Selecting Disciples

Yichen had read the original work and knew that the Third Hokage's proudest achievement was training the Legendary Sannin.

Although the Third Hokage became Hokage early on, it seemed that the Legendary Sannin did little to help his political career. But Yichen understood that this was just an appearance.

The Third Hokage's position came suddenly, and his foundation was not solid. He relied on Danzo and his fellow disciples.

However, after the Third Hokage and his companions successfully seized power, the very people who hindered his exercise of Hokage authority were his fellow disciples, with Danzo of them all, being the most ruthless.

In order to effectively control his fellow ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi trained the Legendary Sannin. After the Legendary Sannin's fame spread throughout the Ninja World, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage position became much more secure, and he faced far fewer constraints.

Therefore, Yichen understood that a teacher who can cultivate outstanding disciples will gain more recognition from everyone.

Therefore, upon hearing that he would be leading Squad Leader Jonin, Yichen immediately decided to take on disciples through a master-disciple succession system.

However, the selection of this disciple needs to be very careful. First is talent; those with poor talent have too low a growth potential and cannot help you.

Secondly, it's about character. Even if someone with bad character is taught, it won't help much, like Deidara, who is a monster.

Finally, there's the matter of elemental compatibility. I may have a wide range of skills, but I'm not truly proficient in many areas. It's best to take on disciples who are the same type of ninja as myself, otherwise I won't be able to teach them well.

Yichen took the list he got from Saka and went to the Advanced Class of the Ninja Academy.

As graduating students, these students no longer have theoretical classes. Some train at the school's Training Ground, while others are not even at the school.

Those not at school were more troublesome, Yichen had to put them aside for now and first observe the students training in the Training Ground.

Based on his own experience and observing the students' clothing, Yichen understood that most of those who stayed at the school to train were children from commoner families or small ninja families.

The Training Ground of the Advanced Class were not far apart, Yichen chose a spot with a relatively open view to observe.

A moment later, a Jonin appeared beside Yichen. This person was one of the Jonin Guardian Ninja Academy, Yoshiwara. Yoshiwara was quite old and a veteran Jonin.

He was the one who greeted Yichen when he entered the Ninja Academy. He's probably bored now, so he came to see how Yichen would choose his disciples.

Having a Jonin familiar with the Ninja Academy to consult is a good thing for Yichen.

"Senior Yoshihara, isn't that student in black training with kunai named Matsuhashi?"

Yoshiwara glanced at it and said, "That's right, Matsuhashi's Taijutsu is quite good, and he excels in strength. Among his peers, his strength ranks among the top three."

"Oh? Yoshiwara- senpai knows so much about these children?"

Yoshiwara smiled helplessly, "I've reached the end of my road; I can't go any further. Watching these children grow up little by little is the greatest joy in my life."

Yichen nodded in understanding. There were many ninjas like Yoshiwara, whose bodies had passed their peak and whose strength was actually weakening day by Tenten.

Then, under Yoshiwara's guidance, Yichen began to match the names on the documents with the children one by one. Based on Yoshiwara's descriptions, he then gained a preliminary impression of the children.

However, most of these children did not seem to meet Yichen's expectations. Yichen was somewhat disappointed; the Land of Earth was indeed unlike Konoha, which had so many geniuses.

If there had been a student at the level of one of the Konoha 11 at that moment, Yichen would have immediately approached them. Unfortunately, he didn't find one. Perhaps there are some promising talents among the students not currently in school.

Seemingly sensing Yichen's disappointment, Yoshiwara pointed to a child in the distance and said, "What do you think of that child?"

Yichen was somewhat puzzled, and carefully observed a child in the distance practicing chopping at a wooden stake.

Yichen watched for a while but didn't find anything special. The child had been practicing with Wooden Sword, but the method was nothing special, and the results seemed rather ordinary.

Yichen then looked at Yoshiwara with a puzzled expression.

Yoshiwara smiled. "This child is the one who looks most like you out of everyone."

"This similarity doesn't refer to similar attributes, but rather to personality."

"Back then, your training was very disciplined, with a full schedule every day. It was this continuous effort that led to your overall and stable improvement in strength."

"This child is named Kawakita. His parents are both only Genin (lower-ranking ninja) and their talent is average, but he has practiced swordsmanship for three hours every day for the past five years without fail."

"Don't let his current swordsmanship fool you; he's improved tremendously compared to when he first started."

Yichen nodded somewhat solemnly. He felt that the man from Kawakita had met his requirements in terms of perseverance in doing something so tedious.

Since there isn't a perfect choice, let's just accept him.

Yichen took out the list and circled Kawakita's name.

After observing the children further proved ineffective, Yichen decided to go down and try it on them.

However, Yichen wasn't testing the child's strength, but rather their sensitivity to Chakra.

Yichen formed Hand Seals and used the Light-Weight Rock Technique, followed by the Camouflage Jutsu.

Then, to Yoshiwara's astonishment, Yichen slowly floated towards the children.

Yichen used his Camouflage Jutsu to pass by each child once. If anyone could detect anything unusual, Yichen would consider taking them on as a disciple.

However, the result disappointed Yichen; none of the remaining students in the Advanced Class were able to detect anything unusual.

