With Danzo no longer posing a threat and Taiichi having further improved his strength, life returned to normal. Even the increased training intensity was eased slightly. The companions all quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Unlike Taiichi, they had no panel that let them see their progress at all times. Training was a kind of enjoyment for Taiichi, but for most people, intense training day after day was sheer torment.
Time slipped by silently amid those uneventful days. Everyone safely made it through their first year at the Ninja Academy, gradually changing from clueless rookies into something resembling little ninjas.
In Konoha Year 43, during their second year at the Ninja Academy, before even one semester had passed, something major happened—six-year-old Hatake Kakashi applied to graduate early. The entire school was shaken. Graduating early was impressive enough already, but Kakashi was applying at the age of six. It was easy to imagine how stunned everyone was.
"Kakashi, have you really thought this through? You're applying to graduate now?" Rin asked seriously, looking into Kakashi's eyes.
"Yeah. There's nothing more I can learn at school, and I asked my father for his opinion too. He agreed that I should graduate early," Kakashi answered just as sincerely. He knew his classmates were concerned about him.
"Taiichi, with your ability, you should be able to apply for early graduation too, right? How come you haven't made a move?" Kakashi turned to look at Taiichi, who was watching from the side.
"Ah, haha... I asked Director Nonō, but she wouldn't let me graduate this early. She told me to wait a little longer," Taiichi said against his true feelings. In truth, he wanted to graduate early too, but after looking at his panel, all he could do was keep waiting.
[Notice: Your Genin class has reached Lv10, the maximum level. Class advancement conditions triggered: 1. Strength 15 points, 2. Agility 15 points, 3. Three Body Technique Lv6, 4. Learn at least one ninjutsu, 5. Remain at the Ninja Academy for two full years]
Looking at those bizarre requirements, Taiichi felt helpless. He had completed the first four long ago, and his class level had already maxed out during winter break. But the fifth requirement gave him a headache. Why did he have to stay at the Ninja Academy for two years? Was it afraid he would become a ninja before he was strong enough and die too early?
But he could not tell Kakashi that, so he could only blame Nonō. After all, he had come from the Orphanage and needed to listen to the director's opinion.
"All right, enough about me. Your assessment is about to begin. How's your preparation going?" Taiichi changed the subject.
"There's not much to prepare. I just need to stay calm," Kakashi said casually.
But Kakashi's words provoked Obito. Kakashi's early graduation had already depressed him enough, since he had always regarded Kakashi as his goal. Seeing Kakashi act so unconcerned now made his blood boil.
"You smug bastard, Kakashi! What's so great about that? I'm applying to graduate tomorrow too!" Obito immediately started talking nonsense.
Everyone burst out laughing. Obito's practical combat ability was actually quite good, but his theoretical scores were abysmal. He came in last every time, and his scores were outrageously low—usually around thirty points. That had earned him the title of "dead last."
"Dead last should focus on working hard," Kakashi said, shooting Obito a sidelong glance.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! Don't hold me back! I'm going to fight him to the death!" Obito howled hysterically as everyone held him back.
"Kakashi, it's time for your assessment. Come with me!" Teacher Yamada looked at Kakashi with complicated emotions in his eyes before turning and leading the way.
The training field was already packed with people. Early graduation was rare even in Konoha, let alone for a child this young. Everyone who got the news had come to watch the assessment.
"Quiet!" The only ninja on the field began speaking. "I am the proctor for this assessment, Jonin Sarutobi Matsuya. Let me explain the rules: any methods may be used. Endure a Chunin examiner's attacks for ten minutes or more."
"Examiner Ishikawa Ryo and candidate Hatake Kakashi, step forward."
Kakashi walked forward at those words. At the same time, Chunin Ishikawa Ryo arrived on the field with a Body Flicker. The two formed the Seal of Confrontation.
"Begin!"
Kakashi raised his hand and flung out four shuriken to block off the path. Compared to his first year, Kakashi was much stronger now, and the shuriken tore through the air with distinct whooshing sounds. Following behind them, Kakashi charged toward Chunin Ishikawa while drawing his Short Sword.
Ishikawa was in no hurry. He pulled a kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch and casually prepared to knock away the shuriken in front of him. But the instant his kunai struck one, his calm vanished. The force was far too great—it was not at the level of an ordinary Genin.
That delay allowed Kakashi to close in. His coldly gleaming blade slashed straight at Ishikawa. One strike, two strikes, three strikes—each one heavy and powerful. This was where the advantage of a long-handled weapon over a short-handled one became apparent. Taking advantage of Ishikawa's underestimation, Kakashi seized the initiative and launched a relentless assault.
After more than a dozen exchanges, Ishikawa saw that he could gain no advantage in close combat. He suddenly exerted force and temporarily drove Kakashi back, retreating as he formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A huge fireball shot toward Kakashi at high speed, but Kakashi did not counter it with ninjutsu. He simply used Body Flicker to evade, continuously throwing shuriken to interfere as he took the opportunity to close the distance.
Ishikawa saw through Kakashi's intention. How could he let him succeed? He continued forming hand seals and used the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique this time. Twelve fireballs attacked Kakashi one after another from different angles. Kakashi did not hesitate either, forming hand seals and responding with Phoenix Sage Fire. Matching fireballs flew toward their respective targets, and all twenty-four collided in midair, scattering countless sparks and obscuring both sides' vision.
The two on the field took the opportunity to form hand seals at the same time. Kakashi used the Clone Technique, creating three clones that charged at his opponent alongside him. Chunin Ishikawa continued using Phoenix Sage Fire to sweep across the ground ahead. He was clearly ignoring everything else and using ninjutsu to bombard the entire area. And sure enough, it worked. The three clones were struck by the waves of flame and dispersed one after another, while even Kakashi's real body was singed by the fire. Yet Kakashi used that chance to rush in front of Chunin Ishikawa.
This time, Kakashi gave Ishikawa no more chances. Relying on his weapon advantage, he tightly entangled Chunin Ishikawa and refused to let up.
"Time's up! Assessment passed." Jonin Sarutobi's voice rang out, and the two fighters immediately used each other's force to separate.
"Kid, your swordsmanship is really something!" Ishikawa praised.
Kakashi smiled politely.
Cheers erupted from the edge of the field. Everyone was congratulating Kakashi on passing the assessment.
"Hatake Kakashi, you have passed the Genin assessment. Once you complete the relevant procedures, you will officially be a Genin," Jonin Sarutobi said as he walked over.
"Understood. Thank you, Jonin Sarutobi," Kakashi replied politely.
Once they watched the Jonin leave, the companions finally crowded around. Everyone spoke over one another as they congratulated Kakashi.
"All right, stop crowding around Kakashi. He still has procedures to take care of," Taiichi said, interrupting everyone. Only then did Kakashi get the chance to say goodbye and leave.
"Obito, why are you crying?" Guy turned around and immediately spotted Obito hurriedly wiping away his tears.
"Who's crying? I just got sand in my eyes. I wouldn't cry over that guy," Obito said stubbornly.
"Sigh... I wonder when we'll meet again. Kakashi has become a ninja, so he'll be busy doing missions from now on," Rin said sadly.
"We're all from the same village. We'll see each other again, and missions come with breaks too. Why are you all acting so sentimental?" Taiichi encouraged them. "Let's work hard too and graduate early as well."
"Yeah!" everyone shouted in unison.
Before you continue