The Fifth Kazekage
The significance of the Combination Transformation for Sasuke lies in enhancing his strengths, which is crucial.
Unlike other types of ninjas, having a slight increase in Chakra or strength doesn't have a significant impact on the outcome of a battle. After all, most battles don't involve exhausting all stamina, so having slightly less Chakra only results in being very tired or extremely tired after the battle.
However, for high-speed combat ninjas, speed is life. Being even a fraction of a second faster can make all the difference between victory and defeat, and that is the difference between life and death!
Therefore, despite the slightly cute design that didn't quite fit Sasuke's own image, he still relentlessly explored the Combination Transformation technique further, eventually developing it into the Chidori Demon Body Technique.
For Moegi and Udon, the Combination Transformation with the Ninja Cat is more about compensating for their weaknesses in Ninjutsu, essentially giving them an extra trump card in battle; however, it doesn't significantly boost their combat power.
After all, as Genjutsu and Ninjutsu- type ninjas, they generally do not rely on close-quarters Taijutsu attacks.
Nevertheless, such skills were already an invaluable asset to them.
After all, those two are different from their teachers.
Sakura Haruno entered the high command's sights as early as the Ninja Academy and was recognized as Ninjutsu prodigy. Of course, if you ask any high command now, no one will admit that they did not think highly of Sakura Haruno back then. They only invested resources in her out of respect for the Third Hokage and out of the idea of promoting a new commoner talent to inspire others.
As for Udon and Moegi, they can't always be using Konohamaru's Ninjutsu!
As a commoner ninja, without any background or resources, and unlike Sakura Haruno who created her own Ninjutsu at the Ninja Academy and was exceptionally talented, she naturally wouldn't have much access to resources.
The Combination Transformation Ninjutsu is alright; it's just an extension of the Transformation Technique. The key is the excellent summoning beast.
Throughout Konoha, those who can summon decent ninja beasts are generally people with impressive backgrounds. The Ninja Cat Clan is very short of contractors, but not just anyone can sign a contract with them. Without the connections of Sakura Haruno and Sasuke, it would be difficult for two ordinary ninjas with no outstanding characteristics and no apparent future potential to even get involved with them.
Sakura Haruno put a lot of effort into teaching them.
This is how Konoha trains its ninjas.
An ordinary civilian ninja's knowledge in their lifetime is mostly divided into two stages: the first stage is the training at the Ninja Academy, Chunin like Iruka would teach the children with all their heart. They were very dedicated and had a solid foundation in basic knowledge. However, to be honest, teaching dozens of students at once meant that Iruka and his colleagues couldn't pay close attention to each one. Moreover, the Ninja Academy teachers might not even know the more in-depth knowledge.
The second stage involves students graduating from the Ninja Academy and receiving specialized one-on-three instruction from a supervising teacher. Students with average graduation grades are assigned to teachers who Special Jonin or Chunin, while outstanding students are assigned to Jonin supervising teachers, or even Elite Jonin teachers like Kakashi or Sakura Haruno. During this stage, they receive specialized guidance from their supervising teachers, both psychologically and in terms of skills, until all of them are promoted to Chunin before the group disbands.
This is the period of fastest growth for most ninjas in their lives, directly impacting their future achievements; however, how much they learn also depends on the responsibility of their instructors and their compatibility with them.
In short, the kind of instructors you get depends on your graduation grades; this shows that even in the ninja world, studying hard and improving your grades is very important—unless your dad is the highest leader. However, even that blond kid is a very hardworking person; his poor grades are just because his cheat codes are having the opposite effect...
Some ninjas with potential or a distinguished background will go through a third stage after leaving their mentor: becoming an apprentice.
To become an apprentice of a powerful figure, to learn all their Ninjutsu, to inherit their mantle and even their political ideals, is like Sakura Haruno becoming Tsunade's Tsunade; the Hokage lineage is almost entirely passed down through apprenticeship. In this one-on-one guidance, the master will pass on their proudest and most private techniques without reservation, help the disciple tailor their own combat system, and at the same time, pass on their ideals and beliefs to the disciple.
Disciples trained in this way naturally achieve extraordinary things, and many become prominent figures in their time!
Finally, after becoming a formal ninja, there is another way to grow: applying to superiors for Ninjutsu materials to learn on your own.
The level of Ninjutsu one can apply for depends on their contribution and ninja rank. For example, the Multi Shadow Clone requires Jonin rank to apply for. However, relying solely on the scroll of secret techniques without expert guidance may not be effective; the two Anbu who sought to learn the Water Gun Technique from Sakura Haruno are examples of this.
Other fragmented methods include communication or trading with friends and companions, guidance from family and relatives, spoils from missions, unexpected gains during travels, and so on... the list goes on.
Family disciples are a different matter.
They were essentially destined for the path of the ninja from birth.
Even Branch Family disciple like Neji, who deeply resents the Main Family, still obtains sufficient training resources from the clan. The guidance from the Ninja Academy and their instructors is merely a beneficial supplement, providing practical combat training and aiding in psychological growth.
