74: Graduation and Jonin

Konoha.

　　Uchiha clan.

　　In the underground laboratory shrouded in bright yellow lights, a teenager in a white hooded coat stood in front of the experimental bench, working diligently.

　　This boy is Shiraishi.

　　The Second Ninja World War ended with the armistice between Konoha and Sandyin. After that, all countries entered a peaceful development and recovery period without incident.

　　The borders of the Fire Nation have also returned to their former stability and have not been attacked by foreign ninjas.

　　But that was more than three years ago.

　　Life has been relatively uneventful for the past three years.

　　Because there is no need to go to the battlefield, after completing the task, the time spent in the village will increase.

　　This also means that the time he spends on research has increased a lot, instead of running back and forth on the battlefield of the ninja world, constantly fighting with various enemies.

　　Compared with his research more than three years ago, his research progress is undoubtedly much more advanced.

　　Natural energy, immortality, tailed beast chakra, including the use of yin and yang, are not comparable to three years ago.

　　The efficient use of natural energy means that he can have strength.

　　For Konoha's power, unlike more than three years ago, when there was still a little sense of awe, he can now face it with a plain attitude.

　　Maybe this is called growth.

　　After all, while he is making continuous progress, the village of Konoha is still the same as before, there is not much change, but the number of serving ninjas has increased, and the military spending is also increasing year by year.

　　As the scale of the ninja continues to grow, it is estimated that the Ninja villages in the neighboring countries are jealous of Konoha.

　　How long will this peace last? In a year, or in two years, will a new war come again?

　　The only thing that is certain is that Shiraishi won't have to wait too long before Sandyin's next attack on the Fire Country.

　　At that time, he can really get out of this boring village.

　　Although it is impossible to part with some people and some things, parting is also a stage that life must go through.

　　"The human body stage is finally completed, and then you can try to undo the caged bird..."

　　The experiment of replacing chakra with natural energy as life energy, after more than three years of hard work, the technology has now matured, and I dare not say that there is 100% certainty. At least when there is an accident, it can be interrupted in time. As for damage to life.

　　For the success of this experiment, a total of eleven human bodies were consumed.

　　The experiment went so smoothly that even Shiraishi felt unbelievable. None of the eleven human bodies died, and only one of them had an accident, but was rescued by Shiraishi with superb medical technology.

　　It is as if natural energy can replace Chakra, as the life energy of the human body.

　　Although the difference between the two cannot be resolved at present, as long as the caged bird can be unraveled, it will not be too late to explore this secret in the future.

　　Shiraishi walked to the bookshelf beside him, his eyes flicked over the titles of books on it, and he reached out and rummaged through them.

　　"I remember being..."

　　As he said that, there was a movement on the floor next to him.

　　The head of the clay figurine with black eye holes emerged from the ground, and a pale golden light emanated from the eye holes, staring at Shiraishi.

　　"Are you back? Thank you for your hard work."

　　Shiraishi stopped looking for the book and turned to look at the clay man.

　　This is a 'doll' created by himself based on the yin and yang attribute chakra, with natural energy as the core, and some magical effects on the soul.

　　The inspiration for making it came from the tailed beast.

　　Shiraishi gave it the name 'The General of the Earth'.

　　Because it is only half a year old now, it only has the ability to move freely in the earth and integrate with the earth, and it belongs to the larvae.

　　Now he can help Shiraishi, it's just to communicate with his subordinates, to send objects, and as for the battle... It can only be said that the future is promising.

　　The clay man just stared at Shiraishi, as if waiting for Shiraishi's next order.

　　Shiraishi smiled bitterly. Although it was successfully created artificially, this guy's intelligence is also very worrying. It can also be said to be slow and clumsy.

　　Commands that are too complicated, and interpersonal relationships, are simply incomprehensible in its current state.

　　If he doesn't give it an accurate order, even the creator, Shiraishi, can't communicate with it normally.

　　Therefore, it was given a 'future promising' evaluation.

　　"What did they ask you to bring back? Give it to me."

　　Shiraishi ordered him.

　　The clay man ended his incomparable staring at Shiraishi.

　　The floor began to wriggle, and a letter was spat out of it, along with a white humanoid.

　　"What is this?"

　　Shiraishi picked up the letter, but his eyes were on the white humanoid creature, and his brows wrinkled.

