Naruto: Skill Editing System

The next day, Hirakawa Yuuki appeared on the street fully equipped, staring solemnly toward the Ninja Academy.

After all, today was graduation exam day.

Even though Yuuki was absolutely confident in passing the test, graduation was a milestone in every shinobi's life. So when leaving home this morning, he had chosen to suit up fully out of respect.

Besides, assuming everything went well, they'd probably take a photo after the test—which would end up on his future ninja ID.

If he didn't make himself look good today, he might regret it for the rest of his life.

Walking into the Academy, Yuuki headed straight for the training field.

The day before, just before dismissal, Mizukawa Katsu had already explained the procedure for today's exam.

To sum it up in one sentence: go to the field and follow the instructors' commands.

"Reporting in!"

As he approached the edge of the training field, Yuuki found an unfamiliar teacher and loudly announced his name and class.

"Alright, come with me. I'll take you to your exam area."

The unfamiliar instructor turned around after speaking and began to lead the way.

Yuuki followed closely.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the familiar throwing range, where the instructor gradually came to a halt.

"Now, we'll test your ninja tool throwing skills."

"You get five throws. Your final score will be the average of all five."

"You're free to use the tools we've prepared or your own, whichever you're more comfortable with."

"You may begin."

Although the rules were simple and standard, just a typical ninja tool throwing test, the stern expression of this unfamiliar instructor added a surprising level of pressure to the moment.

Even Yuuki couldn't help but steel himself, determined to perform at his best.

With his right hand, he pulled out five kunai from his personal tool pouch.

As he focused his attention, the effects of [Extreme Reflexes] kicked in, his enhanced reaction speed and terrifying observational ability caused the world around him to slow down dramatically.

In this heightened state of awareness, everything became easier to control.

Swoosh!

After a thorough analysis of trajectory and angles, Yuuki released all five kunai in rapid succession. The blades sliced through the air with shrill howls as they flew toward the distant bullseye pinned to a tree.

Thunk!

Five sharp impacts echoed as the kunai struck the wooden target. The results were immediate.

The instructor walked over to inspect the target up close.

"Five direct hits to the bullseye. Full marks."

Yuuki wasn't surprised by the final result. After all, kunai throwing was one of the most basic shinobi skills.

He had long since moved beyond it as a primary focus of his training.

Remaining where he stood, Yuuki waited for the next test to begin.

He figured, since this was an early graduation exam due to wartime urgency, it would be more demanding—perhaps requiring him to complete several trials, or even spar against real genin with mission experience.

There was no way it would end with just a basic throwing test.

"You've passed. Head to the Academy auditorium to take your photo and receive your forehead protector and ninja ID."

The instructor's voice rang out, and Yuuki froze for a moment, his thoughts thrown into a storm.

"What?!"

"You can graduate early just by throwing a few kunai?"

"Konoha's higher-ups aren't even pretending anymore. They're seriously treating Academy students as cannon fodder?"

"Or maybe they want them to graduate early to adjust to real shinobi life and build up mission experience?"

"So they can become even better cannon fodder in the future?"

Yuuki stood there, stunned by the bluntness of Konoha's upper management. He couldn't believe how openly they were pushing this agenda.

But he couldn't change anything. Frowning, he began walking toward the auditorium.

First, he needed to collect his forehead protector and official ID.

Turning a corner, Yuuki was immediately caught off guard by the long line of students stretching from the auditorium entrance. He had assumed the process would be quick, but clearly, he'd underestimated the situation.

With no other choice, he moved to the back of the line and prepared to wait.

"Hirakawa Yuuki!"

Just as he reached the end, someone called his name from up ahead.

Looking over, he spotted a cluster of his classmates standing midway through the line.

Mikoto, Shiina Kō, Kushina, Shikaku, Choza, Fugaku... most of his classmates were grouped together.

"You all came here together or something?"

"What do you mean 'together'? I got here early and dragged every single one of these guys into the line."

Hearing Kushina's retort, Yuuki's eyes widened. He glanced at the others behind her.

Their expressions clearly said they wanted to complain but didn't dare.

His mouth twitched. Yuuki couldn't help but be impressed by Kushina's clout at the Academy.

Thanks to his suggestion years ago that led her and the Third Hokage on a casual stroll through the school grounds, she hadn't been as isolated as in the original timeline.

Still, her natural boldness hadn't changed. In the end, she'd earned herself the nickname "Crimson Pepper" among her peers.

"You coming or not? I already made space for you."

Kushina's voice broke Yuuki out of his thoughts.

He looked ahead and saw her glaring at one of the students behind her. That kid quickly bowed and stepped aside, revealing a single empty spot.

Seeing the resentful glares from those at the end of the line, Yuuki hesitated for a moment.

Then a powerful grip yanked him forward.

"What are you hesitating for all day?"

Kushina, clearly lacking patience, had grabbed him and pulled him into the line before he could even decide.

She didn't place him beside her, though, he ended up behind Shiina Kō, who stood behind Mikoto.

Stabilizing himself, Yuuki glanced back with an annoyed glare at Kushina, silently expressing his frustration.

Still, he had to admit... skipping half the line to get his forehead protector faster felt pretty nice.

"Hirakawa-kun!"

Standing just ahead, Shiina Kō turned around, visibly thrilled to see Yuuki behind her. Her eyes curved into cheerful little crescents.

With his keen senses, Yuuki even noticed her secretly flash a heart gesture toward Kushina behind him, as if silently thanking her for the assist.

Taking a deep breath, Yuuki noticed Shiina Kō nervously lowering her head, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.

"You want to ask me something?"

His question startled her.

She inhaled deeply a few times, as if working up the courage, and then finally asked in a shy voice.

"Yuuki, will you be free tomorrow?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, like she was talking to herself. If Yuuki hadn't been so sharp, he might not have heard her at all.

"Sorry. You know how tense the current situation is. We might be sent to the battlefield right after graduation. So honestly... I can't say if I'll be free tomorrow."

His subtle rejection, though gently phrased, still carried weight.

Shiina Kō looked disappointed for a moment.

"It's alright. Some other time is fine too."

When she first asked, she'd been timid and shy. Now that he'd declined, she surprisingly smiled with grace and brushed it off like it was nothing.

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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter