"Wow... Chiya-kun, you're really amazing..."
Seeing that Chiya managed to master the Three Basic Jutsu on his first day, Uchiha Izumi was astonished, unable to stop praising him.
"Shh..." Chiya quickly covered Uchiha Izumi's small mouth, making a gesture to keep quiet, "Please keep this a secret, I don't want anyone to know."
Having her mouth covered, Izumi's face turned completely red as she nodded, "I-I can, but why don't you want others to know, Chiya-kun? With your talent, you could become as popular as Itachi-kun." The last part she only said in her heart.
"Because if too many people notice, I won't be able to mooch lunch from you in the future." Fujiwara Chiya casually made up an excuse.
"T-that's why..." The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it differently. Hearing this, Izumi's face turned even redder, her blush spreading to her neck. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "My family does have a lot of ninjutsu, but most are forbidden to pass to outsiders. If I give them to you, I'm afraid my clan will cause you trouble."
After hesitating briefly, she suggested, "How about this... I'll give you Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Body Flicker Jutsu. These are more common ninjutsu in Konoha, so even if my clan finds out, they won't say much."
"Thank you so much." Chiya was extremely grateful, excitedly grabbing Uchiha Izumi's hands. These were precisely the jutsu he needed the most right now.
Especially the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which could create physical clones capable of independent thought and action. After the clone was dispelled, all the experience and memory would return to the original body.
This was practically a cheat-level technique.
The Body Flicker Jutsu was also crucial. If combined with his Tiangang Jue technique, he could potentially become the second strongest Taijutsu user in the ninja world. The first, of course, was the future Might Guy, whose Eight Gates Released Formation was unmatched.
---
In peacetime, the Ninja Academy mainly focused on training students to become qualified Genin, while also teaching basic life knowledge.
The morning session was primarily about refining chakra and demonstrating the Three Basic Jutsu to spark the students' learning interest.
The afternoon was when the formal lessons began.
Although there were many elite clan members in the class, the first lesson still started with the basics of chakra refining.
As evening approached, the first day of class ended.
The next day, Chiya received the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Body Flicker Jutsu from Uchiha Izumi. After reviewing the first-year curriculum, he realized it mainly focused on trap-making, infiltration, and basic ninja knowledge with little actual combat training.
With that, he decided to use his Shadow Clone to attend school while his main body focused on training in a secluded forest.
Coincidentally, Uchiha Itachi also stopped attending classes from the second day, using Shadow Clones instead.
Though Chiya disliked Itachi's character, he couldn't deny his genius. Anything Itachi learned, he mastered instantly and often surpassed his instructors.
"If I didn't know the plot, I'd think he was a reincarnator like me." Chiya mocked in his heart.
---
A year later.
At the Konoha Hokage Office.
The Konoha F4, consisting of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane, gathered to discuss the progress of the students. Presenting the report was the Chunin instructor responsible for Chiya and Itachi's class.
As expected, the conversation quickly turned to Itachi.
During a minor conflict with senior students, Itachi unintentionally exposed his Shadow Clone Jutsu, confirming his status as a genius.
The Chunin instructor respectfully reported, "Uchiha Itachi has already mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu and surpassed most of the six-year curriculum. Keeping him in the academy has no meaning."
Danzo's single exposed eye showed complex emotions — jealousy, greed, and killing intent — as he harbored a deep obsession with the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
Hiruzen hesitated, "But he's only in his first year…"
Danzo coldly retorted, "So what? This isn't without precedent."
"That was during the war…" Hiruzen tried to argue, but Danzo interrupted again, "And what's the harm in early graduation during peacetime if he's capable?"
Under pressure and the instructor's recommendation, Hiruzen finally relented, "Fine... let him graduate early."
The instructor then reported on other notable students, including Fujiwara Chiya.
"Fujiwara Chiya, the son of Special Jonin Fujiwara. Among the commoners, he stands out, second only to Itachi. While not as exceptional, with proper training, he has great potential."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered, "Fujiwara's child, huh… I see…"
However, Danzo and the others barely paid any attention, disregarding Chiya as an insignificant talent from a civilian background.
And Chiya? That was precisely what he wanted — to stay off their radar until he was strong enough.