"I'll bring up the rear!"
"Covering the retreat should of course be done by me, the team leader."
(Being the decoy should of course be done by me, the Hokage.)
"Kakashi, from now on you are the team leader."
(Monkey, from now on you are the Hokage.)
"The intelligence will be entrusted to you for protection."
(The village will be entrusted to you for protection.)
In the Hokage's office, as the boy's clear and resolute voice in the crystal ball spoke those words that felt so familiar, a scene that had been carved deep into the Third Hokage's soul—unfathomably vivid, unfathomably intense—surged up without warning.
For that instant, the calm yet resolute profile of the black-haired boy in the curtain of rain overlapped astonishingly with the face in his memories—his teacher's final look back.
A tremendous sense of disorientation drowned the Third Hokage, as if the barrier of time had been pierced through at this very moment.
Only after a long while did he slowly—extremely slowly—draw in a breath, close his eyes, and steady the stormy waves surging within him.
Sensible since childhood, raised in an orphanage, he took the initiative to help with chores and to look after even younger children.
Friendly to others, caring toward his companions, running errands for nearby elderly people, helping the neighbors, and getting along well with his classmates.
Knowing gratitude and repaying it: with the meager income he earned from working, he did not forget to give back to the orphanage that had raised him, and he held a banquet to thank the teacher who had taught him swordsmanship…
Information of all kinds about that child flickered through the Third's mind like fragments.
A moment later, the Third Hokage opened his eyes again, and his gaze had returned to its usual depth and clarity.
His eyes fell on the surface of the desk, where there lay an application report that had been delivered this afternoon: a formal document in which a Ninja Academy student applied to learn the Shadow Clone Technique.
He picked up his pen and neatly wrote [Approved] in large letters.
The tip of the pen paused for a moment. He felt that this still did not seem to be enough.
So beneath "Approved," he added another line of instruction:
[Discretion may be applied to, outside the standard ninjutsu archive access permissions, additionally open some practical B-rank and C-rank ninjutsu for the student to choose from and study as encouragement. The specific list shall be discussed and drafted by the Academic Affairs Office and the student's instructor.]
After writing this sentence, he pondered for a few seconds and felt that it was still insufficient.
[Additionally: if this student encounters difficulties in the course of study, an application may be submitted through the instructor to arrange suitable personnel to provide regular or specialized guidance. I will keep an eye on this matter.]
After finishing the final stroke, the Third Hokage gently set the report aside, his gaze once more turning toward the rain outside the window, which was gradually easing.
…
Some time later, the weekend arrived.
Konoha's Fourth Training Ground, early morning light just beginning to break.
Shinichi was carrying out basic physical training—push-ups.
His movements were standard and steady. Each descent and rise carried a clear rhythm of exertion, sweat continuously dripping down from his chin and neck, spreading into darkened marks on the ground beneath him.
At this moment, he was not carrying a massive stone on his back as he usually did. Instead, he wore a close-fitting, dark-colored weighted training outfit. Several metallic hard blocks engraved with faint runic markings were additionally bound to his limbs and waist.
This was professional weighted equipment he had carefully selected from the ninja tools shop, similar in style to what Rock Lee would later use.
After realizing how demanding the conditions for generating a blue-grade Entry were—requiring an impact that affected the entirety of Konoha and produced a shocking effect, and very likely needing recognition from highly influential core figures—he adjusted his strategy.
Eye-catching, exaggerated behavior was no longer the priority. At the current stage, efficiency was the key.
Equipment that could apply load more evenly and more scientifically produced better results for his present physical conditioning.
Around him were scattered seven figures identical to him in appearance and clothing—Shadow Clones.
Some of these Shadow Clones were practicing water-walking to train chakra control; some were holding long swords and practicing swordsmanship; others had picked up scrolls and were studying them intently.
For Shinichi, who now possessed the all-around leap in learning efficiency granted by [Genius], the increased speed of mental processing from [Quick-Witted], and the slight enhancement to ninja aptitude provided by the [Ninja Academy Student] profession, once he obtained a scroll, he only needed to read it once to learn it.
Chakra originated from the fusion of physical energy and spiritual energy. Shinichi's body and mind—especially his body—were already formidable under the reinforcement of multiple Entries. If he went all out, he could create slightly more than ten Shadow Clones.
However, doing so placed too heavy a burden on him. In pursuit of a more sustainable and more efficient auxiliary training effect, he currently maintained only seven or eight clones.
Everything was progressing according to plan, and in some aspects even exceeded expectations.
Not long ago, he received the Academy's official notice: the approval of his application to learn the Shadow Clone Technique.
And when he received the distributed ninjutsu scroll, he discovered that its contents were not limited to the Shadow Clone Technique alone. Inside the scroll were also recorded several other practical Konoha-style body techniques and sword techniques, as well as one B-rank and several C-rank Fire Release ninjutsu.
This made Shinichi realize that his actions at the cemetery that day must have been observed by the Third Hokage—especially the final words he spoke, which aligned perfectly with the core intent of the Second Hokage's last testament and must have deeply moved him.
As a result, his application not only passed smoothly, but also earned him something extra.
Over the years, through various actions, Shinichi had indeed been shaping a carefully crafted image—beyond merely generating Entries: mature and sensible, kind in character, diligent and hardworking, and mindful of repaying kindness.
An orphaned genius with a clean background, impeccable lineage, emerging talent, and a temperament that appeared pure and upright was, without question, exactly to the liking of Konoha's upper echelon.
Even someone like Shimura Danzō might privately mock such naïveté, yet he would never refuse having subordinates or associates of this reliable, controllable, and ideologically pure type.
Because even villains hope that the people around them are good people.
Looking at it now, this long-term shaping of his image had undoubtedly been a success. It had led the Third Hokage to make up his mind to list him as a key target for focused nurturing.
Just as they had once discovered and nurtured Namikaze Minato, Konoha's leadership was more than willing to notice, support, and bring into their inner circle talented individuals who were loyal, principled, and firmly rooted.
"The next Entry's upgrade focus should be on Tenacity."
As he continued doing push-ups, he focused his attention on the Tenacity Entry on his personal panel.
[Tenacity (White): Your body's endurance and recovery are superior to those of ordinary people. You can recover more quickly from blunt-force damage and possess a higher tolerance for pain.]
Going forward, the morning weighted-running training at the Academy would be replaced by public, high-intensity impact-resistance training, with his Shadow Clones striking his main body—ensuring that every student who arrived at school each morning would see him gritting his teeth under the blows, yet standing firm again and again.
At the same time, the [Foodie] Entry—which allowed rapid replenishment of consumption through food—also held strong potential for upgrading. Perhaps he could deliberately eat in large quantities during lunch breaks or between training sessions.
He would also keep an eye on events occasionally held in the village, such as big-eater competitions, and participate whenever possible—broadcasting the label of astonishing appetite and exceptional eating capacity.
With his thoughts now clearly organized, he completed his final set of push-ups and slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping across the training ground at the Shadow Clones still busily engaged in their respective tasks.
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