Chapter 127 - 27

Chapter 27: Ninja Academy Early Graduation Assessment!"Hmm!"Naruto pulled back his fist, looking at his results, his eyes sparkling with excitement."When I was training, I thought: since Chakra can be attached to a Kunai and used to release Ninjutsu...couldn't it be used more directly on my fist, making it faster, heavier, and more powerful?So I kept throwing punches, feeling the flow of Chakra, and tried many, many times…Finally, one day, I discovered that when the punch and the Chakra burst overlap perfectly at an extremely brief moment, it will…"He pointed to the trench, "It will produce this kind of black lightning and explosive effect!I call it — 'Black Flash'!"Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.So that's how it's performed?Is… is this right?He asked Naruto to demonstrate it a few more times, even stepping forward to sense the fluctuations and circulation path of the Chakrainside Naruto at close range, trying it over and over, refusing to believe it…In the end, he had to accept this seemingly absurd but undeniable fact before his eyes:Perhaps this child, due to the immense Chakra and vitality inherent to the Uzumaki clan, or perhaps due to the uniqueness of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, or perhaps...he really is gifted to the point of transcending common sense!The punch he threw, after layering on the Tailed Beast Chakra, actually produced a certain "Ninjutsu" effect!It's just the kid having brute strength! To insist this is a Ninjutsu technique…Regardless, this is a good thing!A Jinchuriki who can communicate with the Nine-Tailed, can even guide out such uniquely natured Tailed Beast Chakra, and possesses astonishing combat intuition and creativity!The fire of hope for a perfect Jinchuriki had never burned as fiercely in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart as it did at this moment.The problem of the Nine-Tailed had plagued Konoha for decades; it was the strongest Tailed Beast, and also the most unruly and the one with the deepest grudge against Konoha!Shodai(1st)-sama suppressed it with his own martial might, and Mito-sama relied on Uzumakisealing techniques to forcibly constrain it, but true "control" and "cooperation" remained out of reach…But now, hope rested on this golden-haired boy before him!Looking at Naruto's face, which was extremely similar to the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze's but even more fiery and flamboyant, an indescribable sense of relief welled up in his heart, along with a hidden trace of guilt.He is truly the son of Minato and Kushina…[Hiruzen Sarutobi Favorability: Increased to 70]"Grandpa!"Naruto seized the opportunity, stepped forward, his eyes burning, "I don't want to stay in the Ninja Academy anymore! I want to graduate early, become a real Ninja, go on missions, and hone myself!"Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and exhaled slowly, "Oh? Why? Naruto, the Ninja Academy is a place to build a foundation. Carrying out missions… is very hard. You will bleed, get hurt, and perhaps even…""I'm not afraid!"Naruto said decisively.He suddenly raised his arm, pointing toward the statues of the past Hokage on the Hokage Rock in the distance, especially the familiar yet strange silhouette of the Fourth."Because my goal is to become Hokage!A Hokage who is recognized by everyone!If I don't even have the courage to walk out of the Village and face danger, if I don't even know what a real Ninja is like, how can I protect everyone, and how can I earn recognition?!"Grandpa Sandaime, let me go!"Under the sunlight, the boy's firm figure seemed to overlap with the statues on the Hokage Rock.Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the unquestionable flame in his eyes, then recalled that stunning and destructive blow from earlier, as well as those few Anbu who had just crawled out of the dirt and rocks, covered in dust…Indeed, with the strength Naruto had displayed now…It was at least Chunin level or even higher…Staying in the Academy any longer would not only be a waste of time, but might also cause other problems because his power could not be channeled properly…His progress was too fast; he needed a broader world, and he also needed proper guidance and… constraints!Become Hokage, huh…[Hiruzen Sarutobi Current Favorability: 70 → 74]Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, having made his decision."You go back and rest first, Naruto. I will arrange things regarding your graduation…""However, you need to pass a special assessment to prove that you possess the mindset and ability to become a Ninja and handle missions independently!I will personally select examiners for you. If you can earn their recognition, you can graduate early, form a squad, and carry out missions!""If you don't pass…"He paused, "It means you still need more learning and settling down, so you will continue to learn with them."Naruto was overjoyed, knowing he had successfully moved Sandaime and had a chance to graduate from the Ninja Academy.Several days later, Underground Special Training Ground VI.This was a huge circular space buried deep beneath Konoha, with walls constructed of sturdy rock mixed with special metal, carved with sealing runes to strengthen defenses and isolate Chakrafluctuations.The dome was high and wide, with several observation windows embedded high up, where figures could be vaguely seen behind them.Led by a silent Anbu, Naruto stepped into the center of the arena.The floor beneath his feet was hard stone, polished to a slight sheen, and the air had a faint smell of metal and dust, as well as the chill of being hidden from sunlight for years.In the center of the field, two people were already standing there waiting—One of them, wearing an all-green bodysuit, thick eyebrows, and a bowl cut, was waving vigorously at Naruto, his smile so bright it seemed to dispel the gloom of the underground:"Yo! Naruto! Long time no see! Are you ready for a blood-boiling, youthful duel!!!"Naruto's eye twitched slightly, but he still waved back politely.The other person stood there lazily, with messy silver-white hair, most of his face covered by a mask and a headband worn at an angle, revealing only one half-lidded, seemingly eternally sleepy black eye.He wore a standard Konoha Jonin flak jacket, and his whole body exuded a lazy aura of "what a drag."However, when Naruto walked closer and the golden hair and azure eyes came clearly into view, that half-lidded eye widened slightly for a moment.The lazy aura receded like a tide, replaced by an indescribable and complex emotion—shock, nostalgia, bitterness, realization…His body straightened subconsciously, his gaze locked tightly on Naruto, as if trying to identify certain shadows buried in the dust of time through this young face.So alike…Teacher… and Teacher's wife…No, not exactly the same!Teacher was the warm, gentle sunlight that could soothe people's hearts; Teacher's wife was the fiery, bright, and vibrant flame—but this child...is more like the scorching sun at noon, his light dazzling and eye-catching, carrying a domineering and sharp aura like a magnificent sun!