Kurenai Yūhi was not just being polite, she genuinely thought so.
Although Kiyoshi was about the same age as them, he had received much less education in the village.
"Kurenai, you can do it too."
Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
The extra weight on his forehead felt a little unfamiliar to Kiyoshi.
No wonder some ninjas didn't wear their headbands on their foreheads, opting instead for their arms, waists, or other parts of the body.
"I hope I can succeed too."
Kurenai nodded with a hint of small melancholy.
She hadn't really thought about graduating early before.
However, continuing to stay didn't hold much meaning, the Ninja Academy had little left to teach.
The two chatted for a while. Kiyoshi also went to greet Rin Nohara.
Obito Uchiha, however, had disappeared.
Rin Nohara said he had gone off to train.
Kiyoshi paid no mind to where Obito had gone and continued chatting with the two girls.
Not long after, Asuma Sarutobi emerged, his face beaming with excitement.
He pointed to the ninja headband on his forehead and said to Kurenai Yūhi:
"Kurenai, early graduation, well, it's just okay."
Although Asuma Sarutobi wanted his voice to sound composed, his overjoyed expression betrayed him.
Clearly, he was very happy to have graduated early.
"..."
As the saying goes, there is no harm until there is a comparison.
Kurenai felt that Asuma Sarutobi was too restless compared to Kiyoshi.
"Kurenai?"
Asuma Sarutobi noticed a hint of disappointment in Kurenai Yūhi's expression.
He instantly wondered how he had annoyed Kurenai Yūhi.
He wanted to ask, but Kurenai Yūhi had already walked forward and entered the examination room.
Seeing this, Asuma Sarutobi had no choice but to give up.
"Where is Obito?"
Asuma Sarutobi wanted to show off to Obito, but after looking around, he found no sign of him.
"He left."
Rin Nohara said softly.
She herself was starting to entertain the idea of graduating early.
However, Rin Nohara lacked the confidence.
Her family situation did not afford her the luxury of early training; she learned everything diligently by listening and studying at the Ninja Academy.
"He left so quickly."
Asuma Sarutobi's plan fell through, so he had no choice but to wait with Kiyoshi for Kurenai Yūhi.
Kiyoshi took the opportunity to open the [Trait] panel while he had nothing else to do.
Looking at Advancement Route 2 beneath [Early Graduation (White)], he selected confirm.
[You have comprehended the new Trait: [Genius Scholar (Green)]]
[Trait: [Genius Scholar (Green)]]
[Requirement: Graduate early, and learning ability reaches the minimum requirement]
[Progress: (Completed)]
[Effect: You can focus more than others in whatever you do, learn faster, and your learning ability increases by 20%]
[Note: Can be further advanced later]
"An increase of 20%?"
Kiyoshi felt his mind clear considerably, and his thinking speed increased.
Some previous points of confusion regarding Ninjutsu now held answers.
Inspiration and insight flowed out.
Kiyoshi closed his eyes and began to ponder his past uncertainties.
About ten minutes later.
Kurenai Yūhi also emerged with a smile on her face, a ninja headband now affixed to her forehead.
"Ho ho, Sarutobi-sensei, there are quite a few early graduates this year."
Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out together.
"These are the new leaves of the Hidden Leaf Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw his son talking with Kiyoshi and Kurenai Yūhi and nodded slightly.
If he placed them in a single squad, there likely wouldn't be any conflicts.
"Asuma, remember to get along well with Kiyoshi and the others."
"I know," Asuma Sarutobi replied impatiently, waving his hand.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was used to Asuma Sarutobi's attitude and left with Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had important business to discuss with him, and his presence here was merely a convenient detour.
"Are you still coming to my place today?"
Kiyoshi looked at Kurenai.
"Yes."
Kurenai nodded.
"Kurenai, you're going to Kiyoshi's house?"
Asuma Sarutobi was stunned, he hadn't known about this.
So, the reason Kurenai would disappear after school all this time was because she was going to Kiyoshi's place!
"Yes, to learn [Genjutsu] from him."
Kurenai replied.
She quickly followed Kiyoshi, who had already turned to leave.
Only Asuma Sarutobi and Rin Nohara remained.
Rin Nohara watched Kiyoshi and Kurenai Yūhi walk away, secretly envious.
She wished her relationship with Kakashi Hatake could be like that.
Unfortunately, Kakashi Hatake was out on a mission again recently. Every time he returned, Rin Nohara felt a heavy smell of blood on him.
This was the scent of someone who had killed...
Holding her anxiety in her heart, Rin Nohara turned to head back.
It looked like she would have to ask Kiyoshi about [Lightning Release] another time, Rin Nohara didn't want to disturb Kurenai.
After Kurenai left, only Asuma remained standing there.
In the blink of an eye, the area, which had been lively just moments ago, was now occupied only by his lonely figure.
Hearing Kurenai say she was going to Kiyoshi's house, Asuma considered saying he would go along too.
But thinking about it, he and Kiyoshi were not close at all. If Kiyoshi said his home didn't welcome him, wouldn't that be embarrassing?
"Damn it, everything has changed since Kiyoshi Uchiha arrived."
Ever since Kiyoshi Uchiha came here, Asuma Sarutobi felt like nothing went right.
He swaggered, putting a stick in his mouth, thinking about how to find a good reason to get closer to Kurenai.
'I was here first!'
***
Several hours later, Kiyoshi, having seen Kurenai Yūhi off, looked at the sky and headed outside.
He was now considered a ninja, just waiting for the higher-ups to determine his future direction.
Uchiha generally join the [Hidden Leaf Village] Police Force and are assigned to the first platoon after becoming a Chunin.
Before that, they could also apply to study at the [Hidden Leaf Village] Police Force early.
Or they could take the normal route and become part of a three-person squad.
However, very few Uchiha choose that path.
Thinking this, Kiyoshi arrived at a certain location.
The [Hidden Leaf Village] Hospital.
Kiyoshi went to the first floor and asked the medical staff for the location of Nonō Yakushi.
Nonō Yakushi was the captain of the Medical Squad and was known to almost everyone in the hospital. He found her easily.
"Oh, little Kiyoshi, how did you find your way here?"
Nonō Yakushi was slightly taken aback. She remembered her agreement with Kiyoshi was for after he graduated as a ninja.
Then, she noticed the ninja headband on Kiyoshi's forehead and understood.
"I graduated, Lady Nonō."
Kiyoshi pointed to his forehead.
"Your aptitude is very good."
Nonō Yakushi said, pushing up her round-rimmed glasses, which added a touch of maturity to her attractive face.
Kiyoshi quickly shifted his gaze.
It is often said that people wearing glasses can have a contrasting image.
Especially with Nonō Yakushi, who wore the expression of a saint, feeling pity for all, yet possessed such a voluptuous physique.
Just the thought of it was enough to cause ripples in Kiyoshi's [Dōjutsu] power.
But it was only a thought. Kiyoshi dared not show any extra emotion on his face.
Nonō Yakushi was the Intelligence Group's top spy within [The Foundation]!
"However, to learn [Medical Ninjutsu], you need to see if you possess the [Yang Release] nature, you know."
Nonō Yakushi said softly.
***
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