The day after, the classroom was unusually noisy.
It wasn't every day that two of the best students walked straight up to the teacher's desk and dropped a bomb like that.
"Wait— you two what?" the teacher blinked, looking between Shanks and Minato.
"We want to apply for early graduation," Minato said, voice calm but determined.
Shanks stood beside him, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. "Yup. I'm done wasting time listening to lessons I already know."
For a moment, the classroom went silent. Then, as expected, the whispers started.
"Early graduation? Are they serious?"
"Didn't they say only top-ranked prodigies get that chance?"
"Yeah, but… they are top-ranked prodigies…"
"Still, they're like, what— eight?"
The teacher rubbed his temples. He liked those two, but this was going to be a headache. "You two understand what you're asking for, right? This isn't a game. If you graduate early, you'll be assigned missions. Real ones. You could die."
Shanks shrugged. "Then I'll just not die."
The bluntness of his answer made the man pause. Then he sighed. "And you, Minato?"
"I understand," Minato said quietly. "But I want to move forward. Staying here won't help anymore."
The teacher looked at both of them, seeing nothing but confidence — and in Shanks' case, borderline arrogance. He sighed again, already picturing the conversation he'd have to have with the Hokage.
"Alright. Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Behind them, the students were still buzzing.
Kushina was glaring at Minato, both hands on her desk. "You didn't even tell me, you idiot! When were you planning to mention it, huh?"
Minato turned, smiling nervously. "I— uh— just decided this morning."
"Liar!"
Shanks ignored the back-and-forth, walking toward the window and stretching lazily. "Man, this class is too noisy. Glad I'm leaving."
A few hours later, in the Hokage's office.
The teacher stood stiffly before the desk, hands clasped behind his back.
"…And that's the situation, Lord Third," he finished, bowing slightly. "Both of them requested early graduation this morning."
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, pipe resting between his fingers. His brows furrowed slightly. "So, those two finally decided."
There was no denying it surprised him a little. But only a little. Shanks, after all, was his nephew. He knew the boy's nature — restless, confident, always hungry for more. And Minato… the boy had been catching his eye for a while now.
'For a child of no clan, he's remarkable,' Hiruzen thought. 'Not just in intelligence, but spirit.'
Of course, that wasn't to belittle his nephew. Shanks was an anomaly — powerful, sharp, and unbelievably talented for his age. But the fact that someone like Minato could stand second to him, and even push him at times, said a lot.
Hiruzen exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "You said they're both eight?"
"Yes, Lord Third. And I understand their potential, but… with all due respect, they're still children. The Second Ninja War could start any day now. Sending them out there so soon—"
"I know what you're thinking," Hiruzen interrupted, his tone steady but calm. "It's true that the war will reach us sooner or later. And yes, they'll both be involved in it eventually."
He paused, tapping his pipe lightly against the desk.
"But consider this — if they stay in the academy, what will they gain? They've already learned everything the academy can teach. Keeping them there would only waste their time. This way, they'll have a chance to build real-world experience before the chaos begins. When war comes, experience will be what keeps them alive — not theory."
The teacher hesitated, still unsure. "I understand your reasoning, Lord Third, but—"
"My word is final," Hiruzen said quietly.
The teacher closed his mouth.
Hiruzen turned his gaze toward the window, the village bathed in afternoon light. "As of today, Akagame no Shanks is promoted to genin effective immediately. He already has the acknowledgment of both the Anbu Commander and the Jōnin Commander — as well as mine."
The teacher nodded reluctantly.
"As for Minato Namikaze," Hiruzen continued, "he will be tested. Schedule his exam no later than this Friday. If he passes, he will also be promoted to genin."
The teacher hesitated once more, clearly wanting to say something, but stopped himself. Finally, he bowed. "As you command, Lord Third."
When the door closed behind him, silence returned to the office.
Hiruzen remained still for a moment, deep in thought. The two boys were extraordinary — but their paths would not be easy. Talent had a price in this world.
Just as he reached for his pipe again, a knock echoed from the other side of the door.
He didn't look up. "Come in."
The door opened, and a calm, cold voice filled the room.
"Hiruzen," the voice said. "Why don't you give one of those two boys to me? My new Root division could really use talent like theirs."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, though his face stayed neutral.
"Danzo," he said quietly.