Chapter 3: Academy graduation

—A year later, Academy Graduation, -

'Meanie,'

Naru's emotional tell made me realize another advancement in our compatibility.

[Ninken Compatability

Naru-91%

Sasu-94%]

Naru and Sasu can be considered my lifelong friends, who are ready to follow me through life and death based on the Ninken Compatibility score.

Ninken compatibility is an imaginary score I made with processing the data from various factors like Chakra network matching, emotional connection, Chakra rejection..

Now, I believe I can start working on Human-beast transformation with my ninken.

The first step is naturally the Human Beast clone, in which the ninken becomes familiar with the human.- done

The second step is for me and Ninken to use fang over fang, a collaboration technique when mastered represents that the Ninken and Human are in complete sync in breathing, chakra movement, emotions.

I am happy to say it is also done.

The third step is without doubt the Human-Ninken combination Jutsu.

The problem is that the Ninken and Human are two different beings. Meaning the there will be rejection in chakra, mind or body. The only way to solve the problem is simple-train and train.

Still, to think Naru is the one who has more success in the training rather than Sasu, who is without doubt the closer to me to think.

I think the reason is —

"Hurry, Kiri! The ceremony is about to begin. Waste no more time and hurry."

Hearing Sakumo's shouts, I turned to him, waving at me from the assembling students. I lined up beside him as the drums beat in rhythm.

Seeing the mind numbing procedure that is going to take some time, I made small talk with Sakumo. "So, did you master the Jutsu?"

I can only say that Sakumo is truly ambitious to combine the Hatake Kenjutsu with his lightning style even before he started mastering either of them. Doing a stunt like that before mastering either of them is stupid because it consumes too much time to make just a single D rank Lightning- Lightning Jutsu. Time that will allow your peers to surpass you easily.

Well, there is the advantage because there will be no need to speed extra time to change Sakumo's Fighting style because it will remain the same, centred on Lightning -Kenjutsu.

Sakumo, who seemed to think over something while grasping his tanto on the back, turned to me at my question.

He gave a curt nod, as if the significance of his feat was a simple thing.

Even as I make, I don't believe I can use that thing for a long time, but this asshole mastered it.

That's right, I made a jutsu based on fields I didn't even touch. Even I felt weird about that, but the AI took the data of Sakumo's body, which I got thanks to the Diagnostic Jutsu and made a jutsu combining Hatake Kenjutsu and Lightning style.

Of course, as a thanks I got knowledge of both topics from Sakumo, the heir of the small scale Hatake clan.

WHOOOSH

As a sensor, I instantly felt the ocean-like existence that lit up my senses arrive suddenly.

I immediately turned to see that Tobirama Senju, the second Hokage, arrived with a battalion of Jonin standing behind him.

"Students, it is nice to see on the sparring ground as you are about to become a full-fledged Shinobi of Konoha."

I had a feeling he looked at the face of every single student on the ground and judged them in a matter of seconds.

"I will be blunt. We are about to face a war. A war with the shinobi nations, who believe we have grown weaker with the death of honourable First Hokage. They will come for us, aiming to enter our homes, kill us, and steal everything."

People clenched their teeth, their chakra throbbing with anger at the thought of war. The brutal reality of war, especially for the losers, was well known. The elders, who had lived through the era of warring clans, understood the everyday horrors of rape, murder, and looting.

I could feel the blood lust mixed with Tobirama's chakra rising into the sky with such ferocity that it is visible to naked eyes.

"It has been 30 years since my brother ended the Warring clans era. Now, we are being forced back into bloodshed. But, they don't know that like the forest fire that grows with each fallen leaf, each fallen tree like Senju Hashirama, we will arise stronger and fiercer. Burning our enemies to ashes."

""HAI""

Before I know it, I shouted my agreement under my stimulated emotions.

"Good, begin the matches."

Frankly, the way he controlled the pace of crowd's emotions is incredible. But, I can say for sure, he didn't mean his words with all his heart. It is a feeling I get whenever I compare him with Hashirama.

Unfortunately, everyone was charmed and eager to impress Tobirama in the graduation fights, assuming he was like his brother Hashirama.

Even Sakumo felt the same way if his expression says something.

However, Tobirama is not the friendly and approachable Hashirama who greeted everyone in the village.

Tobirama is a paranoid man with a brilliant mind capable of resurrecting the dead.

I still wonder if I should completely show all my strength or hide some of my cards.

A problem that I can't resolve till now.

WHOOF WHOOF

Looking at the Naru and Sasu who are comforting me, I smiled and thanked my decision to tell them everything. Bearing the pressure of the future alone is too much for me.

WHOOSH

Everyone returned to their respective clan members in the audience. I did the same, using a body flicker to join the Inuzuka group. Inuzuka Killai, the clan leader and an elite Jonin, led the group. His guards, who are officially civilians, shadowed him. The rest of the graduating Inuzuka kids stood with us.

