Chapter 47: Early Graduation: Uchiha Seiji Is a Genius!
Before Kurenai could say anything more, Sarutobi Asuma from their class rushed over.
"Kurenai, are you really going to graduate early?"
Asuma looked stricken, clearly unable to accept the fact that Yūhi Kurenai was about to leave the academy ahead of schedule. If she graduated, wouldn't that mean he'd hardly get to see her anymore? No matter how he tried to reason with himself, Asuma just couldn't accept this outcome.
Kurenai nodded again and said, "Asuma, do you want to graduate too?"
"If you're graduating, then I will too," Asuma replied with resolve.
It was already Year 45 of the Hidden Leaf. By the original schedule, they were supposed to graduate next year. Graduating now only meant they'd finish a few months early. But Uchiha Seiji—he was graduating this quickly?
"Kurenai, are you sure Seiji's not just trying to show off?" Asuma asked skeptically.
When their class had been learning the Clone Technique, Seiji's performance had been... average at best. Was it really possible that with a bit of private practice, he'd mastered all the Three Basic Techniques?
"I believe in Seiji."
After spending time together, she and Seiji had grown quite familiar with each other.
"Alright then..." Seeing his goddess speak with such confidence, Asuma had no choice but to go along. Still, if Uchiha Seiji failed, Asuma would be the first to call him out for pretending to be something he wasn't.
---
**The Next Day.**
Seiji entered the exam room alone. Kurenai and Asuma waited outside. Somehow, word had gotten out. Nohara Rin, Obito, and others had caught wind of it as well.
"What? He's already graduating?" Rin exclaimed in surprise. She still remembered when Seiji had asked her to teach him Konoha-style ninjutsu. Now, in the blink of an eye, he was already ahead of them. Meanwhile, they still had to wait until next year.
"Luck. It's got to be just luck!" Obito muttered bitterly. Why was everyone around him such a genius? First Kakashi, and now Uchiha Seiji?
"Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll be just as strong!" Obito said, adjusting his goggles. He was extremely protective of his eyes.
"You know what, Obito? That actually made sense," Asuma gave a rare nod of approval. Obito had, surprisingly, made a valid point. If Seiji could actually graduate early... didn't that mean he was genuinely skilled at ninjutsu?
---
Inside the Exam Room.
The examiner was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen. Upon receiving Seiji's early graduation request, the Hokage had personally set aside his duties to oversee the exam. Joining him were Orochimaru and several instructors from the ninja academy, all acting as proctors.
Seiji's expression remained calm as he gathered chakra and formed hand seals. The graduation exam randomly drew from the Three Basic Techniques—and today, Seiji got the Substitution Technique. He had just used that move in his recent sparring match with Hyuga Natsu. Performing it again was second nature.
Poof! With a puff of smoke, Seiji vanished—leaving a wooden log in his place. The real Seiji stood three meters away.
"Seiji, you've passed," Hiruzen nodded approvingly.
Uchiha Seiji's talent was better than he had expected—strong in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, with no obvious weaknesses. With potential like this, Uchiha Seiji could become a key figure in easing tensions between the Uchiha and the rest of the village.
"He mastered all three basic techniques in just over half a year?" Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden, vertical pupils gleaming. This wind was starting to blow even farther.
"Uchiha Seiji, congratulations on becoming a ninja," Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke as he handed Seiji a forehead protector.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Seiji accepted the forehead protector with an excited expression and tied it around his head. The silver-gray metal plate gleamed faintly in the light, etched with the symbol of the Hidden Leaf.
Hiruzen then asked Seiji a few questions—mostly about his understanding of the Will of Fire.
"Lord Hokage, I felt stifled while living in the Land of Lightning. It wasn't until I came to Konoha that I realized such a powerful ideal like the 'Will of Fire' even existed."
Seiji skillfully criticized his former homeland while praising Konoha in the same breath. Hiruzen nodded slightly at his words. The Will of Fire truly was a spirit unique to Konoha—a representation of the village's enduring strength.
"Everyone here has treated me with kindness. They've welcomed me as one of their own. I believe that warmth... that love... is the essence of the Will of Fire. It means 'to protect.'"
Seiji then continued to explain how Konoha surpassed the Land of Lightning—more advanced here, more harmonious there, its people all united and friendly. In short: Konoha wins. Always. An overwhelming, effortless victory.
The proctors in the room couldn't help but feel proud hearing such praise—from a Uchiha no less, and one who had lived in the Land of Lightning. This was their Konoha. Their home.
---
You've unlocked the Trait: [Early Graduation (White)]
[Trait: Early Graduation (White)]
Condition Fulfilled: Graduate early from the Ninja Academy.
Progress: 100%
Effect: Your learning ability increases by 5%.
Note: Can be upgraded.
Evolution Paths:
Path 1: Combine with [Muscle Memory (White)] to evolve into [Hardworking Scholar (White)].
Path 2: Combine with [Reading Absorption (White)] and [Foundational Memory (White)] to evolve into [Genius Scholar (Green)].
Seiji closed the translucent status panel—this wasn't the right time to be checking system notifications.
---
"Very good," Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction.
Uchiha Seiji's outlook reminded him of someone from long ago—a former comrade from the Uchiha clan: Uchiha Kagami. Even Tobirama had praised Kagami highly. He was one of the Uchiha who truly embodied the ideals of Konoha.
If Seiji could be nurtured properly... perhaps he could become the next Kagami. After a few polite words, Hiruzen dismissed him.
---
Seiji pushed open the door. Sarutobi Asuma's eyes widened as he saw the forehead protector on Seiji's head.
"I want to take the exam too!" Asuma exclaimed, rushing in excitedly. Hiruzen's brow furrowed slightly. He'd already heard about his son's request to graduate early—just yesterday afternoon, in fact.
"Asuma, you..." He was going to advise him to remain at the academy a while longer, but changed his mind.
"Very well. Show me what you've learned," he lit his pipe calmly.
Since Seiji had passed and would now need to be assigned to a squad, why not pair him with Asuma? It could even serve as a political gesture—demonstrating the Hokage's trust in the Uchiha.
"Alright," Asuma nodded and stepped forward to draw his exam scroll.
Click. The door shut behind him again.
"Kurenai, watch me closely!" Asuma thought silently, glancing back. "She's probably worried about me right now," he told himself with confidence.
"The Clone Technique, huh?" The examiner's voice brought him back to focus. He took a deep breath and began the test.
---
Outside the room…
"Seiji, you're amazing," Yūhi Kurenai's eyes stayed fixed on him, staring at the newly gifted forehead protector on his brow.