　　The clay man didn't say anything, just made a dull sound and dived into the ground.

　　Shiraishi didn't expect any decent response from this low-intelligence puppet. It was quite qualified to use it only as a communication tool.

　　Shiraishi opened the letter and began to understand what had happened.

　　Only two things were briefly mentioned above.

　　Akatsuki declined the solicitation.

　　The identity of the white humanoid creature lying on the ground is unknown. When it was monitoring Akatsuki, they did not know why it was staring at them, then it was subdued, and finally sent here.

　　"Did you refuse? Originally, I wanted to expand the organization's staff. Forget it, it's the same with finding someone else."

　　Akatsuki's refusal could be said to be reasonable, and Shiraishi didn't feel anything to regret.

　　There are too many people who can be recruited. Anyway, the lower limit of natural energy cultivation is very low. Even if a disabled person is equipped with a prosthetic limb, it can be used as a fighting force. It is just a matter of strength and weakness.

　　However, with the foundation of ninja, after the strengthening of natural energy, the strength will be stronger than ordinary people.

　　The bigger problem is the unidentified corpse in front of him.

　　"This touch, and life energy...what is it?"

　　Shiraishi stared at the corpse of the white creature with a strange look on his face, instead of calling it 'human', he called it 'thing' instead.

　　His internal structure was so simple... that Shiraishi thought it was just a conscious body.

　　It felt cold to the touch, like a corpse, but it was a little different.

　　The living dead?

　　"The weird guy staring at Akatsuki... Does that Akatsuki have the rare value of being stared at?"

　　Shiraishi knew some things about Akatsuki. The members of the organization were all teenage children, living in such a difficult environment, which created their strong will and the courage to fight.

　　In the most clumsy way, they tried to save the whole country.

　　Akatsuki was established about two years ago. At that time, it was still a startup, and there was no specific name. There were only three people in the organization.

　　After more than a year of development, it has become an organization of eight or nine people, and Akatsuki's name has also begun to circulate in recent months.

　　But still nothing changed.

　　After all, why is an organization so poor that it even has some problems with basic life being targeted?

　　The internal battle in the rain country?

　　Or did other countries not want organizations like Akatsuki to appear in the Land of Rain?

　　Shiraishi just thought about it for a moment, and then gave up thinking. He had to deal with as many things as a mountain, and there was no need to waste time on such things.

　　In any case, other people's affairs have nothing to do with him.

　　What Akatsuki's future will become, leave it to the unknown future to issue a verdict.

　　According to Shiraishi's prediction, Akatsuki's ending will be very miserable.

　　The Land of Rain... is not suitable for development.

　　At least for now.

　　That is a territory where great powers compete. Unless the three major powers of fire, wind, and earth are willing to jointly establish a stable order, the country of rain will become prosperous and peaceful along with it.

　　However, apart from fighting each other, the three major countries have no such idea of ​​jointly building a stable order.

　　The people of that country, because they have been oppressed all year round, have lost their fighting spirit to resist.

　　People are dying every day in this age, and people are fighting.

　　The way of human survival is to eat the weak.

　　The same is true of the country built by human beings. The weak will be bullied, and the strong will have everything.

　　The country of rain is just one of the countries built by human beings.

　　Other than that, in these chaotic times, the country has no more meaning.

　　◎

　　Early April.

　　A new round of graduates walks out of the ninja school and becomes a real genin, who will compose their own bloody ninja life.

　　In the Konoha Ichiraku ramen shop, the Sakumo team celebrates here.

　　"Too slow, today is an important day."

　　The black-haired girl in front of the ramen shop was slim and her voice was cold.

　　The upper body is wearing dark strapless tights, and the hands are wearing black gloves that go past the elbows. On the gloves on the back of the hands, there is an extremely hard iron plate, which is a special protective gear that can be used to resist Kunai and Ninja swords.

　　The lower body is wearing a short skirt, and there are black knee socks that can show the good shape of the legs. The ninja bag is tied to the thigh with a belt. Overall, it looks just right.

　　On the back of her black tights, Uchiha's fan logo is embroidered.

　　This girl is Ruri.

　　Compared with three years ago, she has grown a lot, and now she is the second-in-command of Sakumo's team, a genius ninja who's rumors can be heard around Konoha.

