Graduation

There were many kinds of Body Flicker Technique. Broadly speaking, any ninjutsu that allowed its user to move instantaneously could be called Body Flicker Technique. For example, the Space-Time Ninjutsu Flying Thunder God Technique allowed its user to teleport by leaping through space. It could cover a hundred miles in an instant and was far more powerful than ordinary Body Flicker Technique. There was also high-speed Taijutsu, such as the lightning-fast movement granted by opening the Eight Inner Gates.

Some other techniques could also be used for instantaneous, high-speed movement, but required Hand Seals. One example was the Second Hokage's Water Flicker Technique. Tobirama had used it to move rapidly across water, allowing him to appear anywhere in a body of water in an instant and skim across its surface. He could also compress the water into blades to attack his enemies. Its advantage was that it made it easy for Tobirama to follow up with another move.

Ninjas who knew Body Flicker Technique had a terrifying advantage in speed. The martial arts of the world could not withstand a single blow, but speed could overcome anything. Those who reached the utmost limits of speed could become terrifyingly powerful.

The Body Flicker Technique Riyue had learned was an ordinary one, a high-speed Taijutsu that required no Hand Seals. It worked by releasing chakra from the legs to generate powerful thrust, then coordinating it with footwork to propel the body in a straight line over a short distance. It was similar to the Body Flicker Technique Sasuke used. Though it only allowed short-distance movement and was slower than other types of Body Flicker Technique, Riyue believed that ordinary Body Flicker Technique could still be formidable if trained to its limits. Combined with his Gentle Fist, it would surely take his strength to another level.

So Riyue began practicing Body Flicker Technique. To gain more experience, he created two Shadow Clones to practice alongside him. Releasing chakra from the legs was difficult to control. Everyone had a different height and weight, so the amount of chakra needed varied from person to person.

If he released too much chakra, he would move farther than intended. If he released too little, he would fall short. Controlling direction and position was also crucial. If he got it wrong, he might crash into a tree, a comrade, or even a weapon. The posture he ended in after using Body Flicker Technique mattered, too, since it needed to make his next move easier. He couldn't flicker over and end up lying down, face-first on the ground, or turn up with his back to the enemy. That would be tantamount to asking to be killed.

After many attempts, Riyue finally figured out the right amount of chakra to release. To practice controlling his direction, position, and posture while moving, he went deep into a densely wooded forest with difficult terrain. He planned to keep at it until he could move freely, without hindrance or hesitation. He didn't know how many tree trunks his Shadow Clones had broken before he managed to control his direction. Then Riyue began practicing how to adjust his posture mid-flicker, dodge obstacles, and arrive in the best possible attack stance.

Of course, once Riyue had mastered Body Flicker Technique, he would add some ideas of his own and improve it into a technique of his own. But that was for later.

Time flew by as Riyue trained and studied, and the day of the school's graduation test arrived. He would graduate six months before Kushina and Tsume. Six months later, they would turn twelve and be old enough to graduate as usual.

To protect Riyue, the Third Hokage hoped to keep his abilities hidden from the outside world until he became at least a Chunin. By then, Riyue would already be Tsunade's student, and no one could simply push around a Konoha Chunin. Riyue would also be able to protect himself to some extent and wouldn't be so easily killed during his training.

So the story told to the public was this: a few years earlier, Riyue's mother had asked the Third Hokage's student, Tsunade, to look after him. The Third Hokage had agreed, allowing Riyue to graduate early so Tsunade could teach him personally. The Third Hokage also made a special exception and let Riyue skip the graduation exam. He had already passed it, and the Third Hokage didn't want his graduation to attract too much attention.

The Third Hokage thought with a sly grin, Heh. By the time those people find out what Riyue can do, he'll already be my grandstudent. The Hyuga Main Family's blind-eyed fools will probably pop their eyes out, and those Uchiha Red Eyes will flare up again. I wonder if Danzo will smash that hideous cane of his.

So everyone knew that the Hyuga Clan had a little boy named Hyuga Riyue who, because of his mother's connection, had received Lady Tsunade's care and graduated early to become her student. People marveled at Riyue's incredible luck and powerful connections, but he still didn't attract much attention from the Uchiha Clan or Danzo.

