The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

"Ultimately, only Kumogakure has shown any progress."

Hiruzen sat in his chair, looking through the curling smoke toward Danzō, his tone carrying a trace of dissatisfaction.

"Since Iwagakure is now on high alert, there's no way we can take advantage of them again. But Kumogakure has lost its Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, so they won't be able to launch another war in the short term."

As if ignoring Hiruzen's displeasure, Danzō stood motionless in front of Tobirama's photograph, hands clasped behind his back.

"So why are you still proposing such an irrational plan?"

Hiruzen slammed his extinguished pipe onto the table and grabbed the new proposal Danzō had just handed him, nearly flinging it back at him.

"We've merely stripped Kumogakure of one tailed beast's combat power. Iwagakure hasn't suffered any damage—in fact, we've seen the power of their Jinchūriki. With such powerful enemies surrounding us, war is now inevitable."

Staring at Tobirama's stern face in the photo, Danzō spoke calmly and firmly, unmoved by Hiruzen's outburst.

"Relaxing the early graduation requirements allows us to quickly build a substantial genin force. It also helps them adapt to shinobi life sooner and prepares them for the war ahead. At the same time, it allows us to identify talented children and begin grooming them early."

"Both of our Anbu forces have suffered continuous casualties recently. We urgently need fresh blood—you know this."

"But—" Hiruzen tried to argue further.

"Hiruzen, I'm not asking them to go die. I just want them to be prepared ahead of time."

Seeing that Hiruzen still refused to relent, Danzō finally turned around and slowly walked to a nearby seat, sitting down.

Hiruzen couldn't agree with Danzō's stance. Once these children graduated early and put on the forehead protector, they would be subject to the village's call to the battlefield in times of war.

That went against Hashirama's original vision for founding the village.

"If we don't loosen the early graduation criteria, we'll only be sending them to die faster when the war becomes critical."

Seeing Hiruzen still hesitant, Danzō's tone turned harsh.

"If Konoha loses the war, we all die—me, you, and those so-called children. The enemy won't hold back just because of age!"

Slamming his palm hard onto the table, Danzō stood abruptly and strode up to Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, we can't keep being naïve. We must be prepared!"

Looking at Danzō's face so close to his own, Hiruzen leaned back slightly, picked up the pipe he'd slapped onto the table earlier, and lit it in front of him.

"Very well then..."

...

"Did you hear? The village is relaxing the early graduation criteria."

As soon as the notice was posted, students and parents at the ninja academy were abuzz.

"To graduate early and become a genin, all you need now is a signature from a direct relative and from your homeroom teacher."

"It's really that easy? No graduation exam at all?"

"Yeah, I heard the old exam involved randomly drawing a question from the Three Basic Techniques, and getting scored by at least three instructors."

"This is a great opportunity! If I become a genin early, I can start taking missions and earn money to support my sister."

Contrary to what Hiruzen had imagined, many children from civilian backgrounds supported the decision.

Their innate physical disadvantages compared to clan-born kids meant that under normal circumstances, many would have been filtered out.

In contrast to their enthusiasm, the clan-born students were much colder in their response.

"So war really is coming..."

Asuma watched his classmates gather around the teachers' offices, preparing to apply for early graduation. He too began to assess his own strength.

"Well, it's already later than I expected."

Takeshi glanced at Guy, who was walking on his hands in the back of the classroom, then gently pushed away Anko's arm from his shoulder.

"What do you think, Takeshi? Let's apply for early graduation too!"

Obito, seemingly not listening to the others' conversation, was clearly excited to join the flood of early applicants.

"Don't look at me, I don't make the decisions..."

Rolling his eyes at the ever-eager Obito, Takeshi yawned and slumped back onto his desk.

When he graduated wasn't up to him—only the old geezer decided that.

"Let's graduate together, Takeshi! Then the three of us—me, you, and Rin—can form a squad and make a name for ourselves in the ninja world!"

Obito's words reminded Takeshi of some unpleasant thoughts.

Damn it... If we really form a team, who's going to get their heart ripped out—me or Rin?

"Anyway, we'll see when the time comes."

Takeshi muttered into the desk, his voice muffled.

...

"This is the early graduation application. I've already signed it."

Danzō sat in the center of the sofa, pointing to the two items laid on the table.

So... it's finally happening.

Takeshi snapped to attention, his heart pounding with excitement.

Becoming a shinobi, stepping onto the battlefield, fighting against enemies...

This was completely different from the beatings he took at the academy. At least Yamanaka Akira and Shimura Ikku knew when to hold back. Shinobi from the other villages wouldn't be so kind—they were aiming to kill.

"In any case, do your best. Until you're promoted to chūnin, just follow Hiruzen's arrangements and carry out missions with your team."

Takeshi was graduating early. Asuma too was graduating early.

Once Obito heard the news, he dragged Rin along and excitedly submitted both of their applications.

But then...

"Why?!!!"

Obito was on the verge of tears when he saw the word "Approved" stamped on his own application—but Rin's had been denied.

The reason? Ito Makoto said Rin's abilities were not up to standard.

"Idiot."

Kakashi, reading a manga nearby, delivered the blow without hesitation.

"Damn it! I won't accept a shinobi career without Rin!"

Obito slammed the table, ready to storm off and confront Ito Makoto, only to be stopped by Takeshi.

"Hey, Obito, the teacher's just looking out for her. Besides medical ninjutsu and classroom work, Rin's grades are just barely passing in everything else. Not to mention..."

Takeshi gestured to the rows of empty seats around them.

"With so many already graduating, if Ito-sensei approves a few more, there'll be no one left in class to even listen to him lecture."

To Takeshi, Rin being denied early graduation was a good thing.

At least this way, he didn't have to worry about Obito getting snatched up by some weird old man anytime soon—or worse, Obito going off the deep end and screaming about "creating a world with Rin" while clutching her corpse.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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