A Person in Leaf Village: Slapping White Fang at the Start Chapter 36

"I hope you can become a Jonin Instructor. This year's students are quite interesting."

Hiruzen Sarutobi held a stack of documents—the Early Graduation Applications sent over from the Ninja Academy a few days ago.

Just from how thick the stack was, it was clear there were quite a few applicants.

Hatake Kakashi, the son of Hatake Sakumo.

Uchiha Obito, who ranked near the bottom in grades but carried Uchiha blood.

Gemma Shiranui of the Shiranui Clan, a loyal supporter of the Sarutobi Clan.

Kato Shizune of the Kato Clan, who had not inherited Dan Katō's Spirit Transformation Technique.

Nohara Rin, a civilian girl who was close to Tsunade.

Sarutobi Asuma, his only blood relative now.

"Whew—"

After finishing a day of basic training, Gengetsu sat cross-legged on the grass, bare-chested, his muscular physique resembling Zoro's.

After taking a deep breath, he entered the eyes-closed meditative state of "Sword Zen."

[Host: Hatake Gengetsu]

[Swordsmanship: Hatake Style Swordsmanship (Naruto World) → Hawk Eyes Black Blade Style (One Piece World), Evolution Progress: %]

[Fire Release Ninjutsu (Naruto World) → Kekkei Genkai · Scorch Release (Naruto World), Evolution Progress: 91.4%]

[Body Flicker Technique (Naruto World) → Flash Step (Soul Society), Evolution Progress: 30%]

More than three years later, he opened the system panel again.

As the values on the panel flashed past before his eyes, Gengetsu felt his thoughts—even his soul—transcend his body for a moment and enter a world of darkness.

With every step he took, there was nothing but faint ripples spreading beneath his feet.

Yet Gengetsu felt as though something was calling to him.

Though there was no sound, it kept beckoning him to walk forward.

Even Gengetsu himself did not know how long he had walked.

At last, a fleeting burst of fire lit up the dark world.

When Gengetsu looked ahead again, a trace of light remained where that wisp of flame had vanished.

An unremarkable blade stood quietly embedded in the center of the ripples.

Without a word, Gengetsu calmly walked up to the katana, which bore no special features whatsoever.

He reached out and gripped it.

In that instant, the moment his palm closed around the hilt, the black ripples beneath his feet, invisible until then, suddenly split apart like dense spiderweb patterns.

Countless cracks spread through them.

Yet before Gengetsu could savor that instant of light, violent flames erupted from the endless fissures, fierce enough to burn all things in the world to ash.

In the blink of an eye, they completely devoured the entire world.

In the real world, Gengetsu abruptly opened his eyes.

The ordinary iron katana that had rested across his thighs had also transformed into the one he had held in that world of blazing flames.

A deep purple hilt wrap and an antique guard.

It possessed neither the splendor of Hawk Eyes' Supreme Grade Blade, Yoru, nor the bewitching allure of Zoro's Great Grade Blade, Shusui.

If he had to name the difference between it and Gengetsu's previous blade, it was probably only slightly better-looking.

Only slightly.

[Congratulations, Host, on unlocking a new dimensional evolution!]

[White Blade Katana (Naruto World) → Asauchi Zanpakuto (Soul Society), Evolution Progress: 1%]

[New skill comprehended: Sword Pressure]

[Skill Description: A realm that only swordsmen who have reached the pinnacle may possibly comprehend. It transforms sword intent into endless intimidation, preventing enemies from harboring even the slightest hostile intent, and can even inflict physical damage.

Representative Users: Hawk Eyes, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Sōsuke Aizen, Vasto Lorde Ichigo Kurosaki]

"It kind of feels like a swordsman's Conqueror's Haki..."

Gengetsu muttered to himself. Then he flexed his right hand, feeling the lingering impact from that mental world, and said, "That burning sensation from those flames just now was no joke..."

"Genetsu."

Just then, a familiar voice came from his left.

Genetsu instinctively turned his head, but having just returned from the spiritual world, he had yet to fully suppress his sword intent. An invisible Sword Pressure leaked out on its own.

Hatake Sakumo, who had just leaped down from a tree, happened to meet Genetsu's gaze.

