I'm Going to Graduate!

"Spirit Bomb?" Minato softly repeated the name, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

The name seemed to hold some special meaning, but he couldn't unravel its mystery just then.

"A name is just a label. No need to read too much into it." Hayato waved a hand casually, a faint, unconcerned smile on his lips.

Minato gave a slight nod and didn't press the matter.

"Then let's get back to studying the Flying Thunder God Technique. I think there are still plenty of details we can discuss."

Hayato's face, however, took on an apologetic expression.

"Big Brother Minato, I'm really sorry, but I have some urgent things to take care of. I may not be able to continue studying with you today."

"Oh? Did something happen?" Minato asked with concern, worry showing in his eyes.

Hayato hesitated, then decided to tell him honestly. "I'm planning to apply for early graduation."

Minato was taken aback, clearly surprised. "I thought you'd only just started school. It's been a little over half a year..."

Graduating after just over half a year was a little crazy. But then again, on second thought...

There really wasn't anything left for Hayato to learn at the Ninja Academy. Minato had a pretty good idea of how strong he was.

Just look at the fact that he was studying the Flying Thunder God Technique with Minato. Was that something an ordinary student still attending the Ninja Academy could do?

"Technically, it's been a little over half a year plus one day," Hayato corrected him, a mischievous smile on his face.

He'd counted the days. He'd planned to apply for graduation after exactly half a year, but the date happened to fall on a weekend, so he had to wait an extra day.

Minato smiled helplessly, amused by Hayato's precision. "You really are a meticulous fellow. But are you sure you're ready to graduate early?"

Hayato nodded, his eyes full of confidence. "I'm ready. Maybe I'll even get to go on a mission with you, Big Brother Minato."

Minato smiled and patted Hayato on the shoulder. "Good luck!"

"I will."

Hayato then said goodbye to Minato and headed to the Ninja Academy.

"What? You're saying you want to graduate early?!" Shuichi's eyes went wide the instant he heard Hayato's words, as if he'd just heard something unbelievable.

Hayato nodded seriously, showing that he meant it. "That's right, Teacher Shuichi. I'm fully prepared."

"Hold on. Let me think."

Shuichi fell silent for a moment, clearly finding the sudden request a little difficult to handle. In all his years at the Ninja Academy, he'd never met a student so eager to graduate.

"I'll have to report this to Lord Hokage," Shuichi said after a moment's thought.

Hayato understood. His situation was certainly unusual.

After considering it, he offered, "Why don't I come with you? I'd like to explain things to Lord Hokage myself."

He remembered that one of his previous fate missions had been to earn Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval.

If Hiruzen agreed to his request, would that count as completing it?

Shuichi looked at Hayato in surprise. After a moment's silence, he agreed.

"All right."

Shuichi first spoke with a colleague and asked him to cover one of his classes. Then he set out with Hayato.

Before long, the two of them arrived at the Hokage Building.

Hayato gazed up at the imposing structure, a strange excitement rising in his heart.

If things went smoothly today, this would become his regular workplace in the future.

With Shuichi leading the way, they reached the door to the Hokage's office.

Shuichi knocked twice, and Hiruzen's deep voice came from inside. "Come in!"

Shuichi opened the door and led Hayato in.

Hiruzen was seated behind his desk, smoking as he reviewed official documents.

The room was thick with smoke, and Hayato couldn't help coughing twice.

Hearing them, Hiruzen looked up. "Shuichi, what is it?"

His gaze lingered on Hayato for a moment, evidently curious about the boy's sudden appearance.

"Why is Hayato here too?"

Shuichi went straight to explaining Hayato's request for early graduation.

Hiruzen looked surprised when he heard. He hadn't expected Hayato to be in such a hurry to graduate.

He'd only recently considered whether to let Hayato graduate early, but he'd been so busy that the matter had slipped his mind.

He hadn't expected Hayato to bring it up himself.

Still, thinking of Hayato's performance so far, he already had a fairly good idea of what to expect.

"Hayato, are you sure you're ready to graduate?" Hiruzen asked, sizing him up.

Hayato nodded without hesitation, determination shining in his eyes. "Yes, Lord Hokage. I'm ready."

Hiruzen held Hayato's gaze for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

"All right, I'll approve your request. But you'll still have to take the regular graduation exam. If you fail..."

He didn't finish the sentence, suddenly realizing that the exam might not pose much of a challenge for Hayato.

Even so, the usual process had to be followed.

With Hiruzen's approval, Shuichi breathed a sigh of relief.

He understood that Hayato had nothing left to learn at the Ninja Academy. Graduating early might be the better choice for him.

After saying goodbye to Hiruzen, the two left the Hokage's office.

Looking at Hayato, Shuichi couldn't help thinking that he would probably be the youngest graduate in the Ninja Academy's history!

"Hayato, since it isn't the usual graduation period, we'll need to prepare for the exam. We've scheduled it for tomorrow afternoon. Will that work for you?"

"No problem. I'll follow your lead, Teacher Shuichi."

When Hayato returned to class, it was already break time.

He sat at his desk, his thoughts in turmoil. Just then, Kurenai turned around to look at him.

"Hayato, why weren't you in class just now? Good thing the substitute teacher didn't realize you were gone," Kurenai said, sounding relieved.

Looking at Kurenai, Hayato felt a complicated mix of emotions. He hesitated, then decided to be honest with her. "Kurenai, there's something I want to tell you."

After giving it some thought, he decided to explain everything to Kurenai and say a proper goodbye.

Kurenai tilted her head, though she had a strange, fluttery feeling in her chest.

Why was he being so formal? What did Hayato want to tell her?

Full of all sorts of imaginings, Kurenai followed Hayato up to the rooftop.

Kurenai looked at him in confusion. "What is it? Why are you being so formal?"

Hayato took a deep breath and said softly, "I'm graduating."

The breeze swept by, stirring Kurenai's long hair. When she heard Hayato's words, she froze.

It took her a long while to come to her senses. Disbelief filled her eyes.

"Hayato, are you joking? That's not funny."

"Didn't we only just start school? How can you be graduating already? Dad told me students have to study at the Ninja Academy for several years."

"Come on, Hayato. You're just kidding, right?" Panic and reluctance crept into Kurenai's voice.

Seeing Kurenai at a loss, tears beginning to glimmer in her eyes, Hayato was glad he'd told her himself.

If she'd found out he was leaving the Ninja Academy from someone else...

She might have resented him for a long time.

She might have thought he'd abandoned her.

Hayato stepped up beside her and gently ruffled her hair. "Silly, it's not like I'm disappearing. We'll still see each other. Don't be sad."