Chapter 77: 75: Graduation and Jonin
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Konoha, Uchiha Clan
In an underground laboratory bathed in bright yellow light, a young man in a white hooded coat diligently worked at a laboratory table.
This young man is Shiraishi.
The Second Ninja World War had ended with Konoha's victory over the Sunagakure. Since then, the nations had entered an era of peaceful development and recovery.
The Land of Fire's borders had regained stability, free from attacks by foreign ninjas. However, this was more than three years ago.
Over the past three years, life had been relatively uneventful. Shiraishi no longer ventured to the battlefield, spending more time in the village after completing missions.
This meant more time for his research. He didn't need to constantly battle various enemies on the battlefield, and his research had advanced significantly compared to three years ago.
His knowledge encompassed natural energy, sage mode, tailed beast chakra, and the use of Yin Style and Yang Style techniques - all far beyond his capabilities three years prior.
Efficient use of natural energy allowed him to wield focused power. Konoha's formidable strength no longer intimidated him like it had three years ago; he faced it with composure.
This was what people called growth.
While Shiraishi made continuous progress, Konoha remained largely unchanged, except for an increase in the number of serving ninja and a rise in military expenses.
As the ninja population continued to grow, it was likely that neighboring ninja villages began to envy Konoha.
How long would this peace last? Would a new war erupt in a year or two?
One thing was certain: Shiraishi would not be allowed to wait too long before the Sunagakure launched another attack on the Land of Fire.
When that time came, he would finally be free from this extremely boring village.
Although certain people and things couldn't be left behind, parting was a stage in life that had to be traversed.
"The human body stage is finally complete, and now I can attempt to release the caged bird seal."
Shiraishi had spent over three years on an experiment that replaced chakra with natural energy as life energy. The technology was now matured, and he dared to say it was nearly foolproof. In case of accidents, it could be interrupted in time to prevent danger to life.
Eleven human bodies had been used to achieve this success, with none of them dying. Only one had encountered an accident, but Shiraishi's medical expertise had saved them.
It seemed that natural energy could indeed replace chakra as the life energy of a human body.
Though they couldn't yet discern the differences between the two, as long as they could destroy the caged bird, they would have ample time to explore this secret in the future.
Shiraishi walked to a nearby bookshelf, scanning the titles before reaching for a book.
"I recall it being here..."
As he spoke, the floor near him shifted.
A clay figure, with eye holes radiating a pale golden light, emerged from the ground. It locked its gaze onto Shiraishi.
"You've returned. Thank you for your hard work."
Shiraishi stopped his book search and faced the clay figure.
This was a 'doll' he'd crafted, imbued with yin-yang chakra and natural energy at its core, along with some mystical soul-related attributes.
He'd drawn inspiration from tailed beasts when creating it and had named it "General Tu."
Being only half a year old, it possessed the ability to move freely within the earth, like earth manipulation, and to meld with the earth's surface, granting it a juvenile status.
Its current assistance was limited to communication with Shiraishi's subordinates and item transport. Its combat capabilities were still in development, an aspect that held promise for the future.
The clay figure maintained its unwavering focus on Shiraishi, evidently awaiting his next command.
Shiraishi couldn't help but wear a wry smile. Despite successfully creating this puppet, its intelligence left much to be desired, it was both dull and clumsy.
It struggled with complex commands and understanding interpersonal relationships. In its current state, effective communication, even with its creator Shiraishi, remained an impossibility.
That's why Shiraishi had dubbed it "promising for the future."
"What did they ask you to bring back? Hand it over," Shiraishi commanded.
The clay figure ceased its blank stare at Shiraishi.
The floor rippled, expelling a letter alongside a white humanoid creature.
"What's this?"
Shiraishi picked up the letter, but his focus remained on the strange white creature, his brow furrowing.
The clay figure offered no explanation, merely emitting a low, dull sound as it sank back into the ground.
Shiraishi didn't anticipate any meaningful response from this low-intelligence puppet. It served its purpose as a communication tool quite competently.
