Graduation

There are many types of Body Flicker Techniques. In a broad sense, any ninjutsu that achieves instantaneous movement is classified as such. For example, the space-time ninjutsu [Flying Thunder God Technique] utilizes spatial leaping to move instantly, covering hundreds of miles in a blink; it is far superior to standard Body Flicker techniques. There are also super-high-speed taijutsu, such as the extreme movement achieved after opening the [Eight Inner Gates].

Furthermore, some elemental techniques allow for high-speed instantaneous movement, though they require hand seals. For instance, the Second Hokage's [Water Flicker Technique] is a Body Flicker technique used while moving rapidly across water. It allows the user to appear instantly at various points in a water-covered area or glide across the surface, and it can pressurize water into sharp blades to attack enemies, offering the advantage of facilitating Tobirama's subsequent actions.

Ninjas who possess Body Flicker techniques hold a terrifying speed advantage. In all martial arts, no defense is unbreakable; only speed is invincible. Those who push their speed to the absolute limit are fearsomely powerful.

The Body Flicker technique Hyuga Nichigetsu obtained was a standard version, categorized as high-speed taijutsu. It required no hand seals, relying instead on the explosive release of chakra from the legs to generate powerful thrust, which, combined with footwork, allowed the body to move at high speeds in short, straight lines—similar to the technique used by Sasuke. Although it was limited to short distances and lacked the velocity of other variants, Nichigetsu believed that even a common Body Flicker technique could be formidable if trained to its limit. With his Gentle Fist combined with this technique, his strength would surely advance to the next level.

Thus, Nichigetsu began his training. To gain more experience, he created two shadow clones to practice alongside him. Controlling the explosive release of chakra in the legs was difficult; since everyone's height and weight differed, the actual chakra usage varied for each individual.

If too much chakra was released, one would overshoot the target; if too little, one would fall short. Control over direction and positioning was also critical; failing to manage this could lead to crashing into trees, teammates, or even weapons. Finally, the posture in which one ended the technique was vital to ensure a smooth transition into the next action. One could not simply arrive lying flat on the ground or with their back to the enemy, as that would be tantamount to suicide.

After countless attempts, Nichigetsu finally grasped the optimal amount of chakra to release. To master direction, positioning, and body posture, he retreated into the depths of a dense, complex forest to practice, aiming for fluid movement without any hesitation or lag. It took countless broken tree trunks—courtesy of his shadow clones—before he could barely control his trajectory. He then began practicing mid-flicker adjustments to dodge obstacles and ensure he appeared in the perfect offensive stance.

Of course, once he mastered the technique, Nichigetsu planned to incorporate his own ideas to improve it into a unique version of his own. But that was a matter for the future.

Time flew by during his training and studies, and the day of the academy graduation exam arrived. Nichigetsu would graduate half a year earlier than Kushina, Inuzuka Tsume, and the others, who would reach the standard graduation age of twelve in six months.

Out of a desire to protect him, the Third Hokage hoped that Nichigetsu would keep his true strength hidden until he reached the rank of Chunin. By then, he would already be Tsunade's disciple, and a Konoha Chunin would not be someone easily targeted. With that level of self-preservation, he would be less likely to perish during his growth and trials.

Thus, the official explanation was that several years ago, Nichigetsu's mother had entrusted him to the care of the Third Hokage's disciple, Tsunade. The Third Hokage had agreed, allowing for an early graduation so that Tsunade could personally mentor him. Naturally, the Third Hokage also granted a special exemption for Nichigetsu to skip the graduation exam, as he had already passed it, and the Third Hokage did not want his graduation to attract too much attention.

The Third Hokage chuckled to himself, Heh, by the time those people realize what Nichigetsu is capable of, he'll already be my grand-disciple. Those cataract-ridden members of the Hyuga main branch will surely pop their eyes out, the Uchiha will undoubtedly be struck by their usual "red-eye disease," and I wonder if Danzo will smash that hideous cane of his in frustration?

And so, everyone learned that there was a brat in the Hyuga clan named Hyuga Nichigetsu who, due to his mother's connections, had been taken under the wing of Lady Tsunade and had graduated early to become her disciple. While people lamented his incredible luck and powerful connections, it did not draw much attention from the Uchiha clan or Danzo.

