The sky was just beginning to lighten, and dawn slowly spread across the land.
Today would be a sunny day!
Gong Yi checked his small collection of ninja tools while quickly reviewing the Scholar System in his mind.
He had already committed the excessively detailed information to memory, so he focused on the physical fitness section.
Three years of training under the Gravity Technique had once pushed his physical fitness up to fifty points, nearly the limit for an ordinary person at this stage.
Even among ninjas, unless they were Jonin, few could compare with him.
Gong Yi's weighted training was especially different from that of most people.
The Gravity Technique enveloped his entire body, training every part of him, including his brain and even vulnerable areas like his groin.
That was why it had taken Gong Yi a full three years to increase the Gravity Technique's training multiplier to ten.
It wasn't that he was slow. He knew that no part of his body could be allowed to become a weakness!
Training with weights tied to the limbs only worked the legs and arms. It was far too limited and couldn't compare to the Gravity Technique at all.
That was why he had increased the multiplier gradually.
Gong Yi pondered for a moment, then made up his mind.
Ten times gravity was no longer enough for his daily training. He could definitely increase it further!
This time, he would go to eleven times!
With a thought, the system adjusted the Gravity Technique's multiplier.
In an instant, a weight of 1,100 pounds enveloped Gong Yi.
That weight might not seem like much to a ninja; some Chunin could even lift it by releasing their Chakra.
But Gong Yi used it for daily training, maintaining it at all times—even while he slept!
If Gong Yi dispelled the Gravity Technique now and unleashed all his strength, the resulting destructive power would be unimaginably terrifying!
Gong Yi moved his body. He felt a little unaccustomed to the change, yet strangely familiar with it.
Every time he increased the multiplier over the past three years, he'd felt this same unfamiliarity.
It had become familiar through repetition.
Setting off at a jog, Gong Yi ran toward the forest behind Kage Rock. He was about to meet his first team.
Three people, some older and some younger, sat or stood in the quiet forest.
The oldest was already in his twenties, while the youngest was only twelve.
But in the ninja world, twelve was no longer considered young. It meant he'd graduated from the Ninja Academy two or three years ago.
He'd also completed at least four or five missions, making him a fairly experienced Genin.
They were waiting for someone!
Ogawara glanced at the Jonin sitting quietly, then bared his teeth and spread his hands toward his teammate, Hyuga Senso.
Usually, if a teammate kept them waiting this long, he would have complained ages ago.
But for some reason, faced with today's team leader, he didn't dare say much at all.
Hyuga Senso shook his head, signaling for him to be quiet.
But a moment later, he nodded.
Ogawara's heart stirred. That kid had finally arrived.
Gong Yi jogged to the meeting spot, his breathing even. Seeing that his three teammates were already waiting, he felt a little apologetic.
But before he could speak, the Jonin who had been sitting quietly stood up.
"Gong Yi, we meet again."
"It's you, Lord Iga!"
Gong Yi looked at the man in front of him, whose smile seemed stiff, and was surprised.
Wasn't this the Jonin who had served as the judge during his graduation assessment?
Ishii Kawa had told him that the Hokage had specially sent the man over, and that he was exceptionally powerful.
While Gong Yi was still surprised, Ogawara, who had been holding back for a long time, jumped over.
"You knew Lord Iga before?"
Gong Yi's thoughts stirred, and he quickly analyzed the situation from that brief question.
If the man standing before them was this boy's team leader, he shouldn't be addressing him with the honorific "Lord"!
In other words, Ogawara wasn't familiar with Iga Kawaji.
But someone who had trained to become a Jonin would be a famous figure in the village.
This teammate was a few years older than Gong Yi and should have completed several missions. He shouldn't have been unfamiliar with Iga Kawaji.
There seemed to be only one explanation for this.
Gong Yi looked at Iga Kawaji. This man must have come from that place!
Just like when Kakashi left the Anbu and took charge of Team 7.
"Right, now that everyone's here, I've read your files, but I can't say I know you well. And I imagine you don't know much about me as your team leader, either. Why don't we introduce ourselves?"
Iga Kawaji clapped his hands, wearing a stiff smile.
The two other boys seemed to have gone through this routine many times. They spoke without the slightest hesitation.
"I'll go first! My name is Ogawara, and I like sushi. I'm good with all kinds of ninja tools, including Explosive Tags and setting traps. I also know some basic Medical Ninjutsu!"
Ogawara thumped his chest proudly. "It may just be basic Medical Ninjutsu, but if any of you get a small cut, I can patch you up."
Once he finished, he patted the teammate beside him.
"Your turn, Senso!"
"Name: Hyuga Senso. Hobbies: being alone. Specialties: Taijutsu and reconnaissance."
It was a very simple introduction, almost terse.
But Gong Yi looked at him a little more closely.
A member of the Hyuga Clan!
No wonder he was good at Taijutsu and reconnaissance.
He wondered whether Senso belonged to the Main House or the Branch House.
But a child from the Main House probably wouldn't be sent out on dangerous missions. So he must be one of those neglected Branch House children.
It was Gong Yi's turn, but he didn't feel nervous.
"I'm Gong Yi. I like meat—all kinds of meat. My specialties are Taijutsu and Earth Style Ninjutsu!"
As soon as Gong Yi said his name, Ogawara, who had heard of him, blurted out, "You're that top student everyone's been talking about at the academy! Do you know that guy, Kakashi?"
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