"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The dense forest was quiet and peaceful. Its tranquil atmosphere lasted only a short while before a blazing fireball shattered the silence, sending the birds and beasts fleeing in an instant.
"Haha, I've learned another ninjutsu!"
Looking at the spot where the fireball had struck, now left in utter disarray, Lin Feng smiled with satisfaction.
The Great Fireball Technique was a basic Fire Release ninjutsu taught to members of the Uchiha Clan. Lin Feng hadn't asked anyone to teach him; he'd simply practiced it on his own, following the description in Naruto.
After gathering chakra in his throat, he formed the six hand seals—Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, and Tiger. Once he completed those simple motions, he could breathe out a stream of fire. Since the technique wasn't very difficult to learn, it hadn't taken him many tries to master it.
"Next, I should practice the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique involved breathing out a series of fireballs. Their paths resembled the seeds of a phoenix flower, and chakra could be used to control their trajectories. Shuriken could also be added to the flames to increase their power.
He remembered Sasuke using this C-rank ninjutsu in Naruto, and wanted to take advantage of his momentum and learn it too.
As the saying went, one could never have too many skills. A wide variety of ninjutsu would always give him an advantage in battle.
"Rat—Tiger—Dog..."
Bringing his hands together, Lin Feng began forming the hand seals from memory.
"Oh no, my Shadow Clone was just destroyed!"
Just as Lin Feng was about to finish the hand seals, an ominous voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
After learning the Shadow Clone Technique, Lin Feng had planned to send a clone to the Ninja Academy while his real body continued practicing ninjutsu, shuriken, and other skills. He hadn't expected the first Shadow Clone to run into trouble.
"I need to get back to the Ninja Academy."
His eyes narrowed. Lin Feng stepped forward instinctively, then hurried toward the academy.
While Lin Feng was on his way to the Ninja Academy, the matter with Taishan had already been dealt with. Taishan and the others had been severely punished by their teacher for bullying younger students. They probably wouldn't dare misbehave again.
Sakura and Naruto had also escaped the trouble unscathed and continued on to their second class.
When Lin Feng arrived at the Ninja Academy, however, Iruka-sensei called him to the office.
"Sasuke, why did you send a Shadow Clone to the academy?"
When Lin Feng came in, Iruka patted him on the shoulder and gave him a knowing smile.
"Uh... I have an important ninjutsu to practice today, but I didn't want to neglect my studies, so I used the Shadow Clone Technique."
Lin Feng hesitated, but answered honestly.
"Sasuke, who taught you the Shadow Clone Technique? Do you know it's a forbidden jutsu and shouldn't be used casually?"
As a responsible teacher, Iruka wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.
"My older brother taught me the technique, sensei. I understand it well, and I'll use it responsibly."
Knowing Iruka was worried about him, Lin Feng smiled.
"So it was Itachi!"
Iruka had probably guessed the answer already. He sighed, then kindly reminded him, "Sasuke, I should warn you that you're still young, and you don't have much chakra. It's best not to use this technique. Besides, at your stage, you should focus on building a solid foundation and learning the theory, rather than chasing after ninjutsu."
"I understand!"
"But sensei, can I ask you something?"
Looking at Iruka's smile, Lin Feng stepped forward and gave an awkward laugh.
"Go ahead."
Iruka watched Lin Feng calmly.
Lin Feng scratched his head and asked tentatively, "Well... I was thinking that I might not want to spend several years at the Ninja Academy. I'd like to graduate early."
"You want to graduate early?" Hearing Lin Feng's words, Iruka was taken aback. He stared at him in confusion, unsure what to make of it.
Seeing the serious look on Lin Feng's face, Iruka pondered for a long moment before asking, "Is someone bullying you?"
"No, I just want to leave the academy early and become a real ninja."
Lin Feng shook his head and hurried to explain.
"In theory, early graduation is possible, but you have to meet the graduation requirements and pass every test. You'll also need the Third Hokage's approval."
Lin Feng had shown just as much talent at the Ninja Academy as Itachi had at the same age. Iruka didn't think there was anything wrong with his wish to graduate early, so he explained the requirements.
"Since it's allowed, I want to apply for early graduation three months from now!"
After Iruka finished speaking, Lin Feng made his bold request.
At those words, Iruka almost thought his ears were playing tricks on him. He'd seen students graduate early before...but applying to graduate just three months after enrolling? In the history of the Ninja Academy, that had never happened before.
"Sasuke... are you joking with me?"
Iruka didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Graduate from the academy in three months? No student could possibly manage that.
"I'm serious, sensei. I'm confident I can pass the graduation tests and become a provisional Genin in three months. Once I've reached that level, there won't be any point in staying at the academy..."
Lin Feng let out a slow breath and met Iruka's gaze, his expression earnest.
As he listened to Lin Feng's determined words, the shock on Iruka's face slowly faded. He looked at Lin Feng again, reflecting, If Sasuke really is that talented, staying at the academy might only hold back his growth!
"If you really can pass the tests three months from now, I'll apply to the Third Hokage on your behalf..."
Having made up his mind, Iruka spoke softly.
"Hehe, thanks, Iruka-sensei."
At that, Lin Feng felt a great weight lift from his heart, and his face lit up with delight.
"Honestly, if your older brother Itachi hadn't set a precedent, I wouldn't want you leaving the academy so early." Looking at Lin Feng's excitement, Iruka smiled.
Lin Feng smiled but kept quiet. He didn't want to say much about Itachi.
"All right, go back to class."
Now that he'd cleared everything up, Iruka had nothing else to discuss, so he spoke with a light smile.
Lin Feng nodded. Asking Iruka to let him graduate early had taken care of one problem. Now all he had to do was train hard and wait for the test three months later.
After leaving the office, Lin Feng headed straight back to class without hesitation.
When the second class ended, Lin Feng, Naruto, and Sakura gathered again. They talked at length about what had happened that morning.
But when Sakura and Naruto learned that Lin Feng practiced the Shadow Clone Technique late into the night and had already started using clones for his next training routine, they were both shocked. They hadn't expected Sasuke, despite being so talented, to train so hard.
Perhaps inspired by Lin Feng, Sakura and Naruto didn't go home after school. They continued training hard at the school's Training Ground.
Lin Feng was naturally delighted by this. Only by having Sakura and Naruto train hard alongside him could Team 7 be re-formed sooner.