Naruto: The Teaching System - 260

Chapter 260: Treat Me as Your Enemy, Use Your Full Power!

Inside the Academy's teaching building, at the top of the structure, a single student sat alone in the empty classroom. He wrote and sketched constantly, completely absorbed in his work.

Outside, Iruka watched through the open doorway with concern in his eyes. He turned to Sawada. "Sawada, Neji, is only in fourth grade. Even with the holidays approaching, he'd be at most in fifth grade next year. Isn't it too early for him to graduate now?"

Sawada waved his hand dismissively. "Iruka, don't worry. Neji is my direct student, and I am familiar with his abilities. Besides, remember that early graduation requires passing a practical combat exam. You've already seen the person who will be examining him."

Iruka's expression froze. He glanced back at Neji through the classroom window. Right. If that person was conducting the exam, then no matter what, Neji would need real capability to pass.

About ten minutes later, Neji finished the written test. The moment he stepped outside, he saw both Sawada and Iruka waiting.

"Sensei, Iruka-sensei," Neji bowed respectfully.

"Mm, well done," Sawada nodded, gesturing toward the stairs. "Go ahead with the ninja tool-throwing exam first."

Neji nodded and headed downstairs. Iruka followed him, as he was the next examiner.

"Perfect score! Excellent work!" Iruka announced happily, reviewing Neji's results. His accuracy was truly outstanding.

However, shinobi couldn't rely on ninja tools alone. The other aspects of combat had to be strong as well. Thinking this, Iruka felt compelled to warn him. "Neji, from now on, you only need to pass the practical combat exam to become a genin."

Neji heard this and nodded. He prepared to head toward the final exam location.

"Wait," Iruka called out quickly.

Neji stopped and turned to face him, confused. "What's wrong, Iruka-sensei?"

After all, Iruka had once been his instructor.

"Neji, I want you to understand something," Iruka said carefully. "Becoming a shinobi isn't as wonderful as it might sound. Once you pass and wear the forehead protector, your hands will inevitably be stained with blood. I know this sounds harsh, but your sensei hopes you'll be careful about what that really means."

Neji frowned as he listened. After a long moment, he relaxed and nodded to Iruka in agreement. "I understand, Iruka-sensei."

Without further delay, he headed directly to the training grounds for the final exam. Watching Neji's figure disappear into the distance, Iruka sighed quietly. He could only hope that after becoming a shinobi, Neji would know how to protect himself.

Training Ground Behind the Academy

Neji entered and immediately saw an unexpected person. Hiashi sat cross-legged beneath a large tree. Upon hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and looked toward Neji, then stood and walked over slowly.

"Sawada-sama mentioned you wanted an early graduation. I came to serve as your practical examiner."

Neji lowered his head respectfully. "Understood, Hiashi-sama."

Sawada arrived just in time to see this exchange. He couldn't quite hide his expression. Hiashi really was awkward. He'd looked worried when hearing the news, but now his face was completely expressionless.

"Alright, Neji. Go at him with everything you have," Sawada said, patting his shoulder before stepping back.

"Forget who I am," Hiashi said, dropping into a fighting stance. "Treat me as an opponent. Show me your full strength.

He'd asked Sawada to let him conduct this exam specifically because he wanted to see Neji's true strength. If it still wasn't sufficient, he would unhesitatingly fail him regardless of the consequences. Even if it meant Neji would resent him more.

Upon hearing this, Sawada's mouth twitched slightly. Was Hiashi worried that Neji lacked the resolve to strike him down?

"Yes!" Neji responded immediately, his head snapping up. The blue veins around his eyes bulged outward. "Byakugan, activate!"

An invisible aura burst from Neji's body. Though meaningless to Hiashi, it was unmistakable proof. Neji had drawn upon his full strength without hesitation.

"Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!" Without hesitation, Neji released his strongest technique immediately. Against Hiashi, holding back would be disrespectful to the Hyūga Clan leader.

The invisible shockwave tore through the air with ruthless precision.

Watching Hiashi's retreating figure, Sawada could see the moment when Hiashi could no longer hold back. Blood flowed involuntarily from the corner of his mouth. Hiashi had been careless. Because of his own statement, Neji immediately unleashed a desperate fighting spirit, pressing forward relentlessly without mercy.

Hiashi had displayed chunin-level strength in his block, yet he hadn't expected to be overwhelmed completely. But this was enough. Neji's power was definitely at Special Jōnin level or higher.

Thinking this, Hiashi bowed to Sawada standing nearby. "Thank you, Sawada-sama, for your guidance."

Hiashi knew that without Sawada's training, even with Neji's exceptional talent, he would never have reached such heights at this age.

"Not at all, Hiashi-san," Sawada replied, waving his hand. Seeing the blood at Hiashi's mouth, his eye twitched slightly. Hiashi hadn't released his breath immediately after impact, so he'd been forced to suppress the shockwave internally, disrupting his chakra pathways and causing injury. I truly didn't expect Neji to be so fierce, fighting as if Hiashi were a real enemy.

Hiashi nodded, then left the Training Ground. Now that I've seen Neji's strength, I don't need to worry so much anymore. Besides, Neji will likely follow his teacher, Sawada, regardless. That makes me feel even better about his future. On the surface, Sawada is Konoha's strongest shinobi now. With such a powerful figure protecting him, his safety is practically guaranteed.

Hokage Office

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Neji, who now wore the forehead protector, smiling warmly. "From today onward, you are officially a genin of Konoha."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Neji nodded and bowed respectfully.

"Well, you can call me 'old man' if you prefer," Hiruzen said, waving his hand. The more he looked at Neji, the happier he became. Strictly speaking, Minato Namikaze was also my prized student, and now, finally, I have another such talented pupil.

Neji felt a bit embarrassed. After all, he couldn't actually address Hiruzen that way. Shinobi placed great emphasis on proper protocols and respect.

"Alright, Old Man, stop teasing the kid," Sawada said helplessly from beside him, rubbing his forehead as he spoke to Hiruzen.

"Fair enough," Hiruzen said with a slight smack of his lips, looking at Sawada. "However, what are your plans for Neji?"

Originally, this would have been arranged by him as Hokage. But since Neji was Sawada's direct student, it was better to ask him first.

"Next, I'll be training Neji with specialized instruction," Sawada said, looking at Neji before continuing. "At minimum, he needs a significant breakthrough in his abilities."

Hiruzen nodded approvingly. This was a good arrangement. "Alright, I'll give you one month."

"That should be enough," Sawada thought briefly, then agreed without hesitation. "No problem."