ALL NOVEL Chapter 4: Chapter 4
"What? You want to apply for early graduation?"
Inside the ninja office, Sanjodou Suzuko's roar of disbelief echoed suddenly.
She slammed her fist down on her desk with such force that the table, which had been with her for nearly six months, let out a mournful creak before splintering into several pieces.
"Yes, Teacher Sanjodou. I want to apply for early graduation."
Tetsuya struggled to keep his focus, trying to pull his mind out of the swirl of fantasies stirred up by the sight of Sanjodou's... assets, which moved as she fumed.
Sanjodou Suzuko—terrifying!
She definitely had what it takes to be a superstar!
"No. I won't allow it! Fujiwara Tetsuya, I admit you have the potential to become a full-fledged ninja, but that's years from now, certainly not at this moment."
"Embarking on the path of a ninja is too early for you now."
Of course, these were the words Suzuko chose to say in front of the several ninja instructors gathered in the office.
"Tetsuya! You have no idea what it truly means to walk the ninja path!"
Killing, betrayal, exile... The unknown lurks in every shadow.
"Teacher Sanjodou, I have a reason why I must graduate early!"
"Perhaps you're right! Maybe carrying the weight of a ninja's responsibilities is too much for me right now!"
"But every person is born with the right to choose! Teacher Sanjodou, I want to protect everything I hold dear, no matter how insignificant my strength is! Even if there's just the slightest chance! Even if it means being shattered to pieces! I still want to try!"
"I'm begging you!"
"Tetsuya! Is this your resolve?"
Looking at Tetsuya, who was bowing deeply before her, Sanjodou Suzuko's firm expression began to soften.
She had heard bits and pieces about the plight of the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi clans from Tetsuya during their extra lessons.
The Tatenari clan was a colossal threat to these three clans, and to her as well.
"Very well. I'll grant your request! But before that, you must pass a trial!"
"Thank you, Teacher Sanjodou!"
"Don't thank me just yet!"
"Teacher Yoshida!"
Under Tetsuya's gaze, Sanjodou Suzuko directly pulled another ninja school instructor in front of him.
"Tetsuya! This is Yoshida, a Chunin and the second-year class teacher!"
"If you can last five minutes against Teacher Yoshida, I'll consider you qualified to apply for early graduation. I'll personally explain your situation to Lord Hokage."
"But remember, you only get one chance! If you can't hold out for five minutes, then you'll go back to class and stay in the ninja academy for a few more years."
Facing Suzuko's unwavering gaze, Tetsuya understood that this was her final compromise.
"Teacher Sanjodou, I accept!"
"Teacher Yoshida, I'm in your care!"
Within a mere ten minutes, the news of Tetsuya's request for early graduation had spread throughout the entire ninja academy.
It wasn't unusual for fifth or sixth graders to apply for early graduation, but for a first-year student, especially someone who had only been enrolled for two and a half months, to do so was unheard of in the academy's history.
On the west side of the academy's training grounds—an area typically used by fifth and sixth graders for combat exercises—the setting was detailed and diverse, simulating various terrains.
At this moment, students from all grades, from the first-year little ones to the fifth and sixth graders, had gathered here early after school.
"Hey! Minato, have you ever heard of someone named Fujiwara Tetsuya?"
In the crowded throng, a red-haired girl deftly wrapped her arm around the blond boy beside her, her eyes continuously scanning the surroundings.
These two were none other than the future Fourth Hokage couple, Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato.
"Kushina, you know how much the schoolwork here already gives me a headache. I really don't have time to keep track of anyone else."
After finally managing to escape Kushina's grip, Minato sighed in relief. He quickly straightened his hair and put some distance between himself and her.
When he had registered for the academy, Minato had demonstrated exceptional physical abilities and reflexes. Thanks to a stroke of luck from Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had become one of the few civilian students admitted to the elite class.
"Shikaku, Shisui, have you heard of Fujiwara Tetsuya?"
Nearby, in the area where the third-year students were gathered, Akimichi Choza used his belly to muscle his way through the crowd. He squeezed between two students with spiky hair, munching on snacks from his bag.
"The Fujiwara clan?"
"If I remember correctly, they lived near the Tanaka and Uesugi clans. They had their moment of glory about ten years ago, but they've declined since then."
