Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: Considerations on Graduation!

With guidance from Koga, Fujinaka Genma’s plan proceeded smoothly.

In the afternoon, the practical examination.

On the training ground, cheers erupted continuously.

Fujinaka Genma turned his head toward the neighboring field.

Kakashi’s class was also conducting their final practical exam.

There were too many faces he recognized there.

Obito Uchiha, Rin, Might Guy, Kurenai, Asuma…

With me here now, what changes would their fates bring?

A fleeting thought crossed Fujinaka Genma’s mind, followed by a quiet self-mockery: “First, survive the brutal war!”

“Fujinaka Genma!”

“Uchiha Shinichi!”

Suddenly, Fujinaka Genma heard his name called—he snapped back to attention and stepped onto the field.

Facing Uchiha Shinichi, both formed the opposing seal, then stepped back a distance.

Honsan Yusuke, seeing both ready, barked: “Begin!”

Shhh!

Before Honsan Yusuke’s voice had fully faded, Uchiha Shinichi lunged at Fujinaka Genma like a hunting cheetah.

Fujinaka Genma stood firm, waiting until Uchiha Shinichi closed in, then struck—his fist exploded the air, arriving first despite acting last.

“So fast!”

Uchiha Shinichi gasped, barely raising his crossed arms in defense.

Thud!

Fujinaka Genma’s fist struck Uchiha Shinichi’s arm precisely.

Uchiha Shinichi felt his arm go numb, then flew backward.

“Such immense strength!”

Uchiha Shinichi was stunned—his left arm was paralyzed, utterly useless.

He braced his right hand on the ground and executed a clean flip, landing steadily.

But before Uchiha Shinichi could react further, gasps erupted around him.

“Single-hand seals!”

“Fujinaka-kun is amazing!”

…

“What?”

Uchiha Shinichi stared at Fujinaka Genma, still standing motionless—just as he saw the latter complete a seal with one hand.

Fire Release—Flame Bullet!

A one-meter-diameter flame bullet formed and surged toward Uchiha Shinichi at high speed.

“This child is improving so fast!”

Honsan Yusuke was equally astonished, muscles tensed, ready to intervene and save Uchiha Shinichi at any moment.

But, as expected of the Uchiha clan.

After only a momentary pause, Uchiha Shinichi reacted swiftly, rolling away in a clumsy but effective dodge from Fujinaka Genma’s fire technique.

Yet, as he rose, he felt a chill against his neck.

He turned—Fujinaka Genma stood behind him, a kunai resting against his throat.

Fujinaka Genma smiled gently, retracting the kunai: “This is my strength.”

“I lost.”

Uchiha Shinichi stood, lips pressed tight: “But I’ll work hard—I’ll surpass Itachi!”

“Go ahead—I’m waiting.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled.

Kids need encouragement.

Uchiha Shinichi nodded, yet felt a strange sensation.

This Fujinaka Genma didn’t feel like a classmate—he felt more like a… elder in his family?

Seeing Fujinaka Genma’s controlled display, Honsan Yusuke exhaled in relief and called out: “Seal of reconciliation!”

Fujinaka Genma extended his hand; Uchiha Shinichi clenched his lips, silent, then reached out.

Back at the sideline, Fujinaka Genma was immediately surrounded by a crowd—mostly girls.

Even Hyuga Mio was pushed to the outside; Ebisu adjusted his glasses: “Of course—no surprise at all.”

“Obviously—Genma is the strongest!”

Hyuga Mio watched Fujinaka Genma surrounded by fawning girls, and clenched her fist.

She felt no jealousy, no envy—only immense pride.

Yet Fujinaka Genma, surrounded by these admirers, felt no sense of accomplishment.

To him, even if Uchiha Shinichi was talented, his taijutsu skill wasn’t far behind that of genin already on missions.

But he had spent an entire semester being crushed by Kushina Uzumaki.

More importantly,

his physical attributes far surpassed those of his peers.

Had he not held back just now, his current strength could have killed Uchiha Shinichi with a single punch.

Without question, Fujinaka Genma was the top student of this class.

Yet he paid no attention to this achievement—his entire focus was on training with Koga, the eternal genin.

Over the coming month-long break, he needed to absorb as much sword technique as possible from Koga.

Therefore, he must devote full attention.

Moreover, he could not continue his daily training: physical conditioning, neural reaction, body coordination, or sealing techniques.

So,

Fujinaka Genma wasn’t relaxing during the break—he became even busier, his training more grueling.

Yet,

seeing his stats steadily rise, Fujinaka Genma felt fully motivated.

Summer faded into autumn; the break vanished in an instant.

One afternoon, as Ebisu trained with Fujinaka Genma, he suddenly said: “Genma, have Itachi heard of Kakashi? He just got approval to graduate early!”

Fujinaka Genma paused, stunned.

The wheel of fate had already rolled forward.

He wasn’t surprised—he’d known since hearing of the White Fang’s suicide that Kakashi wouldn’t stay long at school.

This kid enrolled at age four, graduated after only one semester of his second year—he was only five.

“Kakashi is likely the earliest graduate in the ninja academy’s history.”

“They say even the Third Hokage personally oversaw his graduation exam!”

Ebisu was endlessly gossipy—and his sources were impeccable.

Then he asked: “Genma, have Itachi thought about graduating?”

Hyuga Mio, who had been silent, immediately turned to Fujinaka Genma.

Graduate?

Fujinaka Genma rubbed his chin.

He’d leveled up once during the break—no further progress since.

His leveling speed seemed to have slowed again.

Improving his four stats through training had become negligible.

He opened his system and checked his sword skill level.

Level 2: Konoha Sword Style.

Level 4: Chidori Sword Style.

One month’s results.

From Koga, he primarily absorbed foundational sword techniques, then fused them with his own Chidori.

From the start, Fujinaka Genma had a clear goal for his swordsmanship.

No flashy, ornamental techniques.

One word: Brutal.

One word: Fast.

One word: Sharp.

With his superior physicality and Chidori Sword Style, he’d achieved all three.

“Perhaps I should consider it.”

Thinking this, Fujinaka Genma didn’t answer Ebisu right away—he waited until Kushina Uzumaki arrived, then asked her for advice.

Kushina Uzumaki’s expression turned serious: “Genma, with your current ability, becoming a chunin is no problem.”

“If Itachi continue studying, your sealing techniques still have great room for growth.”

"But when it comes to combat techniques, your teacher can no longer teach Itachi anything more."

"Because some things can only be learned on the battlefield—do Itachi understand?"

Fujinaka Genma nodded: "Master Kushina, I understand!"

Thinking of the increasingly tense situation, Kushina Uzumaki added: "Itachi've learned all Itachi can at the academy; graduating early to take on missions will let Itachi adapt to real ninja life sooner."

"As for your sealing technique training, graduating won't hinder it at all."