Masataka Hatake smile, "You old guys, stop talking. Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to be defeated by my own son in one move? Do you know how shocked I was when Sakumo took on my entire White Tiger Corps all by himself! I can only say that the Kage Academy founded by the Lord Hokage is too awesome! It's no joke that those who don't go to the Kage Academy are just ants."
Shikaboshi Nara chimed in, "When I was defeated by that brat Nara Shikanei, I couldn't believe it either. When I asked him about the secrets of the Kage Academy, he wouldn't tell me, saying that the Kage Academy was the most secret place in Konoha, and that leaking it would be a crime against the village."
Everyone began to recall last year, when the first batch of students from the Kage Academy graduated. This was no ordinary graduation; the weakest among them were all Kage Level shikigami, and the strongest were even Super Kage Level. This matter utterly stunned everyone in Konoha. The old clan leaders stared wide-eyed, muttering, "What on earth happened? How could such a group of prodigies suddenly emerge after only three years of study?"
Hokage Tsubasa, with his boldness and decisiveness, directly assigned these graduates to various important departments within Konoha, all in high-ranking positions. Initially, everyone found this unbelievable and laughable. But later, after witnessing the young people's performance, everyone was completely convinced. Why? Because each of these young people had risen to their positions through legitimate challenges, defeating their predecessors. This was no joke; it was all accomplished under the witness of Konoha's higher-ups—a true test of skill.
Take Nara Shikanei, for example. His opponent was Shikaboshi Nara, the head of the Anbu. Shikaboshi was a veteran elite, a seasoned Kage Level fighter; who in Konoha didn't know how powerful he was? But that day, when Nara Shikanei stepped onto the field, his aura was like a beast unleashed from its cage. Shikaboshi was initially full of confidence, but in just a few moves, he was subdued by Nara Shikanei. Shikaboshi Nara's expression at that moment was one of wide-eyed disbelief, his mouth agape, muttering, "Impossible, impossible, how can this kid be so strong? He's Super Kage Level fighter, isn't he?" But the fact remains, Nara Shikanei became the head of the Anbu so easily.
Then look at Hatake Sakumo, whose opponent was Masataka Hatake. Masataka Hatake a legendary figure in the White Tiger Corps, with countless merits. Many people wanted to take the position of legion commander from him, but none succeeded. But Hatake Sakumo's performance that day was simply a miracle. The moment he stepped onto the field, his speed and power were completely beyond Masataka Hatake's ability to handle. When Masataka Hatake was defeated, he was completely stunned. He stood there for a long time before he came to his senses, muttering, "This is my son, he's reached the strength of Super Kage Level expert! In just three years, this child, how did this child learn so much! How could he have such strength in swordsmanship without decades of honing his skills?"
Needless to say, Might Duy was even more formidable. After being accepted as a disciple by Tsubasa, he directly became the Taijutsu instructor at the Kage Academy. The day he demonstrated his Taijutsu, his movements and aura were simply like those of a human beast. Might Duy's opponent was none other than Chen Shenji, the old Taijutsu instructor of the Kage Academy, but Might Duy's first move completely stunned the old man. The old instructor shook his head, saying, "How is this possible? This Taijutsu is close to the Dao! From now on, this old fellow should devote himself entirely to forging."
Those who held high positions were all incredibly capable. Hyuga Reon defeated Hyuga Tensei and became the commander of the Kirin Corps. Gekko Kenshichi defeated Asuka Nobumoto and became the head of the Scientific Research Department. Kurama Satsuki became the head of the Sealing Department, and Uzuki Nozomi and Asuka Iwata became the leaders of the Medical Department and the Pill Department, respectively. Each of these events left the people of Konoha utterly astonished.
