Preparations Before Graduation

Uchiha Yū's life had settled into a calm routine. He used the Shadow Clone Technique to attend classes at the academy while he practiced ninjutsu where he lived.

This year had been the year his strength improved the fastest. Basking in sunlight every day continuously increased his physical strength. He could even imitate Might Guy's Front Lotus. He usually wrapped bandages around his arms, and those bandages were his best weapons.

A black shadow darted through the forest, its target the great waterfall ahead.

Whoosh!

His feet stood firmly upon a smooth rock as he delicately controlled the chakra beneath them.

This was Uchiha Yū's required daily training.

He occasionally served as Tsunade's experimental assistant. He taught her some of his insights into ninjutsu, especially chakra control, and he was already fully capable of graduating early.

Water flowed beneath his feet as Uchiha Yū stood amid the surging waters, then quickly formed hand seals.

Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!

The soaring fireball clashed with the waterfall, and the collision erupted into a thick mist that turned the surroundings into a hazy landscape.

A figure leaped up through the spreading mist. Over the past year, Uchiha Yū had undergone earth-shaking changes.

He had changed into traditional Uchiha Clan attire. Simply standing in the distance gave people the illusion that strangers should stay away.

"The results are even better than I imagined."

Unfortunately, Uchiha Yū could only access C-rank ninjutsu. Over the past year, people occasionally monitored him, merely to gauge the extent of his talent and what areas he focused on.

So he had learned to keep a low profile. He would not reveal his extraordinary talent in front of others, lest what happened last time happen again.

"The elements in my body have reached their critical point."

If his body were compared to a container, then only by increasing its capacity could it hold more radioactive elements.

The two complemented each other, but Uchiha Yū's body had already reached its limit. His age was a restriction, and he had never neglected any physical training he could do.

"Hm?"

Just as he was about to begin his next round of training, a surge of knowledge suddenly flooded his mind. One of the scenes within made him freeze.

"That was really fast."

Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy, the shadow clone could no longer hold on due to excessive chakra consumption and finally turned into a puff of smoke.

"That brat used a shadow clone to attend class again! Don't let me catch him!"

Qianshu stared at the spot where the smoke vanished. Unfortunately, he did not have the Byakugan. Otherwise, he would have noticed what was different about that brat.

"Get plenty of rest today. The graduation exam is tomorrow, and I don't want to see any of you eliminated!"

"Anyone who fails the exam will learn what cruelty means!"

The Ninja Academy's graduation exam was simple. In addition to last year's kunai-throwing test, students also had to master the Three Body Technique—the most basic of abilities.

But the Three Body Technique should not be underestimated. When used according to the circumstances of battle, its effects were no less than those of A-rank ninjutsu!

"I hope you little brats become qualified ninja in the future."

Qianshu fell silent for a moment after saying that. Sending off another batch of students left him feeling even more somber.

He hoped that when they held a class reunion years from now, he would still see these students rather than hear that they had died on missions.

"Don't worry, Teacher Qianshu. I'll definitely become a qualified ninja."

"Lian, your ambition is so low. I'm going to become Hokage."

"Hmph, you want to become Hokage? Keep dreaming!"

"I've mastered the Three Body Technique anyway. Just watch me tomorrow!"

Today was their last class, and tomorrow was the exam. Many people were destined to be too excited to sleep that night.

After class, Minato Namikaze and Kushina left the academy together. They happened to see Uchiha Yū hurrying over, his body covered in large patches of water and looking exceptionally bedraggled.

"You, you're late."

Minato Namikaze looked at his close friend, his eyes carrying a hint of envy. In other people's eyes, Minato was an outstanding student, but his chakra was nowhere near as monstrous as Uchiha Yū's. He could not support a shadow clone through an entire day of classes.

"The Shadow Clone Technique really is absurd. But the moment your shadow clone disappeared, Teacher Qianshu's face went completely dark."

"Hahaha."

Hearing the two of them, You's face grew a little awkward. It seemed Teacher Qianshu would not give him a pleasant look during tomorrow's exam.

"I believe Teacher Qianshu wouldn't abuse his authority for personal revenge. After all, I'm his most prized student."

He glanced back at the academy and happened to see Teacher Qianshu cleaning up. This time, there were no students helping him. The moment class ended, everyone had run off.

He had no interest in making trouble for himself, so Teacher Qianshu could clean up on his own!

"I don't know how strong you are now, but you're definitely comparable to a genin. Want to celebrate early?"

The three of them were all geniuses at the academy and had mastered the Three Body Technique solidly. Minato Namikaze's Three Body Technique, in particular, was even faster than Uchiha Yū's.

His neural reflexes surpassed those of ordinary ninja. As expected of the man who would one day be known as the Yellow Flash of the Ninja World.

To get back at You for using a shadow clone to attend class, Minato Namikaze mischievously said:

"Forget it. I don't want to spend it with a single dog. Wouldn't it be better if tonight's party became a world for two?"

"Idiot, don't say things like that. You's right here."

Kushina's face flushed bright red.

A fatal blow!

Despite that, You still joined their little party that evening.

It was their final chance to relax. Once today was over, they would take the exam. Those who passed would follow their squad leaders on missions, and no one knew when they would all gather together again.

Kushina's guardian was Tsunade, and she knew that many powerful people would be among the squad leaders this time. She said to the two beside her:

"You two had better give it your all tomorrow."

"I heard that the Three Ninja will personally lead teams this time. They're the Hokage's disciples!"

Her eyes were filled with longing! As long as she graduated successfully, she would definitely become Lady Tsunade's disciple.

"The Three Ninja?"

After finishing his food, Minato looked at Kushina in surprise. The Three Ninja's fame had not yet spread throughout the ninja world, but within the village, they were highly respected. Every one of them was powerful.

Since the Three Ninja were taking disciples this time, You could guess who his teacher would be.

After all, in other people's eyes, his relationship with Tsunade was merely that of an ordinary doctor and patient, but they were actually quite close.

Over the past year, Tsunade had taught him quite a bit of basic medical knowledge.

In the Third Hokage's eyes, in order to make him part of the Hokage's faction, Tsunade would certainly be chosen as his teacher.

As for why his teacher would not be someone from the Uchiha Clan...

With the Uchiha Clan's temperament, they looked down on every ninja besides their own clansmen. Their arrogant and conceited nature made them unsuitable to serve as squad leaders.