Early Graduation, Kiyoshi Uchiha Is a Genius!

Before she could say anything else, Asuma Sarutobi rushed over from the class.

"Kurenai, are you really graduating early?"

Asuma Sarutobi looked devastated, completely unable to accept Kurenai Yuhi's early graduation.

Wouldn't that mean he would hardly get to see Kurenai after this?

No matter what, Asuma Sarutobi could not accept this outcome.

Kurenai Yuhi nodded again and added, "Asuma, are you coming with us too?"

"If Kurenai graduates, then I'll graduate too."

Asuma Sarutobi spoke up.

It was already Konoha Year 45. According to the original schedule, they were supposed to graduate next year.

This was only a few months early.

But Kiyoshi Uchiha was graduating early so soon.

"Kurenai, are you sure Kiyoshi isn't just showing off?"

Asuma Sarutobi asked Kurenai Yuhi.

Back when everyone in class had been learning the Clone Technique together, Kiyoshi's performance could only be called average.

Could he really have mastered all Three-Body Techniques just by practicing in private?

"I believe in Kiyoshi."

Kurenai Yuhi dropped the "classmate" from how she addressed him.

After spending time together recently, she and Kiyoshi had become fairly familiar.

"Fine."

Since even his goddess had said so, Asuma Sarutobi could only go along with it.

Anyway, if Kiyoshi Uchiha was not up to it, he would be the first to jump out and tell him to stop pretending.

The next day.

Kiyoshi entered the examination room alone.

Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi waited outside.

No one knew where the news had leaked from, but Rin Nohara, Obito, and the others had heard about it too.

"It hasn't even been that long, and Kiyoshi is already graduating?"

Rin Nohara was astonished.

She still remembered Kiyoshi asking her to teach him Konoha ninjutsu.

Yet in the blink of an eye, Kiyoshi was actually about to graduate early.

They still had to wait until next year to graduate.

"Luck. It's definitely just luck!"

Obito said unwillingly.

Why was everyone such a genius? First there had been Kakashi, and now there was Kiyoshi Uchiha.

"Once I awaken my eyes, I'll be just as strong."

Obito adjusted his goggles. He took especially good care of his eyes.

"Obito, you actually have a point."

Asuma Sarutobi felt that Obito had rarely said something correct.

If Kiyoshi could really graduate, didn't that mean he was also very skilled at ninjutsu?

The examiner was still Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After receiving Kiyoshi's application for Early Graduation, he set aside his work and personally came to inspect the matter.

Orochimaru had come as well, along with several Ninja Academy instructors serving as examiners.

Kiyoshi calmly refined Chakra, then formed hand seals.

The ninja graduation exam randomly selected one basic ninjutsu. He had drawn the "Substitution Technique."

Kiyoshi had used the "Substitution Technique" when sparring with Natsu Hyuga some time ago. Now, it came naturally to him.

Poof.

Kiyoshi turned into smoke, leaving only a wooden log where he had stood.

He himself stood three meters away from it.

"Kiyoshi, you have passed the examination."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Kiyoshi Uchiha's talent was even better than he had imagined. Ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu—he had virtually no weaknesses in any of them.

That made Kiyoshi Uchiha even more suitable as a link to ease relations with the Uchiha Clan.

"He mastered the Three-Body Technique proficiently in just over half a year?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden vertical pupils flickering.

This wind had carried even farther.

With such aptitude, even he had probably been no better back then.

"Kiyoshi Uchiha, congratulations on becoming a ninja."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke as he handed Kiyoshi a Ninja Headband.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Kiyoshi accepted the Ninja Headband with an excited expression and put it on his forehead.

The silvery-gray metal plate of the Ninja Headband, marked with Konoha's symbol, gleamed faintly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Kiyoshi several questions, most of them about how he viewed the Will of Fire.

"Hokage-sama, life was extremely oppressive for me in the Land of Lightning. Only after coming to Konoha did I learn that a spirit like the Will of Fire existed."

Kiyoshi first disparaged his former home, then praised Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded lightly at those words.

The Will of Fire was indeed a spirit unique to Konoha, a symbol of Konoha's Unceasing Vitality.

"Everyone here has treated me very well. They all regard me as part of Konoha. I think that this care is the true essence of the Will of Fire—it means 'protection'..."

After that, Kiyoshi began talking about how Konoha was better than the Land of Lightning, more advanced than the Land of Lightning, and how everyone in the village lived in harmony and kindness.

In short, Konoha won, won, and kept winning. It had won so thoroughly it was ridiculous.

The several examiners in the room heard this Uchiha, who had lived in the Land of Lightning, lavishly praising the great Konoha.

They could not help but feel proud.

This was their Konoha, their home.

"You have obtained the entry: Early Graduation (White)."

Entry: Early Graduation (White)

Requirement: Graduate from the Ninja Academy early.

Progress: (Completed).

Effect: Your learning ability increases by 5% from its original base.

Note: It can continue to advance later.

Advancement Path One: Merge "Muscle Memory (White)" to advance into "Hardworking Scholar (White)."

Advancement Path Two: Merge "Reading Comprehension (White)" and "Basic Memory (White)" to advance into "Genius Scholar (Green)."

Kiyoshi closed the translucent Entry System. This was not the right setting to examine entries.

"Very good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled approvingly.

Kiyoshi Uchiha's resolve reminded him of someone—his former teammate, another member of the Uchiha Clan, Kagami Uchiha.

Even Tobirama-sensei had praised Kagami highly.

He had been one of the Uchiha who supported Konoha.

If Kiyoshi could be properly nurtured, he might become a second Kagami Uchiha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged a few pleasantries and told Kiyoshi to return.

Kiyoshi pushed open the door, and Asuma Sarutobi stared wide-eyed at the Ninja Headband on his forehead.

"I'm taking the exam too!"

Asuma Sarutobi hurried inside.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.

He had learned yesterday afternoon that his son wanted to apply for Early Graduation.

"Asuma, you..."

He had originally wanted to tell Asuma Sarutobi to stay at the academy longer, but then changed his mind.

"Come, let me see how your studies have been going."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and lit it.

Kiyoshi Uchiha had happened to graduate early and needed to be assigned to a squad.

Why not put Asuma in the same squad as him? It would also demonstrate a Hokage's tolerance toward the Uchiha.

"Fine."

Asuma Sarutobi nodded, then stepped forward to draw the ninjutsu he would be tested on.

Click.

The door closed once more.

Kurenai, watch me closely!

Asuma Sarutobi thought, glancing back.

Kurenai must be worried about me right now.

That was what Asuma Sarutobi thought.

"It's the 'Clone Technique.'"

The examiner's words brought Asuma Sarutobi back to his senses.

After taking a deep breath, he began the examination.

"Kiyoshi, you're amazing."

Kurenai Yuhi's gaze was fixed firmly on Kiyoshi as he came out, studying the Ninja Headband on his forehead.

The pacing felt a little slow, so things would properly get underway next.