Before she could say anything more, Asuma Sarutobi rushed over.
"Kurenai, are you really graduating early?"
Asuma Sarutobi looked heartbroken, utterly unable to accept Kurenai Yūhi graduating early.
Wouldn't that mean he would rarely see Kurenai now?
Asuma Sarutobi could not accept this outcome under any circumstances.
Kurenai nodded again, then said:
"Asuma, are you going with me?"
"If Kurenai is graduating, then I'll graduate too."
Asuma Sarutobi declared.
It was currently the year 45 in the Hidden Leaf Village, and according to the original schedule, they were supposed to graduate next year.
This was only a few months early.
However, Kiyoshi Uchiha was graduating so quickly.
"Kurenai, is this Kiyoshi guy sure he's not just showing off?"
Asuma Sarutobi asked Kurenai Yūhi.
Previously, when the class was learning the [Clone Technique] together, Kiyoshi's performance was only average.
Could he have really mastered all the [Three Body Techniques] just by practicing privately?
"I believe in Kiyoshi."
Kurenai Yūhi dropped the "classmate" suffix.
After interacting recently, she and Kiyoshi were quite familiar with each other.
"Fine."
Seeing that his goddess had spoken, Asuma Sarutobi could only comply.
Anyway, if Kiyoshi Uchiha failed, he would be the first to jump out and tell him not to show off if he couldn't back it up.
***
The next day.
Kiyoshi entered the examination room alone.
Kurenai Yūhi and Asuma Sarutobi waited outside.
News must have leaked somehow, as Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha also found out.
"It's only been this long, and Kiyoshi is graduating already?"
Rin Nohara was surprised.
She still remembered Kiyoshi asking her to teach him [Hidden Leaf Village] Ninjutsu.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, Kiyoshi was already graduating early.
They still had to wait until next year to graduate.
"Luck, it's definitely luck!"
Obito Uchiha said grudgingly.
How could everyone be such a genius? First Kakashi Hatake, and now Kiyoshi Uchiha.
"Once I awaken my eyes, I'll be just as great."
Obito Uchiha adjusted his goggles. He treasured his eyes very much.
"Obito, you actually have a point."
Asuma Sarutobi felt that Obito, rarely, made a correct statement.
If Kiyoshi could truly graduate, didn't that mean he was also very strong in Ninjutsu?
***
The examiner was still Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He received Kiyoshi's application for early graduation, so he put down his work and specially came to observe the matter.
Orochimaru was also present, along with several Ninja Academy instructors serving as examiners.
Kiyoshi calmly refined his chakra, then performed the hand seals.
The Ninja Graduation Exam randomly draws one of the fundamental Ninjutsu. He drew the [Substitution Technique].
Kiyoshi had used the [Substitution Technique] during his spar with Natsu Hyūga recently, so it came effortlessly now.
*Poom.*
Kiyoshi dissolved into smoke, leaving only a wooden stake in his place.
He stood three meters away from the stake.
"Kiyoshi, your assessment is satisfactory."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
Kiyoshi Uchiha's talent was better than he had imagined, he had virtually no weaknesses in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, or [Genjutsu].
In that case, Kiyoshi Uchiha was even more suitable to serve as the link to ease relations with the Uchiha clan.
"He mastered the [Three Body Techniques] proficiently in only half a year?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden vertical pupils flashing.
This wind was blowing farther than expected.
This aptitude... even he might not have been much better back then.
"Kiyoshi Uchiha, congratulations on becoming a ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, handing Kiyoshi a ninja headband.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Kiyoshi accepted the ninja headband with an excited expression, placing it on his head.
The silver-grey metal surface of the headband, marked with the [Hidden Leaf] symbol, reflected faintly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Kiyoshi a few questions, mostly about his views on the [Will of Fire].
"Hokage-sama, my life in the Land of Lightning was extremely oppressive. After coming to the Hidden Leaf Village, I realized that a spirit like the [Will of Fire] actually exists."
Kiyoshi first disparaged his former home, then praised the [Hidden Leaf Village].
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded gently upon hearing this.
The [Will of Fire] was indeed a spirit unique to the [Hidden Leaf Village], representing its perpetual life and strength.
"The people here have been very kind to me, treating me as one of the Hidden Leaf's own. I believe this care is the true essence of the [Will of Fire], the meaning of 'protection'..."
Kiyoshi continued to speak, praising the [Hidden Leaf Village] for being superior to the Land of Lightning, claiming it was more advanced, and that its people were harmonious and friendly.
In short, the [Hidden Leaf Village] was winning, winning, and winning big.
The examiners in the room, hearing Kiyoshi—an Uchiha who had lived in the Land of Lightning—praising the great [Hidden Leaf Village] in such a manner, couldn't help but swell with pride.
This was their [Hidden Leaf Village], their home.
[You have comprehended the Trait: [Early Graduation (White)]]
[Trait: [Early Graduation (White)]]
[Requirement: Graduate early from the Ninja Academy]
[Progress: (Completed)]
[Effect: Your learning ability increases by 5% on top of the original foundation]
[Note: Can be further advanced later]
[Advancement Route 1: Integrating with [Muscle Memory (White)] can advance to [Hardworking Scholar (White)]]
[Advancement Route 2: Integrating with [Reading Comprehension (White)] and [Basic Memory (White)] can advance to [Genius Scholar (Green)]]
Kiyoshi closed the semi-transparent [Trait] panel. This was not the appropriate time to study [Traits].
"Very good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled reassuringly.
Kiyoshi Uchiha's resolution reminded him of someone: his former teammate, also an Uchiha, named Kagami Uchiha.
Even Tobirama-sensei had high praise for Kagami.
He was the pro-[Hidden Leaf] faction within the Uchiha clan.
If Kiyoshi could be nurtured, he might very well become a second Kagami Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged a few pleasantries, then dismissed Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi pushed the door open. Asuma Sarutobi's eyes widened when he saw the ninja headband on his head.
"I want to take the exam too!"
Asuma Sarutobi rushed in hastily.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.
He had already learned of his son's desire to graduate early yesterday afternoon.
"Asuma, you..."
He was about to tell Asuma Sarutobi to stay in the Academy, but then changed his mind and said:
"Come on then, let me see how well you've been studying."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and lit it.
Kiyoshi Uchiha happened to be graduating early and needed a squad assignment.
Why not put Asuma on the same squad as him? This would also demonstrate a Hokage's tolerance and inclusivity toward the Uchiha.
"Alright."
Asuma Sarutobi nodded, then stepped forward to draw the Ninjutsu he was to be tested on.
*Click.*
The door closed once more.
'Kurenai, just gaze upon me!'
Asuma Sarutobi thought to himself, glancing back.
'Kurenai must be worrying about me now.'
Asuma Sarutobi thought this.
"It's the [Clone Technique]."
The examiner's voice brought Asuma Sarutobi back to attention.
After taking a deep breath, he began his assessment.
***
"Kiyoshi, you're amazing."
Kurenai Yūhi's gaze was fixed on Kiyoshi as he emerged, looking closely at the ninja headband on his forehead.