The final semester at the Ninja Academy officially began.
Amamiya Maki, Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze, and Yakushi Nonō all submitted applications for early graduation.
Once their applications were approved, they could join Nawaki's Class 6-A and officially begin operating in teams.
Only Yakushi Nonō did not sign up.
With special approval from Tsunade, she went straight into Konoha Hospital's medical ninja training program for further study, bypassing the Ninja Academy's normal graduation process and entering the medical system directly.
On registration day, the Ninja Academy, which had been quiet throughout winter break, finally returned to its usual bustle.
The corridors teemed with students arriving to register and the parents accompanying them.
A few younger kids darted freely through the crowd, chasing one another and roughhousing, nearly knocking over the potted plants along the walls several times.
Maki stepped through the school gates, swept his gaze around, and immediately spotted a familiar figure.
Nawaki stood in front of the noticeboard, his head tilted back as he stared intently at the list of early graduation applicants.
Since their last meeting, he had shot up considerably, and his shoulders had grown broader and sturdier.
The Senju Clan's innate advantages had fully emerged at this age, giving him an increasingly tall, well-built frame.
He had been a goofy kid, but he was growing into a handsome young man.
"Nawaki."
At the call, Nawaki immediately turned around.
Seeing Maki, Kushina, and Minato, he broke into a bright, hearty grin.
"Amamiya Maki, Kushina, Minato! Long time no see!"
He stepped forward to bump fists lightly with Maki, then gave Minato a polite nod.
But when he reached Kushina, he visibly hesitated for half a second.
Too many things were tangled together, leaving him unsure how to face this girl who had inherited his grandmother's will.
Kushina