Chapter 9 — Early Graduation
Kiyemi was only five.
The Academy was behind her, and the morning of the annual assessment greeted her with a fresh breeze. As always, she arrived first. She sat on a bench near the courtyard, watching the wind chase dust along the path. Behind her—silence. Ahead—her future.
Over the past year, she had mastered everything allowed from the Academy's library on her own. Bunshin, Kawarimi, Henge, Kai, water walking, the basic push technique, explosive tags, simple fuinjutsu seals, even the Fireball Technique—though not yet at full strength. Step by step. With cold precision. Her taijutsu was at the level of a weak chunin. Her kunai and shuriken throwing skills surpassed not only her peers but even some of the instructors.
She memorized and repeated. Not just movements—but logic, meaning, rhythm.
Other kids feared her. Or tried to ignore her. The strong ones envied her. The smart ones stayed silent. Adult shinobi talked about her more and more. Some with admiration. Some with unease. Even the ANBU had submitted a report. Potential ANBU? Yes. So—she was marked.
Sometimes, during training, she felt eyes on her. Faint shadows on rooftops. Unfamiliar faces in crowds. She showed no reaction. She adapted.
One day, after practice, an older student smirked and said:
— The White Fang disgraced himself by failing a mission for a comrade. Died of shame.
Kakashi didn't answer. Pretended not to hear.
Kiyemi turned to him, calm.
— He put the lives of his comrades above the mission and the village. He did the right thing. Only a selfish fool would've done otherwise.
The class froze. That was unlike her—short, sharp, direct.
Kakashi turned to her sharply.
— He betrayed the village, — he snapped. — The mission comes first.
— He chose life. You're not angry at him, — she said quietly. — You're angry at yourself. For not understanding back then.
— You don't know anything.
— I don't know pain. But I understand choice. He chose the harder path.
They said nothing more. But something between them shifted.
The exam went quickly. Written part—perfect. Tactics, chakra, jutsu—confident. Target throwing—ten out of ten, on moving targets. Basic techniques—flawless. In sparring—calculated movement, precise control. No cruelty, but complete dominance.
The instructors exchanged glances. No more doubt: genin level. Kakashi—genin. Kiyemi—genin. Asuma—slightly behind, but he passed.
When everything ended, Kakashi stepped forward:
— I want to apply for early graduation.
— Me too, — Kiyemi said.
Asuma hesitated, then clenched his fists:
— Me too. I don't want to fall behind them.
The head instructor looked at the three of them.
— I'll inform the Hokage.
That same day, the message reached the Hokage's Residence.
— Early graduation?.. — Hiruzen Sarutobi set his pipe aside. — Kakashi, Kiyemi… Asuma?
He paused for a moment.
— Very well. I suppose I should see it for myself.
The next morning, the three children stood on the training grounds. Around them—watchful eyes. Jonin, several examiners. And on the balcony—the Hokage himself, accompanied by Danzo, Homura, and Koharu.
The task was non-standard. A simulated mission: terrain reconnaissance, protection of an information carrier, evasion of surveillance. All in real time. No leniency. Real pressure. Several ANBU intervened covertly, watching their reactions.
The three children moved silently. Precisely. No panic, no shouting. Each had their own rhythm, but they supported each other. Kiyemi calmly led the route, Kakashi instantly picked up signals, Asuma covered them. They moved like water—never stopping.
When the mission was complete, Hiruzen descended to the training ground himself.
— It's rare to see three such different individuals work so smoothly together.
He looked at each of them in turn.
— You've earned it. As of today—you are genin.
Each of them now wore a blue forehead protector. Real. Heavy.
— And as a reward, — Hiruzen continued, — each of you may request one technique. Up to B-rank. Nothing higher.
Kakashi shook his head.
— I don't need one. My clan has enough.
Asuma shrugged.
— My father and my clan will teach me everything.
Kiyemi stepped forward.
— I want the Shadow Clone Technique.
The examiners exchanged glances.
— How do you even know about that? — one of them asked strictly.
— I saw it. Adult shinobi used it. I memorized it, broke it down, understood it. I want to solidify it.
Silence. Even Danzo was watching her closely.
The Hokage nodded to one of the ANBU. A moment later, they returned with a chakra measuring device. Her levels were within safe limits. Clear. Stable.
Hiruzen stepped closer.
— This isn't a toy. This technique consumes a lot of chakra. Can you use it without harming yourself?
— Yes.
— Then I approve. You will receive a copy of the scroll.
Kiyemi bowed her head.
In the stands, one of the jonin whispered:
— No clan, yet already using fuinjutsu, fire element, chakra control. She's not someone to take lightly.
— Even Minato wasn't like this at five, — another replied.
Danzo said nothing. But his fingers tightened on his cane.
Observe.