"I..."
Just one look—an icy, feral glare brimming with killing intent—was enough to make Hayate Gekkō collapse to the ground, drained of all strength after barely managing a single word.
"The gap between you and him is like a chasm."
Those had been the words of the pure-hearted girl, Yūgao Uzuki.
And now, he finally understood what she meant by that insurmountable gulf.
I actually challenged him.
Was I insane?
Hayate lowered his head, unable even to summon the courage to meet Hakken's eyes.
Completely defeated.
Perhaps the word "trash" I'd thrown out that day was meant for myself all along.
The training field was silent. Every student stared at Itachi Uchiha and Hakken Yoru standing in the center, unable to calm the storm in their hearts.
Were they monsters?
Only a week after entering the Academy, they had already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu to perfection.
Their shuriken throwing? Practically godlike.
Itachi's technique was flawless—
But Hakken's timing, the power and precision of his blade deflecting the shuriken, were nothing short of breathtaking.
Could they even still be called human?
It was hard to imagine the kind of pressure that came with being their classmates.
The children from civilian families could only sigh. Compared to them, they weren't even worthy of polishing Hakken Yoru's shoes.
And Hana Inuzuka—who had once confidently promised her father she'd never bring shame to the Inuzuka name—now gave a bitter smile, looking utterly lost.
The shock of today was simply too great.
Was the challenger already finished?
Hakken merely shook his head, ignoring Hayate Gekkō completely. He turned instead toward Ryūji Yamazaki, meeting the teacher's gaze head-on.
A deliberate show of strength?
No.
To Hakken, this was simply his usual state during training with Itachi—hardly even showing off.
After all, flaunting himself in front of a bunch of kids would only make him look petty.
There was no meaning, no satisfaction, in that kind of performance.
Everything he did had its own purpose.
"Uh… ahem…"
Ryūji Yamazaki looked awkward. He had initially thought to use Hayate Gekkō's challenge as a chance to gauge Hakken Yoru's ability.
But now, he realized that from the very beginning, Hakken hadn't taken the boy seriously at all.
He had simply ignored him—
He ignored the final, desperate struggles of the weak and the pitiful.
Still, the assessment had to continue.
From the way Hakken Yoru and Itachi performed, however, it was clear that whatever came next had nothing to do with them anymore.
After all, in this world… only the strong are acknowledged.
"I declare!"
"Itachi Uchiha!"
"Hakken Yoru!"
"Both have passed the test."
Taking a deep breath, Ryūji Yamazaki jotted down the results of the match before announcing them aloud.
To his surprise, neither Hakken nor Itachi showed the slightest trace of excitement. Instead, the two walked toward him calmly, their expressions unreadable.
Hakken led the way, Itachi following quietly behind.
Clink.
Opening his gourd, the sword-wielding youth took a slow swig of sake, crossed his arms, and spoke.
"Apologies, Yamazaki-sensei."
"Itachi and I... have no interest in these so-called test results."
What are they up to now?
Yamazaki frowned.
The moment Hakken's eyes met his, he felt a strange sense of being challenged.
"What do you mean by that?"
As their homeroom teacher, he needed to assert himself—if he didn't, he might lose control of this class entirely.
"Early graduation."
"Please report this to Hokage-sama, Yamazaki-sensei."
"I, Hakken Yoru, along with Itachi Uchiha, hereby apply for early graduation to become ninja."
Pulling the shy Itachi to stand beside him, Hakken's deep voice carried an air of finality.
"Because the Ninja Academy no longer has anything to teach us."
The Ninja Academy...
Has nothing left to teach us!
Was this even something a human should say?
The children looked around in disbelief.
Guys, you've only been here for one week!
They wanted to protest, they really did.
But after seeing the terrifying display these two had just put on, it was hard to argue.
At least when it came to the Three Basic Jutsu and shuriken techniques, the Academy truly had nothing left to offer them.
"Hakken... he's really going to graduate early?"
Behind them, a girl who had been watching Hakken's back suddenly trembled.
"Hey, if you don't act now, you might never get the chance to say what you want."
Izumi, standing beside her, tugged at the purple-haired girl's sleeve.
Becoming a ninja meant facing countless dangers—and once they left the Academy, their chances to see each other would only grow fewer and fewer.
"Sensei! Please take me with them! I want to apply for early graduation too!"
Summoning all her courage, Yūgao Uzuki ran up to Hakken's side and gripped his arm tightly.
"I want to become a ninja with you, Hakken-kun—to face whatever dangers lie ahead together."
"Until I surpass you!"
To step out from the background and into the spotlight—it must have taken every ounce of courage she had.
Hakken stared at Yūgao, momentarily stunned.
Honestly, he hadn't expected that at all.
But to become a ninja now?
To face danger alongside him?
It was far too soon for her.
He paused for a moment, then said softly,
"Not this time."
So that's how it is...
Disappointment clouded the girl's face.
Tap.
Hakken reached out and gently tapped Yūgao's forehead with his index finger, a faint smile curling his lips.
"Next time. When you graduate, I'll come for you."
Hey, Ken-san...
That's something you usually only do to me.
Itachi arched a brow and let out a quiet huff.