　　She was clasping her hands on her chest with a cold face, as if she was very dissatisfied with Shiraishi's late arrival at this time.

　　"What does it matter, isn't the time just right?"

　　Another black-haired girl smiled and helped Shiraishi clear the siege.

　　This girl is Ayane.

　　Compared to Ruri, after three years, she has actually changed a bit more.

　　Such as the body.

　　Like breasts.

　　Wearing a custom-made kimono with a light white hem that does not go past the knee ensures the flexibility of the legs.

　　On her legs, she wears white knee-high socks of the same style as Ruri. She doesn't carry a ninja bag on her thighs. If she doesn't wear a forehead guard, she doesn't look like a ninja at all.

　　But her weapon might be tied somewhere else.

　　"Has Sakumo-sensei arrived yet?"

　　Shiraishi didn't care about Ruri's dissatisfaction and asked Ruri.

　　He was carrying a gift bag with several gift boxes in it.

　　Because today is a special day.

　　"They're already here, waiting for you."

　　"Really? There's nothing I can do about it. I have some things to deal with before. It's good to catch up. Anyway, I didn't forget to bring the gift."

　　Saying that, Shiraishi lifted the gift bag in his hand and said with a smile.

　　Ruri's face turned a little brighter.

　　The three entered the Yile Ramen shop, where Sakumo was sitting, and on his right was sitting a boy with the same white hair, about five or six years old, wearing a mask on his face and a ninja guard on his forehead.

　　It proves that this boy, who is only five or six years old, has officially graduated from the ninja school and is a qualified Konoha ninja.

　　"Long time no see, Kakashi."

　　"Long time no see, Senior Shiraishi."

　　This boy is Sakumo's son Hatake Kakashi.

　　After Shiraishi took the initiative to say hello, he immediately responded.

　　"Here, Kakashi, this is a gift to congratulate you on becoming a Genin."

　　Shiraishi put a gift box in Kakashi's hand.

　　Kakashi took it solemnly and thanked Shiraishi.

　　After Shiraishi sat down, he said with great emotion: "Speaking of which, this is really amazing, Kakashi, although you are only five years old, you have graduated from the ninja school and become an official ninja. This is a breakthrough since the establishment of our Konoha Ninja School, the fastest to become a Genin."

　　Kakashi responded lightly: "Actually, it's okay, mainly because the graduation exam is not difficult at all."

　　This is his attitude of course, the difficulty of the graduation exam is simply not equal to him.

　　Although many people say that he is a genius and think it is normal for him to have such achievements, they will always ignore his genius, the hard work and sweat behind him every day.

　　Those people will only judge others with their own superficial notions, what they think is correct, and the efforts and sweat of others cannot be seen, so they can use the word 'genius' to perfunctory things.

　　Shiraishi knew that Kakashi was not being modest, but was just stating his own personal views.

　　That's right, he entered the ninja school at the age of four, and now he is graduating from the ninja school at the age of five... The theoretical and practical grades are the first, and there is no possibility of cheating.

　　It is said that when Kakashi applied for graduation, even the third Hokage was disturbed.

　　Konoha has another genius ninja.

　　The cradle of genius.

　　Many ninja villages call Konoha this way.

　　Shiraishi thinks there is nothing wrong with such a name.

　　"What about our gifts? Today's party is also prepared for Ruri and I to become Jonin."

　　"I know, it's already ready."

　　That's right, this party is not only to celebrate Kakashi's graduation from the ninja school and officially becoming a genin, but also specially prepared to celebrate the two of Ruri and Ayane becoming a Jōnin.

　　Shiraishi handed the gift box to Ruri and Ayane.

　　Only then did Ruri and Ayane become satisfied.

　　"Ruri and Ayane have both become Jonin, it seems that it is not far from our team's separation."

　　Sakumo sighed lightly at this time, and his tone was quite regretful.

　　He really wanted to maintain the original lineup of Sakumo's squad, but the identities of Ruri and Ayane were too special.

　　And the reason why the two of them joined his team was never without the meaning of Uchiha and Hyuga, it was an experience.

　　They have already become Jōnin, and their training career in Sakumo's team will naturally come to an end.

　　With the current strength of the two of them, Sakumo no longer has the ability to guide them, and facing these two at the same time, maybe he will be defeated.

