"Seal the fire—congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Fenghuo!"
"I knew you'd pass!"
Obito, Kai, Rin, and others were celebrating at Yūhi Kurenai's home after Fenghuo successfully passed the Ninja Academy graduation exam. Of course, their glasses were filled with juice.
Fenghuo smiled modestly. "I'm just a step ahead. You guys will catch up soon enough."
"Of course! I'm gonna be Hokage one day!" Obito shouted, leaping onto the table. His excitement surged—and for a brief moment, a single tomoe Sharingan flickered in his right eye.
But… it lasted no more than three seconds. Due to his erratic chakra control, the eye faded just as quickly as it appeared.
"Huh? Where's Asuma?" Fenghuo suddenly asked, glancing around. "He usually tags along. Wasn't he always shadowing Kurenai, just in case something 'embarrassing' happened?"
"Mm…" Kurenai murmured, sipping her juice. "He had a fight with his family. He's in a bad mood."
"Family…?" Fenghuo raised an eyebrow.
Wait, isn't his dad the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Bold move.
Obito grinned. "Now that you're officially a genin, you can start taking missions and earn money! You can finally pay back the medicine debt from Yakushi-sensei!"
Fenghuo's smile stiffened.
Right... I'd almost forgotten. Obito, where'd you learn the art of digging up debt like it's treasure? Speak! I promise I won't kill you… much.
"Fenghuo," Kurenai asked gently, "are you really planning to take the Chūnin Exams next month?"
Fenghuo nodded seriously. "Time waits for no one."
The Third Great Ninja War is only three years away. I can't afford to waste time doing errands for old folks.
Of course, he still felt a little guilty thinking about Might Dai, who'd been loyally completing D-rank missions for years with zero complaint—but reality was reality.
Most new genin are swamped with D-rank missions: walking dogs, weeding fields, or helping old villagers with pointless errands. They're long, dull, and do nothing to sharpen your skills.
Occasionally you might get a C-rank mission, but those usually require teams and experience.
If he didn't qualify for the Chūnin Exams soon, he'd be stuck doing these for months, buried in tedium.
After the party, Kiyono, a Chūnin clerk from the Hokage's office, found Fenghuo.
"Time to get your ninja ID and photo, kid."
"Photo? For a certificate?" Fenghuo froze. I'm still underage, you know!
She led him to the top of the Hokage building. An old camera was set up there, and beside it stood a man in ornate robes, smoking a pipe, staring thoughtfully at the Konoha skyline.
The Third Hokage.
"Hokage-sama," Kiyono bowed respectfully.
"Lord Hokage," Fenghuo said, heart pounding. A phrase flickered in his mind:
The gear of fate that had long since rusted… finally began to turn.
"Heh, so you're Uchiha Fenghuo," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a warm smile.
"Sir! I am Uchiha Fenghuo!"
"Very good," Hiruzen nodded. "I've had my eye on you. You remind me of an old friend—Uchiha Kagami. We grew up together, trained under Tobirama-sensei…"
Ah, here we go again. Why do old people love reminiscing so much?
"Sorry," Hiruzen chuckled. "Age makes us nostalgic. Come—let's take your photo."
He personally snapped the picture, pasted it onto a small booklet, then stamped it with Konoha's symbol.
"From today on, you're a full-fledged Konoha shinobi. Here's your ninja certificate and forehead protector. Guard it well."
Fenghuo accepted both solemnly and tucked them into his jacket.
"I hear you're planning to enter the Chūnin Exams in a month?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama! Dai-sensei thinks I'm ready. I want to challenge myself!"
"Ambitious. I like that." Hiruzen smiled, but then added, "However, even to register for the exam, you'll need to complete a minimum number of D-rank missions."
Wait, what?!
Fenghuo blinked. Is this old man messing with me?
After leaving the Hokage's office, Fenghuo found Might Dai waiting for him on the first floor of the Hokage Building.
"Uncle Dai! Is it true I have to do D-rank missions first?!"
"Yes!" Dai clenched his fist, eyes shining with youthful passion. "To qualify for the Chūnin Exams, you must complete 20 D-rank and at least one C-rank mission! Time is short! Let's burn our youth and get to work!"
Burn youth… for D-rank errands? Fenghuo's expression twitched.
They soon arrived at the mission desk. Behind the counter sat a lean ninja wearing a Konoha forehead protector and a sour expression.
"This is Matsushima Da, the mission clerk," Dai introduced.
"Tch. Dai, quit dragging kids in here like it's a playground. This is the mission hall for shinobi."
Ten years of grunt work and no promotion. Bitterness has its roots.
Fenghuo's expression darkened. He pulled out his ninja certificate and slammed it on the counter. "Matsushima, open your eyes and take a good look."
"Did you just call me a dog?" Matsushima's glare sharpened. "You better watch your mouth, brat!"
He picked up the document. "A ninja certificate? What kind of joke is this? Don't tell me the Academy is just handing these out now!"
"Watch your tone," Dai said sternly. "The certificate is real. Fenghuo has officially graduated."
Matsushima's eyes narrowed as he inspected the certificate—photo, seal, registration number—everything matched.
Wait… this was issued today?!
He suddenly remembered something. This brat was Uchiha. If he complained, Matsushima could easily lose his job.
He quickly plastered on a fake smile.
"Ahaha, so you're Uchiha Fenghuo! Of course, of course! Welcome, welcome!"
But inside, he was screaming.
Uchiha?! Oh no. My job's on the line!
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