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Time flows like water, and the years pass swiftly like a shuttle.
Another cycle of winter gave way to spring, and the calendar officially turned to the 60th year of Konoha.
March 18th—a familiar date.
The no-holds-barred duel between Ryūsei and Sasuke last year still felt as fresh as yesterday, remaining a hot topic among their classmates.
It was still fresh in their memories how, when the new school year began in April, word of Ryūsei and Sasuke's battle had spread, drawing countless underclassmen to peek through the windows just to catch a glimpse of the two.
After all, the fact that fifth-years could already wield the Five Elements Ninjutsu was nothing short of astonishing.
Many students still struggled with even the basic E-rank Transformation, Clone, and Substitution Jutsu, their chakra reserves so meager that they could barely perform them a few times.
In contrast, Sasuke's Great Fireball Technique was a C-rank Fire Release.
And Ryūsei's Water Wall? A B-rank Water Release.
Everyone agreed that both Ryūsei and Sasuke had the skills to graduate early.
Yet, Iruka never submitted an application to Hiruzen for their early graduation. Instead, he kept them in the academy for another year.
Upon entering their sixth year, both Ryūsei and Sasuke became noticeably more reserved and low-key.
During quizzes and surprise tests, Sasuke no longer actively requested to spar with Ryūsei. Instead, he bided his time, quietly honing his skills.
Ryūsei did the same.
Through that no-rules duel, Ryūsei had finally deciphered the drop-rate mechanics of his game system.
Fights bound by rules affected an invisible "score," drastically lowering his drop rates.
Only all-out battles could boost that score, increasing the odds of better rewards.
In the academy, only no-holds-barred duels allowed for such intensity.
But such battles didn't happen in quizzes or surprise exams.
And since sixth-year students only had the graduation exam—no major assessments—Ryūsei realized he wouldn't be able to farm Indra's Chakra from Sasuke for an entire year.
So, he stopped attending classes in person.
Instead, he sent a shadow clone to the academy while his real self stayed home, training and improving his skills.
Aside from occasional practice sessions with Hinata and the others during breaks, Ryūsei's real body hardly ever left the house.
Until today.
For the first time in a long while, Ryūsei skipped his morning training and didn't send out a shadow clone. Instead, he took the time to dress neatly before heading out.
A year had passed, and Ryūsei, now in the midst of puberty, had grown significantly taller. His height had shot up from 163 cm to 168 cm, nearly a full head taller than most of the Rookie Nine.
If he wore a forehead protector, anyone who didn't know him might assume he'd been a genin for years.
After all, even Naruto in Shippuden was only 166 cm tall—two centimeters shorter than Ryūsei was now.
On his way to the academy, Ryūsei didn't run into Hinata or the others.
Over the past year, the three girls had figured out that Ryūsei wasn't attending in person, so they no longer arranged any "coincidental" encounters.
"Ryūsei, good morning!"
"Ryūsei, have you eaten yet?"
Once he entered the classroom, he saw that Hinata, Sakura, and Ino had arrived early.
As he took his seat, Hinata and Sakura greeted him warmly, while Ino posed a coded question—one only the four of them understood.
"Yeah, I have," Ryūsei replied with a nod.
Hearing this, the three girls' eyes lit up, and their conversation with him grew noticeably more animated.
The meaning behind that simple response was clear: This is the real me.
After all, shadow clones didn't eat.
Watching the sudden shift in the girls' demeanor, Shikamaru—who had been lazily sprawled over his desk beside Ryūsei—narrowed his eyes slightly, a glint of realization flashing in them.
So, it wasn't a falling-out after all!
This whole year… Ryūsei hasn't been attending in person?
Shadow Clone Jutsu…
This guy's already mastered two B-rank techniques?
No, more importantly—his chakra reserves must be insane to maintain a shadow clone for an entire school day, even during exams!
Just how much chakra does he have?!
Even the usually unflappable Shikamaru couldn't help but feel stunned.
No wonder neither Sasuke nor any of the others had managed to dethrone Ryūsei as the top student all these years.
The guy was leagues ahead of them.
What could have happened to that once ruthlessly ambitious person to turn him into who he is now?
At this moment, Shikamaru's curiosity about Ryūsei peaked. But he didn't ask.
He knew Ryūsei wouldn't answer.
But one thing was certain: Ryūsei had to have a Kekkei Genkai.
Maybe one that had awakened after skipping a generation.
Because aside from a bloodline limit, Shikamaru couldn't think of anything else that could cause such a drastic change in a person.
Then—flash!
A sudden thought struck him.
Staring at Ryūsei's silver hair and red eyes, Shikamaru's mind raced with a bold speculation.
Silver hair… red eyes… monstrous chakra reserves…
Is Ryūsei actually a descendant of the Senju clan who integrated into Konoha?
If I remember right, the Second Hokage had the same hair and eye color!
Could his absurd chakra levels mean he's awakened Senju bloodline traits?
Ryūsei had no idea what Shikamaru was thinking—otherwise, he'd have been shocked.
'Damn, that's scarily close.'
Of course, no one could possibly guess the existence of something like a "game system."
Still, Shikamaru's theory inadvertently provided a perfect cover for Ryūsei's Sage Body.
After all, if he could think of it, others would too.
Once Ryūsei's immense chakra reserves became widely known, those who had seen the Second Hokage—whether in person or in photos—would naturally assume Ryūsei was a Senju descendant rather than suspect some hidden secret about his body.
For Ryūsei, this was a good thing.
Time ticked by, and soon, the graduation exams began.
"The test for graduation is the Clone Jutsu. When your name is called, come out."
Iruka appeared at the classroom door but didn't enter, leaving after delivering his instructions.
Shortly after, another chunin in a green flak jacket appeared, holding a list of names.
"Inuzuka Kiba…"
One by one, students who had shared a classroom with Ryūsei for six years stood up and left, their reactions varying—some nervous, some confident. None returned.
Ino and Hinata, whose names had already been called, were among them.
"...Hoshina Ryūsei."
Soon, Ryūsei heard his own name.
He stood and turned to Sakura. "Good luck. I'll wait for you at the school entrance."
Sakura smiled. "You too, Ryūsei."
Exiting the classroom, Ryūsei arrived at the examination room, where Iruka and Mizuki sat behind a desk.
Glancing briefly at the ever-smiling Mizuki, Ryūsei swiftly formed the hand seals.
"Clone Jutsu!"
Poof!
A burst of white smoke erupted near the doorway.
When it cleared, Ryūsei stepped out, a brand-new forehead protector in hand.
At the school entrance, he found Hinata and Ino waiting.
Not long after, Sakura emerged as well, her own forehead protector secured.
They didn't leave immediately.
There was still one last step—taking their official profile photos.
Only after their records were archived would they truly be recognized as genin.
Of course, if they failed to impress their assigned jonin instructor, they'd be sent back to the academy for another year.