Perils Everywhere

"Morning, Jueming."

Early in the morning, someone greeted Jueming.

It was a Senju clansman from within the clan.

Jueming merely responded with a cold "Oh" before quickly leaving.

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

Senju Akira's death had not caused any stir yet.

Even if, in a few days, the others learned what had happened here—

To most clan members, Senju Akira's disappearance would not seem all that surprising.

After all, people from the 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 all tacitly played dumb.

Only some Senju clansmen and Senju children remained in the dark.

No... according to the usual pattern—

Perhaps the general public was being kept in the dark, while only a few old men held this so-called "truth."

Because after he returned last night, someone had come to help clean the house.

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

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

He had also been watched all night.

It was to prevent him from suddenly mutating like Senju Akira.

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

"Senju Jueming."

Senju Takeshi walked over and reached out, intending 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 Obito Uchiha and Tekka Uchiha, those two spirited young men.

According to Mito Uzumaki's explanation—

The Uchiha Clan could awaken special eyes.

With a single glance, they might be able to completely control someone.

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

"Can't tell at all."

Jueming stared at Obito Uchiha.

Could this thick-browed, wide-eyed fool really control other people?

But considering that even Senju Akira, who had been like a frail girl next door, could undergo such a drastic personality change—

It was perfectly understandable if Obito Uchiha went crazy one day.

The Senju Clan was abnormal.

The Uchiha Clan was abnormal too.

Just how many normal people were left in Konoha?

"Can't tell 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 thought about what he needed to do next.

The Senju Clan was filled with dangers.

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

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

And that had only been Senju Akira.

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

To put it more extremely—

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 "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat" skill, so he could try beating up girls now.

As Jueming pondered this, a face appeared before him.

It was his homeroom teacher, Funano Daikoku.

"Teacher Daikoku, when can I graduate?"

Jueming could hardly wait to become a real ninja.

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

They did not need to spend years following the normal curriculum.

Graduate early, become a ninja, carry out missions, earn money and strength, then 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 have told Funano Daikoku the truth about the Senju Clan's Wood Release Cell experiments.

In the Great Elder's account—

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

Thus, Funano Daikoku understood.

"You can graduate right now."

Funano Daikoku gave him a kind smile.

"You can graduate whenever you want..."

Jueming: "..."

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

Jueming: "..."

During class afterward, Funano Daikoku lectured.

Naturally, Jueming lay on the bench and grew stronger.

He listened to class and learned knowledge while watching his stamina increase.

This was a highly efficient, two-pronged method of becoming stronger.

"..."

Jueming glanced at the system.

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

Its effect was to strengthen the kidneys.

The later skills could increase "Yang Attribute."

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

Yin Attribute and Yang Attribute did not reside in the heart.

For now, it seemed that Yang Attribute was related to the kidneys.

First, he needed to raise the skill level and proficiency of "Grass Release—Grass—Eat Meat" as much as possible, strengthen his kidneys, and establish the necessary foundation.

Then, once he mastered the later skills, strengthening his "Yang Attribute" would naturally follow.

So today, he needed to arrange a plan to beat up girls.

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

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

He ranked them by strength and how troublesome they would be.

From lowest to highest, they were probably...

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

Rin Nohara had good talent, but as a medic, she was not skilled in combat. It was not because her abilities were poor.

As for the other girls—

They were all too ugly. Jueming had no interest.

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

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

The most pressing matter was to 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 studied and trained diligently beforehand that night, without wasting any time, Senju Akira would probably have killed him long ago.

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

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

It was Tekka Uchiha.

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

But because of Konoha's higher-ups manipulating things behind the scenes, he had become fifth.

Tekka Uchiha crossed his arms.

He looked at Jueming and 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."

Only after giving Jueming one last deep look did he turn and leave.

"He's so pretentious."

At the side, Genma Shiranui, with a toothpick in his mouth and a headscarf wrapped around his head, commented.

"That's just how Uchiha are."

Genma Shiranui's best friend, Ebisu, adjusted his little 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, his gaze fell on Rin Nohara.

"Rin Nohara, would you like to spar with me?"