In Konoha, there aren't many clans considered cornerstones, but there are plenty of smaller, scattered ninja clans. Other than the village's upper echelons, not many people can keep track of them all.
"Look over there!"
Tetsuya hadn't arrived yet, but the students from Konoha's three most prestigious clans had.
The Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga!
At this time, the Second Great Ninja War had yet to begin. Though the Senju clan had lost many powerful members during the First War, their legacy and reputation still held strong.
"I didn't expect those haughty types to show up too!"
Even Nara Shikaku straightened up when he saw the students from the three great clans, whose arrogance seemed etched into their very bones.
These guys weren't just heirs to their ancestors' glory—they were formidable in their own right.
Among them, even the weakest ranked at least mid-tier in their respective grades.
"Quiet down! The teachers are here!"
Behind Sanjodou Suzuko and Yoshida, more than a dozen Chūnin and elite Chunin followed.
Of course, their presence wasn't just due to mild interest in Tetsuya. Many were here out of respect for Sanjodou Suzuko.
Talented, powerful, beautiful, and well-proportioned, Sanjodou Suzuko was one of the most admired teachers in the academy. Since the day she arrived, she hadn't dropped out of the top three in popularity.
"Teacher Yoshida, when Tetsuya gets here, make sure you give that arrogant brat a hard lesson."
"Three minutes—no, one minute should be enough! Let him give up on this foolish idea."
"Don't worry, Teacher Sanjodou! I'll make sure Fujiwara Tetsuya understands reality. He'll know that staying at the ninja academy is his best choice."
Standing beside Sanjodou Suzuko, Yoshida beamed with joy, patting his chest in a show of bravado, despite his awkward posture.
Clearly, he was a man blinded by love.
"Tetsuya!"
In a corner where the civilian students gathered, Uesugi Yusuke and Tanaka Rina looked around anxiously.
They couldn't understand why Fujiwara Tetsuya had applied for early graduation.
Did Uncle Jirō even know about this?
———
"The man of the hour has arrived."
After the arrival of the teachers, the atmosphere in the training ground grew tense.
Under countless watchful eyes, a figure dressed in black, with a small sword on his back, walked slowly toward them.
"Wow! So that's Fujiwara Tetsuya? He's totally my type."
"I didn't expect such a clean-cut guy from a minor clan. I'm in love!"
To make an impression, Tetsuya had taken special care in his appearance. He tied his long hair back with a coarse rope, giving his youthful face a slightly wild look.
He also wore one of the few presentable outfits he could find among the tattered relics left by his clan.
"Teacher Sanjodou! Teacher Yoshida! I'm here!"
Standing tall before the crowd, Tetsuya seemed to exude an overwhelming energy despite his small frame.
"Show-off!"
Seeing Tetsuya's dramatic entrance, Sanjodou Suzuko couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
"Now that you're here, let's get started!"
"Yoshida Kazuo and Fujiwara Tetsuya, step forward and form the seal of confrontation."
"Teacher Yoshida, please guide me!"
As soon as the battle began, Tetsuya drew his small sword and closed the distance, the blade's sharp light sweeping dangerously close to Yoshida Kazuo.
"What a joke! I got worried for nothing! This kid is just swinging wildly with brute force."
As if to confirm Suzuko's prediction, Yoshida skillfully dodged Tetsuya's attacks, finding an opening to knock the small sword from Tetsuya's hand. With a swift kick, he sent Tetsuya flying several meters back.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, small swords are too dangerous for someone your age! Surrender now, and return to the academy for a few more years of proper study."
"Don't worry! No one will laugh at you! Just your courage today is enough to earn our respect."
Seeing Tetsuya stagger to his feet, Yoshida picked up the small sword and tossed it into the bushes some distance away.
"Teacher Yoshida! Thank you for your advice! But giving up is not in my ninja way!"
"I told you, even if I end up battered and bloody, I'll still try!"
Clutching his side where Yoshida's kick had landed, Tetsuya couldn't help but grimace.
Even though Yoshida had held back, that kick had certainly hit him hard.
Kenjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu—his current level in these arts was barely above that of a beginner.
The clumsy performance he had put on was just to lower Yoshida's guard.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon