Graduation

Time flew by, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.

Hyuga Satoru had become an upperclassman at the Ninja Academy. Through his daily training—and mutual competition—with Uchiha Rin, his strength had improved tremendously.

But half a year ago, he suddenly discovered that he could no longer gain experience points.

More precisely, the experience points for Electromagnetic Force were increasing at a snail's pace, with almost no visible growth.

Hyuga Satoru sighed. The monotonous routine day after day made it difficult for Electromagnetic Force to receive enough stimulation. If he wanted to level up, he had to change environments.

The pressure of the Third Shinobi World War was constantly closing in on him.

Even with such a powerful cheat, it would be useless if he did not grow stronger quickly enough.

Ichiraku Ramen.

Through the white steam rising from her bowl, Uchiha Rin stared at Hyuga Satoru across from her with a hint of surprise.

"You want to graduate early?"

Hyuga Satoru nodded and said after a moment of thought,

"Yes. Although the Ninja Academy provides us with a comfortable environment for training, it's difficult to truly grow without being tempered by battle."

"It's hard to imagine those words coming from you."

Uchiha Rin's expression turned suspicious as she looked Hyuga Satoru up and down.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Hyuga Satoru nervously leaned back. He had planned to invite Uchiha Rin to graduate early with him. Otherwise, even if he graduated, he would not be able to take missions without teammates. He might as well stay at the academy and waste his time.

"No! Hahaha."

Uchiha Rin burst into laughter.

"I've been dying to leave. I'm practically rusting away in this lousy school. Even if you hadn't brought it up, I would have."

"That's good." Hyuga Satoru let out a sigh of relief.

Uchiha Rin thought for a moment. "But we're still short one person. The two of us can't form a three-man squad."

"You don't need to worry about that. I also asked Anko. Her combat ability isn't particularly strong, but passing the test shouldn't be a problem."

"Anko? Since she's someone Wu approves of, I naturally have no objections."

Forming a team with someone familiar was naturally better than teaming up with strangers.

Uchiha Rin nodded. She suddenly thought of Kakashi, and a rare trace of melancholy appeared on her face.

About a year ago, shocking news had suddenly spread throughout the village: Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, the respected White Fang, had abandoned a mission and caused the village tremendous losses.

Not long after, another shocking piece of news arrived. White Fang had committed suicide.

All the rumors and gossip from before came to an abrupt halt.

After that incident, Kakashi chose to graduate early, becoming the youngest Genin prodigy in Leaf Village history.

But alongside his reputation as a genius came occasional rumors that Kakashi did not get along with his teammates.

Because he had graduated early, he had no teammates from the same class. He could only be repeatedly assigned to unfamiliar teams that were short on members. His poor coordination with his teammates had caused many Genin to resent him deeply.

As the memories faded, Uchiha Rin smiled.

I heard he's almost a Chunin already. Seriously, he's been ahead of me for so long. Uchiha Rin is finally going to start putting in some effort.

The news that the three of them intended to graduate early caused quite a stir, but it soon died down.

There was no need to mention Uchiha Rin. Before Kakashi graduated, she had always competed with him. Although Hyuga Satoru always looked lazy, the title of Dual Bloodline Limit was there for all to see. As for Anko choosing to graduate early as well, many students mocked her for overestimating herself...

Examination grounds.

The moment Hyuga Satoru stepped out, he saw Uchiha Rin standing outside with her arms folded over her chest. She said calmly, "When it comes to the speed of passing the test, I was three minutes faster than you."

Was that something worth competing over too?

Hyuga Satoru's mouth twitched.

He looked back toward the examination room. Only Anko remained inside now. If she could pass, they would no longer need to worry about forming a three-man squad.

There was no need to worry about the Three-Body Technique and basic theory examinations. However, early graduation added a sparring test against a Genin. They had to hold out for a certain amount of time. It was naturally no problem for him and Uchiha Rin, but it placed considerable pressure on Anko.

As time passed bit by bit in that atmosphere, Hyuga Satoru could not help growing anxious.

