Chapter 68 – When the Elders Are Giving You a Lecture, Just Say Yes
"…You're not seriously thinking about graduating early, are you?"
Hinata had been oddly quiet the whole walk home.
Ryosuke didn't even need to guess. One look at that innocent face of hers and he already knew what was on her mind.
"I… um…"
She lifted her head, clearly trying to hide something, but under Ryosuke's gaze, her resolve cracked. She let out a small, awkward laugh.
"Don't even think about it," Ryosuke cut in bluntly. "It's not happening."
He'd been ready to scold her, but that goofy smile softened his tone a bit.
"You applied for an individual graduation assessment, didn't you? That's completely different from the group graduation the school organizes. And let's be real—your father would never approve it. Just drop it."
"…Oh."
Hinata puffed up her cheeks in frustration, muttering under her breath like a pouting child. She clearly wasn't thrilled, but the disappointment didn't last long. A few moments later, she was back to her cheerful self, skipping along the path as if nothing had happened.
It had only been a passing thought, after all. Deep down, she knew she wasn't ready—not when compared to someone like Sasuke or Naruto.
Ryosuke shook his head with a helpless smile. Still, Hinata's comment got him thinking… He finally understood why Naruto failed the graduation test twice in the original timeline.
There were two ways to graduate from the Ninja Academy. The first was the standard group graduation. Teachers assessed whether most students in a particular batch were ready to move forward, and if so, they organized a group assessment. This method didn't differentiate between elite and regular classes, so it usually took longer—typically around age ten to twelve. The test itself was basic: some written theory and the Three Body Techniques.
But Konoha, as the pioneer in formal ninja education, couldn't rely solely on such a slow and inefficient system. Group graduation was mostly for average students.
The second option was self-initiated graduation—a much harder test, tailored for geniuses.
In this exam, the village assigned actual Genin as opponents in a live combat trial. Regardless of whether the applicant won or lost, their performance would be graded by Jonin-level examiners. Those who passed would graduate immediately.
Only truly gifted prodigies chose this path.
Like Hatake Kakashi—who entered the Academy at five, graduated that same year, and made Chunin at six. Or Uchiha Itachi—who entered at six and graduated at seven. Both were prodigies in every sense.
So, it made perfect sense that Naruto—craving recognition—would've tried to graduate early. And it also made sense why he failed twice.
Still… that was the old Naruto.
The Naruto in this timeline? He was different. Stronger. More mature. As long as the Third Hokage didn't mess with him by throwing in some Jonin-level opponent wearing a Genin headband, Ryosuke was confident Naruto would pass.
Click.
Hinata suddenly stopped in her tracks, snapping Ryosuke out of his thoughts.
He turned to look at her, confused.
She was trying hard to hide a grin, putting on a "cool" face like nothing had happened.
"Master Ryosuke. Miss Hinata."
A voice called out from up ahead.
Looking toward the Hyuga Clan's gate, Ryosuke spotted a familiar figure waiting for them.
"Got promoted, huh?"
As they walked closer, Ryosuke glanced at his new forehead protector and the gear he wore, now clearly marked for a higher rank.
"Congrats," he said with a chuckle.
Standing before them was Hyuga Hoshicai, who had taken on a Jonin assessment mission outside the village a while ago.
Both Hoshicai and Souji had long possessed Jonin-level skill and character. They had field experience, maturity, and strength. It was only a matter of time before they were officially promoted.
"Thank you, Master Ryosuke," Hoshicai said politely, handing him a scroll. "Here's the report you asked for. I documented everything while I was out on assignment."
"Much appreciated."
Ryosuke took the scroll but didn't open it yet.
"What are your plans moving forward?" he asked casually. "Still planning to guard Hinata and me?"
"Of course!"
He nodded enthusiastically.
Ryosuke smiled. "Good. I might need to trouble you with a few more tasks soon."
"I'll be at your service."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"But… what about Souji?" he asked a moment later. "Don't tell me he failed the promotion exam?"
"No, he completed his mission a while back. He's just taken a new assignment—guardian ninja in Daimyo."
"…I see."
"Come on. Let's go home."
---
That night, after dinner, Ryosuke stood outside the study room, hesitant.
Eventually, he gathered himself and stepped in.
Under the soft, flickering light of the desk lamp, Hiashi sat at the table, reading a document. He looked up, sensing something was off.
"Father, I need your help finding a few people."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for Ryosuke to continue.
"These names—" Ryosuke handed him the scroll, "—I marked the ones with medical ninjutsu experience. And… they're all loyal to the clan."
"Medical ninjutsu?" Hiashi's expression tightened. "Something wrong with your body? Is it… the Byakugan?"
Ryosuke quickly shook his head. "No, not me. It's—well…"
He scratched his head, feeling awkward under his father's intense gaze.
Honestly, he hadn't told Hiashi about this earlier because he didn't want to get grounded. But now, with the weight of it still fresh on his chest, he realized the real reason: he didn't want to see that look of disappointment.
Still, Ryosuke told him everything—what happened on the way back from Fire Nation, the mission, the ambush, the Uchiha.
Bang!
As expected, the moment he finished, Hiashi's palm slammed onto the desk, splitting it in half.
Scrolls and papers scattered everywhere.
The desk lamp toppled to the ground, the light snuffed out instantly.
Darkness filled the room.
But with Byakugan, they could still see each other clearly—even in pitch black.
"Nonsense!" Hiashi barked.
His voice trembled with anger. "I sent you out to gain experience, not to put your life on the line!"
"I was wondering why you took so long to get back from there. So this is why? Playing hero? Gambling with your life?"
"…I had everything planned," Ryosuke mumbled, trying to keep his voice steady.
"You? What kind of plan could you possibly have? What if those attackers weren't one Jonin and two Chunin? What if they were three Jonin? Could you handle that?"
"…Then we'd retreat. We scouted from the cliffs for a reason—I'm not stupid enough to fight a losing battle."
"And what if they spotted you first? You wouldn't even have time to react!"
"We took precautions. We rotated Byakugan use to keep constant watch. We moved cautiously. The second anything felt off, we would've pulled out."
"You—! You stubborn—!"
Hiashi was so angry his fists were shaking.
"Do you even understand how dangerous that was?!"
"I do. That's why we had backup plans. We had evacuation routes mapped out, fallback points in place. I never intended to fight to the death—I just wanted to learn."
Boom!
Hiashi lashed out with a powerful kick, sending the broken lamp crashing into the wall where it shattered into pieces.
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