Let's Graduate Early!

It is quite ironic, truly.

The original intention of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, when he founded the hidden village, was to ensure that the children of ninja clans would not have to step onto the battlefield at the age of six or seven, allowing them to spend their childhoods in peace and happiness.

Yet today, regardless of whose child it is, if they can graduate early at six or seven to become a ninja, they are met with the envy and praise of the entire village.

Kizaru, having received an invitation for early graduation from the Third Hokage, has now become the object of everyone's envy.

Whether it is his classmates, their parents, or the clans standing behind them, all are filled with envy—and perhaps a touch of jealousy—that the Shimura Clan has produced such a top-tier genius.

Given that many parents were watching outside the school on the day of the exam, Kizaru's performance spread throughout the village in a very short time.

People now know that Shimura Kizaru not only possesses terrifying talent in physical fitness but also harbors exceptional aptitude for ninjutsu.

Consequently, in a short period, the Shimura Clan compound became the most popular place in the village, with heads of various clans finding suitable excuses to pay a visit.

With the current clan head, Danzo, serving as the Hokage Assistant and founder of Root, and the future of the clan secured by a super-genius like Shimura Kizaru, anyone with a normal IQ can see that the Shimura Clan's prospects for the next few decades are bright and full of promise.

The Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan, already on good terms with the Shimura, even took the initiative to send many of their own elite ninjas to join Root as a gesture of closeness, significantly bolstering Root's strength.

As the leader of Root, Danzo remained outwardly indifferent to such grand gifts, though his heart was filled with joy.

He was even more fond of Kizaru.

To further boost Kizaru's reputation, Danzo arranged for many of his clansmen and Root subordinates to spread the word throughout the village that six-year-old Shimura Kizaru had improved the B-rank Wind Style ninjutsu—Vacuum Sphere, Super Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere, Vacuum Wave, and Vacuum Serial Waves—and had independently created the A-rank ninjutsu Super Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere and Super Wind Style: Vacuum Wave, as well as the S-rank ninjutsu Super Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere and Super Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves.

The news sparked heated discussions across the village, making Kizaru the center of attention, with everyone marveling at his astonishing talent.

When the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, heard the news, his expression became somewhat complex.

It was not that Hiruzen was unwilling to see such a genius emerge in the Shimura Clan; rather, as Danzo's close friend, he knew these ninjutsu had actually been improved by Danzo himself.

He recalled that when Danzo was improving those techniques, their teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had provided much guidance, and Hiruzen himself had offered many ideas and suggestions.

His old friend truly had poured everything he had into supporting the younger generation.

Sitting in his office, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, sighing repeatedly.

Thinking of the Sarutobi Clan, which lacked even a single successor worthy of his personal support, Hiruzen couldn't help but envy Danzo.

It seemed he needed to put in more effort himself; the potential of his current "main account" was clear, so he would have to work hard to "create a side account" and give it another shot.

Rubbing his aging lower back, Hiruzen decided that while he wasn't too old yet, he should hurry up and start that side account.

Just as Hiruzen was lamenting the lack of successors in his own clan and resolving to start a new family line, Danzo was fretting over his own descendant being too outstanding.

Danzo was quite supportive of his old friend's desire for his nephew to graduate early, but it was a massive headache that the boy himself was unwilling.

Now, the Hokage wanted Kizaru to graduate early, the school teachers hoped for it, and the villagers were all waiting for it, looking forward to his performance in the graduation exam.

The atmosphere of the entire village had been built up to this point, yet the person involved refused to graduate—it was incredibly frustrating.

Given the current public opinion, as long as Kizaru participated in the early graduation assessment and defeated a Jonin using his Kekkei Genkai on that day, his reputation as a super-genius would be set in stone.

In the future, provided he made no fundamental mistakes and maintained steady growth in strength, he would carry everyone's expectations. With his own help, Kizaru would become a top-tier powerhouse, achieve great military exploits, and accumulate enough prestige—wouldn't the position of Hokage then be within his grasp?

Danzo had even planned out how he would realize his political ambitions, help Konoha grow strong, and perhaps even unify the Shinobi World once his nephew became Hokage.

Yet, the very first step was stuck: Kizaru didn't want to graduate early; he wanted to keep studying.

"It is not that this old man wishes to break his promise, but the Hokage's request is one I cannot refuse," Danzo said, sitting opposite Kizaru with an air of helplessness.

"Uncle, I think the three-year plan is excellent; there is no need to break it," Kizaru replied with a smile.

"The world is full of variables; very little remains unchanged," Danzo continued. "Your talent is too exceptional, exceeding my expectations. It is no longer appropriate for you to remain in school."

"I think it's quite appropriate. Shouldn't a six-year-old child be in school studying?" Kizaru maintained a faint smile on his face.

Danzo carefully scrutinized his 175-centimeter-tall, robust, and lanky grand-nephew, finding it difficult to associate him with the word "six-year-old."

You at six and a normal six-year-old child are two completely different species, aren't you?

Danzo wanted to retort, but he couldn't find the right words.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Danzo decided on a compromise.

"I understand your thoughts. How about this: you apply for early graduation now, but for the first two years after graduating, you won't need to accept any missions. You only need to focus on training."

Hearing Danzo's new proposal, Kizaru did not answer immediately, instead considering it carefully.

His uncle's meaning was simple: the time lost by graduating early would be compensated for afterward; he could stay home and train in peace for two years without being sent on missions.

After thinking it over, Kizaru looked at Danzo and said, "I accept this arrangement, but I have one condition."

"What is it?" Danzo asked.

"Let me finish the first grade. It's only right to see things through to the end."

"No problem!" Danzo replied hastily.

Although it meant delaying the timeline slightly, Danzo was already satisfied that Kizaru had relented and accepted the early graduation.

"Then, if there is nothing else, I will head back now, Uncle!"

As he spoke, Kizaru rose from his seat.

"Wait!" Seeing Kizaru about to leave, Danzo called out to him.

"Is there anything else?" Kizaru stood up and looked down at Danzo.

"After graduation, do you have any thoughts regarding your instructor?"

"A supervising jounin?" Kizaru didn't really have any ideas at the moment. He looked up at the ceiling, pondered for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "What a drag! I'll leave it to you, Uncle!"

With that, Kizaru didn't give Danzo a chance to speak further and walked away quickly.

Watching Kizaru's retreating figure, Danzo shook his head in helpless resignation.