The Squad! (Seeking Follow-ups)

Shita Genichi continued to grind, exerting immense pressure on many, including Uchiha Obito and Shiranui Genma, at the academy.

Yet, at this age, there were few who could keep up with Shita Genichi's pace.

Shizune was one, as Shita Genichi sat right beside her and was someone she admired immensely.

Sarutobi Asuma was another, simply because he refused to lose.

He was even more unwilling to accept the attitude his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen, held toward him.

Of course, Might Guy was also grinding.

But his intensity wasn't because of Shita Genichi; he had always been that way, only more so now.

None of this had anything to do with Shita Genichi.

He didn't grind because of others.

Autumn passed, and winter arrived.

Before anyone realized it, the 42nd year of Konoha was coming to an end.

On this day, Sarutobi Hiruzen received an application for early graduation. Seeing the name, he raised an eyebrow: "Genichi wants to graduate early?"

Futaki Ryusei nodded: "Yes."

"He has basically mastered genjutsu and Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, and he knows all other theoretical knowledge by heart. The academy truly has no way to help him progress further."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded: "Then arrange it as soon as possible!"

"Understood!"

Futaki Ryusei took the order and left.

Sarutobi Hiruzen began to ponder where to assign Shita Genichi.

For an early graduation, Shita Genichi could only be inserted into an existing ninja squad.

Furthermore, given Shita Genichi's talent, he had to be assigned a good team leader, or it would be a waste.

Water Release...

Did Konoha have a jonin particularly skilled in Water Release?

It seemed not.

There were jonin who were generally skilled in Water Release, however.

But for Shita Genichi, it seemed he didn't really need to be taught Water Release.

The next day.

After arranging the graduation exam, Futaki Ryusei returned to the Hokage's office to report.

Sarutobi Hiruzen brought up the matter of squad assignments, which left Futaki Ryusei startled: "Third Hokage, although Genichi is outstanding, wouldn't such an arrangement be too rushed?"

He felt that Shita Genichi should be placed with those graduating this year; such genin squads took on simple missions, which would be easy for Shita Genichi to adapt to.

But assigning him to a mature ninja squad—surely they couldn't expect the team to accommodate a newcomer like Shita Genichi by taking on those childish tasks?

Therefore, Futaki Ryusei hurriedly voiced his opposition.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said: "Ryusei, rest assured. Genichi is not as fragile as you think. His thinking is very mature; Minato has praised him for this more than once."

"Moreover, you must trust the jonin team leader, as well as Genichi's future companions."

Thinking of Shita Genichi's brilliance, combined with the fame of that person, Futaki Ryusei did not argue further.

October 8th, Konoha Year 42.

Full marks on the written exam.

Full marks on the Three Body Technique.

Shita Genichi completed the graduation exam without any surprises and received the forehead protector that symbolized a ninja.

Shizune and the others were still in class, so there were no onlookers when Shita Genichi passed his exam.

At the academy gate, Futaki Ryusei said to Shita Genichi: "Genichi, from now on you are an official ninja. I hope you can maintain the spirit you showed at the academy."

"Your team leader is a very outstanding ninja; you must learn well from him."

"Also, get along well with your companions. During missions, you will be entrusting your backs and your lives to one another."

"Additionally, when on missions, never underestimate any of your enemies."

Such exhortations moved Shita Genichi deeply; this was a very responsible teacher.

He nodded earnestly: "Rest assured, Ryusei-sensei, I will remember that."

Futaki Ryusei waved his hand: "Alright, go and meet your companions!"

Shita Genichi bowed, then used the Body Flicker Technique to depart.

Leaping across the rooftops, Shita Genichi was very curious: who would his team leader be?

It had to be a jonin.

But there were quite a few jonin in Konoha, and he didn't know many of the famous ones by name.

Especially in this era.

In truth, Shita Genichi could have continued to lay low.

