White Fang's death caused an uproar in the village, and for a time, everyone was talking about it.
But it had no effect on Gong Yi. He went about his school life as usual and continued with his basic training.
If there was one impact, it was probably that White Fang's death led Kakashi, Gong Yi's classmate, to apply for early graduation a month later.
Five years old!
Kakashi Hatake, at just five years old, applied to graduate early.
His request was approved by his teacher, and the relevant graduation assessment was arranged soon afterward.
With Kakashi's abilities, passing the Genin assessment was a piece of cake.
On the day of his graduation, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi came to the school in person.
He placed a Konoha Ninja Forehead Protector on Kakashi.
His classmates Gekko Hayate, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, and others all came to watch Kakashi's graduation ceremony.
Gong Yi went too. Standing at the back of the crowd, he watched the bewildered look on Kakashi's face and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
His father's suicide had dealt Kakashi a tremendous psychological blow.
He had grown sad and withdrawn, and was even becoming increasingly lost.
His father was known as the White Fang. He had been so powerful, with a fearsome reputation throughout the Shinobi World. Why had he killed himself at home like a coward?
If he had died on the battlefield or at the hands of a powerful enemy, Kakashi wouldn't have been so confused.
Kakashi needed an answer!
And clearly, he wasn't going to find it at school.
I hope you can find the answer outside school, instead of numbing yourself with missions!
Gong Yi sighed, shifted his gaze to Lord Hokage's kindly face, shook his head, and left Kakashi's graduation ceremony. Alone, he made his way to the library.
Gong Yi knew the story, so Kakashi's early graduation didn't surprise him much.
But to the other students, it was utterly shocking.
Especially after Kakashi passed the assessment effortlessly and showed off his formidable abilities. His performance drew countless gasps of admiration.
Around then, some students began discussing who was the strongest person still at school now that Kakashi had left.
After much discussion, nearly everyone's attention turned to Gong Yi.
"Gong Yi beat Asuma, Hyuga Hirata, and Aburame Ma. He's probably the strongest now!"
"Before Kakashi left, he always said Gong Yi was the only one who could truly be his opponent. I actually think Gong Yi's no weaker than Kakashi!"
"What are you talking about? Kakashi beat students from the upper grades, while Gong Yi has no such record."
"I agree. Kakashi was White Fang's son, a genius of the Hatake Clan. Gong Yi's just an orphan of war. How can you compare him to Kakashi?"
"Fine, Gong Yi might not be as good as Kakashi, but at least he's the strongest among us for now. Can we agree on that?"
"Uh, I'll challenge him in our next sparring class!"
Gong Yi didn't pay the slightest attention to their talk.
He had even less interest in challenging students from the upper grades.
As long as someone was still at the Ninja Academy and hadn't graduated, they were a Genin!
Unless they were the kind of person who refused to leave, like Yakushi Kabuto in the future, Gong Yi didn't care whether they were first-years or fifth-years.
Gong Yi's focus was no longer on competing with these children.
He was paying far more attention to acquiring ninja knowledge.
That was why he so often visited the school library and the Konoha Village library.
The Ninja Scholar System hadn't given him a cheat that could destroy the world or make him invincible with a single punch. It had only given him the possibility of becoming stronger!
But realizing that possibility required a vast amount of foundational knowledge. Only then could he complete more research projects, gain more Scholar Skills, and earn more mission rewards.
That was also why Gong Yi, despite already possessing strength beyond a Genin's and the combat ability of a Chunin, hadn't graduated like Kakashi.
The early stages of a ninja's life were extremely important!
This was the time to lay a foundation. What he needed wasn't extensive combat experience, but to refine his Chakra, learn Ninjutsu, and build his physical strength, among other things.
Once he graduated, he would have to contribute to the village and take on missions.
While carrying out missions, there wouldn't be much time to build a foundation.
Perhaps Kakashi's future mediocrity, with nothing more than the title of Hatake Five-Five Split, was partly because he hadn't built a solid foundation.
A child that young had been sent out on missions, treading on thin ice between life and death. Even if he had a wealth of ways to deal with enemies, his actual strength was still limited.
Sitting cross-legged atop a tree, Gong Yi finished another day of training and focused his mind on the system.
Age: Five Ninja Rank: Chunin Constitution: 30 points Mental Strength: 35 points Basic Chakra Natures: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth. Strongest Nature—Earth Weapon: Iron Kunai Scholar Points: 30 (Scholar Points can be exchanged for Scholar Skills or used to increase Scholar Rank.) Scholar Rank: Level One (Can have up to three Scholar Skills) Scholar Skills: Basic Recovery Technique Current Research Projects: 0 Completed Research Projects: 3 (Reduced the Chakra required for the C-rank Ninjutsu Earth Style Wall by half!) (Reduced the Chakra required for the C-rank Ninjutsu Headhunter Jutsu by half!) (Reduced the Chakra required for Rock Pillar Spear by half!) Mission: Undying Xiaoqiang mission complete. Reward unclaimed!
A smile appeared at the corner of Gong Yi's mouth. He had completed three research projects in total, earning ten Scholar Points for each one. That left him with thirty Scholar Points.
Gong Yi had learned a little about Scholar Points from the system.
They had many uses. He could use them to upgrade Scholar Skills, increase his Scholar Rank, or even invest them in a research project to speed up its progress.
But Gong Yi hadn't used any yet.
Upgrading a Scholar Skill required at least a hundred Scholar Points!
Increasing his Scholar Rank required even more.
His plan was to save up more Scholar Points and then upgrade Recovery Technique.
As it stood, Recovery Technique was only really useful for supporting his training, and it had too many limitations.
As for his Scholar Rank, there was nothing he could do about it.
But Scholar Rank only limited the number of Scholar Skills he could have, and he didn't have many system skills yet. There was no need to upgrade it.
Right now, he was more interested in the reward for completing the "Undying Xiaoqiang" mission.
He had trained himself to the limit and finally completed the mission. What reward would the system give him?
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