Application for Graduation Assessment (Part 1)

Just then, the familiar mechanical voice of the system triggered in his mind.

[System Mission: Successfully graduate early from the Ninja Academy within half a month]

[Mission Reward: One mysterious grand prize.]

[Failure Penalty: Template progress -10% (Vegeta may often try to act tough and end up getting slapped in the face, but he never accepts defeat!)]

"A mysterious grand prize?"

Arashi raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curving up.

Since the system had specifically mentioned the reward this time, it had to be something extraordinary.

This only strengthened his resolve to graduate early and seek a greater stage.

"Half a month? More than enough."

He stood up, patted the dust off his body, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

Early the next morning, at the Ninja Academy.

When Uchiha Arashi's shadow clone submitted his application for early graduation to homeroom teacher Umino Ikkaku, the entire office fell silent.

Umino Ikkaku, a teacher with rich teaching experience, was staring wide-eyed at the child before him—only five years old, yet already a head taller than his peers, with a steadiness and sharpness in his eyes that did not match his age.

"Arashi, what did you say? Early graduation?"

Umino Ikkaku wondered if he had heard wrong.

The Ninja Academy's program lasted six years. This child had only studied for one year, and he wanted to graduate?

"Yes, teacher." The shadow clone's tone was calm and unruffled, exactly like the original. "I believe my abilities have already reached the graduation standard. I hope to take the graduation assessment."

"Nonsense!" Umino Ikkaku's brows instantly knitted together, and his tone turned stern:

"Arashi, I know you're exceptionally talented, a rare genius even among the Uchiha in recent years."

"But the path of a ninja isn't just about strength and ninjutsu. What matters even more is tempering your character and learning teamwork!"

"Your strength may surpass your peers right now, but your character is still immature, and you're too impatient. Even if someone like you graduates and becomes a genin, you'll suffer badly for it!"

Umino Ikkaku was a responsible teacher. He sincerely hoped this promising seedling would not ruin his future because of a moment's impulse.

However, the person he faced was Uchiha Arashi.

The shadow clone tilted his head slightly, a trace of confidence flashing through his eyes. "I will temper my character, and I understand teamwork as well. But I believe powerful individual strength is the foundation of everything. I yearn for harsher tests."

At those words, the other teachers in the office could not help frowning.

This child was far too confident!

"Arashi, that kind of thinking is extremely dangerous!" Umino Ikkaku raised his voice a little. "A ninja is not a lone ranger! Completing missions often requires cooperation from a team! If you keep this up..."

"Teacher," the shadow clone interrupted him, his tone still flat, yet carrying an unquestionable firmness. "My decision will not change. Please submit my application."

After saying that, the shadow clone gave a slight bow, turned, and left, leaving behind a room full of teachers with varying expressions.

Umino Ikkaku looked at his retreating back and sighed helplessly.

He knew Uchiha Arashi's personality. Once he decided on something, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

All he could do was submit the application to the academy's upper levels, as well as to the Uchiha clan.

The news spread quickly.

"What? That Uchiha brat wants to graduate early?"

"Is he kidding? How old is he? He's studied for one year and already wants to graduate?"

"I heard he's very strong, but no matter how strong he is, he's still just a child, right?"

"I think he's just too arrogant. He doesn't know how high the sky is or how deep the earth goes!"

Doubts rose from all sides.

It was not only the students and teachers of the academy; quite a few people within the Uchiha clan also voiced opposition.

Some conservative clansmen believed that Arashi's move was far too reckless. If he failed the graduation assessment, not only would he lose face himself, he would also bring shame upon the Uchiha clan.

"Hmph, he's just relying on a bit of talent and looking down on everyone! Lord Hokage couldn't possibly agree to this. It's complete nonsense!"

"Exactly. And Clan Leader Fugaku too—he spoils that kid far too much!"

Naturally, these discussions also reached Uchiha Arashi's ears.

But he did not care in the slightest.

The clamor of the weak had never affected the steps of the strong.

That afternoon, while Arashi's original body was doing weighted training deep within the clan grounds, several Uchiha clansmen came looking for him.

The leader was a man who looked to be in his thirties, named Uchiha Ken. He was a squad captain in the clan, and also the biological uncle of Uchiha Tekka, whom Arashi had taught a lesson before.

