"Is it possible to apply for early graduation?"
On their way to the examination grounds, Yagura Karatachi turned to ask Hozuki Mangetsu,
"If we each apply for early graduation over the next three years, one at a time, wouldn't that let us exploit a loophole and avoid having to kill our teammates?"
Kaede gave Yagura a surprised look before shaking his head.
Mangetsu was also taken aback for a moment before explaining, "That won't work. If even one person in the squad applies for early graduation, the other two must participate in the same special early graduation exam."
"I see…"
Absorbing this new information, Yagura looked up to see both of them staring at him with strange expressions.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just… you seem to know a lot, yet somehow not enough," Mangetsu chuckled. "You've heard of the Kime clan but not of Onime, one of the most famous names in all of Kirigakure. You understand the ninja academy's graduation system but didn't know about the special process for early applications."
Yagura asked in return, "Is this common knowledge?"
Mangetsu shrugged. "Not exactly something everyone knows, but it's widely understood."
He then shot a glance at Kaede with a teasing smirk. "Besides, Kaede's reputation is known throughout the entire village—except, apparently, by you, Yagura."
"Don't use me as an example," Kaede muttered, lowering his gaze, clearly displeased. "You're no different."
"Hmm…"
Yagura didn't deny it. His knowledge of Kirigakure mostly came from books and whatever his grandfather told him.
Ever since he demonstrated exceptional talent, his grandfather and parents had made a unanimous decision—to keep him hidden. No one had asked for his opinion.
Their precautions included, but were not limited to: limiting his time outside, requiring him to report his whereabouts before leaving home, ensuring he was always accompanied by hidden guards from the Karatachi clan…
Even his training had to be done strictly within the Karatachi family's private grounds.
Yagura had no objections. It allowed him to quietly develop his strength without attracting unwanted attention.
But as a result, his understanding of the outside world was severely limited.
Mangetsu grinned, eager to see Yagura caught off guard again. "I bet you haven't heard who applied for early graduation today."
"Who?"
Someone capable of applying for early graduation had to be incredibly skilled. Still, even with that expectation, Yagura was startled by the name Mangetsu mentioned—
—"The heiress of the Terumi clan, Terumi Mei."
...
Under Yamanashi Osamu's lead, a group of first-year students who had only just enrolled half an hour ago arrived at the site where their future graduation exam would take place.
A circular, enclosed dueling arena.
After briefly greeting the two masked shinobi guarding the entrance, Yamanashi stepped inside. But when he turned back, he found that the leading student was hesitating, too scared to move forward, causing the entire group to stall.
"Get inside, brats! Or I'll cut you down where you stand!" Yamanashi roared in anger.
Smack.
The leading boy was so frightened by Yamanashi's ferocious expression and thunderous voice that his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.
His eyes turned red with unshed tears. He wanted to cry. He wanted to run home to his mother!
But when he looked up and met Yamanashi's dark, terrifying gaze…
He couldn't cry.
If he did, he might really die!
"Hey, hey, come on now. Get up."
Before Mangetsu or Kaede could react, Yagura had already stepped forward. He reached out and helped the boy to his feet, dusting off his uniform.
"How'd you manage to trip while walking? Be more careful next time."
The boy recognized Yagura—the fearless one who sat by the window and wasn't intimidated by the teachers. "Th-Thank you."
"You're not hurt, right?"
The boy shook his head vigorously. "No."
Yagura glanced at Yamanashi, who was glaring at him impatiently. Not wanting to make an enemy of his homeroom teacher on the first day, he quickly stepped up.
"I'm Yagura Karatachi! I'll lead from here. Stay behind me! That goes for everyone in our class!"
Kaede turned to Mangetsu. "Is he always like this?"
Mangetsu chuckled as he followed the group inside. "Well, he is the future Fourth Mizukage."
Kaede paused, deep in thought. "…I see."
With Yagura taking the lead, the entire class crossed the threshold and entered the dueling arena.
In the end, things turned out well.
Yamanashi merely shot Yagura a glance and said nothing more before leading the students to their seats in the stands.
There was no need for the seasoned Chunin, who had survived the Blood Mist era, to enforce discipline.
The chilling atmosphere of the dueling arena was enough to silence the newly enrolled children, who had barely been away from their parents for an hour.
Yagura shifted his gaze to the center of the arena, where a girl, who appeared to be two years older than him, stood.
Her long brown hair partially covered her face, obscuring her expression. She wore a blue shinobi uniform over a mesh undershirt.
Though she was about twenty years younger than the bone-melting, heart-devouring woman he remembered, Yagura recognized her instantly.
Terumi Mei.
"You know Terumi Mei?"
Noticing Yagura's reaction, Mangetsu asked curiously. Yagura nodded.
Mangetsu then turned to Kaede with a grin. "Looks like Mei is more famous than you, Kaede. Even Yagura knows her but not you. Maybe it's time for some self-reflection?"
Kaede ignored him, refusing to take the bait.
Yagura sighed. "Mangetsu, where does your pointless need to compare things come from?"
"Why do you sound like an old man?"
"Because, mentally, I'm twenty years older than you."
Yagura tapped his chin thoughtfully before sneaking a glance at Yamanashi.
Despite their whispered conversation, their teacher showed no intention of stopping them.
Yagura turned back to Mangetsu. "Are you familiar with her? Terumi Mei."
Both from prestigious Kirigakure clans, they should at least know each other.
Mangetsu thought for a moment. "Not really. I've met her a few times when my grandfather took me to visit the Terumi clan."
"Oh?"
"The Terumi clan keep a tight watch over her. There aren't many chances to interact with her."
Yagura nodded in understanding.
After all, she was a rare shinobi who had inherited both the Lava Release and Boil Release bloodline limits from two separate clans.
A ninja possessing two kekkei genkai at once—such a thing was unheard of in the entire shinobi world!
As if sensing the intense scrutiny on her, Terumi Mei lifted her gaze in their direction.
She recognized both Kaede and Mangetsu, nodding slightly as a greeting.
But the boy sitting next to them… who was he?
He was quite good-looking, with fair skin that seemed soft to the touch.
"Hmm… not bad at all."
A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "I wonder if he'll be a man who melts easily?"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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