Kushina was feeling frustrated just thinking about it.

And because of that, Minato, who had been trying to get closer to her lately, wasn't spared from her irritation.

As graduation approached, even the students who used to skip class and sleep through lectures started working hard.

They were all afraid that they might fail the exam and be held back for another year.

Especially those who had already been forced to repeat a grade.

If they failed the exam again, they might lose their chance to become a ninja for good.

The village didn't have the time to keep letting them repeat the same grade over and over.

Despite the tense atmosphere, the graduation exams finally arrived.

Takuya, however, remained the same as always. He sent a shadow clone to attend classes for him, while he either trained by the river or lazed around at home.

"Today is the day you all know well.

Don't be nervous; when I call your name, step forward for the exam."

The graduation exam for regular students wasn't too difficult. The challenge lay in those who applied for early graduation.

They needed to pass a real combat test to graduate successfully.

"I wonder who I'll be paired with."

"I want to be with Takuya."

"Yeah, right. You think you have a chance? Uchiha Mikoto hasn't even said anything yet."

"..."

"What's up?"

Hearing the chatter among their classmates, Uchiha Mikoto got both anxious and upset, giving Takuya a little shove.

Takuya couldn't help but laugh.

Ever since word got out about their request for early graduation, everyone assumed they were in a relationship.

Honestly, Takuya was impressed by the kids in the world of shinobi.

Especially when it came to emotions—by the age of four or five, they already understood what it meant to like someone.

Back in his previous life, four or five-year-olds were still peeing their pants and playing in the mud.

Once the exams were over, the fifth-year students began their break.

Now, they just had to wait for the village to assign them to squads, receive their headbands, and get their ninja IDs.

Then, they'd officially become new genin.

The other students had all left.

It should've been a day for celebration, but the teacher couldn't feel any joy.

Because once again, his students were causing trouble.

"Uchiha Mikoto, Takuya Yagami, are you sure you want to form your own squad instead of letting the village arrange it?"

If it were just Takuya, the teacher wouldn't have been too surprised. After all, Takuya Yagami never followed the rules.

But for Uchiha Mikoto to go along with it too—this was making his head spin.

What were they thinking?

Do they realize what kind of dangers they'll face without a guiding sensei?

"I understand what you two are thinking, and I'll report this to Lord Hokage.

But I hope you both seriously consider this, and don't make the wrong decision because of some early romance."

Most students were forced to form their own squads out of necessity. But Takuya and Mikoto? They were volunteering for it.

This really shocked the teacher.

Putting aside everything else, he hurriedly sent them off and rushed to the Hokage's office.

"Do you think Lord Hokage will approve?"

Leaving the ninja academy, Mikoto couldn't help but worry about the decision.

"I don't know, maybe he will, maybe he won't."

"But he'll definitely be surprised."

Takuya couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the Third Hokage's reaction.

"Sensei, just leave things like this to Orochimaru and Tsunade. I'm used to being lazy, and I still need to gather material for my writing. I don't have time to mentor students."

The new graduates had all finished.

Jiraiya had rushed to the Hokage's office to complain. He didn't want to be a jonin sensei—it would seriously interfere with his research and writing.

Jiraiya also felt that he wasn't cut out to be a teacher.

"Tsunade has already been assigned. Here, take a look at these students' profiles. If everything checks out…"

The Third Hokage handed the files to Jiraiya, not giving him a chance to refuse.

Knock, knock, knock!

An urgent knocking interrupted the Hokage's words.

Jiraiya sighed and took the files from the Hokage.

Only then did the Third Hokage smile and say, "Come in."

"Lord Hokage, I have something important to report."

"Ah, it's you, Teacher Onoyama. Were the graduation exams unsuccessful?"

As Hokage and head of the ninja academy, the Third Hokage paid close attention to the school's teachers.

If any of these teachers had important matters, they didn't need to schedule an appointment; they could come directly to him.

This showed just how much the Third Hokage valued the ninja academy.

Teacher Onoyama looked dejected.

Jiraiya watched curiously, thinking:

Did this guy get bullied by his students?

"Lord Hokage, among the graduates this year, the top student, Takuya Yagami, and the second-place student, Uchiha Mikoto, have requested to form their own squad. They don't want to be separated."

Pfft!

Hack! Hack!

The Third Hokage choked on his pipe smoke, while Jiraiya was stunned.

These two students sure had guts!

This was something even he, Tsunade, and Orochimaru wouldn't dare do.

Wait a minute—Takuya Yagami? That name sounded familiar. Where had he heard it before?

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Like he was choking on something, the Third Hokage's wrinkled old face turned red as he slammed his desk and shouted, "Ridiculous!"

The top two students refusing the village's arrangement to form their own squad?

If this got out, it would be a laughingstock.

It was practically a slap in the face to him, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"You can go for now. I'll take care of this matter."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Relieved, Teacher Onoyama bowed respectfully before leaving the Hokage's office.

The hot potato was now out of his hands—he no longer had to worry about it.

"Jiraiya, how do you think I should handle these two?"

"Don't ask me."

Jiraiya shook his head like a rattle, eager to avoid the trouble. The last thing he wanted was to be involved.

"I'll take Minato under my wing; he's a good kid. But when it comes to those connected to the Uchiha, old man, you better handle that yourself."

"By the way, Takuya Yagami—that name sounds really familiar. Where have I heard it before?"

"Tsunade thinks highly of the kid, but he's got Uchiha blood."

Ever since Uchiha Kagami's death, the bridge between the Uchiha clan and the village had been severed.

Tsunade's endorsement of Takuya led the Third Hokage to consider nurturing the boy. He thought that maybe Takuya could become the next Kagami Uchiha.

Plus, Takuya's displayed talent was impressive—he was worth the village's investment.

Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have considered entrusting him to Tsunade.