A Gathering of High-Ranking Officials

The weather was fine that day, with clear skies stretching cloudless for miles.

Early in the morning, the Ninja Academy was festooned with decorations, and crowds packed the grounds.

Not only had the students come, but villagers who had heard the news also flocked over to watch.

This was a grand occasion for the Grass Ninja!

"A school anniversary celebration... How long has it been since we last held one? Only because Lord Asō possesses such great vision and strategy has our Grass Ninja achieved such prosperity!"

"This is a rare grand event. Not only will Lord Grass Shadow attend in person, but even the high-ranking officials we rarely see will come out to offer congratulations and cut the ribbon!"

"I'm so excited! The last time I saw Lord Grass Shadow was three years ago, when the Ninja World War began. Lord Grass Shadow is far too busy. Being able to see him this time, even from afar, will be enough!"

The villagers were all abuzz with excitement and anticipation.

"A Ninja Academy anniversary celebration is no small matter. Besides Lord Grass Shadow, the Grass Ninja higher-ups will also be there—important figures like Advisor Takenaka Shun, Intelligence Captain Kawakami Yuichi, and Patrol Captain Takahara Shu. Last time, we didn't realize Yuexia Ming had Lord Grass Shadow backing him. That was our mistake. But this time, the four of us must show off our strength and make everyone's eyes light up at the celebration!"

At that moment, many students were carefully preparing their performances.

This was a rare opportunity to show themselves off.

After graduating from the Ninja Academy, they would all join the ninja forces and take on missions. Of course, not every ninja had to fight or carry out combat missions. Depending on their abilities, some might become medical ninja and join the medical corps, while others might become intelligence experts.

With so many high-ranking officials gathered this time, it was undoubtedly a rare opportunity.

Gang Qingtai said this to Gui Wenda and the other three.

The four of them had now formed a fixed team, always gathering together whenever there was a major event.

Especially after suffering Yang Ming's blow, they had become even more tightly united.

"That's right. This is our opportunity. Last time, Lord Grass Shadow probably hadn't expected to see Yuexia Ming. Since they knew each other, perhaps they had some other connection, so he overlooked us. That's understandable. But this time, we have to display our strength before all the higher-ups and draw everyone's attention to us!"

Fujishima Jun nodded.

"Alright."

Gui Wenda and Chang Jiaye nodded crisply in agreement.

At that moment, Yang Ming changed into a fitted black outfit and headed toward the academy.

For everyone else, it was a school anniversary celebration. For him, it was an assessment, followed by graduation!

It could be considered his personal graduation ceremony!

But it was destined to remain a secret. After all, the talent he had displayed was simply too shocking.

If word got out, it might bring about his death!

Who wouldn't be astonished by a five-year-old genius genin?

The ninja world already had one Kakashi, who had allowed Konoha to prosper for twenty years. They would never permit a second one to appear!

Yang Ming understood Grass Shadow's intentions, but he did not particularly care.

Having mastered the intermediate Sage Body, intermediate Monstrous Strength, and six Wood Release abilities, he feared nothing!

Even if a Kage-level expert came, he could trade blows with them for a while, perhaps even defeat them.

Only the strongest among Kage-level experts could threaten him!

But if he could not win, he could run. At this point, while Yang Ming could not yet roam the ninja world completely unhindered, he could travel through it freely enough.

"These must all be Grass Ninja higher-ups!"

Upon arriving at the academy, Yang Ming saw that the various high-ranking officials had already arrived. They sat in a circle, with Grass Shadow at the center, waiting for the students to display their talents!