บท 144: Chapter 144 - 6th Year End

The next morning by the time Daichi was done with his workouts, he found a team of genin waiting outside his home. They were there to deliver a scroll to Daichi from the academy.

"Daichi Hekima?"

"Yes."

"Here. This scroll is for you." The lead Genin handed the scroll to Daichi.

"D Rank mission. Deliver scroll, done. Mission completed. Let's go." Said the Jonin of the team and the others followed him.

Daichi opened the scroll. "This might be regarding my graduation exams."

The boy read through the contents of the scroll quickly. 'So Iruka sensei wants to meet huh. He also asked me to bring this year's assignments. Alright.'

Daichi noted the time and place set for the meeting and went to get some breakfast.

"Will the graduation exam be different for me?" Daichi asked his old man.

"No. I don't think so. It'll be the same as the ones the current graduating class is taking. What I worry about is the team. Your strength will definitely cause an imbalance in the team dynamic. At least for the first few weeks or so." Kensei was also worried about something else. 'I just hope whoever becomes his sensei isn't part of the Root. That could become a serious problem fast.'

But keeping his thoughts to himself, he continued. "Whatever the case, go meet the academy instructor."

Daichi nodded. Once he was done he took the necessary items and headed to the academy. Daichi felt a smile as he walked through the streets of the village. It wasn't long before he reached his destination.

"Daichi!"

As he was about to enter the building he heard a familiar voice calling his name. Daichi turned around and saw Lee sprinting towards him.

"Lee…"

"Ohh I have missed you so much my good friend." Lee jumped in and hugged his friend.

Daichi awkwardly pried the bowl cut boy off him. "Yes yes. I missed you too."

Daichi looked at Lee. He was wearing a green jumpsuit and had a big wide smile on his face. 'He looks a lot happier. And it seems he's met Guy and began training under him.'

"You've gotten taller Daichi." Lee said with a boisterous laugh.

"And you've gotten stronger. I can tell that you've been training hard these last two years." Daichi complimented his friend.

"Of course. I never gave up. And I found someone to help me with my training after you left." Lee replied with a smile. "I thought you would only be back by next year! What happened?"

"Well the thing is, I've decided to take the graduation exam this year."

"What?"

"Yes. But keep this to yourself. You're the first to know."

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone… So you're becoming a Genin alongside my class… I hope we can be teammates." Now knowing that Daichi was going to graduate with him, Lee hoped he could be on a team with his best friend.

"That wouldn't be a bad thing. Let's hope so." Daichi said with a smile. He wouldn't mind having someone like Lee be his teammate.

They chatted as they entered the academy and soon split. Daichi quickly headed for the teachers lounge. He soon found Iruka going over some papers.

"Morning Iruka sensei."

The academy instructor looked up hearing the voice. His eyes slightly widened as he looked at the boy in front of him. "Daichi! Welcome back. You've certainly grown."

"Well, I'm reaping the benefits of puberty, constant training and a proper diet." Daichi replied with a smirk.

The instructor chuckled at that. "When did you get back?"

"Just last evening."

Iruka nodded and then got serious as he looked at the kid. "Daichi, are you sure you want to graduate now?"

"I've made up my mind, sensei."

"Very well… Did you bring your assignments?"

Daichi handed several stacks of paper to Iruka. The man gave a brief overview of the papers and then turned to Daichi.

"Since I know your work is impeccable I'm pretty sure everything here is in order and perfect. But these are the written assignments. Since you've been away for two years, I will need an accurate assessment of your Taijutsu skills." Iruka told Daichi.

Daichi nodded and asked. "So when do I take the Taijutsu test?"

"Two weeks from now on March 15 the final exam for all classes will be completed. But for the graduating class there will be another exam a week later. It will determine whether a student becomes a genin or not. Since you've been away I can't have you competing in your class's Taijutsu exam. So on 22nd you'll report to the academy. We'll spar. And if I see that your Taijutsu skills are passable then I'll let you take the graduation exam taking place that day. Do you understand?"

"Yes sensei. Looks like I'll see you on the 22nd." Daichi bowed and quickly left the room.

Iruka sighed and took the text books for his class and soon headed out. A minute later he was in his classroom.

Seeing their teacher, the students quieted down. As Iruka was about to begin the class a hand rose from the person he least expected.

"Yes Sasuke. What is it?"

Sasuke put down his hand and stood. "Is Daichi back? I saw him head to the teachers room."

The whole class was shocked when they heard that. There were murmurs going around throughout the room.

"Wait Daichi's back?" Naruto yelled at Sasuke.

"Is it true Iruka sensei?" Ino Yamanaka asked her teacher.

Iruka Umino could only let out a small sigh. 'Well, Lord Hokage hasn't told me to keep Daichi's graduation a secret. And rumors of his return were bound to spread.'