By overdrawing ten years of his future once a year and stacking the effects, he could always make progress; his brain wasn't bad, after all.

However, what was the point of mastering so many ninjutsu?

With insufficient chakra, he had to be calculating, and he couldn't unleash their full power anyway.

Therefore, after mastering two genjutsu and Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, and finding it difficult to obtain further resources, Shita Genichi chose to graduate.

Of course, there was another reason.

That was, if nothing unexpected happened, the White Fang of Konoha would commit suicide next year.

Although the possibility of intervening in this matter was extremely small.

Doing a little more, and waiting until next year to overdraw another ten years of his future, he could see if he could change things.

What if?

If he could latch onto the White Fang of Konoha, his connections and resources would increase once again.

This could help boost his strength.

"I hope my squad leader and teammates are reliable."

Shita Genichi felt anticipation, mixed with a trace of anxiety.

After all, being a ninja meant risking one's life.

If his teammates were unreliable, he would die very early.

Soon, Shita Genichi arrived at a rooftop and saw his squad leader and teammates.

Good heavens!

He hit the jackpot!

"Sakumo-sensei!"

Shita Genichi took a few quick steps forward and bowed in greeting.

Yes, the middle-aged man before him was none other than Hatake Sakumo.

Beside him were two others, both male, looking to be fifteen or sixteen years old, who were currently sizing up Shita Genichi, this genius.

Hatake Sakumo certainly knew Shita Genichi; one could even say they were somewhat familiar. He smiled and said, "Genichi, introduce yourself and let everyone get to know you."

"Hmm. For example, your favorite food, the food you dislike, and your areas of expertise."

Shita Genichi straightened his back: "Yes!"

"I am Shita Genichi. My favorite food is dango, and the food I dislike is also dango."

"I specialize in Water Release. It is best if there is a water source nearby, because my chakra is not exactly abundant."

"In addition, I use genjutsu."

"I have mastered one medical ninjutsu, which can be used for temporary treatment."

"Furthermore, I have mastered sealing jutsu."

The two people beside Hatake Sakumo looked at Shita Genichi with strange expressions.

Are you sure this is a kid who just graduated?

Knowing so much, are you kidding me?

Did he start training from birth?

Not to mention them, even Hatake Sakumo was taken aback.

He had Shita Genichi's file in his hands, but it was limited to Water Release, sealing jutsu, genjutsu, and swordsmanship. He hadn't expected Shita Genichi to also know medical ninjutsu.

This was practically an all-rounder.

He truly lives up to the name of a genius!

Hatake Sakumo sighed inwardly, then looked at the two people beside him.

The man wearing a high-collared black outfit with a sword bag on his back and black hair spoke up: "My name is Uchiha Namiichi. I specialize in Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu, taijutsu, shurikenjutsu, genjutsu, and Fire Release."

"My favorite food is dango, and the food I dislike is natto."

As expected of an Uchiha.

Shita Genichi thought to himself, then greeted him: "Namiichi-senpai."

Uchiha Namiichi's face was very cold, but he said, "No need to be so formal, just call me Namiichi."

Shita Genichi nodded and looked at the other person.

This person had long gray hair tied in a ponytail and smiled: "My name is Yamanaka En. My favorite food is ramen, and the food I dislike is sweets."

"I specialize in sensory ninjutsu and genjutsu."

Good heavens, someone from the Yamanaka clan.

Shita Genichi offered his customary polite greeting.

Yamanaka En appeared to be a gentle man. "Genichi, you can just call me En."

Shita Genichi followed suit without hesitation.

Once the introductions were finished, Hatake Sakumo finally spoke up. "Alright, now that you've all met, it's time for the mission."

"Genichi, you don't have any issues with that, do you?"

Shita Genichi nodded immediately. "No issues at all, Sakumo-sensei."

Futaki Ryusei had warned him yesterday that they would be heading straight out of the village for a mission today, so he had been prepared for a while; he carried a backpack, and his short blade hung at his waist.