Early Graduation

Uchiha Fugaku repeatedly unleashed all his strength, trying to make room to move, but no matter how hard he struggled, Nawaki's kunai didn't budge. It pinned him firmly to the ground, leaving him unable to move.

"Fugaku, I can see how hard you're trying. Unfortunately, it's still not enough. Give up!" Nawaki said easily.

"Ha! Hah! Ha!" Fugaku panted, drenched in sweat. "Heh heh heh! It's that same... condescending look from above, and that... carefree expression! What an ugly sight! I've already tried so hard, so why did it still end like this?"

"I think it probably comes down to conviction and capacity. Your hand seals are much faster now, but your Taijutsu is still too weak! You never tried to address your shortcomings at their roots and only focused on increasing your strength. Maybe your conviction isn't firm enough, and your capacity isn't broad enough?"

"Hmph! Conviction and... capacity... What an... interesting argument! Taijutsu? Is that... the ability... to move quickly and run... through the air like you did just now?"

"That's right. It's a style of Taijutsu I developed myself, called the Konoha Six Powers. I used two of its techniques just now: Shunpo and Moon Step."

Everyone present was in an uproar when they heard Nawaki admit that he had developed the Taijutsu himself.

"He developed his own Taijutsu! He's only three, isn't he? That's incredible!"

"And this Taijutsu is powerful, too. It lets him move instantly and even walk through the air. It must be at least A-rank, right?"

"That's not all! Didn't you hear him? Those were only two of the Six Powers. The other four must be just as impressive! Together, the six techniques could be considered an S-rank ninjutsu, couldn't they?"

It wasn't just the ordinary villagers and shinobi who were shocked; even the Konoha High Command was astonished!

The Third stared at Nawaki. "He developed his own Taijutsu, and there are six techniques in all. The weakest looks to be A-rank. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! Lady Mito, has Nawaki ever told you about the Konoha Six Powers?"

Mito answered kindly, "No, he hasn't. He's always been sensible and independent, even as a child. He does all his training alone, and I rarely ask about it. I never knew he had such talent for Taijutsu."

"What an astonishing talent. He might even surpass the First Hokage someday!"

"You flatter him, Third."

"You really are amazing. You developed your own Taijutsu at just three years old, but... I won't give up so easily!" As Fugaku declared this loudly, astonishing chakra surged through his body. His eyes changed dramatically, turning bloodred as a black Tomoe appeared in each.

Stimulated by Nawaki, Fugaku had awakened his Sharingan!

His father, the Uchiha Clan Head, smiled happily. "It looks like the outcome is still undecided."

Sensing Fugaku's astonishing transformation, Nawaki released a surge of chakra of his own and pressed him back down. "So this is the Sharingan? What beautiful eyes! But this is over, Fuqiu. I don't want to play with you anymore. Take a nap. When you wake up, it'll all be over. Nirvana Temple Technique!"

Nawaki formed Hand Seals rapidly with one hand, and a feather drifted down onto Fugaku's head. Fugaku suddenly grew exhausted and fell asleep on the ground. His Sharingan quickly shut, and his eyes returned to normal.

Since Fugaku had already used up a great deal of chakra and stamina, the genjutsu worked exceptionally well on him. Unfortunately, his One-Tomoe Sharingan couldn't resist it.

"This... He can even form Hand Seals with one hand..." The Uchiha Clan Head, whose Three-Tomoe Sharingan had awakened, looked awkward. He had just said the outcome was undecided, only for Fugaku to fall asleep under a genjutsu. It was truly ironic for a member of the Uchiha to fall victim to one.

Still, this was the gentlest approach. Fugaku wasn't hurt and had awakened his Sharingan, so he ought to thank the young heir of the Senju Clan. The Uchiha Clan Head didn't get angry.

Though Fugaku hadn't made a comeback, the battle had still been exciting. Nawaki's one-handed Hand Seals at the end had been a pleasant surprise for everyone.

This time, Matsushita announced the result without waiting for Nawaki to remind him.

But Nawaki didn't leave. "Teacher Matsushita, I'd like to apply for early graduation!"

"Well..." Matsushita was more than happy to send this powerhouse on his way, but he didn't have the authority to approve it, so he looked to the Third awkwardly.

The people who had been about to leave stopped and watched when they heard Nawaki's request. They knew there was more excitement to come.

The Third hadn't expected Nawaki to make such a request at that moment, and he hesitated.

Seeing this, Nawaki addressed him directly. "Third... teacher, can I graduate early?"

When he heard the word "old," the Third's heart had tightened. Thankfully, Nawaki had changed what he was saying, and he let out a breath. The little rascal still knew to save his face in front of others.

But when he saw the threatening look in Nawaki's eyes, he realized the boy had done it on purpose! He would have to agree today, but graduating wouldn't be that easy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Graduating early is simple. You just have to defeat Teacher Matsushita. Matsushita, don't go easy on your student!"

Matsushita Ida nodded solemnly. "Yes, Lord Hokage! Nawaki, would you like to rest before we begin?"

"No need, teacher. Let's start now!"

At the same time, Nawaki removed all the weights he was wearing.

With a tremendous boom, a cloud of dust rose from the ground.

The audience gasped again.

"The boy was wearing all those weights!"

"That's unbelievable!"

"He took the test while wearing weights. Was he holding back just now?"

Feeling his Wish Power surge, Nawaki couldn't help smiling. Rock Lee's trick really worked.

Nawaki bounced in place and felt much lighter. He turned to Matsushita, who looked startled. "Teacher Matsushita, here I come!"

Nawaki formed the Seal of Reconciliation and then vanished from where he stood, charging rapidly toward Matsushita. He also threw ten kunai, which ricocheted against one another several times in midair before flying toward Matsushita from different directions.

Matsushita was struck by several kunai and vanished with a pop, leaving a log in his place. Then several kunai struck Nawaki head-on as he charged. They rang against him, then bounced away. Nawaki had used the Six Powers technique Iron Body, so he naturally had nothing to fear from the weak kunai.

He used the opportunity to close in on Matsushita and raised his kunai to stab him.

Seeing Nawaki charge at him without regard for the kunai, Matsushita had no choice but to raise his own and meet him head-on. Fortunately, his strength was slightly greater than Nawaki's because of their age difference. The two rapidly clashed kunai, trading blows as they became locked in a fierce battle.

Nawaki realized Matsushita's Taijutsu was no weakling's, and this wasn't going to work. He found an opening to put some distance between them. As he retreated, he completed his Hand Seals in an instant. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.