The Hokage's Decision

"You know the reason why we start raising butterflies at ten, and you should be well aware of the consequences of starting too early."

Shiraishi Eizawa hung his head, keeping his mouth shut.

Only Shiraishi Yoshijo knew about his physical condition; he hadn't told anyone else.

He had wanted to wait until Shiraishi Yoshijo turned ten, but his body couldn't wait, and there simply wasn't enough time.

At ten, no matter how poor Shiraishi Yoshijo's talent might be, his chakra would be sufficient to raise butterflies.

But starting at six was not just a matter of chakra; the most severe consequence was the impact on one's life force.

This was a precious lesson paid for by the blood of his clansmen.

Takemoto Shuichi suddenly jumped in front of him and slapped him across the face: "I noticed something was wrong with you a long time ago. You're drunk and unconscious every single day—do you want to die that badly?"

"To be honest, I really feel there is no need for this secret technique to be passed down anymore. Perhaps your father thinks the same."

After saying this, Takemoto Shuichi vanished.

Shiraishi Eizawa sighed, turned around, and walked back to his room. He felt that he wouldn't be able to sleep again tonight.

The sky had turned completely dark, and the lights in the Hokage Building flickered on.

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, staring at the three documents on his desk, lost in thought.

The first was the report on Shiraishi Yoshijo submitted by Kawano.

The second was the document Shiraishi Eizawa had sent over, which contained Shiraishi Yoshijo's application to enter the hospital.

The third was something submitted to him by an Anbu member, which also included the files of two other ninjas.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt hesitant. As Hokage, he naturally hoped that Shiraishi Yoshijo would join a ninja squad and serve the village.

But these ninja clans were too difficult to deal with, and there were some lingering historical issues that truly gave him a headache.

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and Danzō walked in with a sword on his back.

"Danzō, aren't you in the Land of Rain?"

"Something happened. Hanzo attacked my team, and we suffered heavy casualties, so we had no choice but to retreat."

This was not the era of their future opposition; at present, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were in their honeymoon period.

Barring any accidents, this situation would continue for several more years.

Danzō had sharp eyes and spotted the file on Shiraishi Yoshijo on the desk.

"That brat wants to graduate early? Is he really a genius?"

"Heh, it's hard to say if he's a genius, but he wants to enter the hospital. What do you think?"

"A ninja entering the hospital? Is it because he's afraid of death?"

"I don't know. The people of the Shide Clan have never been normal, and considering there are only two of them left, perhaps they just want to protect this child."

Danzō sneered: "That guy Shiraishi Eizawa brought over a dozen jōnin to fight me last time. That doesn't look like a clan with only two people left."

"I know what you want to say, but these are matters that the previous generation handled. Are you asking me to dig up old grudges?"

Danzō snorted and turned to leave. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his back and suddenly said: "Danzō, there is something I hope you will tell me truthfully."

"What?"

"Are this child's parents... did you—"

Danzō, who had already pushed the door open, turned around abruptly and stared fixedly at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "The seat of the Hokage isn't that easy to sit in!"

With a "bang," the office door was slammed shut by Danzō.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked in silence. Before long, the entire office was completely engulfed in the smoke rings he exhaled.

The next day, when Shiraishi Yoshijo woke up, he still felt very dizzy.

So this is what severe chakra exhaustion feels like. Shiraishi Yoshijo patted his cheeks and struggled to get out of bed.

He walked out, saw Shiraishi Eizawa, and greeted him listlessly.

"Good morning, Uncle Eizawa."

Shiraishi Eizawa nodded, reached out, and said: "If you really feel unwell, absorbing my chakra will make you feel a bit better. Do you want me to help you ask for leave from the Ninja Academy?"

"No need, I'm not that weak. I should be fine by tomorrow."

"Suit yourself. I've made breakfast; eat it and go to school."

"Mm."

After finishing his meal, Shiraishi Yoshijo felt much better.

Just as he was about to leave, he thought for a moment, turned back, and said: "Uncle Eizawa, in two days, Teacher Kawano will be bringing his daughter to our house for a visit and dinner. You must be home by then."

"I understand."

Upon arriving at the Ninja Academy, Shiraishi Yoshijo found that he had suddenly become the center of attention.

Students passing by would point at him from time to time, and even when he reached his classroom, this phenomenon did not disappear.

What is going on?

Hiruko walked up from behind and deliberately said in a loud voice, "Look who it is. A total dead last, and now he actually wants to graduate early."

Shiraishi Yoshijo blinked and said, "So, are you jealous of me?"

"How could I possibly be jealous of you? It's just the Substitution Technique and the Transformation Technique. Just you wait, I'll have them mastered in a few days."

"You're definitely jealous of me."

Hiruko was so annoyed he became furious, "You bastard, dare to have a sparring match with me right now?"

"No thanks, I wouldn't dare spar with the great Hiruko."

After teasing him a few times, Shiraishi Yoshijo slumped over his desk, looking listless.

"You guy, you're insufferable!"

After the morning theory class, Shiraishi Yoshijo noticed that many of his classmates were looking at him with eager anticipation during the afternoon combat training.

Shiraishi Yoshijo was speechless; he hadn't realized he was this popular before.

When it was his turn to spar with others, Shiraishi Yoshijo simply surrendered right away.

