WebNovels

Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Early Graduation?

Chapter 21: Early Graduation?

"I know Rino-sensei means well, but I know my own situation. It's not my time to venture out into the Shinobi World yet..." Kael continued to politely refuse.

Are you kidding me?

He had finally found a safe place like the Ninja Academy to lay low and power up, and now someone wanted him to graduate early?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Kael gritted his teeth. He would never graduate early, not in this lifetime!

In the original story, the ones who graduated early were all geniuses, prodigies even. Kakashi, a Konoha Jonin at twelve; Itachi Uchiha, who unlocked his Mangekyo Sharingan at thirteen; Shisui Uchiha, who might have unlocked his even earlier than Itachi.

But prodigies never had good endings. They fell to darkness, went insane, or killed themselves. The consequence of achieving fame at a young age was a lack of mental maturity. Possessing incredible power too early often led to extremist thinking, making them targets for manipulation and causing them to walk a dangerous path.

Kael himself only had an affinity for two chakra natures, and his talent for chakra cultivation was, in his own opinion, average—far from the famous geniuses of Konoha. More importantly, the only thing backing him was the tiny, insignificant Hidden Hot Water Village, which could offer him no real support. He didn't even have a Kekkei Genkai. Besides his Synthesis System, he was nothing compared to those prodigies.

And now someone wanted him to graduate early? What kind of joke was that?

While he was internally cursing Inoshita for his well-intentioned but misguided idea, Kael maintained a helpless expression.

"It's not that I don't want to graduate early, but my strength relies entirely on my Summoning Beasts. You saw that big fella in the courtyard, Uncle Rino. That's my latest creation..." Kael explained to the disappointed-looking Inoshita.

But there was one thought he kept to himself. Rino-sensei, my path is different from yours.

"Sigh." Inoshita let out a helpless sigh, not knowing what else to say. This child, Kael, was incredibly mature, possessed an iron will, and had a clear vision for his future. It was frustrating, but also a little comforting.

Inoshita shook his head. "I understand. I was startled by that big creature in your yard when I came in. I have no idea where you found such a huge bird!"

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"

Just then, the Wind Eagle in the courtyard let out an indignant screech.

Kael's face twitched. He turned to the surprised Inoshita and quietly translated, "He says he's the noble Eagle King. You're the bird. Your whole family are birds."

Inoshita: "..."

Well, I don't know if it's an Eagle King, but its pride is definitely king-level, he thought.

"Tsk, tsk... for it to be so intelligent and understanding, it must be a great partner," Inoshita said, a look of envy in his eyes as he stared at Kael.

Kael just gave a shy smile.

As Inoshita was about to leave, Kael remembered something and quickly stopped him.

"What is it?" Inoshita asked, turning back with a puzzled look.

"Ahem! It's nothing, Uncle Rino. I was just hoping to learn some ninjutsu from you."

Inoshita paused, then a grin spread across his face. "So you had this planned all along! No wonder you didn't want to graduate early!" he said, half-joking, half-scolding.

"Hehehe..." Kael just scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.

Why would he ever want to graduate when he could learn ninjutsu without having to go on dangerous missions?

"Our village doesn't have a rule against privately teaching ninjutsu, but generally, we don't teach it to students who are still in the academy. They're too young, and without real-world experience, their minds aren't mature enough. Giving them ninjutsu could be a potential danger to themselves, their classmates, and even the villagers. To ensure the students' safety, the squad leaders are the ones who teach them after they graduate..."

"Alright, alright! Uncle Rino, just get to the point. Stop beating around the bush!" Kael interrupted impatiently. He figured a squad leader would never teach their best jutsu anyway, so what was the point?

"Hey, watch your tone! Show some respect!" Inoshita glared at him, feigning annoyance.

Kael just rolled his eyes, making no attempt to apologize. With Inoshita, the one person in this world he truly respected, he never bothered with pleasantries.

And Inoshita didn't mind. He had no children of his own and found Kael's familiar, forward nature rather endearing.

"I don't know that many ninjutsu. What do you want to learn? By the way, I still don't know what your chakra natures are," Inoshita asked curiously.

"Wind and Fire. Just teach me everything you know that I can use, Uncle Rino," Kael said casually.

Inoshita frowned slightly. "I don't have Wind or Fire nature..."

Now it was Kael's turn to be stunned. He looked at him in disbelief. "No way! Uncle Rino, you're not messing with me, are you?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Inoshita looked like he wanted to smack the disrespectful kid. "I have an affinity for Earth Style. I know a few Earth-style jutsu," he said irritably.

"Sigh..." Kael was disappointed but hadn't given up completely. "What about the Three Academy Jutsu, then?"

"You don't have to rush me. I'll be teaching those to the whole class at the start of the fourth year," Inoshita said with a smug look.

"Son of a..." Kael swore under his breath, biting back the rest of the curse in the presence of an elder.

"Hahaha..." Inoshita couldn't help but laugh at Kael's frustrated expression. After a moment, he suppressed his laughter, though his eyes still twinkled with amusement. "Alright, alright, don't worry. I may not be the strongest ninja, but I've been around for a long time and I have some connections. I'll go ask around for you."

Hearing this, Kael fell silent. He hadn't expected Inoshita to be willing to go out on a limb and ask others for Wind and Fire-style ninjutsu for him. Inoshita was an old man and surely had a network, but to use those connections for him... Kael would owe him a great debt.

"It's fine. Seeing talented young people like you in the village makes me happy. My old teammates and colleagues feel the same way..." Inoshita said gently. As an experienced man, he knew exactly what Kael was thinking.

"Yeah... Thanks, Uncle Rino..." Kael said, his gratitude making him uncharacteristically awkward.

More Chapters