Clone Technique, Graduation Exam?

Little Sasuke was very enthusiastic, taking Ryosuke on a tour around the school grounds.

When they returned to the classroom, it was already filled with many children.

To his surprise, little Hinata was among them.

Ryosuke also noticed a few familiar figures.

That must be little Naruto fast asleep, right? He should only be five years old this year; is he already attending school?

Kiba was there with a small puppy perched on his head.

Choji was frantically snacking on treats.

Sakura and Ino were staring at little Sasuke with hearts in their eyes.

These incredibly familiar faces were now actually younger than Ryosuke.

Finding himself in their midst, he couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.

Many of the classmates cast curious, questioning glances his way.

One child even shouted, "Hey, are you a teacher?"

"He's a kid just like us, how could he be a teacher?"

"Then why haven't we seen him before?"

"Everyone from the Uchiha clan is a freak, what's so strange about that?"

Little Sasuke's hands were trembling, and Ryosuke finally understood that the Uchiha clan's status in Konoha was something even the children had picked up on.

It was no wonder the people of the Uchiha clan were so exceptionally cold and arrogant; it had everything to do with their habit of being ostracized.

Ryosuke sighed inwardly, then pulled Sasuke toward a corner to sit down.

Soon, a teacher wearing the standard Chunin uniform walked into the classroom.

He first checked the roster to take attendance. When he reached Ryosuke's name, he gave him an extra look and muttered, "To think there's another Uchiha child coming here to attend school; what a headache."

A headache?

Ryosuke truly couldn't stand this blatant, exclusionary attitude.

Even the teacher was like this.

"Ryosuke-niisan, please don't mind him. Actually, I'm the only child in the clan besides Itachi-niisan who attends the Ninja Academy. The others are taught personally by their parents, but since my father is the clan head, he doesn't have the time, so..."

It seemed little Sasuke was already used to this sort of thing.

"Alright, we will now begin instruction on the D-rank ninjutsu, the Clone Technique."

The Chunin finished calling the roll and began to demonstrate the jutsu.

Ding, C-rank ninjutsu, Clone Technique, detected and recorded.

Hm? The teacher said the Clone Technique was a D-rank ninjutsu, but the system classified it as C-rank. What was going on?

Could it be that this ninjutsu functions differently in the hands of different people?

That was a bit interesting.

He recalled the Fire Style ninjutsu that the Uchiha clan excelled at.

While it only had C-rank power in the hands of an ordinary ninja, in the hands of Uchiha Madara, it was comparable to an A-rank ninjutsu.

"Teacher, I've learned it."

Ryosuke stood up and said.

The surrounding students looked at him with expressions of astonishment.

"Uchiha Ryosuke, this is class time. Do not cause trouble."

"I said I've learned it."

Ryosuke walked onto the platform as he spoke, then performed the Clone Technique.

He produced four clones all at once.

This scene left the Chunin teacher dumbfounded.

The entire class held their breath, as if watching a show.

Only little Sasuke clapped his hands: "Ryosuke-niisan is amazing!"

"Did you learn this ninjutsu from someone else?" the Chunin teacher finally reacted.

"You don't need to worry about that. I just want to know how long it will take for me to graduate from here."

Ryosuke asked in an indifferent tone.

"As long as you are twelve years old and pass the graduation exam, you can graduate," the Chunin teacher replied.

"Twelve years old? Shouldn't the graduation exam be held once a year? Why was Itachi able to graduate from here at seven?"

Ryosuke asked, dissatisfied.

Are you kidding me? He would be twelve in four years, and by then, everything would be over.

"The graduation exam is held once a year, but not everyone—"

"When is the graduation exam?"

Uchiha Ryosuke cut him off directly.

The chunin instructor finally lost his temper.

"Uchiha Ryosuke, please do not disrupt the class for other students. If you have any questions, you can go see the principal."

"You should have said so earlier."

Ryosuke finally revealed a smile, then performed the hand sign for 'Release'.

Pop.

Ryosuke, along with his shadow clone, vanished from the spot.

The chunin instructor's eyes widened.

"A clone? How is it possible for a clone to use the Clone Technique? Is this a ninjutsu an eight-year-old child can master?"

He scanned the classroom and realized that Ryosuke was indeed no longer inside.

He had no choice but to suppress his anger and continue the lesson, deciding to report this incident to the principal.

By this time, Ryosuke had already arrived outside the principal's office.

"Come in."

Before Ryosuke could even knock, a familiar voice drifted from inside.

He sighed, "I should have guessed. The Hokage actually doubles as the principal."

Ryosuke pushed the door open and walked in.

"Ryosuke? Why are you here? Isn't today your first day of school? Shouldn't you be in the classroom?"

"They have nothing to teach me. I want to graduate as soon as possible," Ryosuke stated truthfully.

"Hahaha, I've never heard of anyone graduating on their first day of school. If that's the case, why did you even come to school?"

The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, chuckling as he asked.

"I came here because of the clan leader's request, and I do need to graduate from here to obtain the status of a ninja."

Ryosuke took a deep breath and explained.

"Oh, I see. However, the Ninja Academy doesn't just teach ninjutsu; it also imparts the awareness and principles of being a ninja, so you can understand why you want to become one," the Third Hokage said slowly.

Tch, isn't that just the usual brainwashing? Do you take me for a fool?

"Your Majesty, I think what you said makes a lot of sense, but it doesn't apply to everyone. I want to be like Itachi and graduate from the academy early," Ryosuke said patiently.

"Itachi? That child has a very high level of awareness. Because he has witnessed the cruelty of war, he understands the value of peace all the more."

The Third Hokage fell into deep thought, as if recalling something.

"Your Majesty, I am only one year younger than Itachi, and my parents both died in the war. I think I have even more awareness than Itachi."

Ryosuke suppressed his anger and continued.

The Third Hokage stared at Ryosuke for a long time before finally saying, "Very well. The school's graduation exam is in three days. If you can pass it, I will agree to let you become a ninja."

"Thank you."

After saying this, Ryosuke turned and left.

The Third, however, fell into deep contemplation.

But soon, he summoned an Anbu member who was waiting nearby.

"Tell Itachi to keep an eye on that child named Ryosuke. I don't want another Uchiha Madara to be born."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Anbu member vanished with a poof.

The Third Hokage looked at the portrait of the Second Hokage hanging on the wall and sank into thought.

"Second Hokage, it was your policies that caused the current situation with the Uchiha clan. What should I do now to resolve this matter peacefully?"