As expected, Obito's request was firmly rejected.
By wartime standards, he had already earned enough merit to apply for early graduation. In Tsunade's generation, graduating at six years old was not unusual. The harsher the war, the earlier students were pushed into becoming shinobi. When casualties rose, the village needed replacements, no matter how young.
But now, the battlefield situation had improved. Konohagakure had already endured its worst shortage of ninja, so there was no longer any urgency to send Academy students out early.
Kakashi was a rare exception. His talent stood far above the rest, and he had completed every task assigned by Hayashi. That alone justified his early graduation.
According to the timeline, Kakashi would already be a Chunin by now. That fact alone spoke volumes about his ability.
After school, Kakashi, Obito, Rin, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai walked together down the street. They had agreed to grab something to eat.
Kakashi had not intended to join them. His teacher would be returning soon, and he wanted to use the remaining time for extra training. Still, Obito's constant nagging and sharp remarks eventually wore him down.
In the end, he followed.
Along the way, Obito looked unusually gloomy. With his hands behind his head, he grumbled, "Nishimura-sensei is clearly biased. I'm strong enough already, so why won't he let me graduate early? I'm a well known genius in the village, you know…"
Everyone turned to look at him.
Obito coughed awkwardly and forced a laugh. "Fine… a well known genius of the Uchiha Clan in the Academy, alright?"
Rin smiled gently. "Obito, it's fine. It's only a few years later, right?"
"Yeah," Guy added with a nod. "I heard Kushina-sensei say that in their year, most people graduated at ten. Even Hayashi didn't graduate early…"
"True," Obito said with a sigh. "But the year he graduated, he skipped two ranks on the battlefield and became the youngest Jonin in the ninja world. That same year, he defeated Shukaku in the Land of Rain and earned the title of Konoha's Lightning Flash. I hear about it every day at home, I could repeat it in my sleep."
Guy shrugged. "Then you already know there's no point rushing."
Asuma glanced around before lowering his voice. "Don't worry. By next summer at the latest, all of us will become Genin."
Obito's eyes lit up. "What? Where did you hear that?"
Most of them were only seven years old. Kakashi was even younger at six. If they graduated next year, that would definitely count as early.
Asuma smirked. "Can't say. It's classified. If ANBU comes asking questions, don't drag me into it."
His smug expression made it clear he knew more than he was saying, but no one pushed further. As the Third Hokage's son, it was natural for him to have access to information others didn't.
In truth, Asuma even knew who his future Jonin instructor would be.
That was the advantage of connections.
"Kurenai," Asuma said, trying to sound casual, "is there any teacher you'd prefer? I might be able to help."
His tone carried a certain confidence, as if arranging a Jonin instructor was a simple matter. Whether or not he could actually do it was another question, but in front of Kurenai, he refused to lose face.
Kurenai tilted her head thoughtfully. "Really? Then… could Hayashi be my teacher? My father says his genjutsu is the best in the village."
Asuma froze, scratching his head with an awkward laugh. "That… probably won't work. Hayashi's team is already full."
"Full?" Obito reacted faster than anyone. "Am I on it?"
Asuma shook his head. "I only overheard part of it. I'm not sure."
"I see…" Obito slumped slightly. "Guess I'll have to find Lord Third Hokage and get some answers myself."
Usually, they called him Grandpa Hokage, but no one used that nickname when Asuma was around. It just felt strange.
Rin clapped her hands lightly. "Come on, the Konoha forces will be back soon. Let's stay positive."
Her smile instantly lifted the mood.
Obito straightened up, full of energy again. "Alright! I'm going to eat as much as I can today and beat Kushina-sensei's record!"
"Idiot," Kakashi muttered.
"You're the idiot, Kakashi!" Obito snapped back, already rolling up his sleeves.
Guy watched them quietly, feeling a strange sense of discomfort. To him, their constant bickering somehow felt even more excessive than open flirting.
Under the setting sun, his green jumpsuit looked so bright it almost seemed purple.
At the end of October, an unexpected group arrived at Sunagakure.
It was a reinforcement team from Iwagakure. Their leader, Fūga, had come with a request. On Ōnoki's orders, they hoped the Third Kazekage would provide supplies to help resist Kumogakure's pressure.
Inside the Kazekage Building, the meeting hall was tense.
The Third Kazekage sat at the head of the table. The village elders and several Jonin were seated to one side, while Fūga and his men occupied the other.
"Lord Third Kazekage," Fūga said firmly, "we need a clear answer today. The village cannot afford to wait any longer."
The Kazekage tapped his fingers lightly against the table, the rhythm steady and deliberate. Then he spoke.
"Two thousand ninja from Sunagakure have already moved north. They are about to cross into the Land of Birds."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Fūga's expression darkened as he sank back into his seat. His subordinates looked just as shaken.
After a moment, he gripped the armrest tightly and stood. "What exactly are you planning, Kazekage-sama?"
The Third Kazekage frowned slightly, as if considering the question. Then he looked up with a faint smile.
"Invade the Land of Earth, of course. Isn't that obvious?"
Fūga let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
So much for allies.
At that moment, the door opened. A tall, broad man stepped inside, dressed in Kumogakure attire.
Dodai.
He smiled when he saw Fūga. "Nightingale. It's been a while."
That codename belonged to Fūga's days in ANBU. The recognition made his expression stiffen.
If it had only been Kumogakure attacking, Iwagakure might still have managed. Konoha was already holding them back elsewhere. But now, Sunagakure had joined forces with the Hidden Cloud.
The situation had turned disastrous.
For the first time, Fūga wondered if Iwagakure could survive what was coming.
In the distance, Chiyo watched silently, her expression unreadable as she glanced at the Kazekage.
She had never wanted this war. Losing Iwagakure as an ally would bring no real benefit, only more bloodshed.
After a long pause, she sighed quietly.
How many lives would Sunagakure have to lose before it learned?
But the Third Kazekage was nothing like the Third Hokage.
He did not fear war.
And he certainly did not fear casualties.
In the corner, Sasori let out a faint, cold laugh.
Some people needed to die.
Otherwise, how would anyone remember the price that had already been paid?