The chūnin surrendered.
A hush fell over the field.
For students like Saitama and Shisui, who had only been in the Academy for half a year, applying for early graduation was considered far more difficult than standard graduation.
Shisui had managed to last ten minutes against a chūnin proctor—an impressive feat that met the requirements for passing.
But no one had expected Uchiha Saitama—virtually unknown compared to Shisui—to force a chūnin to surrender outright.
After forming the Seal of Reconciliation with Chūnin Proctor #2, Saitama gave a calm nod of respect.
If he had gone all out from the beginning… I probably wouldn't have stood a chance. Even with a trump card, Saitama knew he'd been fortunate.
"Well now," the chūnin said with a wry smile, flexing his arms and shoulders. "Looks like the Uchiha have produced another prodigy."
His body still tingled with residual numbness—the effects of Lightning Release chakra hadn't worn off yet.
And just like that, both Shisui and Saitama had passed their graduation exams.
After briefly checking in with the proctor about when to receive their ninja headbands, the two boys left the training grounds.
The proctor, meanwhile, returned to report the results.
---
"All of them passed?" Shimagawa, one of the senior Academy instructors, couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He lasted ten minutes against a chūnin?"
"Yes," the proctor confirmed. "And I didn't hold back."
He then relayed every detail to Shimagawa—none of it exaggerated.
"I see… This needs to be reported to the Hokage immediately. Even if Lord Hokage is busy, this can't wait."
---
Later that day…
"How did you do it, Saitama?" Shisui asked as they walked. "That chūnin—how'd you paralyze him?"
Saitama gave a small smile. "You mean the numbness?"
"What else would I mean?"
Shisui's voice carried a note of concern, familiar and brotherly.
"That was the result of my training over New Year's. I've started learning to manipulate the lightning chakra nature. I haven't mastered it yet, though—it's still pretty rough."
He held out his right hand.
The skin was lightly burned.
Shisui frowned. "You really should've consulted one of the clan's jonin before trying something like this."
"Yeah, I will next time," Saitama said, hearing the worry behind his words.
He hadn't intended to use Lightning Release in actual combat so soon.
But the exam had pushed him to the edge. Between revealing his Sharingan or revealing his elemental affinity, he chose the latter.
Lightning Release could be explained away as natural talent. Sharingan, though… that would attract too much attention.
Fortunately, his injuries were minor—superficial burns that would heal in a few days. He rubbed his hand absently as they walked side by side.
Saitama looked up at the setting sun.
He was now officially a graduate of the Academy. A Genin of Konohagakure.
A potential recruit for the Uchiha Police Force.
Let's just hope I didn't draw too much attention…
It was now Year 45 of the Hidden Leaf calendar.
The Third Great Ninja War was on the horizon.
The tension across the Five Great Nations was thick. Konoha, as the heart of the Land of Fire—rich in resources and prosperity—was a constant target of envy.
The spark had already been lit with the assassination of the Third Kazekage.
The Sand Village blamed Konoha and had begun amassing forces along the border, eager to claim a share of Konoha's fertile lands. Their desert homeland offered little.
Meanwhile, the other Hidden Villages watched like wolves, each with its own grudges and ambitions.
War was inevitable. All it needed was the right trigger.
---
That evening, after dinner, Saitama sat alone in the courtyard. Grandma Kaka had turned in early, though he wasn't sure if she'd fallen asleep yet.
Creaaak.
The front door slid open.
A familiar figure entered—Uchiha Bomori, dressed in casual clan attire with no visible weapons.
"I heard you passed the graduation exam," he said as he walked over and sat beside Saitama.
"Take a few days to rest, then come report in. Be mentally prepared," Bomori added with a serious expression. "Shisui knows where to go. Go with him."
Saitama nodded. "Understood."
He had waited for this day for a long time.
"Lin already spoke to Shisui," Bomori added as he rose to his feet.
He didn't linger.
His visit was brief—just to pass along the message. Bomori wasn't especially close to Saitama, and with nothing more to say, he quietly took his leave.