji glanced at Hiashi beside Nawaki. Upon hearing that, Hiashi immediately snorted and turned his head away.

Nawaki was stronger than him?

He was only afraid of accidentally killing him!

"With the Byakugan, as long as Hiashi is careful, he'll definitely survive."

"That's right. If I want to, no ninja can get close to me."

Hiashi slightly raised his chin and spoke coldly.

At that moment, the air of a spoiled young master from a prestigious clan was displayed perfectly on Hiashi.

"I don't know why you're in such a hurry to become Orochimaru-senpai's disciple, or why you're so eager to take on missions. Of course, I'm not denying Orochimaru-senpai's excellence, nor am I saying that wanting to do missions is wrong."

Shuji did not pay Hiashi any attention and instead continued speaking to Nawaki.

Shuji certainly did not want to watch Nawaki die before his eyes.

But having himself face danger after leaving the Ninja Academy so early was not something Shuji particularly wanted either.

So, Shuji intended to properly persuade Nawaki this once. If Nawaki was willing to remain in Konoha and continue cultivating, that would naturally be best.

But if Nawaki insisted on graduating early, then Shuji... would think of another way.

Upon hearing this, Nawaki waited calmly for Shuji's next words, even with a faint smile on his lips.

Honestly, Nawaki did not feel any pressure at all now.

Orochimaru was a good choice for Nawaki, but not his only choice.

What Nawaki cared about more was Shuji's attitude.

"But you need to understand one thing. Konoha does not lack a Genin to carry out missions, but the Senju family cannot afford to lose Senju Nawaki."

Shuji spoke to Nawaki with great seriousness.

Nawaki was stunned for a moment, blinking somewhat blankly.

"You are the young clan head of the Senju Clan and the grandson of the First Hokage. Your identity is very important—not only to Konoha and the Senju Clan, but also to the other ninja villages."

Looking at Nawaki before him, Shuji continued. He wanted to lay out the entire matter clearly and completely before Nawaki, then let him make his own choice.

"No village in the Shinobi World would disregard Wood Release. If you leave Konoha, you'll become the biggest focus in the eyes of every ninja village's Anbu."

Nawaki fell silent. This was something he had never considered before.

"Besides, when a ninja graduates from the Ninja Academy and joins a team led by a Jonin to carry out missions, it isn't just to earn enough money to live on through missions.

More importantly, they want to learn some ninjutsu from that Jonin. As for you, have you already mastered all the ninjutsu you need to learn?"

Shuji asked Nawaki. For civilian ninjas, graduating early might be an opportunity to defy fate.

But for Nawaki, there was truly no need to graduate early.

"I think Shuji is right."

At that moment, Hiashi's voice rang out. He reached over and patted Nawaki on the shoulder.

"At the Ninja Academy, you can continue cultivating safely and steadily. But if you graduate early, you'll never have an opportunity like that again."

"I also think Shuji is right."

Mikoto, standing nearby, nodded as well upon hearing that.

"Perhaps you think the knowledge taught at the Ninja Academy is useless now, but besides learning those things, what matters even more at the Ninja Academy is having a sufficiently safe environment for cultivation."

"So don't graduate early. Let's all stay at the Ninja Academy and cultivate properly together, all right?"

Looking at Nawaki before him, Shuji asked softly.

That final sentence was simply meant to give Nawaki a way out.

So that he would not feel too embarrassed.

"All right, then I won't graduate early."

Nawaki nodded as he spoke to Shuji.

"Mm."

Shuji smiled and nodded, finally letting out a sigh of relief in his heart.

"Um... Shuji-kun... I have something I'd like to ask you to help me with too..."

At that moment, Mikoto's voice rang out. Somewhat surprised, Shuji looked toward Uchiha Mikoto, whose face had flushed slightly red.