Chương 17: Chp-17: Graduation
Time flies, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.
Hyuga Satoru was now a senior at the Ninja Academy, with just over a year left until graduation. The monotonous daily classes made him feel increasingly restless. Without the tempering of real combat, it felt like he was just a flower in a greenhouse, unable to withstand any hardship.
The constraints of the Hyuga clan and the looming threat of the Third Shinobi War constantly chased him.
Even with his powerful abilities, he knew that rapid growth was essential.
At Ichiraku Ramen.
Uchiha Rin, gazing at Hyuga Satoru through the rising steam from her bowl, looked slightly surprised.
"You want to graduate early?"
Satoru nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, even though the ninja academy provides a comfortable environment for us to train, it's hard to truly grow without the baptism of battle."
"It's hard to believe those words are coming from you."
Rin's expression turned suspicious as she scrutinized Satoru.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Satoru, feeling uneasy, shifted back slightly. He planned to invite Rin to graduate early with him. Otherwise, graduating without compatible teammates would mean he couldn't take on missions, making it better to stay in the academy.
"No! Hahaha."
Rin laughed heartily.
"I've been dying to get out of this boring school. Even if you hadn't brought it up, I would have."
"That's a relief." Satoru exhaled in relief.
Rin thought momentarily and said, "But we're still missing one person. Without a third member, we can't form a three-person squad."
"Don't worry about that. I've already talked to Anko. While she might not be very strong in combat, she should pass the test without much trouble."
"Anko, huh? If she has your approval, I'm fine with it."
Having familiar people on the team was undoubtedly better than having strangers.
Rin nodded, then her thoughts turned to Kakashi, and her expression grew melancholic.
Since the White Fang incident, Kakashi has graduated early, becoming Konoha's first genin at the age of five. But his genius status has been associated with rumours of conflicts with teammates.
Graduating early meant he didn't have peers to team up with, often being assigned to fill gaps in unfamiliar squads, leading to poor teamwork and resentment from other genin.
Shaking off the memories, Rin smiled.
It was said he was close to becoming a chunin. I've let him surpass me for so long. Uchiha Rin is finally going to catch up.
---
The news of the three of them graduating early caused quite a stir, but it soon settled.
Rin's capabilities were unquestioned, having competed with Kakashi before he graduated. Satoru, despite his lazy demeanour, had the prestigious title of the dual-bloodline inheritor. Anko, though not as strong in combat, was mocked by some classmates for overestimating herself.
At the examination site.
Satoru had just exited the room when he saw Rin waiting outside, arms crossed.
"I finished the test three minutes faster than you."
Does everything have to be a competition?
Satoru's mouth twitched.
He looked back at the examination room. Only Anko was left. If she passed, there would be no worries about forming their three-man squad.
Time passed slowly, and Satoru grew anxious.
He had his reasons for wanting Anko on the team. To break the curse of the caged bird, besides his own power, Orochimaru's research could be invaluable. In the original story, Anko was Orochimaru's disciple, and teaming up with her might lead to connecting with Orochimaru.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Anko emerged from the examination room, sweaty but smiling at Satoru.
"I did it."
"Nice." Satoru praised, giving her a thumbs up.
Since they were the only ones graduating early, forming a team was inevitable. The only question now was which Jonin the Hokage would assign to lead them.
Who will it be? Satoru wondered.
---
At the designated training ground, Satoru and the others waited for their mysterious Jonin instructor.
"Who do you think the Hokage will assign as our join?" Anko asked nervously.
"I'm not sure," Satoru replied, shaking his head. "But they'll definitely be strong."
Their team had no shortage of talent. Satoru was a dual-bloodline inheritor, Rin was a prodigy, and Anko, chosen by Orochimaru in the original story, must have significant potential.
Just then, a man shrouded in an oversized robe and wearing sunglasses approached, exuding an aura of aloofness.
"Hello, I'm your Jonin instructor, Aburame Shibi."
His voice was concise and emotionless.
"It's him," Rin said, surprised.
"You know him?" Anko asked.
"Of course. I've looked into all the strong ninjas in the village," Rin's eyes lit up. "He's a renowned member of the Aburame clan, mastering insect techniques. He's considered an all-rounder, adept in reconnaissance, combat, and support."
Insects? Anko shivered.
"It seems you know about me. That will save us some unnecessary trouble…" Shibi nodded.
"Well, let's start with introductions. I'm Aburame Shibi. I like insects and hate people who harm them."
Covered in insects and with a reclusive personality, this instructor might be challenging to get along with, Satoru thought.
After a moment's thought, he began his introduction.
"I'm Hyuga Satoru. I'm not particularly skilled in anything, but I'm competent in both taijutsu and ninjutsu. I like ramen and barbecue and dislike this tumultuous ninja world. My dream is simple: world peace."
World peace? Really, Satoru?
Anko's mouth twitched. I remember when you said your dream was a grand finale or something.
"An interesting idea."
Shibi nodded, though his tone remained sombre.
So this is the Hyuga Satoru that Hokage-sama mentioned? Dual-bloodline, magnetic release, a progenitor bloodline user—none of those titles is simple. As a Hyuga branch member with such grand aspirations, he's an interesting kid.
"I'm Uchiha Rin. I don't particularly dislike or like anything except training and fighting. Only improving my strength gives me satisfaction. Prove your worth as an instructor, and I might acknowledge you."
Rin's indifferent voice made Satoru and Anko feel awkward.
Uchiha… such arrogant people.
Shibi's mouth twitched beneath his cloak.
Forget it. She's just a kid.
"I'm Mitarashi Anko."
Anko timidly raised her hand, her voice soft. Standing beside two prodigies from prominent clans made her feel pressured.
"I like sweets, especially rice dumplings, and hate people who harm their comrades. I can perform healing and first aid, and I'm good at bandaging. I'll help you all when you're injured and won't hold you back."
A kind-hearted ninja, unlike the two peculiar ones before her, Shibi thought, nodding.
"Well, that concludes the introductions. Now for the combat test."
Shibi raised his hand, and countless dark insects swarmed towards them.
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