Kakashi Graduates Early (Please Vote, Follow, and Recommend)

With Danzo no longer posing a threat and Taiichi's strength improving further, his life returned to normal. Even the increased intensity of training was reduced slightly. His friends quietly breathed sighs of relief as well. Unlike Taiichi, they did not have a panel that let them see their progress at all times. Training could be considered a form of enjoyment for Taiichi, but relentless high-intensity training every day was torture for most people.

Time passed quietly amid those peaceful days. Everyone safely made it through their first year at the Ninja Academy, gradually growing from clueless rookies into something resembling little ninjas.

In Konoha's forty-third year, during the Ninja Academy's second year, before even one semester had passed, something major happened at the school—six-year-old Hatake Kakashi applied to graduate early. The entire school was shaken. Graduating early was impressive enough already, but Kakashi was applying to graduate at the age of six. It was easy to imagine how shocked everyone was.

"Kakashi, have you really thought it through? You're applying to graduate now?" Rin asked seriously as she looked into Kakashi's eyes.

"Yeah. I can't learn much more at the school anymore, and I asked my father for his opinion too. He agreed to let me graduate early," Kakashi answered just as sincerely. He knew his classmates were only concerned about him.

"Taiichi, with your ability, you should be able to apply for early graduation too, right? Why haven't you made any moves?" Kakashi turned to look at Taiichi, who was watching from the side.

"Ah... haha. I asked Director Nonō, but she wouldn't agree to let me graduate this early. She said I should wait a little longer," Taiichi said against his true feelings. In reality, he wanted to graduate early too, but after looking at his panel, he could only continue waiting.

[Notice: Your Genin profession has reached maximum level, Lv10. 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 strange requirements, Taiichi felt helpless. He had completed the first four conditions long ago, and even his profession level had reached the requirement during winter break. But the fifth condition gave him a headache. Why did he have to stay at the Ninja Academy for two years? Was it afraid that 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 it on Nonō. After all, he had come from the Orphanage and needed to follow the director's wishes.

"Enough about me. Your assessment is coming up soon. How's your preparation going?" Taiichi changed the subject.

"There isn't really anything to prepare. I just need to stay calm," Kakashi said casually.

But Kakashi's words provoked Obito. Kakashi's early graduation had already made Obito miserable enough, since he had always treated Kakashi as his goal. Now, seeing Kakashi's indifferent attitude, Obito immediately got worked up.

"You smug Kakashi, what are you so proud of? I'll apply to graduate tomorrow too." Obito spouted nonsense the moment he opened his mouth.

Everyone could not help laughing. Obito's actual combat ability was quite good, but his theoretical grades were terrible. He came in last every time, and his scores were absurdly low, usually around thirty points. That had earned him the title of "dead last."

"Dead last should work harder," Kakashi said, glancing sideways at Obito.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Don't hold me back! I'm going to fight him to the death!" Obito cried hysterically as everyone held him back.

"Kakashi, it's time for your assessment. Come with me," Teacher Yamada said, looking at Kakashi with complicated eyes before turning to lead the way.

The training ground was already packed with people. Early graduation was not common even in Konoha, much less for such a young child. Everyone who heard 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. I will now explain the rules: Any methods may be used. Hold out for more than ten minutes under the attacks of a Chunin examiner."

"Examiner Ishikawa Ryo and candidate Hatake Kakashi, please step forward."

Kakashi stepped forward at those words. At the same time, Chunin Ishikawa Ryo used Body Flicker to arrive on the field. The two formed the Seal of Confrontation with each other.

"Begin!"

Kakashi raised his hand and flung out four Shuriken to block off the path. Compared to his first year, Kakashi was now much stronger, and the Shuriken made a clear whistling sound as they flew. Following behind them, Kakashi charged toward Chunin Ishikawa while drawing his Short Sword.

Ishikawa was not in a hurry. He pulled out a Kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch and casually prepared to knock away the Shuriken in front of him. But the instant his Kunai collided with the Shuriken, he could no longer remain calm. The force was too great—far beyond that of an ordinary Genin.

That brief delay allowed Kakashi to close in. The cold gleam of his blade slashed directly at Ishikawa. One strike, two strikes, three strikes—every blow was heavy and powerful. This was where the advantage of a long-handled weapon against a short-handled weapon 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 not gain an advantage in close combat. He suddenly exerted force and temporarily drove Kakashi back. Then, while retreating, he formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive Fireball shot toward Kakashi at high speed, but Kakashi did not counter it with ninjutsu. He simply used Body Flicker to evade while constantly throwing Shuriken to interfere, using the chance to close in.

Ishikawa saw through Kakashi's intentions. How could he let him succeed? He continued forming hand seals and used the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique this time. Twelve Fireballs rushed toward Kakashi one after another from different angles. Kakashi did not hesitate either, forming hand seals and responding with Phoenix Sage Fire. Identical 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 together. Chunin Ishikawa continued sweeping the ground ahead with Phoenix Sage Fire, clearly disregarding everything else and directly bombarding the area with ninjutsu. And it actually worked. The three clones were struck by the waves of flame and dispersed one after another, while even Kakashi's real body was scorched by the fire. But 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 locked Chunin Ishikawa down and refused to let up.

"Time's up! Assessment passed." Sarutobi Matsuya's voice rang out, and the two fighters immediately borrowed each other's force to separate.

"Kid, you're really something with that swordsmanship!" Ishikawa praised.

Kakashi smiled politely.

Cheers erupted from the edge of the field as everyone congratulated 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," Sarutobi Matsuya said as he walked over.

"Understood. Thank you, Jonin Sarutobi," Kakashi replied politely.

After watching the Jonin leave, Kakashi's friends finally gathered around him, each of them offering congratulations.

"Alright, everyone, stop crowding around Kakashi. He still needs to handle the paperwork," 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 busy wiping away his tears.

"Who's crying? It's just sand in my eyes. I'd never cry for that guy," Obito said stubbornly.

"Sigh, I wonder when we'll see each other again. Kakashi has become a ninja now, 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 sooner or later. Besides, missions come with breaks too. Why are all of you acting so sentimental?" Taiichi encouraged everyone. "Let's work hard too and try to graduate early as well."

"Yeah!" everyone shouted in unison.