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[NTU] [ARC-02-ACADEMY] Chapter : 28
🕑 Added 2024-05-21 20:12:34 +0000 UTC'Do you not understand how cruel war is to ninjas?'
'Or are you so confident in your strength? Or perhaps too shocked to show the correct expression?'
With his extraordinary 'eyesight,' Fugaku could fully perceive Toshiro's micro-expressions. Even without activating the Sharingan, the Uchiha blood gave him a talent far beyond that of the average ninja.
Just as Toshiro had imagined, in front of a seasoned shinobi, especially an Uchiha, it is incredibly difficult to control your facial expressions and deceive the other person.
"The clan has decided to select some academy students who have not yet graduated and arrange for them to graduate early. Then, elite clan members will mentor them to prepare them for the impending war."
'Graduating early? After such a long and roundabout explanation, he finally revealed the purpose of this meeting!'
'I didn't expect to escape this; I will graduate early because of this situation, unlike those who applied voluntarily. He is being forced to graduate!'
In Konoha, ninja training is typically conducted at the academy, supplemented by secret techniques passed down within clans. This holds true except for a few special cases.
Now, with war on the horizon, the ninja families want to accelerate the training of their young members. The Hokage welcomes this, knowing that the better trained they are, the much better it will be for him when they are eventually sent to the battlefield under his command.
"War and early graduation? I understand!"
"I wonder, when the time comes, will I join a regular three-man ninja team, or will we be assigned to the police force?"
Toshiro wasn't thrilled about graduating early to become a ninja. He asked the question merely to understand his future assignment.
Whether he joins the three-man ninja team or the police force doesn't make much difference to him. Typically, Uchiha ninjas join a regular squad after graduation. After some experience and becoming a Chunin, they are transferred to the police force.
At this point, some clan members successfully awaken their Sharingan through the trials and tribulations of their missions, becoming the pillars of the clan. Even those who do not awaken their Sharingan gain valuable experience and can effectively handle various police force duties.
For clan members who neither awaken their Sharingan nor become Chunin after a certain period, they are encouraged to pursue other careers to avoid dying on missions and leaving behind orphans and widows.
Toshiro's situation is slightly special, as an elite clan member will serve as his Jonin-sensei. If his teammates are civilians or from other clans, he will join the regular ninja ranks. However, if all his teammates are Uchiha, he will go straight to the police force.
This arrangement also reflects the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the other ninja community, particularly the civilian ninjas.
"The clan will select suitable teammates from among your fellow graduates to form a mission team, then send you straight to the police force!"
Fugaku didn't give much thought to Toshiro's question, assuming he simply wanted to know more about the clan's plans for him. He responded lightly, not expecting the young boy to have such a complex thought process.
'Are we excluded from the master-apprentice system?'
'Well, that's to be expected!'
How could the Third Hokage easily allow the Uchiha to join the master-apprentice system? Instead, Uchiha graduates are placed in mission teams to experience the 'Will of Fire.' As for allowing Uchiha to serve as Jonin-senseis, that's out of the question.
'That's not so bad. At least I won't have unreliable teammates.' Having a Jonin from our own clan means there won't be any danger of them abandoning us at a critical moment!
Although the Naruto anime emphasizes the concepts of bonds, sacrifice, and fearlessness, in the face of death and fear, people instinctively choose to save themselves, sometimes at the expense of others.
Otherwise, why are there so many Rouge ninjas? It's easier for those without a strong village support system to go down that path.
Even if a mission fails, the punishment isn't always severe. Not everyone's case would be like Konoha's White Fang!
"I wonder if there are any rewards from the clan for early graduation, such as ninjutsu or secret techniques?"
'Early graduation seems inevitable! But it's not a bad idea to take this opportunity to benefit from the clan's resources!'
Fugaku was slightly surprised by Toshiro's question but didn't think too much of it. Pursuing power is normal for an Uchiha. Would you expect them to seek love and peace instead?
"For academy students who graduate early, the clan will provide strong support. If your jonin-sensei approves, rewarding one or two ninjutsu techniques won't be a problem!"
The Uchiha clan is quite generous with their young talents. Except for certain special techniques involving the Sharingan, such as Izanagi, Izanami, or other costly forbidden techniques, the clan's resources for conventional techniques and secret arts are easily available.
This attitude has led many clan ninjas to be dismissive of all techniques except the Sharingan's secret techniques. However, those fortunate enough to awaken their Sharingan dedicate themselves to developing its power. Even those who can't awaken it aim to do so as their primary goal.
"In that case, I have no further questions. Thank you, Fugaku-senpai, for coming to inform me. I'll do my best to pass the academy graduation exam! Apologies if the hospitality was lacking!"
With that, he hurriedly stood up and bowed.
Although he wasn't particularly satisfied with this future patriarch, he had to show respect to the clan heir. As a former 9-5 job worker, maintaining appearances was second nature to him.
"That's fine; the graduation exam won't be a problem for you!"
With that, Fugaku got up to leave. He had other students who also needed to be informed.
'However, talking to this boy who is not even nine years old is really no different from talking to an adult!'
Toshiro stood up and escorted Fugaku to the door, watching him walk out of the courtyard.
For a moment, Toshiro felt a surge of emotion. His laid-back life was coming to an end. Ahead of him lay missions, carnage, and blood—experiences he had never faced in his previous life.
