85: Rumors

Konoha 41, April.

It has been almost a whole year since the original Sakumo team disintegrated.

Shiraishi was another year older.

There is basically nothing to say about organizational matters, it is developing steadily. Because it is in the primitive accumulation stage, everything is done carefully.

The location of the action is also some small countries, and it will not easily involve the five major countries.

Because of the leadership of Shiraishi, the people in the organization are used to this.

Resolving the caged bird and gathering a superior subordinate like Shingo Hyuga was also very helpful for the organization.

Although he can't show his face outside, the task of guarding the headquarters of the organization is also a top priority.

After all, Shiraishi was worried about the strange white creatures, which had very similar abilities to General Tu, and could move quickly in the earth, and their presence could not be sensed by ordinary perception ninjutsu.

With the help of White Eyes, this problem can be avoided.

After all, no matter how they sneak and integrate with the earth, it is also to use the body to move. The white eye, which can see through their chakra, is far superior to perception ninjas in terms of observation.

And Shiraishi made a detailed comparison of the list of ninjas from the Hyuga branch provided by Shingo Hyuga and the list of ninjas from the branch provided by Ayane.

He found that in the Hyuga branch, the proportion of ninjas who were dissatisfied with the main family was different from what he expected.

Some of them have completely surrendered to the clan, and some are in a wait-and-see attitude, their will is not firm, but most of the time they tend to the clan's decision.

The rest are the branch ninjas who are dissatisfied or hostile to the clan. There are some of such branch ninjas, but not many.

Shiraishi had no intention of making contact with these people now.

The more people, the greater the possibility of exposure, he doesn't want to be targeted by Konoha now.

This possibility may be very low, but he also wants to prevent it from happening.

Anyway, Konoha is not bad, maybe you can find some useful seedlings.

The research on sage arts is also progressing relatively well. After statistics and several months of hard work, the probability of success has increased by a few percentage points again.

For the rest of the time, Shiraishi lives as a qualified Konoha ninja, doing research at home and working as a teaching assistant at school.

As a Konoha ninja, he is still carrying out the will of fire.

Just going to the garrison, the number of dates with Ruri has increased.

Of course, it's a very pure date.

◎

Around mid-April, Shiraishi walked briskly on Konoha Street.

It can be seen that he is in a good mood now.

Because today is Saturday, I don't have to go to the ninja school to be a teaching assistant, and I have free time to spend.

"Yo, Kakashi, long time no see."

Shiraishi saw a familiar figure on the street.

A boy with silver hair.

With a mask on his face, he carried a white-toothed dagger exactly like the one used by Sakumo.

This kid still admires his father so much.

"Isn't this genin Shiraishi-senpai? Any advice?"

Kakashi turned around and replied indifferently, without too many ups and downs in his tone.

"When did you learn this tone of voice from Ruri?"

Shiraishi put his hand on Kakashi's head, rubbed through his silver-white hair, and messed it up before he stopped.

"What?"

"Retaliation for what you said just now. You are really annoying, you are not at all like Sakumo-sensei."

Shiraishi said frankly.

"So, what's the matter with me? I don't believe it's just a chance encounter."

The Kakashi kid has learned to speak like an adult, holding a recent best-selling book in his hand. He should have been reading while walking before.

He put the book in the ninja bag and tidied up the hair that was messed up by Shiraishi.

"How's life as a ninja?"

Did not explain his intentions, instead, he was concerned about Kakashi's feelings after becoming a genin.

"What else can be done, the tasks are very simple, and there is basically nothing to worry about."

Kakashi thought for a while, and expressed his thoughts very bluntly.

"You're really not humble at all."

Shiraishi patted Kakashi on the shoulder.

"It's time for the seniors to explain their intentions."

"Is Sakumo-sensei at home?"

"No, he went out on a mission, and he should be back in a few days."

"What a pity."

Shiraishi sighed.

"What's up?"

"Today is my happy day."

Kakashi looked at Shiraishi in confusion.

"Are you going to get married? Who is it? Senior Ruri or Senior Ayane?"

"..."

"Isn't it?"

"Of course not, why did you think about that?"

"Senior's words are too misleading."

Kakashi said helplessly.

Shiraishi had to take out a piece of paper from the ninja bag, which was a letter of appointment signed by Naruto himself.

"See, from today onwards, I am also a Chunin in the village."

Looking at Shiraishi, who was a little smug, Kakashi also knew where his joy came from.

Should this kind of thing be something to be happy about?

Shouldn't it be sad?

The ones on your team are already a Jōnin. These hurtful words still didn't come out of Kakashi's mouth.

