Damn, Why Didn't I Think of That?

"Teacher, teacher, I heard you went to take the promotion exam today, how did it go?"

"Yeah, what's the situation?"

"What's there to ask, with Teacher taking the exam, you must have passed for sure."

"..."

When Kyōichi returned home, he saw several kids already waiting at the door.

The one at the front was Obito.

This kid was simple-minded, always rushing ahead and often taking the fall. But he definitely wasn't the one who stirred this up.

Kyōichi's eyes scanned over them, finally settling on the girl at the back.

Yūhi Kurenai!

Her father was the host of the first and second stages.

"Kurenai, you were the one who leaked it right?"

"Teacher, I just...accidentally let it slip."

Kurenai fidgeted with her sleeves.

Accidentally?

Yeah right.

But they were just kids with good intentions.

Kyōichi smiled and didn't mind, opening the door and saying, "Come on in."

Quite a few students had come.

Obito, Shisui, Asuma, Kurenai, even Maito Gai who had already graduated, hanging out with them again, likely coincidentally.

However.

There was one he didn't know if it was a coincidence.

Kyōichi glanced at a certain spot above and behind him, and said, "Won't the one on the roof come down and sit?"

"Who?"

Obito curiously looked up.

Then.

He saw a silver-haired boy wearing a mask.

Huh?

"Kakashi! Hmph, sneaking around, you must be pissed that Teacher got promoted to jōnin right?"

Obito mocked.

Kakashi was speechless.

Angry?

No need.

He wasn't petty to that extent.

Kamida Kyōichi was so powerful, it was normal for him to get promoted to jōnin. If he had failed, Kakashi would have found it strange instead.

He was just curious.

Just how strong was Kyōichi really?

Additionally, he was pondering over what Kyōichi had said to him previously.

"Congratulations."

Kakashi blurted out.

Then, he left.

"What a weird guy!"

Obito scoffed.

He was acquainted with Kakashi, and they really didn't get along. He'd feel uncomfortable if they didn't argue when they met.

"Alright, Kakashi became a chūnin at 6, you guys are all graduating this year, work hard and get promoted as soon as possible, that's the right path."

Kyōichi waved his hand, stopping the meaningless spat.

After all, Kakashi had left already, there was no point in Obito trash talking behind his back when he wouldn't even know.

Hearing this, they all nodded.

Indeed.

Kakashi had graduated at 5, promoted at 6, shocking the entire village at the time. They couldn't compare at all.

Better think about themselves.

However.

The next moment, they looked at Uchiha Shisui in shock.

"Shisui, you're graduating too? Don't tell me..."

Asuma was very surprised.

Shisui was a genius of the Uchiha clan, and had always been quite famous. During the joint classes previously, Shisui was ahead of them old students in many aspects.

This was common knowledge.

But he was only 5 years old.

Graduating this year meant catching up to Kakashi.

Could it be.

The Uchiha side forced Shisui to graduate for the sake of their reputation?

Asuma had a lot on his mind, and quickly thought of this possibility.

"Mm."

Shisui lightly nodded.

The atmosphere turned silent for a moment. After pondering for a bit, Kurenai asked again, "So are you going to the military police, or forming a team with us?"

Normally after graduating, students would be placed into teams to take on missions.

But the major clans were different.

Like the Hyūga clan, their kids didn't even attend the Academy, only the discarded ones would come to school.

The Uchiha were similar yet different.

They still went to the Academy, but after graduating, most went to their own military police force, rarely forming teams with others to take on missions.

This was common knowledge.

Kyōichi also looked at him.

He knew Shisui's thoughts, but didn't know if Uchiha Fugaku would agree.

"I wish to become Teacher's disciple, I wonder if the village will allow it."

Shisui scratched his head and said.

Everyone was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then soon realized Kyōichi had become a jōnin.

The village might really agree.

"Teacher hasn't even taken the exam yet, and you've already gone to the clan head to apply?"

Damn!

After recovering from the shock, Obito understood what Shisui had done.

Apply in advance.

The letter of intent regarding Shisui was probably already on the Third Hokage's desk.

Impressive!

Damn it.