Of course, some people in the Uchiha Clan still got jealous. How could Tsunade choose a Hyuga boy as her student instead of a child from the strongest clan, the Uchiha? Danzo, meanwhile, had no interest in a five-year-old from the Hyuga Branch Family. Neither could guess that five-year-old Hyuga Riyue was a genius.

As for the Hyuga Main Family...

In the Hyuga Main Family, the nearly sixty-year-old clan head and several elders received the message from the Third Hokage. Some of the Main Family were delighted. No matter what Riyue was like, he was still a member of the Hyuga Clan. The fact that one of the Third Hokage's students had taken an interest in him would bring the Hyuga Clan and the Hokage closer. Let those Uchiha Red Eyes stew in their jealousy.

Hyuga Hideyoshi and several elders he was close to, however, wore cold expressions. After the meeting, they secretly gathered together. Hyuga Hideyoshi had a narrow face, round ears, a pointed mouth, and a hooked nose. He looked far more like a monkey than Sarutobi Hiruzen did. With a dark expression, he hurled his teacup to the floor, shattering it. The people kneeling before him lowered their heads even further.

"Who can tell me what this is about?!" Hyuga Hideyoshi gritted his teeth, struggling to hold back his anger.

"Elder Hideyoshi, it was Lord Hokage's decision. We didn't know beforehand, either," his guard said, bending over with his rear in the air.

"How could that man's son become a student of Tsunade, one of the Sannin? Our original plan is useless now!"

"Please calm down, Elder..."

"We were going to wait until that little bastard graduated, then use a clan vote to have him transferred here from the village as Rixin's guard. He'd be in the palm of my hand, a useless nobody for the rest of his life. I could kill him however I pleased. But, but! Now that little bastard has become Tsunade's student!"

An elder beside him tried to soothe him. "Elder Hideyoshi, don't get worked up. Have you forgotten how Hyuga Den died? Tsunade is on the battlefield now. Accidents happen all the time on the battlefield..."

"You mean...?"

"Why get angry over a tiny fly, Hideyoshi? Don't worry! That little bastard won't escape your grasp, and the position of clan head won't escape Rixin's, either!"

Plots and schemes were always carried out furtively in the dark.

After receiving his Forehead Protector, Riyue tied it around his forehead. With the whole class watching, their teacher, Ebiki, announced that Riyue had graduated, prompting a wave of gasps.

"Riyue graduated? How is that possible?" Disbelieving.

"That sly guy kept it from us all this time!" Excited.

"Riyue looks so cool with his Forehead Protector!" Smitten.

"He only got it because of his mother. Hmph!" Scornful.

"I need to work harder, too! I can't lose!" Determined.

All kinds of envious, jealous, disdainful, and curious looks fell on Riyue. He bowed to everyone, thanked them for looking after him over the past six months, and reminisced about their time studying together before saying goodbye. After exchanging a few words with Ebiki, Riyue left the classroom.

Riyue had arranged to take a group photo with Kushina and the others on campus. His handsome appearance and his tiny five- or six-year-old frame quickly drew the attention of others.

"Who's that boy? Why has he graduated already?"

"What a cute kid. I think he's from the Hyuga Clan."

"I heard Lady Tsunade took him as her student, so they made a special exception and let him graduate."

"I heard his mother and Lady Tsunade are close. I don't think he even took the graduation exam."

"Is that right? Becoming a Genin through connections? And he's only five!"

"Maybe he's really strong."

"What can a five-year-old do?"

Riyue paid no attention to their comments. Only people without ability complained all the time. Kushina and the others knew how strong he was. If someone as capable as Riyue couldn't graduate, what chance did the rest of them have?

It was getting late, so they decided to go to BBQ Q for a celebratory barbecue. Riyue sent a Shadow Clone to invite Ino-Shika-Cho and Shibi. It was a shame they hadn't had a chance to meet Namikaze Minato yet; it would have made things even livelier. Mizuki had been about to return to the village, but she was reassigned to the front lines at the last minute, so she wouldn't be back for another six months. Riyue had immediately written her a letter to tell her he'd graduated.

