Mizutani Sawa flashed into the arena and announced loudly.
"Miyazaki Hayato and Matsumoto Shuichi have lost their combat ability. Hoshimi Ren and Uchiha Ryufeng are victorious and have passed the early graduation exam, officially becoming Genin."
"Easy."
Ren retracted his Kunai, walked to Ryufeng's side, and looked at Ryufeng with a smile in his eyes.
"We got it."
After a tacit fist bump, the two walked towards the spectator stands.
"We… we won?"
Yamanaka Ryo mumbled to himself, looking at the two approaching him, momentarily experiencing a brain short-circuit.
"So… so strong."
Asuma and Obito stood in front of the railing, their eyes practically popping out. They never expected that the assessment for two Ninja Academy students to become Genin would involve Ninjutsu flying everywhere. Anyone who didn't know would think it was a few Chunin fighting.
"They… seem to have won?"
Just then, a voice came from the stands.
"They won!"
Awakened from their shock, the crowd immediately erupted. Following Kakashi, someone else had successfully graduated early, and this time, two appeared at once! It was simply too cool!
"Sensei, we won."
The two walked onto the spectator stands, approached Yamanaka Ryo, and bowed.
"Good, good, good, good."
Yamanaka Ryo also came back to his senses, stood up abruptly, and patted the two on the shoulders repeatedly, speaking excitedly. He said "good" four times in a row, showing how thrilled he was at that moment.
"Congratulations, Yamanaka Sensei. You've nurtured two more geniuses. Becoming a Ninja at such a young age, their prospects are boundless. Yamanaka Sensei truly has excellent teaching methods. This is truly cause for celebration."
"It's all their own hard work; it has little to do with me. All the teachers are overpraising me."
While Yamanaka Ryo dealt with the other teachers, a "proud uncle" smile also appeared on his face. His students were so promising; it truly brought him great hohonours a teacher.
Suddenly, two figures instantly appeared in the spectator stands. Those who noticed them widened their eyes, nudging the people next to them to direct their gaze there. In a moment, the entire arena fell silent, everyone staring at the two figures who had suddenly appeared.
Black tights, a white suspender shirt worn over them, and lower garments that were largely the same as other Ninja. A sword was slung diagonally across their back, and they wore white animal-shaped masks on their faces.
Anbu?
Ren looked at the Anbu who had suddenly appeared before him with surprise. Why would Anbu be here?
The Anbu is a special assassination tactical unit established by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. The Anbu is directly led by the Hokage. It was the first underground special intelligence ororganisationmong the Five Great Nations, and was subsequently emulated by Ninja Villages in other major nations.
Anbu members are all excellent talents selected from the Village. Their main tasks are to protect the Hokage and prevent external enemy invasions, while also being responsible for assassination and reconnaissance missions. Anbu members wear white masks resembling animals when on missions, and the nature of their missions and all other information arisept strictly confidential. The Anbu is directly subordinate to the Hokage, with multiple sub-teams, led by squad leaders who transmit orders and oversee mission execution. The current Anbu commander is Konoha White Fang.
"Hoshimi Ren, Uchiha Ryufeng, Hokage-sama has summoned you. He wants to bestow your headbands upon you."
One of the Anbu wearing a monkey mask spoke, his gaze fixed on the two.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wants to see us? It seems he must have seen the match just now.
After a moment of thought, Ren looked up, exchanged glances with Ryufeng, and then walked towards the Anbu.
"Then let's go. Let's not keep Hokage-sama waiting."
The Anbu nodded, and in the blink of an eye, the four vanished from the spectator stands.
"Hokage-sama wants to see Ren and them, and he's even going to personally bestow their headbands!"
"Oh, if you could also graduate early, you could certainly go ask Hokage-sama to bestow your headband upon you."
After the Anbu left, the students began to discuss animatedly again, but in the end, they all came to one conclusion: Ren and Ryufeng were about to soar.
...
Hokage Office.
"Knock knock."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window. Hearing the knock, he turned his head and responded to the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and two Anbu entered the office, followed closely by Ren and Ryufeng.
"Hokage-sama, Hoshimi Ren and Uchiha Ryufeng have been brought."
The two Anbu knelt on one knee, reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Good, you've worked hard. You may withdraw for now."
"Yes."
The two Anbu stood up and instantly used the Instantaneous Body Technique to leave. Only three people remained in the office, looking at each other.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama." (x2)
Ren tugged at Ryufeng beside him. The two stepped forward two paces and bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hahahaha, you two little rascals don't need to be so formal. Old Man, I called you over for no other reason than to meet you and to personally bestow your Konoha headbands upon you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily. He was in his prime, at the peak of his strength, far from the indecisiveness he would show in his old age. At this time, he was still the "Ninja Hero" who struck fear into the hearts of enemies in the Ninja World.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for bestowing the headbands."
The two bowed again. As they looked up, they saw two headbands in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands. He walked around the desk and stood before them.
"Hoshimi Ren, Uchiha Ryufeng, from now on you are Konoha Genin. You must remember the will of fire and pass it down!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the headbands to the two, his expression serious.
"Yes, where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The firelight will continue to illuminate the Village, and cause new leaves to sprout!" (x2)
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction upon hearing their reply, and his expression became even softer.
"I can grant each of you one small request as a reward for your early graduation. You have three minutes to think."
"Hmm?"
Their hearts trembled, and then a look of joy appeared on their faces. This was a stroke of luck, a pie falling from the sky. If they seized this opportunity, their strength might advance further in a short period.
After a moment of contemplation, Ren looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said without hesitation.
"Hokage-sama, I want to join the Anbu!"
"Hmm? You want to join the Anbu?"
Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but even Uchiha Ryufeng, who was beside him, cast a surprised look at Ren.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"No, you are still too young. Early exposure to the Anbu would be detrimental to your future. Perhaps in two more years, I might allow you to join."
Hiruzen Sarutobi refused without a second thought. Although he had seen today's match through the crystal ball, Ren's strength had surprised him. But he was, after all, only a seven-year-old child. If he were exposed to the Anbu too early, that darkness would definitely devour him.
"No, huh…"
Ren scratched his head, then made another request.
"Then, Hokage-sama, can you teach me a Ninjutsu?"
"Hmm…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then agreed.
"Yes, what Ninjutsu do you want to learn?"
"I read in a book that Second Hokage-sama's Water Release was known as the strongest in the Ninja World, so I want to learn Second Hokage-sama's Water Release Ninjutsu."
Ren looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with burning eyes.
Go big or go home. If it doesn't work out, I can always ask for something else. But if it does, I'll take off immediately!