บท 9: Chapter 9: I Skip a Grade, You Repeat a Year, We Graduate Together

"No way. Come on in, Mikoto, and stop pinching my cheeks."

"Alright, I'll remember that for next time," Uchiha Mikoto teased, mimicking Takuya's tone, which earned her an eye roll from him.

As she stepped into the living room, Mikoto opened the lunchbox she had brought and laid out some snacks she had made. Takuya immediately grabbed a piece and started eating.

Mikoto sat beside him, resting her chin on her hand, watching him with a soft smile.

Between bites, Takuya asked casually, "How's the preparation for graduation going?"

"It's alright, I guess," Mikoto replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "I've been thinking about whether I should join the Police Force."

The Uchiha clan members had two main paths after graduation: they could either follow the village's standard procedure, join a team with other graduates under a Jonin's guidance, or they could go straight into the Uchiha Police Force.

Joining the Police Force meant top-tier training, and learning from the strongest within the clan, especially when it came to the Sharingan. But it also meant dealing with the less glamorous side of ninja life—law enforcement, which often drew resentment from other villagers.

"I'd suggest going with the village's team assignment first," Takuya advised between mouthfuls. "Get some experience, and then, if you still want to, join the Police Force later."

"Even though the Uchiha's training is better suited for you, the Police Force isn't exactly the best environment for a fresh graduate," Takuya added, knowing her gentle nature wasn't cut out for the rough work the Police Force demanded.

Mikoto sighed, her expression conflicted. "You're right. I'm not really the type for that kind of work."

The thought of spending her days dealing with troublemakers, enforcing laws, and constantly facing the villagers' mistrust made Mikoto's face scrunch up in distaste.

"But it's too bad you're only in your second year. It'd be great if we could graduate together and be on the same team," Mikoto joked with a soft laugh.

"Maybe I should graduate early then?" Takuya mused, half-seriously. The graduation exams were a breeze for him—he could pass them with his eyes closed. He had been reluctant to leave school early, not wanting to end up like Kakashi, bouncing between teams. But the idea of being on a team with Mikoto wasn't so bad.

"Do you really think the Third Hokage would let that happen?" Mikoto replied, raising an eyebrow, her tone a mix of concern and disbelief.

"Alright, enough talk. Finish eating and go wash up, then get some rest," she said, trying to steer the conversation away from his wild ideas.

"I'm serious, Mikoto," Takuya insisted. "I've already learned everything the teachers can offer. Staying in school is just wasting time. If you don't have a good team lined up, I might as well graduate early and join you."

"Wait, what?!" Mikoto's eyes widened in shock. Was he really considering this? She had just been joking, but Takuya was taking it to heart.

"But even if you graduate early, there's no guarantee the village will put us on the same team!" Mikoto tried to reason with him, her voice tinged with panic. What if something went wrong? How could she face his late mother?

But the more she tried to dissuade him, the more determined Takuya became. Once the idea took root in his mind, it was hard to shake it off.

"Then we can form our own team. The village has plenty of two-man squads," Takuya suggested, his tone calm but resolute.

"That's too dangerous! Two newly graduated kids...," Mikoto began, but her voice trailed off as she saw Takuya activate his Sharingan, the two tomoe in each eye spinning slowly.

"Do you really think I need to stay in the Academy, wasting time?" Takuya asked, pointing to his eyes.

To the Uchiha, a two-tomoe Sharingan meant a significant power boost. Most ninjas with that level of Sharingan could easily take on Chunin-level opponents.

"You've awakened your Sharingan?" Mikoto gasped, leaning forward to get a better look at his eyes. She was both surprised and thrilled, unable to hide her excitement.

"Yeah, I awakened it last year. Just hit the two-tomoe stage today. Who knows? By next year, I might hit three," Takuya shrugged casually.

"Stop joking around," Mikoto scolded, though she couldn't hide the pride in her voice. "Maybe I should tell the elders and have you return to the clan. With your Sharingan, they'd definitely welcome you back."

"So what if I've got silver hair? It doesn't change the fact that you're a Uchiha. Now that your Sharingan is awakened, they'll be eager to have you back," she suggested the thought of bringing him back into the fold lifting her spirits.

"No way," Takuya shot back instantly. "I still remember how those old geezers treated me back then. I'm not going back to the Uchiha."

He paused, his expression softening. "But if you think I wouldn't make a good teammate, I'll find another team."

This is crazy. Mikoto thought, anxiety bubbling up inside her. If Takuya really did graduate early, even with his abilities, the ninja world was still too harsh for someone his age.

"Takuya, I know how stubborn you are once you've made up your mind, but can't you wait just one more year? Just one year, okay?" Mikoto pleaded, trying to find a middle ground.

Takuya considered her words for a moment before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Alright, how about this—I skip a grade, you stay back a year, and then we'll be in the same class and graduate together."

"If you don't agree, I'll go ahead and graduate early," he teased.

With his grades and skills, not only could he skip a grade, but he could probably ace the Chunin exams too. Skipping ahead would put him right in Mikoto's class—if she agreed to stay back, of course.

"No way," Mikoto shook her head firmly. "The teachers would never allow it. My grades are too good. They wouldn't just let me stay back."

"If they don't agree, I'll just beat up their kids!" Takuya declared, slamming the table for emphasis.

"Pfft!" Mikoto couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous threat. She knew he was just kidding—Takuya would never actually do something like that.

"You're laughing at me?" Takuya asked, feigning hurt as he got up and headed toward his bedroom.

Mikoto blinked, confused. "Takuya, what are you looking for?"