Shiraishi unfolded the letter, scanning its contents to discern what had happened.
There were only two brief mentions in the letter.
First, Akatsuki had declined the offer.
Second, the identity of the white humanoid creature lying before him was unknown. While monitoring Akatsuki, it had stared at its subordinates for some inexplicable reason, been subdued, and subsequently sent here.
"Rejected? I had hoped to expand the organization's manpower. Well, I can find someone else," Shiraishi mused. Akatsuki's refusal appeared entirely reasonable, leaving him with no regrets.
There were countless potential recruits. With the low entry threshold for natural energy, even individuals with disabilities could become combat-ready with the aid of artificial limbs. It was simply a matter of degrees of strength.
However, once ninja with a foundation underwent natural energy enhancement, their power far surpassed that of ordinary people.
The greater issue at hand was the unknown corpse lying before him.
"What is this entity, and where does its life energy come from?" Shiraishi puzzled over the corpse of the white creature, using the term 'entity' rather than 'human.'
Its internal structure appeared remarkably simple, more akin to a sentient vessel.
It felt cold to the touch, like a corpse, but something about it felt distinctly different.
The living dead?
"The entity that observed Akatsuki... Could it be that Akatsuki holds some rare value that draws external interest?" Shiraishi pondered.
He knew some details about the organization known as Akatsuki. Its members, all teenagers, had been molded by their harsh environment into individuals with unwavering determination and the courage to fight.
They strove to rescue their entire nation through unconventional means, despite its seemingly insurmountable difficulties.
Akatsuki had been established approximately two years ago, originally starting with only three members. Over the course of a year, it had expanded to eight or nine members, and in recent months, its name had begun to circulate.
Yet, despite their efforts, the organization had been unable to effect meaningful change.
Why would such a poor and underprivileged organization draw attention?
Could it be due to internal strife within the Land of Rain?
Or perhaps other nations were wary of the emergence of organizations like Akatsuki within the Land of Rain?
Shiraishi briefly considered these possibilities but soon gave up on them. He had a multitude of tasks demanding his attention, and there was no need to waste his time on matters beyond his purview.
Ultimately, the affairs of others were of no concern to him. The future of Akatsuki would be determined by the unknown hands of fate.
Based on Shiraishi's prediction, the prospects for Akatsuki seemed bleak. The Land of Rain was ill-suited for development, at least in the current condition.
It remained a region marred by power struggles, with the three major Land of Fire, Wind, and Earth vying for dominance. Only through cooperative efforts could the Land of Rain ever hope to achieve prosperity and peace.
However, the three major powers showed no inclination to collaborate in establishing a stable order in the Land of Rain.
The local populace, subjected to prolonged oppression, had largely lost their will to resist.
In these turbulent times, lives were lost daily, and battles raged constantly. The path of human survival resembled the laws of the jungle.
The same principles applied to nations built by human hands. The weak were subjugated, while the strong reaped the spoils.
The Land of Rain was just one such nation in this era of chaos, where countries held little significance beyond the power struggles within them.
...
Early April had arrived, marking the momentous occasion when the latest batch of graduates emerged from the ninja a academy, ready to embark on their own thrilling ninja life.
At Ichiraku ramen shop, team Sakumo gathered for a celebration.
"Too slow, today is an important day."
Ruri, a slim and tall black-haired girl, stood in front of the ramen shop. Her voice was cool as she expressed her impatience at Shiraishi's tardiness on this significant day.
She sported a black off-the-shoulder tights for her upper body, paired with black gloves extending over her elbows. The gloves featured hard iron sheets on the back, serving as specialized protection against kunai and ninja knives.
Below, she wore a short skirt and black knee socks that accentuated her slender legs. A ninja bag was strapped to her thigh with a belt, creating an impeccably coordinated appearance. The Uchiha clan fan logo adorned her black tights.
This striking figure was none other than Ruri.
In the three years that had passed, she too had undergone considerable growth. She had ascended to the position of second-in-command within Sakumo's team, recognized as a prodigious ninja within Konoha.
