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After enjoying a hearty meal, Ronglin took a short rest before beginning his daily task of refining chakra. As for the events of the day, they had already been cast out of his mind.
Defeating Kai and Kakashi—what could that change?
Only through hard work and becoming stronger could he alter his current situation and fulfill the ambition buried deep within his heart!!
The next day, news of Kakashi returning to class spread throughout the entire ninja academy, leaving many incredulous. Wasn't this guy busy carrying out various missions? How could he return to school?
Unfortunately, Kakashi wouldn't explain his reasons, and Bozhongye didn't inquire either, simply welcoming him back.
In fact, when Kakashi returned home and explained everything, all he got from his father was one sentence: "Then continue attending class."
Clearly, Sakumo also felt it wasn't the right time for Kakashi to begin field training, but he wouldn't interfere with Kakashi's decisions. No matter what path he chose, Sakumo would support it fully—it was the road Kakashi had chosen, and even if he had to crawl, he would walk it to the end.
Among everyone, only Ronglin seemed indifferent to Kakashi's return. However, the two pairs of eyes constantly staring at him from behind made him feel exasperated—one belonging to Kai, and the other to Kakashi. This made Ronglin wonder if his back had turned into the classroom blackboard, worthy of such intense scrutiny.
Obviously, Kakashi had been deeply affected by Ronglin. Yet Ronglin remained as usual—attending class, finishing class, reading in the library, and training on the practice field.
During this time, both Kai and Kakashi had challenged him multiple times, but each challenge was politely declined. Even during practical combat lessons, they were deliberately separated. These classes were meant to hone students' real-world combat experience, not to determine who ranked first or second.
Of course, the year-end assessment was an exception.
What made Ronglin both amused and frustrated was that whenever he went to the library to read or trained on the practice field, there was always a little shadow trailing behind him—Kakashi.
Kai, being self-aware of his lack of strength, continued to train diligently after his challenges were rejected. On the other hand, Kakashi believed that if he unleashed his full potential, he might not lose to Ronglin.
What he didn't know was that if Ronglin were to unleash his full power, Kakashi would be defeated even faster.
And so, time slipped by unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, Ronglin turned seven. Over the course of nearly a year, Kakashi and Kai's resentment grew exponentially, as their repeated challenges were continuously rejected by Ronglin for various reasons.
"What?! You're applying for early graduation to join the advanced class?!"
Eyes glued to the approaching year-end, Kakashi had successfully passed the Chunin Exam and become a Chunin. He eagerly anticipated a showdown with Ronglin, only to find out that Ronglin had applied for early graduation at this very moment.
During the year-end assessment, all students would fight one-on-one until the final match. Even though Kakashi was already a Chunin, he could still participate in the assessment. Thus, avoiding a confrontation with Ronglin would have been impossible—even if Bozhongye tried to separate them beforehand, they would inevitably face off in the end.
With this in mind, Kakashi had prepared extensively, only to be met with the shocking news that Ronglin had applied for early graduation to join the advanced class. How could Kakashi accept this?
"Of course."
Ronglin smirked faintly at Kakashi's stunned expression, replying matter-of-factly: "This way, I can be grouped with the advanced class and assigned to a team led by a teacher for missions. Otherwise, I'd be stuck in the same miserable situation as you, forced to join someone else's team. I don't want to deal with dirty looks."
"But, but…"
Kakashi immediately became flustered. Wouldn't that mean he had waited an entire year for nothing?!
"But this way, you'll miss the year-end assessment, and your credits will suffer significantly."
Kakashi even brought up credits, no longer resembling the cold and aloof boy he usually was.
Truthfully, Kakashi was driven to desperation by Ronglin. His losses in the training field were inexplicable, and his repeated challenges were denied. Just when he thought he'd finally get his chance during the year-end assessment, Ronglin suddenly applied for early graduation. How could he not be anxious?
"There's no helping it. I don't want to join someone else's team, nor do I want to wait another year or two to graduate with my peers. So, I've decided to graduate early. As for the year-end assessment, if I miss it, then so be it."
Outwardly, Ronglin appeared nonchalant, but inwardly, he was laughing hysterically. He never expected Kakashi to have such a "cute" side.
"I…"
"Uchiha Ronglin."
Before Kakashi could continue, Bozhongye's arrival interrupted him. "Your application has already been submitted to the Hokage. Given your outstanding performance over the past year, your request will soon be approved. However, you will miss the year-end assessment. Be mentally prepared—it will be conducted alongside the advanced class, so don't feel too much pressure."
After speaking, Bozhongye patted Ronglin's shoulder encouragingly, his tone filled with pride. Among the students he taught, there were two prodigies, and he could proudly boast about them to other teachers. Therefore, he wholeheartedly supported Ronglin's decision to graduate early.
"I'm quite looking forward to it. I wonder which teacher's team I'll be assigned to?"
Ignoring Kakashi's gaze, brimming with resentment, Ronglin leaned against his desk and muttered to himself. Beside him, the seat was empty—his former desk partner, Uchiha Obito, had already changed seats.
As Obito put it, he didn't want to sit next to Kakashi anymore.
Who could blame him? With Kakashi receiving certain privileges, an indignant Obito had no choice but to ask the teacher for a seat change.
"Old man, don't push it too far. I told you I wanted some time off—I don't want to take on rookies."
Inside the Hokage's office building, Tsunade slammed her palms on the desk, venting her frustration. Across the entire Hidden Leaf Village, no one but Tsunade dared to barge into the Hokage's office, kick the door open, and slam the table.
Faced with Tsunade's outburst, the Third Hokage's expression remained unchanged. With a pipe in his mouth, he calmly met her furious gaze. "Because there's a young student in this year's batch who has applied for early graduation to join the advanced class. That's why I've chosen you to lead them. Although Minato might be more suitable, he has other arrangements."
"Don't try to fool me with such excuses. Don't think I don't know what kind of students are graduating this year. Aside from Kakashi, who else is worth mentioning?"
Tsunade wouldn't take on this troublesome task just because of the Third Hokage's words. To her, mentoring rookies was nothing but a hassle, especially since she was also serving as the head of the Medical Department.
"Uchiha Ronglin. Everyone only notices Hatake Kakashi but overlooks the brilliance hidden beneath his shadow."