Chapter 9: Graduation
"98, 99, 100" Shin counted as he did one handed push ups as he pushed himself off the ground and switched hands after every push up. It was his daily routine before heading to the academy. His routine included 100 pushups, 100 sit ups, 100 squats and a 10 km run. Yes it was the legendary workout that he completed every single day and the real reason why he was growing so fast. Pineapple too was a part of this routine, running alongside him and sitting on his back as he did his pushups, on his shoulders as he did squats and on his knees as he did sit ups, making her an essential part of the morning routine.
After finishing up, Shin and Pineapple took a small bath which mostly consisted of Shin trying to get Pineapple into the bathtub. After the bath came breakfast with his mother. "Today is your final day for the exam right?" Ryouka said with a smile, "Yuip, mid-year exams." Shin nodded. "Well good luck, I'm sure you'll do well especially since Haruki sensei has been giving you and Atsuki evening lessons. Though I wonder why, you didn't need any before." she wondered. "It's not a big deal, he helps out a lot of the students with evening lessons." Shin replied before starting to eat faster. Ryouka saw and with an apprehensive but kind look said "Shin… you know you don't have to push yourself too hard right? Many civilian kids fail the final exam. You are still young and if you just graduate and don't become a ninja, you can still become a merchant and take care of your fathers shop if you want." Shin looked at his mother in confusion before nodding, "I know mother, but there is no need. Besides, uncle Ibuki is doing a great job." Shin quickly stuffed his mouth and left, "See you later mom!" "Alright, good luck Shin!" she cried out as Shin ran out the door.
After Shin left the house he walked towards the academy with Pineapple resting on his shoulders, "What do you think that was about Pineapple?" he inquired the cat, "Meow ?_?" "Well no matter, It's going to be my last day at the academy anyways. I was surprised when Haruki sensei offered to help me and Atsuki to prepare for the early graduation but I'm not one to say no to free help, especially when it helps so much." 'Status'
[Name: The Overlord of Chaos (Shin Hirano)
Level: 20
Title: Civilian of Konoha
Age: 6
Stats:
Strength: 15
Vitality: 13
Agility: 19
Sense: 22
Chakra: 30
Control: 25]
When Shin and Atsuki had expressed their interest in early graduation to Haruki sensei sometime during the start of September, he was surprisingly supportive and even offered to help them train 3 days a week. Shin and Atsuki were both surprised but accepted immediately. When Haruki saw their improvement he doubled down on his efforts, even going as far as to get them light weights for training and sparring with them himself instead of simply instructing. Before this, Shin wanted to wait and complete this year before he applied for the early graduation alongside 2nd year finals but the concentrated training had allowed him to accelerate the plan by half a year. "Guess I'll surprise my mother on new year, hehe." Shin expectantly looked forward to his birthday.
After arriving at the Academy, Shin met u with Atsuki who was very excitable and didn't even bother to hide his smirk whenever he saw his classmates, much to their ire, especially Yukia Uchiha who had tried to get early graduation too when the news leaked but she failed to get recommendations from all the teachers which was essentially a prerequisite otherwise it would take a direct order from the Hokage himself to overturn the teachers' decision. She had been gnashing her teeth every time she saw the duo but there was nothing she could do.
The final exam was, as always, math but unlike his classmates, Shin and Atsuki were seated with the graduating class and given the same exam which caused a huge headache for Atsuki and even Shin had to put in some effort, 'Who puts trigonometry in a 11 years exam?' Luckily for Atsuki, the point requirement for the two of them were reduced to just 35 out of a total 100. Shin however was still able to solve every question easily and finish early, the rest of the time he spent playing with Pineapple, squishing her soft paws and scratching her chin to make her purr, much to the distraction of the other examinees.
Pineapple herself was fully grown now and able to leap across trees effortlessly, in fact she was faster than Shin. The bit of stone that she got from the ferret was broken into two with one half returned to the ferret because killing a harmless animal was not how Shin wanted to gain strength especially since he had his eyes on the real thing which wasn't even on this continent right now and by the time it was, Shin would be far better equipped to snatch it from the homicidal monocle. Pineapple seems to be adapting to the energy from the stone according to the system, speaking of, Shin had found another use for the system; it could differentiate between different chakra signatures which meant that Shin would be able to use any chakra remnant to know who had used their chakra. It was a nifty trick that was useless to him right now, but had the side effect that he had to know the chakra signature beforehand.
After the exam was over, Shin and Atsuki were ushered along with the graduating class and made to go through an obstacle course and later on brought into a classroom where they had to demonstrate their skill with a randomly chosen jutsu from the 3 basic ones taught at the academy. Shin and Atsuki were brought in last and were both ushered in together. When the duo entered they saw Haruki sensei among the examiners, sitting in the middle he smiled at them. Atsuki was told to demonstrate the Transformation jutsu while Shin was told to use the clone jutsu, 'It's because I already showed him the transformation already isn't it.' Shin mused.
