Chapter 12: Ninja School Graduation
News of Konoha White Fang spread quickly throughout the Konoha Village, as if within a few days, many people knew about it. However, the villagers' discussions were all 'censored' and varied, much like gossip.
In taverns, restaurants, and casual street chats, it seemed Konoha White Fang's matter had become the 'hot gossip' of Konoha Village.
When Hyuga Mirai returned to the clan, he was called by Kiyomi to practice Gentle Fist. Even though Hyuga Mirai's talent in Medical Ninjutsu was enough for him to develop in the direction of a Medical Ninja, Kiyomi still used the reason that 'a guard's strength cannot be too weak' to have Hyuga Mirai accompany her in practicing Gentle Fist.
Bang!
Boom!
Boom!
Hyuga Mirai once again 'barely' held on for a period against Kiyomi before being defeated; however, this time he was more focused. After Kiyomi used Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms, he still managed to block for more than twenty moves before falling.
After all, Hyuga Mirai was also a genius in Class B, and he often took leave under the guise of training. It would be strange if he didn't make any progress.
"Still can't beat you, Kiyomi-sama."
After being struck down by a palm, Hyuga Mirai sat on the ground and did not immediately get up; acting was both a skill and a physical task, especially in front of a Hyuga Jonin. If Hyuga Mirai's understanding of Gentle Fist wasn't better than Kiyomi's, and he hadn't deliberately allowed himself to be hit several times, he probably would have been exposed.
Kiyomi slowly exhaled, then, with a stern little face, told Hyuga Mirai, "Although you've made some progress, you still need to train harder."
"Yes, I understand, Kiyomi-sama." Hyuga Mirai readily agreed, then said with some distress, "However, Medical Ninjutsu takes up most of my time, so it seems the gap between Kiyomi-sama and me will only grow wider in the future."
Upon hearing Hyuga Mirai's words, Kiyomi didn't know what to say. Her grandfather, Fourth Elder, supported Hyuga Mirai's development as a Medical Ninja. With Hyuga Mirai's talent and the Hyuga Clan's influence, he might even secure a position as a hospital vice-director or director in the future.
At that time, the Hyuga Clan's influence in Konoha Village would increase significantly, a fact Kiyomi was also aware of.
"Speaking of which, Kiyomi-sama, do you know about Konoha White Fang's situation?"
During their break, Hyuga Mirai picked up a cup of tea and slowly took a sip, then asked; drinking tea within the Hyuga Clan was not a quick affair. One had to follow etiquette and slowly savor the tea; even a slight sound of gulping would invite a scolding.
Kiyomi, upon hearing Hyuga Mirai's question, gracefully set down her teacup, then straightened her posture and replied, "Why are you interested in that?"
"These past few days when I've been out, I always hear many villagers discussing Konoha White Fang."
Kiyomi shook her head slightly and said, "Those matters are unrelated to our Hyuga Clan."
"I'm just curious about how much loss Konoha White Fang's failed mission caused the Land of Fire."
Kiyomi said, "Don't think about it. The contents of an S-rank mission are known only to Third Hokage. Even the Jonin Squad Leader isn't privy to them; even if the mission fails, not a single detail related to it will be disclosed externally."
"Konoha White Fang, he's unlucky. The person he saved actually bit him back. The higher-ups could only do this, hmph!"
When Kiyomi said this, Hyuga Mirai was slightly surprised in his heart. He had always thought this main family young lady was a dull girl who only knew how to train, but he didn't expect her to have such insight.
Konoha White Fang was indeed a pity.
Suddenly, many villagers were discussing it, but they didn't know the specific details, only that Konoha White Fang's actions had caused immense losses to the Land of Fire; however, Konoha White Fang was on an S-rank mission, and such high-level missions had strict gag orders, even the Hyuga Clan couldn't obtain specific intelligence.
But it suddenly spread throughout the village, and even the villagers participated in the discussion.
At this time, nearing war, even if Third Kazekage hadn't gone missing yet, the tense atmosphere at the border, Hyuga Mirai didn't believe Konoha's higher-ups hadn't received intelligence.
At this time, was it true or false that the Land of Fire suffered heavy losses, widely publicized in the village?
If it was true, then this behavior was too foolish, openly letting the villagers know that the Land of Fire suffered heavy losses, so how could spies from other countries not know?
If it was false, then Konoha White Fang was truly wronged; within a few days, almost all the villagers were cursing him.
But it's not entirely wrong; to stir up such a massive rumor within Konoha that even the Security Force couldn't control, only a few people could have done it.
"Don't think about this matter; it has nothing to do with our Hyuga Clan."
Kiyomi shook her head and said, although she knew about Konoha White Fang's situation from her grandfather's explanation, it was precisely because of this that she felt disgusted; to understand politics, one must first understand politics. Her grandfather explained Konoha White Fang's predicament in detail, and Kiyomi genuinely felt it was not worth it for him.
"Next month, I plan to apply for the graduation exam. By then, I might form a Ninja squad with those graduating at the same time."
Hyuga Mirai exclaimed, "That early?"
"It's not early. Kakashi has become a Chunin." Kiyomi said with a somewhat firm tone, "And your talent in Medical Ninjutsu has inspired many people. To surpass you and Kakashi, one can only become a Ninja as early as possible."
"I have nothing to surpass, and it's better to stay in the Ninja School for a while longer."
Hyuga Mirai shook his head and said, at the age of seven or eight, already thinking about leaving the village to kill people, ninjas truly are a group of lunatics.
Kiyomi looked at Hyuga Mirai with dissatisfaction and calmly said, "You will also graduate then, and form the same squad with me!"
"I have to graduate too? But didn't Lord Sosuke want me to go to Konoha Hospital?"
Kiyomi calmly interrupted Hyuga Mirai, saying, "I asked my grandfather. He will talk to Third Hokage to have you and me form the same squad. Although you are very talented in Medical Ninjutsu, don't let your strength fall behind. After forming a Genin squad, you can still go to Konoha Hospital."
Then I really thank the young lady.
Hyuga Mirai sighed in his heart, his plan interrupted again, but the expression on his face remained unchanged, and he calmly agreed.
There were many geniuses in Hyuga Mirai's class. Many of them, after two years of schooling, had the strength of Genin and were eligible to graduate.
Moreover, with the inspiration from Kakashi and Hyuga Mirai, although Hyuga Mirai showed talent as a Medical Ninja, having such a medical standard at the age of seven made other Clans even more envious.
Kakashi graduated and became a Genin in one year, then became a Chunin the next year; Hyuga Mirai interned at Konoha Hospital and learned B-rank Medical Ninjutsu in less than two years, gaining the strength of a Medical Chunin.
If they continued to fool around in the Ninja School, they would probably be overshadowed by the reputation of these two for the rest of their lives. This was completely unacceptable to those in Class A who considered themselves geniuses.
So, a few months later, several more people applied to graduate from the Ninja School; five succeeded, one failed.
Uchiha Tekka, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Kiyomi, and Shiranui Genma successfully graduated, while Uchiha Obito failed the graduation exam.
Among them, Uchiha Tekka was a fourth-year student, while the other four were students who had just attended Nin school for two years.