Chapter 357: The Fifth Kazekage
The significance of the Combination Transformation to Sasuke lies in enhancing his advantages, which is very crucial.
Unlike other types of ninja, having an extra 10% or 5% of chakra or strength doesn't actually affect the outcome of the battle much. After all, most of the time, battles don't last until physical strength is completely exhausted, so a slightly smaller chakra amount is just the difference between being very tired and extremely tired after the battle ends.
But for high-speed combat ninja, speed is life. Being a step faster, even by a fraction of an inch, can affect the outcome of the battle in tiny increments, which is the difference between life and death!
Therefore, although the appearance was slightly cute and did not quite fit Sasuke's self-image, he still unreservedly delved into the Combination Transformation jutsu and eventually developed it into the Chidori Youkai Form.
For Moegi and Udon, the Combination Transformation with ninja cats was more about compensating for their shortcomings, equivalent to an extra life-saving trump card in battle; the direct increase in combat power, however, was not high.
After all, as genjutsu-type and ninjutsu-type ninja, they generally do not rely heavily on taijutsu for close-quarters offense.
Even so, such a jutsu was already a very valuable asset to them.
After all, the two of them were different from their teacher.
Haruno Sakura had entered the high-levels' sight since the Ninja Academy and was widely recognized as a ninjutsu genius—of course, if you ask any high-level official now, no one would admit that they were not optimistic about Haruno Sakura back then, and only invested resources in her out of respect for the Third Hokage and the idea of raising a new civilian genius to motivate others.
As for Udon and Moegi, they couldn't always mooch off Konohamaru's ninjutsu!
As civilian ninja, without background or resources, and unlike Haruno Sakura, who started creating her own ninjutsu in the Ninja Academy and was highly talented, the resources they could get would naturally not be too much.
The Combination Transformation jutsu is easy to talk about, it's just an extension of the Transformation Jutsu; excellent summoning beasts are the key.
In the entire Konoha, those who can summon decent ninja beasts basically have a background. The Ninja Cat clan is very short of contractors, but not just anyone can sign a contract with them. Without the favor of Haruno Sakura and Sasuke, it would be difficult for two ordinary ninja with no special characteristics and no obvious future potential to even get involved with them.
Haruno Sakura had really put a lot of effort into teaching them.
Konoha's ninja training mechanism is like this.
An ordinary civilian ninja gains most of their knowledge in two stages throughout their life: The first stage is Ninja Academy training, where Chunin like Iruka will diligently teach the children. They are very conscientious, and the basic knowledge is solid, but to be honest, Iruka and others can't pay close attention to every student with a class of dozens, and the academy teachers may not know the more in-depth knowledge.
The second stage is after graduating from the Ninja Academy, where they will receive one-on-three specialized guidance from a squad leader. Students with average graduation results will be assigned to Tokubetsu Jonin or even Chunin teachers, while excellent children will meet Jonin squad leaders, or even Elite Jonin teachers like Kakashi or Haruno Sakura. In this stage, they will receive specialized guidance from their squad leader on both psychology and strength until all members are promoted to Chunin before disbanding.
This is the time when most ninja grow the fastest in their lives, directly affecting their future achievements; but how much they can learn also depends on whether the squad leader is responsible and whether their compatibility is good.
In short, the type of squad leader they can meet depends on their graduation results; thus, it can be seen that even in the ninja world, studying hard and improving grades is very important—unless your father is the highest leader. However, even that blond boy was a very hardworking person, and his poor grades were only because the cheat was counteracting...
Some ninja with potential or background will have a third stage after leaving their squad leader: apprenticeship.
Apprenticing to a strong person to learn all his ninjutsu, inherit his mantle and even political philosophy, just like Haruno Sakura apprenticed to Tsunade; the inheritance of the Hokage line is almost all done through apprenticeship. In this one-on-one guidance, the master will wholeheartedly pass on his most proud and private jutsu, help the disciple tailor their combat system, and at the same time, pass on his ideals and beliefs to the disciple.
Disciples taught in this way naturally achieve extraordinary things, and many are powerful figures of a time!
Finally, after becoming an official ninja, there is another way to grow, which is to apply to the higher-ups for ninjutsu information for self-study.
The level of ninjutsu that can be applied for depends on contribution and ninja rank. For example, the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu requires the Jonin level to apply for. However, relying solely on the secret scroll, the effect may not be good without specialized guidance; the two Anbu who came to Haruno Sakura to learn the Water Pistol Technique are examples of this.
Other fragmented ways include communication or transactions with friends and companions, guidance from family and relatives, spoils of war from missions, accidental gains from travels, and so on... various ways.
Family disciples are another matter.
They are equivalent to having their ninja path determined from birth.
