The following day, Kirito woke up to a surprising revelation: he had graduated. As he exited the Senju Clan early in the morning, an Anbu approached his doorstep and delivered a graduation certificate, accompanied by a letter of appointment for him to intern at a medical class.
Puzzled by the unexpected development, Kirito held the certificate and letter in his hands, looking to the Anbu for clarification.
"Is something amiss?" Kirito asked, trying to make sense of the situation.
The Anbu ninja, however, didn't offer much explanation. Instead, he tersely replied, "The message has been delivered. Farewell," and then promptly disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
"Kirito, why did you graduate? Weren't we supposed to graduate together when we turned 12?" Nawaki, who had noticed the graduation certificate in Kirito's hand, took it and examined it closely. As he read the contents, his eyes widened, and he expressed his disappointment.
Two years ago, Kirito had promised that they would graduate together when they turned 12. Nawaki felt betrayed that Kirito had seemingly graduated early without him.
"I didn't plan this. I never intended to graduate so soon," Kirito replied, genuinely surprised by the turn of events. He had not anticipated graduating early.
"Oh...that's better. I shouldn't have doubted my best bro "
Nawaki, satisfied with Kirito's explanation, returned the graduation certificate and expressed his relief.
He knew that becoming a ninja and graduating meant submitting to the Third Hokage's authority and potentially being sent to the battlefield. At just 8 years old, he preferred not to be involved in such conflicts.
"It was Mito-sama's decision," Momoka interjected, providing an explanation for Kirito's sudden graduation. "This internship in the medical class is also her arrangement to protect you."
Understanding that his teacher, Mito Uzumaki, was behind this decision, Kirito accepted it more readily. He knew Mito's protective nature and appreciated her looking out for him.
However, he was still puzzled about one thing: why did he need to graduate early to intern at the medical class? Couldn't he intern without graduating?
Nawaki, upon witnessing Kirito's graduation, became eager to graduate early as well. He figured that if Kirito had graduated, it was only fair that he should do the same.
"I want to graduate early too," Nawaki declared, looking at Taohua with anticipation.
However, Momoka promptly quashed his hopes. "You? Just focus on your studies. Tell me, how many theory classes have you passed?" she retorted.
Nawaki excelled in practical classes but lagged behind in theoretical subjects. He had contemplated arguing that he was already at Chunin level and shouldn't need to attend theory classes, but he knew better than to challenge Momoka. If he defied her, he'd likely find himself enduring extra lessons after school, which would put a damper on his plans for leisure and fun.
Resigned to his fate, nawaki remained silent, wearing an expression that clearly conveyed his displeasure.
Momoka didn't pay much heed to Nawaki complaints. She had conveyed Mito's message, and now her mission was complete. With a quick hand seal, she vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Frustrated and unwilling to accept his continued schooling, Nawaki couldn't help but voice his frustrations once Momoka was gone. He let out a loud scream, venting his pent-up frustration to the skies above.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaa damn it, why they can't just let me graduate ?! "
It was unfortunate that, in the face of Mito's decree, Nawaki had no choice but to comply.
"Alright, alright, sending a shadow clone to class is not a big deal too," Kirito interjected, unable to bear Nawaki dejected mood.
Nawaki's eyes lit up at Kirito's suggestion. He hadn't considered using shadow clones to attend classes before, as he had been preoccupied with using them for ninjutsu and taijutsu training.
"Thank you, Kirito!" Nawaki expressed his gratitude to Kirito and immediately summoned a shadow clone. He instructed the clone to attend class on his behalf.
However, to his surprise, the shadow clone paid no heed to his command. It nonchalantly picked its nose and regarded Nawaki with contemptuous eyes.
"Why? I don't want to go to school," the shadow clone replied, its indifference palpable.
"You're my clone; you have to listen to me," Nawaki argued, somewhat dumbfounded by the clone's defiance.
In response, the clone covered its ears with its hands, adopting a stubborn expression that conveyed its refusal to attend school.
Frustrated, Nawaki attempted to create a new shadow clone, hoping it would comply with his request. However, the newly created clone also rejected his orders.
