The only problem was that Sasuke was just too stubborn.
In every sparring session, even without explicitly saying anything, the attitude burning in his eyes was obvious to anyone who wasn't blind.
Iruka didn't want to crush his students' enthusiasm, so he had no choice but to watch Sasuke lose, time after time.
Although... Menma went a bit heavy-handed this time, didn't he? Is he getting impatient too?
Iruka's gaze drifted slightly as he glanced at Menma, who had already returned to the line with a perfectly calm expression. The thought crossed Iruka's mind almost subconsciously.
"That concludes today's combat training. This is also the last practical combat class you will have at the Academy. It's already December, and your graduation exam is just around the corner. In the little time remaining, you must study hard and prepare. Do not make rookie mistakes during the exam. I want to see every single one of you graduate successfully. Understood?!"
Checking the time, Iruka realized the lesson was over.
He walked up to the group of dozens of students—including Menma, Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata—and spoke with a solemn expression and a serious tone.
In these peaceful years, early graduations weren't unheard of, but they were pitifully rare.
Geniuses like Itachi Uchiha, who graduated at age seven after just a year in the Academy, simply hadn't appeared in recent times. The few who did graduate early were usually over ten years old already.
Nowadays, almost all Academy students completed the full six-year curriculum before taking the standard exam to become Genin.
The exam was usually scheduled for January.
There wasn't much time left until then. Less than a month, at best.
"Wait, wait! Iruka-sensei! What's going to be on the graduation exam? Is it the same as the seniors had before?!"
"Yeah, yeah! Can you give us a hint, Iruka-sensei?!"
As soon as Iruka finished speaking, the orderly lines exploded into chaos like a drop of water falling into hot oil. The students started chattering excitedly, their eyes shining as they looked up at him.
Graduation!
Becoming a ninja!
This was the dream of almost everyone in this world!
Especially in this long era of peace.
This young generation hadn't experienced war. Even if they had heard countless warnings from their elders about the risks of being a ninja or the brutality of survival, without personal experience, they couldn't truly empathize.
They only saw the glamorous, powerful side of being a shinobi.
Danger?
What's that? Can you eat it?
The little ones were fearless.
They were future stars destined to become great ninja, maybe even the Hokage!
Whether others believed it or not, they certainly believed in themselves.
So, the closer graduation got, the more pumped up they became.
"Tell you the exam content? You wish! Keep dreaming! The exam changes every year. Don't assume it'll be the same as before, and don't think I'm going to leak it to you. All I can say is that the exam will cover things we've learned. As long as you prepare well and perform normally, you will all graduate!"
Hearing their demands, Iruka deliberately darkened his face, scowling at his students as he spoke sternly.
"Ehh?!"
"No way!"
"Come on, Iruka-sensei, don't be like that!"
"Just tell us, Sensei!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
The problem was, Iruka was just too nice. Over the past six years, he had rarely raised his voice at them unless they were causing real trouble (like the original Naruto). Even then, Iruka usually tried to reason with them first.
He preferred guiding his students gently rather than ruling with fear.
So while the students liked and respected him, they weren't exactly afraid of him.
It was a double-edged sword.
Just look at them now. Even though Iruka was putting on his "serious face," not a single student was actually intimidated.
"Come on, Iruka-sensei! Just tell us straight up!"
And of course, the ringleader of the hecklers was Naruto.
This gave Iruka a bit of a headache.
"Alright, that's it for today! Class dismissed!"
Iruka snapped, then turned and marched away briskly.
"Ehh?!"
"No way! Iruka-sensei!"
"Wait up, Sensei!"
He left a group of wailing children behind him.
Once Iruka left, Menma also stepped away from the training ground, his expression cool.
Over the past six years, Menma hadn't actively tried to get close to anyone.
Whether it was Sasuke, his foolish little brother, or the rest of the Konoha 12, Menma kept them all at arm's length.
If anyone approached him to talk, he responded with the most bland, polite answers possible.
His future didn't allow for deep connections with these people.
Unless some of them experienced a complete and total awakening.
But that was clearly wishful thinking.
So, Menma would walk his own path firmly.
Everyone else? They were just passersby in his life.
He would either succeed or die trying. There was no third option—and even if there were, it wouldn't be one Menma was willing to accept.
Menma's departure caught the attention of some classmates, but they were used to it by now.
After all, if you were ranking aloofness, Sasuke was the undisputed Number One in the class. At least Menma occasionally offered a polite, formulaic smile.
Most of his peers just thought Menma was a bit reserved and cool.
Only a very few—like Shikamaru, or certain girls with exceptionally sensitive intuition—could sense the profound sense of alienation hidden beneath Menma's exterior.
But they wouldn't say it out loud.
Ignoring the thoughts of his classmates behind him, Menma strode straight toward his home.
Unlike his peers, who were looking forward to graduation with excitement, Menma had different concerns.
The arrival of Year 60 of the Hidden Leaf meant something very specific to him.
It meant the start of the original plot!
Orochimaru's invasion and the "Konoha Crush" plan!
The return of Itachi Uchiha, Jiraiya, and Tsunade to the village.
And the Akatsuki officially beginning their operations!
Among these people...
Every single one of them had the potential to become Menma's mortal enemy!