Applying for Early Graduation

The next day, at high noon.

Bai Lin stood atop the massive stone cliff behind Konoha, where the faces of the past Hokage were carved, lost in a moment of zen.

He had finished handling everything yesterday; whether it was the handover of the Everything Shop or revealing his strength to Hiruzen Sarutobi, it had all gone according to Bai Lin's plan.

Yet, having received no arrangements from Hiruzen Sarutobi thus far, Bai Lin's restless heart began to churn with impatience.

My current strength is that of an elite jonin; the primary lottery (genin) and intermediate lottery (chunin) are no longer necessary.

Why does this system feel so poorly designed? I gained such immense power from the first recharge that the earlier lottery tiers are completely redundant!

Snake Sasuke is already strong enough. The advanced lottery (jonin level) requires 10 million ryo, and achieving that goal would take at most 10 S-rank missions. Rather than fretting over the meager rewards of low-level lotteries, I should focus on saving money to aim for the Kage-level lottery.

Bai Lin understood that to significantly increase his strength, he had no choice but to keep saving for higher-tier lotteries.

He had considered continuing his business, but the current era was unfavorable. Unless he sold ninja tools or similar goods to profit from the war, other ventures were best suited for times of peace.

The critical issue was that the system restricted his acquisition channels; otherwise, he would have loved to ransack a daimyo's estate. It was highly likely he could have exchanged for a Super-Kage ten-pull in one go, and he wouldn't have even minded becoming a rogue ninja for it.

Forget it, better to play it safe and steady.

I'll become a ninja first. Whether through mission rewards from Konoha or killing enemies on the battlefield, the Second Shinobi World War will be enough for me to raise my strength to the Kage level.

I'm so bored. Aside from making money, I can't find the motivation to work hard.

That makes sense, though. After all, others have to build their strength through cultivation, which is unstable and requires immense effort.

As for me, my foundation is solid. Being able to reach this level of strength is all thanks to the system, elevating me in a single step—the difference is clear at a glance!

Ninja Academy.

In the classroom of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

"Teacher, I would like to apply for early graduation," Minato Namikaze said solemnly to his instructor, Mizuno Takahashi.

"No way, Minato is actually applying for early graduation!"

"Minato Namikaze is just the top of the class, only a little bit stronger than us. If he can apply, why can't we?"

"If we had the same talent as the three disciples of the Hokage, we might even be taken as their students after graduation."

Minato Namikaze's strength in class didn't seem like that of a genius; in every sparring session, he went back and forth with his opponents, never once displaying extraordinary talent.

He appeared to be the top of the class, yet he also seemed completely unremarkable.

Those in the class who considered themselves only slightly weaker than Minato Namikaze also felt that if he could graduate early, they should be able to as well.

"Teacher, I want to graduate early too!"

"Yeah! The stuff in school is just the same thing over and over; I've already learned it. I want to be a ninja!"

"What if the Hokage sees my talent and takes me as a disciple? It won't be long before my reputation is just like Jiraiya's."

"Give it a rest. Your strength is worse than mine, and you want to be the Hokage's disciple? Orochimaru is the one I admire. After I graduate, I must be assigned under Orochimaru."

The chatter among the students grew louder. Mizuno Takahashi pushed up his glasses, sweat already beading on his forehead.

This year's batch had no real geniuses; they were all just standard, obedient students.

He hadn't expected that a single request for early graduation from Minato Namikaze would incite so many others.

Mizuno Takahashi spoke to everyone sternly: "Students, becoming a ninja is not a game. In the world of ninjas, a single failure means death! Do you think graduating early makes you special? That you can become powerhouses like the Sannin? Without a solid foundation and sufficient combat experience, death will be your final destination."

When Mizuno Takahashi mentioned death, his tone became incredibly grave, as if he were deliberately trying to guide them back to reason.

But what he didn't anticipate was that once people believe they have strength, they become blindly confident, and they began to express their defiance one after another.

Seeing this, he could only sigh helplessly and say: "If that is the case, students who wish to apply for early graduation after class may come to my office to sign up. Whether the application is granted, I will still have to consult the Hokage."

"However, as your teacher, I must tell you from the bottom of my heart: becoming a ninja is not playing house. Any single mistake will leave you filled with regret."

Mizuno Takahashi could no longer continue the lesson. The students' attention was not on the class at all; their faces were filled with excitement and agitation.

To become a ninja, to inherit the Will of Fire!

They were all discussing who would be lucky enough to become a disciple of the Hokage, Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru.

For this group of eight-year-olds, this was an incredibly glorious prospect.

Kushina sat in her seat, dumbfounded.

How is it that I've only been in school for two days, and all my classmates want to graduate? Does that mean I'll be left all alone in the future?

Pah!

The teacher is only lecturing for me alone now; what an honor that is!

Pah again!

What is that sissy doing? Isn't he Brother Lin's lackey? Could it be that he got Brother Lin's permission to graduate early?

Should I graduate early too?

No, I absolutely have to ask him after class.

Kushina's mind was racing with thoughts, starting with the absurdity that her classmates would be gone after only two days.

Furthermore, graduating early meant no longer wasting time in the classroom every day, leaving more time to find her Bai Lin.

Grandmother Mito had already begun giving her private lessons; with a chakra level no less than that of a jōnin, as long as she mastered ninjutsu, she would be far superior to most people.

Hard work is not worth mentioning in the face of talent, bloodline, and tattoos.

If Bai Lin heard this, he would only want to say with a humble-brag: Everything you think of is likewise not worth mentioning in the face of the system!

Deep Blue, add points!

Hokage office.

"Urgent military intelligence has come back from the border—Hanzo of the Salamander has begun to move."

"According to the intelligence, he is carrying out large-scale destruction against the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Iron simultaneously!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sank. "He even personally led the Amegakure elite across the border, destroying two of our medium-sized outposts in three days!"

"Has he gone mad?" Mitokado Homura pushed his glasses up sharply, his eyes wide. "Provoking three countries at once, is he trying to incite a war?"

Utatane Koharu nodded repeatedly. "It has been nearly twenty years since the last great war ended! Usually, there are only minor frictions; what is Hanzo of the Salamander trying to do?"

"Everyone, this is not a good sign." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Sunagakure has also been acting strange lately. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind has cut their budget, and resources are severely lacking; the number of times they have crossed the border to seize supplies has increased significantly in recent years."

"I suspect they will take this opportunity to launch a war against the Land of Fire again. Everyone, share your thoughts."

"I think Hanzo's ambition is overflowing!" Shimura Danzō's eyes were cold. "He wants to take advantage of the fact that the nations have been at peace for many years and their combat readiness has slackened, stirring up the Ninja World to fish in troubled waters! As for Sunagakure, I fear they have been waiting for this opportunity, hoping to seize resources through war!"

"Moreover, the movements of the other major ninja villages are unclear. Who knows who might take this opportunity to strike? We must strengthen monitoring of all ninja villages and guard against any possible actions."