With arms folded in front of her chest, she wore a stern expression, her discontent with Shiraishi's delayed arrival evident.
"What's the matter, isn't the time just right?"
Another black-haired girl, Ayane, came to Shiraishi's defense with a smile, diffusing the tension. In the three years since their graduation, Ayane, too, had experienced some changes.
Her figure had developed noticeably, and her attire included a custom-made kimono with a hem that allowed unrestricted leg movement. The white kimono fell just above her knees.
In contrast to Ruri, Ayane wore white knee socks, similar in style. She didn't carry a ninja pouch on her thigh, and without a forehead protector, she hardly resembled a ninja at all. However, her weapon was likely concealed elsewhere.
"Has Sakumo-sensei arrived?" Shiraishi inquired not caring avout Ruri's dissatisfaction, diverting the conversation to their mentor.
Shiraishi held a gift bag containing several gift boxes, a testament to the special occasion they were commemorating.
"He's already here, just waiting for you."
"Excellent! I had a few matters to attend to, but I'm glad I could make it in time. Regardless, I haven't forgotten to bring a gift," Shiraishi stated with a smile, raising the gift bag as proof of his thoughtfulness.
Ruri's mood improved upon hearing this. Shiraishi's arrival had seemingly placated Ruri.
The trio entered Ichiraku Ramen, where Sakumo was seated. To his right sat a young boy, no older than five or six, with the same white hair as his father. The boy donned a mask and wore a forehead protector, signifying his official graduation from the ninja school.
"Long time no see, Kakashi," Shiraishi greeted.
"Long time no see, Shiraishi-senpai" responded the boy, identified as Hatake Kakashi, Sakumo's son.
After Shiraishi took the initiative to greet, he also responded immediately.
"Here, Kakashi, this is a gift to congratulate you on becoming a Genin."
Shiraishi put a gift box in Kakashi's hand, which Kakashi accepted with solemn gratitude.
After Shiraishi sat down, he said with great emotion: "It's truly remarkable. Despite your tender age of five, Kakashi, you've already graduated from the ninja academy and become an official ninja. It's the quickest record for anyone to achieve such a feat since the founding of Konoha Ninja Academy."
Kakashi nonchalantly responded, "It's not a big deal. The graduation exam was quite easy."
His words reflected his natural demeanor. For Kakashi, the graduation exam's difficulty was negligible.
While many hailed him as a genius, they often overlooked the hard work and sweat he invested daily to complement his innate talent. People tended to label him as a "genius" while remaining oblivious to the effort he put in behind the scenes.
Shiraishi understood that Kakashi wasn't being modest; he was simply stating his personal opinion.
Indeed, enrolling in the ninja a academy at four and graduating at five with top marks in both theory and practical courses was a testament to Kakashi's extraordinary abilities. His achievements were so astounding that even the Third Hokage had been taken aback when he applied for graduation.
Konoha had a new genius ninja on its hands—a cradle of genius, as many other ninja villages referred to it. Shiraishi believed that this title was well-deserved.
As the conversation flowed, Ayane asked
"What about our gift? Today's gathering is also prepared for Ruri and I to become Jonin."
"Got it, it's already ready."
Indeed, this gathering wasn't only to celebrate Kakashi's graduation from the ninja school and his official entry into the ranks of Genin, it was also to a celebrate Ruri and Ayane's promotion to Jounin.
Shiraishi presented the gift box to Ruri and Ayane, both of whom were now content.
"Both Ruri and Ayane have become Jounin. It seems our team is not far from disbanding," Sakumo sighed lightly, his tone tinged with regret.
He earnestly wished to retain the original lineup of team Sakumo, but the unique backgrounds of Ruri and Ayane made it challenging.
They had joined his team to represent the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, it was an experience. Now that the two girls had achieved Jounin status, their tenure in Sakumo's team was naturally coming to an end.
Considering their current strength, Sakumo felt ill-equipped to guide them further. The prospect of facing both of them simultaneously was daunting, it might possibly lead to his defeat.
