Clan Head Fugaku's Writ

The door to the principal's office opened.

Principal Sarutobi Wu was as slight in build as the Third Hokage. He looked up to see a tall Uchiha Clan Military Police Force ninja, with a student standing behind him.

He first glanced at the student. This was the top student in the second year, someone whose undisputed strength had crushed every other student in his class.

Even Asuma Sarutobi, the second young master of the Sarutobi Clan, had suffered miserably before him.

As for the tall Uchiha Clan Military Police Force ninja, Sarutobi Wu had dealt with him before. He was one of the Military Police Force's vice-captains.

"Captain Jing, you should have knocked."

"Oh, I forgot. I was so angry that it slipped my mind."

Uchiha Jing wore a grave expression as he frowned down at Sarutobi Wu in his chair. "Principal, I heard my little brother is being made to graduate early?"

Sarutobi Wu looked displeased. "The Third Shinobi World War is at a critical stalemate. Sixty-one students have already graduated early from the Ninja Academy. Whether Uchiha Ling graduates early is subject to review and recommendation by the academic committee. What are you trying to say?"

Uchiha Ling secretly grew anxious. The Ninja Academy principal managed Konoha Village's future. He was a close confidant of the Hokage and a core figure in the Sarutobi Clan.

Sarutobi Wu's words had been airtight. There was nothing procedurally wrong with making Uchiha Ling graduate early.

Uchiha Jing said, "The Military Police Force cannot interfere with your decision. This is a writ from the head of the Military Police Force, Lord Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan head.

Please take a look, Principal. The Uchiha Clan does not agree to second-year Uchiha children graduating early. If you insist on making him graduate early, the Uchiha Clan Military Police Force will recruit him."

After saying that, Uchiha Jing glanced at Uchiha Ling, signaling that he need not be afraid. Everything was fine.

Uchiha Ling let out a breath of relief.

He had performed very well at school. Not only had he drawn the attention of the academy's upper ranks, but his clan was watching him as well.

Uchiha Fugaku was a few years older than Minato Namikaze, yet he had already become clan head at the age of twenty.

He had not expected the young Uchiha Fugaku to be so forceful, directly intervening in the Ninja Academy's decision.

Clan Head Fugaku had not insisted on opposing the academy's decision. But if they made Uchiha Ling graduate early, then Uchiha Ling would join the Military Police Force.

The Ninja Academy had no procedural grounds to object. The largest clan in Konoha Village, coupled with the Military Police Force, wielded enormous influence.

Sarutobi Wu studied the writ, frowning in thought for several seconds before saying, "Then let's ask Uchiha Ling himself. Uchiha Ling, after graduation, do you want to join a ninja squad or enter the Military Police Force?"

Uchiha Ling said, "Can I choose neither? Can I stay at the academy?"

His classmates were nice, and they spoke so pleasantly. He had no desire to leave this place.

Uchiha Jing thought the same. He was so young—what was the rush to graduate?

Sarutobi Wu said, "Fine. Since you do not wish to graduate, we'll follow your wishes."

Having Uchiha Ling graduate early only for the Uchiha Clan Military Police Force to take him away would be too humiliating. It was better to let him remain at the academy.

Uchiha Jing nodded. "Good, then it's settled. We'll discuss it again when Ling wants to graduate."

After leaving the principal's office, Uchiha Ling was in an excellent mood.

The Uchiha Clan couldn't be wiped out. It absolutely couldn't be wiped out. Who would look after him if it was?

After they went downstairs, Uchiha Jing said, "Ling, come find me if anything happens in the future. I'll settle it for you.

The clan has been keeping an eye on your performance at school, and it is extremely satisfied with you.

An Uchiha Clan member should be first in the year. He should be far ahead of everyone else.

Captain Uchiha Yashiro said that with your current performance, even if Kakashi Hatake had not graduated, he would not be your match."

"No, no, Second Brother. Kakashi is still very strong. At most, I'm the person closest to Kakashi."

"Show some ambition!" Uchiha Jing thumped Uchiha Ling on the head and said, "Train hard, and keep the Sarutobi Clan, the Nara Clan, and all the other civilian ninja beneath you!

Make them fear the Uchiha Clan from childhood onward. Make them tremble whenever they see an Uchiha!"

The Uchiha hawks were domineering. That dominance came from their formidable one-on-one combat strength. Whether inside or outside the village, anyone facing an Uchiha would be badly mauled.

Uchiha Ling asked, "Second Brother, will I join the Military Police Force directly after I graduate?"

"Not necessarily. Clan Head Fugaku wants the new recruits to enter ordinary Hidden Leaf Village squads. Since the shinobi war began, the clan head has wanted to seize the opportunity to expand the clan's influence. It depends on you. I'll make arrangements for you when the time comes."

"Got it, Second Brother!"

"Go on. Head back to your class."

When Uchiha Ling returned, he saw Kurenai Yuhi fighting Rin Nohara.

Both girls excelled at fine chakra control. In the future, one would become a genjutsu-type ninja, while the other would become a medical ninja.

But Kurenai Yuhi had trained with Uchiha Ling for a long time. Her movements were clean and decisive, carrying an extra measure of the sharpness a ninja ought to possess.

Rin Nohara could not hold her ground and was steadily forced back.

Uchiha Ling observed Kurenai Yuhi's arms and calves. Her distinct muscle definition gave her great strength and confidence.

In the original story, Rin Nohara had always held Kakashi, Obito, and Rin's squad back. She was either kidnapped by Stone Ninja or kidnapped by Mist Ninja.

Many of that squad's hardships had arisen because Rin Nohara could not deal with enemies alone, forcing Kakashi to clean up after her every time.

Kurenai Yuhi did far better in that regard. Taijutsu was not her weakness.

After more than ten exchanges, Kurenai Yuhi swept Rin Nohara's legs out from under her. Smiling, she said to Rin Nohara on the ground, "Rin, how about you train with me? You're first in theory classes, and your Transformation Technique is refined too, but your physique is a little weak."

Rin Nohara got to her feet in frustration. "All right, I'll train with you. But aren't you training with that person?"

"What do you mean, that person? Just call him by name—Uchiha Ling. He... he just has a sharp tongue, but he's kind-hearted."

"How can someone with a sharp tongue be kind-hearted?"

Kurenai Yuhi did not bother explaining. She felt that Rin Nohara would come to enjoy training with Uchiha Ling.

All the exams ended.

Uchiha Ling was still the undisputed first place.

As the first person to leave the classroom, Uchiha Ling turned to look at all the classmates seeing him off.

"Dear classmates, I nearly got made to graduate early just now. That was close—I almost never got to see my adorable classmates again.

Without you, where would I find such a sense of superiority? See you next semester!"

Nara Saku's vision went black, and Akimichi Takashi's vision went black once more.

"Saku! Didn't you say you had already arranged for him to graduate early?"

"I don't know! I've already seen Uchiha Ling's early graduation review form! Even the principal had signed it."

After school, Nara Saku hurried to the principal's office and learned the full story.

Even the Uchiha Clan head had taken notice of Uchiha Ling and forcefully intervened.

After Uchiha Ling returned home, he eagerly began studying the Multi-Size Technique.

Good stuff. This was really good stuff.