This is actually easy to understand. Even Kakashi, a young Jonin, was ambushed by the Camouflage Jutsu, so it's normal that the children wouldn't notice it. Yichen was just trying his luck to see if there were any overlooked geniuses.

But reality is cruel.

After the test, Yichen did not undo the Camouflage Jutsu, but instead accelerated and flew back towards Yoshiwara.

However, during the flight, Yichen discovered an accident.

Next to the Advanced Class, a little girl from a Regular Class seemed to have noticed something and peeked towards Yichen.

But after seeing that there was nothing there, the little girl stopped paying attention. She was graduating in a few days, and her grades were only average. She wasn't sure if she could become a qualified Genin, so she decided to hurry up and practice her Taijutsu.

Yichen, who had flown into the air, looked at the little girl thoughtfully, then flew back to Yoshiwara's side.

After reaching Yoshiwara, Yichen dispelled the Camouflage Jutsu and Light-Weight Rock Technique, then pointed to the little girl from the Regular Class and asked Yoshiwara, "Yoshiwara- senpai, which class is that little girl in, and what's her name?"

Yoshiwara glanced at the little girl, somewhat surprised that Yichen would pay attention to this ordinary-looking girl. He naturally didn't notice that this little girl was the only child who vaguely sensed the fluctuations of Chakra emanating from Yichen.

After thinking for a moment, Yoshiwara said, "This little girl is named Tomoko. She's a student in Team 9. Her practical combat skills are just average; she'd probably be lucky to even become Genin. However, her theoretical knowledge is quite good."

Yichen nodded and added Tomoko to the end of the list.

Yoshiwara it a little strange, but didn't ask any further questions.

Yichen took out the list, looked at it again, and selected seven or eight people from those who hadn't come to the school who might meet his criteria for accepting apprentices. He then inquired with Yoshiwara about their current locations before leaving the Ninja Academy.

The two children Yichen just picked aren't Ninjutsu -type ninjas. Tomoko might be able to train in that direction, but she's still far from it. As a team, the three of them are still missing a ranged attacker.

Therefore, Yichen decided to choose a child with Ninjutsu skills.

Most of these children who didn't come to school were cultivating in their own families, and it would be impolite for Yichen to go and observe them.

However, some may not be within the family, but rather training around the village.

The child Yichen is going to meet is named Kajiyamari. His father is named Murakoshi, a Jonin-level Ninjutsu Jonin. He has some free time today and is currently teaching the child a C-rank Ninjutsu.

Yichen arrived near the stream where they were training. He didn't try to hide himself, since he wasn't confident he wouldn't be discovered if he hid in front of a Jonin. So he simply observed openly.

Kajiyamari's father, Murakoshi, frowned when he saw Yichen watching his son practice Ninjutsu. However, he seemed thoughtful after noticing Yichen's Jonin.

Yichen was not seen in Kajiyamari; he was currently practicing a Water Release technique called Water Formation Wall.

He formed 17 hand seals, and then a wall of water surged up from the surface of the water in front of him. The water wall lasted for more than ten seconds, and then disappeared.

Yichen was somewhat disappointed. Even with the Jonin guidance of a Jonin, the Ninjutsu he performed lacked any distinctive features, and he still needed to Hand Seals. This indicated that the talent of this Kajiyamari was actually quite ordinary.

Yichen nodded slightly to Murakoshi, then turned to leave.

Seeing this, Murakoshi somewhat disappointed. As Jonin, he guessed Yichen's purpose in coming here, which was obviously to select graduating Genin.

The ninjas qualified to choose their subordinates must be Jonin valued by the village, and their status must be higher than mine. This can be judged from Yichen's age; such a young Jonin has a future that I can't compare to.

The fact that Yichen would personally observe the students means that he intends to take on disciples. When a Jonin to take on disciples, once the news gets out, it goes without saying that all the graduates hope to be that lucky one.

Everyone knows the difference between subordinates and disciples. Subordinates can receive some guidance from their captain, but disciples can inherit their teacher's mantle. Putting aside everything else, they will definitely have more Ninjutsu.

Seeing that Yichen didn't seem to like his child, Murakoshi was somewhat disappointed, but he had expected it, since he knew his son's talent best.

Just as Yichen was about to leave, he heard Kajiyamari say thoughtfully to his father, "Father, can this Water Formation Wall only defend the front? Can it be used to enclose the entire perimeter?"

Upon hearing this, Yichen's eyes lit up. Although Kajiyamari's Ninjutsu talent was average, he was very quick-witted, which could be considered a hidden talent.

Thinking of this, Yichen turned around and interjected, "If you were to complete the Water Formation Wall, what would you do?"

Kajiyamari had just met Yichen and was wondering why he was there, so he looked at his father.

Murakoshi ruffled Kajiyamari's hair and said, "Think about this question from your senior. What would you do?"

Murakoshi somewhat expectant; clearly, his son's question Jonin the interest of this Jonin who had initially planned to give up on him.

Kajiyamari thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can use the Tiger Hand Seal to mobilize Chakra to form an arc. Although this won't completely envelop us, it will at least increase the angle of our defense."

Yichen smiled and said, "You're not bad."

Then he turned and left.

The overjoyed Murakoshi and the confused Kajiyamari were left behind.