In October of Konoha's eighth year, the first class of Genius Class students graduated together.
Those who had performed well, such as Hyuga Hoshishaku, Senju Yuto, and Hatake Saku, were promoted to full-time Jonin as soon as they graduated. They could also submit applications to join any official village institution of their choice.
Those whose performance had been average, like Kagami Uchiha, who lacked the strength to qualify, or those who had never been assigned a ninja rank in the first place, could only choose to join Anbu or become Chunin, Special Jonin, or other ninjas in the village's official ranks.
Of course, there was also a hidden option: remain outside the village's ninja system and return to their clans as clan ninjas without any guarantees.
But no one was foolish enough to choose that hidden option.
After all, Konoha Academy had been established to give clan ninjas—whose fates were beyond their control—a choice.
They could either serve the village with security or return to their clans as slaves without any protection.
Anyone with even a little sense wouldn't choose to return to the ranks of clan ninjas.
Even those who didn't want to work hard would choose to join the village's ninja ranks.
After all, ninjas in the village were free to do as they pleased outside of wartime. No one would say anything if they didn't take a mission for a whole year.
As someone who wanted to become Hokage but didn't want to go on missions all the time, Xingzhuo chose the position of Hokage Guard.
Being Senju Hashirama's guard was about as easy as it got.
He basically didn't have to work. At most, he'd occasionally complete a mission assigned by the Hokage. He could show his face openly at official events, and build his reputation