After defeating class after class and ultimately conquering even the graduating class with his strength, Li Zhenwu's reputation began to resonate throughout the entire Ninja School.
Now, when people at the school referred to Li Zhenwu as a "monster," it was no longer just a literal interpretation based on his unusual appearance.
It had evolved into a genuine admiration for his talents—he was known as the "Konoha Monster!" More gifted than a genius, beyond what one might consider a normal prodigy; if that wasn't a monster, then what was?
Thanks to all this, Li Zhenwu's life at the Ninja School had become significantly smoother.
However... because he was a transfer student who had jumped grades, even though his strength was sufficient for graduation, he still struggled to achieve high scores in theory due to insufficient time for study.
To assist him, the teachers assigned him a helpful classmate for extra tutoring.
This enthusiastic classmate was named Inuzuka Hana.
As a result of this arrangement, beside Li Zhenwu's empty seat, there was added presence of Inuzuka Hana... along with her three ninja dogs, the Three Haimaru Brothers.
The Inuzuka clan is known for specifically training ninja beasts, and nearly every member has a ninja dog partner.
Inuzuka Hana's ninja dog partners were indeed the Three Haimaru Brothers, a trio of identical triplet ninja beasts with gray fur resembling regular wolf dogs.
In class, Li Zhenwu would playfully wave his tail behind him, sometimes brushing it against one of the dogs' faces and then moving it in front of the other dog's nose. This play with the dogs was lively and entertaining.
Ninja beasts are a fascinating species in the world of Naruto.
Being non-human animals, some can even utilize ninjutsu, becoming companions to ninjas with various capabilities.
"Hey, stop teasing the Three Haimaru Brothers and pay attention in class..." Inuzuka Hana emphasized from the side.
"Alright, alright."
...
Li Zhenwu set a record for the fastest graduation from Ninja School. The previous record was a full year.
But Li Zhenwu's situation was unique; he was a transfer student who had jumped multiple grades.
Thus, after a year passed, Konoha transitioned from year 51st to year 52nd, ushering in graduation season that spring.
Alongside his peers, Li Zhenwu graduated and became a ninja.
By the time he completed his schooling, Li Zhenwu had only been enrolled for a little over two months!
With the arrival of Konoha's year 52, Li Zhenwu could now officially say he was four years old.
Coincidentally, Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and even Choji Akimichi were all also four years old this year.
While the future Konoha 9 were still carefreely playing and had not yet started their schooling, Li Zhenwu, at the same age... had already graduated from Ninja School!
The graduation assessment at Ninja School was easily passed, and Li Zhenwu officially became a Konoha ninja, one of the youngest in history!
His strength as a ninja was real and tangible.
Now, while he wouldn't dare claim to be the strongest genin ever, he was certainly among the most formidable.
The day he received his ninja headband, Li Zhenwu's family celebrated joyously.
Even Guy and Tenten came to join in the celebration, and the Third Hokage sent a gift to mark Li Zhenwu's achievement in becoming a genuine genin.
Just after graduating from Ninja School, Li Zhenwu would start following school arrangements, embarking on the usual genin team tasks.
On a sunny and pleasant day, Li Zhenwu woke up early, washed up, yawned, and donned his ninja headband before heading out leisurely towards the designated meeting spot.
Along the way, the villagers of Konoha looked at Li Zhenwu with great curiosity.
In just one night, the news that the "Konoha Monster," hailing from a commoner family, had become a genin had spread throughout the village!
Li Zhenwu, born on the night of the Nine-Tails Incident, possessing a tail and striking black hair, had already attracted considerable attention from the villagers.
After all, it was hard not to notice such an extraordinary "monster"!
Thus, when Li Zhenwu graduated from Ninja School and became a ninja, the entire village quickly responded.
"The Konoha Monster has become a ninja!" This news astonished the entire village, as everyone was well aware that Li Zhenwu was born during the Nine-Tails Incident, and now he was merely four years old!
How could anyone not be surprised?
If this was something that could become a topic of conversation among the villagers, another event made the whole village feel like it was caught in a storm of excitement.
On the day Li Zhenwu graduated from Ninja School and became a ninja, the Third Hokage officially accepted him as his disciple!
This formal acceptance was publicly announced, making sure the entire village was aware.
The Third Hokage was famous throughout the ninja world; he had only taken on three disciples, all of whom went on to become renowned "Sannin," prestigious figures within Konoha.
Now, the "Konoha Monster," Li Zhenwu, known throughout the village, had become the Fourth disciple of the Third Hokage!
Due to this action, the entire village's perception of Li Zhenwu changed!
No longer would they look upon him with the eyes reserved for an extraordinary monster.
On the other hand, the reputation of the Konoha Monster only solidified further.
Becoming a ninja at the age of four and being accepted as a disciple by the Third Hokage; such talent could only be described as monstrous!
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