I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 32 Speculations about Graduating Early

"This is very unusual. Rice is selling for 25 liang per jin. Fortunately, vegetable prices haven't risen too much, otherwise we would really have to cut back on food expenses."

During summer vacation, Minato, who had grown even taller, carried two bags of rice and said with some distress, "I'm worried." Tatsuma, who was next to him, nodded in agreement. There were quite a few people around them who were also stockpiling food.

Because rice merchants suddenly announced that due to rising logistics costs, they will adjust rice prices irregularly and at varying rates in the coming period. Moreover, judging from the trend, it is estimated that prices will not fall in the short term, and may even continue to rise.

As for vegetables, meat, poultry and eggs, although prices have also increased to some extent, they are not as drastic as rice and noodles, probably because these items are available in and around Konoha Village.

Tatsuma sighed and said, "Lord Jiraiya and the others only came back once last year. It's probably because things outside the village aren't so peaceful anymore."

Upon hearing this, Minato, who had had a vague premonition since two years ago, suddenly asked, "Tatsuma, do you think there will be another war? Like the war that happened more than ten years ago?"

Minato was referring to the war later known as the First Shinobi World War. Tatsuma, without his signature smile, nodded seriously and said:

"War will come, or rather, since the last great war, the ninja world has never been at peace. Sooner or later, a second war will break out that will spread throughout the entire ninja world, and perhaps there will be a third or even more."

Every war is simply a continuation of the previous one. Judging from the current situation, friction between villages and countries has likely intensified considerably. Perhaps war will truly break out soon.

Although Tatsuma knew there would be a Second Shinobi World War and a Third Shinobi World War, when he decided to become a ninja, he was "determined" to participate.

But as war draws ever closer, Tatsuma is extremely anxious because he has never experienced war firsthand, and even less so than Minato.

Seeing the solemn look on Tatsuma's face, Minato shook his head and said, "Perhaps we're just overthinking it? We've never even left the village, so how would we know what the ninja world is like?"

Perhaps Jiraiya and the others will return soon, bringing the good news that war will not break out?

Minato said, sounding somewhat unconvinced himself. Tatsuma didn't refute Minato's statement, but simply shrugged and said, "Speaking of which, if meat, poultry, and eggs continue to rise in price, we might have to go fishing and foraging for wild vegetables."

The small subsidy from the village might have been enough in the past, but with soaring prices, their large-scale purchase today even used up some of their savings.

"I've heard there are a few training grounds with lots of animals inside; maybe we could go check them out."

Minato then made a suggestion, but Tatsuma shook his head and said, "Those that can be put into the training ground are all animals that are beneficial to ninja training, which means they are dangerous animals."

Whether the hunt is successful or not is secondary; many of these animals are omnivorous, carnivorous, or even scavengers, and are generally not suitable for consumption.

Why?

Upon hearing Tatsuma's statement, Minato became somewhat curious. Tatsuma pondered for a moment and explained in as concise a language as possible: "The purer and more singular the nutrients a species ingests, the more suitable it is for us humans to consume."

For example, cattle and sheep that eat plant-based roughage are a good fit for us, as are simpler diets like vegetables and fruits.

Minato nodded as if he understood, but Tatsuma didn't explain the food chain to him. He would never eat the meat of animals with high danger levels unless absolutely necessary.

After walking for a while longer, the two would reach a fork in the road and part ways. Suddenly, Minato asked, "Tatsuma-kun, if war really breaks out and the village needs us, would you choose to graduate early?"

Hearing Minato's question, Tatsuma asked in surprise, "Do you want to graduate early?"

After asking the question, Tatsuma frowned. According to the original story, Minato didn't graduate from the Ninja Academy until he was ten years old. Could it be that after he trained Minato ahead of time and allowed Minato to realize his talent early, he had other ideas?

Minato nodded and said, "Teacher Awaura has said before that our strength has already far exceeded the graduation standards of the Ninja Academy. We can graduate at any time, and we are not far from meeting the requirements for Chunin."

Don't tell me you didn't hear it; Teacher Heipu was actually urging us to graduate as soon as possible, and even hinted that the Hokage would find us a very good Jonin to lead our team.

Tatsuma didn't answer immediately. After the final exams before the holiday, Sarutobi Akiura talked to the two of them, but Tatsuma just laughed it off.

Seeing that Tatsuma wasn't going to continue the conversation with the teacher, Minato, not wanting to embarrass his friend, pretended not to understand anything.

However, since this was a private conversation between the two, Minato had no need to hide anything. Tatsuma's silence was not because he was afraid of graduating, but because he was considering it.

Even if neither he nor Minato graduates, he can still use this gentle and safe method to exploit Minato and raise his own talent ceiling.

However, if Minato decides to graduate early and Tatsuma stays alone in the Ninja Academy, then the rate at which his potential improves will suddenly decrease, since no one in the class can match Minato's easy prey nature.

There are quite a few talented people in the class. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Inuzuka Tsurugi, Uchiha Tenka, Hyuga Sento, and a certain insect user are all quite talented. There is even Kushina, a potential Jinchūriki candidate whose potential may not be inferior to Minato's.

However, it's much more difficult to get something out of these people. Shikaku is only interested in playing shogi, and he will refuse other games. Choza is interested in food, and Inui-tatsuma has no idea what games Inui is interested in.

As for Uchiha and Hyuga, although he had no conflicts with them over the past two years, their relationship wasn't exactly good, especially with Uchiha Tenka, whom he had defeated four times in a row.

Whether it was intentional or not, in the four semesters of practical assessments, Tatsuma fought Uchiha Tenka four times and Minato fought Hyuga Sento four times, winning every time.

After losing the first two times, Uchiha Tenpu could still boast that he would definitely win next time, but now he keeps quiet about it and even avoids Tatsuma when he sees him.

Hyuga Sento is in a similar situation. Besides, both of them return to their clan's territory as soon as get out of class is over, making it impossible to find them for extra training. Trying to exploit these two is clearly unrealistic.

His relationship with Inuzuka Tsuru was too shallow; they basically never interacted. As for Aburame Shiki, Tatsuma rarely even noticed her in class; she had a very low profile, and their interests didn't overlap at all.

Kushina seems to be keeping a low profile lately, living a secluded life, and can be seen almost entirely outside of class time.

Therefore, Minato graduated, and Tatsuma had no reason to stay at the school. However, graduating early was not without its advantages, since the two who graduated early at the same time were likely to be assigned to the same team.

Even if you're not assigned to the same squad, it doesn't matter. Based on Tatsuma's exploration of the system over the past year, when it comes to combat, even if you praise someone and don't force them to agree to a match, the match will automatically start.

After becoming a ninja, you will definitely encounter enemies during missions. The frequency may not be as high as you can now, but you don't need to painstakingly create matches, which is also a good option.

However, Tatsuma glanced at Minato and still said, "Excluding me, isn't there anyone in the class you miss?"

As soon as the words left their mouths, their expressions turned strange. After all, there was something odd about what Tatsuma had said. However, they quickly looked away, and Minato began to think about it seriously.

Does he miss someone? Yes, he certainly does.

(End of this chapter)