Those defeated seniors were all stunned, as if struck by lightning. When Hyuga Tensei was defeated by Hyuga Reon, he was completely dumbfounded. He stood there for a long time before finally managing to utter, "This child, how did this child train? How come I didn't notice anything at all?" Asuka Nobumoto was also filled with disbelief when he was defeated by Gekko Kenshichi. He looked at Gekko Kenshichi, repeatedly saying, "This is impossible, this is impossible! How can scientific research ability be developed overnight? How did this child learn scientific knowledge?"
These things, while unbelievable to their predecessors, also earned their complete respect. Because each of these young people possessed genuine talent. They didn't rely on connections or luck, but on their absolute abilities to defeat their predecessors and win these positions.
Hokage Tsubasa's move was truly brilliant. He wanted the clans and villagers of Konoha to understand that as long as their children were skilled enough, they could enter the Kage Academy and become high-ranking members of Konoha. This news quickly spread throughout the village. The clans of Konoha suddenly went crazy, desperately trying to train their children. They believed that as long as they sent their children to the Kage Academy, they could change the fate of their clans.
The villagers are the same; they now have two goals: to have more children and to raise them well so they can be sent to the Kage Academy. Walking through the streets of Konoha, you can hear villagers discussing this everywhere. Some say, "My child has started practicing Taijutsu now, hoping to get into the Kage Academy someday." Others say, "I need to buy my child more books so he can learn more; maybe he'll become the head of the Scientific Research Department someday."
The Kage Academy suddenly became incredibly sacred in the hearts of the Konoha. Now, the Kage Academy was like a mysterious temple in their eyes. Everyone knew that as long as you could get in, you could become an elite of Konoha. Parents began to do everything they could to give their children access to the best resources and the best teachers. Some families even started hiring private tutors to specifically guide their children.
The old clan leaders also began to take things seriously. They started to re-examine their clans, looking for children with potential. They felt that if they could cultivate more students for the Kage Academy, each one would be a source of pride for their clan. Now, the clans of Konoha were secretly competing to see whose child could enter the Kage Academy first.
The changes in Konoha this year have been truly remarkable. Everyone was awestruck by the graduates of the Kage Academy. Those children proved the prestige of the Kage Academy with their own abilities. Now, everyone in Konoha is working hard, striving to get their own children into the Kage Academy. This passion, this fervor, has truly ignited the entire village.
Now, everyone in Konoha is looking forward to this year's graduates from the Kage Academy. They want to know if these kids will be even more amazing than the last batch.
Uzumaki Ashina spoke up then, a mysterious smile on his face, "You old folks, it seems you're still a bit unwilling to admit defeat! The biggest secret of the Kage Academy was actually arranged personally by me and Tsubasa. The secrecy is simply because resources are limited, only enough for the students of the Kage Academy. It's a place that can fully develop the students' potential, making them pillars of Konoha. Revealing too much will only arouse covetousness and resentment. You older generation have long since exhausted your potential; entering the Kage Academy wouldn't be of much use to you."
Dō Senju couldn't help but laugh out loud, "A bunch of old guys, coveting every good thing. That guy, Tsubasa, takes everything good he can get his hands on. The Kage Academy was established to cultivate the next generation of Konoha. You're all old, it's time to retire and make way for younger, more promising people, making Konoha a better place. Isn't that good?"
Everyone listened in silence for a while. Finally, Chozan Akimichi sighed, "Alas, Boss Tong is right. We old guys really should make way for the young people. However, I still feel that the kids shouldn't be too overworked. We need to think of a way to nurture them while ensuring they can grow up happily."
Dō Senju smiled with satisfaction, "That's more like it! We need to create a good environment for the children so they can grow freely. The Kage Academy is a place to cultivate super geniuses, but true geniuses are one in a million. What's the future for the other children? So the Kage Academy isn't the only way out. We need to let the children know that whatever they choose, Konoha will fully support them."
After hearing what Dō Senju said, everyone nodded. Although they were still a little unwilling, they all understood that the Mirai of Konoha ultimately depended on these children. What they, the old folks, should do was pave the way for the children so that they could run freely.