The group walked out of the school gate together, laughing and chatting, when someone came over and called out to Riyue.

"Stop, Hyuga Riyue!"

Riyue turned and saw Uchiha Jun. The arrogant boy was staring at him in anger.

"Uchiha Jun? What is it?" Riyue asked, puzzled.

"Why? Why did you graduate so soon? Why did you get to become Lady Tsunade's student? You're nothing but a truant who sleeps in class and gets average grades!" Uchiha Jun demanded furiously.

"Uh... have the Uchiha Red Eyes flared up again? Is this the pride of the so-called 'strongest clan'—this sick obsession with not letting anyone outshine them and having to trample them underfoot?" Riyue understood at once and felt a headache coming on.

"Lady Tsunade wanted me as her student, so I graduated. Jun, you should work hard, too!" Riyue said. In truth, it had been the Third Hokage who wanted him to become Tsunade's student.

"My grades are way better than yours! I'm always first in the class! What are you better at than me? How can a mediocre loser like you be worthy of becoming Lady Tsunade's student?" Uchiha Jun vented his anger.

"Jun, this was Lord Hokage and Lady Tsunade's decision. If you have a problem with it, take it up with the Third Hokage." Riyue watched him expressionlessly. There was no need to explain anything.

"What makes someone with your ability worthy of graduating? Let's be honest, you're just relying on connections, right? Do you dare to fight me, or are you afraid of losing?" Uchiha Jun taunted him.

"Forget fighting. There's no skill in it. Think whatever you want. I'm going to eat." Riyue shook his head and prepared to leave. Why were the Uchiha so unreasonable?

"Are you scared because you've seen the mighty Uchiha? You Hyuga coward!" Uchiha Jun called after Riyue as he walked away, continuing to provoke him.

Riyue couldn't even be bothered to turn around.

"I heard your mother was related to Tsunade, too. Lady Tsunade only took you in out of pity for your mother, who died young... You—!"

Suddenly, Riyue used Body Flicker Technique and appeared in front of Uchiha Jun. He grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up, and slammed him against the wall. BAM! The impact was so forceful that thin cracks spread through the wall. Blood trickled from the corner of Uchiha Jun's mouth. Pinned there like a dead dog, he couldn't move.

"Brat, you don't get to talk about my mother like that! And you don't get to judge my strength!" Riyue glared coldly at the terrified face against the wall, furious.

Both the previous and current lives had left Riyue an orphan, but in either life, his love for his mother had never changed. He could say whatever he wanted about Riyue, but he couldn't drag his mother into it. Riyue was furious!

Kushina and the others watched, furious, too. If the others hadn't held her back, she would have gone over and beaten up that clueless Uchiha boy herself. Everyone was outraged to hear him insult Riyue's mother, and they watched as Riyue taught him a lesson.

"Do you think you're so strong? Do you think you're the only one who matters? To me, you're just a weak fool full of yourself. Who knows why the Uchiha Clan is full of idiots whose strength is surpassed only by their arrogance?" Riyue tightened his grip. Uchiha Jun's eyes were filled with terror. Only now did he finally realize that the person before him was far beyond his reach, and that his own strength was nothing. It seemed he could be killed at any moment!

Riyue slowly raised his other hand and clenched it into a fist. A flash of anger crossed his eyes as he swung hard! BAM! A chunk of the wall caved in, and cracks spread in every direction. His fist stopped barely a centimeter from Uchiha Jun's head. Jun felt as though he had almost died. Riyue released him, and Uchiha Jun dropped onto his backside, gasping for breath. Fragments and dust continued to fall from the wall.

Riyue looked down at him contemptuously and said, "As for your so-called Uchiha Clan, I, Hyuga Riyue, have never taken it seriously!" The Uchiha Clan, with their blind arrogance and no humility, had never mattered to Hyuga Riyue. They would eventually be destroyed by their own hubris, just like those natives of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in his previous life who spent all day shouting that their country was number one in the universe.

"Come on. We have a feast to enjoy today!" Riyue put away his intimidating presence, turned around, and left with everyone, smiling. It was as if nothing had happened. Only the dent in the wall and Uchiha Jun, who couldn't get up for a long while, proved that it really had.