Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

Even Itachi Uchiha instinctively sat up straight.

Shuichi Kazama wasn't in a hurry. He waited until the commotion gradually subsided before speaking again, "I expect you all to give it your best. If anyone drops the ball... then their homework for next semester will double!"

The group of mischievous kids immediately quieted down, and only then did Kazama Shuichi announce that get out of class was over.

As usual, Kazama Gengetsu took Izumi back to his own home first, and he didn't feel anything about the Third Hokage's visit.

Aside from routinely trying to make his presence known and boost his reputation, he knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was most likely there for Itachi Uchiha.

Every genius that appears in the Uchiha clan arouses the village's fear. Itachi is not only a genius, but also the son of the clan leader, so it is understandable that he came to take a look.

"Quan, I plan to graduate after this exam."

"what?"

The little girl, who was happily eating a box of takoyaki, froze for a moment, then became anxious.

"Graduate early? Then I want to graduate early too."

Having spent every day with Shimura Gengetsu, Uchiha Izumi knew his strength very well; he could easily become a ninja, let alone graduate.

Even she herself is at a graduate level.

For some reason, every time he cultivates with Xuan Yue, he feels like he's getting smarter, and his progress is faster than if he were to practice hard at home for a whole day.

She has now mastered the most basic Three Body Techniques and has also learned two fire-type ninjutsu.

The only downside is that there isn't enough chakra.

Of course, this drawback is relative to other adult ninjas.

Uchiha Izumi possesses the Uchiha bloodline, and even without awakening her Sharingan, her chakra reserves are significantly higher than those of ordinary people, certainly placing her at the level of a genin.

"Izumi, you can't graduate yet." Shimura Gengetsu stopped and said seriously, "The war isn't over yet. Even if you don't go to the battlefield, the mission you'll be carrying out will be very dangerous."

"When you graduate in two years, things will be much better."

"Then you can stay at school with me." Izumi's face was full of tension when she heard about the war. "We'll graduate together after the war is over."

Gengetsu Shimura explained, "I won't learn anything at school; it'll just be a waste of my time. And you don't need to worry about my safety. The village wouldn't assign me any dangerous missions."

"......"

After some persuasion, Shimura Gengetsu gave up Izumi's idea of ​​graduating early. He was now only able to protect himself, and had no strength left to protect Izumi.

If he stays at school all the time, he won't be able to meet more ninjas or build more bonds with them.

They also won't receive the second-stage reward from their mother's legacy, which allows their talent to leap forward.

That's why he had to graduate.

Otherwise, he could quickly become a student just by staying at school, and he could repeat a year until he graduates with Hanabi.

.......

On the other side, the Uchiha clan.

In a small grove of trees, several targets were hanging from large trees. Uchiha Itachi, who was practicing throwing techniques, suddenly stopped, seemingly processing some information.

He opened his eyes again after a while.

"Final exams, Third Hokage..."

After learning the news brought back by the shadow clone, Itachi didn't react much and threw himself back into training.

He only retrieved his ninja tools and returned home when he heard smoke rising from the village's chimneys.

"Brother! Brother!"

A small figure stumbled out of the house. Itachi Uchiha smiled gently, took a few quick steps, and picked him up.

"Sasuke."

"Brother, give me a hug."

"Okay, brother, hold me."

As Itachi teased little Sasuke, he felt this was the happiest time of his day.

A gentle voice came from the kitchen: "Is Itachi back? Go wash your hands quickly, it's time to eat. Also, help Sasuke wash his hands."

"I understand, Mom." Itachi Uchiha carried little Sasuke into the bathroom.

........

That evening, during dinner, Fugaku Uchiha brought up the topic of final exams.

"I heard that the Third Hokage will also be going to the school. Do your best and don't tarnish the reputation of the Uchiha clan."

"Hmm." Itachi Uchiha nodded gently, carefully removing all the bones from the fish meat, and then feeding it to Sasuke in small pieces.

The conversation between the father and son ended just like that; neither of them really took a simple test to heart.

Chapter Thirteen: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Gengetsu Shimura vs. Itachi Uchiha

The next day, the exams began soon after the students arrived at school.

