The next day.
At the ninja academy.
Uchiha Jin strolled across the training field, replaying yesterday's conversation with Uzumaki Mito. He knew the Uzumaki's Kagura Mind's Eye could sense chakra so finely it could pick out a lie. Aside from omitting a few key details, everything he had said was true. He had even told Elder Hikaku about it, and that was no lie either.
Even Mito would have to accept the facts. If the Senju still had records about ninshu, they would only back him up. All he needed to do now was wait for them to confirm it on their own.
A clear voice cut through his thoughts from behind.
Jin turned automatically and saw Kushina's bright red hair streaming toward him. He stopped and opened his arms.
She crashed into him with a laugh.
"Why so early?" he asked, puzzled.
"You said you were graduating ahead of time today. I came early to see you off. After this I'll be the only one coming to school."
Kushina looked up, playing pitiful. Jin rapped her lightly on the forehead.
"Nice try. If you do not want to be here alone, then apply for early graduation like me."
"But Granny Mito said she wanted me to stay in school a bit longer." She rubbed her brow, hesitating.
"She probably wants you to make more friends and settle into Konoha. That is not really necessary anymore. Better to graduate early and let Mito teach you more herself."
He took her hand as he spoke. Color rushed to her cheeks, but she did not pull away. Hand in hand, they chatted as they walked the track.
A conspicuous blond head spotted them from a distance. "Jin, Kushina," came the call.
Jin looked over. Namikaze Minato approached wearing his signature smile. Kushina pouted, clearly annoyed that he had broken the mood.
"Diligent as ever. Here training this early?" Jin noticed the sweat and creases on Minato's sleeves and nodded with a trace of respect.
"It is just routine for me. But you, Jin, you have not been around for a couple of days. Something happen?" Minato scratched his hair, a little shy under the praise.
"I was helping at Konoha Hospital, so I took leave."
"I see. You really are something." Minato nodded with a look of you never fail to impress.
Before he could say more, Jin added, "Almost forgot to tell you. I am applying for early graduation today. You might not see me for a while."
"Huh? Already?" Minato blinked. In peaceful times, early graduation was rare.
"I was planning to stay a bit longer, but plans changed." Jin's gaze slid toward Kushina.
"Then I am graduating early too." Kushina clenched her fists, eyes shining. "We can have Sister Tsunade as our squad leader."
Jin could not help laughing. "Nice dream. Tsunade-sama is at the hospital all day. If she does lead us, it will be to drag us in as free labor."
"No way." Kushina's face fell. She had been itching to leave the village on missions.
Minato could not wedge a word in edgewise. He waited for a lull, wished Jin a smooth graduation, then headed for his classroom.
Jin chatted a bit longer with Kushina, then went to the examination room.
He arrived right on time. The proctors were already there. After polite nods all around, he stepped inside. Early graduation still used the standard genin test, so the examiners were academy instructors.
The graduation exam was simple. Draw one of the Three Basic Techniques at random and perform it to standard. The teachers finalized the lot and took their places.
"Uchiha Jin. Genin exam. Assigned technique: Clone Jutsu."
As the announcement ended, Jin's hands flashed through textbook-perfect seals. POOF! White smoke rolled, and several clones appeared at his sides in a neat formation. Each one mirrored his bearing exactly.
"Uchiha Jin, exam passed."
The head proctor did not hesitate. He handed over the prepared forehead protector. Congratulations followed at once.
"Uchiha Jin, welcome to the rank of genin."
"Thank you, sensei."
Jin tied the protector on his brow and stepped into the hall.
Kushina had been waiting. She rushed up and ran her fingers over the plate again and again.
"Alright, if you want one, ask Tsunade-sama to file your early graduation," Jin said with a smile.
"I will go after school." Kushina nodded hard, her face all resolve.