Made in Heaven

Let me say this one last time: the timeline is beginning to accelerate!

Five years later, in the 39th year of Konoha.

"Why? Why the sudden request for early graduation?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the three [Graduation Applications] in his hands, his brow furrowed in doubt.

The youth before him was dressed in a snow-white open-collared kimono, cinched at the waist with a pale purple hemp rope. With his sharp, sword-like brows and starry eyes, he looked fresh and handsome. A hint of a rebellious, unrestrained smile always played on his lips, and with the Kusanagi Sword slung across his waist, he carried himself with an air of high-spirited elegance.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns; the firelight illuminates the village and allows new buds to sprout. The war in the Land of Rain rages on, and comrades are sacrificing themselves every moment. I grew up under the protection of the village, and now, it is time for me to protect the village and my comrades in return," Genichi replied respectfully.

Originally, Genichi had been preparing for the Third Ninja World War ten years down the line, but after receiving a secret letter from his teacher, Orochimaru, from the front lines, he was forced to board the final train of the Second Ninja World War.

Over the past two years, the Second Ninja World War had intensified. Hatake Sakumo had slain the parents of Sasori of the Red Sands, earning the name "White Fang" throughout the Ninja World. Chiyo had unleashed her poisons, only for Tsunade to counter and neutralize them. Hanzo of the Salamander had declared war on the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth simultaneously, expanding the scale of the conflict.

Konoha had grown quite desolate, but none of this affected Genichi. He remained quietly at the academy, maintaining his own training regimen as he pleased.

It is worth mentioning that when Nawaki had previously clamored to go to the battlefield, Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito had not opposed him. Though they worried for his safety, they figured that with Orochimaru looking after him, appropriate tempering would be beneficial for Nawaki's future.

Knowing how everything would unfold, Genichi naturally could not stand by and watch the tragedy happen, so he had no choice but to play the villain.

"With your current level, you're just a cannon-fodder genin. If you go to the front lines, you'll only cause trouble," Genichi said coldly. "Others will have to go out of their way to look after you because of your special status, distracting them from battlefield command."

"Bastard! I don't need special treatment! On the battlefield, I'm just an ordinary genin. I'm doing this to protect my comrades and the village!" Never having been mocked like this before, Nawaki turned bright red with rage.

"Heh." Genichi sneered. "Then let's settle this with strength. If you can beat me, I'll acknowledge you."

Nawaki, confident in his Senju clan's powerful physique, exquisite super-strength techniques, superior chakra reserves, and proficiency in Earth and Water Release ninjutsu, felt full of confidence.

"Then I'll show you the true power of this great man!"

The invincible Nawaki charged in, and the invincible Nawaki went down.

Genichi had merely performed hand seals in secret to create a [Lightning Release: Lightning Shadow Clone], then used the Transformation Technique to hide nearby. Once Nawaki rushed in and triggered the paralysis effect of the lightning clone, Genichi's true body stepped out and ended the fight with a single punch.

"If you can't even distinguish such a simple trap, no matter how much strength you have, you're just throwing your life away." Genichi calmly performed the Seal of Reconciliation.

Seeing Nawaki's performance in actual combat, Tsunade could only shake her head, and the matter of him going to the battlefield was dropped.

Back in the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the files of the three, continuing to ponder.

Hyuga Hana: A ninja of the Hyuga clan, possessing the Byakugan bloodline, serving as the team's scout. She also studies medical ninjutsu, handles logistics, and is proficient in the Gentle Fist, giving her strong survivability.

Mikoto Uchiha: An Uchiha ninja with a two-tomoe Sharingan, proficient in genjutsu and Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu. Her contracted ninja cats can handle intelligence gathering and transmission.

And then there was the youth before him, clearly the core of the team—powerful, well-rounded, and a student who had surpassed his master.

"Your team composition is reasonable and your strength is formidable. You meet the criteria for early graduation, so in principle, it can be approved." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a long puff of smoke before speaking slowly. "However, the situation in the Land of Rain remains chaotic. Your team's jonin instructor, Orochimaru, is serving as a front-line commander and cannot be in two places at once. Genichi, you will have to take on the duties of the jonin instructor yourself."

"If you insist on graduating early, even if Orochimaru vouches for you personally, I must still test you against the standards of a jonin. Well? Do you still wish to graduate early?"

"Yes, I stand by my decision, Lord Hokage." Genichi nodded confidently. His growth over these years could be said to have far exceeded his original goal of graduating at the level of a "Special Jonin."

"Then follow me, and let this old man test you." No sooner had the words left his lips than the Third Hokage used the Body Flicker Technique to head toward the training grounds.

Hearing this, Genichi stood frozen in place, watching the Third Hokage—forty-five or forty-six years old and still in the late stages of his prime—recede into the distance.

I'm fighting Sukuna? Ah, no, wait—I'm fighting the Third Hokage? Is this for real?