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After everything settled down, everyone returned to their training.
However, Uchiha Obito was lying on a bench in the rest area, feeling uncomfortable from Kakashi's earlier strike. Even after some time, his chest still ached.
When Asuma Sarutobi finally arrived at the training ground, he noticed Might Guy practicing enthusiastically while shouting about youth, and Yuichi Yuuki was slowly stretching nearby. Kakashi was focused, staring at his hand as he tried to gather chakra. Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi and one of Yuichi's shadow clones were practicing chakra control.
"Where's Obito?" Asuma asked, not noticing him in the rest area. Thinking Obito hadn't shown up yet, he muttered, "Did I really come this late, and Obito still hasn't arrived?"
"I'm right here!" Obito raised his hand, sitting up on the bench, looking mildly annoyed. But the movement tugged at his injury, making him wince—although the pain was now much better than it had been initially, thanks to the advanced medicines of their time.
Asuma looked in the direction of his voice and was surprised to see Obito. "What happened to you?"
"It's nothing. I just fell," Obito muttered.
"Really?" Asuma gave him a skeptical look. "I don't believe that." Obito's injuries clearly didn't look like something caused by a simple fall. But if Obito didn't want to explain, Asuma wasn't going to push. It was probably just from sparring.
"Alright, rest up then. I'm aiming to fully master my Great Flame Technique today!" Asuma said as he jogged over to the center of the training ground to practice his fire style.
"One less wooden target, but no big deal."
Training could be tedious, and before they knew it, the morning had passed. Yuichi Yuuki took off his weights, tossed them aside, and let out a sigh of relief.
"These things are way too heavy!"
"But it's the best way to train," Kurenai said, suddenly appearing beside him, her face slightly flushed as she looked at him shirtless.
Yuichi smiled, understanding her point. "I only took them off to get a break," he said, but a fierce gleam flashed in his eyes as he continued, "From now on, I'll wear these weights all the time!"
He knew he had to push himself. With all the gifts he'd been blessed with—the system, dual bloodlines, a strong body, and the Uchiha's Sharingan—he didn't want to be someone who wasted his potential.
His determination made Kurenai Yuhi and even Might Guy a little taken aback. "Will it affect your life?" Guy asked.
"I'll get used to it," Yuichi replied, taking a deep breath and picking up his weights again. After putting them and his shirt back on, he was about to suggest lunch when Kakashi walked over.
Seeing Kakashi, Might Guy flashed his bright smile and thumbs-up. "Kakashi, we—"
But Kakashi cut him off, saying, "I'm applying for early graduation. Do any of you want to join me?"
Everyone was stunned by his sudden announcement. Yuichi recalled that Kakashi graduated shortly after enrolling, but he didn't understand Kakashi's rush.
"Why do you want to graduate so early?" he asked curiously.
Kakashi clenched his fists. "To get stronger! I want to master the Hatake swordsmanship!"
Kakashi's eyes shone with ambition, even though his expression was hidden behind his mask.
"But… can't you get stronger at the Academy?" Yuichi questioned, puzzled. If strength was his goal, couldn't he train just as effectively here?
Yuichi hadn't even considered the need to graduate early. Look at their group: Obito from the Uchiha clan, Asuma, the Third Hokage's son, Kurenai Yuhi, and Yuichi himself, who were both close to elite mentors, Kakashi, the White Fang's son, and Guy, with his father's mastery of the Eight Gates. Not to mention he himself had Uzumaki Kushina behind him.
With all these resources and mentors, they wouldn't lack for guidance or protection. The only exception might be Obito, who only had his grandmother. But beyond that, their families were famous, skilled ninjas.
Together, they had access to genjutsu, ninjutsu, taijutsu, sealing techniques, and dojutsu. Unless Kakashi wanted field experience or to "see blood" sooner, Yuichi didn't see how graduating early could help.
Kakashi wanted to respond, but he fell silent, realizing that Yuichi had a point. Yuichi then began counting on his fingers.
"Let's look at this logically. Every morning we train here. Even if we each practice our own skills, we can still ask for guidance from our elders. There's no fear of getting lost in our training. Plus, we can request training materials from our families. Sure, we have to go to school in the afternoons, but I use that time to work on chakra control under my desk."
"If you graduate now, you'll start taking missions—whether that's eliminating targets or protecting clients. Even though it won't be missions every day, you'll lose a lot of time."
"And is your future team leader stronger than your father? Would they teach you as openly as he would?"
Hearing this, Kakashi fell silent. He had only thought about becoming a real ninja by graduating, not the many aspects Yuichi mentioned.
And he had to admit, Yuichi was right—his father would teach him far more comprehensively than any team leader might.
"Kakashi! Stay!" Might Guy spoke up, his voice unusually serious. "Graduating early might seem beneficial, but it also means skipping essential ninja knowledge!"
Though Guy often came across as silly, he was well aware of the realities of their world. Right now, the Academy's lessons were foundational. But they would soon learn other critical skills—such as assassination, protection, and dealing with poisons.
Being a ninja wasn't just about fighting and killing. Without mastering these skills, a ninja would be an illiterate in the world of ninjas.
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