"Tools" and "Hokage"... (Seeking readership)

In early September, the Konoha high command promoted a batch of genin to chunin according to plan, all of whom were around thirteen years old.

Once the official announcement was made, the village erupted in excitement; in the eyes of most villagers, the constant emergence of genius ninja was the best proof of their strength.

Obito Uchiha, who had been eliminated in the second round after failing the written exam, felt deeply resentful and complained incessantly while heading out for a mission that morning:

"If things keep going like this, by the time I get promoted to chunin, Kakashi will already be a jonin!"

"If I end up assigned to his squad by then, I'll have to hand over half my salary to him..."

Rin Nohara kept an eye on the pedestrians while scanning the houses on both sides of the street; cat-retrieval missions were never easy, and it wasn't every day that a kind grandmother was there to help:

"Kakashi doesn't seem to want us to promote to chunin too early."

"Shu Furukawa mentioned this in the Medical Corps as well. They must know more information; there's no need to rush the exams."

"Obito, if you're short on money, I can help you out. After all, I don't need to replace my ninja tools as often, and Kakashi even gave me a medical kit..."

Obito let her previous words go in one ear and out the other, remembering only that Kakashi had given her a gift. He jumped in frustration and immediately retorted loudly:

"That smug, lecherous guy! He really made his move in secret!"

"Rin, I'll protect you! Damn it, I prepared a gift too—what a cunning bastard!"

"..."

After his long-winded rant, Tobitake Tonbo, who had bandages wrapped around his head, quietly put some distance between himself and the others. Everyone around them was staring, and it was truly embarrassing.

Not expecting such a strong reaction from Obito, Rin Nohara hurriedly grabbed him and bowed slightly to the others in apology:

"Tobitake-kun, let's move away from here!"

"Obito, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't disturb everyone."

Looking at his left hand held by the girl, Obito's face turned red. He immediately cast his previous words to the back of his mind, sighing happily to himself:

"Rin really does care about me more!"

By noon, the trio finished their mission, and their jonin squad leader hurried away.

"Are there really that many high-level missions? The new captain is the same way."

Obito grumbled under his breath as soon as they left the mission assignment building. In his mind, a squad leader shouldn't be like this; they should be more concerned about their students.

"I heard the village has taken over all the commissions in the surrounding area, so that's probably why the jonin are busier!"

Tobitake Tonbo shared the news he had gathered from his seniors in the Intelligence Division. Obito didn't pay any attention to it at all and, without a second thought, continued to complain:

"We were promised a mentor, but we haven't seen one yet. At this rate, how are we supposed to learn more advanced ninjutsu?"

"Does the Uchiha Clan have this problem too?"

Hearing Tobitake Tonbo's question, Obito could only offer an awkward smile. He was a nobody in his clan, possessing only the basic ninjutsu left behind by his parents.

Rin Nohara still had to go to the Medical Corps for her internship. Knowing that Obito craved friendship, she immediately said with a smile:

"Tobitake-kun is going to the Intelligence Department this afternoon. Obito, do you want to come to the Medical Corps with me?"

"Shu will be guiding us in practical combat. He has already completed many high-level missions, and his experience will be very helpful to us."

He wanted to agree immediately, but the thought of potentially "losing face" in front of the girl made him offer a dry laugh as he bragged intentionally:

"Rin, don't worry about me. The clan has its own teachings, and I'll be able to awaken my Sharingan soon!"

Rin Nohara didn't expose Obito's lie and continued to encourage him with high spirits:

"Don't push yourself too hard, Obito. Let's do our best together!"

Once the two of them left, the smile that Obito had been maintaining vanished, and a look of loneliness quickly surfaced on his face. Remembering the girl's smile, he whispered subconsciously:

"Rin..."

Kakashi liked to use "lack of talent" to discourage genin, and the high command didn't stop him, simply assigning him the lowest-performing graduating squads and keeping their missions strictly D-rank.

