The next day.
The members of the exchange team, each carrying their own thoughts, split into several different groups and began the first day of their new life in Kirigakure under the guidance of the guides dispatched by the village.
The Konoha students who were still of school age were brought by Anko Mitarashi, along the way, to Kirigakure's newly expanded Ninja Academy. There, they received a test paper from the Academy's teachers whose focus was entirely different from that of Konoha's Ninja Academy. They were also informed that Kirigakure would arrange corresponding courses for them during the exchange semester based on their answers.
With doubts in his heart, Itachi Uchiha relied on the various knowledge he had learned from the Uchiha clan school, as well as the different ideas he had received from all sides during this period, and very seriously gave extremely detailed answers to every question on the test.
Then, half an hour early, he handed in his paper.
After that, the Kirigakure chunin responsible for supervising the exam brought him out of the classroom where the test was being held. Along with his answer sheet, Itachi was handed over to another teacher inside the Ninja Academy.
"Hm. You finished all the questions half an hour early, and gave quite serious answers to every question… No wonder they asked me to communicate with you."
Kabuto Yakushi, who had originally been preparing today's lesson plan, pushed up his glasses and thoughtfully looked at the junior standing before him, whose eyes carried confusion and bewilderment. Then he asked in a gentle voice:
"If there is anything you want to ask, just say it directly. As a teacher, answering students' questions is part of my job. Even if you are only an exchange student temporarily studying at Kirigakure's Ninja Academy, Itachi-kun, I will do my best to help you."
Hearing Kabuto Yakushi's gentle tone, which could be described as patient and instructive, Itachi Uchiha touched the hair hanging beside his temple with a complicated feeling. Then, somewhat embarrassed, he asked, "Um… I know this question may be a little offensive, but… Sensei, you yourself are also only a student's age, right?"
"Well, I knew you would ask that."
Kabuto Yakushi shrugged. He casually opened his desk drawer, took out the appointment document that certified him as a Ninja Academy lecturer, and pushed it toward Itachi. Then he said in an unperturbed tone:
"As you can see, Kabuto Yakushi, specially appointed lecturer for the medical-nin course at Kirigakure's Ninja Academy. At the same time, I am also an official member of Kirigakure's medical-nin corps."
"…Amazing."
Itachi Uchiha sincerely praised the other party's talent. Then, very politely, he closed the document and returned it to Kabuto Yakushi's hands. Only then did he ask Kabuto in an earnest, questioning tone:
"Then, will there be any impact now that my answer sheet has been sent to you?"
"Not really. It simply means they want me, someone of a similar age, to chat with you so you won't be too nervous. As for course arrangements, they will still follow the same standards as everyone else."
As Kabuto Yakushi said this, he began grading Itachi Uchiha's test answers. Watching Kabuto's practiced and swift movements, Itachi Uchiha quietly sat down on a chair and silently waited for Kabuto's evaluation.
About five minutes later, Kabuto finished marking the paper. He pushed up his glasses and said thoughtfully:
"Mm… Judging from the questions related to standard shinobi courses, your grasp of theoretical knowledge is very solid. If we evaluated you by the old standards, you would already be an outstanding genin qualified to graduate from school."
"But?" Itachi Uchiha picked up the topic at just the right moment.
"But after the Fourth Mizukage began reforming the education system and curriculum, even a genius like you must remain in the Ninja Academy for a full seven years before officially graduating and making the choice of whether or not to become a shinobi."
Kabuto Yakushi spread his hands toward Itachi Uchiha and said with a smile.
"You must stay in the Ninja Academy for a full seven years?" Itachi Uchiha frowned. He could not understand why Rei Kaguya would carry out an educational reform that could be said to restrict the growth of geniuses. "Even if I can achieve full marks in every course taught at the Academy, I still cannot graduate early?"
"Mm. For this, I will have to quote something the Fourth Mizukage said when he overruled all objections during the jonin meeting where this reform was discussed."
Kabuto Yakushi coughed lightly twice. Then, doing his best to imitate the scene he had witnessed, he tried to reproduce and repeat Rei Kaguya's words at the time in a cold, unquestionable tone:
"In a person's life, there are plenty of chances to grip a blade and throw oneself onto the battlefield. But the chance to absorb knowledge without worry, understand the past, think about the present, and imagine the future exists only during the brief time one spends in school… A person who never learns to think while in school will spend his entire life as nothing more than a dull blade without self or will, swung by the hands of others."
"Kirigakure does not need that many dull blades."
After saying that, Kabuto Yakushi picked up the tea drink he had placed nearby. As he sipped it slowly, he carefully observed the changes in Itachi Uchiha's expression.
"Understand the past, think about the present, and imagine the future… is that it?"
Itachi Uchiha repeated the words he believed held the most value. He lowered his head and looked at his own hands, silent for a long time.
Only after Kabuto Yakushi finished the tea in his hand and placed the empty cup back on the desk, producing a low sound, did Itachi Uchiha finally raise his head again. He looked at Kabuto Yakushi's face, which was not much older than his own, and asked softly:
"Then, within Lord Mizukage's education reform, there should also be special courses established for children who learned to think early, right? Like… someone such as you, Senior Kabuto?"
"Very sharp. As expected of Itachi-kun, whom Senior Shisui saw as his successor after leaving the Uchiha clan. Your reputation is well-deserved."
Kabuto Yakushi clapped lightly for the other party's keen insight. Then, after raising his head to glance at the clock hanging on the office wall, he picked up the lesson plan he had prepared and stood up. While walking toward the office door, he said to Itachi Uchiha:
"Sorry, my class is about to begin, so I do not have time to talk to you about more detailed topics. The special course selection sheet is on my desk. If you have confidence and interest, you can choose one special course according to the requirements listed above and submit an application. After passing the assessment, you will be able to participate in the corresponding course's internship and trial lectures."
"It does not matter if you cannot decide right away. With your talent, there should be many courses whose assessments you can pass and attend as a trial. Listen more, look more, and then make your final decision. It still will not be too late… After all, this will be a course you must devote yourself to studying wholeheartedly for a very long time. It is not something you can casually pick and be done with—"
"Ah, Senior Kabuto~ Can you please not call on me to answer questions in today's class?"
"If you listen seriously, you will not be afraid of your name being called, Ran Yue."
"Aaaah, but Senior Kabuto's recent classes really make people's heads spin…"
Kabuto Yakushi's voice mixed with a bright and lively female voice and gradually drifted away.
Meanwhile, following the hint Kabuto had left behind, Itachi Uchiha walked to his desk and picked up the list written with numerous special course names. Then, at a glance, his eyes locked onto one of the courses with the highest requirements—
Restoration and Research of Shinobi World History.
Instructor: Rei Kaguya.
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