Inuzuka Kiro, Sume and Tsume. Yep, the same Inuzuka Tsume who has an ninken named Kuromaru. She is 2 years younger than me but I know she is Kiba's mother. For fuck's sake, Kuromaru is already talking like a normal human. Even in the long history of the Inuzuka clan, talking with Ninken is only a handful.

I gave a nod to the clan leader. "Greetings! Sir. It is an honour for you to come for our graduation."

His ninken Kuro gave an approving growl.

Taking Kuro's confirmation, I allowed myself to relax among the Inuzuka members.

This concept may be confusing to others, but within the inuzuka clan, the ninken and Inuzuka's words are inseparable.

I took a deep breath to psyche myself up. I know that the coming years will be brutal from now on.

"BEGIN."

With Tobirama's words, the Uchiha kid and the Senju kid both went for each other, aiming their kunai at each other's necks.

CLANG CLANG

Hearing the clangs of the two clans whose enmity exploded since the mourning of Hashirama passed, I felt that this a village was on the verge of exploding. Both from inside and outside.

"Well, it seems this year's graduation exam will be intense."

"Yes, Clan leader. Especially the fights between the Senjus and Uchiha will be intense. Those two are angry over the deaths of their respective heroes and still blame the other clan."

SCOFF

I can see the Clan leader had opinions on both clans, "The uchiha themselves betrayed their clan leader Madara to enjoy the peace. The Senjus believe themselves to be kind, but at the core they are like Uchiha. While the uchiha looks at the rest of the village with indifference, the Senju looks with pity. Both consider themselves to be superior. It seems they forget they are not the ones the people of Konoha bowed their heads to. Besides, the Senjus are the reason that Madara went out of the village, if it wasn't for Tobirama's-"

Looking at the curious eyes searching for gossip in his next words, he teasingly said, "Oh! the battle ended so fast, I really hope you guys won't end up like those brats."

I rolled my eyes at his obvious deflection of the topic. Still, to think the match ended so fast.

That's right, in this small conversation, the fight ended. One reason is because even the strongest have at best chunin reserves and there as the Jutsu ranks rises, the amount of chakra consumed multiples.

There is a reason there is a vast difference in chakra levels between each rank.

Senju Tonto, our instructor, voiced out the next match, "Sakumo Hatake vs Orochimaru."

The participants' body flickered into the grounds at a speed that was without a doubt at a low chunin level. A speed that far surpasses my speed.

At our level, where the ninjutsu can't show its true power. So, the ones that rule the battle are Taijutsu/ Kenjutsu.

CLANG CLANGC CL CLANG CLANG

It was because of my familiarity with both of them did I notice the frequent exchanges between them are just the period of studying each other.

"What the hell is going on? How come Sakumo can match Orochimaru?"

I shook my head at confused Kiro and said, "You are asking in the wrong way. How come Orochimaru is matching Sakumo's speed?"

It is easy to see this now that I study his movements. Sakumo grasped the Lightning Nature. Such a rapid increase in speed and reflexes can only mean that he is using the Lightning chakra to stimulate his nerves and his body.

CRACKLE CRACKLE

"The match is decided."

My comment made my peers look at the match while my clan leader gave an appreciative hum.

Orochimaru weaved the hand signs for Wind Style : Great palm Jutsu. As the gale of wind tore towards Sakumo that is giving crackles of lightning on his hands, I knew that the match ended.

"Wind style prevails over lightning style as the former disrupts the connectivity necessary for the latter's flow. However, there is a single part of lightning which can crush wind, it is when the piercing power of lightning reaches its peak. It is the basis of Sakumo's way of Ninja, a sword like lightning that never stops in its path."

I saw with a smile as the C-rank Ninjutsu I made, lightning clad sword, is used by Sakumo to pierce a straight path to Orochimaru.

But I must say, Orochimaru is a veritable genius. Rather than panic, he used all his chakras to use a Wind style: Great breakthrough.

It won't stop.

GASP

As if to prove my words, the pointy end of Sakumo's lightning clad sword which expresses Lightning style's piercing power swung to cut the Wind breakthrough, allowing Sakumo to reach Orochimaru unimpeded.

I felt my hairs rise in because of the goosebumps I felt at the display of incredible skill.

In a single circular movement that used the Backdraft of the wind to increase his speed, Sakumo slashed at Orochimaru's neck.

BOOOM

A staff that is bitch black seems to have extended from the guards of second of Hokage and stopped Sakumo's blade with ease, just an inch away from Orochimaru's neck.

"INcredible."

Kiro is right at praising Sakumo. I made a single Ninjutsu that combined lightning style and Hatake Kenjutsu but Sakumo mastered it with a such an ease that he found his path as a shinobi.

