Chapter 37: Hiruzen Woes

Hiruzen was in his office when the head instructor of the academy came in to report about the new graduates.

"Lord Hokage, out of the three who applied for the early graduation in the second year, one of them has passed. Two of them passed in the third year. Both Itachi Uchiha and Ken Sarutobi passed the exam."

"Both of them even beat their taijutsu sparring instructors and Ken even threatened one of them that he would get him fired for being so incompetent. The instructor is fearing for his job. What should I say to the instructor?"

"Two chunin instructors losing to first-year academy students is a problem and it shows the Konoha academy is not as good as it should be. But since they were defeated by the Uchiha prodigy and my grandson, I can let it slide somewhat. They would become assistant instructors while I would appoint someone stronger who would teach the students." Hiruzen said

"Thank you, Lord Hokage." The head instructor bowed and then hesitately asked "Have you decided about the genin team and the jonin sensei that Ken and Itachi would have, Lord Hokage?"

"I have decided that both Itachi and Ken will be on the same team. This would keep a rivalry between them making them determined and push each other to train to surpass the other. Their friendship would also grow if they were in the same team."

"I don't know who could become their third member as I don't know if anyone would be able to compete with them. As for their Jonin sensei, I have two names in my mind, my first option would be coming to meet me tomorrow if he rejects becoming a sensei then I would have to go for the second option." Hiruzen said

"Lord Hokage, forgive me but can I suggest someone as the third member of their genin team?" The head instructor asked in a respectful tone.

"Who?" Hiruzen asked curious as the head instructor handed him a file of a recently graduated kid.

"This kid is the one who passed in his second academy year. He is a genius medical-nin. He is even helping in the hospital and the doctors theirs have praised him for his talent with medical ninjutsu. He might not be as much of a genius as Ken and Itachi but he is still good. He would be a great addition to Ken and Itachi with his medical ninjutsu." The head instructor said

"I would think about it. But it's nice to know that Konoha would have another great medical-nin." Hiruzen said with a smile looking at the file.

"Forgive me for saying this Hokage san, but I still think that Itachi and Ken are too young to graduate right now, especially Ken. Since he is your grandson and has a lot of potential, he would surely be targeted by enemy villages and rogue nin. I don't think that it's a good idea for him to be graduated yet." The head instructor hesitantly said

Hiruzen smiled wryly and said "Thank you for your concern. But do you think I did not stop Ken from graduating early?"

Hiruzen could not help but sigh as he remembered the day that Ken told him that he was going to graduate this year.

---Flashback---

Hiruzen just came back from his paperwork to his house when he saw Ken training in the backyard.

When Ken saw Hiruzen, he rushed towards him and hugged him.

"Hey Grandpa, How was your job as a Hokage of the village today?" Ken asked sarcastically knowing that the only thing a Hokage does during peacetime is paperwork.

Hiruzen could only smile wryly understanding the sarcasm.

Ken suddenly remembered something he said without any hesitation "Uh Grandpa, I am planning to graduate this year."

Hiruzen was shocked to hear this as he was not prepared for Ken to leave the leaf village and start his journey just yet.

"But Ken you are too young to graduate. Most of all you are not ready for the challenges that you would receive once you become a shinobi and travel out of the leaf." Hiruzen said in a concerned tone

"Kakashi Hatake graduated at 5, I am graduating at 6. He turned out to be a good shinobi. So don't give me that crap Grandpa. The academy is too boring for me. I am graduating this year and that's final." Ken said

"Your request to graduate is denied," Hiruzen said

'Lava Style: Lava blanket jutsu'

Hiruzen barely dodged the liquid lava that enveloped him and half the backyard. The side of his Hokage robe had already burned away.

"You mistook me, grandpa. This is not a request." Ken said with a fierce look.

Hiruzen could only reluctantly agree to his request while feeling sad for the damage his precious lawn had suffered at the hands of Ken.

'I could maybe give him D-rank missions for two years to delay him leaving the village.' Hiruzen thought

"Don't you dare give me countless D-rank missions to have me stay in the village, old man. Or the destruction that the nine tails caused would look nice compared to the damage I would cause to your lawn, house and your precious Hokage office." Ken said glaring.

Hiruzen gulped 'Why is he so mature and immature for his age at the same time? And why does he have to be so destructive!'

----Flashback end---

Hiruzen watched the chunin instructor leave.

"Ah yes, I have promised Ken to teach him an A-rank jutsu when he graduates. I did not think that this day would come this soon." He mumbled

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