Konoha 41st year, April.
Almost a full year has passed since the disintegration of Hara Sakumo's team.
Shiraishi is one year older.
There is basically nothing to say about organizational matters, and it is developing steadily. Because we are in the primitive accumulation stage, we are cautious in everything we do.
The action takes place in some small countries and will not easily involve the scope of the five major countries.
Because of the words and deeds of the leader Shiraishi, everyone in the organization is well aware of this. When it comes to hiding, it can be said that they are better than others.
Solving the caged bird and gathering a Jonin subordinate like Hinata Shingo was also of great help to the organization.
Although he cannot show his face outside, the task of guarding the organization's headquarters is also a top priority.
After all, Shiraishi is very worried about that kind of strange white creature, which has very similar abilities to the general. It can move quickly among the mission objects, and ordinary sensory ninjutsu cannot sense their existence.
With the help of Byakugan, this problem can be avoided.
After all, no matter how you sneak and merge with the earth, you still use your body to move. Byakugan, a blood successor who can see the essence clearly, far surpasses the perceptive ninja in terms of observation ability.
And Shiraishi made a detailed comparison between the list of Hyuga split ninjas provided by Hyuga Shingo and the list of split ninjas provided by Ayane.
He found that among the Hyuga family divisions, the proportion of ninjas who were dissatisfied with the clan was different from what he expected.
Some of them have completely surrendered to the Zong family, and some are in a wait-and-see attitude and are not firm-willed, but most of the time they are inclined to the Zong family's decision.
What is left are the ninjas who are dissatisfied or very hostile to the clan. There are not a few such ninjas, but they are not too many.
Shiraishi has no intention of contacting these people now.
The more people there are, the greater the possibility of exposure. He doesn't want to be targeted by Konoha now.
This possibility is very low, but it must be prevented from happening.
Anyway, Konoha is not a bad place, and maybe you can find some useful seedlings.
The research on immortality has also made good progress. According to statistics, after these few months of hard work, the probability of success has increased again by a few percentage points.
During the rest of the time, Shiraishi still lived as a qualified Konoha ninja, doing research at home and working as a teaching assistant at school.
As a Konoha ninja, he is still very popular.
I just went to the police station and went on dates with Liuli more often.
Of course, it's a very innocent date.
◎
Around mid-April, Shiraishi walked briskly through the streets of Konoha.
It can be seen that he is in a good mood now.
Not just because today is Saturday, he doesn't have to go to the ninja school to be an assistant teacher and has free time to control his time.
"Hey, Kakashi, long time no see."
Shiraishi saw a familiar figure on the street.
A boy with silver hair.
He wore a mask on his face and carried a White Fang dagger exactly like the one used by Sakumo on his back.
This kid still admires his father so much.
"Isn't this Genin Shiraishi-senpai? Any advice?"
Kakashi turned around and replied calmly, without much fluctuation in his tone.
"When did you and Liuli learn to talk like this?"
Shiraishi put his hand on Kakashi's head and ravaged his silver hair, messing up the hairstyle before stopping.
"What?"
"Retaliation for what you said just now. You kid is really annoying, and you are nothing like Sakumo-sensei."
Shiraishi said frankly.
"So, what do you want from me? I don't believe this is just a chance encounter."
The Kakashi kid has learned to speak like an adult, holding a recent best-selling book in his hand, which he should have been reading with gusto while walking.
He put the book into his ninja bag and straightened his hair that was messed up by Shiraishi.
"How is life like a genin?"
He didn't explain his purpose, but was concerned about Kakashi's feelings after becoming a genin.
"What else can I do? The tasks are very simple. There is basically nothing to worry about."
Kakashi thought for a moment and expressed his thoughts very straightforwardly.
"You are really not humble at all."
Shiraishi patted Kakashi on the shoulder.
"Senior, it's time for you to explain your purpose of coming."
"Is Sakumo-sensei at home?"
"No, he went out on a mission and won't be back for a few days."
"What a shame."
Shiraishi sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"Today is my happy day."
Kakashi looked at Shiraishi with some confusion.
"Are you ready to get married? Who is your partner? Senior Ruri or Senior Ayane?"
"..."
"Isn't it?"
"Of course not, how could you even think of this?"
"Senior's words are too misleading."
Kakashi said helplessly.
Shiraishi had no choice but to take out a piece of paper from his ninja bag. It was a letter of appointment signed by the Hokage himself.
"Did you see that from today on, I am also a chuunin in the village?"
Looking at Shiraishi who was a little complacent, Kakashi also knew where his happiness came from.
Should this be something to be happy about?
Shouldn't it be sad?
The guy in your team is already a jounin. These hurtful words still hadn't come out of Kakashi's mouth.
"From today on, I am your superior."
Shiraishi said.
Kakashi sighed helplessly and took out a letter of appointment with a similar style from his ninja tool bag.
"Sorry, senior, I don't want to hurt you. Just this morning, I became a chuunin."
"..."
Shiraishi's smile froze on his face.
Then, he noticed something and looked at Kakashi in surprise.
"Wait a minute, Kakashi, you're only six years old, right? Are you a chuunin?"
There must be something wrong.
Only six years old.
When he was six years old, Shiraishi himself had just entered the ninja school.
Although Kakashi entered school at the age of four, which was regarded as early education, it was the first time in Konoha that he successfully graduated from the ninja school at the age of five in one year.
Now another year has passed and he has become a chuunin?
Shiraishi knew that Kakashi's strength was beyond that of his peers, but becoming a chuunin was not just about strength, it was the position of a team leader.