He doesn't need to worry about future growth direction or scramble for teachings. He only needs to focus on Lightning style and Kenjutsu. Two things in which he has unrivalled talent.

To think this is the effect of my intervention. Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who is talking with Sakumo with a smile, I had a feeling that I broke the Sanin Trio.

The Rookie of the Year, Kunoichi of the year and the last in the batch. They are put in the same team, a tradition that Hashirama started and for once both Madara Uchiha and Senju Tobirama agreed on.

With this loss, Orochimaru lost his chance to earn the Rookie of the Year title.

Meaning the Sanin formation broke down due to me. In its place, the most loyal and, in my belief, a stronger trio of Konoha formed.

"SENJU TSUNADE vs INUZUKA KIRI."

It seems the blows keep coming without giving me time to breathe. With a weary smile, I entered the grounds with Naru and Sasu.

I could hear the clan leader muttering while I left them behind, "You reap what you sow, kid."

Leaking at Tsunade, who has formed an intense hatred for me, I don't know what to do. No matter what explanation I gave and how many sorry I said, Tsunade seems to have been having none of it and keeps trying to put me down in every spar we had over the year or show superior skill in Medic ninjutsu at every chance she got.

"Let's go dog breadth. I will wipe that arrogance out of your face."

For a moment, I was stunned. I looked around and pointed at my face and asked her, "Are you talking about me?"

Tsunade clenched her teeth and said, "Yes, you. I am talking about you dog breathe."

In a single jump powered by a body flicker, she arrived in front of me with her fist aiming for my noser. I put my arms in a cross guard to take her punch, but damn; it hurts.

BOOOOM

As I skipped along like a stone, the ground beneath me bore the marks of my journey, with potholes scattered in my wake.

It took me 10 meters to stabilize myself and get my balance. I turned to my opponent who showed me her strength is at Chunin level.

GROWLLLL

Looking at Naru who is barely dodging her Punches and Sasu who are interfering with her as much as I possible with the genjutsu, I felt adrenaline rush or as I call it, the Inuzuka's animal side overpowers my rational side.

"Hey Blonde Bitch! Catch this."

With a flick of my hands, many Shuriken flew on to her, but they were easily deflected by the movements of her kunai.

"Is that all, dog breadth?"

"Nope, the main ones are coming above you better dodge flat board or your plain cardboard will break into pieces."

Well, there might be a reason Tsunade doesn't like me. In battle, I became a crazy asshole.

The wrist weights I have thrown when I flicked the kunai made a wonderful loop and came down on her like a falling star.

BOOM BOOOM

Tsunade turned sideways at the last second to dodge the wrist weights that fell from right and left.

It was at this time did I sent a series of kicks that sent my leg weights.

"AGHH,"

CRACK

I could feel her bones creaking from the 50 kg weight.

Finally, I completed my ninjutsu hand signs, "Fire style : Red Claw" "

In a second, the fire chakra gathered in my claws and lit them on fire. With a feral smile, I ran towards Tsunade while Sasu completed his genjutsu-Dog bite.

SIZZLE SLASH

My series of claws ripped her front to where made me realize I fell into a trap.

POOF

A fucking Shadow clone.

WHOOOO

I turned with red eyes on hearing the cries of pain of my ninken. Tsunade has punched Sasu into the ground after she emerged from the ground.

BOOM

What the fuck? Did everyone hide their strength or what? Of course, they did.

"Naru, start the fight."

WHOOF

I had Naru come towards and get on top of my back as I attacked Tsunade. She dodged my claw to her face but the kick towards her flat board hit well, but she held the force with her brutish physique. Then grabbed my leg under her armpit and locked it there. Finally, she slammed her fist into my stomach.

"AGH, Fuck. It hurts."

Tsunade let out a smile at that but I didn't like that and my reason took a back seat again, "My leg hurts. Just how hard is that flat board of yours is?"

I must say, shinobi kids are truly precocious. I could literally feel her chakra gather in her fist, but it was no use.

Naru, who was molding my chakra on top of me, jumped up and turned into me, "Inuzuka: human beast clone."

I could see Tsunade's eyes widen in realization at what was about to come, and she tried to dodge. Like I said, she tried.

I caught the fist she used to punch me. I was not done. My leg, which she caught, circled around her waist. My other leg's claws dug into the ground to prevent her attempts to dodge.

"Dog breadth, are you insane?"

I scoffed and said, "No, you are insane. After all, your grandfather made the shadow clone based on our inuzuka clan's human beast clone. To use that on us is stupid."

Human beast clone allows the Ninken to clone their master and use all their skills and, unlike the shadow clone, they are durable and have almost equal Chakra reserves.

All of which were put to use as Naru rotated like a tornado, with each second moving faster and faster until he left the ground out of sheer force, coming towards Tsunade and me.

