Early Graduation

Early summer of Konoha 53rd year

The training grounds are located a bit far from the Konoha Ninja Academy.

In the training ground, a short boy and a tall ninja wearing a green vest faced off, their hands forming Seal of Confrontation.

There was a ninja wearing a green vest guarding each of the four corners of the training ground.

On the high platform beside them, the Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara, the head of the Security Department Uchiha Fugaku, and the Minister of Education and principal of the Ninja Academy, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood side by side, looking at the two people facing each other in the training field.

The Fourth Uchiha Nara, looked at the two people in the arena and said in a deep voice:

"Hiruzen, the situation in Konoha is generally peaceful right now, so there's no need for ninjas to graduate early."

Naraku has been the Fourth Hokage for over two years, and his reliance on the Third Hokage has greatly decreased. The handover of responsibilities has already been completed. The post-war compensation for the Ninja War has also been settled and implemented. Therefore, his title has changed, and it is no longer appropriate to refer to him as the Third Hokage.

"Hahaha, not just anyone can do that, but Itachi is different; he's a genius."

Uchiha Fugaku smiled. The person in the room was Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi. Itachi applied for early graduation at the age of seven, and that was only because Sarutobi Hiruzen him back for half a year. Otherwise, he would have graduated at the age of six, which is comparable to Kakashi's record.

Fugaku's strong support for Uchiha Itachi's early graduation was something that made him proud.

"I understand, I'll be more careful in the future. But no matter what, I need to deal with Uchiha Itachi's application for early graduation first. After all, the application has already been accepted, and the Fourth Hokage..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, replied in a deep voice. Sarutobi Hiruzen a lot of free time, and his smoking habit had grown stronger; he carried a pipe wherever he went.

"The competition begins!"

The referee blew his whistle and waved his flag, signaling the two players to begin.

The Chunin, Chunin at the little pudding in front of him, had no desire to even use Ninjutsu. He rushed forward at top speed, wanting to use Taijutsu to take down Uchiha Itachi.

Upon seeing the Chunin attack, Uchiha Itachi calmly jumped back and began throwing Kunai with lightning speed, a continuous barrage like machine gun fire.

"It's no use. You should go back to the Ninja Academy and continue your studies!"

The Chunin Kunai and right, and with his dodging movements, he quickly broke through the network of ninja tools thrown by Uchiha Itachi and rushed towards Uchiha Itachi.

The Fourth Hokage, Fugaku, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching from the sidelines, already knew how it would end.

"The Ninjutsu and combat skills of the Chunin Hiruzen need improvement. With this level of skill, you can't train excellent Konoha Genin."

Naraku offered his opinion in a soft voice.

"As expected of Itachi."

Fugaku remained calm, but a smug look appeared in his eyes.

"It's because Itachi is such an outstanding child."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, explained softly.

As the three of them expected, the outcome of the match was decided in an instant.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

The Chunin the test had already rushed to Uchiha Itachi's face; with the strength and Taijutsu of an adult, he could easily defeat the young Uchiha Itachi.

"Um!?"

However, Chunin was about to make his move, he sensed something was wrong and was hit hard in the back multiple times. The referee blew his whistle at the right moment.

"Uchiha Itachi wins!"

One round ended; the process was simple and utterly uninteresting.

"This... Uchiha Style Kunai Throwing Technique, huh? This kid's not simple..."

Chunin understanding the cause and effect, the ninja's pupils widened in utter shock.

The test Chunin dodged and blocked most of Uchiha Itachi's Kunai, but Uchiha Itachi's Kunai were controlled by Uchiha Itachi Kunai Technique. Those Kunai that the test Chunin dodged turned 180 degrees and continued to attack the test Chunin.

The test Chunin careless and was Kunai. If they had been real sharpened Kunai, the test Chunin would probably be dead by now.

"Is this the genius of the Uchiha?"

The referee Chunin, looked at Uchiha Itachi with a hint of apprehension in his eyes—apprehension towards a strong opponent, especially one so young.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Uchiha Itachi bowed slightly, Chunin a maturity beyond his years.

"With your skills, you certainly don't need to stay at the Ninja Academy anymore. You're destined to be a renowned figure in the Shinobi World. Congratulations on your graduation."

Chunin that Uchiha Itachi was polite and courteous, and the humiliation of being defeated by the Ninja Academy students had lessened somewhat. He praised him earnestly, and then the two formed Seal of Reconciliation.

"Truly worthy of being a member of the Fourth Generation's clan."

The referee next to him also offered timely praise.

Geniuses are always easily praised.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Uchiha Itachi also bowed slightly Chunin the referee Chunin to express his gratitude, then turned and left, walking towards Naraku and the other two.

"Itachi, because I agreed to let you graduate early, even the Fourth Hokage has given his opinion on it. You are an excellent child. Congratulations, you have graduated."

Sarutobi Hiruzen praised softly, then took out a Forehead Protector from his pocket and handed it to Uchiha Itachi.

"Thank you, Headmaster."

Uchiha Itachi accepted the Forehead Protector from Sarutobi Hiruzen with both hands, a smile appearing on his face. Itachi had tear troughs on his face and acted with great politeness and good manners, appearing somewhat precocious.

Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Uchiha Itachi take the Forehead Protector, his face, still holding the pipe, became somewhat serious, and he spoke as if recalling a past event:

"Itachi, this Forehead Protector was given to me by the Second Hokage when I graduated. "Forehead Protector

Time flies... Looking back, this Forehead Protector has been with me for almost fifty years.

Now, I pass it on to you, just as the Second Hokage passed this Forehead Protector to me... I hope you can shoulder the future of Konoha."

"The Forehead Protector the Second Hokage gave you? Fifty years ago? In the future?"

Uchiha Itachi's precocious face showed a bewildered expression, then, as if he understood something, a look of gratitude appeared on his face, and he said earnestly:

"I understand, I will!"

Uchiha Itachi held his Forehead Protector, his face, which resembled that of a young boy, filled with solemnity and reverence.

"Hahaha, thank you for your kind words, Lord Hiruzen. Itachi will not let you down."

Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but feel delighted and laughed heartily.

"Hiruzen, entrusting the Department of Education to you was indeed the right decision."

Naraku said with a meaningful smile.

This Sarutobi Hiruzen, his Forehead Protector that has been passed down for decades, if Naraku remembers correctly, when Sarutobi Hiruzen passed it on to Naraku when Naraku graduated, he said the same thing, only that at that time he said it was Forehead Protector that had been passed down for thirty years.

In matters of the heart, like Sarutobi Hiruzen, when he sees someone he finds agreeable, he'll unleash a barrage of such rhetoric.

His drawer was Forehead Protector, which, according to Sarutobi Hiruzen, were all given to him by the Second Hokage.

If you didn't know better, you'd think this Forehead Protector was Forehead Protector Sarutobi Hiruzen had worn for decades.

Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled this little trick right in front of Naraku, leaving him both amused and exasperated. Naraku wondered if Sarutobi Hiruzen lost his mind and forgotten what he had once told Naraku.

"Itachi, congratulations on graduating."

Naraku regained his senses, walked up to Itachi, ruffled Itachi's hair, and smiled his blessing.

"Uncle, can I take on missions now?"

Uchiha Itachi put on his Forehead Protector and Naraku with a blank expression, asking him a question.

"Sure, Itachi, but you need to find teammates who are willing to team up with you first."

I heard you don't play with your friends. Finding them might be difficult for you, but this is the first task I'm giving you."