Of course, some in the Uchiha clan were indeed struck by their "red-eye disease," wondering why she would choose a brat from the Hyuga clan instead of the strongest children of the Uchiha. As for Danzo, he had no interest in a five-year-old from the Hyuga branch family. They could never have guessed that the five-year-old Hyuga Nichigetsu was a genius.

As for the Hyuga main branch...

Within the Hyuga main branch, the nearly sixty-year-old clan head and several elders received the message sent by the Third Hokage. A portion of the main branch was quite pleased; regardless of his status, Nichigetsu was still a member of the Hyuga clan. Being favored by the Third Hokage's disciple brought the clan and the Hokage closer together—let the Uchiha and their jealousy rot.

Hyuga Hideyoshi and several allied elders, however, wore faces of frost. After the meeting, they gathered in secret. Hyuga Hideyoshi, with his sharp face, round ears, and hooked nose, looked far more like a monkey than Sarutobi Hiruzen ever did. His face was grim as he smashed his teacup to pieces. The men kneeling before him lowered their heads even further.

"Can someone tell me what is going on?!" Hyuga Hideyoshi gritted his teeth, struggling to contain his rage.

"Elder Hideyoshi, this is the will of the Hokage. We had no prior knowledge of this," his guard stammered, cowering.

"How could the son of that person become a disciple of Tsunade, one of the Sannin? The original plan is now useless!"

"Please, Elder, calm your anger..."

"I had planned to wait until that little beast graduated, then use a family resolution to have him transferred from the village to serve as Rixin's bodyguard. I would have held him in the palm of my hand, destined to be a piece of trash for the rest of his life. I could have toyed with him until he died! But now... now that little beast has become Tsunade's disciple!"

An elder nearby advised, "Don't be impatient, Elder Hideyoshi. Have you forgotten how Hyuga Den died? Tsunade is currently on the front lines, and accidents happen all the time on the battlefield..."

"You mean?"

"Hideyoshi, why get so angry over a little fly? Rest assured! That little beast won't escape your grasp, and the position of clan head won't escape Rixin's grasp either!"

Conspiracies and schemes were always carried out in the shadows.

After receiving his ninja headband, Nichigetsu tied it around his forehead. Under the gaze of his entire class, Ebiki-sensei announced Nichigetsu's graduation, sparking a wave of gasps.

"Nichigetsu is graduating? How is that possible?" (Suspicion)

"This guy is so cunning, hiding it from us for so long." (Excitement)

"Nichigetsu-kun looks so handsome with that headband!" (Infatuation)

"He's just relying on his mother's connections, pfft!" (Contempt)

"I have to work harder! I can't lose!" (Determination)

Various looks of envy, jealousy, contempt, and curiosity were cast upon him. Nichigetsu bowed to everyone, thanked them for their care over the past six months, reminisced briefly about their time studying together, and then bid them farewell. After exchanging a few words with Ebiki, Nichigetsu left the classroom.

Nichigetsu had arranged to meet Kushina and the others on the school grounds for a commemorative photo. His cool demeanor and small, five- or six-year-old stature quickly drew the attention of others.

"Who is that boy? How is he already graduating?"

"What a cute kid, looks like he's from the Hyuga clan."

"I heard he was taken as a disciple by Lady Tsunade, so he was granted special permission to graduate."

"I heard his mother had a special relationship with Lady Tsunade. Apparently, he didn't even take the graduation exam."

"Is that really okay? Becoming a Genin through connections? The kid is only five years old."

"Maybe the kid is actually very strong."

"What kind of strength could a five-year-old possibly have?"

Nichigetsu, of course, ignored their chatter; only those without strength complained all day long. Kushina and the others knew his true ability—if someone of Nichigetsu's caliber couldn't graduate, then none of them were qualified to.

As the day grew late, they decided to go to 'BBQ Q' for a meal to celebrate his graduation. Nichigetsu used shadow clones to invite the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and Shibi. It was a pity he hadn't had the chance to meet Namikaze Minato yet, or it would have been even livelier. As for Mizuki, she had been scheduled to return to the village but was temporarily reassigned to the front lines, so it would be another six months before she returned. Nichigetsu had, however, written her a letter immediately to inform her of his graduation.

As the group walked out of the school gates, laughing and talking, a figure approached and called out to Nichigetsu.

"Stop right there, Hyuga Nichigetsu!"

Nichigetsu turned to see Uchiha Jun. The arrogant boy was glaring at him with a face full of fury.

"Uchiha Jun? Is something the matter?" Nichigetsu asked, feeling a bit strange.

