Yubi had expected that the Village's higher-ups would try to control him.
But he didn't expect it to be so soon... "With only this much strength, they're already anxious for a 'response'... I thought they'd at least wait until I got a bit stronger before acting. They really haven't seen much of the world, have they?"
"Then again, someone like me shouldn't have appeared in Sunagakure in the first place... Suddenly giving them such high expectations and surprises... To them, it must feel like they've never fought such a well-funded war before, to the point where even their 'maneuvers' are getting sloppy."
Yubi gave a mocking smile and shook his head helplessly.
One must know, he had hidden a large portion of his strength from the outside world, believing he hadn't yet reached the point where the higher-ups would need to 'test' him.
Whether it was the Kazekage or other higher-ups, they were like a certain type of parent, filled with a desire to control their children.
If the child was disobedient, they wouldn't just be worried; they might even resort to a double kidnapping of both morals and emotions.
This kind... was different from Danzo's.
But it still carried a bit of Danzo's shadow... Thinking this, Yubi began to pack his things.
Originally, he had planned to stay in the Village for a while, mainly to practice Hand Seals and continue working at the Village hospital. He wanted to see if, after nearly two years, he could once again make some progress in the Village's medical System. This time, what he wanted to do wasn't to improve the medical level, but to start with the System and regulations.
Furthermore... he wanted to find a way to revitalize the economy.
The current 'lifeless' state of Sunagakure... truly lacked any vitality for reconstruction.
Part of the reason Rasa would be able to take power in the future was related to his Bloodline Limit. While gold dust couldn't be used as a common currency, it was a hard currency in terms of resources... it could bring some assets to Sunagakure to exchange for other supplies.
Without Rasa, the situation of Sunagakure in the original story would only have been worse.
Solving some economic issues... was also to attract the attention of the Land of Wind's Daimyo.
At the same time, it would cut off part of the support Rasa would rely on to become Kazekage in the future.
However, now that a mission had suddenly come up... these things would have to be put aside.
After packing, Yubi went straight to a Village institution to borrow some materials related to Hand Seals, including cultivation notes left by Seniors. Unlike ninjutsu scrolls, these items could be taken out as long as one remembered to return them.
Yubi wanted to improve his level with Hand Seals.
Even if he couldn't achieve one-handed seals, he could at least simplify the execution of Hand Seals to make the Chakra response speed faster.
As his strength grew... especially after understanding the nature of the battlefield, Yubi realized more and more that to establish oneself in the Ninja World, one's personal combat power should ideally be excellent in all aspects. It wasn't that one couldn't have weaknesses... but rather, with fewer weaknesses, there would be fewer disadvantages for enemies to exploit during battle for targeted strikes.
"If I have the chance... I should also visit that Dragon Vein site in the Land of Wind."
Yubi thought.
The Dragon Vein was also a type of energy.
Perhaps... it could make up for his weakness of not having much Chakra.
Like Kisame, he could become a human-form Tailed Beast.
Of course, to achieve this goal, he would also need the help of the System.
It wasn't that his Chakra amount was small; his Chakra reserves, if not the best of his generation, were even stronger than many adults. After all, his physical strength and cell activity were very high, and his Mental Energy wasn't weak... He said it was "little" because some of the methods he used, especially his Blood Release, had a very high demand for Chakra consumption.
Afterward, Yubi changed into a backpack filled with many books and headed straight for the Village's Ninja Academy.
Although he had to lead a team and fight against the Hidden Mist... during the mission, if he had free time, Yubi still intended to properly study the materials he had collected from the Village.
Learning is endless... sometimes... getting stronger can be addictive... "Teacher Murayo!"
Arriving at the Ninja Academy, before Yubi could even enter, several people led by the principal came out to greet him.
They had clearly received notice from the higher-ups.
Seeing one of them, Yubi immediately bowed in greeting.
Takebe Murayo... this somewhat thin man with spiky hair was Yubi's 'homeroom teacher' when he was in school.
He was a Chunin.
"Yubi... hahaha, long time no see!"
Murayo also greeted him with a sigh and a smile.
Who would have thought that the kid who walked out of the school back then would become the Village's 'focal figure' in just over three years?
Three years was neither long nor short.
But of the students who were in the same class as Yubi and graduated at the same time... only a small fraction were still alive today.
"Yubi... you're no longer a newcomer, so don't call me teacher anymore. Just call me by my name." Seeing Yubi greet him first and so warmly in front of the principal and others, Murayo was naturally beaming with pride, feeling a sense of superiority.
As a teacher, being able to teach a student like Yubi was enough to brag about for a lifetime.
Even though... Yubi's growth didn't have much to do with him.
But at least he could claim some credit.
"How could I do that... you will always be my teacher."
Yubi smiled.
He was serious about this; even if Murayo wasn't very skilled, he had taken good care of Yubi while he was in school.
And he was also good friends with his father.
The other teachers glanced at Murayo with some envy, thinking to themselves that this guy had struck gold back then by 'picking up' a treasure like Yubi; otherwise... hmph.
Then, Yubi followed the group back through the school gates and toward the office building.
During this time, many students close to Yubi's age came to watch, their gazes filled with curiosity and admiration.
A group of little ones were whispering and pointing, making it very lively.
According to Murayo, in the current Ninja Academy, he and Sasori had become 'role models' for many students... though his popularity certainly far exceeded Sasori's.
Among the fans, girls were the majority.
As for Sasori's fans... most were boys dedicated to becoming Puppeteers.
Yubi also waved amiably to the crowd... putting on no airs.
He had come for official business and didn't have much time to stay at the school, so after entering the building with the principal and several teachers, he directly pulled up the academic records of several individuals.
These people were the students he was to lead.
"Hmm?"
After looking through them, Yubi was somewhat surprised.
Generally speaking, as a squad's instructor, one would lead a three-person class.
Like him and Sasori, they were specifically arranged by the Kazekage to be led by Arai.
But right now, although there were three sets of files in his hands...
...the principal stated that he was to lead four people.
There was one more person... who wasn't a fresh graduate.
Yubi's surprise was because he saw a name he was more than familiar with: Pakura.
"These three people must have been reassigned from other instructors, right?" Yubi asked with a smile.
"Yes... the instructors for this batch had already been arranged, and some had even started missions, but because of you, the Village specifically made some adjustments." The principal nodded.
Yubi realized.
Besides Pakura, the other two students were not of commoner origin either... they were all descendants of the higher-ups.
It seemed the Village wanted him to personally Cultivate them.
"Do they think they can learn something by following me?"
Yubi speculated.
"What about the last person?"
Yubi said.
Knock, knock.
Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.
Then, another person Yubi knew walked in.
A gentle yet slightly awkward smile was on his face.
"Hehe... Hello, Teacher Yubi. From now on, I am your student. Please take care of me."
Upon entering and greeting everyone, Yashamaru directly gave Yubi a ninety-degree bow, speaking with respect and sincerity.
"..."
Yubi.
The moment he saw Yashamaru, Yubi understood.
This must be Grandmother Chiyo's arrangement.
As a fellow Medical Ninja who already had plenty of mission experience, Yashamaru... could not possibly be his student.
Because Yashamaru's seniority was above his own, and he was older.
"They've really crammed everyone they could... all onto me."
Yubi was momentarily speechless.
"Teacher Yubi... this is a bento my sister made herself; she asked me to bring it to you." After performing the formal bow, Yashamaru lifted the lunch box in his hand and said gently.
"Uh..."
Yubi gave a seemingly hearty laugh. "Thanks... I really am a bit... hungry."