His condition wasn't great anyway, and even if he won against these classmates, it wouldn't mean anything. Why bother with such a thankless task?

Hearing him surrender, the students showed disappointed expressions and began to jeer.

"He just gave up like that? Is he afraid of getting taught a lesson?"

"Who knows? This guy has always been a pain."

Fortunately, Kawano noticed something was off with him and put a stop to it.

After school, Shiraishi Yoshijo was kept behind alone.

"You don't seem to have much energy today. Did something happen?"

"It's just chakra exhaustion. I'll recover soon."

"That's good."

Kawano picked up a file from his desk and added, "The Third Hokage has approved your graduation application. You don't have to come to school starting tomorrow."

Just like that?

Shiraishi Yoshijo looked puzzled and said, "Isn't there a graduation exam?"

Speaking of this, Kawano's expression became quite strange as well.

"I don't know what arrangements your clan made, but the Third Hokage told me to convey that if you want to take the exam, he will arrange it, but it's also fine if you don't."

Shiraishi Yoshijo was left with nothing but confusion and question marks.

What is going on? Why is nothing following the standard procedure!

"I'll discuss it with my uncle when I get home. I'll give you an answer in two days when you come over with Mi-hui."

"Very well."

He returned home filled with doubts, and before he could even push the front door open, he could vaguely hear the sound of arguing from inside.

As soon as he pushed the door open, the arguing stopped abruptly.

Takemoto Shuichi and Shiraishi Eizawa were sitting across from each other, drinking tea.

Almost instantly, Shiraishi Yoshijo realized that the Third Hokage's strange attitude had something to do with these two.

Standing behind them was a young girl—hmm, an eighty-five out of a hundred.

After giving her a score, Shiraishi Yoshijo obediently bowed.

"Grandpa Shuichi, Uncle Eizawa, is this beautiful sister a member of Grandpa Shuichi's clan?"

"Yes, my granddaughter Takemoto Anna. She is three years older than you."

"Nice to meet you, Sister Anna. I'm Shiraishi Yoshijo. Please take care of me from now on."

Shiraishi Yoshijo mimicked Jiraiya and reached out a hand.

After they shook hands and exchanged greetings, they both retreated behind their respective elders.

Takemoto Shuichi and Shiraishi Eizawa exchanged a glance and went back to drinking tea.

The atmosphere was a bit strange, and Shiraishi Yoshijo felt it was better for him to speak up.

"Uncle Eizawa, Kawano-sensei said today that I can graduate."

Shiraishi Eizawa breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What about the graduation exam?"

"The Third Hokage said I don't need to take an exam and can graduate directly."

Takemoto Shuichi stood up immediately and said, "How is that possible? My son—"

I knew you were the one pulling the strings, Shiraishi Yoshijo thought, wearing an expression that said he saw through everything.

Realizing he had let something slip, Takemoto Shuichi reacted instantly, reaching out to grab him by the ear.

"You've got some nerve trying to trap me."

To save his ear, Shiraishi Yoshijo had no choice but to tell the truth.

"The Hokage said he would arrange an assessment if he wanted one, but he could also graduate without it."

Only then did Takemoto Shuichi and Shiraishi Eizawa realize what was happening, silently cursing the Third Hokage as an old fox.

They had been waiting for the Third to make a decision, but who would have thought he would kick the ball back to them, leaving the two of them at a stalemate once again.

After pondering for a while, Takemoto Shuichi felt he still needed to find a way to persuade Shiraishi Yoshijo.

"Yoshijo, why do you think the Third made this decision?"

What else could it be? Shiraishi Yoshijo sighed and said, "If I graduate without taking the assessment, I'll definitely be sent to the hospital; if I take the assessment, I'll definitely be assigned to a ninja squad."

Takemoto Shuichi asked, "Then do you think you should participate?"

"I won't participate. Don't glare at me, Grandpa Shuichi. You know as well as I do that I really don't have any talent for being a ninja; I'd be better off in the hospital."

"Nonsense!" Takemoto Shuichi scolded. "Although your taijutsu and chakra levels are pathetic, you are an absolute genius when it comes to learning ninjutsu."

So I've become a genius now?

Shiraishi Yoshijo's mouth twitched. You really will say anything just to turn me into your tool, won't you?

Shiraishi Eizawa laughed. "The hospital isn't actually that bad. I think the medical ninjutsu you told me about before is quite good."

Takemoto Shuichi retorted irritably, "What nonsense medical ninjutsu? Don't try to fool me with things that don't exist. Eizawa, I watched you grow up; you're still too green to try and play tricks on me."

Takemoto Shuichi's attitude gave Shiraishi Yoshijo pause for thought. Could it be...

He looked at his dear uncle, just in time to see him winking at him.

Shiraishi Yoshijo groaned inwardly, You are really making things difficult for me, Zhu Bajie.

Shiraishi Eizawa clearly hadn't told Takemoto Shuichi the truth—at the very least, he hadn't mentioned his own physical condition, otherwise, Takemoto Shuichi wouldn't be so opposed to it.

Come to think of it, wasn't Shiraishi Eizawa supposed to be finding him a teacher?

The way things were going now, this wasn't finding a teacher at all; it was clearly looking for trouble!