Nine Gates Technique

Two ninja passed a training ground. Hearing the children's lively voices inside, they both shook their heads.

One was Chunin Jigang. "Forget it. I won't look for my three students. Let them enjoy a few days with their classmates. Once they get their missions, they won't be laughing anymore.

"The whole camp is gloomy. It's rare to see kids their age still in the mood to play around."

The other was Special Jōnin Duyuan. "If the Ninja Academy hadn't graduated three classes at once, they wouldn't have made us squad leaders."

"Right. I'm only a Chunin, after all. Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu are all pretty ordinary."

Duyuan said, "My students aren't much better. Ibiki Morino, Gekko Hayate, and Aburame Yo. Hayate has Transparent Escape, and Yo has Kikaichū, but all three graduated early. Their fundamentals are far too weak."

Jigang glanced across the training ground and spotted Uchiha Ling sitting at its edge. "Is that the Uchiha Clan genius who already has a title—Barbecue Hermit Uchiha Ling?"

Duyuan nodded. "Uchiha Ling is undoubtedly a genius, but his title spread so quickly that I suspect the Command Center gave it a push."

Jigang said, "Everyone knows Advisor Danzo dislikes the Uchiha Clan. Maybe he's trying to build Ling up just to bring him down."

"Whether that's the idea or not, Uchiha Clan members have a hard time once they leave the Military Police Force."

The two chatted as they walked away.

Inside the training ground, the newly graduated Genin had gathered together, chatting excitedly.

Under the standard arrangements, these Genin had been brought to the front after their squads spent one or two months learning to work together.

Orochimaru's position was unusual, and he had ignored the Village's arrangements. Anko and her two teammates had received none of the