　　However, seeing that there were two more powerful new troops in the village, the depression in Sakumo's heart was also swept away.

　　Happy for the prosperity of Konoha.

　　Therefore, for Sakumo, this gathering is also an extremely important farewell ceremony.

　　Over there, Kakashi also gave the gifts that he and Sakumo prepared to Ruri and Ayane.

　　At this moment, Shiraishi took out the last gift box from the gift bag, put it in front of Sakumo and said with a smile, "So I prepared four gifts. Accept it, Sakumo-sensei."

　　Sakumo was stunned for a moment, then smiled and accepted the gift.

　　"I'm still as careful as before. I'll be a good man in the future. Then I'll accept it."

　　Before Shiraishi could speak, Ayane smiled and said, "Of course, I have the most authority in this regard."

　　Ruri's face was cold, and there was a terrifying murderous look in her eyes.

　　Ayane sat there gracefully, unconcernedly, unaffected by Ruri's murderous aura.

　　"Looks like you've forgotten who's on top."

　　"If you are often angry, your skin will easily age."

　　An anger instantly erupted between the two of them.

　　Kakashi looked at the two murderous women, and patted Shiraishi on the shoulder.

　　"The world of seniors is really colorful."

　　"Don't speak like an adult."

　　Shiraishi glanced at him helplessly.

　　"Thanks for your hard work."

　　"It's still not cute at all. If it goes on like this, it will be unpopular."

　　Kakashi has no opinion on this, his popularity is indeed average.

　　Apart from being acquainted with the members of Sakumo's team, there are not many people he can communicate with.

　　Even in the ninja school, there are only a few people.

　　Most people keep away from him as a 'genius'.

　　"Those things aren't needed, my goal is to go beyond my father."

　　Kakashi said seriously.

　　"The training of swordsmanship is very painful, especially the swordsmanship of Mr. Sakumo. I have also been trained before, but it was too difficult and I didn't stick to it."

　　"So you're still a genin now."

　　"..."

　　Unable to refute.

　　"I am a medical ninja. I don't need strong power. I can run away and use medical ninjutsu. Fighting is not what medical ninjas do."

　　Shiraishi prides himself on being a medical ninja.

　　Kakashi didn't say anything, ninjas are existences whose level is determined by their strength.

　　Judging solely by medical ninjutsu, Shiraishi is indeed qualified to become a chunin.

　　But... Among Konoha, there is no special treatment for rating medical ninjas alone.

　　However, the role of the medical ninja is not determined by the lower, middle and upper ninjas.

　　For most medical ninjas, there is no difference in the judgment of Genin, Chunin, and Jonin. The level of medical ninjutsu they master is the key.

　　Not everyone is like Tsunade among the three ninjas. On the premise of maintaining a strong fighting ability, medical ninjutsu has reached the pinnacle.

　　Next, everyone ended the exchange and happily enjoyed the deliciousness of ramen.

　　Of course, in the end it was Sakumo who paid.

　　After paying the money, Sakumo breathed a sigh of relief to a certain extent. After this gathering, the Sakumo team was almost on the verge of disbanding, and could finally get rid of the entanglement of the Queen of Big Stomach.

　　In the past three years, he has already had a psychological shadow on paying for guests.

　　But what followed was tight reluctance.

　　In the past three years, the mission completion rate of Sakumo's team is 100%. Whether it is the difficult A-level mission or the most difficult S-level mission, they are all very beautifully completed.

　　No matter what kind of enemy it encounters, it will be given an equal disappearance in silence.

　　Konoha White Fang's name is naturally a higher level, which makes the Ninja villages of various countries very jealous, and people keep coming to spy on his intelligence, trying to create suitable tactics for killing Sakumo.

　　But he also knew that even if he made a tactic to kill Sakumo, it would be extremely difficult.

　　They were deeply troubled by how they could eliminate Sakumo.

　　Because of this, even the two girls in the team became famous, letting people know the powerful heritage of the wealthy ninja clan, and there were two more talented ninjas in Konoha, which made the villages jealous and full of people who couldn't help but want to end these geniuses. The urge to destroy.

　　As for the medical ninja Shiraishi in the team, it is still ignored.

　　Medical ninjas don't care.

　　If it's a medical ninja of Tsunade's level, it's a different matter of course, but unfortunately Shiraishi is not.