Chapter 15

Dewdrops on the grass slipped down and dried quickly under the sunlight, leaving no trace behind. The dry ground was soon trampled by several figures running into the school.

Gin and his companions were relieved to see the line of students still waiting to enter.

"We made it just in time."

In front of a small building, many students from the ninja academy were lining up to enter. However, Minato's face turned grim as he observed the queue.

"There are many kids younger than us."

The children in line looked excited, and Minato could recognize many of them as his juniors from the academy. The youngest seemed to be only seven years old.

No matter how early the graduation was, allowing such young kids to take the ninja examination seemed outrageous.

What was the village thinking?!

"The pass rate is also very high," Gin mocked from the side.

He observed another group of children coming out of the building, some holding their headbands with joy while others walked out dejectedly without anything. However, there were far fewer disappointed faces compared to the excited ones.

From where they stood, they could hear the newly graduated kids shouting.

"I'm a ninja now!"

"Hahaha, from today, I'm also a ninja!"

"Mom, Dad, I'm a full-fledged ninja now! Haha."

The kids were beaming with joy, creating a lively atmosphere.

What a farce.

Hashirama established the village to keep children off the battlefield. Hiruzen, on the other hand, was sending them back into the fray for the sake of the village.

It was ironic beyond words.

Minato's face grew heavy.

"What are you all talking about? The exam is about to start," said an excited Kushina, who hadn't grasped the gravity of the situation.

She was already envisioning her path to becoming a ninja.

"This is the beginning of my journey to becoming Hokage."

"I will definitely become Hokage one day!"

Well, her dream would come true in the future, Gin thought, glancing at Minato. At this moment, Minato was unusually silent.

As the line moved forward, Minato entered first. Unlike others who were inside for a short time, Minato stayed for a long while.

"Do you think something happened?" Kushina worriedly asked.

"Don't worry, it's probably just special treatment for the top student," Gin shrugged, feeling a pang of sympathy as he glanced at Kushina.

In his previous life, he had specifically looked up Kushina's records. Despite Minato's unclear graduation age, Kushina had graduated at twelve, meaning she had repeated two years just like him.

This exam was likely just a formality for her. Being a jinchūriki wasn't something she could change.

"Stupid Uchiha! What kind of look is that?" Kushina felt Gin's gaze filled with pity, making her even angrier as she raised her fist.

Gin looked at her, clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

She got even angrier! Kushina's red hair began to float.

"Fight me to the death, you jerk!!"

Just as Kushina was about to attack, a brown-haired ninja in a flak jacket came out and called out.

"Next!"

Gin gave Kushina a thumbs down and a mocking grin.

"Next time."

"You jerk!!!"

Kushina roared as Gin jogged into the examination room to avoid getting hit.

The small room inside was surprisingly spacious, with scorch marks, water stains, and shattered wood all over the place.

Two ninjas in flak jackets stood in the room, one with purple hair holding a notepad, the other was Inoue Satoru.

The purple-haired kunoichi looked at her notes.

"Uchiha Gin?"

"That's me."

The kunoichi scribbled something in her notes.

Inoue Satoru approached.

"Your exam is to last one minute against me."

A sinister grin spread across his face, definitely not because he wanted to get back at Gin for ignoring him for three months.

Definitely not.

Gin looked up at the tall Inoue.

He was considering how much strength to show. Some of his abilities were already exposed. The main question was whether to respect Inoue Satoru as his teacher.

While he was thinking, Inoue had already charged, drawing a kunai from his pouch.

Gin casually threw three shuriken.

The shuriken collided in midair, changing trajectories, flying at Inoue from three different directions.

Inoue narrowed his eyes.

The Uchiha shuriken technique.

Next moment.

"Poof!" Inoue turned into a log, and the shuriken embedded themselves in the wood.

Inoue reappeared behind Gin, kicking.

Gin glanced back, moving faster, jumping and spinning, delivering a flying kick.

"Boom."

Inoue was sent flying, crashing into the wall and sliding down.

"This is supposed to be the Uchiha's failure!?"

He stared at Gin in disbelief, unable to comprehend the speed and reaction.

He had never truly understood his student's strength.

