The news brought by Orochimaru exceeded Gojo Yoru's expectations.
He hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to value him so much.
Uzumaki Kushina had only become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki two months ago. Logically speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen should have given them some time together to allow Gojo Yoru to soothe Uzumaki Kushina's heart.
But only two months later, he wanted Gojo Yoru to graduate early. Why?
Gojo Yoru couldn't help but speculate.
Could it be that Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing the growth of him and Uzumaki Kushina, couldn't wait to bring Gojo Yoru into the Hokage's lineage?
Thinking that the other party possessed the Telescope Technique and probably often peeked at his battles with Uzumaki Kushina, perhaps he saw the duel during the day and felt that he was already starting to struggle against Uzumaki Kushina, so he specially sent Orochimaru to offer timely assistance?
The more Gojo Yoru thought about it, the more he felt it was highly possible. The timing of this intervention was too perfect.
However, this fit Gojo Yoru's intentions perfectly.
Nawaki would turn eleven next month. If no butterfly effect occurred, the Second Great Ninja War would break out next year.
Even if Gojo Yoru graduated with this batch, Orochimaru and Jiraiya wouldn't have much time to train them.
It would also take a long time for Gojo Yoru to improve his master-disciple relationship with Orochimaru and thereby sign a summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave.
If he could become Orochimaru's disciple early, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for Gojo Yoru.
Thus, Gojo Yoru immediately made a decision.
He nodded to Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru-sensei, I am willing to graduate early."
Orochimaru didn't seem surprised by Gojo Yoru's decision at all. He nodded with a smile and said, "Very good. Then I will wait for you at the Ninja Academy tomorrow."
After speaking, Orochimaru stood up, turned into a blur, and disappeared.
"Yoru, will it be hard for me to see you again in the future? And we won't be able to train together every day?"
Even though she knew this was for their own good, Uzumaki Kushina still felt a bit down.
Gojo Yoru reached out and rubbed Uzumaki Kushina's head, saying softly, "This is all for our future."
These almost explicit words made Uzumaki Kushina's cheeks flush, and she lowered her head shyly.
...
The next day, Gojo Yoru arrived at the Ninja Academy early.
Yuya, who had already received the news, took him to an examination room.
Early graduation didn't require defeating a veteran Genin as some might think.
If one could defeat a veteran Genin, why graduate early to be a Genin? Just go directly to the Chunin Exams.
To graduate early, three steps were required first.
First, the teacher's approval and help with the application; second, the Principal's, i.e., Sarutobi Hiruzen's, consent; third, parents' consent and signature at the school.
This was how Uchiha Itachi graduated early in the original work.
Gojo Yoru's parents were no longer around, so he only needed to sign it himself.
After completing these steps, Gojo Yoru still needed to demonstrate his abilities to prove he had the strength to become an official Genin.
Inside the examination room, Gojo Yoru first underwent shuriken and kunai throwing tests, followed by the Body Flicker Technique and Hiding Technique, and finally the Three Body Technique assessment.
The three examiners responsible for scoring unanimously gave full marks.
Because Gojo Yoru didn't use the Clone Technique but the B-rank Shadow Clone Technique, astonishing everyone.
After all, many veteran Genin only knew one C-rank Five Elements Ninjutsu.
Mastering the Shadow Clone Technique in the fifth grade, and reportedly having used a C-rank Earth Release Ninjutsu in practical assessments—such strength was superior to many veteran Genin and even qualified him to participate directly in the Chunin Exams.
With the school's stamp of approval, the news of Gojo Yoru's early graduation quickly spread throughout the Ninja Academy.
Learning that the Great Demon King had graduated early, all the boys in the school cheered.
That bullying dog finally wasn't coming to school anymore. It was wonderful!
The girls were slightly regretful; the school had lost another handsome guy to look at.
The students of Class 1, Grade 5 cheered while also being very curious about Uzumaki Kushina's reaction.
Miraculously, Uzumaki Kushina looked indifferent and continued to study seriously.
Except for Namikaze Minato, who felt something was amiss, no one realized that the Uzumaki Kushina in the class was actually just a Shadow Clone.
"Congratulations. From now on, you are an official Genin, registration number 007185."
After Gojo Yoru finished taking his file photo, Orochimaru finally appeared and handed a Genin forehead protector to him.
Gojo Yoru took the forehead protector and tied it on his forehead, looking at Orochimaru and asking, "Orochimaru-sensei, do you plan to lead me alone?"
"Yes, starting today, you are my disciple." Orochimaru nodded.
Gojo Yoru instantly looked pleasantly surprised: "Really? That's great!"
Although Genin called their Jonin instructors "Sensei," in reality, the relationship was not master-disciple but superior and subordinate.
If the superior didn't like the batch of subordinates, then once someone in the team was promoted to Chunin, they would become a hands-off manager, with no obligation to teach them Ninjutsu.
Only when favored by the Jonin instructor would it be considered a true master-disciple relationship, involving the teaching of Ninjutsu and even unique skills.
This showed the value of Orochimaru's words.
As for a Jonin instructor leading a disciple alone, although rare in Konoha, examples existed.
And these examples were all Orochimaru.
Like Nawaki in the original work, and Anko Mitarashi in the original work, both followed Orochimaru alone.
"Don't celebrate too early. My guidance is very strict," Orochimaru smiled.
"That fits my intentions perfectly." Gojo Yoru grinned at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sensei, please don't hold back on me."
"Hehe, let's leave here first."
Orochimaru led Gojo Yoru out of the school.
Just as they walked out of the school gate, a red-haired figure trotted over.
"Orochimaru-sensei, Yoru."
Uzumaki Kushina first greeted Orochimaru, then seeing the forehead protector on Gojo Yoru's forehead, her eyes lit up: "Yoru, have you graduated now?"
"Mhm, want to feel it in advance?" Gojo Yoru took off the forehead protector and handed it to Uzumaki Kushina, who took it without hesitation and put it on.
Orochimaru watched the two with a smile, then said to Gojo Yoru, "Before starting missions, I need to understand your strength first. I'll give you half an hour to prepare. I'll wait for you at the place where you usually train."
After speaking, Orochimaru disappeared.
Hearing his words, Uzumaki Kushina widened her eyes and said, "Yoru, are you going to fight Orochimaru-sensei?"
"Mhm, you come watch too. Let's see the gap between us and a Jonin."
"Okay."
Uzumaki Kushina instantly became interested and walked home side by side with Gojo Yoru.
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