Kurenai wasn't just being polite—
She truly meant what she said.
Although Kiyoshi was around the same age as them,
The education he had received was far less.
"Kurenai… you can do it too."
Kiyoshi said with a faint smile.
The extra weight on his forehead
Still felt a bit unfamiliar.
No wonder some ninjas didn't wear their forehead protectors on their heads—
Instead choosing to tie them around their arms, waists, or elsewhere.
"I hope I can succeed too…"
Kurenai nodded, a trace of worry in her expression.
To be honest,
She had never even considered early graduation before.
But staying any longer didn't make much sense either—
There was nothing left for her to learn at the academy.
The two chatted for a while,
And Kiyoshi even went to greet Nohara Rin.
As for Obito—
No one knew where he had gone.
According to Rin,
He had gone off to train.
Kiyoshi didn't care much about Obito's whereabouts,
Continuing to chat casually with the two girls.
Not long after,
Sarutobi Asuma came out, his face full of excitement.
He pointed at the forehead protector on his head and said to Kurenai:
"Kurenai, early graduation… it's really nothing special."
Although he tried to sound calm,
The excitement written all over his face betrayed him completely.
Clearly,
He was thrilled.
"…"
As the saying goes—
Comparison is the thief of joy.
In Kurenai's eyes,
Compared to Kiyoshi,
Asuma seemed far too immature.
"Kurenai?"
Seeing the faint disappointment on her face,
Asuma instantly panicked,
Not knowing what he had done wrong.
He wanted to ask—
But Kurenai had already stepped forward
And entered the examination room.
Seeing this,
Asuma could only give up.
"Where's Obito?"
He had wanted to show off in front of him,
But after looking around,
He couldn't find him anywhere.
"He left."
Rin said softly.
Deep down,
She too had begun to think about early graduation.
But—
She lacked confidence.
Unlike others,
She didn't have access to early training or special guidance.
Everything she knew
Had been learned step by step in the academy.
"He left that fast…"
Asuma's plan fell through.
So he stayed with Kiyoshi,
Waiting for Kurenai.
Meanwhile,
Kiyoshi took advantage of the moment
To open his trait panel.
Looking at the second upgrade path under
[Early Graduation (White)],
He chose to confirm it.
"You have obtained a new trait: [Genius Scholar (Green)]."
[Trait: Genius Scholar (Green)]
[Requirement: Graduate early and reach the minimum learning ability threshold]
[Progress: Completed]
[Effect: You can focus better than others in everything you do, learn faster, and your learning ability increases by 20%]
[Note: Can be further upgraded]
"An increase of 20%..."
Kiyoshi felt his mind becoming clearer,
His thinking speed noticeably improving.
Questions that once confused him about ninjutsu
Now began to reveal their answers.
Ideas and inspiration
Flowed endlessly.
Closing his eyes,
He began reviewing past doubts in his mind.
About ten minutes later—
Kurenai walked out with a bright smile.
A forehead protector
Now adorned her head as well.
"Hehe, Sarutobi-sensei… quite a lot of early graduates this year."
Orochimaru walked out alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"These are all the new leaves of Konoha."
Hiruzen said,
Nodding slightly as he saw Asuma standing with Kiyoshi and Kurenai.
If they were placed in the same team,
There probably wouldn't be any conflicts.
"Asuma, remember to get along well with Kiyoshi and the others."
"I know, I know."
Asuma waved his hand impatiently.
Hiruzen was already used to this attitude,
And soon left with Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had important matters to discuss with him—
He had only stopped by here along the way.
"Are we going to your house today?"
Kiyoshi asked, glancing at Kurenai.
"Of course."
She nodded.
"Kurenai… you're going to his house?"
Asuma was stunned.
He had no idea about this.
So all this time after school,
When Kurenai disappeared—
She had been going to Kiyoshi's place?
"Yeah, I'm learning genjutsu from him."
Kurenai replied.
Then she quickly followed after Kiyoshi,
Who had already turned to leave.
Only Asuma and Rin remained behind.
Watching their backs as they walked away,
Rin couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
If only her relationship with Kakashi
Could be like that too…
But lately,
Kakashi had been going out on missions frequently.
And every time he returned,
There was a heavy scent of blood lingering on him—
A smell that only came from killing…
Carrying that quiet worry in her heart,
Rin turned and left.
Asking Kiyoshi about Lightning Release
Would have to wait for another time.
She didn't want to disturb Kurenai.
Soon,
Only Asuma remained.
In the blink of an eye,
The once lively place
Had become completely empty.
When he heard Kurenai was going to Kiyoshi's house,
He had wanted to follow along.
But thinking about it—
He and Kiyoshi weren't even close.
What if he got rejected?
That would be too embarrassing.
"Damn it… ever since this Uchiha Kiyoshi showed up, everything's changed."
Since Kiyoshi arrived,
Asuma felt like nothing was going his way.
He casually bit down on a stick,
Thinking of a way to get closer to Kurenai.
After all—
He was the one who came first.
…
Several hours later,
After seeing Kurenai off,
Kiyoshi glanced at the sky and headed out again.
He was now officially a ninja—
All that remained
Was for the higher-ups to assign him a path.
Most Uchiha,
After becoming Chunin,
Would join the Konoha Police Force.
Before that,
They could also apply early
To train within the department.
Or—
They could follow the standard route
And join a three-man squad.
Though very few chose that path.
Lost in thought,
Kiyoshi arrived at his destination—
The Konoha Hospital.
Entering the first floor,
He asked the medical staff
About Yakushi Nono's whereabouts.
As the captain of the medical unit,
She was well known throughout the hospital.
Finding her
Was easy.
"Oh? Little Kiyoshi… how did you find your way here?"
Yakushi Nono was slightly surprised.
She clearly remembered—
Their agreement was for him to come after graduating.
Then her eyes fell on the forehead protector on his head.
Understanding immediately dawned on her.
"I've graduated, Lady Nono."
Kiyoshi pointed at his forehead.
"You're quite talented."
She said, adjusting her round glasses,
Which gave her already gentle face
A touch of mature charm.
Kiyoshi quickly averted his gaze.
After all—
There was something about women with glasses…
Especially someone like Nono,
Who had a compassionate, saint-like expression,
Yet possessed such a full, alluring figure—
Just imagining it
Was enough to stir his thoughts.
But only in his mind.
He didn't dare show anything on his face.
After all—
Yakushi Nono
Was a top figure in Root's intelligence division.
"However…"
She spoke softly,
"You'll need to check whether you have 'Yang attribute' if you want to learn medical ninjutsu."
— End of Chapter —