Konoha's White Fang, whose strength had steadily approached the peak of Kage-level, stumbled the moment he landed and face-planted hard into the ground.

"Are you here to perform a comedy skit?"

Genetsu draped his shirt over his shoulders, reining in his sword intent as he asked with a laugh.

Hatake Sakumo rubbed his backside, the corner of his eye twitching uncontrollably, while a lingering chill ran through him.

Th-this kid's sword intent just now was a little too outrageous, wasn't it?

"What? Did your ass get split in half from the fall? Need me to help you up?"

Genetsu stepped forward and held out a hand to Hatake Sakumo.

"It was already split in half..."

Hatake Sakumo could not help but retort, but he still took Genetsu's hand and let himself be pulled up before adding, "Today is the day Kakashi and those other kids graduate early. I estimated that at least a dozen of them entered the examination room. Want to go take a look?"

Having just finished today's training and taken a trip to the gates of hell in the spiritual world, Genetsu had no energy left to train anymore. He got dressed properly and entered the village with Hatake Sakumo.

Donations aren't mandatory, but I'd still appreciate the free stuff~

A sea of people had already gathered in front of the Ninja Academy.

"Isn't this a bit exaggerated? There weren't this many people when I graduated early..."

Seeing such a crowd made Genetsu want to turn around and leave.

"I heard this year's graduating class is quite special. Not only is Lord Hokage's second son among them, but there are also children from the Uchiha Clan, as well as descendants of quite a few small shinobi clans..."

As Hatake Sakumo spoke, he suddenly spotted two familiar figures ahead and took the initiative to call out, "Duy, Shinku!"

Hearing Hatake Sakumo's call, the two men by the school gate turned around.

Might Duy and Shinku Yuhi.

"Whoa! Sakumo! You came too! The children are inside showing off their youth!"

[Eternal Genin] Might Duy had exactly the same personality as his son, Might Guy.

Since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, he had been Konoha's only Eternal Genin.

Though Genetsu himself was still a genin...

Shinku Yuhi, however, did not look at Genetsu with much friendliness.

He always felt that the little cabbage his family had just raised might be rooted up by an old pig.

Genetsu thought, You're thinking way too much, damn it.

She's a nine-year-old little girl.

The parents gathered in a massive crowd before the school gate did not have to wait long before the doors of the teaching building slowly opened.

One little brat after another emerged. Before their faces could register, the gleaming Forehead Protectors on their brows caught the parents' eyes.

The first was none other than a certain Fifty-Fifty.

"As expected of your son, Sakumo."

Shinku Yuhi praised him.

"Kurenai is outstanding too."

Hatake Sakumo also noticed Yūhi Kurenai behind Kakashi. Her delicate face now bore a brand-new Forehead Protector as well.

Genetsu swept his gaze over the group too.

Everyone wearing a Forehead Protector was a familiar face.

Kakashi, Yūhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, Asuma... Hm? Even Obito and Might Guy, those two perennial bottom-rankers, had actually made it.

"Guy! Well done! You carried out your youth!"

"Dad!"

The thick-browed pair in green bodysuits embraced passionately. For an instant, everyone present seemed to see the school behind them transform into a sunset coastline.

How chilling...

"Sure enough, that child will become your formidable rival someday, Kakashi."

Hatake Sakumo walked to his son's side and smiled at the thick-browed father and son embracing each other.

"Tch~"

Kakashi pursed his lips beneath his mask in displeasure.

Might Guy and Uchiha Obito had both barely scraped through with low scores.

As the top graduate who had scored full marks in every subject, Kakashi simply looked down on them.

Noticing little Yūhi Kurenai staring straight at him with eyes that said, "Hurry up and praise me,"

Genetsu placed a hand on each of her and Nohara Rin's heads, giving them both a couple of rough ruffles as he said, "Good job."

"Hehe~"

Yūhi Kurenai smiled, her pretty face flushing slightly.

Naturally, Genetsu also felt Shinku Yuhi's murderous glare from beside him.

There were quite a few examinees who had failed to graduate as well.

But as a transmigrator, Genetsu had no impression of any of them.