Applying for Early Graduation

"One month from now, I'll graduate from the Ninja Academy. Then I'll become a real ninja." Sasuke glanced at Yashui. "Even though you're a year below me, we spar like this every day. I've long considered you my best friend."

Those words sent a chill down Yashui's spine. At this point, Sasuke was probably still clinging to what Itachi had told him: "You can only obtain eyes like mine by killing your best friend."

If Sasuke was saying this to Yashui, didn't that mean he might kill him one day to gain more power?

"Starting tomorrow, I'm going to prepare to become a ninja. If I don't get ready over the next month, I might die on a mission." With that, Sasuke turned to leave. "Once I become a ninja, I'll probably be busy with missions every day. We won't have time to spar anymore."

"Let's just treat this as our last time seeing each other. That'll do." Sasuke disappeared beneath the glow of the setting sun, talking to himself.

From his entrance to his exit, every one of Sasuke's movements had been effortlessly cool.

Yashui had more or less understood what Sasuke meant. His words had also helped Yashui figure out the current timeline.

Naruto, Sasuke, and seven other members of the Konoha Twelve would graduate in a month, while Yashui was supposed to graduate a year after them.

But... had there really been a whole month between then and graduation in the original story? Yashui was baffled.

"I wish I could graduate with them." Watching Sasuke leave, Yashui had his first truly personal thought since arriving in this world.

Wanting to graduate alongside them wasn't the will of the body's original owner. It was Yashui's own desire!

"Heh, I guess that's impossible. I can't even perform Hand Seals properly. I'd be lucky to graduate a year from now." As he spoke, Yashui tried practicing the signs with his hands.

"Wait..."

Yashui stared at his hands in disbelief. His Hand Seals were smooth, precise, and fast—a far cry from the clumsy, incorrect movements he'd been making that very morning!

For a beginner ninja, Hand Seals were harder than Taijutsu, despite how simple they looked. At first, beginners couldn't even get the movements right. If they weren't corrected in time, they might be unable to perform ninjutsu properly in battle later on.

"Is it because of the Sharingan again?" Yashui realized that every time he suddenly learned something new, it happened after he used his Sharingan!

The Clone Technique, how to hide underground, the route to school, his proficiency with Hand Seals... He'd gained all of these after using his Sharingan!

And that was precisely why he now wanted to graduate early.

On his way home, Yashui saw that Kage Rock had been splashed with paint until it was covered in bright colors. This only confirmed his guess about the timeline. It was the first episode of the first part of Naruto. The reason Kage Rock was so colorful was Naruto's prank.

Yashui activated his Sharingan and saw Naruto hanging from Kage Rock, scrubbing off the paint. A wave of warmth washed over him. It was as if he'd returned to childhood, sitting in front of the television and waiting each week for the Naruto anime to come on.

"I'm going to graduate early." Yashui made up his mind. Perhaps graduating with Naruto and the others was the only way he could feel some sense of belonging in this unfamiliar world.

But... Naruto had been scrubbing Kage Rock just one day before the graduation exam. How had it suddenly become a month? Yashui thought about his own existence. There had been no Uchiha remnant named Yashui in the original story. Maybe this wasn't the Naruto world at all, just a world very much like it.

Yashui returned home. It was about dinnertime.

"I'm home!" As soon as he entered, Yashui called toward the inner room.

"Yashui, did you spar with Sasuke again today?" A strange voice came from the living room.

"Yeah." Yashui nodded and hurried in to see who was there.

In the living room, Konohamaru was just like he was in the original story, plotting all sorts of clever ways to outwit the Third Hokage, hoping that defeating him would let him claim the Hokage Position. Watching with amusement from the side was a bearded ninja—the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma.

"Hello, Uncle Asuma," Yashui said quickly.

"Seeing you looking so healthy has lifted my spirits a bit, haha!" Asuma's voice was hearty and carried through the house.

"Grandpa." Yashui suddenly grew serious.

"What is it, Yashui?" The Third Hokage came over.

"It's probably because I showed up unexpectedly. Sorry, I'm used to it. I used to be part of this family too, after all. Hahaha..." Asuma scratched his head with a self-deprecating laugh.

"No, that's not it... Uncle Asuma, you're still part of this family." Yashui immediately corrected Asuma's misunderstanding.

"Actually, I'd like to graduate from the Ninja Academy early." Yashui said this calmly.

The room fell silent. Asuma was too surprised to speak, while the Third Hokage closed his eyes, deep in thought.

"What's wrong, Yashui? Are you unhappy at the Ninja Academy?" the Third Hokage asked gently.

"No," Yashui replied. "I think I've learned almost everything the Ninja Academy has to teach me. Staying there won't help me improve anymore. And Sasuke Uchiha, the one I've been sparring with all this time, is about to graduate. I want to graduate with him so we can improve together."

"If that's what you want, I'll consider it." The Third Hokage sat down at the table. "The Ninja Academy is where ninjas learn the fundamentals. You must pass the written tests on your studies and knowledge before you're eligible to take the graduation exam. To graduate, a ninja must know basic Taijutsu, basic Shurikenjutsu, how to dispel genjutsu, the Substitution Technique, the Transformation Technique, and the Clone Technique. They must also have a certain level of combat ability. Only then can a student graduate as a Genin. If a student has already mastered everything taught at the Ninja Academy, they can also apply for early graduation. The annual graduation exams always cover the subjects I just mentioned."

"Yashui, are you sure you're ready?" the Third Hokage asked again.

"Yes. I'm ready." Yashui nodded.

"You have one day to prepare." The Third Hokage sighed. "Asuma doesn't have any missions tomorrow, so I'll have him test you. If he thinks you're ready, I'll personally submit your graduation application."

Asuma covered his face, looking like he'd been caught in the crossfire. Konohamaru stared at Yashui, clearly displeased, as if he wanted to apply for early graduation himself.

"Okay." Yashui nodded. "Uncle Asuma, go easy on me tomorrow."

"Heh..." Asuma pulled two movie tickets from his pocket and looked at Yashui, smiling through his tears.

Poor Asuma. Judging by the look on his face, he'd been planning to go on a date with Kurenai Yuhi tomorrow, since he had no missions. The Third Hokage had really thrown his son under the bus.