Konoha’s Black Plague

Graduation

"Master Yue is still so strong."

"Master Yuyan just made a mistake this time. You'll definitely win next time!"

"This is the forty-sixth time…"

"Do you want to fight?!"

"Fight me if you want! Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"

The friends from different factions started bickering and fighting again.

"I still feel there's a gap between me and them," Bai Ye murmured after watching the clash between Uchiha Yue and Hyūga Yuyan.

"Of course there is," Zhiyi said, nodding. "Yuyan has a natural advantage against a taijutsu-focused fighter like you. Gentle Fist is especially effective against chakra-based combat. She just didn't get the chance to fully show her skill this time."

Though Zhiyi agreed with him, he kept stealing glances at Bai Ye, clearly still bothered by his own defeat earlier. He was itching for a rematch.

The rest of the day's sparring sessions lacked excitement—only the match between Senju Yui and Nara Shikako showed any real tactical depth. The others were too one-sided or disorganized.

Seeing an opening, Bai Ye quietly slipped out. Rather than waste time watching others, he preferred to train on his own.

The instructor noticed him leaving but didn't say anything. It clearly wasn't the first time Bai Ye had ducked out early.

Zhiyi stayed behind. "I'm a model student," he said smugly. "Skipping class is for losers."

Bai Ye just gave him two heavy slaps on the shoulder and left.

Zhiyi broke into a cold sweat. Is this guy trying to dislocate my joints or what...?

---

Bai Ye made his way to the small grove where he usually trained. Once there, he summoned the interface of his Zanpakutō. To his surprise, the experience gauge had risen significantly, even though he hadn't trained yet that day.

He furrowed his brow. "Strange… I only fought once today. Could it be that combat itself contributes to experience growth?"

He frowned in frustration, realizing that his previous constant training had maxed out his gauge, making it impossible to notice this earlier.

If I had known… I should've accepted Yuyan's challenge. Fighting powerful opponents was far more beneficial than blind repetition.

"Have I gotten complacent?" he asked aloud. "Am I getting arrogant…?"

Despite the thought, his body moved on instinct. His Zanpakutō slashed through the air with precision. Dust rose around him as he continued swinging.

---

"Oi, Bai Ye! Stop training already—it's noon! Let's eat!" Zhiyi's voice echoed through the grove.

"Three thousand one hundred sixty-one... Three thousand one hundred sixty-two…" Bai Ye, mid push-up supported on one finger, didn't even look up. Sweat poured from his face, dripping into the dirt.

"I'm the one who brought him here."

Another voice spoke up. Uchiha Yue stepped out from behind Zhiyi, a faint smile on her lips and a glint of emotion in her eyes.

"Yue? You came to ask if I want to go visit Guy in the hospital?"

Bai Ye stood and casually wiped his sweat. He hadn't noticed the flicker of disappointment in Yue's eyes at his assumption.

"...Yeah. Let's go," she replied, keeping her tone even.

"Bai Ye, where should we eat? I haven't eaten with you before," Zhiyi asked.

"Let's hit the curry place. We can grab some of Guy's favorites and bring them to him."

---

"The teacher ranked you sixth. Still behind me," Zhiyi teased as they walked.

"Doesn't matter," Bai Ye shrugged. "I only beat you today because you didn't expect my moves. Next time, I'll defeat you with my real strength."

The two kept sniping at each other along the way, while Yue walked quietly beside them, listening with a subtle smile but not speaking.

---

By the time they reached the restaurant, they were eating in relative peace—until Zhiyi brought up something that shattered the calm.

"By the way, we should apply for early graduation this afternoon. Wonder what the exam will be?"

"You're applying for early graduation?!" Yue nearly dropped her spoon. Her wide-eyed stare at Bai Ye could have fit a goose egg in her mouth.

"I'm not sure," Bai Ye replied. "If it's ninjutsu or genjutsu, I'm screwed. I hope the teacher isn't that cruel."

He reached over and gently pushed Yue's chin shut with a finger, clearly worried about the nature of the test. With his chakra being suppressed and ninjutsu nearly inaccessible to him, real combat was his best bet.

"I'm applying too," Zhiyi added. "Even if I rely on my own ninjutsu, I can handle the test. Unlike you, I can perform the basic ones."

He couldn't help but glance at Bai Ye in wonder. The guy couldn't even manage a clone technique properly, yet he could develop prototype ninjutsu that needed no hand seals.

"If both of you are applying, I will too," Yue said, frowning with resolve. "I'm the top of the class. I won't let you two leave me behind."

Her motivation wasn't just pride in the Uchiha name. There was something else in her heart she hadn't voiced yet.

---

After the meal, they brought food to Guy at the hospital. When they returned to the academy, Yue parted ways and joined Yuyan. Bai Ye caught snippets of their conversation—about early graduation.

---

"Teacher! I want to apply for early graduation—with Bai Ye!" Zhiyi blurted out the moment he walked through the classroom doors.

The room exploded into murmurs and gasps. No one questioned their qualifications—they had proved themselves in that morning's sparring.

"Teacher! Yue and I want to apply for early graduation too!" Yuyan's voice rang out clearly.

The boys collectively collapsed into silent despair. The class's two "goddesses" had just blindsided them and were leaving—without warning or mercy.

"Me too, teacher," Senju Yui added softly. She had long wanted to apply, but her third-place standing behind the other two always made her hesitate. Their boldness gave her the push she needed.

Now even the girls looked heartbroken. With Zhiyi gone, they had hoped Yui might stay behind. Now she was leaving too. Not one remained.

And in all this commotion, no one noticed Bai Ye.

No popularity. No influence. No fan club. He was practically invisible.

---

"In that case... Lu Xin, you're going too," the teacher said, stroking his chin. "That way we have two complete teams. Your ability is sufficient, and I'll pass you through the school's recommendation. But if the field instructor deems you unfit, you'll return to your studies. Understood?"

Lu Xin, who had been napping at his desk, snapped upright. "...Me?" He didn't say anything else but looked like he'd just been conscripted into war.

What does this have to do with me? he thought blankly. Why am I suddenly in this??

Bai Ye, on the other hand, lit up with anticipation.

As long as they don't test direct ninjutsu casting, I'm fine. If it's combat, I'll make sure they acknowledge me—no matter what.