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Chapter 47
After Tsunade left, she didn't return the entire night. The meeting was probably too long and complex—it might not end until evening.
Ling Yu had no choice but to continue attending school as usual, waiting for Tsunade's return to prepare his early graduation application.
After morning classes ended, Ling Yu walked toward the ramen shop with the two girls.
He led the way, while Mikoto and Kushina held hands behind him. After a proper apology from Ling Yu and Mikoto, Kushina's sulky expression had completely disappeared. True to her nature, she quickly forgot her bad mood and returned to her lively self.
After walking for a while, Ling Yu shared his idea of applying for early graduation.
"Really? You want to graduate early, Ling Yu?" Mikoto looked at him in surprise.
Even Kushina, happily munching on street snacks, turned with a curious gaze.
Honestly, neither of them had considered graduating early. Their current school life felt good enough.
Their elders had also advised them to stay in the academy for now. With war approaching, early graduates might be sent straight to the battlefield.
Everyone knew war had no mercy. No one wanted to be the next one to die. Staying in school was the safest option.
"Yeah. With war about to start, this is the perfect chance for me to show my strength."
Walking ahead, Ling Yu clenched his fist, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
Though the battlefield was extremely dangerous and full of peril, it was also the fastest way to build a reputation. Almost every ninja who entered war did so either for Konoha's mission or for personal military merit.
Just like Minato in the future—a civilian genius with no major clan backing—who outshone even the Hyūga brothers and Uchiha Fugaku, eventually becoming the Fourth Hokage through battlefield opportunities and the fame he earned.
Moreover, as Tsunade had pointed out, Ling Yu currently had immense power but lacked real combat experience. That weakness would hinder his future growth.
Against much weaker opponents, he could dominate easily. But against equally strong, highly experienced enemies—like the still-living Uchiha Madara or the Ōtsutsuki descendants on the moon—Ling Yu would appear inexperienced and immature.
That was another reason he wanted to graduate early: to gain actual battle experience.
He also didn't know if his presence in this world might cause unexpected changes. What if one day something unknown suddenly appeared—a boss he had no knowledge of? He needed to be ready.
"Then… should we do the same?"
Hearing Ling Yu's plan, Mikoto pointed to herself and Kushina, asking tentatively.
She had no intention of stopping him. In fact, she wanted to graduate together.
If Ling Yu left, she wouldn't be able to focus on school anyway. And if she followed him to the battlefield, she might even be able to help.
"Yeah. We can form a small team, take missions together, and look out for each other."
Ling Yu smiled as he spoke.
He didn't feel comfortable leaving the two girls in Konoha. Danzo had likely already set his sights on him and Kushina. He couldn't guarantee the old man wouldn't act against them while he was away.
Better to keep them close so he could protect them personally.
"What do you think?" Ling Yu turned to Mikoto and Kushina, waiting for their answers.
"I'm in." Mikoto smiled at him.
"I'm going too! I want to make a name for myself on the battlefield and crush all those idiots who look down on me!"
Hearing their decision, Kushina felt excited. She raised her snack-filled hand and shouted enthusiastically.
"Then when should we apply for early graduation?"
Now fully committed, Mikoto asked Ling Yu.
"We'll wait until my sister finishes her meeting. She said she'd come watch our graduation exam afterward."
Last night before leaving, Tsunade had promised to take him to apply for early graduation once the meeting ended. So for now, he still had to stay in school a little longer.
"Won't we get assigned a team leader after graduation? Do you think it'll be Big Sis Tsunade?"
Mikoto smiled, guessing who their future sensei might be.
In her opinion, Tsunade was the perfect fit—strong, and already very close to them.
"I hope it's Big Sis Tsunade too."
Kushina grinned while eating, clearly wanting the same.
"I'm not sure about the team leader yet. We'll see. Even if we get one, they won't be teaching us for long. Eventually, they'll head to the battlefield too."
Ling Yu didn't have much interest in any sensei other than Tsunade. He felt they might even get in the way—he couldn't fully unleash his power with someone unfamiliar around.
"But when we go to the battlefield, you two have to stay close to me. Never leave my line of sight. That way I can guarantee your safety."
At this point, Ling Yu's expression turned unusually serious as he instructed the girls.
"Hmph. This lady isn't scared at all. My strength is very strong now."
Kushina swallowed the last bite of her snack, puffing out her chest proudly.
Having already experienced war once, she felt little fear toward the battlefield. Instead, she wanted to shine there, grow stronger, find the mastermind behind her clan's destruction, and take revenge for her family.
"Then I look forward to seeing Lady Kushina's brilliance on the battlefield."
Ling Yu teased her with a smile in his eyes.
"Hmph. When the time comes, I'll make the enemies run away in terror, begging on their knees: 'Lady Kushina, spare us!'"
Fueled by Ling Yu's encouragement, Kushina's confidence soared. She stood there daydreaming, already picturing a scene of countless enemies kneeling and pleading for mercy.
"Alright, stop daydreaming. Think about what you want to eat next instead."
Flicking her forehead lightly, Ling Yu interrupted her fantasy, took Mikoto's hand, and walked ahead into the ramen shop.
"Ow! It hurts! Just you wait, Ling Yu. When I get stronger than you, I'll teach you a lesson—hang you up and flick your forehead a hundred times!"
Kushina clutched her forehead, glaring fiercely at Ling Yu's back, secretly vowing revenge.
"Alright, Kushina! Stop standing there—come on in. It's still my treat today."
Ling Yu's voice called from inside.
"Coming~"
Hearing "my treat," Kushina immediately forgot her grudge and happily skipped after them.
Since you're treating this lady to food, I'll let you off for earlier.
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