In the forty-first year of Konoha!
Life in this world passed in the blink of an eye!
In just three years, Gong Yi, who had once been a five-year-old child, had grown into a boy standing 1.6 meters tall.
Perhaps because the world of Naruto was filled with Natural Energy, people grew at an astonishing speed.
During the Warring States period, for instance, children as young as four or five went to battle, swinging weapons and fighting to the death.
Kakashi, for example, had graduated from the Ninja Academy at five and begun taking missions.
In other words, if Gong Yi had been in Huaxia, he would have been around sixteen or seventeen by now.
After another day of grueling training, Gong Yi skipped his extra practice and went straight to bed.
The next morning, refreshed and full of energy, he arrived at the academy.
"Gong Yi, you're here! Have you had breakfast? I brought you sushi. I made it myself!"
When the handsome boy walked through the classroom door, Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up and she hurried over.
Faced with the girl's affectionate attention, Gong Yi furrowed his brow slightly.
Ever since Kakashi left the academy, students had kept challenging Gong Yi in hopes of claiming the title of top student.
Some were in his year, while others were upperclassmen.
The reason was simply that while Kakashi had still been at the academy, he had regarded Gong Yi as his sole rival.
Though the two had never competed, everyone knew that Kakashi acknowledged Gong Yi.
Beat Gong Yi, and you'd be the academy's top student!
The students weren't the only ones behind these challenges. Some of their parents approved of them, and even encouraged them.
Everyone knew that if you showed enough talent at the academy, people would call you a genius.
Once you graduated, the village would invest plenty of resources in you. You might even catch the eye of some powerful figure and be taken on as a disciple.
The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, who was already gaining fame, had stood out at the academy. After successfully completing a few missions, he had been taken on as a student by Lord Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.
But after countless challenges, every student had fallen into despair.
Gong Yi was simply too strong. Whatever tactics they tried, he defeated them with ease.
A year later, hardly anyone dared to challenge him.
Gong Yi had enjoyed two years of peace, but he had also spent two years being pestered.
After he secured the title of top student, countless girls began looking at him with admiration.
One of them was the young lady standing before him now, Kurenai Yuhi, from a distinguished family known for its Genjutsu.
Gong Yi relaxed his brow and accepted the finely made lunch box from Kurenai.
But he didn't open it.
"Kurenai, you don't have to bring me breakfast anymore."
Kurenai froze, and the girl's eyes suddenly reddened.
Did Gong Yi mean he didn't like her anymore?
He didn't even want to eat the breakfast she'd brought him?
Then what had all the breakfasts she'd brought him every day for the past two years meant?
Plip!
Tears suddenly fell. Kurenai quickly lowered her head to hide them.
Gong Yi was about to explain when he heard a rush of air beside him.
A fist suddenly came flying at him.
Gong Yi tilted his head slightly and spun around with an elbow. A cry of pain rang out behind him.
Gong Yi turned to face the boy and shook his head.
"Asuma, sneaking up on someone from behind isn't exactly honorable."
Clutching his stomach, Asuma shouted angrily, "You bastard! You made Kurenai cry. I'm challenging you to a duel!"
The corner of Gong Yi's mouth lifted in an almost-smile. "Are you sure you want to challenge me?"
At those words, Asuma stiffened, his face turning pale and then red.
The classmates who had gathered around the three of them fell silent, too.
Two years ago, Gong Yi had accepted challenges from countless Ninja Academy students and had never lost.
He fought swiftly and decisively. The last time, he'd hit an upperclassman who was about to graduate so hard that the boy was seriously injured.
Since then, no one had dared to challenge him.
If Kakashi's reputation as the top student had been built on rumors passed from one person to another, Gong Yi had earned his title by defeating countless opponents!
Two years had passed. No one knew how strong Gong Yi had become by now.
Asuma's expression shifted uncertainly. Ebisu leaned close and whispered, "The other day, I saw him fight Teacher Ishii Kawa in private. He's really, really strong!"
Asuma hesitated, but when he saw how delicate Kurenai looked, he gritted his teeth.
"My father's arranged tutor taught me two C-rank Ninjutsu recently. I can only use each one once before I run out of Chakra, but I should be able to beat him, right?"
Just as Asuma was about to announce his challenge to Gong Yi, Gong Yi waved a hand with a bored look.
"Forget it. There's no point."
Ignoring the humiliated look on Asuma's face, Gong Yi turned and reached out to ruffle Kurenai's hair.
"Why are you crying? Your breakfasts are my favorite."
At Gong Yi's affectionate touch, Kurenai let out a little gasp, then wiped away her tears.
"Then why—"
"I have something to take care of, so I won't be coming to the Ninja Academy anymore. That means you won't be able to bring me breakfast."
Kurenai blinked curiously. "What do you have to do?"
Gong Yi smiled faintly. "You'll find out soon."
Kurenai nodded, still a little puzzled. Sensing the other students' eyes on her, she grew terribly bashful.
How could Gong Yi be so gentle with her in front of everyone?
Oh, this was so embarrassing!
But what was the thing Gong Yi had mentioned?
By afternoon, word had spread from the teachers' office, and all the students were stunned.
Gong Yi had applied for early graduation!
And the academy would assign a Chunin to oversee his graduation exam!
Before you continue