Of course, Sasuke's situation is an exception. He is now a disciple of Kakashi, and in addition to learning the application of the Sharingan, he is receiving more of the Lightning Release and swordsmanship inheritance from White Fang of Konoha.
In Sakura Haruno's Team, Konohamaru has the Third Hokage's guidance, so Sakura doesn't need to worry about him; therefore, the girl worries most about Udon and Moegi.
This time, Konohamaru probably won't think she's being biased... It was his own fault for not wanting the Ninja Cat Contract.
The contracted ninja beast of the Sarutobi Clan Monkey of the Enma Clan. Its characteristics are an incredibly tough body and immense strength. When it grows to its maximum, it is practically indestructible and can even withstand the Kusanagi Sword!
Their racial ability is to transform into weapons, which are more rigid than ordinary weapons; Konohamaru can also use the Combination Transformation Technique to merge with the Monkey, gaining extremely high defense and strength, balancing offense and defense, which is a top-notch combat technique on the battlefield.
The only downside is... it will turn into a monkey-like appearance with a pointed mouth and monkey cheeks.
The nickname "Monkey" for the Third Hokage originated from this.
Hopefully, Konohamaru isn't someone who prioritizes looks!
Hopefully, Konohamaru won't feel out of place when his two companions both have a cute, adorable art style.
When Sasuke reached the Konoha Gate, he saw the girl squatting at the highest point of the Konoha Gate, lazily sunbathing like a cat, her eyes half-closed and a dreamy smile on her face.
She was thinking about her three subordinates.
He stood at the gate, the morning Amaterasu on the girl's perfect profile. With Sasuke's sharp eyesight, he could even clearly see the downy hairs on Sakura's face that glowed faintly in the sunlight.
"Hey, it's time to go," the black-haired boy said.
"... I was once a Jinchūriki controlled by hatred and power. In everyone's eyes, I was just a terrifying weapon, hated and feared... I lived a lonely and painful life until someone woke me up..."
"... After that, I understood that loneliness is the greatest pain. I began to try to stop running away, to change myself, to change my lonely life, to gain bonds with my companions, to gain everyone's recognition, to stop being a lonely person... From that moment on, I began to strive towards the goal of becoming the Kazekage as a Sand Ninja, hoping to become someone who is needed by everyone..."
"... At first, change was painful, but when that change wasn't accepted, it was even more painful. But I knew that if I just kept waiting without making any effort, even greater pain would await me. I was unfortunate, but also fortunate, because I had brothers, family, and friends who always supported me, because my changes and efforts were not in vain, and because I finally gained everyone's recognition and stood here!"
"... From this day forward, Gaara's significance to the village and to everyone is no longer that of a demon from hell, nor a terrifying weapon!"
"It is the Kazekage of the Sunagakure who can protect the village and everyone!"
"Thank you everyone."
On the stage, the red-haired boy removed his Kazekage Hat and bowed to everyone.
Her eyes were sparkling.
Cheers and applause resounded throughout the entire Sunagakure!
"Gaara, Gaara!" "Lord Kazekage!" These spontaneous shouts rang out for a full ten minutes before finally stopping.
Gaara's expressive and sincere performance touched many people, even Sakura Haruno in the audience was somewhat moved.
"Gaara's quite popular in your village these days," Sakura Temari, who was standing next to her, blinking.
"People our age all like him a lot," Temari said with a smile, "Because he's strong, cool, handsome, and very gentle. Many girls admire him."
"Conversely, there are still many old fogies in the village who don't like Gaara," Kankuro said in a deep voice. "To gain everyone's respect and recognition, Kazekage is just the Qidian. Gaara still has a long way to go!"
"However, I believe he will succeed!" Kankuro turned his head, a faint smile appearing beneath his thick makeup.
"Well done, Gaara," Sasuke chimed in. "Naruto keeps saying he wants to be Hokage, but he's still Genin! Gaara, on the other hand, became Kazekage without a second thought."
The three of them burst into laughter.
Given the efficiency of ninjas, such an important ceremony as the inauguration wouldn't be too long, and it would be over before lunchtime. However, the position of Kazekage had been vacant for a year, and everyone was a little anxious. Now that a strong and seemingly reliable ninja had finally taken up the Kazekage, many people felt a Taiseki lifted off their shoulders, and their excitement would probably linger for a whole day.
In the afternoon, Sakura Haruno were finally able to meet with Gaara had finished dealing with his chores.
This was also their first meeting with Kazekage, who was the Gaara, not their friend.
(This is the second update yesterday! Guaranteed update! I have a foot injury, it won't affect my writing... It's just that I was planning to update a lot at the beginning of the month, so I kept putting off going to the hospital, and as a result, the wound got infected, which is causing some trouble now...)
(It's almost the end of the month, and monthly tickets will expire if you don't vote now! Please vote! I'll add an extra chapter for every 00 monthly tickets. Let's see if I can manage three chapters today, this one doesn't count.)