In the three months leading up to graduation, Uchiha Yi's strength improved significantly. Not only did he integrate his monstrous strength into his combat, but he also acquired some valuable items through the combat space.
Defeating the young Minato earned him Minato Namikaze's spatial talent.
Defeating Rock Lee during the Chunin Exams earned him Rock Lee's combat experience, which significantly enhanced Uchiha Yi's fighting skills. Unfortunately, he didn't acquire the Eight Inner Gates Formation technique.
Defeating Izumo Kamizuki, the 'Gate Guardian,' was a tough battle for Uchiha Yi. Izumo Kamizuki was a relatively skilled Chunin, and would later become a Special Jonin. Uchiha Yi expended considerable effort to defeat Izumo Kamizuki and gained his swordsmanship, which was better than nothing.
Defeating Tenten from the Fourth Great Ninja War earned him Tenten's ninja tool throwing ability. Of course, this wasn't very useful for Uchiha Yi, as when it came to kunai throwing, who could surpass an Uchiha?
Defeating the Anbu ninja, Tiger, earned him Tiger's stealth techniques.
Defeating Yurika earned him her cipher decoding ability.
Defeating Uzumaki Fuso earned him Uzumaki Fuso's Uzumaki clan physique, which further enhanced Uchiha Yi's physical constitution.
Defeating the young Uchiha Fugaku earned him Uchiha Fugaku's two-tomoe Sharingan power. With the support of this power, combined with Uchiha Yi's increasingly excellent physique, Uchiha Yi's Sharingan awakened to three tomoe in one go.
It could be said that before graduating from the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Yi was already stronger than most Chunin. After accumulating enough mission experience, it wouldn't be impossible for him to take the Special Jonin examination.
However, Uchiha Yi didn't plan to reveal his full strength for now. At six years old, possessing Chunin-level strength was already astonishing.
Having Special Jonin-level strength would be too shocking. If other villages were to find out, Uchiha Yi would likely be placed on their kill list.
At Tsunade's request, the early graduation applications for Uchiha Yi, Uchiha Mikoto, and Nawaki were simultaneously submitted to the Hokage's office.
"So, Sarutobi-sensei, hurry up and form our team!"
"Orochimaru and I still have to lead them later," Tsunade said, sitting casually on the sofa in the office, urging Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took two deep puffs from his pipe before speaking with a helpless expression, "I can approve the early graduation applications for these three, and I have no objection to Kushina Uzumaki temporarily leaving the Ninja Academy for you to train.
However, there's a problem with Hiashi Hyuga."
"What? They don't agree?" Tsunade furrowed her brows, a hint of displeasure flashing across her face.
She was, after all, an elite Jonin of Konoha, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and the true princess of the Land of Fire.
What? Is the Hyuga Main House so powerful that they're superior to her?
"The international situation has been too chaotic recently, and everyone can see that war could break out at any moment. Hiashi Hyuga is, after all, the heir to the Hyuga clan, and they don't plan to let him go out on missions.
However, to express their apology, they are willing to send a girl from the Hyuga Main House to join your team and have Hizashi Hyuga join Orochimaru's team," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
He had wanted Tsunade to take the future Hyuga clan head as her disciple, which would further stabilize the Hyuga clan and facilitate better communication on many matters in the future.
Unfortunately, they were unwilling to let Hiashi Hyuga go on missions, but offering a girl from the Main House and Hizashi Hyuga already showed great sincerity.
"Is there anyone of suitable age in the Hyuga Main House now?" Tsunade's expression improved slightly.
The Hyuga Main House was a tightly-knit group with extremely limited numbers; even Hizashi Hyuga was relegated to the Branch House.
She hadn't expected there to be a Main House member of suitable age.
"Here's her information," Hiruzen Sarutobi handed a document to Tsunade. "This child has been receiving family training and hasn't attended the Ninja Academy. Her talent is quite good, so there's no need to worry.
They wouldn't try to fob you off with a child lacking talent.
Moreover, based on my observations, Hizashi Hyuga's talent might even subtly surpass Hiashi Hyuga's. It's a pity he became a Branch House member."
Not only had he discovered this, but Danzo had also noticed it. Danzo had even considered using this to sow discord between Hizashi and Hiashi, and even incite conflict between the Branch House and the Main House.
At first glance, this plan seemed very feasible. Their demands were not excessive; they only wanted the Main House to lose control over the Branch House and not be able to punish them arbitrarily. For the Branch House, this would definitely be a good thing.
However, for the Hyuga Branch House to contend with the Main House was almost impossible.
Unless the Main House made a mistake, otherwise, they truly had no way to deal with the Hyuga.
"Hyuga Rinka, eight years old this year, possesses excellent chakra control and has already mastered the Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. She truly seems to be a talented individual, and might even learn some medical ninjutsu from me," Tsunade remarked with a complex expression.
"Indeed, I also think this child might be suitable for you. Perhaps they also believe your class is relatively safer," Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but sigh. Many people regarded Tsunade as merely a medical ninja, forgetting her terrifying combat power.
Of course, being by Tsunade's side was indeed relatively safer.
"How's your ninjutsu research coming along?" Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Tsunade.
"Still needs some work, needs further refinement. It'll be completed in half a year at most!" Tsunade said confidently, "By then, I will change the landscape of medical ninjutsu."
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, wanting to say that she was Tsunade, not just any medical ninja, and that not every medical ninja was Tsunade. But seeing his disciple's demeanor, Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately didn't reveal the truth.
"Alright, I'll give you another six months. Konoha is doing its best to avoid war right now, but all the countries are restless. Even the Land of Rain is frantically stockpiling war materials. According to the intelligence Danzo gathered, Hanzō wants to make the Land of Rain the sixth great nation. War is imminent, and we don't have much time left," Hiruzen Sarutobi earnestly cautioned Tsunade, "If you need any help, let me know anytime."
"I understand," Tsunade seemed to recall something and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "By the way, my great-uncle's sword, it's with you, isn't it?
We didn't take it as a memento back then."
"You mean the Sword of the Thunder God?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was subtle. He hadn't expected Tsunade to bring up that sword. "Do you want to give the Sword of the Thunder God to Uchiha Yi?"