Significant Improvement

In the three months before graduation, Uchiha Yi made great strides. He not only incorporated Cherry Blossom Impact into his fighting style, but also gained some useful rewards from the Battle Space.

He defeated the young Minato and gained Minato Namikaze's Space Talent.

He defeated Rock Lee from the Chunin Ninja Exams and gained his combat experience, greatly sharpening his own skills. Unfortunately, there was no Eight Gates.

He defeated Kotetsu Hagane, the Gatekeeper, though the fight was a tough one. Kotetsu was an accomplished Chunin, after all, and would become a Special Jōnin. Yi had to work for the victory, and gained Kotetsu's swordsmanship. It was better than nothing.

He defeated Tenten from the Fourth Shinobi World War and gained her skill at throwing ninja tools. Of course, it was of little use to Yi. When it came to throwing Kunai, who could match an Uchiha?

He defeated Tiger, an Anbu Ninja, and gained his stealth techniques.

He defeated Yurika and gained her ability to decipher codes.

He defeated Uzumaki Fusō and gained her Uzumaki Clan physique, further improving his own.

He defeated the young Uchiha Fugaku and gained the Eye Power of Fugaku's Two-Tomoe Sharingan. With that power and his increasingly robust physique, Yi's Sharingan advanced straight to Three-Tomoe.

Before even graduating from the Ninja Academy, Yi was already stronger than the vast majority of Chunin. Once he had completed enough missions, he could even try for Special Jōnin.

For now, though, Yi had no intention of revealing his full strength. Being as strong as a Chunin at six was startling enough.

If he showed strength worthy of a Special Jōnin, it would shock everyone. Should the other villages learn of it, they would likely put him on their kill lists.

At Tsunade's request, the early graduation applications for Uchiha Yi, Uchiha Mikoto, and Nawaki were submitted together to the Hokage's office.

"Well? Teacher Sarutobi, hurry up and put our squads together.

Orochimaru and I still have to take them out on missions," Tsunade urged Hiruzen Sarutobi, sprawled casually across the office sofa.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took two deep pulls on his pipe before replying helplessly, "I can approve all three early graduation applications, and I have no objection to Kushina Uzumaki leaving the Ninja Academy for you to train her.

But there's a problem with Hyuga Hiashi."

"What? They won't agree?" Tsunade frowned, displeasure flashing across her face.

She was an Elite Jōnin of Konoha, the First Hokage's granddaughter, and a genuine princess of the Land of Fire.

What, did the Hyuga Main Family think they outranked me?

"The international situation is too unstable. Everyone can see war might break out at any moment. Hyuga Hiashi is the heir to the Hyuga Clan, after all, and they don't want him going out on missions.

But to apologize, they're willing to send a girl from the Hyuga Main Family to your squad and have Hizashi Hyuga join Orochimaru's squad." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

He had wanted Tsunade to take the future Hyuga Clan Leader as her student. It would help stabilize the Hyuga Clan and make future discussions easier.

Unfortunately, they would not let Hyuga Hiashi take missions. Still, offering a girl from the Main Family and Hizashi Hyuga showed considerable sincerity.

"Does the Hyuga Main Family even have anyone of the right age?" Tsunade's expression softened a little.

Places in the Hyuga Main Family were extremely limited. Even Hizashi Hyuga had been relegated to the Hyuga Branch Family.

She had not expected there to be another member of the Main Family of a suitable age.

"Here's her file." Hiruzen Sarutobi handed Tsunade a document. "Her Family trained her privately, so she never attended the Ninja Academy. She's quite talented, so you needn't worry about that.

They wouldn't try to fob you off with a child who lacked talent.

And from what I've seen, Hizashi Hyuga may even be slightly more talented than Hyuga Hiashi. It's a pity he ended up in the Branch Family."

Hiruzen was not the only one who had noticed. Danzo had too. Danzo had even considered using it to drive a wedge between Hizashi and Hiashi, and stir up conflict between the Branch Family and the Main Family.

At first glance, the plan seemed feasible. The Branch Family would not ask for much—only that the Main Family lose its power to control and punish them at will. That would certainly benefit the Branch Family.

Unfortunately, it was all but impossible for the Hyuga Branch Family to oppose the Main Family.

Unless the Main Family made a mistake, there was little anyone could do about the Hyuga.

"Hyuga Rinka, eight years old. Excellent Chakra control, and she's already mastered Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. She really is a promising talent. She might even be able to learn some Medical Ninjutsu from me." Tsunade sounded impressed.

"Yes, I thought she might suit you. Perhaps they also believe your squad will be safer," Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked. Many people thought of Tsunade as a medical ninja and forgot how formidable she was in a fight.

Of course, staying close to Tsunade really was relatively safe.

"How is that jutsu you're developing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked.

"Not quite done. It still needs some refinement, but I'll finish it within six months!" Tsunade said confidently. "When I do, I'll change the whole field of medical ninjas."

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth. He wanted to tell her that she was Tsunade, not a typical medical ninja; not every medical ninja could do what she did. But seeing his student's enthusiasm, he kept the truth to himself.

"All right. You have another six months. Konoha is doing its best to avoid war, but the other countries are growing restless. Even the Land of Rain is stockpiling war supplies at a frantic pace. According to Danzo's intelligence, Hanzō wants to make the Land of Rain the sixth great nation. War could break out at any moment, and we don't have much time." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke earnestly. "If you need any help, tell me."

"I will." Something seemed to occur to Tsunade. "By the way, Second Grandfather's sword is with you, isn't it?

We didn't take it with his other belongings back then."

"You mean the Thunder God Sword?" Hiruzen Sarutobi gave her an odd look. He had not expected her to bring it up. "You want to give the Thunder God Sword to Uchiha Yi?"