Growing increasingly irritated, Nawaki engaged in a physical altercation with his two shadow clones, a comical scene that unfolded before Kirito's eyes.
"Clearly, studying is the last thing on Nawaki mind. Even his shadow clones would rather face annihilation than go to school," Kirito mused, observing the spectacle.
Without further ado, Kirito took leave of Nawaki and proceeded toward the hospital on his own.
After walking for a while, he effortlessly employed the Shadow Clone Technique without the need for hand seals, creating three shadow clones simultaneously. He assigned them various tasks for the day.
One clone headed to the orphanage's basement for experimental research, another attended the sealing class to specialize in sealing techniques, and the last one went to a branch of the Yakushi Gourmet House to study pharmacology and medicine.
Since he had graduated from the ninja school, his main body no longer needed to attend classes. As a result, he decided to dedicate his last shadow clone to fishing.
All three shadow clones understood Kirito's intentions and nodded in agreement. They were well-versed in his daily routine. With his chakra control skills, he could allocate just enough chakra to each clone to last for a day.
However, before they could split up and begin their tasks, four masked Anbu ninjas suddenly materialized and surrounded Kirito and his shadow clones.
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"You are...?"
Kirito scrutinized the four Anbu ninjas who had suddenly appeared before him, remaining composed despite the unexpected confrontation.
One of the Anbu ninjas, wearing a cat mask, inquired, "May I ask, Mr. Kirito, which one of these is your real body?"
Kirito had an epiphany upon hearing the question. It was clear that these Anbu ninjas, who had been secretly monitoring him, had no intention of splitting up to protect his shadow clones.
He responded candidly, "It's me. I'll be working at the medical class later, so I need to use my real body."
The four Anbu watched Kirito and his shadow clones in silence, uncertain of how to proceed.
"It appears that these Anbu ninjas are quite cautious in their actions. This group provides excellent security," Kirito thought to himself, remaining unperturbed by their skepticism.
However, he had no intention of using a chakra-consuming ninjutsu to prove his identity. In his current state, with people potentially seeking to harm him and having just created three shadow clones, he didn't want to risk depleting his chakra and jeopardizing his safety. So, he coolly stated, "Believe it or not."
Kirito continued to walk forward, and his three shadow clones dispersed to perform their respective tasks.
The four Anbu ninjas hesitated, exchanging glances as they grappled with uncertainty. They had been ordered to follow and protect Kirito but hadn't been instructed to take any offensive action against him.
It wasn't until a kunai suddenly fell at Kirito's feet that the four Anbu ninjas reacted, attempting to stop Kirito and his shadow clones. However, they found themselves immobilized and unable to move.
Beneath their feet, a complex sealing circle had suddenly materialized, and they were quickly restrained by Kirito's three shadow clones.
Sealing Technique: Double layer Seal.
It was over in an instant.
"Please refrain from using force. I understand why you're following me, and I'm willing to cooperate. In return, please trust me; this is my true identity," Kirito asserted as he addressed a white-haired Anbu ninja perched in a tree ahead.
The white-haired Anbu ninja had been the one to throw the kunai at Kirito's feet earlier. He possessed a level of chakra indicative of a Jōnin.
"I apologize; it's part of our mission. However, moving forward, we will place our trust in you," the white-haired Anbu ninja replied politely.
Kirito's exceptional abilities had dispelled any doubt they might have harbored. The swift and effective sealing technique he had employed left them awestruck and convinced of his capabilities.
With such remarkable strength, did he truly require protection? Anyone who confronted him that wasn't a Jōnin would likely meet a swift end. Even if they were a Jōnin, an inadvertent encounter with his sealing technique could result in a fatal outcome.
Kirito expressed his willingness to cooperate and proceeded on his way after receiving the assurance of trust from the white-haired Anbu ninja.
Stopping for an instant, he gave a cold smile to one direction, then continued his way.
Simultaneously, members of another Hokage's Anbu squad and a certain Root Anbu squad realized that Kirito had detected their presence long ago.
"I didn't expect such keen perception. This kid is truly formidable," the white-haired Anbu ninja remarked as he roused his fallen comrades and observed Kirito's retreating figure.
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