At the Academy.
On the very top floor of the teaching building.
The classroom was empty, with only one person sitting inside, constantly writing and drawing.
Outside the classroom, Iruka looked at Neji inside with a troubled expression.
He then turned to Shinji and said, "Shinji, Neji is only in fourth grade. Even if it's almost vacation, he'd be in fifth grade at most next year. Isn't it too early for him to graduate now?"
Shinji waved his hand and said, "Iruka, don't worry about this."
"Neji is my disciple, and I'm well aware of his strength. Moreover, don't forget, early graduation requires a practical combat assessment."
"And you just met the person who will be conducting the assessment, didn't you?"
Iruka was stunned upon hearing this, then looked at Neji inside the classroom.
That's right, if that person was the assessor, then no matter what, Neji would need actual ability to pass.
About ten minutes later, Neji finished his test paper. As soon as he came out, he saw Iruka and Shinji and bowed in greeting.
"Sensei, Iruka-sensei."
"Mm, Neji, go ahead." Shinji nodded, telling Neji to proceed with the ninja tool throwing assessment first.
Neji nodded at this and walked downstairs. Iruka could only follow him, as he was the next examiner.
...
"Ten points, perfect score!" Iruka announced happily.
Neji's score was excellent. However, a ninja doesn't rely solely on ninja tools, other aspects cannot be too weak either.
Thinking of this, Iruka couldn't help but say, "Neji, now, you only need to pass the practical combat assessment to become a ninja."
Neji nodded upon hearing this and then wanted to go to the location of the practical combat assessment.
"Wait." Iruka quickly said when he saw this.
Neji stopped and looked at Iruka, asking confusedly, "What is it, Iruka-sensei?"
"Neji, I hope you understand that becoming a ninja is not such a wonderful thing."
"Once you pass the assessment, you will wear a forehead protector, and your hands will inevitably be stained with blood."
"Although this might sound a bit inappropriate, I hope you will be cautious."
Neji frowned after listening, then relaxed after a long while, nodding to Iruka in acknowledgment.
"I understand, Iruka-sensei."
With that, he no longer delayed and headed to the location of the final stage.
Watching Neji's retreating figure, Iruka couldn't help but sigh. He only hoped that Neji would be able to protect himself after becoming a ninja.
Behind the Academy, at the training ground.
As soon as Neji stepped in, he saw an unexpected person.
Hiashi, who was sitting cross-legged under a large tree, opened his eyes when he heard the sound and looked at Neji.
He then stood up and slowly walked towards Neji, saying, "Shinji-sama said you wanted to apply for early graduation, so I took the liberty of coming to serve as the practical combat assessor."
Neji lowered his gaze, nodded, and said, "Understood, clan head."
Shinji, who had just arrived, couldn't help but feel a bit speechless at this scene.
Hiashi was truly awkward. He had looked worried when he heard the news, but now he had a poker face.
"Alright, Neji, now unleash your full power." Shinji patted Neji's shoulder and then moved to the side.
"Good, don't treat me as the clan head. Treat me as an enemy, and unleash your maximum strength." Hiashi finished speaking and immediately took a stance.
He had asked Shinji to let him be the final assessor because he wanted to see Neji's strength. If it wasn't enough, he wouldn't hesitate to decide that Neji had failed the assessment, even if it would make the child hate him even more.
Shinji couldn't help but twitch his lips upon hearing this. Was Hiashi afraid Neji wouldn't fight with the resolve to kill him?
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, Neji looked up, and the veins around his eyes bulged.
Byakugan, activate!
An invisible aura erupted from Neji's body, even if this aura meant nothing to Hiashi.
Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!
Neji didn't hesitate, immediately unleashing his strongest ability.
Facing Hiashi, if he worried about hurting him, that would be underestimating the prestige of the Hyuga clan head.
...
Watching the gradually receding figure, Hiashi could no longer hold it in. He opened his mouth, and a trace of blood involuntarily flowed out.
Heh heh, he had been careless.
Because of his opening remark, Neji immediately adopted a desperate fighting spirit, relentlessly pressing Hiashi.
Hiashi had been parrying with Chunin-level strength, but he hadn't expected to be defeated so thoroughly.
But it was enough. At least Neji's strength was definitely not lower than that of a Special Jonin.
Thinking of this, Hiashi bowed to Shinji, who was standing nearby. "Thank you, Shinji-sama, for your guidance."
Hiashi knew that if it weren't for Shinji, even with Neji's high talent, he wouldn't have such strength at this age.
"No need, Hiashi-senpai."
Shinji waved his hand, and seeing the trace of blood at the corner of Hiashi's lips, his eye twitched.
Hiashi hadn't exhaled that breath immediately just now, and the resulting forced suppression had caused a disruption in his Chakra pathways, leading to injury.
He hadn't expected Neji to be so ferocious, fighting as if against an enemy.
Hiashi nodded and then headed out of the training ground. Now that he knew Neji's strength, he didn't need to worry so much.
Moreover, Neji would most likely be following his master, Shinji, anyway. This made him even less concerned. Overtly, the current Shinji was Konoha's strongest ninja. With such a powerful person protecting him, his safety was more or less guaranteed.
— — —
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen was smiling as he looked at Neji, who was now wearing a forehead protector.
"From today onwards, you are a Genin of Konoha."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Neji nodded and bowed to Hiruzen.
"Alright, it's fine to call me grandmaster." Hiruzen waved his hand, becoming more and more pleased the more he looked.
Strictly speaking, Minato was also his grand-disciple, and now he finally had another one like this.
Neji was a bit embarrassed. After all, if he was really asked to call Hiruzen that, he wouldn't dare.
Ninjas placed more importance on certain rules.
"Alright, old man, stop teasing the youngsters." Shinji, who was beside him, rubbed his brow helplessly and said to Hiruzen.
"Alright then."
Hiruzen clicked his tongue and looked at Shinji, saying, "However, Shinji, what are your plans for Neji?"
Originally, this should have been arranged by Hiruzen himself. However, Neji was his grand-disciple after all, so it was better to ask Shinji.
"Next, I will specifically train Neji." Shinji said.
He looked at Neji, and after a moment, added, "At least, his strength needs to have a certain breakthrough."
Hiruzen nodded, this arrangement was good.
"Okay, I'll give you a month."
Shinji thought for a moment and agreed without hesitation, "No problem, that should be enough."