**A month later**
Toshiro stood in front of the mirror in the living room, carefully examining his reflection.
The boy in the mirror had messy, medium-length hair tied into a neat single ponytail, with a few strands of bangs flying diagonally across his forehead. Although a bit unruly, they did not obscure his dark, shining eyes or his straight, sharp eyebrows.
He wore fishnet-style armor typical of ninjas, paired with a beige jacket. His lower body was clad in black and gray cropped pants and ninja sandals.
Standing over 135 cm tall and slightly more muscular than children his age, he appeared more like a teenager.
'Where did this handsome young guy come from?'
After a moment of self-admiration, Toshiro stepped out of the house and headed toward the academy. It had been a month since the last conversation with Fugaku, and today was the day for his graduation exams.
"Toshiro, you have to take the graduation exam today, right? Nervous?"
"Stupid! Do you think Toshiro is like you? Struggling with a simple clone technique? He'll pass easily!"
As he walked along the road to the academy, a few friends of the same age soon joined him, quarreling playfully.
The one who was called stupid was Uchiha Ryu. He was a bit frizzy, resembling a young Obito, but without the same drive. Both his parents are alive, unlike Obito, his chakra control was average at best. He could barely manage tree climbing.
After over two years at the academy, Ryu could perform the substitution and transformation techniques, but the clone technique, which required better chakra control, remained difficult for him.
"Anyway, among our age group, only Toshiro and Hiro applied for early graduation. I'm so envious!" said a girl named Asuka.
Among the clan peers of Toshiro's age, Asuka was a standout. She had successfully refined her chakra in just one day during the clan's pre-academy training, making her eligible to apply for early graduation.
Even in other families, where cultivating young talent is essential, most selected students are in the fourth or fifth grade. It's rare for second-year students like Toshiro and Flame to be chosen, but exceptions always exist.
"I heard that White Fang's son also applied for early graduation this year. He's not even six years old yet. Isn't that unbelievable?" interjected Mamoru Uchiha, who wasn't among the candidates for early graduation.
"Really? Not even six? That's incredible! Anyway, when Ryu was not yet six, he almost wet himself at the sight of a wild boar!" Asuka teased.
Hearing this, Ryu's face turned red with embarrassment. His poor performance while hunting wild boar two years ago had become a laughingstock among his peers.
"Asuka, shut up! We're talking about graduating early and becoming a ninja, you know? And I didn't pee my pants at the time!"
Flushed and a little annoyed, Ryu shouted at the girl to defend himself. That 'incident' from two years ago had somehow spread, becoming a source of great embarrassment for him.
Asuka snorted lightly, unbothered, and ignored him. Watching the two bicker, Toshiro couldn't help but smile. He thought they seemed quite fond of each other.
However, seeing Ryu's clumsy reactions, Toshiro thought he might struggle in the future.
Upon entering the school and sliding open the classroom doors, Toshiro was greeted by the entire class, who were already seated.
Three days ago, when he submitted his application for early graduation, the news had spread. By now, almost everyone in the class knew about it.
"Toshiro, I wish you a smooth early graduation!" His deskmate, Shido, said, offering his greetings as soon as he saw him.
"Thanks!" Toshiro responded with a thumbs-up and a big smile before taking his seat, ignoring the curious and amazed looks around him.
Of course, there were also some envious and resentful glances, particularly from Sarutobi Hiro and a few other friends of his from the Sarutobi clan.
Before long, Ryosuke Aoyama, their homeroom teacher, entered the classroom. Still sporting that bald head.
Looking at Toshiro, who was sitting quietly in the back row of the classroom, Aoyama felt a surge of emotion. This student had never caused him trouble, always sitting alone, doing his own work, without bothering himself or his classmates.
At the same time, Toshiro's talent as a ninja was outstanding.
He had mastered both the knowledge taught in the classroom and the advanced material typically reserved for senior students. He also excelled in taijutsu, ninjutsu, illusions, and seals.
Now, as Toshiro applied for early graduation, Aoyama felt a twinge of regret. It was a pity he hadn't had more influence on this remarkable student's development.
"Alright, everyone, be quiet! Uchiha Toshiro, please come with me. The rest of you should stay in the classroom and study on your own," Aoyama announced loudly from the podium.
"Toshiro is about to take the graduation exam. Let's all give him a round of applause and wish him luck!"
He led the applause himself.
"Clap, clap, clap."
The classroom erupted with enthusiastic clapping. Occasionally, someone shouted a word of encouragement, even Sarutobi Hiro joined in reluctantly.
"Thank you, it's an honor to be your classmate," Toshiro said, standing on the podium and bowing deeply in gratitude. It was a heartfelt farewell.
Following Aoyama-sensei out of the classroom, Toshiro walked unhurriedly. He wasn't nervous about the upcoming graduation exams but was surprised by his classmates' supportive behavior.
'Is this also a kind of bond?' he wondered.
There wasn't time to ponder further. Soon, he followed Aoyama-sensei to a new venue.
The current academy graduation exam was more rigorous than during the time of the Third Ninja War, when Obito graduated. Back then, Konoha Village was already embroiled in war, and the front line urgently needed more ninjas for the war effort. Even Obito's clumsy clone technique was enough to pass, reflecting the simplicity and desperation of the situation.
It wasn't like the early plot, where the graduation age was 12, and standards were higher.
