Applying for Early Graduation

Time passed.

A year went by amid the ordinary routine of life at the Ninja Academy.

Thanks to Yu's astonishing performance at the Ninja Academy, before long, the name Yakushi Hane began circulating alongside that of Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha Clan's young prodigy.

Now, nearly everyone in the village knew that after Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang, Konoha had produced two more extraordinary young ninja.

Inside the Hokage Office Building.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and two other senior advisers, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were seated together.

"Applications for early graduation..."

The two applications laid before Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had caught the attention of Konoha's four highest-ranking leaders.

He puffed on his pipe, exhaling thick clouds of smoke. Deep furrows creased the aged Hokage's brow.

"They've only been enrolled for a year. Isn't it too soon?"

By Year 45 in Konoha, the Third Shinobi World War had become increasingly deadlocked.

The war with Sunagakure of the Land of Wind continued, and now Iwagakure of the Land of Earth had suddenly crossed through Kusagakure to launch a surprise attack on Konoha. The village was under immense pressure on two fronts at once.

The constant reports from the front lines had cast a heavy atmosphere over the entire Hokage Office.

"I've never seen students like them..."

"Not only did they get perfect scores on last year's Clone Technique graduation exam..."

"They got perfect scores in every ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and ninja tool assessment."

Hearing Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's doubts, Kurenai Yuhi's Father stepped forward and knelt on one knee. A trace of indescribable emotion showed on his composed face. "They excel in every other area as well. There's no point in keeping them at the Ninja Academy..."

"So, Lord Hokage, I recommend that Yakushi Hane be allowed to apply for early graduation."

Seeing Kurenai Yuhi's Father step forward with his recommendation, another Chunin in the office quickly came forward as well.

"I agree, Lord Hokage!"

"I also recommend that Uchiha Shisui be allowed to apply for early graduation!"

He was the instructor of Class Two at the Ninja Academy, as well as Uchiha Shisui's homeroom teacher.

"Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui..."

Looking at Kurenai Yuhi's Father and the other Chunin, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured the names that everyone in the village had been discussing lately, veiled by the white smoke.

When he spoke Shisui's name, a trace of nostalgia surfaced in the Hokage's aged eyes.

Uchiha Shisui... He must be Kagami's descendant.

"Both boys have applied for early graduation, but they're only first-years, aren't they?"

Though astonished by the two boys' talents, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi still looked concerned.

He turned to the other three members of Konoha's High Command, wanting to hear their opinions.

"They are first-years..."

"But isn't that a good thing? Besides, there's precedent for it, isn't there?"

A low voice rang out. Shimura Danzō, seated beside Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke up.

"These two boys... They must be rare talents, even by Konoha's standards, wouldn't you say?"

"Letting them graduate early is for their own good..."

As he spoke in a low voice, a hint of barely perceptible greed and ambition lurked in the left eye visible beyond the white bandages.

Ever since founding Konoha's independent underground organization, Root, Danzō's hunger for talent had grown ever stronger.

For instance, Hatake Kakashi, the prodigy who had graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of five several years ago, had long been one of his targets.

"Hmm..."

"Danzō does have a point."

Although he usually disagreed with Danzō, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi found himself agreeing with him for once.

After mulling it over, a rueful look crossed the Hokage's face. "I can't believe these two brats are applying to graduate after only a year. What astonishing talent..."

Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui's incredible gifts reminded him of his beloved student, Orochimaru.

No—even Orochimaru hadn't reached their level at their age...

"Talented ninja like these should be put through their paces early."

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and signed the applications.

"Still, for the sake of these two brats' safety..."

"If they want to graduate early, they'll have to undergo a proper test."

Yakushi Hane, huh...

How interesting. He could actually rival the Uchiha Clan's prodigy, Shisui.

Seeing Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi approve the boys' applications for early graduation, Danzō's visible left eye gleamed with a depth and malice no one could decipher.

If his guess was right...

Wasn't this the child that woman had adopted?

Three days later.

News that Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha Clan's prodigy, and Yakushi Hane had applied for early graduation caused a stir throughout the Ninja Academy. Plenty of people across Konoha were talking about it too.

"Have you heard? That Uchiha prodigy, Shisui, applied for early graduation!"

At a tavern, one Chunin chatted with his companion.

"I heard ages ago! But besides Uchiha Shisui, another kid applied for early graduation too."

The other Chunin didn't seem impressed. "Lord Hokage may have approved their applications, but that doesn't mean those two brats will have an easy time graduating."

"I heard that in addition to the usual graduation exams..."

"Those two brats will also have to face three Genin on their own to graduate."

"Three Genin? Isn't that unfair?" the first Chunin exclaimed, eyes wide. "When students graduate from the Ninja Academy, don't they just need to reach Genin level?"

"I heard about it while patrolling the Hokage Office Building..."

"After all, we're at war. If they don't want those two brats dying on the battlefield, they'll have to hold them to a higher standard."

The Chunin then clarified, "But Lord Hokage doesn't expect them to defeat three Genin. They just have to survive the fight against them to pass."

"I see... Lord Third Hokage really is going to great lengths to protect the village's children."

Konoha Back Mountain.

While the entire village was discussing the matter,

Yu was still here alone, continuing his relentless daily training.

"Five-Color String!"

With a sharp shout, Yu curled his left hand into a claw and swung it toward a large tree ten meters away.

"Bam!"

Five razor-sharp invisible threads ripped through the air.

They sliced the child-sized tree into six sections in an instant.

The towering tree crashed down, sending dust billowing through the forest.