Nozawa Itsuki had only just landed and was still under the effects of Earth Release: Hardening Technique.
Just as he thought Muzan’s assault had ended, a sharp whistling filled his ears.
It was the sound of the wind…
A fierce gale roared across the arena.
Standing in its path, Itsuki suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.
His already unstable footing gave way, forcing him to his knees.
But things only got worse.
His hardening technique couldn’t withstand the force of Muzan’s Gale Palm.
The moment Muzan closed the distance, the outcome of the battle had already been decided.
“Sorry…
you’re just not hard enough.” “What?!
Too late!” The raging wind mixed with dust slammed into Itsuki.
He suddenly felt his feet leave the ground.
By the time he realized what had happened, he was suspended in midair.
Muzan leapt after him and drove a brutal kick straight into his abdomen.
Bang!
Dust exploded into the air, blocking out the sunlight.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on the battlefield.
Even Kaizen instantly appeared beside them, only to find the black-cloaked Muzan standing there with complete composure.
Muzan landed lightly and looked down at Itsuki, who had already lost consciousness and was lying in a miserable heap.
Only then did he stop attacking.
“Looks like you’ll have to make another trip to the hospital.” He casually applied medical chakra to treat the man’s injuries.
They weren’t severe—some rest would be enough.
As for the match…
Muzan turned toward the stunned Kaizen.
“I won, Kaizen-sensei.” It wasn’t just Kaizen who was shocked.
The entire audience fell silent.
Even the Third Hokage, watching through his crystal ball, wore a look of disbelief.
What had they just witnessed?
The battle had lasted…
Barely two minutes.
Kakashi’s match had been spectacular, but ultimately it was a strategic victory, a textbook shinobi battle won through tactics.
Muzan’s fight was something else entirely.
From the moment an elite genin stepped into the arena, he’d been completely overwhelmed by raw power.
Whether it was taijutsu or ninjutsu, Muzan had dominated every exchange.
If only his combat experience had been a little greater…
The battle would’ve ended even faster.
“What a headache…” The Third Hokage sighed.
“I don’t even know which shinobi in the village is suitable to teach Muzan.” Only after a long moment did the spectators finally recover from their shock.
Muzan had crushed his opponent and achieved a flawless victory in the graduation exam.
“Did…
did he really win?
I just watched a five- or six-year-old kid completely overpower a genin head-on!” “I thought Kakashi was already terrifying enough.
I didn’t expect his older brother to be even scarier!” “As expected of someone trained at our hospital!
He’ll definitely become another Tsunade-sama one day!” When Aoyama Seiten heard that Muzan was taking the early graduation exam, he’d brought a group from the hospital to cheer him on.
Truthfully, they had also come prepared to comfort him afterward.
None of them believed Muzan could survive ten minutes against a genin.
Instead…
He’d given the hospital a tremendous boost in prestige.
“What do you mean ‘our hospital’?
He’s obviously from the shinobi Academy!
This is a fight, not surgery!
What’s it got to do with your hospital?” “Bastard!
He’s one of ours!” After dispersing the dust, Kaizen looked at the unconscious Itsuki lying on the ground before turning to Muzan with a complicated expression.
Finally, he announced the result.
“Muzan has successfully graduated early.
Congratulations, you are now officially a genin.” Only Kakashi looked completely dejected.
His plan to show off had died before it even began.
Still, as family, he was genuinely happy to see Muzan growing stronger.
The Hatake clan had never produced weaklings.
“You jerk…
why did you graduate early too?” Muzan ruffled Kakashi’s white hair.
Looking at his stubborn little brother, he knew this had been somewhat unfair.
But Konoha was no longer safe.
Their father had already left on missions, and Kakashi’s situation wasn’t the same as his own.
Muzan had already demonstrated extraordinary talent as a medical shinobi.
Behind Director Harano stood Tsunade-sama and the entire Medical Corps.
People shouldn’t underestimate Tsunade simply because she suffered from hemophobia.
Within Konoha, her status was second only to the Hokage himself.
As a medical shinobi, very few people would dare target Muzan.
The title of “genius medical shinobi” would inevitably reach Tsunade’s ears, tying him to the Hokage’s faction.
Kakashi, however, was different.
He was a pure combat prodigy.
Konoha valued talented shinobi, yes—but more importantly, it nurtured talented shinobi who belonged to its own political faction.
Until Kakashi became part of the Hokage’s faction, he would always remain a potential target.
Wasn’t the most famous example Uchiha Shisui?
Even after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, and despite clearly leaning toward the Hokage’s faction, he still ultimately died at Danzo’s hands.
“Listen to yourself,” Muzan said with a grin.
“Why shouldn’t I graduate early?” Kakashi slapped his hand away and angrily shoved his forehead against Muzan’s.
Fortunately, Obito and Rin hurried over and pulled Kakashi back.
“Don’t stop me!
I’m going to fight him!” “Calm down, Kakashi!
You’ll just get beaten up again!
Besides, ‘Bookworm Muzan’ isn’t his nickname anymore.
Everyone’s calling him Konoha’s Hammer King now.” “Kakashi, stop it.” The two of them simply weren’t on the same level anymore.
After becoming a genin, Muzan had no intention of rushing off to complete missions for merit.
His priority was continuing his research into cellular regeneration.
As for Kakashi…
Once their classmates had dispersed, Muzan rested a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.
“What is it, Nii-san?” When Kakashi turned around, the smile had vanished from Muzan’s face.
He immediately realized what came next would be important.
“Once you become a genin, you’ll be assigned a jonin instructor.
Given your talent, you have two choices.” He raised one finger.
“First, train under one of Father’s subordinates.” Then a second.
“Second, join the Hokage’s faction.” “What do you think I should choose?” Kakashi still didn’t understand how important political affiliations were.
In fact, that choice would ultimately influence the chain of events leading to Sakumo’s death.
Whenever something required careful thinking, Kakashi instinctively turned to his older brother.
“Join the Hokage’s faction.” “The Third Hokage will probably use this opportunity to bring Father over as well.” Just as Muzan predicted, the Third Hokage was currently struggling to find instructors for both brothers.
Considering Kakashi’s extraordinary talent, bringing him into the Hokage’s faction was practically mandatory.
As for his instructor…
The Third already had someone in mind.
But Muzan…
Muzan was a much more troublesome case.
Based on Kaizen’s reports, his medical talent was astonishing, while his combat strength was equally impressive.
Only one person in Konoha truly fit the role.
The problem was…
Her personality.
“I’ll let Muzan meet her first.” “He’s Sakumo’s son, after all.
She probably won’t make things too difficult for him.” Whether she would go easy on him remained to be seen.
The moment Muzan stepped into Konoha Hospital, a crowd of doctors and patients immediately swarmed toward him.
Everyone wanted a glimpse of the young prodigy.
Up until now, Muzan’s public image had been that of a diligent, studious boy who devoted everything he learned to saving lives.
Combined with a few people deliberately fueling the rumors…
It was only natural that everyone had begun associating Muzan with Tsunade herself.