Chapter 48: Farewell

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Another morning had arrived.

Fuyu Shirou stood in front of the full-length mirror in the living room, carefully examining his reflection.

In the mirror, the boy's messy medium-length hair was tied into a neat single ponytail, with a few strands of bangs slanting across his forehead. Though slightly disheveled, it did not obscure his bright, black eyes.

And his sharp, straight eyebrows.

He wore a mesh undershirt, typical of ninjas, paired with a beige jacket. His lower half was clad in black-gray three-quarter pants and ninja sandals, making him look neat and tidy!

Standing over 135 centimeters tall, his build was slightly broader than that of his peers, giving him the appearance of a teenager around ten years old.

[Where did this handsome boy come from? Truly a heartthrob, loved by all and adored by flowers.]

After indulging in a moment of self-admiration, Fuyu Shirou stepped out of his house and headed towards the Ninja Academy. It had been a month since his last conversation, and today was the day he would take his graduation exam.

"Fuyu Shirou, you're taking the graduation exam today! Are you nervous?"

"Idiot! Do you think Fuyu Shirou is like you? He'll breeze through the simple Clone Technique without any trouble!"

As Fuyu Shirou walked towards the Ninja Academy, a few of his peers soon began bickering.

The one called an idiot was Uchiha Ryūka, who was somewhat hasty and impulsive. He was a bit like the future Kakashi, but without the same level of care. His family was complete, with both parents alive. His chakra control was average, barely enough to learn tree climbing.

After more than two years of study at the Ninja Academy, he could barely perform the Substitution Technique and the Transformation Technique. But for the slightly more demanding Clone Technique, he found it very difficult.

"Speaking of which, among those our age who have applied for early graduation, only Fuyu Shirou and Yami are doing so. I'm really envious!" said a girl named Asahina, not without envy.

Among Fuyu Shirou's peers in his clan, the only one qualified to apply for early graduation was this genius girl who had successfully refined chakra in just one night during her family's preschool training.

Even in other clans, when selecting young talents for early cultivation, they often chose students in grades four or five. Students like Fuyu Shirou and Yami, who were in the second grade, were almost non-existent, though there were always exceptions.

"I heard that the son of White Fang also applied for early graduation this year. They say he's not even six years old yet, which is really impressive!"

Uchiha Shū, who was standing beside her, added. He was not among those who had applied for early graduation this time.

"Really? Not even six years old, that's really something! Speaking of which, Ryūka, when you were not even six, you almost wet your pants from a wild boar!"

Hearing this, the girl named Asahina couldn't help but taunt him. His poor performance during the wild boar hunt two years ago had become a laughingstock among his peers.

"Asahina! Shut up! We're talking about early graduation and becoming a ninja, okay? And I didn't wet my pants at that time!"

Ryūka's face turned red with embarrassment and anger as he loudly defended himself. The 'mistake' from two years ago had slowly spread and become one of his greatest regrets.

The girl wasn't afraid. She snorted and ignored him. Watching the two bicker, Fuyu Shirou couldn't help but smile. To him, they seemed like a pair of bickering lovers.

But looking at Ryūka's clumsy performance, he would have a tough time in the future.

Entering the school, he slid open the classroom door. For a moment, all the students who had arrived early turned to look at him.

Three days ago, when he submitted his application for early graduation, the news had slowly spread. By now, it was almost common knowledge in the class.

"Fuyu Shirou, I wish you success in your early graduation!"

His desk partner, a chubby boy named Shizukuhara Akira, immediately offered his blessings upon seeing him.

"Oh!"

He gave a thumbs-up and a big smile. Fuyu Shirou sat down at his desk, ignoring the curious and amazed gazes from around the room.

Of course, there were also a few annoyed, jealous, and resentful looks. These came from the 'rich kids' of the Hokage clan, Ruyi Sarutobi, and a few other classmates.

Not long after, his homeroom teacher, Aoyama Ryōsuke, arrived. This chunin had a face and hairstyle slightly similar to Saitama's teacher.

Looking at Fuyu Shirou, who was quietly sitting in the back row of the classroom, Aoyama Ryōsuke felt a bit sentimental. This student had never caused him much trouble, always sitting quietly in his seat, doing his own thing. He neither disturbed the teacher nor his classmates.

At the same time, his talent as a ninja was outstanding.

Whether it was the knowledge taught in class or the advanced textbooks he had not yet covered, he had mastered them perfectly. He excelled in taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and hand seals.

Now, he had applied for early graduation, leaving Aoyama Ryōsuke with a faint sense of regret. He regretted not leaving a deeper impression on his growth.

"Alright! Everyone, quiet down! Uchiha Fuyu Shirou, please come with me. The rest of you stay in the classroom and study on your own!"

Standing at the podium, Aoyama Ryōsuke loudly announced.

"Uchiha Fuyu Shirou is about to take the graduation exam. Let's all give him a round of applause! Good luck!"

As he spoke, he led the applause.

"Clap, clap, clap"

For a moment, everyone in the classroom enthusiastically clapped. Occasionally, someone would offer a word of encouragement, even Ruyi Sarutobi, who reluctantly joined in.

"Thank you everyone, it's been an honor to be your classmate!"

Fuyu Shirou, who hadn't expected this, stood at the podium and bowed deeply in gratitude. He murmured these words as a farewell.

Leaving the classroom, he followed Teacher Aoyama at a steady pace. He was not at all nervous about the upcoming graduation exam. Instead, he was slightly surprised by his classmates' performance.

[Is this a form of bond?]

Fuyu Shirou didn't have much time to think. In no time, he followed Teacher Aoyama to a new venue.

The current graduation exam for the ninja school was not as simple as the one during the Third Shinobi World War when Kakashi graduated, which only tested the simple Clone Technique. At that time, Konoha was mired in war, and the front lines desperately needed more ninjas to join the attrition warfare. Even Kakashi's rather clumsy Clone Technique could pass, indicating the simplicity of the test and the urgent need on the front lines.

It was also different from the Clone Technique exam at the beginning of the story. Back then, the graduation age for ninjas was 12 years old.

(End of Chapter)