“Teacher, I want to apply for graduation this year.
Would that be possible?” Kazama’s voice rang out across the rooftop.
He wasn’t speaking loudly—he had already walked over to the jōnin instructor—but his words instantly silenced everyone around them.
Apply for graduation?
Hadn’t Kazama entered the Ninja Academy only a few months ago, just like the rest of them?
And now he already wanted to graduate this year?
“This…” The jōnin instructor froze for a moment before answering, “You only entered the Ninja Academy this year.
Applying for graduation so soon might not be possible…” “Didn’t you just say that my strength has already reached the level of a genin?” Kazama looked at him, one hand resting on his chin as he frowned thoughtfully.
“There’s still more than half a year before the graduation exam.” “My strength will definitely improve during that time.” “If I spend these next several months learning all the basic knowledge, shouldn’t I be ready to graduate by then?” Kazama briefly explained the general plan he had already made for himself.
When Kakashi heard him, he stopped walking.
He hadn’t expected Kazama to apply for early graduation.
That was exactly what Kakashi himself had been planning to do.
However, Kakashi had intended to wait until the end of the year before submitting his application, then immediately take the graduation exam.
“Well…” The jōnin instructor hesitated.
“I can’t make that decision myself, but I can ask about it for you.” After thinking about it, he felt Kazama’s request wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Kazama’s combat ability had indeed reached genin level.
On top of that, his extraordinary memory allowed him to remember most basic knowledge after hearing it only once.
If Kazama mastered the Academy curriculum early, forcing him to remain there would simply waste his time.
It might actually be better for him to graduate and begin training under a jōnin instructor as soon as possible.
“Thank you, Teacher!” A smile appeared on Kazama’s face.
“I’ll have to trouble you, then.” “It’s nothing.” The instructor shook his head.
When Kakashi heard that the instructor had agreed to ask on Kazama’s behalf, he naturally refused to fall behind.
He immediately stepped forward.
“Teacher, I want to apply to graduate this year too.” The jōnin instructor sighed helplessly.
“Fine.
I’ll ask about both of you.” “But I don’t know whether it’ll be approved, so don’t get your hopes too high.” “Thank you.” Kazama and Kakashi answered at the same time.
The surrounding students looked at the two of them with admiration before gradually leaving.
The spar was already over.
There was nothing else worth watching on the rooftop.
Everyone returned to the training area where they had been practicing kunai throwing.
Kurenai, Shizune, and Rin continued practicing their throws.
However, Kurenai was clearly distracted.
She didn’t even pay attention to Kazama.
Kazama knew exactly why.
His sudden decision to apply for graduation had probably upset her.
He tried coaxing her for quite a while— but nothing worked.
Even after classes ended, Kurenai still went to train with Kazama as usual.
She simply refused to speak to him.
No matter how much Kazama tried to cheer her up, all he received was an annoyed little snort.
Kazama finally gave up.
This obviously wasn’t something he could fix in a day or two.
He still had more than half a year left at the Ninja Academy anyway.
With enough time, Kurenai’s resentment toward him would naturally fade.
“What are you doing here?” While Kazama was teaching Kurenai, Kakashi finally appeared openly instead of secretly watching from a distance.
“Here.” Kakashi tossed all the scrolls he was carrying toward Kazama at once.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Kazama’s hands moved repeatedly, catching every incoming scroll.
Then, using his precise control over strength, he lowered them neatly onto the ground in a perfect stack.
“Not bad, not bad.” Kazama caught the final scroll and sat down.
“Your personality may be questionable, but at least you keep your promises.” A dark line seemed to appear over Kakashi’s forehead.
Was that supposed to be praise or an insult?
After delivering the scrolls, Kakashi didn’t leave.
Instead, he found a spot nearby and began training on his own.
Kazama started checking the ninjutsu Kakashi had brought.
Kurenai was still pretending not to care about him, but curiosity eventually got the better of her.
She quietly walked behind Kazama and leaned forward to peek at the scrolls.
Noticing this, the corner of Kazama’s mouth curved upward.
Little girl, you want to give me the silent treatment?
Give me three days and you’ll be back to normal.
There were six scrolls in total.
Three contained Lightning Release ninjutsu.
One contained a Fire Release technique.
One contained a Wind Release technique.
And the final one contained the technique Kazama wanted most— Shadow Clone Technique.
To Kazama, the Shadow Clone Technique was practically a cheat within a cheat.
Although shadow clones only transferred their accumulated experience back to the original body, that alone was already incredibly valuable.
With this technique, Kazama’s training speed could increase several times over.
Of course, the Shadow Clone Technique had drawbacks.
But Kazama possessed extraordinarily powerful spiritual strength.
And this wasn’t the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
As long as he carefully controlled the number of clones he created, there shouldn’t be any major side effects.
“Shadow Clone Technique!” After reading through the hand seals and activation method, Kazama immediately stood up and tried it.
Thanks to his precise chakra control, he divided his chakra into five portions— and created five shadow clones.
He felt no obvious discomfort.
The five clones immediately picked up the other ninjutsu scrolls from the ground and began studying them.
“This works too?” Kurenai stared at Kazama in surprise.
He was actually using shadow clones to train?
Even Kakashi stopped his own practice and looked over with a strange expression.
Shadow clones could be used like that?
The Shadow Clone Technique was an advanced clone ninjutsu capable of creating physical duplicates.
But no one had ever seriously considered using shadow clones specifically for training.
“Of course it works.” Kazama nodded.
“But ordinary people shouldn’t try it.” “Shadow clones are physical clones.” “When one disappears or is destroyed, everything it experienced—including pain, damage, and training experience—is transferred back to the original body.” “If the accumulated mental burden exceeds what the original can handle…” Kazama paused.
“The person could potentially have their mind overwhelmed.” Kurenai immediately looked worried.
“Then why are you using it?” Kakashi also stared at Kazama, waiting for the answer.
“Because my spiritual strength is extremely powerful.” Kazama spoke with complete confidence.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that even an ordinary jōnin might not have stronger spiritual strength than I do.” “I should be able to handle the training experience from five shadow clones without any problem.” “Your spiritual strength is really that powerful?” Kurenai looked surprised.
Then she suddenly seemed to remember something.
Her cheeks immediately turned red.
Her red eyes narrowed as she stared silently at Kazama.
Kazama suddenly felt uneasy.
“What?” “You…” Kurenai’s face became even redder.
“If your spiritual strength is that powerful…” “Then how could you possibly have been caught by my genjutsu last time?” Her voice grew increasingly embarrassed.
“You did it on purpose!” “I’m not talking to you anymore!” “…” Kazama watched Kurenai turn away and return to her training.
He raised a hand and slapped his forehead.
Damn.
How did I forget about that?
He had just exposed himself completely.