Progress, Graduation
After leaving the Hokage's Office, the three went to the Mission Hall to settle their mission rewards before returning home.
Meanwhile, the Hokage in the office took out a list—the list of students who would be graduating early from the Ninja Academy. If Taiichi were here, he would definitely see it; several of his close friends were on the list.
Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Might Guy, Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma ----
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at these names. Among them were not only future potential ninjas, but also ninjas from powerful clans, and even his Hiruzen Sarutobi son. How to assign these children to classes in order to balance the interests of all parties and maximize their benefits was another headache.
After looking at it for a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have thought of something, and took out a new ninja resume from the drawer next to him. The photo on it was none other than Hatake Kakashi.
This guy is a real headache, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself, shaking his head. Perhaps it was retribution for spreading rumors about Sakumo a while back; now Sakumo's son was giving him, the Hokage, a hard time.
Compared to the original work, Hatake Kakashi's beliefs crumbled after his father's death, leading him down a path of obsession where he only cared about missions and not the lives of his comrades. This resulted in him being hated by everyone and no one wanting to be his teammate.
The current Kakashi doesn't have those flaws at all. He values missions but also his comrades. Kakashi embodies the qualities of a typical Konoha Ninja trained in the Will of Fire.
However, the only drawback is his terrible luck. It has been almost four years since he graduated, and he has been on as many as 10 different teams, changing teams 2 to 3 times a year on average.
These squads either suffered heavy casualties due to the difficulty of the mission, leaving only Kakashi, or had to be disbanded and regrouped for other reasons.
Over time, Kakashi's reputation as a "Team Terminator" spread among the Chunin Konoha, which led to many teams being unwilling to accept Kakashi into their ranks.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi's mission resume in his hand: 5 A-rank missions, 21 B-rank missions, and 24 C-rank missions. This achievement was exceptionally impressive for someone who had only been a ninja for four years.
He had previously considered assigning Kakashi to Taiichi's team, since Kakashi and Taiichi were classmates and had a very good relationship. However, he didn't expect that Taiichi and his team didn't want any new members for the time being, so he didn't mention it.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi misunderstood here. Taiichi simply didn't want any recent graduates joining the team, as this would greatly lower the team's overall strength and wouldn't be suitable for the intensity of the current mission.
But if it were Kakashi, he would most likely agree.
In Taiichi's mind, Kakashi had shaken off the effects of Sakumo's death and should now be happily carrying out missions with his own team members. He never imagined that Kakashi would be in such a state now.
It's both funny and frustrating. I wonder if it's fate that destined Kakashi to be paired with Obito and Rin.
As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated over the names in his hand for a long time before finally assigning them to groups based on his intuition.
Hatake Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara form a group.
The group consists of Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, Ebisu.
Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Shino Aburame.
Back in Konoha, Taiichi's life has returned to normal. News of the war is temporarily kept out of the village, but a sense of urgency has been deeply ingrained in his heart.
Every morning, after finishing his morning lessons, Taiichi would appear at Konoha Hospital on time. As an increasingly important backbone of the medical team, Taiichi's position at Konoha Hospital was also becoming more and more important.
--
Especially after news of Taiichi's performance at the frontline Medical Camp was relayed back to Konoha Hospital for some unknown reason, the treatment he received exceeded that of a typical department head.
But the compliments did not change Taiichi's mind; he devoted almost all of his mornings to various patients and the hospital.
From performing complex surgeries to mentoring newly recruited Medical Ninja, he earned the respect of the entire Konoha Hospital through his busy schedule and hard work. This responsibility gave him a sense of fulfillment and was his direct contribution to the village.
Around noon, he would have lunch with Nonō and chat about the Orphanage.
In the afternoon, it was Taiichi's own dedicated time for self-improvement.
In his home Training Ground, which used to be his place for practicing Ninjutsu, traces of Fireball Wind Blade can be seen everywhere. Now, it is filled with heavy stone weights, specially made weighted equipment, and sturdy wooden stakes.
The panel gave him a very poor review of the equipment, Taiichi kept in mind all this time. That's why he prepared these exercise equipment as soon as he returned to the village.
Nowadays, he carries a certain amount of weight on his body every day, and during training, he wears a full set of weighted vests and wrist guards to achieve better training results.
Advanced Taijutsu, Advanced Meditation, Advanced Swordsmanship, Strength Training, and Speed Training —these five training exercises are repeated every afternoon.