"From today onwards, I will be your superior."

Shiraishi said.

Kakashi sighed helplessly again, and took out an appointment book of similar style from his ninja bag.

"Sorry, senior, I don't want to hit you, just this morning, I also became chunin."

"..."

Shiraishi's smile stiffened on his face.

Then, he noticed something and looked at Kakashi in astonishment.

"Wait, Kakashi, are you only six years old this year? And becoming Chunin?"

This must be where the problem is.

Only six years old.

At the age of six, Shiraishi himself had just entered the ninja school.

Although Kakashi entered school at the age of four, it was considered an early education, but it took one year to successfully graduate from the ninja school at the age of five, which already beat Konoha's record.

Now that another year has passed, he has become Chunin?

Shiraishi knew that Kakashi's strength surpassed that of his peers, but becoming a chunin was not just about strength, it was the position of a team leader.

Qualified psychological quality and excellent leadership skills are the top priorities.

"This is signed by Hokage-sama. Senior Shiraishi thinks this is fake, and I have nothing to say."

"Oh, I wanted to show it off."

Thinking that he became a chunin when he was seventeen, and Kakashi did this when he was six.

Kind of pity myself.

"As expected of Mr. Sakumo's child, it seems that I can't treat you as a kid in the future."

Shiraishi smiled with emotion.

Kakashi was also a little happy when he heard Shiraishi's praise, especially about living up to his father's reputation.

"The senior came to find me..."

"Celebrate me becoming a chunin, but now it's time to celebrate your becoming a chunin."

"..."

Just that.

However, it's just becoming a chunin, what's there to celebrate?

But no matter what the other party is said to be one of his father's former subordinates, they can talk to each other when they meet each other. The relationship can be said to be relatively good, so Kakashi nodded and agreed.

Follow Shiraishi to the familiar yakiniku restaurant.

Ruri and Tsunade were sitting there waiting, and beside Tsunade sat a cute girl with short black hair, a little older than Kakashi.

"Is Ayane-senpai not here?"

Kakashi didn't see Ayane's figure, and couldn't help but wonder.

"She can't come today because of something, but the gift will be fine when it arrives."

"It's a pity, I can't see the wonderful battle."

Kakashi said this.

Shiraishi smiled and didn't smile, and regretted bringing this kid here.

Just like when I was a kid, not cute at all.

"Hello Tsunade, hello."

Kakashi greeted Tsunade before sitting down.

"Just waiting for you, but Sakumo didn't come?"

Tsunade didn't see Sakumo's figure, and asked aloud.

"He's on a mission outside," Kakashi replied.

Saying that, he looked at the girl next to Tsunade.

"Who is this..."

"This is Shizune. It's a relative of mine."

Tsunade introduced with a smile.

Because today is the big day for Shiraishi to become a chunin, it was a bit out of place to bring a bunch of relatives and friends, but she didn't want to worry about leaving Shizune at home, so she brought her here for a meal.

Kakashi nodded to the girl named Shizune, who also nodded with a smile.

"Speaking of which, today is not just me becoming a chunin, but also the day Kakashi became a chunin."

Shiraishi sat down and smiled.

After everyone heard it, they all looked at Kakashi in astonishment, especially Shizune. She had just graduated from the ninja school, and this boy who looked a few years younger than her turned out to be a chunin.

"It's really long-winded."

Kakashi, who didn't want to attract attention at all, saw that everyone's eyes were focused on him, so he had to pretend to look away indifferently.

Fortunately, everyone also knows that Kakashi is a genius, and his father is the famous Konoha White Fang. It is a bit incredible to become a Chunin at the age of six, but since it was approved by Hokage, it means that Kakashi is a qualified Chunin, there is no black box operation.

"Young people these days are really getting scarier."

Tsunade glanced at Ruri who was sitting next to Shiraishi.

Looking at Kakashi again, although he is immature, he already has the style of his father Konoha White Fang, even better than his father when he was a child...

Really talented. Tsunade is happy for the future prosperity of the village, but feels a little down when she thinks of her current situation.

"Tsunade-sensei, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Tsunade was in a bad mood, Shiraishi was a little puzzled.

"Ah, no, it's just a little emotional."

Realizing her gaffe, Tsunade quickly adjusted her mentality.

"Suddenly I feel a little embarrassed to celebrate your becoming a chunin today. Kakashi has been a chunin since he was six years old."

At this time, Ruri said.

"But Ruri, when you were six years old, weren't you a ninja school student like me?"

Shiraishi said this.

Then Shiraishi's face turned blue.