Things were different with Shu Furukawa. Within the Medical Corps, he was practically the representative of Tsunade, and all the talented young medical ninja gathered around him.

Even civilian-born chunin who were just putting in their time liked to hang around Shu Furukawa; if Tsunade were to become Hokage, she would certainly pour resources into the Medical Corps.

Promotions were difficult, but a raise was still within reach, and everyone was looking forward to it.

In the training ground behind the mountains that evening, Shu Furukawa leaped and delivered a swift downward strike, creating a massive crater in the ground instantly. Without looking at the situation in the distance, he continued to call out reminders:

"Watch your opponent closely. Under the protection of your teammates, you will have more time to think."

"Gathering intelligence during battle and seizing the opponent's openings is also the job of a medical ninja."

As gravel flew, Shizune, Rin Nohara, and the other members of the Medical Corps were knocked to the ground. They struggled to stand straight, but Shu Furukawa vanished again, and soon, muffled groans echoed from behind.

Kanpo and the others fell to the ground one after another, clutching their necks. Rin Nohara, turning around instinctively, drew a kunai, but the moment she swung it, a sharp pain shot through her wrist.

"Clang..."

The kunai dropped to the ground. By the time Rin Nohara reacted, Shu Furukawa had already reached out and flicked her on the forehead. The girl had no power to resist; she flew backward and rolled twice on the ground.

With a cry of pain, Rin Nohara sat up, only for Shizune to tumble into her. Both girls screamed instinctively, resulting in them toppling over once more.

Recently, the "Bloody Nightmare" had gradually subsided. Shu Furukawa had turned the energy from [Collection] into instinct; not only had his swordsmanship become swifter and sharper, but his mastery over chakra had also improved once again.

"That is enough, Shu. There is no need to make things difficult for everyone."

Tsunade, wearing her green Jonin vest, stepped forward to call a halt. Rin Nohara, who had barely managed to stand back up, did not want to concede just yet; she hesitated for a moment before speaking up:

"Lady Tsunade, we can still keep going."

"Reflexes, insight, decision-making in the heat of battle—these things often rely on talent. You all know the three rules of medical ninjas by heart."

"My proposal in the past did indeed have its flaws. There is no need to force yourselves; you can better utilize your talents within the Medical Corps."

Tsunade comforted the group with a gentle voice. Shizune noticed that Shu Furukawa hadn't even broken a sweat, and her frustration gradually transformed into admiration:

"Yes, Master Tsunade."

Treating external injuries could hone the Healing Technique. After the group left, Shu Furukawa finally sighed and said:

"Master, in missions, one always encounters those who want to ambush the medical ninja first. Once the team lacks a sensory-type companion, one can only rely on oneself."

"If one struggles even to face an attack head-on, there is only one outcome when faced with an ambush."

Experienced ninjas never fight head-on. Influenced by his [Collection] experience, besides shielding others during missions, Shu Furukawa was best at delivering a fatal blow in a single strike.

"I know these things better than you do. Even if captured, medical ninjas are usually not killed."

"Some talents simply cannot be acquired through acquired training."

Tsunade retorted irritably. She had just come from a Jonin Division meeting, and the thoughtful gazes of those smiling "investors" and advisors had put her in a terrible mood.

Shu Furukawa leaned in close. Before Tsunade could nag him further, he looked at her with sincere eyes and proposed:

"Master, since everyone thinks so highly of you, why not become the Hokage? You would surely do a great job."

She fell silent for a moment, as if recalling something. Tsunade's eyes lost their focus, and after staring at Shu Furukawa for a long while, she turned her head away, pursed her lips, and said in a low voice:

"Jiraiya hopes you will participate in next month's mission. You are to serve as the support squad."

"It involves the Jinchuriki. You have read the books in the collection at home; you should know how dangerous it is."

Tsunade, clearly shaken by the mention of the Hokage position, had changed the subject. Shu Furukawa did not press the issue further and responded with a smile:

"This is a great opportunity to accumulate experience. I trust Lord Jiraiya."

"..."