Lin Mo was, of course, unaware that the Chunin had already labeled him as "not doing his job properly." But even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. The facts would always prove who was wrong and who was right.
Besides, he didn't need their approval.
The day after graduation, Lin Mo received a notice: the teams had been formed. Lin Mo picked up his unfinished sniper rifle, which was still in a rudimentary stage, and headed to the Ninja Academy.
He had just settled down when a middle-aged man walked in. "Is Lin Mo here? Come with me." His vest indicated his identity: a Jonin.
"Wow, a Jonin!"
"Lin Mo's instructor is a Jonin..."
"I'm so jealous."
While the other students were hoping to be as lucky as Lin Mo and get a Jonin as their instructor, the Jonin fell silent. He simply watched as Lin Mo, unhurried, walked out, carrying the gun barrel. The Jonin couldn't help but frown. Although he had been told about this beforehand, seeing it in person gave him an indescribable sense of strangeness.
The Jonin took Lin Mo to the rooftop, where two other Genin were already waiting. He had Lin Mo sit down next to them, then stood in front and said softly, "Starting today, I am your Jonin instructor... My name is Inuzuka Akaio, and I am a Taijutsu-type ninja. The fact that a Jonin is leading your team means that the three of you are among the most outstanding students in the Ninja Academy."
Inuzuka Akaio looked at them, took a deep breath, and said softly, "Now, introduce yourselves: your name and what you're good at."
Lin Mo didn't speak. He turned his head to look at the other two.
A boy with a Byakugan, who was already wearing his forehead protector, spoke first. "My name is Hinata Tokuma. I specialize in the Gentle Fist Taijutsu, and my Byakugan is active, so I can be considered a reconnaissance-type ninja."
Lin Mo nodded thoughtfully. Having a Byakugan user on his team was a good thing for him. His current level of technology was still at Sequence Two. Although he had high-range weapons like a sniper rifle, the system had kindly provided him with the blueprints for a high-powered scope. However, his weapons still didn't have "auto-tracking" functionality, which Lin Mo believed would likely only be available in Sequence Three or even Four. So, he needed a spotter, and a Byakugan user would be an excellent one.
Seeing that Lin Mo didn't intend to speak, the other ninja spoke slowly. "My name is Hatake Kousuke. I'm also a Taijutsu-type ninja, and I specialize in Kenjutsu."
A Byakugan user, a reconnaissance ninja, and a ninja from the Hatake clan... Lin Mo's eyes narrowed slightly. This was not a common team composition. He also recalled his answers on the written exam. It seemed Konoha's plan was to train this team to be a raid-type squad.
The other three all turned their attention to Lin Mo. Lin Mo slowly began, "My name is Lin Mo. I'm a ninja tool-type ninja, specializing in long-range elimination."
All three looked at Lin Mo with astonishment. Long-range elimination... this was a type of ninja they had never heard of. Inuzuka Akaio was especially confused. This was completely different from what he had been told. The Ninja Academy said Lin Mo was an extremely intelligent and strategic ninja, like someone from the Nara clan. If the circumstances weren't so special, a ninja from the Nara clan should have been leading this team.
So what was going on? He was saying he was a ninja tool-type ninja who specialized in long-range elimination?
Inuzuka Akaio was silent for a moment. "What ninja tools do you specialize in?"
"Just some small gadgets I made myself." Lin Mo held up his gun barrel and shook it.
"What do they do?" Inuzuka Akaio asked with a patient frown.
Lin Mo narrowed his eyes and said softly, "With the Byakugan's coordination, it can eliminate enemies from one kilometer away."
Inuzuka Akaio gasped. "Is that true?"
Lin Mo shrugged. "Of course, it is."
Inuzuka Akaio nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, I'll give you a day off. We'll have a training exercise tomorrow to see what your true capabilities are. In three days, we'll be going to the battlefield."
Hinata Tokuma and Hatake Kousuke were clearly mentally prepared. They were from major clans, so it was not unusual for them to have received this information in advance.
Lin Mo yawned, and after Inuzuka Akaio left, he also turned to leave. He wasn't afraid that the people of Konoha would try to study the equipment he made. With the help of the system, his equipment could not be used by anyone unless they had his approval.