Early Graduation

"What's wrong?"

A flurry of questions rang out. Three ninjas wearing green flak jackets appeared in the middle of the corridor. After quickly assessing the situation, one of them decisively pulled Nara Mori away from the ice spikes, while another struck Yamanaka Reki on the neck with a chop, stopping the genjutsu that had been tormenting him. As for Akimichi Hishi, no one paid him any mind. A minor injury like a dislocated joint was nothing to a ninja.

"Arata Uchiha, this is the Ninja Academy. You're not allowed to fight without permission. Didn't you know that?"

At the sight of the chaotic scene, the man in front roared, immediately directing his anger at the little third-year who seemed lost in thought. His fury filled the entire corridor.

Chuno Daikoku was a Chunin who had taught at Konoha Academy for many years. He was the first teacher of many young ninjas and had once taught Itachi Uchiha.

Of course, it was no wonder he reacted that way. Arata Uchiha was the only one standing there as if nothing had happened.

Arata didn't answer right away. The soul-piercing Sharingan in his eyes gradually faded, and he stood quietly, as docile as a well-behaved child.

But that wasn't because he was genuinely obedient and sensible. He simply wasn't good at dealing with strangers outside his clan, unlike Sister Izumi, Uncle Yashiro, and Granny Kome.

Besides, he had indeed broken the school rules and started a fight without permission.

"Teacher Chuno, Hishi and the others were the ones who provoked Arata first."

As the standoff continued, Izumi Uchiha pushed past the classmate blocking her and explained to the furious middle-aged man.

At her words, Yamanaka Reki, who had just come to, his face as pale as paper, wished he could faint again immediately.

Three capable older students had been knocked down with ease in a single encounter by a junior three years younger than them. What a humiliation!

They had been careless, of course, and hadn't used their secret techniques right away or had a chance to coordinate as they usually did. But Reki had a strange feeling that even if they had all used their secret techniques, they still might not have won.

Chuno Daikoku glanced at the battered Akimichi Hishi and the two other participants, who kept their heads lowered and offered no excuses. As he realized what had happened, shock surged through him.

He had heard the third-year teacher mention Arata's name. The nickname "Itachi's Second Coming" had even been circulating around the Academy.

But he had taught Itachi Uchiha himself and knew just how talented he was. So when he heard the rumors, he had only smiled, taking them as a bit of harmless entertainment.

Yet the scene before him now left him reeling.

Before anyone could react, Arata had subdued the three kids from the Ino-Shika-Cho families. Not just anyone could pull that off!

"Arata, you're a lower-grade student. What are you doing here?"

After his expression shifted, Chuno Daikoku chose to skip over the matter. Too many clans were involved, and it was no longer something he could handle on his own.

"Clan Head Fugaku asked me to take the graduation exam."

With Izumi Uchiha's intervention, Arata felt a little calmer. He held out the exam form and the clan head's letter.

The matter hadn't gone through the Hokage.

The Uchiha Clan had the right to govern itself.

"Another early graduation?"

Looking at the little boy before him, Chuno Daikoku's eyelid twitched.

"Come in."

After a cursory glance at the letter from the Uchiha, he headed toward the exam room first.

The Ninja Academy graduation exam tested the Three Basic Techniques, but E-rank ninjutsu was practically effortless for Arata.

When dozens of indistinguishable clones filled the exam room, Chuno Daikoku was thoroughly impressed.

Arata's chakra control and reserves were so impressive that even some Chunin would feel ashamed by comparison.

"Itachi Uchiha's Second Coming."

"Arata really lives up to the name!"

"You passed."

"But are you sure you don't want to keep studying? The Ninja Academy teaches more than just ninjutsu. There's plenty of other knowledge, such as tracking and medical techniques."

As he announced the result, Chuno Daikoku still couldn't suppress his urge to persuade Arata to stay.

Even with a letter from the Uchiha Clan Head, if the student himself was still willing to continue his studies, he could ask the Lord Third to put in a good word.

After all, these were peaceful times. A genius like Arata didn't need to go out on missions too early. It was best to keep growing stronger and graduate only after he'd gained enough experience.

"Thank you for your concern, Sensei, but my clan has made other arrangements for me."

Arata Uchiha politely declined.

He could naturally hear the concern and sincerity behind the man's words.

No one understood the undercurrents beneath the Ninja World's peaceful surface better than a reincarnated person. Every year, countless talented people died under unclear circumstances. Even someone like Pakura could be betrayed for the sake of profit, so lying low and quietly building up his strength was the best path.

But time was running out.

The Night of the Clan Massacre was a tragedy he could never avoid.

He had to grow faster if he wanted to protect the people around him.

"I understand. Since it's your clan's decision, then congratulations, Arata Uchiha. Congratulations on graduating! From this moment on, you're a Konoha Ninja capable of standing on your own. I hope you'll inherit and work hard to carry on the Will of Fire!"

Chuno Daikoku rose to his feet, holding out a brand-new Konoha Headband to the boy.

After hesitating for a moment, Arata took the headband and gave a slight bow.

"Thank you, Sensei."

"But I'll pass on the Will of Fire."

"I'm not like that man."

"A ninja headband! Arata really passed the exam and graduated!"

When this handsome, quiet third-year reappeared in the corridor, the whole place erupted once more.

The upper-grade students had already guessed how things would end when the three kids from the Ino-Shika-Cho families were effortlessly swept aside. But when Arata actually emerged from the classroom clutching a headband, their admiration, astonishment, unwillingness, and every other emotion surged through them like a tide.

"Arata! Next time—next time I absolutely won't lose to you again! And I'll become a Chunin before you do!"

Akimichi Hishi, his injuries treated, shouted his challenge from the top of the stairs.

He hadn't used all his strength just now, nor had he used his clan's Multi-Size Technique. He was genuinely unwilling to accept defeat in a contest of strength.

If it had been a real fight to the death, he definitely wouldn't have lost!

But in his humiliation, Hishi failed to notice the fearful looks on his two companions' faces.

"Mm."

Arata Uchiha merely gave a quiet grunt as he passed him.

After all, he had only one goal: to kill that white-eyed traitor who had betrayed his clan—Itachi Uchiha!