Early Graduation

The Hokage Building in Konoha. A sealed conference room.

Early that morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Uchiha Itachi and called in the two Hokage Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Of course, he also sent someone to notify Danzo.

But Danzo was slow to show up.

Sarutobi Hiruzen assumed Danzo was transplanting Shisui's eyes, so he decided not to wait and planned to ask him about what had happened later.

As for the topic of this meeting, it was naturally Uchiha Shisui's death.

"I feel deeply sorry about Shisui. I put too much pressure on that child, which led him to choose suicide for the sake of the village and to prevent a civil war from breaking out in Konoha."

As soon as he arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Uchiha Shisui to the skies, putting on an expression of profound grief.

Uchiha Itachi was deeply moved. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head. "Lord Hokage, you give yourself too much credit."

"Shisui was a central figure in the hearts of the younger generation of the Uchiha Clan. His suicide has caused the clan's combat strength and morale to plummet. It was Shisui's own choice."

"From the result, it did stifle the beginnings of a rebellion." Utatane Koharu narrowed her eyes, then suddenly changed tack. "However, Danzo sent word that people in the Uchiha Clan suspect you killed Shisui and took his eyes."

"Danzo." Uchiha Itachi clenched his fist, forcing down his anger as he explained, "Shisui and I both acted with the interests and future of the Uchiha Clan in mind. That's nothing but baseless speculation from people with ulterior motives."

At that, Uchiha Itachi's voice grew heavier. "Shisui never showed up at the agreed meeting place."

Seeing the anger welling up inside Uchiha Itachi, and sensing that the situation might spiral out of control,

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who knew the truth about Shisui's death, quickly changed the subject. "I have no doubt about that. Like Shisui, Itachi, you are a successor to the Will of Fire.

"Just as Itachi said, that's nothing but baseless speculation from people with ulterior motives.

"Itachi, you may leave.

"The village won't forget all that Shisui did.

"Now that Shisui is gone, we'll have to rely on you to handle matters concerning the Uchiha Clan."

"My gratitude, Lord Hokage." Uchiha Itachi replied respectfully, then rose and left.

Watching Uchiha Itachi leave, Utatane Koharu said with some displeasure, "Hiruzen, why did you speak up for Uchiha Itachi? He's highly suspect in Shisui's death."

Mitokado Homura chimed in. "Koharu is right. Uchiha Itachi is no longer trustworthy."

"The village has only just stabilized. We still need Itachi to keep an eye on the Uchiha Clan. We shouldn't provoke a conflict." Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched. He couldn't exactly tell them that he had arranged for Danzo to take Shisui's eyes.

"That still doesn't mean we should let Uchiha Itachi act on his own," Utatane Koharu argued.

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "I understand. I'll assign someone else to keep watch on the Uchiha Clan."

"Have you already chosen someone?" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both looked surprised.

"Yes. Fujiwara's child, Fujiwara Chiya. During the Nine-Tails Incident, she saved Uchiha Izumi, who was the same age as her. The two grew closer, and she's been able to visit the Uchiha Clan regularly for the past six years. If she takes over Shisui's work and monitors the clan, no one will suspect a thing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen clapped his hands, and someone outside immediately brought in Fujiwara Chiya's file.

The two Hokage Advisors looked it over. Utatane Koharu nodded with understanding. "This child has a clean background and a good sense of duty. She seems like a good choice, but she hasn't graduated from the Ninja Academy yet, has she?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "You needn't worry about that. She has a solid foundation and is already strong enough to graduate. She's never slacked off in her training, either. She's just rather low-key. With a little guidance, she has a bright future."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a look, neither expressing an opinion. "Then let her graduate early. There's no point keeping her at the Ninja Academy for the next year. But who will you appoint as her team leader?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment. "Let Kurenai take the job. She doesn't have any missions at the moment. Then pick two Genin from among the ones who failed the Chunin Ninja Exams last year, and have them form a team with Kurenai and Chiya."

"Have them test Chiya's actual abilities, then put her through a period of training. Once she meets the minimum standard for Anbu, we'll recruit her and have her work undercover, monitoring the Uchiha Clan."

"Graduate?" Chiya looked at her Chunin instructor in surprise.

The Chunin instructor smiled. "That's right, Chiya. You've already mastered the Clone Technique, and you excel in every other area, too. I'm proud of you. Congratulations on graduating."

"Graduating isn't a problem. But hasn't the school year just started?" Chiya asked lazily, a doubtful look in her eyes.

The Chunin instructor gave an awkward smile. "You really don't miss a thing. Actually, this was ordered personally by Lord Hokage."

"Lord Hokage?" Chiya immediately threw herself into the role, brimming with enthusiasm.

Seeing this, the Chunin instructor smiled even more broadly and patted Chiya on the shoulder. "That's right, Lord Hokage. He's been watching your progress from the shadows all this time."

"Really?" Chiya asked in an exaggerated tone.

"Of course it's true. Why would I lie? Here's your Forehead Protector, along with a ninja tool pouch and a Kunai pouch. Lord Hokage has high hopes for you. The last two are gifts from him." As he spoke, he handed her a ninja headband, a ninja tool pouch, and a Kunai pouch.

"I won't let Lord Hokage down. I'll contribute my share of strength to Konoha." Chiya deliberately put on an expression of utter adoration.

The Chunin instructor smiled. "Keep it up."

Afterward, the Chunin instructor announced Chiya's early graduation in front of the whole class.

No one objected. Setting aside the monstrous Uchiha Itachi from their first year, Chiya was the most outstanding student in their class.

And today would be Chiya's last day at school.

That evening, Uchiha Izumi celebrated Chiya's promotion to Genin with her.

Early the next morning, Chiya packed her ninja tool pouch and Kunai pouch, took out Kyoka Suigetsu, and fastened it to her waist.

Following her instructor's directions, she went to an empty classroom at the Ninja Academy to meet her teammates and team leader.

By the time Chiya arrived, both teammates were already there.

One of them was a blonde girl with twin tails named Akizuki Airi. She had a loli-like face, a very fair and youthful appearance, and a voluptuous figure that didn't match her age at all.

She was the very picture of a busty little girl.