"Arashi, I heard you want to graduate early?" Uchiha Ken's tone carried obvious dissatisfaction and scrutiny.

Arashi stopped training. Sweat slid down his sharply defined cheeks as he looked at the other man with cold eyes. "What is it?"

"Of course there's something!" Uchiha Ken took a step forward, his tone stern. "Do you know what you're doing? Early graduation? Do you think the Ninja Academy belongs to your family? You can enter whenever you want and leave whenever you want? If you fail, where are we supposed to put the Uchiha's face?"

Another clansman beside him echoed, "Exactly, Arashi. Listen to us. Just study peacefully for the full six years, build a solid foundation, and then graduate. It won't be too late. Don't reach too high too soon."

Arashi let out a scoff, the contempt in his eyes undisguised. "Are you worried I'll embarrass the clan, or are you jealous that I'm stronger than you?"

"You!" Uchiha Ken choked, unable to speak, his face turning blue and white by turns. "Brat, don't refuse respect when it's given! We're doing this for your own good!"

"For my own good?" Arashi stepped forward, and his powerful chakra aura unintentionally released, making those clansmen immediately feel an invisible pressure. Even breathing became difficult. "My path is mine to walk. I don't need you pointing fingers."

"Who are you calling weak?!" Uchiha Ken flew into a rage from embarrassment. He was still a chunin, after all, yet he had actually been suppressed by a five-year-old brat's aura. It made him lose all face.

"Whoever answers is the one," Arashi said blandly.

"Uchiha Arashi! You really have no respect for your elders. No matter what, I'm still your clan uncle, and you dare speak to me like this! I have to teach you a lesson today!"

Uchiha Ken could bear it no longer. His right hand suddenly formed seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A fireball that was not small shot toward Arashi's face.

Arashi did not even blink, nor did he form any seals. He merely raised his right hand casually, his palm aimed at the fireball.

"Saiyan Energy Bullet!"

With a low shout, an energy bullet condensed from high-density chakra shot from his palm and struck the center of the Great Fireball with perfect accuracy.

"Bang!"

The fireball was detonated in an instant, turning into sparks that filled the sky. Not even a trace of heat touched the corner of Arashi's clothes.

Uchiha Ken and the other clansmen were all stunned.

He had broken the Great Fireball so easily? And without even forming seals?

Was this really something a five-year-old child could do?

Arashi did not even look at them. He turned and continued his own training, leaving behind only a cold sentence:

"Since you are my clan uncle, I won't bother arguing with you."

"My strength is not something you can understand."

"Rather than wasting time here, you should go back and train properly."

After saying that, his figure turned into a blurred afterimage, moving at high speed across the training ground and stirring up gusts of wind.

Uchiha Ken and the others looked at one another, their faces alternating between red and white. In the end, they could only leave in disgrace.

They had finally understood that this Uchiha Arashi had long since become an existence far beyond their ability to understand or question.

Perhaps he really did have the qualifications to graduate early.

The applications from the Ninja Academy and the Uchiha clan were soon delivered to the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, looked at the application in his hands, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk as he sank into thought.

The advisers Koharu and Homura beside him also wore different expressions.

"Lord Hokage, isn't this Uchiha Arashi a little too arrogant?" Koharu said with a frown.

"He's only five years old, yet he wants to graduate early. This is unprecedented in the history of the Hidden Leaf Village," Homura added. "And I heard he has an aloof personality and isn't good at cooperating. Is a ninja like that really suited to graduate?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, his gaze deep. "Uchiha... another genius. However, if a genius is not guided well, it is very easy for him to take the wrong path."

He thought of his disciple who was currently giving him endless headaches—Orochimaru. "Is his strength really as great as the rumors say?"

An Anbu member reported in a low voice, "According to the reports from Clan Leader Fugaku and the academy, this child's chakra volume exceeds that of his peers by dozens of times. His talent in taijutsu and ninjutsu is also extremely high. Three months ago, he was already able to defeat a genin without relying on the Sharingan."

"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. "Interesting."

"But even if his strength is great, if he does not build a solid foundation at the academy, he will still find it hard to become a towering tree."

"What does Lord Hokage mean?"