Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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The incident had come to an end.
It lingered only in the mocking smiles of the students and the flicker of jealousy in Asuma's eyes.
Guts and Yuhi Kurenai were both punished—ordered to stand in the corridor as a form of reflection.
The moment the classroom door closed behind them, barely five seconds passed before Guts muttered,
"Let's go. No point standing around like idiots."
Kurenai blinked, a little stunned. Then she sighed inwardly. This guy really can't sit still for even a minute.
She crossed her arms.
"Aren't we being punished?"
"Yeah, but standing here's a waste of life. I'd rather nap on the lawn than rot in this hallway."
He turned to leave without waiting for her response. Kurenai hesitated, tapping her foot with a frown. Finally, she followed.
When the bell rang and the head teacher stepped into the hallway to call them back to class, he found nothing but an empty corridor.
With Guts track record, it wasn't hard to guess what had happened—and his anger simmered.
It wasn't until just before lunch break that Guts and Kurenai returned, climbing over the school wall with the tree-climbing technique they'd learned in class.
As soon as their feet touched the ground, Guts turned to her.
"Kurenai. I've decided—I'm graduating early."
Kurenai froze, her hand still on the wall.
He said it so casually, but it struck her like a jutsu to the chest.
"You're joking," she said slowly, her voice laced with disbelief.
"You haven't even been in school a full year yet. Even Tsunade-sama graduated after at least that long."
The current record-holder for earliest graduation was Guts—enrolling at five, graduating at six.
If Guts followed through, he'd break that record.
But Guts couldn't care less about records.
To him, the academy had nothing more to teach. And above all, he had a bet to win against Tsunade. He couldn't waste time.
"Graduating early isn't all it's cracked up to be," Kurenai warned.
"You don't get to choose your team. They might assign you to senior students—or worse, drop you straight into active-duty squads. It won't be easy."
She wasn't wrong. Early graduates often faced unpredictable team assignments. Guts had been lucky, ending up with other prodigies.
Kakashi had it rough—sent straight into a Genin corps before eventually being pulled back to join Rin and Obito under Minato.
Itachi, too, had joined a team with older graduates.
As for Guts, no one could say how it would turn out.
Still, the thought that they might be separated... Kurenai bit her lip.
She didn't say it aloud, but part of her didn't want to lose him so soon.
But when she looked at Guts—really looked at him—his expression was resolute.
No hesitation. No doubt.
Her shoulders dropped. She turned away, silent.
The head teacher had barely taken a bite of lunch when Guts strolled in like he owned the place.
"Student Guts. You always manage to surprise me. And now you've dragged Kurenai into skipping class, too."
Kurenai was known for her obedience, her quiet presence, her natural talent. Like Nohara Rin—an ideal student.
Seeing her skipping school because of Guts? It could only be his fault.
But Guts ignored the scolding entirely. He walked up and said bluntly,
"Sensei, I want to apply for early graduation."
The teacher choked on his food.
Around the room, several other teachers paused mid-bite, stunned. One of them spat out his tea.
"You want to what?" the head teacher said, eyes wide.
"You haven't even finished your first year!"
"There's nothing left to learn here,"
Guts said plainly, as if discussing the weather.
"Graduating now is the best move."
The head teacher rubbed his forehead. Guts wasn't wrong—his ability was already Genin level.
But this wasn't a simple matter. It would need approval from higher up.
"Fine," the teacher sighed.
"I'll report it. Go wait."
After Guts left, the staff room erupted into debate.
Graduating at five? That would break a record. Whether they liked Guts or not, his talent was undeniable.
Eventually, the head teacher decided this was beyond him. He had to take it to the Third Hokage.
Later – Hokage's Office
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself, raised an eyebrow when the teacher told him.
"Guts? Applying for early graduation?" he repeated, tapping his pipe against the desk.
He leaned back in thought, but no solution came to mind.
Just then, an Anbu knelt beside his desk.
"Lord Hokage," the masked shinobi said,
"Lord Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade have returned from the Rain Country front lines. They request an audience to report on the war."
Hiruzen nodded. "And Jiraiya?"
"Still in the field. He found a few war orphans—said he wants to train them before returning."
"Hmph. That sounds like him."
Sarutobi set down his pipe.
"Perfect timing, actually. I've got a small matter I'd like to bring up with Tsunade."
With a flicker, the Anbu vanished.
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