CHAPTER 13

c13 - Early Graduation

Early in the morning, Yuuji welcomed an uninvited guest—Shiranui Genma, the senbon-chewing shinobi who was now the de facto leader of the dwindling Shiranui clan.

"Hmph, are you finally done with those ridiculous bandages?" Genma scoffed, the metal needle in his mouth shifting slightly as he spoke.

Yuuji stretched lazily, his expression one of amused indifference. "Yo, my not-so-bright older brother Genma. Still wasting time on pointless things instead of training? And what's with the senbon again? One slip and it'll pierce straight through your tongue—terrifying."

Genma twitched in irritation. "Damn it, that's why I can't stand you. And stop calling me 'little brother'—I was born a whole month before you!" He clicked his tongue before tossing a scroll onto the table. "Anyway, this is for you. The last remnants of our so-called 'clan techniques'—not that they're anything special."

Yuuji picked up the scroll, casually flipping through it. He could already tell these were basic techniques—D-rank jutsu and a single C-rank Earth Release technique.

Genma sighed, crossing his arms. "You awakened a new Kekkei Genkai. Maybe learning these jutsu will help you control it better. Graduate early if you can—just don't die out there." His voice faltered slightly, his eyes betraying a silent question he hesitated to ask.

Yuuji smirked, immediately catching on. "You want to ask about my Kekkei Genkai, don't you?"

Genma hesitated. "I mean… it's your business, but—"

"If you don't ask, how will you know whether I'll tell you?"

Genma's expression brightened. "Wait, does that mean you—"

"Of course not, idiot."

"…?"

Genma's eye twitched in fury. He grabbed the scroll and hurled it at Yuuji's face before turning on his heel to leave.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't be so hasty," Yuuji called after him, feigning disappointment. "Aren't you even curious whether you can awaken this power too?"

Genma stopped in his tracks. "Wait… you mean…? Could this be a hidden bloodline trait of the Shiranui clan?" His voice wavered with excitement.

"Of course not. I'm just a genius, and you… well…" Yuuji sighed theatrically.

Genma snapped. With a roar of frustration, he lunged at Yuuji, launching a flurry of senbon needles. It was the same technique he would later refine into Senbon Clones and Thousand Senbon Rain—but right now, it was still unpolished.

Unfortunately for him, Yuuji barely moved. With two fingers, he effortlessly plucked the needles from the air, snapping them like twigs. Then, before Genma could react, Yuuji executed a perfect Konoha Tornado—a spinning kick he had seen Might Guy use countless times—sending Genma flying across the yard.

Genma groaned from the ground. "Tch… since when did you know taijutsu like this?!"

Yuuji smirked. "I hang out with Guy every day. Never trained in taijutsu myself, but my brain works just fine."

Genma stumbled to his feet, his nose bleeding, his pride shattered. With nothing more to say, he stormed off.

Yuuji shook his head, watching him leave. "Sorry, Genma. I used you as a test subject. Besides, if I take on too many meaningless burdens now, they'll only slow me down."

His gaze dropped to the scroll still lying on the ground. He picked it up, flipping through its contents once more. As expected—low-level techniques. Nothing groundbreaking.

At the same time, hidden in the distance, an Anbu operative remained crouched in the shadows, silently observing.

[Confirmed: High vitality (Rank A), above-average physical ability (Rank C+). Subject claims Kekkei Genkai is unrelated to the Shiranui clan. Temporary classification: First-generation bloodline inheritor.]

In the world of shinobi, some Kekkei Genkai were hereditary—like the Sharingan of the Uchiha or the Byakugan of the Hyūga—while others, like Lava Release or Boil Release, manifested from unique chakra combinations. Even Uchiha Madara, during the Fourth War, demonstrated proficiency with Boil Release—despite not being born with it.

[If this Kekkei Genkai proves stable, it could add another bloodline to Konoha's arsenal.]

With that final note, the Anbu flickered away, vanishing from sight.

Yuuji, sensing the lingering presence disappear, smirked to himself. "Finally gone, huh?" He turned away and headed inside, tearing off the bandage covering his cheek. The wound from yesterday's scuffle with Anko had already healed.

—

At the Ninja Academy, Yuuji's arrival sent waves of whispers through the courtyard.

"That's him… Shiranui Yuuji?"

"The guy who beat the Sannin's disciple?"

"I heard Mitarashi Anko lost because she drank his blood—what kind of freak drinks blood anyway?"

"Whatever technique he used, it must be some kind of forbidden jutsu. He's even talking about early graduation now…"

The rumor had spread far and wide. Overnight, Shiranui Yuuji had become a name everyone knew. After all, to defeat the disciple of Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, was no small feat.

As Yuuji walked through the Academy grounds, countless eyes followed his every move.

"Look, it's him!"

"He's different without the bandages…"

"He probably only wore them to hide his true power!"

"He's so handsome…"

Yuuji ignored the murmurs and continued walking.

—

At the same time, outside the Academy, several parents watched from a distance, also discussing the rising talent.

"That's Yuuji? He's really something…"

"Tch, what's so great about him? He's just a showoff!"

The grumbling voice belonged to Uchiha Obito, who stood beside an elderly woman, his arms crossed in annoyance.

"Obito," the old woman chuckled kindly, ruffling his hair, "you always compare yourself to others, but don't rush. You'll find your own path."

Obito muttered under his breath. "Hmph, not like he's better than Kakashi…"

The old woman's kind smile flickered strangely for just a moment. She then glanced at Yuuji's back as he entered the school before shaking her head and turning away.

—

Inside Class 4-C, Yuuji entered to find his instructor, Yoshino Masada, standing at the front of the room—sneezing violently.

When Masada noticed Yuuji, he immediately straightened up, feigning an air of authority.

"Yuuji, you did well yesterday. Keep up the good work—don't embarrass me."

Yuuji smirked. "Sensei, it's unusual to see you here so early. Something important?"

Masada nodded. "Yes. It's about early graduation."

The classroom fell silent.

—