However, the knowledge that the village had gained two powerful new assets dispelled his reservations, leaving him elated about Konoha's prosperity. Thus, for Sakumo, this gathering also held immense significance as a farewell ceremony.
Across the room, Kakashi presented Ruri and Ayane with gifts he had prepared alongside Sakumo.
At this moment, Shiraishi retrieved the last gift box from the bag, placing it before Sakumo with a smile. He said, "I've prepared four gifts. Please accept them, Sakumo-sensei"
Sakumo was briefly taken aback but then smiled, graciously accepting the gift. He remarked, "You're as considerate as ever, and I have no doubt you'll grow into an exceptional man. I accept these without hesitation."
Before Shiraishi could respond, Ayane chuckled and said, "Of course, I'm the authority in this matter."
Ruri, on the other hand, wore a cold expression with a menacing look in her eyes.
Ayane sat there gracefully and indifferently, unaffected by Ruri's murderous aura.
"It appears you've forgotten who's in charge," Ruri retorted.
"If you're frequently angry, your skin will age prematurely," Ayane quipped.
Tensions briefly flared between the two.
Observing the two fierce women, Kakashi patted Shiraishi on the shoulder playfully. "The world of adults is indeed colorful."
"Don't talk like an adult," Shiraishi responded with a helpless glance.
"Thank you for your hard work," Sakumo expressed.
"It's still not cute at all. You might become unpopular if you continue like this,"
Kakashi had no strong opinions on the matter; his popularity was indeed average. Besides the Sakumo team members, he had limited interactions with others, even during his time at the ninja academy. Most people kept their distance, viewing his "genius" status with suspicion.
Nonetheless, Kakashi shared his ambition, stating, "My goal goes beyond my father."
Shiraishi teased him about his training in knife skills, to which Kakashi responded that he was still a ninja.
"The Kenjutsu training was very painful, especially Sakumo sensei's Kenjutsu . I have been trained before, but it was too difficult, so I didn't stick to it."
"But.... you are still a ninja now."
"..."
This assertion could not be disputed.
"I'm a medical ninja. I don't need much strength. I can run away and use medical ninjutsu. The rough work of fighting isn't something medical ninjas do."
Shiraishi, proud of his role as a medical ninja.. He could evade and use medical ninjutsu, emphasizing that medical ninjas weren't typically involved in combat.
Kakashi remained silent. In the world of ninjas, one's worth was determined by their strength.
Shiraishi did indeed possess qualifications for promotion to Chunin based on his medical ninjutsu skills. However, in Konoha, medical ninjas were not rated separately. Instead, their evaluation centered on their mastery of medical ninjutsu.
Unlike Tsunade, who achieved mastery of medical ninjutsu while maintaining formidable combat skills, Shiraishi had not reached such a prominent position.
Next, the group wrapped up their conversations and enjoyed their delicious ramen.
When it came time to settle the bill, Sakumo, while somewhat relieved, couldn't help but feel reluctant. This gathering marked a crucial turning point for the team Sakumo, signaling the end of their financial obligation to the "Queen of Gluttony."
Over the past three years, the team had flawlessly completed 100% of their missions, including challenging A-level and even S-level missions. Their reputation had soared, making other ninja villages fearful. Many attempted to gather intelligence, seeking strategies to defeat Sakumo.
However, they acknowledged the daunting task of devising a plan to eliminate Sakumo. Their team's reputation had become a source of distress for many, sparking jealousy among rival villages and prompting them to desire the elimination of these geniuses.
In contrast, Shiraishi, the team's medical ninja, remained relatively unnoticed. However, he was undisturbed by this fact.
Most medical ninjas were content with their role, as Konoha did not categorize them differently in terms of rank. Instead, their evaluation hinged on their mastery of medical ninjutsu, with no distinctions between lower, middle, and upper ninjas.
Shiraishi had not yet reached the same status as Tsunade, who was revered for her mastery of medical ninjutsu and formidable combat abilities.
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