Full of Crises

"Jueming, morning."

Early in the morning, someone greeted Jueming.

It was a Senju clansman from within the clan.

Jueming merely replied with a cold "Mm" before quickly leaving.

After what happened last night, Jueming now saw everyone as a monster.

Senju Akira's death had yet to cause any ripples.

Even if, a few days later, others learned what had happened here,

Senju Akira's disappearance would not seem all that surprising to most clansmen.

After all, members of our Senju Clan had often gone missing over the years. Perfectly normal, perfectly normal.

—Of course, that was not normal.

The Great Elder must have issued a gag order.

The adults who knew the truth had tacitly agreed to play dumb.

Only some of the Senju clansmen, along with the Senju children, were being kept in the dark.

No... according to the usual pattern,

Perhaps the general public was being kept from the truth... while only a handful of old masters possessed the so-called "truth."

After returning last night, someone had come to help clean up the house.

They wore masks and seemed to be the legendary "Anbu," specialists in doing things that could not see the light of day.

Meanwhile, Jueming temporarily spent the night at Senju Akira's home.

And he was monitored all night.

To prevent him from suddenly mutating like Senju Akira.

By the time he woke in the morning, those Anbu had already left.

"Senju Jueming."

Senju Takeshi walked over, stretching out a hand to pat Jueming on the shoulder.

"Get lost!" Jueming glared at him and walked away.

"This guy..."

Senju Takeshi gritted his teeth.

"And here I was trying to make up with him."

When he arrived at the Ninja Academy,

Jueming became even more wary of his surroundings.

Especially when he saw those two spirited young men, Obito Uchiha and Tekka Uchiha.

According to Mito Uzumaki's explanation,

the Uchiha Clan could awaken special eyes.

With a single glance, they might completely control someone else.

So he had no choice but to stay on guard against those evil Uchiha.

"Doesn't look like it."

Jueming stared at Obito Uchiha.

Could this thick-browed, big-eyed guy who looked so dumb really control others?

But considering that Senju Akira, who had been set up as the frail girl next door, could undergo such a drastic personality change,

it was understandable if Obito Uchiha went crazy one day too.

The Senju Clan was abnormal.

The Uchiha Clan was abnormal too.

Really, how many normal people were left in Konoha?

"Doesn't look like what?"

Asuma scratched his head.

As the Hokage's son, he looked like a little gorilla.

Even the way he scratched his head was especially gorilla-like.

"Sarutobi Asuma, you're very normal."

Jueming said so.

Even if Asuma mutated one day, at most he would turn into a big gorilla.

Asuma: "???"

He went over to a bench and lay down.

As he watched his stamina increase, Jueming contemplated what he needed to do next.

The Senju Clan was full of crises.

Senju Akira had not even been a match for Senju Takeshi, yet after mutating, she possessed immense strength.

Powerful Wood Release Cells had given rise to a powerful mutated body.

And that was only Senju Akira.

If Academy Students, Genin, Chunin... or even Jonin of the Senju Clan mutated, how terrifying would that be?

To take it to an even more extreme possibility,

what if the Great Elder mutated one day?

Would anyone in the Senju Clan still be able to deal with him?

"A storm of blood..."

Jueming muttered.

He had to keep getting stronger.

He had just acquired the skill "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat," so he could try beating up girls.

As Jueming was thinking, a face appeared before him.

It was his homeroom teacher, Funano Daikoku.

"Teacher Daikoku, when can I graduate?"

Jueming could no longer wait to become a true Ninja.

He had heard... that many Ninja Academy students graduated early.

There was no need to study there step by step for years.

Graduate early, become a Ninja, carry out missions, gain money and strength, and become even stronger...

Though it was full of danger, at least he would face legitimate enemies rather than mutated little monsters.

"Hm?"

Funano Daikoku froze.

He had originally wanted to ask whether Jueming had taken his medicine on time today.

When the Great Elder spoke with him that day, he naturally could not tell Funano Daikoku the truth about the Senju Clan's Wood Release Cell experiments.

In the Great Elder's explanation,

Jueming had been portrayed as a child with mental problems...

Therefore, Funano Daikoku understood.

"You can graduate right now."

Funano Daikoku revealed a kind smile.

"You can graduate whenever you want..."

Jueming: "..."

Then, Funano Daikoku loudly told the other students gathering around him in confidence, "Everyone, try not to provoke Jueming. Although Jueming got first place in the Entrance Examination, he's actually very fragile inside. Remember to go along with him, remember..."

Jueming: "..."

During class afterward, Funano Daikoku taught the lesson.

Naturally, Jueming lay on the bench and grew stronger.

He listened and learned while watching his stamina increase.

This was a doubly efficient method of becoming stronger.

"..."

Jueming glanced at the system.

According to the description, "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat" was the first skill of [Grass Release—Grass].

Its effect was to strengthen the kidneys.

Subsequent skills could increase the "Yang Attribute."

Unlike the five major attributes of earth, water, fire, wind, and lightning, which resided in the heart,

the Yin Attribute and Yang Attribute did not reside in the organ known as the heart.

At present, it seemed that the Yang Attribute was related to the kidneys.

He should first raise the skill level and proficiency of "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat" as much as possible, increase the strength of his kidneys, and lay a solid foundation.

Then, mastering the later skills to enhance the "Yang Attribute" would naturally follow.

So today, he needed to put the plan to beat up girls on the schedule.

"Kurenai Yuhi would be a good choice, but her father is Konoha's famous powerhouse, Kurenai's Mother. If I directly retaliate against her, it could easily cause trouble. I need to proceed gradually..."

Jueming thought for a moment and listed the information of several female students in the class.

Ranked by strength and degree of trouble,

from low to high, they were roughly...

Rin Nohara, Uzuki Yugao, Natsu Hyuga, Mitaraishi Anko, Kurenai Yuhi.

Rin Nohara had good aptitude, but as a medic, she was not skilled at combat—not because her abilities were lacking.

As for the other girls,

they were ugly and crooked. Jueming had no interest in them.

"Then I should start with Rin Nohara..."

Senju Akira's overwhelming strength after she went crazy had left a deep impression on Jueming.

The most urgent matter was to quickly use "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat" to strengthen his kidneys and limbs.

At every moment, Jueming thought about becoming stronger.

Only then could he survive.

If he had not diligently trained in advance that night and wasted no time, he would probably have long since been killed by the crazed Senju Akira.

He got up from the bench and was just about to look for Rin Nohara when a black-haired young man approached.

He had a mole between his brows and looked quiet and taciturn.

It was Tekka Uchiha.

He should originally have placed third in the Entrance Exam, second only to Kakashi Hatake in strength.

But due to backroom manipulation by Konoha's higher-ups, he had become fifth.

Tekka Uchiha crossed his arms over his chest.

Looking at Jueming before him, he said flatly, "Senju Jueming, I came to tell you this: for the next half year, work desperately hard. When the time comes... I will settle the score with you again."

After giving Jueming one last deep look, he turned and left.

"He's so pretentious."

At the side, Genma Shiranui, who had a toothpick in his mouth and a headscarf over his head, said this.

"Uchiha are just like that."

Genma Shiranui's good friend Ebisu adjusted his little dark sunglasses.

"Of course, Obito Uchiha is an exception. Hahaha."

Half a year?

What did that mean?

Jueming did not pay much attention to it, instead turning his gaze toward Rin Nohara.

"Rin Nohara, would you like to 'discuss the martial path' with me?"

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