At the same time, he would also release four Shadow Clone every day, immersing himself in the insights gained from the various attribute changes, such as fire,
Wind, water, and ice—the four main combat methods of the present and future—are his primary research targets, along with Chakra Control and Shape Transformation.
As the sun sets and the body finishes this round of high-intensity training, it is often exhausted, with every muscle aching unbearably.
Fortunately, he was also an excellent doctor, and his Medical Ninjutsu was second to none.
After enduring the soreness and swallowing the high-energy tonic he had prepared in advance, he would use the last bit of Chakra he had left to convert into Yang Release to give himself a full-body treatment.
After all this was over, it was time to receive the results of the day's training from the Shadow Clone. As a large amount of memories flooded into his mind, it brought fatigue, but also the satisfaction of growth.
Although the improvement in his physique was slow and subtle, the panel provided Taiichi tangible feedback. It was probably the culmination of a long period of training and concentrated practice over this period, resulting in a breakthrough.
Today, the panel finally provided a notification.
[After a long period of arduous training, your Constitution +1, Strength +1, Agility +1, Spirit +1]
[Your Chunin job level has been increased to Lv8]
[Attribute Points +1, Skill Points +1]
During the day, he would train until he exhausted all his strength, and at night, he would accumulate knowledge, including a large amount of information left by Teacher Tsunade and various materials that Taiichi had exchanged for with his merit points.
These are all important foundations for Taiichi's subsequent development of Genjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.
Sometimes, Taiichi would write to Tsunade to ask her questions, especially about Sealing Jutsu, with the Yin Seal being Taiichi was learning.
In the morning light, Taiichi Earth Flow along the road to Konoha Hospital as usual. His regular routine over the past few days made his every step as precise as a clock, as he planned what kind of patients he would encounter that morning and how he should deal with them.
Just as I turned the corner, a familiar golden hue came into view.
"Senior Disciple Brother Minato!" Taiichi greeted him with a hint of surprise.
Minato stood by the roadside, his face bearing his usual gentle smile, and he was walking in the direction of the Ninja Academy.
"Good morning, Taiichi!" Minato turned around, and when he saw Taiichi, his smile deepened. "Are you going to Konoha Hospital?"
"Yeah, going to the hospital to help out every day also helps me practice my Medical Ninjutsu." Taiichi walked to Minato's side and followed his gaze toward the school gate.
It seemed more lively than usual, with faint sounds of noise and Ninjutsu practice drifting through the air.
Taiichi's heart skipped a beat, recalling their conversation in the Hokage's Office earlier, and he tentatively asked, "Speaking of which—is Senior Disciple Brother Minato here today to lead a new Genin team?"
"That's right." Minato nodded, his blond hair gleaming slightly in the morning light. "Today is the day the kids are assigned to classes. I've come to take my squad members with me."
The Team Minato! I wonder how Kakashi is doing now. Sakumo- Senior is doing well, so will he be able to become Minato's disciple like in the original story?
Taiichi's mind raced, the faces of his friends Guy, Obito, Rin, and others flashing through his mind. A surge of urge to witness his friends officially Jonin journey welled up within him. He hadn't seen these friends in so long!
With this thought in mind, Taiichi spoke almost without hesitation, saying, "Senior Disciple Brother Minato, wait for me!" Before he finished speaking, he Hand Seals, and a Shadow Clone appeared beside him.
"I'm leaving today's work at the hospital to you. Be careful with your Chakra consumption; don't let it dissipate before noon," Taiichi quickly instructed.
"Understood!" With that, the Shadow Clone nodded slightly to Minato, then turned around without hesitation and hurried toward the hospital, as if he didn't want to waste a single moment of the patient's time.
Watching his clone leave, Taiichi turned to Minato, his eyes filled with anticipation and a long-lost youthful spirit. "Senior Disciple Brother Minato, would it be convenient for me, a nobody, to take a look around? And also to see how my old friends are doing."
Minato watched Taiichi deftly divide the responsibilities between the clone and the main body, his eyes filled with admiration. Regarding Taiichi's impromptu request, Minato readily agreed, "Of course! Come to think of it, you know quite a few people in there!"
The two exchanged a smile, turned, and walked side by side through the gates of the Ninja Academy. A cacophony of sounds rushed towards them, a mixture of shouts from boys and girls, the whistling of Ninja Tool cutting through the air, and the yelling of teachers.
Walking through the long-unseen corridor, Taiichi saw a familiar figure in front of the teaching building. With striking white hair and a mask covering most of his face, who else could it be but Kakashi?