Why didn't I think of that?

The others had similar thoughts.

"Teacher, I also want to..."

"All jōnin are very powerful, you can learn a lot from any of them, don't worry too much."

Kyōichi comforted them.

Other than Rin they were all from ninja clans, what did they have to fear?

Especially Asuma.

The Third's son, what was there to fear about not finding a good jōnin?

However.

In the original work, there didn't seem to be any mention of Asuma's teacher, and Asuma's promotion to chūnin was also relatively slow, so the teacher he found after graduating might have been quite mediocre.

Asuma's eyes glinted as he bowed and said, "Teacher, I just remembered something urgent, I'll come see you next time."

"Go on."

Everyone could guess Asuma's reason for leaving.

Naturally it was because of the limited spots under Teacher.

The few others were undoubtedly also moved, but firstly they didn't have any connections, secondly...

There was only one spot left under Kyōichi.

Who would grab it first?

How ungraceful.

Might as well leave it to chance.

Thinking of this, they all relaxed.

With the promotion to jōnin, Kyōichi's temporary teaching duty had ended.

No one would keep a jōnin rotting away at the Academy.

Moreover.

The Academy had already reorganized the grades, teachers had returned to their posts, there was no need for a jōnin to come teach. So he basically had no more classes.

Of course.

Even if he did go teach, there wouldn't be much to gain.

The batch of students at the Academy had already learned what they could.

Those who couldn't improve much more with a few more lessons, just a bit of increased proficiency. It'd be better to put more effort into Maito Gai, Shisui, Asuma and the rest.

There was a lot to gain from them.

Especially Asuma, after all he would become one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, an elite jōnin. Squeeze him a bit more, there was definitely a lot of oil to extract.

"Teacher, can we still come find you if we have any questions in the future?"

Rin felt somewhat down.

She somehow felt they were still students, but in the blink of an eye they'd be split into teams.

"Of course, any questions just come find me."

...

Hokage's Office.

After handing out the certification to the four, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his office to continue working. But not long after, an Anbu handed him an envelope.

"What is this?"

"It's from the Uchiha clan."

Uchiha Fugaku?

The Third's brows furrowed slightly as he took the envelope from the Anbu and opened it to read carefully.

Soon after.

His brows relaxed somewhat, and he put the papers down, myriad thoughts in his mind.

Shisui wants to become Kamida Kyōichi's disciple...

It's not impossible.

After all, Kamida Kyōichi is of the Senju lineage. Using Tsunade as a link in the future would definitely be able to tie the boy to the Hokage's side, no need to worry too much.

If Shisui became Kyōichi's disciple, he might be pulled into this faction afterwards and dismantle the Uchiha from within.

In that case...

For the Uchiha, there might be another possibility.

The Second Hokage started the complicated relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha.

However.

At least Tobirama had a complete segregation plan. On this end as the Third, he wanted to do so but lacked the power, couldn't find any breakthrough for segregation, and could only continue the suppression.

Shisui, Obito.

The opportunity was here!

Thinking of this, he didn't hesitate further, directly signing off on Fugaku's request.

However.

The next moment, there was a knock on the door.

Sensing who was outside, the Third's just relaxed brows tightened again.

Asuma?

What does this rebellious brat want now!

Just thinking of Asuma gave him a headache.

But he couldn't ignore him.

"Enter."

"Father."

Entering the room, Asuma uncharacteristically addressed him formally like at home, an awkward and hesitant look on his face. After a while, he spoke, "Can I join Teacher Kyōichi's team?"

"Hm?"

The Third looked up at him.

Kamida Kyōichi again.

Shisui wants to join his team, now his own son is also requesting to join. How long has he even taught!

Such sway?

"Why do you want to join his team?"

"Because Teacher is very kind, very strong, and has ideas. I feel I can learn a lot from him."

Asuma deeply bowed as he spoke.

From young until now, he had rarely asked the Third for anything.

Seeing this, the Third silently pondered for a long time, then nodded and said, "Kyōichi is suitable for leading Shisui, but may not be suitable for you. But if this is your own choice, I will respect your opinion."

"Thank you Father!"