Graduation Just Happened, Already Sentenced to Death

"I now announce the members who have successfully graduated from the Ninja Academy."

In the classroom, a rather unremarkable Chunin scanned the faces of the young students before him, a list in hand, and spoke.

At his words, the students below tensed up.

Looking around, the only one displaying a different expression from the rest was a young boy sitting in the front row.

He had messy, short brown hair, a few freckles on his cheeks, and a rather ordinary appearance… but his eyes held a 'seasoned' look that belied his age. While his classmates held their breath, eagerly looking towards the teacher, Fuma Yue remained calm, showing no anticipation for the list in the teacher's hand.

"Yoshitaka."

"Arimura Treeya."

"Nako I."

"Shiko."

"..."

As the teacher called out names one by one, the boys' expressions shifted from nervousness to joy, some unable to contain their excitement and pumping their small fists in the air, cheering.

"Fuma Yue."

Then, the Chunin called out Fuma Yue's name, his gaze lingering on Yue for a few seconds before continuing the roll call.

Fuma Yue remained unfazed, as he had already guessed he would graduate without issue. If nothing unexpected happened, everyone in the class would graduate; this was merely a procedural formality.

This level… if this were Konoha, perhaps very few would even receive a forehead protector. Yue's gaze swept over the faces in their seats, and he sighed inwardly.

He was ten years old this year, a member of the Fuma Clan.

This was the world of Naruto.

Beneath his youthful exterior resided a mature soul.

That's right, he was from Earth.

From his knowledge of Naruto, although he hadn't transmigrated into Konoha's environment, based on his memories, his active integration into this village, and his familiarity with ninjas, Yue could judge the gap between their graduating class and Konoha's "Konoha 11".

Even though the story hadn't reached its starting point yet.

Compared to the cradle of talent that was the Land of Fire, the Grass Village was far from comparable.

He had transmigrated to the Land of Grass, a place that, on the Naruto world map, was struggling to survive in the cracks… a politically chaotic place with a very weak village power.

"The above are those who have successfully graduated. Congratulations."

"But don't get too happy too soon. There's still the advancement exam waiting for you. Only by passing the advancement exam can you receive your forehead protector and officially become a Genin," the teacher on the podium said with a slight smile.

Unbeknownst to him, Yue below was sizing him up, thinking, This kind of Chunin, if placed in Konoha, probably wouldn't even be better than an average Genin…

It wasn't that he had such thoughts without reason.

After all… Konoha's Genin were famously full of hidden talents.

Afterward, the Chunin teacher named Masada gave the students some instructions and advice before dismissing the class.

The teacher pushed open the door and left, giving the students space to enjoy this brief and wonderful moment alone.

"That's great… we're finally going to be Genin. My father will be so proud when he finds out."

"The dark days are finally over… From now on, my name, Ninomiya To, will surely resound throughout the ninja world, and I will become a renowned powerhouse!"

"You're bragging… with your skills?"

The atmosphere in the classroom became lively, with boys excitedly discussing and playing. Everyone's eyes held a spark… the hope for their future.

"The strongest person in our batch is Yue… even he hasn't said anything, and you dare to boast like this." At this moment, a chubby boy spoke, drawing everyone's attention to Fuma Yue, who sat motionlessly in his seat, showing no sign of happiness.

"Yue… why are you… so calm?"

A girl with twin ponytails sitting behind Yue asked in surprise.

"With Yue's strength, graduating is a certainty. It's natural that he wouldn't be as anxious as us."

Someone guessed.

"I have some family matters to attend to. I'll be leaving now."

Yue ignored his classmates' chatter, said calmly, put his hands in his pockets, and stood up to leave.

"Tch, look at his arrogant attitude."

One person sneered, watching Yue walk out of the classroom, clearly displeased.

"He's from the Fuma Clan, not like us commoners."

Someone else added sarcastically.

"The Fuma Clan only has a bit of a reputation; they don't even rank in the ninja world… If their family could make a living in the Land of Rice, why would they come to our Grass Village?"

The former scoffed.

"Shh… keep your voice down. Don't let him hear you."

Walking down the corridor outside the classroom, Yue ignored the clamor from the other side of the wall.

The Fuma Clan could be considered one of the weakest clans in Naruto.

However, their name had been known throughout the shinobi world for generations.

The Fuma Clan originally lived in the Land of Rice, and they still do... Orochimaru hadn't 'moved in' to the Land of Rice and established the Sound Village yet, so the Fuma Clan hadn't changed. It was just that his father had come to the Land of Grass years ago under certain circumstances, was highly valued by the higher-ups, and thus settled in the Grass Village.

This was the tragedy of weak clans and shinobi, having to wander for a living... The environment within the Land of Rice was relatively peaceful, which led to the Fuma Clan's people being somewhat scattered and lacking cohesion. However, this clan had great ambition, just like the Daimyo of the Land of Rice, otherwise, they wouldn't have been exploited by Orochimaru in later generations.