He had his own reasons for insisting on teaming up with Anko. To break the Caged Bird, aside from relying on his own strength, the greatest help he could seek was Orochimaru's research. In the original story, Anko had been Orochimaru's disciple. If he became her teammate, perhaps he could establish a connection with Orochimaru.

Fortunately, not long after, Anko emerged from the examination room. Sweat covered her face as she gave Hyuga Satoru a faint smile.

"I did not fail my mission."

"Nicely done." Hyuga Satoru praised her and gave her a thumbs-up.

Since the three of them were the only ones from their class to graduate at the same time, being assigned to the same squad was inevitable. That left only one question: which Jonin would the acting Hokage assign to lead them?

Who would it be? Hyuga Satoru wondered curiously.

Arriving at a training ground at the appointed time, Hyuga Satoru and the other two began waiting for their mysterious Jonin instructor.

"Wu, what kind of Jonin do you think the Hokage will assign to us?" Anko asked nervously.

"I don't know." Hyuga Satoru shook his head. "But they definitely won't be weak."

The quality of their squad was by no means low. There was no need to mention himself. Uchiha Rin was also a genius, and Anko had been chosen as Orochimaru's disciple in the original story, so her talent naturally could not be poor.

If their instructor was not an outstanding Jonin, it simply would not make sense.

Just then, a man wrapped from head to toe in a loose robe approached them. Wearing dark sunglasses, he radiated an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.

"Hello. I am your Jonin instructor, Aburame Shibi."

His voice was brief and forceful, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"It's actually him." Uchiha Rin looked astonished.

"You know him?" Anko looked at her.

"Of course. I researched the village's powerful ninja beforehand." Uchiha Rin's eyes lit up. "He's a rather famous ninja within the Aburame Clan. He has mastered the insect-based secret techniques to perfection. Whether it's reconnaissance, combat, or support, he has no weaknesses. People call him an all-purpose ninja."

Insects? Anko shuddered.

"It seems you know something about me."

Aburame Shibi pondered for a moment.

"Now, introduce yourselves. My name is Aburame Shibi. I like insects, and I dislike creatures that eat insects."

His entire body was full of insects, and he seemed like the solitary type as well. This Jonin instructor did not look easy to get along with, Hyuga Satoru thought to himself.

After thinking for a moment, he began his introduction.

"My name is Hyuga Satoru. There's nothing I'm particularly good at. If I had to say something, I suppose I know a little taijutsu and ninjutsu. I like ramen and grilled meat. As for my dream, um... world nuclear peace."

World peace? As expected of you, Wu.

Anko's mouth twitched slightly. I remember that when we first enrolled, you said something about reaching the ending!

"That's an interesting idea."

Aburame Shibi nodded. Though it sounded like praise, his tone still carried a gloomy air.

So this was Hyuga Satoru, the one Lord Hokage asked me to keep an eye on?

Dual Bloodline Limit, the first wielder of the Magnet Release bloodline limit—neither title was simple. As a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, he actually possessed such lofty dreams. An interesting brat.

"My name is Uchiha Rin. There's nothing I particularly hate, nor is there anything I particularly like. If I had to name something, it would be training and fighting. Only improving my strength can fill me with pleasure."

Uchiha Rin's indifferent voice rang out, leaving Hyuga Satoru and Anko beside her looking embarrassed.

Uchiha... truly a clan full of arrogant people.

The corner of Aburame Shibi's mouth twitched beneath his loose robe.

Forget it. She was just a child.

"My name is Mitaraishi Anko."

Anko weakly raised her hand, speaking in a timid voice. Standing beside two geniuses from great clans placed a great deal of pressure on her.

"I like sweets, especially sweet rice dumplings. What I hate most are people who hurt their companions. I know healing techniques and hemostasis techniques, and I'm also good at wrapping bandages. If everyone gets hurt, I'll help treat you. I won't hold everyone back."

A very caring ninja, completely different from the two oddballs before her. Aburame Shibi nodded.

"Then the introductions are over. Next comes the combat test."

Aburame Shibi swept out his hand, and countless swarming black insects flew toward them.