Chapter 48: The Scholar Trait!
Yūhi Kurenai wasn't just being polite—she genuinely meant what she said.
Even though Seiji was about the same age as the rest of them, he had received far less formal education.
"Kurenai, you can do it too,"
Seiji said with a calm smile.
The weight of the forehead protector on his head still felt unfamiliar.
No wonder some ninjas chose to wear it on their arm, waist, or other places—it wasn't the most comfortable accessory.
"I hope I can succeed as well,"
Kurenai said with a trace of melancholy.
Honestly, she had never even considered early graduation until now.
But staying at the academy any longer felt increasingly pointless—there wasn't much left for her to learn there.
The two chatted for a bit, and Seiji also went over to greet Nohara Rin.
As for Obito? No one knew where he had gone.
Rin said he had gone off to train.
Seiji didn't give it much thought and continued chatting casually with the two girls.
---
Before long, Sarutobi Asuma emerged from the exam room, his face brimming with excitement.
He pointed to the forehead protector on his head and turned to Kurenai.
"See? Early graduation… it's really not that big of a deal."
Though Asuma tried to sound casual, his beaming expression completely betrayed him.
Clearly, he was thrilled to have passed.
"..."
As the saying goes: comparison only brings disappointment.
Kurenai couldn't help but feel that Asuma, compared to Seiji, seemed far less composed and mature.
"Kurenai?"
Asuma noticed her slightly disappointed expression and wondered if he'd said something wrong.
Before he could ask, Kurenai stepped forward and entered the room for her exam.
Seeing this, Asuma had no choice but to hold his tongue.
---
"Where's Obito?"
Asuma looked around, hoping to show off in front of him.
"He left,"
Rin replied softly.
She herself was starting to consider graduating early too.
But unlike the others, she lacked any special training at home—everything she had learned was from paying attention in class.
That made her uncertain about whether she was ready.
"Left so fast, huh…"
Asuma muttered, disappointed his moment of glory was missed.
Left with nothing else to do, he joined Seiji in waiting for Kurenai.
---
Seiji, now with some time to spare, opened his trait panel again.
Looking under [Early Graduation (White)], he selected the second advancement path.
---
You've unlocked a new trait: [Genius Scholar (Green)]
[Trait: Genius Scholar (Green)]
Condition Fulfilled: Graduate early and meet the basic threshold for advanced learning.
Progress: 100%
Effect: You can focus more deeply, learn faster, and your learning ability increases by 20%.
Note: Can be upgraded.
---
"A 20% boost…"
Seiji felt his mind clear almost instantly, like a fog had lifted.
His thoughts moved faster, and even some aspects of ninjutsu that had confused him began to make sense.
Ideas and insights surged through him.
He closed his eyes and began to reflect on some of the questions that had puzzled him before.
---
About ten minutes passed.
Yūhi Kurenai emerged with a smile, her forehead now bearing a gleaming protector of her own.
---
"Heh… Sarutobi-sensei, there sure are a lot of early graduates this year."
Orochimaru said with a rare smile as he walked out alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"These are the new leaves of Konoha,"
Hiruzen replied proudly, watching his son, Seiji, and Kurenai chatting together.
He gave a small, approving nod.
No Conflict in This Squad
Putting them on the same team probably wouldn't cause any friction.
"Asuma, make sure you get along well with Seiji and the others."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it."
Asuma waved his hand impatiently.
Hiruzen was used to his son's attitude and didn't push further.
He left with Orochimaru, who had only stopped by here on the way to discuss something important.
---
"Are you still coming to my place today?"
Seiji turned to look at Yūhi Kurenai.
"Of course."
She nodded.
"Wait—Kurenai, you're going to Seiji's house?"
Asuma blinked, surprised.
He hadn't heard anything about this before.
So this is where she's been going after class lately—Seiji's place?
"Yeah. I'm learning genjutsu from him."
Kurenai answered simply as she quickly caught up with Seiji, who had already started walking away.
She left behind Asuma and Rin standing awkwardly together.
Rin looked at the two walking off into the distance, a twinge of envy in her heart.
If only her relationship with Kakashi could be like that.
Unfortunately, Kakashi had been sent out on missions again recently, and every time he returned, Rin could smell the thick scent of blood on him.
The kind of scent only those who've killed carry...
Rin sighed and turned to leave.
Looks like she'd have to wait for another time to ask Seiji about lightning release techniques—she didn't want to disturb Kurenai.
---
After Kurenai left, only Asuma remained where he stood.
Just moments ago, the area had been lively. Now he was the only one left.
Hearing Kurenai say she was going to Seiji's house, Asuma had half a mind to invite himself along.
But thinking it through... he realized he wasn't really close to Seiji.
If Seiji turned him away, that would be humiliating.
"Damn it… ever since that Uchiha Seiji showed up, everything's been out of whack."
Since Seiji's arrival, Asuma felt like nothing was going his way.
With a toothpick hanging loosely in his mouth, he pondered how he could come up with a decent excuse to get closer to Kurenai.
He was here first, after all!
---
Several hours later, after seeing Kurenai off, Seiji glanced up at the sky and headed out.
He was officially a ninja now—just waiting for higher-ups to assign his path forward.
Typically, Uchiha who became chunin would join the Konoha Police Force, usually under the First Division.
But before that, they could apply for early entry into the force for training.
Alternatively, they could take the standard route—joining a three-man genin squad.
Very few chose the latter.
As he mulled over the options, Seiji arrived at his destination.
---
Konoha Hospital
He stepped into the first floor and approached the medical staff.
He was looking for Yakushi Nono, the head of the Medical Corps—a name known throughout the entire hospital.
It didn't take long before he was brought to her.
"Oh? Little Seiji, what brings you here?"
Nono was a bit surprised.
She remembered that they had agreed to meet after Seiji's graduation.
Then she spotted the forehead protector on his head—and understood immediately.
"I graduated, Lady Nono."
Seiji said, pointing at the band on his forehead.
"Your talent really is impressive,"
Nono said with a soft smile, pushing up her round glasses.
The gesture gave her refined features a more mature, elegant feel.
Seiji quickly looked away.
There's a saying: glasses give contrast.
Especially in Nono's case—she always wore a kind, almost saintly expression, yet had such a strikingly curvy figure.
Even just imagining it was enough to make Seiji's Sharingan twitch.
But that's all it was—imagination.
There was no way he'd let anything show on his face.
After all, Yakushi Nono was the top intelligence operative of the Root division!
"That said," Nono continued gently,
"if you want to learn medical ninjutsu, we first need to test whether you have an affinity for Yang release."