Applying for Early Graduation

Time passed.

A year went by amidst the mundane life of the Ninja Academy.

Following Hane's astonishingly brilliant performance at the academy, the name Yakushi Hane inadvertently began to spread alongside that of Uchiha Shisui, the genius of the Uchiha Clan.

Now, almost everyone in the village knew that following Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang, Konoha had birthed two more incredible genius ninjas.

Inside the Konoha Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat alongside Danzo and the two other high-ranking advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Applying for early graduation, are they..."

The two applications laid out before the Third Hokage caught the attention of Konoha's four top leaders.

Clenching his pipe and exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, the Third Hokage's brow furrowed deeply on his aged face.

"They've only been enrolled for a year; isn't this too soon?"

As time reached the 45th year of Konoha, the Third Shinobi World War grew increasingly deadlocked.

The war against Sunagakure of the Land of Wind continued, and now, Iwagakure of the Land of Earth had suddenly launched a surprise attack on Konoha by crossing through Kusagakure, forcing Konoha to face immense pressure on two fronts.

The constant reports from the front lines left the entire Hokage office immersed in a heavy atmosphere.

"I have never seen students like them..."

"It's not just the Clone Technique from last year's academy graduation exam..."

"They received full marks in every single assessment, from ninjutsu and taijutsu to ninja tools."

Hearing the Third Hokage's skepticism, Kurenai Yuhi's Father stepped forward and knelt on one knee, a sense of inexplicable emotion showing on his steady face. "They are excellent in every other aspect as well; there is no point in keeping them at the Ninja Academy any longer..."

"Therefore, Lord Hokage, I propose that Yakushi Hane be allowed to graduate early."

Seeing Kurenai Yuhi's Father step forward to make his proposal, another chunin in the office quickly stepped up as well.

"The same goes for me, Lord Hokage!"

"I also propose that Uchiha Shisui be allowed to graduate early!"

He was the instructor for the Ninja Academy's second class and also Uchiha Shisui's homeroom teacher.

"Yakushi Hane and Uchiha Shisui, is it..."

Looking at Kurenai Yuhi's Father and the other chunin, the Third Hokage murmured the two names that had been the talk of the village lately through the white smoke.

Especially when he spoke Shisui's name, a hint of nostalgia flickered in the Third Hokage's aged eyes.

Uchiha Shisui... he must be a descendant of Kagami.

"Both children are applying for early graduation at the same time, but they are only in their first year, aren't they?"

Although surprised by the two boys' aptitude, the Third Hokage's face still revealed a trace of concern.

He turned his gaze toward the other three Konoha leaders beside him, wanting to hear their opinions.

"It is true that they are in their first year..."

"But isn't that a good thing? Besides, there are precedents, aren't there?"

At this moment, a low voice sounded as Danzo, sitting beside the Third Hokage, spoke up.

"These two boys... they must be rare geniuses even for Konoha, right?"

"Allowing them to graduate early is for their own good..."

Accompanying his low voice, a trace of imperceptible greed and ambition hid within the left eye Danzo kept exposed outside of his white bandages.

Ever since he established Root, Konoha's independent underground organization, Danzo's desire for talent had grown increasingly intense.

For instance, Hatake Kakashi, the genius ninja who graduated from the academy at the age of five a few years ago, was one of the targets he had long coveted.

"Hmm..."

"Danzo's words are not without merit."

Although he usually disagreed with Danzo, the Third Hokage uncharacteristically agreed with his opinion today.

After a brief moment of contemplation, a hint of emotion appeared on the Third Hokage's face. "I didn't expect that after only a year, these two brats would apply for graduation. Such talent is truly something to marvel at..."

Yakushi Hane, Uchiha Shisui—the astonishing talent of these two boys couldn't help but remind him of his beloved student, Orochimaru.

No, even Orochimaru... had not reached this level at their age...

"Ninjas with such talent should be polished early."

The Third Hokage set down his pipe and signed his name on the applications.

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

"If they want to graduate early, they must be properly tested."

Yakushi Hane, is it...

It is truly interesting that he is capable of rivaling Shisui, the genius of the Uchiha Clan.

Seeing the Third Hokage approve the two boys' applications for early graduation, a deep and sinister look that no one could fathom flickered in the left eye Danzo kept exposed.

If his guess was correct...

It should be the child adopted by that woman, right?

Three days later.

The news that Uchiha Shisui, a genius of the Uchiha Clan, and Yakushi Hane had applied for early graduation caused a sensation throughout the Ninja Academy, and even many people across the entire Konoha Village were discussing it.

"Have you heard? That genius from the Uchiha Clan, Shisui, has applied for early graduation!"

In a tavern, a chunin chatted with his companion.

"I heard about it long ago! But besides Uchiha Shisui, there is another brat who also applied for early graduation."

The other chunin looked rather dismissive as he spoke, "Although the Hokage has approved it, it won't be that easy for those two brats to graduate successfully."

"I heard that in addition to the standard graduation exam content..."

"Those two brats must face three genin alone in order to graduate successfully."

"Three genin? Isn't that too unfair?" Hearing this, the previous chunin opened his eyes wide in disbelief. "Doesn't graduating from the Ninja Academy usually just require reaching the level of a genin?"

"This is also news I heard while patrolling the Hokage Office Building..."

"After all, it is wartime now. If they don't want these two brats to sacrifice themselves on the battlefield, the requirements for them must certainly be more rigorous."

The chunin then changed his tone, "However, the Hokage's intention is not for them to defeat three genin, but rather that they only need to survive the live combat against the three genin to pass."

"I see... It seems the Third Hokage has truly taken great pains for these children in the village."

Konoha Back Mountain.

Just as the entire village was discussing this matter.

Hane remained here all alone, continuing his frantic, day-after-day training.

"Five-Color String!!"

Following a soft shout from Hane, his left hand formed a claw, and he struck out toward a large tree ten meters away.

"Bang!!"

Five sharp, invisible threads tore through the air.

They instantly sliced the tree, which was as thick as a child could wrap their arms around, into six segments.

The falling of the towering tree kicked up a cloud of dust in the woods.