Summer of Konoha Year 56.
Star City, Hoshinin Academy Training Grounds.
The soil was repeatedly compacted by countless footprints, and brand-new wooden stakes stood at the edge.
Three figures were practicing basic Taijutsu in the morning light, sweat glistening on their foreheads.
"Too slow, Junren!" The clear female voice carried an undeniable sternness.
With her red hair, Natsuhi's figure was as agile as a cheetah. She easily parried the Kunai that Morishita Shun-jin thrust with all his might. With a flick of her wrist, a clever force was transmitted through the Kunai.
Morishita Shun-jin let out a muffled groan, feeling his arm go numb and weak instantly, almost unable to grip his weapon. He stumbled back several steps before managing to regain his footing.
He was tall and muscular, with thick, furrowed brows and a youthful, defiant look on his face. He was breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on the training Kunai in Natsuhi's hand, which seemed to weigh a ton.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!" Murahashi Hazuki stood at the edge of the training ground, her hands Hand Seals, and she exhaled a fierce burst of flames.
She was slender, with short, light brown hair that fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, and her keen senses as a ninja made her exceptionally perceptive.
As Natsuhi, he slid sharply to the left and rear to dodge the Great Flame Technique, simultaneously using his right hand to parry with a training Kunai.
With a crisp "clang," she firmly parried another Kunai that came flying from a tricky angle.
The one holding this Kunai other than Yakushi Kabuto.
Or rather, in the Star City, his name is " Kumamoto Kabuto ".
He wore the dark blue ninja uniform uniform of the Land of Stars, and Hoshinin Headband symbolizing his identity was worn on his left arm.
Behind the glasses, the eyes were gentle and harmless, and the face held just the right amount of focus and a hint of "annoyance" at the teacher's easily deflected attack.
He quickly withdrew and retreated, his movements clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation.
"Good teamwork." Natsuhi released his guard, nodded approvingly, and glanced at his three subordinates.
"Kabuto's surprise attack was perfectly timed, and Hazuki's interference was also timely. Junren, strength isn't everything; you need to learn to control and deflect force." Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Remember, you are a team. Trust your teammates' judgment as you would your own hands and feet. Today's training ends here. Go back and pack your gear, have breakfast, and meet at the school gate at 9:00 AM sharp for the mission briefing."
"Yes, Teacher Natsuhi!" the three replied in unison, their voices a mixture of youthful excitement and a touch of nervousness as they embarked on their mission.
Nine o'clock sharp, at the entrance of the Star City Ninja Academy.
The four members of the Natsuhi Squad arrived on time.
Natsuhi changed into a dark gray ninja combat suit for easy movement, with Hoshinin vest over it, and her expression was calm.
Before her stood three inexperienced Genin (low-ranking ninja).
"A C-level mission," Natsuhi said calmly, unfurling a scroll.
"Logistics and supply escort for the 7th Detention District of Star City."
Task: Escort the logistics team to deliver the prisoners' rations for the current period to the warehouse of the 7th Detention District, supervise the logistics team to complete the handover and inventory, and assist in the distribution.
"Route: Starting from the West City Logistics Warehouse, via Central Avenue and Chengwei 3rd Road, arrive at the 7th Detention District in the North City."
"Estimated time: three hours. Mission priorities: ensure the safety of supplies and maintain order. Understood?"
"Understood!" Kabuto, Junren, and Hazuki answered in unison again.
This task was already second nature to them.
As one of the first six outstanding graduates, they underwent rigorous training every day during their year at the Hoshinin Academy.
That's how he stood out from so many students.
Yakushi Kabuto still remembers the list of the first batch of outstanding graduates. Kaguya Kimimaro ranked first, and Yuki Haku, who ranked second, were so powerful that Kabuto even suspected they had the strength of Jonin.
The third place went to a girl named Yukimi, who was said to be from a ninja clan and seemed to possess a special Kekkei Genkai.
In contrast, their squad consisted entirely of orphans from the Land of Stars.
However, in Kabuto's view, although these two orphaned children had just reached the level of Genin, they had only mastered a few simple ninjutsu.
However, it is already very difficult to complete the initial ninja training in a year. In addition to talent, it also requires countless sweat and efforts.
In the two weeks since graduating from the Ninja Academy, their ninja careers have been largely defined by C-rank missions such as logistical support, caravan escort, clearing out small bandit strongholds, and driving away wild animals that harass villages.
It's tedious and safe, but it allows you to gradually accumulate experience and gain the trust of the village.
Two oxcarts belonging to the logistics team were already waiting, piled high with grains, dried vegetables, and a small amount of cured meat in thick burlap sacks.
Natsuhi made a gesture, and the squad immediately dispersed into a diamond-shaped guard formation.
Kabuto and Hazuki lined the left and right sides of the oxcart, with Junren bringing up the rear, while Natsuhi walked at the very front, her sharp eyes scanning the bustling crowds and the buildings on both sides of the street.
The wheels rolled over the smooth stone pavement, making a monotonous sound.
The streets of Star City are wide and bustling, with people dressed in all kinds of clothing hurrying by. The cries of vendors, the hammering of craftsmen, and the orderly footsteps of patrol teams intertwine to form the unique pulse of vitality in this new city.
He walked steadily to the right of the oxcart, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the street scene behind his glasses.
Two new hidden sentry posts have been added to Chengwei 3rd Road, located on the rooftop of a ramen shop facing the street and through the back window of an izakaya.
The patrol team on Central Avenue changed shifts five minutes less than last week; faint vibrations from large machinery construction could be heard from the north of the city, which, combined with the wind whispers heard a few days ago, suggested new defensive fortifications. He was like a highly skilled actor, perfectly portraying " Kumamoto Kabuto," an "excellent" genin from a small border town in the Land of Bears, an orphan due to war, who was fortunate enough to be taken in by the Hoshinin Academy and Genin early thanks to hard work and a little bit of Medical Ninjutsu talent.
Humility, diligence, friendliness to companions, respect for teachers, and a simple gratitude towards the Land of Stars and the mysterious "Lord Asura ".
Every expression, every response, and even the perfect performance in every task has been carefully calculated and polished.
He knows who he is.
He is Yakushi Kabuto, a spy for Konoha's Root, Danzo spy planted deep within the heart of the Land of Stars.
He gathers intelligence, assessing the Land of Stars's military potential, political structure, economic lifeline, and elite ninjas.
Especially concerning the mysterious and unfathomably powerful " Asura," and the legendary strongmen of the Uchiha Clan.
He recorded the Natsuhi ninja's fighting style and weaknesses, paid attention to the potential weaknesses that Morishita Shun-jin's reckless personality might create, and analyzed the range and accuracy of Murahashi Hazuki's sensory abilities.
Like a patient hunter, he carefully weaves his own threads of information on the giant spider web of the Star City, using bait called " Kumamoto Kabuto ".
And the ultimate goal of all this is for that warm figure that has never faded from the depths of my memory —Yakushi Nonō.
His dean, his only relative, the only light in his dark childhood.
His --. mother.