Even a branch family disciple like Neji, who hated the main family, would obtain sufficient cultivation resources from the family. The guidance of the Ninja Academy and the squad leader is just a beneficial supplement for them, providing guidance for practical combat and helping psychological growth.
Of course, Sasuke's situation is an exception. His current apprenticeship to Kakashi, besides learning the application of the Sharingan, is more about receiving the inheritance of Konoha's White Fang's Lightning Style and sword technique.
Among Team Haruno Sakura, Konohamaru has the guidance of the Third Hokage, so Sakura doesn't need to worry; thus, the girl worries the most about Udon and Moegi.
This time Konohamaru shouldn't think she's biased... he was the one who didn't want the ninja cat contract.
The contracted ninja beast of the Sarutobi clan, the Monkey King Enma clan's monkeys, are characterized by their extremely tough bodies and great strength. When fully grown, they are virtually indestructible, able to contend with even the Kusanagi Sword!
Their racial special skill is transforming into a weapon, which is harder than ordinary weapons; Konohamaru can also use the Combination Transformation Jutsu to merge with the monkey, gaining extremely high defense and extremely strong power, combining offense and defense. This is a top-notch combat secret technique on the battlefield.
The only drawback is... the appearance will change to that of a monkey with a pointed mouth and sunken cheeks.
The Third Hokage's nickname "Monkey" came from this.
I hope Konohamaru is not a member of the Appearance Association!
When the two companions beside him have cute appearances, hopefully Konohamaru won't feel out of place with them.
When Sasuke walked to the gates of Konoha, he saw the girl squatting on the highest point of the Konoha gate, basking lazily in the sun like a cat, squinting her eyes, with a hazy little smile on her face.
She was contemplating the affairs of her three subordinates.
He stopped at the bottom of the gate. The morning sun shone on the girl's perfect profile. With Sasuke's eyesight, he could even clearly see the faint fluorescent fuzz on Sakura's face reflected by the sunlight.
"Hey, time to go," the black-haired boy said.
"...I was also a Jinchuriki once controlled by hatred and power. In everyone's eyes, I was just a terrifying weapon, envied and feared... I once lived alone and painfully until someone woke me up..."
"...After that, I understood that loneliness is the greatest pain. I started trying not to avoid it, wanting to change myself, wanting to change my lonely life, wanting to gain bonds with my companions, wanting to gain everyone's approval, wanting to stop being a lonely person... From then on, I began to strive for the goal of Kazekage as a Sand ninja, hoping to become someone everyone needs..."
"...At first, change was painful, and not being accepted after changing was even more painful. But I knew that if I just waited bitterly without making an effort, greater pain would await me later. I am unfortunate, but also lucky, because I have siblings, relatives, and friends who have always supported me, because my change and efforts were not in vain, because I finally gained everyone's recognition and ultimately stand here!"
"...From today onwards, Gaara's meaning to the village, to everyone, is no longer the Asura of hell, no longer a terrifying weapon!"
"But the Kazekage of the Sand Village, who can protect the village and everyone!"
"...Thank you all."
On the stage, the red-haired boy took off the Kazekage hat and bowed to everyone.
His eyes shone brightly.
Below the stage, cheers and applause resounded throughout the Sand Village!
"Gaara, Gaara!" "Lord Kazekage!" Such spontaneous shouts lasted for a full dozen minutes before stopping.
Gaara's heartfelt and sincere speech infected many people, and even Haruno Sakura below the stage was a little moved.
"Gaara is quite popular in your village now," Sakura blinked and whispered to Temari who was standing beside her.
"People around our age all like him," Temari said, her pretty face full of smiles. "Because he is strong, cool, handsome, and also very gentle. Many girls admire him."
"Relatively, there are still many old fogeys in the village who don't like Gaara," Kankurō said in a deep voice from the side. "To gain everyone's respect and recognition, Kazekage is just the starting point. Gaara still has a long way to go!"
"However, I believe he will succeed!" Kankurō turned his head, a faint smile visible under the thick makeup.
"Well done, Gaara," Sasuke also interjected. "That brat Naruto yells about becoming the Hokage every day, but he's still a Genin! On the contrary, Gaara became the Kazekage quietly."
The three immediately laughed.
With the efficiency of ninja, such an important ceremony as the inauguration would not be too lengthy, ending before lunchtime. However, the position of Kazekage had been vacant for a year, and everyone was a little panicked. Now that a very strong and seemingly reliable ninja finally took the position of Kazekage, many people felt that a heavy burden in their hearts had finally been lifted, and the excited emotions probably wouldn't dissipate for the entire day.
In the afternoon, Haruno Sakura and Sasuke were finally able to meet Gaara, who had finished his trivial matters.
This was also the first time they met Gaara as the Kazekage, and not as their friend.
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