Grouping Begins

Muzan had not studied his own cells. This was a hospital laboratory, after all. The strength of his cells rivaled Hashirama's body, and he had no desire to become a lab rat lying in Orochimaru's laboratory.

Using a microscope, one could observe animal cells. The hospital had many cells available for research, including even a small amount of Bloodline Limit samples. After a series of studies, Muzan made his notes before noticing Tsunade craning her neck behind him.

Especially that figure of hers—her bosom could embrace the world, and the more accommodating, the greater!

"Cough, cough. Lady Tsunade, is there something you need?"

"I see that your research is all foundational. I left plenty of notes at Konoha Hospital. You can go through them."

Tsunade was extremely satisfied with Muzan's attitude. Even though he pretended to be expressionless, Tsunade had keenly noticed the two seconds his gaze lingered on her by accident. It seemed the Yin Seal had not failed after all!

"However, I'm short on someone to run errands. Go buy me sake from the tavern for a while!"

She hated people who acted so proper the most. If you want to look, then look. It only proves how attractive I am! I nearly thought the Yin Seal had failed.

If Muzan knew Tsunade's true thoughts, he would definitely sneer. Before him, there had already been a Jiraiya who had fearlessly looked once.

Buying sake for Tsunade was not without reward. As a pioneer of medical ninjutsu, she gave Muzan plenty of cultivation advice on techniques like the Mystical Palm Technique. There was also much medical knowledge that could not be learned at the hospital. Tsunade had no intention of holding anything back and taught it all to Muzan. He could be considered Tsunade's unofficial disciple.

It allowed Muzan's strength to improve rapidly within a short period of time.

"My cells possess an extremely strong infectivity. Even a ninja's body cannot withstand them."

To further his research, Muzan applied for the small laboratory next door and obtained cells from several jonin. The progress of his experiments gave Muzan a general understanding of himself.

"The stronger the person, the greater the boost in strength after becoming a man-eating demon. Of course, special Bloodline Limit abilities cannot be ruled out. Perhaps the combination of the two could produce even stronger effects."

"However, there are risks as well."

He thought of the rabbits from his earlier experiments. Unable to bear Muzan's power, they had been directly swollen until they burst apart.

"Unfortunately, this is not yet the time to build up my forces. Once the Third Ninja War begins, the greater the chaos, the greater my opportunity."

Muzan recorded the experiment he had just completed. These were all precious experimental data. After tidying them up, he placed them into a sealing scroll.

"If I remember correctly, today is the Ninja Academy graduation day. The Third Hokage specifically asked me to come over. It looks like he's found a teacher for me."

Because Tsunade had refused, the Third Hokage had not found a teacher for Muzan for the time being. Kakashi's path, meanwhile, had not changed. During this period, Minato Namikaze had become Kakashi's teacher, effectively drawing Kakashi into the Hokage faction.

The Ninja Academy was especially lively today. Many students wore the symbols representing Konoha ninja. From this day onward, they were Konoha genin!

"Eh! I actually saw Muzan!"

"Oh my god, is that really Muzan? It's been so long!"

"That bastard still loves wearing that black robe. He hasn't changed at all."

"I hope I get assigned to a team with Muzan. He's a medical ninja. If a teammate gets hurt, he can treat us!"

It was unavoidable for ninja to be injured on missions. Most ninja could bandage wounds, but if the injury was serious, they had to go to Konoha Hospital to find a doctor. That was no small expense.

If a team had a medical ninja, that money could be saved.

Thus, everyone hoped to be assigned to a team with Muzan.

Kakashi, who had been spacing out, felt a trace of excitement when he saw Muzan. Yet his tone remained as unfriendly as ever.

"Brother,

I thought you had fallen asleep in the laboratory and would miss today's team assignments." Since becoming a genin, Kakashi had rarely returned home. He had constantly been carrying out missions to accumulate merit and improve his strength. With the Yellow Flash as his teacher, their mobility allowed them to go anywhere.

"How could that be? I've been looking forward to today for a long time. You only came to the Ninja Academy to go through the motions, didn't you?"

Noticing Kakashi's pair of dead-fish eyes, Muzan saw that his behavior and movements resembled those of a mature ninja even more. He was on guard at every moment. Even while in Konoha, this habit remained.

It seemed this period had greatly helped Kakashi's growth. Fortunately, because of Muzan's appearance, his father's mission failure had been delayed, preventing Kakashi from developing that cold and indifferent personality.

He was also looking forward to finding out who his teacher would be.

"It really is just going through the motions. Right now, I only hope my teammates won't be too useless. After all, I'm too strong."

Just as he finished speaking, Obito and Rin walked over from behind him. Obito Uchiha had not even awakened his Sharingan yet. He was beginning to wonder whether he had been adopted by the Uchiha Clan. Hearing Kakashi show off, Obito Uchiha was the first to snap back.

"Tch! A bastard like you definitely won't have any teammates."

"Don't say that, Obito..."

Obito had wanted to continue, but Rin interrupted him, and he restrained his temper. Looking at Rin, jealousy filled his heart. Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll make Kakashi regret it!

"Maybe you'll become teammates."

Muzan's words made Obito and Kakashi say "Impossible" at the same time.

"Who would ever be teammates with him? He'd directly drag down the team's level! I don't want a mission to fail because of dead weight!"

"Bastard! You'll only get your teammates killed! Only a ghost would be your teammate!"

As they argued, a tall figure entered the classroom. Muzan was the first to notice the other party's strength.

"A jonin? It seems Konoha places great importance on this class of students."

"Uchiha Tenka, Haruno Kasei, Ito Tsuki. You three, come with me."

As the first teacher entered, the students present gradually heard their team leaders calling out to them.

"Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara."

A gentle voice sounded out. Combined with that distinctive golden hair, it drew the attention of all the students present.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's the Yellow Flash! Lord Minato Namikaze is personally leading the team! Rin and I are on the same team, but why is Kakashi in the team too?!"

Obito looked at his idol, speaking incoherently. The Yellow Flash had already been listed by every major ninja village as a powerful ninja whom one could immediately abandon a mission upon encountering. He was one of the most outstanding figures of the younger generation.

"Tch, do you think I want to be with you?"

"You!"

Watching the two confront each other, Muzan suddenly felt a chilling sense of dread. At that moment, a hoarse voice rang out...