Taiichi was puzzled. What was he doing here? Could it be that he was here to see his friend graduate, just like him? Surely he couldn't be without a team and had come to form a squad with a newly graduated Genin!
"Yo! Kakashi, what a coincidence, you're here to see Obito graduate too?" Taiichi greeted him first, putting his arm around Kakashi's shoulder with the enthusiasm of a long-awaited reunion.
Kakashi, who had been happily swaying in Taiichi's arms, suddenly turned pale upon hearing Taiichi's question. How embarrassing! He, a Chunin, had ended up in a team with a fresh-graduated Genin.
He was speechless, his eyes rolled back in a dead fish-like expression. Was his luck really that bad? Was he truly the so-called "Team Terminator"? Would that affect Rin and Obito as well?
Thinking about this, Kakashi lost his confidence. He really hoped that Obito and Rin wouldn't get hurt again.
Meanwhile, Minato, standing to the side, wore a strange smile. He looked at Kakashi, then at Taiichi, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.
Upon seeing this, Taiichi finally realized, "Kakashi, you've been assigned to Senior Disciple Brother Minato's team!"
Kakashi remained silent, and Taiichi could only chuckle and say, "Congratulations, Kakashi. Jonin Senior Disciple Brother Minato 'Konoha top Jonin; you'll definitely learn a lot from him."
Taiichi changed the subject; he couldn't afford to provoke him any further. But as for the future, that was another matter—it was something he could tease him about for a lifetime. Thinking about it, Taiichi's Kakuzu unconsciously curled into a smile.
"Alright, let's hurry inside, we still need to see my teammates," Minato urged, thus helping Kakashi out of the predicament.
The three of them wandered around and finally arrived at the classroom door where Obito and his Obito. The classroom was much quieter now, as most of the students had been led away by their respective teachers.
Through the slightly ajar door, Taiichi saw that the large classroom was sparsely populated, with only a few students remaining in their seats, including Obito and Rin.
"Wait a moment." Minato smiled gently at Taiichi and Kakashi, and pushed open the classroom door.
Standing outside the door, Taiichi could clearly hear Minato's voice inside the classroom.
"Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, come with me."
Minato clearly pronounced their names, and a cheer erupted in the classroom, "Ah~ Haha, Rin, that's great, we really are teammates."
As he spoke, he exaggeratedly bowed to Lin, saying, "Please take care of me in the future!"
Kakashi slapped his forehead as he stood outside the door, feeling a headache coming on at the thought of having such a clown as a teammate.
Taiichi leaned against the wall by the door, a "just as I thought" smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.
Looking at Kakashi's pained expression and recalling the scenes of the two of them together, she could no longer hide her smile and forced a "hissing" laugh.
Kakashi, watching from the side, rolled his Byakugan again.
At that moment, a soft sound of footsteps and chairs being moved came from inside the classroom. The two knew that Minato and the others were about to come out, so they both looked towards the classroom door.
Suddenly, a sound of shattering glass and screams rang out, as if something had violently slammed into the classroom's sliding door.
Immediately afterward, a slightly disheveled figure stumbled out—black hair, goggles, and a comical piece of torn window paper perched on his forehead; who else could it be but Obito Uchiha!
Kakashi reacted quickly, grabbing Obito immediately to prevent him from falling to the ground.
Taiichi was standing in front, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his eye. You two are just being stubborn, but your bodies tell a different story. When you saw someone about to fall, your brains probably hadn't even registered what you were doing before your bodies were already rushing to help.
At that moment, the classroom door was fully opened, and out came Lin, who still had a somewhat helpless smile on her face.
"Ka-Kashi!" Obito immediately stepped aside from the person who had helped him up, then turned to see Taiichi standing beside him. His eyes widened in surprise, but then he noticed his awkwardness and scratched his head sheepishly. "Ha-ha, you guys are here too!"
He clearly had no idea that the person supporting him was his future teammate.
Minato followed closely behind the two out of the classroom, nodded to the two waiting at the door, indicating that the person had been brought.
He looked at the somewhat reckless Obito, not scolding him, but encouraging him instead. "Are you ready, Obito?"
Lin.
"Of course! I understand the final test!" Obito puffed out his chest and answered with a strong voice.
"Yes, Minato-sensei." Rin nodded earnestly in response.
At this moment, Taiichi seemed to be witnessing history, watching this group of members, who had a love-hate relationship, finally come together. But what would become of them in the future?