NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: Graduation
Five years passed in the blink of an eye, and now I find myself on the brink of graduation. Though I could have easily graduated at the age of 11, I chose to wait until I turned 13. Tomorrow is the day I've been waiting for—the day I officially become a ninja.
Over these past years, my bonds grew deeper, particularly with Tenten. She became more than just a friend; she became my lover, fully aware of my true ambitions. She promised to support me in every way she could, and she joined me in my training. Her dedication paid off—Tenten became remarkably strong and even graduated a year early, being a senior to me. Now, she's training under Might Guy alongside Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee, refining her skills even further.
But it wasn't just her who made strides. Everyone around me, from Sasuke to Hinata, Sakura, and Ino, has grown stronger. With their abilities, they could easily stand toe-to-toe with elite jonin, showcasing their growth and potential. Yet, despite their progress, I am far ahead. My power has surpassed theirs by leaps and bounds, setting me on a path to achieve my ultimate dream. Tomorrow is just the beginning.
Sasuke has already unlocked the full potential of his Sharingan with all three tomoe, making him a formidable user of genjutsu. His mastery over fire and lightning style ninjutsu, combined with his skill in kenjutsu, places him on a level that rivals even the most seasoned shinobi. His power continues to grow, driven by his ambition.
Hinata, on the other hand, has taken her taijutsu to a new level by integrating fire and lightning style techniques. She has even awakened the kekkei genkai, Flare Release, which merges the two elements into a powerful and rare ability, enhancing her combat capabilities far beyond the traditional limits of her clan.
Sakura has blossomed into a skilled medical ninja, rivaling even Tsunade in her expertise. Her proficiency in medical ninjutsu is complemented by her strength, having mastered the 100 Seals technique. Her raw power is extraordinary, making her a force to be reckoned with in both healing and combat, much like her counterpart in the Boruto timeline.
Ino has honed her abilities in genjutsu, taijutsu, and the mind transfer jutsu passed down from her father. Her skill set allows her to manipulate minds while holding her own in close combat, blending strategy and technique with precision.
Tenten, true to her nature, has become a master of all weapons. From swords to spears, shuriken, and more, she can wield any tool with ease, making her versatile and unpredictable on the battlefield.
As for me, I have gone even further. Along with my other abilities, I've mastered the Wood Style Release, a rare and powerful kekkei genkai. Under the guidance of Jiraiya, I learned Sage Jutsu, tapping into natural energy for extraordinary strength and heightened senses. I also made summoning pacts with both Katsuya and the toads, granting me access to their power in battle. My training and growth have pushed me to heights that will allow me to realize my ultimate dream. With these abilities, I am prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
After the graduation, I made my way to the Hall of Seals, a place where forbidden jutsu are kept under strict guard. Thanks to the training I had undergone with my mother, entering the hall was no challenge for me. I navigated the seals and barriers with ease, gaining access to all of the jutsu stored there, techniques deemed too dangerous for the average shinobi.
As I stepped inside, a new quest appeared before me:
Quest: Enter the Hall of Seals and study every jutsu.
Rewards: Mastery every forbidden technique without any harmful side effects.
With this goal in mind, I meticulously studied each scroll. I learned every forbidden jutsu, including the notorious Reanimation Jutsu. Unlike others who needed hand seals and sacrifices to perform it, I mastered it to such a degree that I could summon souls from the Land of the Dead effortlessly, without the need for hand seals. My skill became so refined that I could even revive the dead entirely if I chose to.
My progress didn't stop there. I became proficient in all the forbidden techniques, able to perform them without hand signs, a feat that only the most advanced shinobi could dream of achieving. This level of mastery put me on a different plane of power, giving me the tools I needed to reshape the world if necessary. The secrets of the Hall of Seals were now mine, further enhancing my already vast arsenal of abilities.
The next day arrived, and we all entered the academy with anticipation in the air. Iruka-sensei greeted us, explaining that the graduation test would be based on basic ninjutsu techniques—Substitution, Transformation, and Clone Jutsu. For us, these techniques were second nature after years of training and honing our skills.
When it was my turn, I flawlessly executed each technique with ease, confident in the power and precision behind my movements. Sasuke, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and the others also passed the test effortlessly, showcasing just how far we had all come. In no time, we were standing together, ninja headbands in hand, marking the official end of our academy days.
The feeling of putting on the headband was significant—it wasn't just a symbol of becoming a ninja, but a testament to the strength, dedication, and challenges we had faced to get here. From this day forward, our journey as full-fledged shinobi began. We were no longer students; we were protectors, warriors, and symbols of our village's future. The real challenges were about to begin, and I knew that with the power I had gained, there was nothing that could stop me from achieving my ultimate goal.