"Senior Shiraishi, are you okay?"

Kakashi glanced at Shiraishi, whose face was blue, and cared for him.

"For the problems of adults, children shouldn't care."

Shiraishi knew that Kakashi asked that on purpose.

This kid is so nasty.

When you leave Konoha in the future, give him some color to see.

◎

Two days have passed since Shiraishi became a chunin, and basically no one paid attention to it except for people he had a good relationship with.

On the contrary, Kakashi became a Chunin at the age of six, and gradually became known to the people in the village, thinking that tiger fathers have no dog sons.

Because of this, Kakashi has become the role model child of others in the mouths of many parents.

After that, Shiraishi also gave up the idea of competing with Kakashi. If he didn't show his real strength, he would definitely not be able to surpass Kakashi in the speed of ninja level promotion.

Although he doesn't want to admit it, Kakashi is indeed one of the most talented ninjas he has ever seen.

After all, he is an adult and can't stoop to the same level as a child.

——It wasn't a few days before something changed. That happened when Shiroishi was on his way to the garrison.

"Have you heard? It seems that the mission failed..."

"Yeah, it's a shame that a ninja like him would give up his mission..."

"It turns out that he is only at this level..."

"This kind of person doesn't deserve to be a ninja at all..."

Among the people who communicated, there were civilians and ninjas. They got together and seemed to say something carefully.

Shiraishi just glanced at them and didn't pay attention.

Just barely a few steps away, I saw the Uchiha ninja of the garrison hurry over from another street.

Seeing that the guards were coming, these civilians and ninjas stopped talking immediately and looked at the Uchiha ninjas nervously.

The guards just stared at these people coldly and didn't say anything.

Are all the guards dispatched? Shiraishi, who didn't think it was a big deal, immediately noticed something was wrong.

Ordinary rumors will not be dealt with by the guards unless it is a major incident.

Thinking of this, he was a little puzzled, and walked quickly towards the direction of the guard building.

As soon as I got there, I saw a group of civilians and ninjas gathered in the lobby of the garrison building, and Ruri stood there with a cold face, making these people shudder.

The Uchiha ninjas in her team also had a bad face.

Seeing that Shiraishi was coming, Ruri let the members of the team look at these people, and took Shiraishi to the corner by herself.

"What happened? There are some unexplained rumors on the street. The guards have arrested so many people here. Has something happened in the village?"

Shiraishi asked in confusion.

"Don't you know?"

"I've been in the lab for the past two days, and I just came out today. What's going on?"

Shiraishi looked at Ruri, hoping she could explain.

Ruri took a deep breath and said with a rare helpless tone: "Sakumo-sensei is in trouble."

"How?"

Shiraishi frowned.

Could Sakumo be in trouble?

Immediately thinking of some rumors I heard on the road before, I have a bad feeling in my heart.

"We don't know where the rumors came from. It just started this morning and spread all over the village at a terrifying speed. The source has not been found."

For the first time, Ruri was troubled by this kind of thing.

"Then why?"

"Sakumo-sensei, his mission failed this time. It is said that he simply gave up the mission in order to save his companions."

Shiraishi was stunned.

This one?

Although it was a little strange for Sakumo to interrupt the mission, because that person was so powerful that he could not use common sense to judge, but just because of this kind of thing, rumors could spread throughout the village?

"What about the higher-ups, what did they explain?"

It is impossible to hide such a big thing from the top.

The ninjas of the garrison were all dispatched on a large scale, how could the higher-ups not know.

"I don't know. There is no order from the high-level side. We can only do things according to the rules of the garrison, and control those who seriously disturb the peace and order."

"But doing so will cure the symptoms, not the root cause."

"Yeah, if the high-level officials are willing to explain what task Mr. Sakumo was performing, and what the village lost after the mission was interrupted, the situation will have a turnaround. But now, the high-level officials have not expressed anything to the outside world, it is all up to the free imagination of the villagers."

"..."

Shiraishi's face was a little ugly.

Free imagination?

Shiraishi is not willing to speculate on others with the greatest malice, but if such rumors continue to spread, the source of the matter will be ignored, and eventually it will become a murderous weapon in the hands of the rumor-spreader.

That situation is really bad.

"Anyway, let's meet Sakumo-sensei first. He's not that fragile."

Shiraishi thought about it for a while, and then went to Sakumo to understand the cause and effect of the incident and see if he could find any turning point.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Ruri nodded, intending to go to see Sakumo with Shiraishi.

Since the high-level people are indifferent, they have no choice but to find a way to solve it themselves.