Graduation

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

Hyuga Satoru had become an upperclassman at the ninja academy. Through his daily training—and mutual competition—with Uchiha Rin, his strength had improved significantly.

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

More precisely, his Electromagnetic Force experience increased at a snail's pace, with almost no visible progress.

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 War was constantly bearing down on him.

Even with 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, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"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 is difficult to truly grow without being tempered by battle."

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

Suspicion appeared on Uchiha Rin's face as she looked Hyuga Satoru up and down.

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

Hyuga Satoru nervously shrank back. He had intended to invite Uchiha Rin to graduate early with him. Otherwise, even if he graduated, he could not carry out missions without teammates. He might as well keep idling away his days at the academy.

"No! Hahaha!"

Uchiha Rin burst into laughter.

"I've been dying to do it already. 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 breathed a sigh of relief.

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

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

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

Having familiar people as teammates was naturally better than teaming up with strangers.

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

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

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

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

After that incident, Kakashi chose to graduate early and became the youngest Genin prodigy in Leaf Village's history.

Yet accompanying his reputation as a genius were occasional rumors that Kakashi did not get along with his teammates.

Having graduated early, he had no teammates from the same class. He could only be repeatedly assigned to unfamiliar squads that lacked members. His coordination with his teammates was poor, leaving quite a few Genin deeply resentful of him.

The memories faded, and Uchiha Rin smiled.

I heard he's practically about to become a Chunin. Seriously, after letting him stay ahead for so long, it's finally time for me, Uchiha Rin, to start putting in some effort.

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

There was no need to mention Uchiha Rin. Before Kakashi graduated, she had always competed against him. Though Hyuga Satoru always looked lazy, he still had the reputation of possessing two bloodlines. As for Anko, quite a few classmates mocked her for overestimating herself when she also chose to graduate early...

Assessment grounds.

As soon as Hyuga Satoru stepped outside, he saw Uchiha Rin standing by the door with her arms crossed. She said evenly, "In terms of assessment completion speed, I was three minutes faster than you."

Was that something worth competing over too?

Hyuga Satoru's mouth twitched.

He turned back toward the examination room. Only Anko remained now. If she could pass, then there would be no need to worry about forming a three-person squad.

There was no need to worry about the Three-Body Technique or the basic theory examination. However, early graduation added a sparring segment 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 the pressure on Anko was considerable.

As time passed bit by bit in that atmosphere, Hyuga Satoru began to grow anxious without realizing it.

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 draw upon was Orochimaru's research. In the original story, Anko had been Orochimaru's disciple. Becoming her teammate might allow him to establish a connection with Orochimaru.

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

"I have not failed your expectations."

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

Since they were the only three 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 will it be? Hyuga Satoru wondered curiously.

Arriving at a training ground at the appointed time, the three began waiting for their mysterious instructor Jonin.

"Satoru, 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 anything but low. There was no need to mention himself. Uchiha Rin was also a genius, while Anko had been chosen by Orochimaru as a disciple in the original story. Her talent naturally could not be poor either.

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

At that moment, a man wrapped from head to toe in a loose robe approached them. Wearing dark sunglasses, he radiated an aura that warned strangers to stay away.

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

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

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

"You know him?" Anko looked at her.

"Of course. I looked into the village's powerful ninja in advance." Uchiha Rin's eyes lit up. "He is a rather famous ninja of the Aburame Clan. He has mastered the clan's insect secret techniques to perfection. Whether it's reconnaissance, combat, or support, there are no shortcomings in his abilities. People call him an all-around ninja."

Bugs? Anko shuddered.

"It seems you have learned 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 covered in bugs, and his personality seemed to be the withdrawn type as well. This instructor Jonin did not seem easy to get along with, Hyuga Satoru thought to himself.

After considering it, he began his introduction.

"My name is Hyuga Satoru. There isn't anything I'm particularly good at. If I had to say something, I know a little taijutsu and ninjutsu. I like ramen and grilled meat. As for my dream... hmm... world nuclear peace."

World peace? Just like you, Satoru.

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

"That is an interesting idea."

Aburame Shibi nodded. Although he sounded approving, his tone still carried a gloomy air.

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

Two bloodlines, the first inheritor of Magnet Release... neither title is simple. As a branch member of the Hyuga Clan, he even has such lofty dreams. An interesting child.

"My name is Uchiha Rin. There is nothing I particularly dislike, nor is there anything I particularly like. If I had to say something, it would be training and fighting. Only the increase of my strength fills me with exhilaration."

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

Uchiha... what an arrogant bunch.

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

Forget it. She was just a child.

"My name is Mitarashi Anko."

Anko timidly raised her hand and spoke in a soft, hesitant voice. Standing beside two geniuses from great clans put her under considerable pressure.

"I like sweets, especially dango. What I hate most is people who hurt their companions. I know healing techniques and hemostatic techniques, and I'm also good at wrapping bandages. When everyone gets hurt, I'll treat you. I won't hold everyone back."

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

"That concludes the introductions. Next comes the combat test."

With a wave of Aburame Shibi's hand, countless swarms of black insects flew toward them.