Actually, the students at the Ninja Academy have a tough time. They have a lot to learn every day, even the first-year students.

The curriculum includes basic chakra refinement, ninja tool throwing twice a week, and two introductory taijutsu lessons daily. In addition, there are at least four hours of cultural courses.

Even in my previous life, this would have been considered a test in elementary school.

The content of cultural courses was even more diverse, including physics, chemistry, poisons, and the history and geography of various countries, forming a hodgepodge.

Looking at the numbers and symbols on the test paper, Gengetsu Shimura sighed and began answering the questions.

Q: There is a ninja 30 meters to the southeast. The wind direction and speed are north-south at 10 meters per second. Please draw a parabola and describe the approximate throwing force.

A: Attach explosive tags, throw them however you want, if they don't blow up, I'll admit defeat.

Q: The target of the assassination is being protected by three ninjas (the locations are shown in the picture). Please design a route to successfully carry out the assassination and escape.

A: Use the Flying Thunder God Technique to kill the three ninjas first, then kill the target, and return the way you came.

Q: Please list three contributions the Third Hokage made to Konoha.

A: 1. Casinos are prohibited within villages. 2. That's all. 3. That's all.

Q: Please write an essay expressing your feelings for the village.

A: *My Naruto Assistant Grandpa*

"........"

In less than an hour, Shimura Gengetsu finished the entire exam paper. He didn't hand it in early, but waited until the time was up before handing it in with his classmates.

Just as they were about to find a place to have lunch with Izumi, Kazama Shuichi kept them there.

“Xuan Yue,” Kazama Shuichi said in a friendly tone, “there will be a shuriken throwing test this afternoon. The Third Hokage wants to see your true strength, not your wealth.”

"So, don't use the detonation tags this afternoon."

Ever since that time he shocked everyone with the explosive tag shuriken, he blows up several targets every time he throws them, and Kazama Shuichi still can't do anything about Gengetsu.

But today is different. The Third Hokage is here. If he uses explosive tags again, he might as well give up being a teacher.

"I can do without the explosive tags, but Kazama-sensei has to grant me one request." Shimura Gengetsu smiled brightly.

...

In the afternoon, the first-year students arrived at the testing grounds. Not long after, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing a Hokage hat and a divine robe, arrived surrounded by guards.

The students were thrilled and rushed forward.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped the guards from approaching and greeted the students with a kind smile. If it weren't for his conspicuous holy robe and Hokage hat, he would have looked like an ordinary old man next door.

Shimura Gengetsu did not surround him, but simply observed this 'Fire Emperor' from a distance.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi and his grandfather had a deep bond, this was also the first time he had ever seen Hiruzen Sarutobi's true face.

There were still about ten years before the start of the story, and Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't have that many wrinkles on his face yet; he was still under sixty years old.

Suddenly, as if sensing his gaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smiling and talking to a chubby boy, looked up and met Gengetsu Shimura's eyes. After a moment of surprise, he quickly remembered the other's identity and walked over with a large group of people.

"You must be Xuan Yue," Sarutobi asked with a smile.

“That’s right.” Shimura Gengetsu nodded. “Hello, old monkey.”

Everyone around him stared in shock. Kazama Shuichi's mouth was agape, and he had only one thought in his mind.

That's it, my ninja career has come to an end.

"Old monkey?" Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't fly into a rage as everyone expected. He merely frowned, then slapped Gengetsu Shimura on the head in an annoyed manner.

"That old bastard Danzo must have taught you that, right? Don't learn from him, that old geezer."

Genzuki Shimura: "......"

Oh no, the biggest boss preventing him from getting the bond rewards is actually his grandfather.

The power of the pot shadow was so terrifying that Hiruzen Sarutobi almost instinctively blamed Danzo for his rudeness.

Gengetsu Shimura dared to do this for two reasons: first, because of his status, and second, because of the public image established by the Third Generation, which meant he would not stoop to the level of a child.

Unfortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi not only didn't care, but also didn't take it to heart at all, so the bond didn't activate.