Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: Graduation Assessment, Danzō Appears!

Late at night, in the bedroom.

After completing his study of the Eight Trigrams Sealing Technique, Fujinaka Genma sat on the bed and opened his system.

Character: Fujinaka Genma

Level: 14

Age: 9

Faction: Hidden Leaf Village, Land of Fire

Available attribute points: 0

Available skill points: 2

Constitution: 991

Agility: 26

Intelligence: 24

Charm: 20

Since becoming a disciple of Kushina Uzumaki over half a year ago, he has advanced four levels, with significant progress in all four basic attributes.

Especially his constitution, which is about to break a thousand.

So far, Fujinaka Genma has allocated all his free attribute points directly to constitution.

“Perhaps for the next period, I should allocate points to agility and intelligence.”

“Especially agility—recent progress has become negligible.”

Fujinaka Genma felt his agility training had entered a bottleneck.

Fortunately, he initially chose Lei Dun, which could partially activate the body and enhance speed.

As for skill points, he had one left over from level 13, and he didn’t use the skill points gained upon reaching level 14, so he still had two remaining.

“In less than three years, although the Ride and Kill system has helped me greatly, my own efforts are clearly evident!”

Looking at his basic attributes, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but feel a pang of reflection.

Then he opened his skill list.

His innate skills had not changed: Iron Bones at level 10, Strong Strike at level 1, Strong Throw at level 1, Weapon Mastery at level 3.

His regular skills had changed significantly.

Regular skills: Body Technique at level 4 (Hand-to-Hand at level 4, Weapon at level 4)

Ninja Tool Throwing at level 4 (Hidden Weapons)

Sealing Technique at level 4 (Seal Evil at level 4, Four Symbols at level 3)

Three Body Techniques at level 5 (Clone, Transformation, Substitution)

Shadow Clone Jutsu at level 5

Chakra Control at level 6 (Chakra Refinement, Chakra Manipulation)

Chakra Nature Transformation at level 6 (Lei Dun at level 6, Huo Dun at level 6)

Lei Dun at level 5 (Ground Crawl at level 5, Chidori at level 5, Chidori Stream at level 4)

Huo Dun - Flame Bullet at level 6

His weapon-based body technique reached level 4 mainly because Lei Dun greatly enhanced Fujinaka Genma’s swordsmanship.

Or rather, it should be called ninjutsu-body technique.

“Are these skills not comparable to those of some jōnin?”

Looking at his many skills, Fujinaka Genma made his final decision.

Graduate!

As soon as the decision was made, Fujinaka Genma felt a complex mix of tension and quiet anticipation.

After nearly three years of effort, could he handle the challenges of this twisted world?

With these mixed emotions, Fujinaka Genma went to the system’s main page.

[Character], [Weapons and Equipment], [Shop], [Quest System]

Of the four icons, [Shop] and [Quest System] remained inaccessible.

“I have no idea how to activate the Shop. As for the Quest System, perhaps it will unlock once I graduate and begin accepting Hidden Leaf missions.”

“I just don’t know what rewards completing missions will bring.”

“Attribute points? Skill points? Or something else?”

With anticipation, Fujinaka Genma fell asleep peacefully.

The next day.

Upon arriving at the Ninja Academy, Fujinaka Genma immediately sought out his homeroom teacher, Benshan Yujie.

“What?”

“Itachi’re applying to graduate?”

Hearing Fujinaka Genma’s words, Benshan Yujie found it hard to believe, thinking he had misheard.

Had this monstrous school bully finally decided to graduate?

Seeing Benshan Yujie’s expression, Fujinaka Genma was speechless and exasperated.

Benshan Yujie snapped out of it and laughed: “Excellent. With your abilities, Itachi could have graduated long ago.”

“I’ll report to the Hokage right away!”

Benshan Yujie turned and walked off as if afraid Fujinaka Genma might change his mind.

Fujinaka Genma sighed helplessly: “The morals of society are declining!”

After lunch dismissal.

Outside the graduation assessment site, a crowd had gathered.

Not only classmates and peers like Hinata Mio, but even younger students like Might Guy, Obito Uchiha, and Rin had come to watch.

Mainly because last semester’s practical exam, Fujinaka Genma had crushed the Uchiha prodigy Uchiha Shinichi and even performed single-handed hand seals—an extraordinary skill rare even among full ninja.

Instantly, Fujinaka Genma’s name spread throughout the entire Ninja Academy.

He went from being a popular “academic top student” to a legendary figure.

Outside, the scene was lively; inside the assessment area, Fujinaka Genma’s heart sank.

Because he saw an unexpected figure.

Danzō, with one eye covered by bandages!

“Why is he here?”

Fujinaka Genma felt a bad omen.

He had once feared that standing out too much would draw the attention of Danzō’s Anbu, but nothing had happened—until now.

Still.

Though inwardly uneasy, Fujinaka Genma showed no sign on his face, bowing respectfully: “My lord Hokage.”

“Hmm.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile and gestured for Benshan Yujie to begin the assessment.

Benshan Yujie nodded and began the procedure.

The Ninja Academy’s graduation assessment was not difficult—passing the Three Body Techniques was sufficient.

And Fujinaka Genma had long since reached level 5 in the Three Body Techniques, already matching the standard of a typical jōnin.

Thus, he passed effortlessly, and his mastery of simplified hand seals earned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s approval.

Yet, just as the assessment was declared complete, Danzō—who had remained expressionless and silent—suddenly spoke: “Wait.”

“Fujinaka Genma, your talent is suited for the Root.”

As expected!

Fujinaka Genma was not surprised, but his heart sank slightly.

Benshan Yujie, fearing Fujinaka Genma didn’t know what the Root was, immediately explained: “The Root, led by Lord Danzō, is the department that trains Anbu members—the elite among the elite of the village!”

He could never accept.

But what reason did he have to refuse?

His status as Kushina Uzumaki’s disciple?

Not enough.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s impassive face, Fujinaka Genma had an idea. He bowed to Danzō first, then said: “I defer to the Third Hokage’s decision.”

“Hm?”

Danzō frowned slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eye.

If Fujinaka Genma had outright refused, he wouldn’t have been surprised—but this reply… clearly, this boy possessed maturity and intelligence far beyond his years.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was not surprised; he had already witnessed Fujinaka Genma’s cleverness.

He merely smiled slightly and said: “Fujinaka Genma is still too young for the Root.”

One sentence settled it.

Fujinaka Genma immediately relaxed inwardly.

His words had meant: I belong to the Hokage. Wherever the Hokage sends me, I go.

Fujinaka Genma knew well: if Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to his entry into the Root, he would have no choice but to go.

But if he refused.

He need do nothing more—Danzō could not touch him.

He, Fujinaka Genma, is no special talent like Yamato; there's no need for Danzō to fight Hashirama for him!