The teachers discussed among themselves before Haruki sensei smiled as he spoke up, "Well done you two, now there is just one last thing to do before your exam is over. It's not usually part of the exam as the students go through it during their last year but we're making an exception since you missed some stuff." Haruki took a struggling bundle from the desk and opened it up, taking two white rabbits and giving it to the two of them along with a kunai.
As soon as he did, the smile on his face vanished, with a serious expression he commanded them "Kill it." Atsuki immediately stabbed the rabbit who squealed as its soft white fur dyed a striking red. Shin saw Haruki sensei nod before turning towards him. Shin looked down at the struggling rabbit and started to pet it, claiming it down. "Why." Shin decisively spoke. "What?" Haruki was surprised, "I just want a reason, you are not telling me to kill it for food, you are just telling me to kill it and I want to know why." Shin explained as the rabbit slowly started to calm down under his gentle strokes.
The room was quiet as all its occupants looked at Shin, he could hear Atsuki whisper, "Dude, what are you doing? Just kill the rabbit!" Haruki looked at Shin, pondering in confusion 'There is no way he doesn't know the reason so why is he doing this?' "The reason does not matter. This is an order Shin, kill the rabbit!" He narrowed his eyes while reaffirming his words as commands. "I wonder what crime Albert committed to deserve a death sentence. I just want a reason, Haruki sensei." Shin calmly spoke as he looked up at the man, "And yes, I did name him."
Everyone in the room looked at Shin weirdly while Atsuki was simply dumbfounded as he stared at Shin as if he was looking at an idiot. "The reason is not important Shin, when a ninja is given an order, it is their duty to fulfill it even if they don't want to. Many times things are too blurry and it is impossible to see reason, so just do as you are told, for all you know this rabbit could be a Kumo spy in disguise." Haruki sensei explained to Shin before a small *crack* was heard and the rabbit in Shin's arms went limp. "It seems you were wrong, Sensei. I guess the Kumo spy must've turned into a bird and fled." Shin placed the rabbit down gently, "Sorry Albert, it seems your life has been cut short due to misinformation. Your dream of marrying your cousin Alberta and having 100 children will never come true. Feel free to haunt Haruki sensei if you want." Shin offered a small prayer of the rabbit.
......
"Gahahahahha" Laughter rang in the Hokage building as an old man gave a hearty laugh while listening to a report from one of the teachers in the Academy only to be interrupted by another old man who had the perpetual look one gets when they eat a sour lemon, "Hiruzen! This is not a laughing matter! This child is disrespectful and undisciplined! He should not be allowed to graduate and become a ninja! He will be a liability!" He lectured in a decisive tone, causing the laughing old man to stop but a smile still lingered on his face. "I don't think he did anything wrong." He commented before turning to the teacher, "What do you think Haruki Sensei?" "*Sigh* Shin is the best student I've ever taught, he is skilled and smart, very smart. I'm sure he knew exactly what the purpose of that exercise was but…" he hesitated. "Speak freely, Haruki. You know him better than us, what is it?" Hiruzen spoke kindly. "Yes Lord Hokage, I believe Shin was just trying to make a statement. He was showing his position and saying "I'll follow any order but only if I, the one who gives it, understands the weight of their commands."... That's what I think." "Huh!" Danzo snorted, "See! He is far too arrogant! Just fail him! It's better to avoid any future trouble"
Haruki saw Kiruzen nod and then ponder his words for a long time which made him restless, 'What if Shin fails! That brat! I'm gonna lose so much money!' "L-Lord Hokage, I knew Shin was disrespectful but he is still young and his Jonin sensei can guide him properly. I know he will be a marvelous ninja!" Listening to this Hiruzen smiled, "You really care for your students don't you Haruki Sensei, you're students are lucky to have you." Hruzen praised. "Don't worry, I have high hopes for both of them. I'll make sure that they get the right Jonin sensei to train them. You can leave now." "Yes! Thank you Hokage sensei." Haruki bowed and left the office with a relieved expression. 'SCORE!'
"Hiruzen! You can't do this!" Danzo expressed his disapproval at which Hiruzen raised an eyebrow "Oh, can't the Hokage make these decisions Danzo?" Danzo gnashed his teeth before looking at him "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you Hiruzen! And I want the other boy. He will be a perfect fit for Root." "Alright, but only after he has finished his training with his Jonin sensei." Danzo accepted this and left with the same sour expression that he walked in with, causing Hiruzen to sigh deeply.