"Inuzuka style : Passing fang."

I braced myself for pain as Naru came towards us, using my smell as a guidepost.

I smiled at Tsunade, feeling Naru will win the match for us. I need to win the match and hopefully win against Sakumo, so that I would get the seat in Team 7. A future Hokage as sensei will make wonders for my future.

"Stop, just stop being so arrogant. You bastard."

I saw Tsunade has gone crazy gathering all of her massive chakra at one a single point on her fist. A fist I was catching hold to save my life.

But, she proved she was a genius by suddenly shifting such concentrated reserves to her other hand and slammed it into the Naru and continued with her punch.

"WHAT THE FUCK?"

My body felt it before my mind could, the whirling Naru being slammed into me by Tsunade as her chakra exploded.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM

— ? Pov—-

Looking at the falling debris as the Senju Princess crushed her opponent by taking a risk on the spot, I could only exclaim, "She is genius."

"That's right. She inherited my brother's gambling skills, for the life of her she could never win in bet, but she also inherited his strength and fighting instinct, and so she never lost a fight."

I could only nod at Second Hokage's words. The inuzuka boy's tactics and execution were perfect, but Tsunade took a risk by using a concentrated chakra burst on the spot. Looking at her bloodied hand, I can say for sure that her hands are broken, but so is her enemy.

"It was a pity her hands are broken. It would be tough for her to continue at her best in the next fights."

Hiruzen, to my surprise, said, "I wouldn't be so sure about that, my friend."

I followed his pointing finger to see Tsunade's palm lit up in the healing chakra, setting her broken bones together, at least allowing her to continue fighting.

Hmm, no, she continues fighting at her best if what I am thinking is right.

"She choose the parts of her hands which would get broken. The parts which heal the fastest and have the least impact on her fighting ability."

Tobirama-sensei laughed for the first time since that incident in which Hashirama-sama died, "Yes, Like I said she has elder brother's fighting instinct. He was the same, using his absurd body to the fullest."

Tobirama sensei's happiness dried out like the water in the desert as he said, "Hiruzen."

"Yes, Sensei."

"Team 7 will be under you. Tsunade, Sakumo and the last kid in the year, Jiraiya."

"Yes, Sensei."

Hmm, It makes me wonder just how interesting is teaching for Hiruzen to be so excited. Makes me want to have a try at teaching. My eyes and my scars throbbed at that thought.

Taking it as a sign, I said to sensei, "Sensei, I would like to take a team as a student."

Sensei only lifted an eyebrow in question.

I spoke the truth. "It was just an impulse."

"Hmm, you were the last person I expected to be impulsive."

It was after a few seconds later that sensei decisively said, "So, who caught your eyes?"

I answered him honestly, "The kid named Orochimaru." I turned my gaze towards the Inuzuka that is being sent to the infirmary, "And also that, boy, I believe I can make them a perfect shinobi."

"Alright."

It is kind of weird seeing both of my soon to be students in the infirmary, both lost to Hiruzen's students.

Another thing in which Sensei favour Hiruzen over me. A trace of jealousy rose in me at that thought, but I burned it to ashes in a second.

"AGH! Fuck. A broken tibia, punctured lung, muscle spasms all over the body. The bitch was really insane."

I let out a whistle at the diagnosis matching the infirmary record, "You seem to talented in Medic Ninjutsu, good."

That had him startled and finally open his senses to me. Sensor or not, he can't find me if I don't want him to.

"Sir, May I know the reason for this honour?"

Oh, the kid knows me. It is not surprising considering I am Sensei's student. Still, an honour, he says. It seems he didn't yet process the change of his orphan status to genius shinobi. It won't do, especially his isolated nature.

"I am here to see my future students."

He took a glance at Orochimaru and said, "Who else, sir?"

Smart kid.

I answered him with a smile, "Who do you think will suit you two as a teammate?"

I really don't have any idea about the third kid. I can make do with just these two. After all, it won't do if a weak teammate dragged these two kids from keeping pace with Hiruzen's students. After all, they are all one of the kind geniuses . Finding another in the same batch will be a miracle.

To my surprise, it seems there is such a miracle. Inuzuka Kiri pointed to one kid who was in the infirmary.

I don't even remember the kid, but Inuzuka Kiri's evaluation is incredible. "His potential is no less than us."

"Ho! What's his name?"

"Hiruko, an orphan."

If I remember right, Kiri and Orochimaru are also orphans. Though Kiri and I were lucky to be born in a clan to receive our surname, "HAHAHA! Wonderful. An orphan teacher with a trio of orphan kids."

With a few senbons from me, the sleeping kids' nerves were stimulated, and they woke up, "Alright kids. I am your sensei. My name is Kagami Uchiha."