"Why? Why did you graduate already? Why were you able to become Lady Tsunade's disciple? You're clearly just a slacker who skips class and sleeps all day, a guy with mediocre grades!" Uchiha Jun questioned Nichigetsu, his face full of anger.

Ugh... is the Uchiha clan's 'red-eye disease' acting up again? Nichigetsu thought, his head aching as he instantly understood. The pride of the so-called 'strongest clan,' the Uchiha. Is it that pathological mentality where they can't stand to see others doing better than them and must trample everyone else underfoot?

"Lady Tsunade decided to take me on as her disciple, which is why I graduated. Good luck with your studies, Jun," Nichigetsu said. In truth, it had been the Third Hokage who insisted he become Tsunade's student.

"My grades are much better than yours! I'm top of the class every single time! What part of you is better than me? How is a half-baked guy like you worthy of being Lady Tsunade's apprentice?" Uchiha Jun vented his dissatisfaction angrily.

"Jun, this was a decision made by the Hokage and Lady Tsunade. If you have any complaints, you can go argue with the Third Hokage." Nichigetsu looked at him expressionlessly; there was no need to explain anything.

"What kind of strength do you even have to justify graduating? To put it bluntly, you're just relying on connections, aren't you? Do you dare to spar with me? Or are you too scared of losing?" Uchiha Jun provoked him.

"Let's skip the fighting; it lacks any technical merit. Think whatever you want, I'm going to get something to eat." Nichigetsu shook his head and prepared to leave. Why are people from the Uchiha clan so unreasonable?

"Are you afraid now that you've seen a powerful Uchiha? You coward from the Hyuga clan." Uchiha Jun watched Nichigetsu walk away and continued his taunts.

Nichigetsu didn't even bother to look back.

"I heard your mother was distantly related to Tsunade. Lady Tsunade only took you in out of pity for your mother, who died so early... you!"

Suddenly, Nichigetsu used the Body Flicker Technique to appear right in front of Uchiha Jun. He grabbed him by the collar, lifted him off the ground, and slammed him against the wall. "CRACK!" The force was so great that spiderweb cracks appeared on the wall. Uchiha Jun, struck by the impact, bled from the corner of his mouth. He was pinned against the wall like a dead dog, unable to move.

"You little brat, my mother is not someone you can talk about! My strength is not something you are qualified to judge!" The enraged Nichigetsu stared coldly at the terrified face pressed against the wall.

In both lives, Nichigetsu had been an orphan, but whether in his past life or this one, his love for his mother had never changed. They could say whatever they wanted about him, but they could not involve his mother. Nichigetsu was furious.

Kushina and the others watched the scene with indignation. If others hadn't been holding her back, she would have already gone up to beat this arrogant Uchiha kid who didn't know his place. Everyone felt a surge of anger upon hearing him insult Nichigetsu's mother and watched as Nichigetsu taught him a lesson.

"Do you think you're so amazing? That only you are qualified? In my eyes, you're just a conceited, pathetic weakling. Heaven knows why the Uchiha clan is filled with idiots whose strength is even shallower than their vision." Nichigetsu increased the pressure of his grip. Uchiha Jun's eyes were filled with nothing but terror. Only now did he realize that the person before him was not someone he could criticize, and that his own strength was not worth mentioning. It felt as if he could be finished off in the next second!

Nichigetsu slowly raised his other hand and clenched it into a fist. A flash of rage crossed his eyes, and he threw a heavy punch! "BOOM!" The wall buckled inward, and cracks spread in every direction. His fist stopped just a centimeter from Uchiha Jun's head; the boy felt as though he had nearly died. Nichigetsu released his grip, and Uchiha Jun collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as debris and dust rained down from the wall.

Nichigetsu looked down at him with contempt and said dismissively, "As for your so-called Uchiha clan, I, Hyuga Nichigetsu, have never held them in any regard!" A clan like the Uchiha, devoid of humility and blinded by arrogance, was indeed something Hyuga Nichigetsu had never respected; eventually, they would perish due to their own hubris. They were the same breed as those natives from the southern peninsula of the past life who spent their days shouting that they were the best in the universe.

"Let's go, we're going to have a great meal today!" Nichigetsu let his aura fade, turned around with a smile, and led the group away. It was as if the incident had never happened, save for the indentation in the wall and Uchiha Jun, who remained on the ground, unable to crawl back up for a long time.