Gin smirked, thinking Satoru's reaction speed was just decent.

Minato could now catch thrown kunai and shuriken with his bare hands—utterly ridiculous.

Some people's talents were just unfair.

But in terms of strength, Minato still couldn't pressure him.

"Teacher Inoue, isn't it possible…"

"No chance," Satoru interrupted, seeing through Gin's mischievous intent.

"I could never lose to a student."

Satoru felt a bit desperate.

Suddenly, a loud "poof" sound drew their attention.

The purple-haired kunoichi glared at Satoru.

Satoru fell silent, remembering how he had also lost to Minato earlier.

"Hahaha." The ninja who had led Gin in couldn't help but laugh.

"Two teachers losing to students, haha."

"I haven't lost yet!!"

Satoru roared, quickly forming hand seals, but he had to stop halfway.

A sharp kunai pressed against his throat.

The others were shocked at the sudden change.

"This guy… is a monster."

Gin was now standing in front of Satoru, holding a kunai to his throat.

They hadn't even noticed when he moved.

Satoru gulped, raising his hands.

If he didn't surrender, he might lose his life.

"Teacher Inoue, did I pass?" Gin smiled.

His combat strength was at the special jōnin level, beyond the capabilities of the academy's chūnin instructors.

"Pa…ssed." The ninja at the door stopped his stopwatch; it had been one minute.

In less than a minute, he had defeated his teacher.

This Uchiha Gin was even stronger than Minato.

If Gin was a failure, what were they? "This is your ninja proof." The purple-haired kunoichi threw a headband at Gin.

Gin caught it, then lowered his kunai.

Satoru rubbed his neck and stood up, looking utterly dejected.

He had lost to a student.

Was there no justice? No law?

But since the student was an Uchiha, it was understandable.

Still, he had lost his confidence as a teacher!

Sure enough, Gin was his nemesis!

"Your student number will become your ninja number. Remember to get your photo taken tomorrow."

Despite his disappointment, Satoru explained the next steps.

"Got it."

Gin tied the headband around his head and waved dismissively before exiting through the other side of the examination room.

As soon as he stepped out, he spotted Minato waiting for him.

"I knew you'd pass the exam," Minato smiled confidently.

Considering Gin's strength, very few in their age group could match him.

Even the late Nawaki probably couldn't beat him.

"There was no chance of failing this exam."

Gin sighed, watching the kids holding headbands leaving.

Parents who had been waiting for a long time saw the headbands and, unlike their children's joyful expressions, their faces turned complex and pained.

Adults understood better what this meant.

Gin couldn't comprehend why, even with this, hatred didn't brew.

The Will of Fire was terrifying!!

No brainwashing organization could match the Will of Fire.

"Uchiha Gin!!" An angry shout came, and a red figure rushed at him.

"Die!!"

Kushina punched, seeking revenge for Gin's earlier taunt.

Gin easily sidestepped, then kneed her in the stomach.

"Ow." Kushina collapsed in pain.

"You never learn." Gin shook his head.

This was the umpteenth time he had taken her down.

Kushina truly was resilient, always fighting back despite defeats. She would indeed become the mother of the naive savior in the future.

On that note, was he really that hated?

If Kushina and Minato heard this, they'd definitely agree.

"Absolutely!"

Gin's gaze focused on Kushina's forehead protector.

"You… passed?"

"Of course." Kushina proudly showed her headband, beaming.

"From today, I'm a ninja too."

"Uh-huh."

Gin looked up at the sky, speechless.

In the twilight, clouds moved like burning flames.

How could the village let her pass?

"Destiny has changed."

...

Might Duy was doing squats around the mountain.

"If I can't finish before dark, I'll do a thousand push-ups!"

Sweat dripping, he continued his rigorous training.

Over a decade of such training had brought him to the fifth gate of the Eight Gates.

"Duy-san is still so diligent." Gin hung upside down from a tree branch.

"Yo, Gin-kun, long time no see." Duy gave a thumbs up.

"Yes, it has been a while."

Gin jumped down from the tree.

"Duy-san, let's have a full-power match."

His mood was quite bad now.

"With pleasure."

(End of Chapter)