Chapter 64: Apply for Graduation
"I've submitted my application. I'm planning to graduate early."
Ryosuke had undergone another transformation. He looked more mature, both in appearance and in the way he carried himself. To avoid raising suspicions due to his drastic changes, he stayed home even after completing his second transformation. Only after a full month of rest did he finally return to school.
But once he came back, he immediately noticed the changes around him.
The usual surveillance presence near Naruto had vanished. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who used to keep a constant watch through his telescope jutsu, wasn't paying attention anymore.
And for the first time, when school ended, Naruto—who rarely spoke to him—suddenly turned around and called out.
Ryosuke blinked, caught off guard, and tilted his head in confusion.
"I like the peaceful school life," Naruto began, a small smile on his face, "but I've already learned a lot, both in theory and practice. I realized during the last practical exam... I've gotten way stronger than most students."
He glanced at Ryosuke with a quiet confidence.
"It's time I leave the academy and start experiencing the real world."
While he didn't get many chances for actual combat—mainly because no one wanted to spar with him—Naruto still spent his time well. He stood by the training grounds after school, watching others, absorbing what he saw like a sponge.
Thanks to the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, his chakra reserves were massive. With the jutsu taught by the Third Hokage, he became nearly unstoppable in sparring. No student could match him in raw chakra capacity. In every battle, he was like a one-man army, overwhelming everyone—except for Ryosuke and Sasuke, who was currently on leave.
That part still stung.
"Ryosuke... can I fight you?" Naruto asked, his tone hopeful.
He'd long known Ryosuke was hiding his true strength. In fact, Naruto suspected Ryosuke might be the strongest in their entire year. But because of his own unique and sensitive identity, Naruto had always kept his distance, not wanting to cause trouble for Ryosuke.
Now though, with the Third Hokage easing off the surveillance, things were different.
Ryosuke, however, didn't even hesitate.
"No. I'm not going to fight you."
Naruto froze, stunned.
"You should go find Uchiha Sasuke instead," Ryosuke added. "He's your rival. You'll learn more from fighting him than you ever would from me."
Naruto opened his mouth to object.
Ryosuke stood up, cutting him off. "A little praise from a practical exam and you're already letting it get to your head? You've forgotten how to calm down and think."
He stared down at Naruto, who still wore that overly familiar smile—the same one that Ryosuke had seen so many times. It almost felt like looking into a mirror.
"I'll give you some advice: arrogance is a ninja's greatest weakness. It'll get you killed."
Ryosuke's eyes sharpened as his Byakugan activated instinctively. The pressure he released wasn't visible, but it was overwhelming. It pinned Naruto to his seat, locking him in place.
"I've always thought you were a good kid," Ryosuke said quietly. "Don't disappoint me."
His voice was cold, indifferent, like nothing in the world could faze him.
Across from him, Naruto sat frozen. Sweat rolled down his temples. That smile of his was gone.
This feeling—being locked in place —it was all too familiar. It reminded him of a day long ago after school, when something similar happened. Back then, too, he couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even summon chakra.
He still had no idea what kind of power Ryosuke was using.
Could he really challenge someone ?
Yeah... maybe he had been getting a little cocky lately.
"The date for the graduation exam has been set," Ryosuke said, turning to leave. "Remind me when the time comes. Once you're officially a Genin, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen."
He walked out of the classroom without another word.
Hinata was waiting for him at the training grounds.
Freed from the invisible pressure, Naruto finally managed to speak. Ryosuke paused and looked back.
"If you're not going to let me fight you... can you at least take me to see Uchiha Sasuke?"
Naruto stood up, serious now. The usual goofy smile was gone.
"With my... identity, it's not exactly easy to just stroll into Konoha Hospital. I'm not sure they'd even help me find Sasuke."
He lowered his eyes slightly.
"I heard he's physically healed, but mentally, he's still not doing well. I don't know how long it'll be until he comes back to school. And once I graduate in a few days, I can't exactly be bullying academy students anymore. It wouldn't look good."
Ryosuke considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
They walked together down the busy streets of Konoha—Ryosuke in front, Hinata and Naruto behind him.
Ryosuke knew Sarutobi Hiruzen and the village elders were fully aware of his friendship with Naruto. But they had no grounds to interfere. After all, Naruto had approached him first, not the other way around. And Ryosuke always kept a respectful distance during their interactions.
If anything, the Third Hokage might've been pleased by how Ryosuke kept nudging Naruto onto a better path. Hyuga Hiashi never brought it up either, which meant there was no real issue.
Unless Ryosuke got into an actual fight that revealed what he was truly hiding... there wasn't much to worry about.
"It always feels weird," Hinata said softly, holding Ryosuke's hand as they walked.
People on the street—villagers and shinobi alike—naturally made way for them. Even in crowded areas, the moment the three of them appeared, the crowd parted without a word.
It gave Hinata an odd sense of loneliness.
This... this kind of authority wasn't something even a member of the Hyuga clan usually experienced.
Naruto overheard her and gave a bitter chuckle.
"Konoha Hospital is just ahead," he said, stopping at the front steps. "I'll wait here. Can you go in and check which ward Sasuke's in?"
Ryosuke gave him a look and shook his head.
"No. You're coming with me."
"It's just a hospital visit. You've got a reason to be there. Don't be afraid of what-ifs. Just walk in like you belong."
Ryosuke smiled, calm and unbothered. "You've got every right to be there, Naruto."
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