"It's a bit of a perk that comes with transmigration... In a world like this, it all comes down to bloodline and background. Not being born a commoner is already pretty good." Yue's fingertips brushed against the cold wall as he walked, a faint smile on his lips.

His tone was tinged with self-deprecation.

"But..."

The next second, his gaze sharpened.

Graduating from the Ninja Academy and becoming a Genin was not a good thing at all.

His classmates had no idea what awaited them...

The unique geographical location and environment of the Land of Grass destined this small country to be unable to expand, placing it in a disadvantageous and passive position, forced to act according to the whims of other major countries... The biggest reason it hadn't been annexed was that it was considered a buffer zone for the wars between other major powers.

Under war, the only ones injured and destroyed were the Grass Village...

To survive, the Grass Village didn't just maintain a low profile; it was no exaggeration to say they were 'living precariously'.

The shinobi of this village engaged in 'business' that other major countries disdained, or participated in some gray industries.

For example, smuggling intelligence, or acting as 'mercenaries' for other villages as Grass Ninja.

Their main focus was... doing all the dirty and difficult jobs, accepting anyone who came.

This way of survival also meant that the growth environment for Grass Ninja was extremely harsh... The village lacked orthodox inheritance, and the existing ninjutsu were all low-grade techniques 'plagiarized' from other villages. It was in this context that they, as members of the Fuma Clan, were 'valued' by the village.

After all, they were considered 'talent'; even a mosquito's leg is still meat.

This also resulted in the Grass Ninja being quite weak. Without solid strength, their mortality rate was naturally high.

The more people died, the more replenishment was needed... after all, it was for the village's development.

This meant that even students like them, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, could not escape the 'clutches' of the higher-ups.

According to Fuma Yue's inquiries, less than ten of the seniors from the previous batch who became Genin were still alive.

Therefore, no matter how trashy this batch of students was, Yue guessed... they would successfully 'graduate'.

This included the upcoming 'graduation exam,' which was to obtain the Genin forehead protector.

"Yue."

After a long pause, as Yue, deep in thought and considering how to escape his current predicament, was about to step out of the school gate, a call came from behind him.

He turned around and found that the person chasing him was his teacher.

Chunin Masada.

"Teacher Masada." Yue bowed politely.

"Yue... the graduation exam is just a formality for you. I've decided to personally lead your group, and I've already arranged the personnel."

"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher."

Upon hearing this, Yue's eyelids twitched, and he replied courteously.

"You are the most outstanding student I have ever taught... With me here, I must cultivate you into an excellent shinobi! I wouldn't be at ease if I let others lead you," Masada said, patting Yue's shoulder with sincere emotion.

Yue nodded, and only after Masada said a few more words did he turn to take his leave.

Masada watched the young man's retreating back and frowned slightly.

Fuma Yue's reaction displeased him.

It seemed the young man wasn't particularly grateful that he was personally leading the group.

"Jonin don't have time to bother with trivial matters like mentoring new recruits... how truly terrible."

After leaving the school gate, Yue took a deep breath.

He knew... he had been targeted.

Masada treated him like a child, unaware that he was a transmigrator and actually older than him.

"Truly..."

Walking on the road home, the sun was setting.

Yue looked at the fiery clouds in the sky and gave a wry smile. "If only I had transmigrated to Konoha... Sometimes I can't help but think that way, but considering Konoha's complicated situation, it might not have been a good thing. There are pros and cons... it's the same here."

"At least, as a Grass Ninja... I'm an inconspicuous little character, which in a sense, is 'relatively safe'."

The news of Konoha White Fang's recent suicide had already spread.

Even if Konoha tried to suppress it, as a neighboring country and with the Grass Village being adept at gathering intelligence, they had still caught wind of some rumors.

If he calculated the time, the Third Shinobi World War was only a few years away.

From the Second Shinobi World War to the Third Shinobi World War, the entire period was filled with large and small conflicts, although the situation had eased considerably compared to the Second Shinobi World War. It did not mean that 'peace' had been completely achieved.

But for the common folk in most villages, it was already a rare period of brief peace.

Compared to the post-war era that Naruto's generation was born into, Yue's beginning... was undoubtedly much more dangerous.

"Yo, little genius, school's out?"

Along the way, a middle-aged woman standing at the entrance of a street shop saw Yue, who seemed preoccupied, and teased him with a smile.

Yue put on a 'sour face' that outsiders saw, nodded numbly, and continued walking away without speaking.

"This brat... he's always so arrogant whenever I see him, wonder who he learned it from."

The aunt couldn't help but complain, but there was no resentment in her tone; it sounded more like she liked Yue's little temper.