I'm Graduating!

"Spirit Bomb?" Minato repeated the name softly, a flicker of curiosity dancing in his eyes.

The name seemed to hold some special significance, yet he couldn't quite grasp the mystery behind it for the moment.

"It's just a name, nothing more than a label. Don't give it too much thought." Hayato waved his hand dismissively, a faint, indifferent smile playing on his lips, as if the name itself meant nothing to him.

Hearing this, Minato nodded slightly, choosing not to dwell on the matter any further.

"Then let's continue our research into the Flying Thunder God Technique. I feel there are still many details we can explore."

However, a look of apology appeared on Hayato's face.

"Brother Minato, I'm truly sorry, but I have some urgent matters to attend to. I'm afraid I won't be able to continue our deep dive today."

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

Hayato hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest: "I'm planning to apply for early graduation."

Minato was stunned, clearly taken aback. "I recall you only just enrolled, didn't you? It's only been about half a year..."

Graduating in just over half a year—it sounded a bit insane, but when he thought about it carefully...

For Hayato, there really didn't seem to be anything left to learn at the Ninja Academy. Minato was well aware of Hayato's strength.

Just look at their research into the Flying Thunder God Technique—is that something a normal student at the Ninja Academy could do?

"To be precise, it's been half a year and one day," Hayato corrected from the side, a mischievous smile on his face.

He had been counting the days. He had originally planned to apply for graduation exactly at the six-month mark, but he hadn't expected it to fall on a weekend, so it ended up being one day longer.

Minato smiled helplessly, finding Hayato's meticulousness somewhat amusing. "You really are a rigorous fellow. But, are you sure you're ready for early graduation?"

Hayato nodded, his eyes filled with confidence. "I'm ready. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to go on missions with you, Brother Minato."

Minato laughed and patted Hayato on the shoulder, offering a soft blessing: "I wish you success!"

"I will succeed."

Afterward, Hayato bid farewell to Minato and headed to the Ninja Academy.

"What? You say you want to graduate early?!" Upon hearing Hayato's words, Shuichi's eyes went wide, as if he had heard something truly incredible.

Hayato nodded with a serious expression, indicating that he was not joking. "Yes, Teacher Shuichi. I have made full preparations."

"Wait, let me think."

Shuichi fell silent for a moment, clearly finding this sudden request quite tricky. After all, in all his years at the Ninja Academy, he had never encountered a student so eager to graduate.

"I must report this matter to the Hokage," Shuichi said after a moment of contemplation.

Hayato understood; after all, his situation was indeed an exception.

He thought for a moment and took the initiative to suggest, "Why don't I go with you? I'd like to explain it to the Hokage myself."

He was thinking about his previous destiny mission, one of the tasks of which was to gain the recognition of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If Hiruzen agreed to his request, would that count as a success?

Shuichi looked at Hayato with some surprise, but after a moment of silence, he agreed.

"Very well."

After Shuichi instructed a colleague to cover his class, he set off with Hayato.

The two soon arrived at the base of the Hokage Building.

Hayato looked up at the towering structure, a surge of inexplicable excitement rising in his heart.

If things went smoothly today, this place would become his future base of operations.

Led by Shuichi, the two arrived before the door to the Hokage's office.

Shuichi knocked twice, and Hiruzen's deep, resonant voice came from within: "Come in!"

Shuichi pushed the door open and led Hayato inside.

They saw Hiruzen sitting at his desk, smoking his pipe while reviewing official documents.

The room was filled with a thick scent of tobacco, which made Hayato cough twice.

Hearing the noise, Hiruzen looked up at the two of them. "Shuichi, is something the matter?"

His gaze lingered on Hayato for a moment, clearly curious about the boy who had suddenly appeared.

"Why is Hayato here as well?"

Shuichi explained Hayato's request for early graduation directly to Hiruzen.

A flash of surprise crossed Hiruzen's face upon hearing this; he hadn't expected Hayato to be so eager to graduate.

He had considered whether to let Hayato graduate early some time ago, but he had been so busy lately that he had forgotten about it.

He hadn't expected the boy to bring it up himself.

However, thinking back on the boy's previous performance, he had a rough idea of his capabilities.

"Hayato, are you sure you are ready to graduate?" Hiruzen looked at Hayato, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Hayato nodded without hesitation, a determined light shining in his eyes. "Yes, Lord Hokage, I am ready."

Hiruzen and Hayato locked eyes for a moment before the former finally gave a slight nod.

"Very well, I grant your request. However, the graduation exam must still proceed as normal. If you fail to pass the test..."

He left the rest of his sentence unsaid, suddenly realizing that for Hayato, an exam might not be much of a challenge at all.

Still, the standard procedures had to be followed.

Having obtained Hiruzen's consent, Shuichi let out a sigh of relief.

He understood that there was nothing left for Hayato to learn at the Ninja Academy, and graduating early was perhaps the better choice for him.

The two bid farewell to Hiruzen and left the Hokage's office.

Shuichi looked at Hayato, unable to help but marvel inwardly: This would be the earliest graduate since the founding of the Ninja Academy!

"Hayato, since it isn't the end of the term, we need to make some preparations for the exam. I've set the time for tomorrow afternoon. You don't have any issues with that, do you?"

"No problem. I'll leave it to your arrangements, Teacher Shuichi."

Hayato returned to the classroom just as the break began.

He sat at his desk, his mind filled with thoughts. At that moment, Kurenai turned around to look at him.

"Hayato, why weren't you in class earlier? It's a good thing the substitute teacher didn't notice you were gone," Kurenai said, sounding somewhat relieved.

Hayato looked at Kurenai, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest with her. "Kurenai, there's something I need to tell you."

After some consideration, Hayato decided to explain the situation to Kurenai and give her a proper goodbye.

Kurenai tilted her head, though she felt a sudden flutter of unease in her chest.

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

Harboring all sorts of wild guesses, Kurenai followed Hayato up to the school rooftop.

Kurenai looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What is it? You're acting so serious."

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

A gentle breeze blew by, causing Kurenai's long hair to sway. Upon hearing Hayato's words, a look of stunned disbelief crossed her face.

It took a long while for her to snap out of it, her eyes filled with incredulity.

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

"We haven't been in school for very long, so how could you be graduating? My father told me that everyone has to study at the Ninja Academy for several years."

"Hey, Hayato, you're lying to me, right?" Kurenai's tone was laced with panic and reluctance.

Watching Kurenai's bewildered expression and the crystalline dew beginning to shimmer in her eyes, Hayato felt glad he had been honest with her.

If she had found out about him leaving the Ninja Academy through someone else, she might have resented him for a long time.

She would have thought she was being left behind.

Hayato walked over to her side, gently patted her head, and said with doting affection, "Silly, it's not like I'm disappearing. We can still see each other later. Don't be sad."