Look at you, impatient again

Hiruzen stood on the high platform, facing the many students and teachers, and delivered a deeply moving speech.

His voice was deep and resonant, every word seemingly imbued with endless strength and wisdom.

He began by reviewing the history and traditions of the Ninja Academy, recounting the deeds of those predecessors who had once achieved great merit for the Hidden Leaf Village.

His eyes were filled with reverence and nostalgia, as if those glorious days were right before him.

Next, he turned his gaze toward the new generation of students.

His eyes were filled with expectation and high hopes, as if he saw the future hope of the Hidden Leaf Village in these young people.

"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

"I hope you will all strive tirelessly and contribute your strength to the future of the Hidden Leaf."

"No matter what difficulties or challenges you encounter, hold fast to your convictions and forge ahead."

Every word he spoke was filled with deep emotion and wisdom, leaving everyone present deeply touched.

The students nodded one after another, their eyes shining with a firm light, as if they had already made up their minds to contribute their strength to the Hidden Leaf Village.

After a while, Hiruzen's gaze fell once more upon Hayato, his eyes carrying a sense of inquiry and deep thought.

From the battle just now, he had been able to clearly distinguish the exceptional talent and extraordinary strength Hayato had displayed.

Hayato had not only mastered advanced techniques like Water Surface Walking, but was even researching profound ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God; this clearly exceeded the scope of what the Ninja Academy could teach.

Is it perhaps a waste of talent to keep Hayato in the Ninja Academy? Hiruzen pondered to himself, beginning to consider whether to have Hayato graduate early so he could encounter a broader world and more severe challenges sooner.

On the other side, Hayato was still unaware that Hiruzen had developed the intention to have him graduate early.

If he had known, he certainly would have thanked him properly.

At this moment, he was standing with his companions, accepting everyone's compliments and praise.

Izumo spoke up with excitement: "Hayato, that final finishing move you used against Kakashi was so cool!" He waved his hands, as if reenacting Hayato's movements, his face full of admiration.

Hayato only smiled and responded a few times, because he noticed that Kurenai's spirits were somewhat low.

He pushed through the crowded throng, walked over to Kurenai's side, and lightly flicked her forehead, asking with concern: "What are you thinking about, looking so gloomy?"

Kurenai was startled by the flick, snapped out of her contemplation, rubbed her forehead, and pouted: "I've told you so many times, Hayato, don't flick my head, it'll make me stupid."

Hayato laughed and teased: "It's fine, you couldn't get much stupider anyway."

"You jerk, you actually called me stupid!" Kurenai made a move as if to kick Hayato, but he dodged it easily.

"Look at you, getting worked up again."

After saying this, Hayato ran ahead with Kurenai chasing behind, and the two played around for a while.

In the midst of their play, Kurenai temporarily forgot her previous troubles. She looked at Hayato's back and silently made a resolution in her heart: Hayato, I will definitely work hard to keep up with your pace, until the day I can fight side-by-side with you.

As the crowd dispersed, everyone returned to their respective homes.

After returning home, Kurenai found her father, Shinku, who was reading the newspaper, and said firmly: "Father, I want to train!"

Shinku put down the newspaper in his hand and looked at his daughter with some surprise.

He knew his daughter didn't have much interest in training, so he had never forced her.

But seeing the firm look in her eyes now, he understood that his daughter had made a decision.

"Did something happen?" Shinku asked.

Kurenai nodded, her eyes shining with a firm light: "I want to become stronger. I want to have the ability one day to stand beside the person who is important to me, instead of being the one he has to protect."

Shinku was moved by his daughter's mature statement, and he silently mused to himself: Was she provoked by someone?

But all in all, this was a good thing.

Being a ninja was a high-risk profession; he could not guarantee that he would always be by his daughter's side to protect her.

"Very well, then I will guide your training starting tomorrow," Shinku said.

Hearing this, Kurenai's face lit up with joy, and she turned to look outside the door: "Why don't we start today? It's not late yet, Father."

Shinku smiled and patted Kurenai on the shoulder: "No rush, take it one step at a time."

This scene was playing out in many other ninja households as well.

"Father, I want to practice ninjutsu."

"Mother, I want to intensify my training."

The children expressed their determination to train to their parents one after another.

They were all inspired by Hayato's performance and wanted to become stronger.

No one was content to remain mediocre forever; they also wanted to be the center of attention just like Hayato.

Hayato's excellence gave them pressure, but it also gave them motivation.

On the other side, Kakashi lay on a hospital bed in Konoha Hospital, bandages wrapped around his injuries.

He stared at the light on the ceiling, lost in thought. Today, he had tasted the bitterness of defeat for the first time, and he couldn't help but feel a bit dejected.

Just then, the ward door opened, and a figure walked in.

He wore a jonin chest plate, his right sleeve adorned with a flame pattern—it was none other than Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake.

He walked over to Kakashi's bedside, sat down, and asked softly, "I heard you lost today?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, I lost."

Their brief exchange ended as quickly as it began, and both fell into silence.

After a while, Sakumo ruffled Kakashi's hair. "Just win next time."

Kakashi didn't respond, but after a long pause, he looked at his father and said, "Dad, can you teach me swordsmanship?"

Sakumo smiled faintly. "No problem."

Hayato was unaware of his peer's sudden burst of motivation; at that moment, he was devouring his dinner at home.

"Slow down, no one is going to take it from you," Misaki said.

"Looks like you're really hungry, Hayato," Shota added with a smile.

A while later, Misaki spoke up. "Oh, that's right, Hayato. Starting tomorrow, Mom agrees to let you walk to school by yourself."

Hayato paused mid-bite. "Mom, I thought you wouldn't agree to that."

"We heard about what happened today, so there's nothing to worry about," Misaki explained with a smile.

They felt proud of their son's excellence and knew he was now capable enough to take care of himself.

So they had found out about his practical exam. No wonder tonight's meal consisted of all his favorite dishes. It was surprising how fast word had spread.

Hayato nodded calmly. "Alright."

"You don't seem very happy. Didn't you mention wanting to go to school by yourself several times before?" Misaki looked at Hayato, puzzled.

"No, no, I'm very happy," Hayato waved his hand and replied with a smile.

But in his heart, he was thinking about other things.

He had already been having his Shadow Clone attend class for a while, so this change wasn't particularly significant to him.

The only difference was that starting tomorrow, he wouldn't have to wait for his parents to leave the house before sneaking out.

He wondered how his parents would react when he brought up the idea of graduating early in a little while.

Might as well test the waters, he thought to himself, then said, "Mom, the Hokage praised me today. He said my current strength is almost at the standard for graduation."

Hayato used Hiruzen as a shield, figuring his parents wouldn't go out of their way to verify it with him.

Hearing this, Misaki and Shota exchanged glances.

They hadn't expected their son to have already caught the Hokage's attention.

"So, what are your thoughts?" Shota looked at Hayato, waiting for him to continue.

Hayato observed their calm reactions and made his judgment. He replied, "I think I still need to settle down for a while longer."

Settling down for two months counts as settling down, right? he thought to himself.

Shota nodded. "Mm, you're right. Hayato, you're still young; there's no need to be too impatient. Just take it one step at a time."

The couple had always respected Hayato's thoughts and decisions, and at that moment, they gave him their full support and encouragement.