Squad!

Shita Genichi was still pushing himself, and at school he certainly put enormous pressure on Uchiha Obito, Shiranui Genma, and many others.

But at their age, there were very few who could keep up with Shita Genichi.

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

Sarutobi Asuma was another, because he refused to lose.

He was even more unwilling to accept his father Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude toward him.

Of course, Might Guy was pushing himself too.

But he wasn't doing it because of Shita Genichi. He'd always been like that; now he was pushing himself even harder.

None of this had anything to do with Shita Genichi.

He pushed himself for no one else.

Autumn passed, and winter came.

Before anyone knew it, the year 42 in Konoha was drawing to a close.

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

Futaki Ryusei nodded. "Yes."

"He's mastered Genjutsu and Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, and he can recite all the other theoretical knowledge by heart. The school really has nothing left to teach him."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Then make the arrangements as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

Futaki Ryusei accepted the order and left.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, meanwhile, began considering where to assign Shita Genichi.

Since he was graduating early, Shita Genichi could only be placed on an existing ninja team.

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

Water Release...

Were there any Jonin in Konoha who were especially skilled in Water Release?

It didn't seem so.

But there were Jonin who were generally good at Water Release.

Still, Shita Genichi didn't seem to need much instruction in Water Release.

The next day.

After arranging the graduation exam, Futaki Ryusei returned to the Hokage Office to report.

Sarutobi Hiruzen brought up the team assignment. Futaki Ryusei was startled when he heard. "Third, Genichi is outstanding, but isn't this too soon?"

He thought they should be able to fit Shita Genichi onto a team with this year's graduates. Those rookie teams only took simple missions, which would be easy for him to adjust to.

But if he was assigned to an experienced team, surely they couldn't accommodate Shita Genichi by taking on those trivial missions just for a newcomer?

So Futaki Ryusei hurriedly objected.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Don't worry, Ryusei. Genichi isn't as fragile as you think. He's very mature in his thinking; Minato has praised him for it more than once."

"Besides, you should have faith in the Jonin leading the team, as well as in Genichi's future teammates."

Futaki Ryusei thought of how outstanding Shita Genichi was, and of the famous name of the man in question. He didn't argue further.

October 8, Year 42 in Konoha.

Perfect score on the written exam.

Perfect score on the Three Body Technique.

Shita Genichi passed the graduation exam without a hitch and received the Forehead Protector that symbolized his status as a ninja.

Shizune and the others were still in class, so no one was there to watch when Shita Genichi passed.

At the school gate, Futaki Ryusei said to Shita Genichi, "Genichi, from now on, you're an official ninja. I hope you'll keep up the same spirit you showed at school."

"Your team leader is an outstanding ninja. Make sure you learn as much as you can from him."

"And get along well with your teammates. On missions, you'll be entrusting each other with your backs—and your lives."

"Also, never underestimate any of your enemies during a mission."

These earnest reminders moved Shita Genichi. Futaki Ryusei was a truly responsible teacher.

He nodded seriously. "Don't worry, Teacher Ryusei. I'll remember."

Futaki Ryusei waved a hand. "All right, go meet your teammates!"

Shita Genichi bowed, then left using the Body Flicker Technique.

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

He was sure to be a Jonin.

But Konoha had plenty of Jonin, and Shita Genichi didn't know many of them by name.

Especially in this era.

Actually, Shita Genichi could have kept lying low.

He could overdraw ten years of his future once a year and keep stacking the effects. He could always make progress that way, and he wasn't lacking in brains.

But what good would mastering more ninjutsu do?

He didn't have enough chakra, so he had to manage it carefully. He wouldn't be able to bring those techniques' power out anyway.

So, after mastering two Genjutsu techniques and Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, and finding it difficult to obtain more resources, Shita Genichi chose to graduate.

Of course, there was another reason.

If nothing unexpected happened, the White Fang of Konoha would take his own life next year.

The odds of stepping in and changing things were slim.

But he could still do a little more, then, when he overdrew ten years of his future next year, see if he could change the outcome.

What if?

If he could get on the White Fang of Konoha's good side, he'd gain another connection and more resources.

That could help him grow stronger.

"Hope my team leader and teammates are up to the task."

Shita Genichi was looking forward to it, but he was also a little nervous.

After all, being a ninja meant risking his life.

If his teammates were unreliable, he'd die young.

Before long, Shita Genichi arrived on a rooftop and saw his team leader and teammates.

What a jackpot!

"Teacher Sakumo!"

Shita Genichi hurried forward and bowed.

That was right—the middle-aged man before him was none other than Hatake Sakumo.

There were two others beside him, both boys who looked fifteen or sixteen. They were now sizing up Shita Genichi, the young genius.

Hatake Sakumo already knew Shita Genichi; they could even be said to be somewhat familiar. He smiled. "Genichi, introduce yourself so everyone can get to know you."

"Mm. Tell us things like what food you like, what you dislike, and what you're good at."

Shita Genichi straightened up. "Yes!"

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

"I'm good at Water Release. I do best in places with water, because I don't have that much chakra."

"I'm also good at Genjutsu."

"I've mastered one Medical Ninjutsu technique and can provide emergency treatment."

"I've also mastered Sealing Jutsu."

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

Was this really a kid who'd just graduated?

He knew all that? Was he joking?

Had he been training since birth?

They weren't the only ones surprised. Hatake Sakumo was taken aback too.

He had Shita Genichi's file, but it only mentioned Water Release, Sealing Jutsu, Genjutsu, and Kenjutsu. He hadn't expected Shita Genichi to know Medical Ninjutsu as well.

He was practically a jack-of-all-trades.

"No wonder he's a genius!"

Hatake Sakumo marveled inwardly, then turned to the two men beside him.

The man in a black high-collared shirt, with a sword bag on his back and black hair, spoke up. "I'm Uchiha Namiichi. I specialize in Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, shuriken throwing, Genjutsu, and Fire Release."

"My favorite food is dango. The food I dislike is natto."

As expected, a member of the Uchiha Clan.

Shita Genichi thought to himself, then bowed. "Senpai Namiichi."

Uchiha Namiichi had a cold expression, but he said, "You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Namiichi."

Shita Genichi nodded and looked at the other man.

This man had long gray hair tied into a ponytail. He smiled and said, "I'm Yamanaka En. My favorite food is ramen, and I dislike sweets."

"I specialize in sensory abilities and Genjutsu."

A member of the Yamanaka Clan, no less.

As before, Shita Genichi greeted him politely.

Yamanaka En seemed like a gentle person. "Genichi, just call me En."

Shita Genichi was happy to oblige.

Once they had finished introducing themselves, Hatake Sakumo finally spoke. "All right, now that you've met, it's time for a mission."

"Any problem with that, Genichi?"

Shita Genichi nodded at once. "No problem, Teacher Sakumo."

Futaki Ryusei had told him yesterday that they would be leaving the village for a mission today, so he was already prepared. He had a backpack on and a short sword hanging at his waist.