Early Graduation?

Kuro's intuition was correct.

At the Ninja Academy, several teachers responsible for evaluations gathered in the Hokage's office after calculating the students' scores.

The achievements of the new generation were crucial for Konoha's future. In addition to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, members of Konoha's Council of Elders, were also present.

In the past, Danzo would have been there too.

But he was dead... For now.

"The first place in this evaluation is Kuro," Iruka announced as he read the results. "Second place is Sasuke Uchiha, and third…"

He continued listing the top ten students. Then, closing the score sheet with a smile, he added, "Although the others are outside the top ten, they've also done well. These ten simply stood out exceptionally."

"Hmm. Thank you for your hard work, Iruka," Hiruzen said while holding his pipe. His wrinkled face seemed to rejuvenate with a calm smile.

"It's a team effort, Hokage-sama. Besides, the students worked very hard."

Koharu, leaning on her cane, interjected, "Regardless, you were the one who brought out the best in them. Don't be so modest."

"Yes…" Iruka replied, slightly uncomfortable with the praise.

"Is there anything else we need to know?" Hiruzen asked, turning his gaze to those present.

"No, nothing more, Hokage-sama," Iruka replied.

"Wait a moment."

Mizuki's voice interrupted, drawing everyone's attention.

Hiruzen looked at him calmly, took a deep puff from his pipe, and asked, "... Mizuki, do you have something to add?"

"It's about Kuro and Sasuke."

Hearing those names, Hiruzen frowned slightly, his expression growing more serious.

"What about the two of them?"

"Even though they're still third-year students, both Kuro and Sasuke already have the strength of full-fledged ninjas. They've learned advanced jutsu like the Great Fireball Jutsu and the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Keeping them in the academy makes no sense."

"Both are geniuses?" Homura asked, raising an interested eyebrow.

"Yes."

Mizuki nodded and turned his gaze back to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, if they remain in the academy, their talents will be wasted. I propose that they graduate alongside the current graduating class."

"Mizuki!"

Iruka looked at him in surprise and protested, "Although they're excellent, they're still too young. Graduating now would be—"

"Many have graduated at a similar age."

Mizuki interrupted again, saying, "Iruka, I know you care about them as much as I do, but you know their strength."

He paused, adding seriously, "Kuro's level surpasses even mine as a Chūnin. Keeping them here doesn't benefit them; it only coddles them."

"I…"

Iruka opened his mouth but couldn't respond.

What Mizuki said was true. Kuro and Sasuke's strength was evident in the evaluations, and denying it would insult the intelligence of the other teachers.

Hiruzen took a deep breath, his gaze lost on the desk as he recalled the past.

"It's true that some students graduated very early in their time," he murmured, his expression thoughtful.

Silence filled the room as the smoke from his pipe slowly dissipated. Finally, he spoke again, "But times have changed. There's no need for students to graduate so soon now."

"Even so, while Konoha doesn't urgently need more combat power, allowing those two children to graduate early would be beneficial for their development," Koharu interjected from the side.

Hiruzen remained silent, pondering his advisors' words.

Both Koharu and Mizuki had valid points.

If Kuro and Sasuke stayed in the academy, there wasn't much more they could learn there. Graduating early would allow them to undertake missions under a mentor's supervision, gaining experience and developing rapidly.

Of course, this carried risks.

But ninjas lived with constant risks. However, Hiruzen had his own plans.

First, Kuro.

Although few knew, Hiruzen understood Kuro's potential very well. His chakra reserves were monstrous, and he had already learned advanced jutsu.

Even without mission experience, he had significant room for growth.

The ninja academy was designed to teach the basics.

Students were young and lacked the knowledge or chakra reserves to learn high-level skills.

While Kuro was exceptional, he could still benefit from more learning before facing real danger. Hiruzen wanted him to grow as much as possible in a controlled environment before confronting the real world.

This would minimize risks for both him and Konoha.

As for Sasuke…

Hiruzen had already decided to pair him with Naruto on the same team.

Naruto, as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, posed a significant risk if he lost control. A teammate with a Sharingan could be key to preventing disaster.

Additionally, this decision served a political purpose.

The Uchiha clan still carried the weight of past conflicts with the village, and although Itachi had used Kotoamatsukami to calm the clan, the rift hadn't completely healed.

Pairing Sasuke and Naruto was intended to plant seeds of reconciliation between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha. If they faced life-and-death situations together, they could forge a deep friendship that transcended generations.

This strategy wasn't new. Tobirama, the Second Hokage, had implemented something similar by pairing Kagami Uchiha with other teammates.

Later, Hiruzen replicated it by placing Obito and Kakashi on the same team.

However, both plans had failed.

Kagami and Obito died young, and tensions with the Uchiha clan persisted. Even Itachi, despite his maturity and advanced thinking, was incompatible with his teammates.

Hiruzen had lost faith in this strategy, but Naruto made him reconsider.

Naruto was different.

Despite the villagers' hatred and rejection, his kindness and desire for recognition remained intact. Hiruzen was convinced that, no matter how difficult, Naruto would connect with Sasuke.

Kuro and Sasuke represented his hopes for Konoha's future.

Kuro was the great pillar capable of supporting the village's future. Sasuke was the key to reconciliation and unity between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha.

He couldn't afford to fail with either of them.

However, Homura's suggestion pulled him from his thoughts.

"It's better to ask them and their families what they think. Forcing them to stay in school could lead to misunderstandings."

Hiruzen sighed internally.

Even as Hokage, he couldn't impose arbitrary decisions. Konoha wasn't a dictatorship, and decisions like this required solid justification. Otherwise, he risked losing others' trust.

Finally, after a long moment of reflection, he spoke, "Very well. Let's present the options to the interested parties and let them decide."

After making the decision, someone immediately went to find Sasuke and Kuro.

Fugaku and Mikoto heard the news about Sasuke's potential graduation.

Sasuke, excited but unsure, looked at them for an answer.

"Graduating from school at eight years old?"

Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged glances before smiling proudly.

"Graduating so young is an honor," Fugaku said, nodding in satisfaction. "Worthy of being my son."

Meanwhile, at Training Ground No. 39, Kuro heard the same proposal as he casually scratched one of his ears.

"Graduate?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "No, no, no. How can I be a ninja if I'm so weak? I'd rather stay in school for a few more years."

________

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