A few seconds later he replied. "Yes. Daichi Hekima is back. He just got back to the village yesterday."

"Why did he come to see you Iruka sensei?" Naruto asked.

"He's going to take the graduation exam in a couple weeks." The class instructor replied.

"WHAT?" The whole classroom exploded as everyone excitedly talked about the matter.

Iruka, annoyed with the turn of events, took a deep breath. And the next second. "BE QUIET AND PAY ATTENTION."

The students claimed down and looked at the man.

At that moment a student stood up and questioned Iruka. "But Daichi wasn't even in class the last two years. How can he take the graduation exam if he hasn't attended the classes?"

Iruka sighed. 'I knew they would ask that.' "Daichi was given special permission from the Hokage. And he has been completing academy assignments during his time away from the village."

At that moment Sasuke spoke up. "Sensei, I'd like to take the graduation exam."

"Hey, you're not getting ahead of me Sasuke. I wanna take the graduation exam too." It was Naruto who jumped to his feet and said it.

"Neither of you or anyone else here can take the Genin exam. You'll have to wait until next year. The reason Daichi was able to take the exam is because he put in the request months ago. And he completed additional academy assignments. Now sit down, both of you. Let's begin the class."

At that Sasuke sat down without a word while Naruto pouted and took his seat with his arms crossed.

While Iruka was teaching his mind went to the meeting he had with the Hokage a few months ago.

Flashback.

"But Lord Hokage, are you sure? I know Daichi is strong for his age but should we let him graduate early?"

"The truth is Iruka, he could have graduated within the first or second year. It was only the rules I implemented that kept him in place."

"What about the others in his class? If Sasuke finds out Daichi's taking early graduation he'll want the same. Daichi is the only one Sasuke considers a rival. He wouldn't want to get left behind." Iruka already knew it was going to be a problem.

"Yes. But you can't let that happen. While I'm sure that Sasuke will pass, I need him to stay for one more year and graduate with his peers."

"Do you have something in mind, Lord Hokage?"

"I'm thinking about creating several specialized teams. Tracking, interrogation, heavy assault. Your class consists of students from several clans. Most of them are children of prominent Jonins. I believe they along with a few others are the ones with the most chance to pass next year. I had hoped Daichi would be a part of those teams but I've changed my plans. What I need you to do is keep them in the academy and polish their skills for one more year."

"Yes Lord Hokage."

Flashback End.

While Iruka was in his own thoughts the students were the same.

Shikamaru leaned back in his chair and thought about the new turn of events. 'If he becomes a Genin now, he'll be a year ahead of us in mission experience and training. Well, not like he already wasn't when it came to training. Still, the fact that he's taking the Genin exam now means that whatever he had to do at the capital came to an end.'

Shikamaru glanced to the side and saw Ino in a depressed state.

"I won't be on a team with Daichi." She mumbled as she drew her finger in circles on the desk.

Seeing his friend in such a state the Nara sighed and gently patted Ino. "Ino, for what it's worth, I'm sorry. I know you've been looking forward to being on his team."

The Yamanaka girl just sighed and sat there listening to the lecture.

Kensei's Residence.

That night Daichi was in his room when the ongoing quest notification appeared. He looked at the rewards of the 6th year. 'Alright. Let's see what I got.'

[Rewards:]

[+10,000 Exp clearing a Dungeon.]

[+2 Levels increase in the skill Chakra Affinity for successfully learning 2 advanced Nature transformation skills.]

[A Genius of the Continent.]

[+35 stat points.]

'35 stat points huh. I won't say no to more points. But now that the quest will come to an end this year, I guess that's goodbye to the weekly stats… Now let's see what the title does.'

[New Title: A Genius of the Continent. This title gives you the skill 'Analyze'.]

Daichi opened the new skill Analyze.

[Analyze - Active (LV.1): A skill given when the user receives the Title 'A Genius of the Continent.' This skill allows the user to analyze a person's technique or fighting style and with enough understanding, perfectly copy or recreate it with modifications.]

[Note: This skill has certain limitations. The user can only understand the skills the target is using. Stronger effects will be added at higher levels.]

[Effects:]

[5% Faster understanding of the target's technique when using the skill.

CP cost: None.]

Daichi read the new skill and was impressed. 'Oh man. This is a skill that could be used without any chakra cost. If I can use this to understand my enemy's fighting style, I can increase my arsenal. This could be used to learn Taijutsu styles more easily. I need to find the limitations of this skill and push past them. I need to level this up after I become a Genin.'

At that moment another system message appeared.

[Would you like to graduate this year?] (Y/N)

'No point in saying no… Yes.' Daichi pressed the Y and a new message popped up.

[Quest will be marked completed after you become a Genin.]

Daichi let out a breath and laid on his bed after closing the system messages. 'A few weeks from now, I'll be a Genin… Time to prepare for the next arc of my Life.'

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Author's Note:

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