Qualified psychological quality and excellent leadership skills are top priorities.
"This is signed by Hokage-sama himself. Shiraishi-senpai thinks this is fake, and I have nothing to say."
"Oh, I originally wanted to show off."
Thinking that he didn't become a chuunin until he was seventeen years old, but Kakashi did this at the age of six.
I feel a little sorry for myself.
"As expected of Mr. Sakumo's child, it seems I can't treat you like a brat in the future."
Shiraishi laughed with emotion.
Kakashi was a little happy when he heard Shiraishi's praise, especially because he did not live up to his father's reputation.
"Then senior is here to find me..."
"Celebrating my becoming a chuunin, but now I should also celebrate your becoming a chuunin."
"..."
Just knew it was so.
However, just becoming a chuunin, what is there to celebrate?
But after all, the other person was one of his father's former subordinates, and they could talk to each other when they met each other. The relationship could be said to be relatively good, so Kakashi nodded in agreement.
Follow Shiraishi to a familiar barbecue restaurant.
Ruri and Tsunade were sitting there waiting. Next to Tsunade, there was a cute girl with short black hair, a little older than Kakashi.
"Ayane-senpai isn't here?"
Kakashi didn't see Ayane and couldn't help but become confused.
"She has something to do and can't come today, but it will be fine if the gift arrives."
"It's a pity that we can't see such a wonderful battle."
Kakashi said this.
Bai Shipi smiled but regretted bringing this brat here.
Just like when I was little, not cute at all.
"Hello Tsunade-nin."
Kakashi paid Tsunade respect before sitting down.
"I'm just waiting for you, but didn't that Sakumo guy come?"
Tsunade didn't see Sakumo's figure and asked aloud.
"He is performing a mission outside." Kakashi replied.
As he said that, he looked at the girl next to Tsunade.
"Who is this……"
"This is Shizune, she's a relative of mine."
Tsunade introduced with a smile.
Because today was Shiraishi's grand day to become a chuunin, it was a bit inappropriate to bring a couple of relatives and friends over, but she didn't worry about Shizune being alone at home, so she brought them here to have a meal.
Kakashi nodded to the girl named Shizune, who also smiled and nodded.
"Speaking of which, today is not only the day that I become a chuunin, but it is also the day that Kakashi becomes a chuunin."
Shiraishi smiled after sitting down.
After hearing this, everyone looked at Kakashi in great surprise, especially Shizune. She had just graduated from the ninja school, and this boy who looked a few years younger than her was already a chuunin.
"It's so long-winded."
Kakashi, who didn't want to attract attention at all, saw everyone's eyes focused on him, so he had to look away pretending not to care.
Fortunately, everyone also knows that Kakashi is a genius, and his father is the famous White Fang of Konoha. It is indeed incredible to become a Chuunin at the age of six, but since it is the Hokage's permission, it means that Kakashi is a qualified Chunin. Forbearance, there is no behind-the-scenes operation.
"Today's young people are really getting more and more frightened."
Tsunade glanced at Ruri sitting next to Shiraishi, feeling that it was putting a lot of pressure on herself.
Look at Kakashi again. Although he is young and immature, he already has the demeanor of his father Konoha White Fang, even more outstanding than his father when he was a child...
What a wealth of talent. Tsunade was happy for the future prosperity of the village, but she felt a little depressed when she thought about her current situation.
"Tsunade-sensei, what's wrong?"
Shiraishi was a little puzzled to see Tsunade in a bad mood.
"Ah, no, I'm just a little emotional."
Realizing her gaffe, Tsunade quickly adjusted her mentality from the loss.
"Suddenly I feel a bit embarrassed to celebrate you becoming a chuunin today. Kakashi has been a chuunin since he was six years old."
At this time Liuli said.
"But Liuli, when you were six years old, weren't you also a student in the ninja school like me?"
Shiraishi said this.
Then Shiraishi's face turned blue.
"Senior Shiraishi, are you okay?"
Kakashi glanced at Shiraishi, who was turning blue, and showed concern for him.
"Children don't have to worry about adults' matters."
Shiraishi knew that Kakashi asked this deliberately.
This kid is so hateful.
When you leave Konoha in the future, give him some color.
◎
Two days had passed since the incident, and basically no one paid attention to the fact that Shiraishi became a chuunin except for people with whom he was well connected.
On the contrary, Kakashi became a chuunin at the age of six, and gradually became known to the people in the village, who believed that the tiger father had no son.
Because of this, Kakashi has become what many parents call other people's children.
After that, Shiraishi also gave up the idea of being serious with Kakashi. Without showing his true strength, it would be impossible to surpass Kakashi in terms of the speed of promotion to the ninja level.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Kakashi was indeed one of the most talented ninjas he had ever seen.
After all, he is an adult and cannot interact with children.
——A few days had not passed since the days became dull, and that was what happened when Shiraishi was on his way to the garrison.
"Have you heard? It seems that the mission failed..."
"Yeah, it's outrageous that a ninja like him would give up on his mission..."
"It turns out that he is only at this level..."
"This kind of person is not worthy of being a ninja at all..."
Among the people communicating, there were civilians and ninjas. They gathered together and seemed to be talking carefully.
Shiraishi just glanced at them and didn't pay attention.
Just after walking a few steps, he saw the Uchiha ninja from the security team hurriedly walking over from another street.
Seeing the people from the security team coming, these civilians and ninjas immediately stopped talking and looked at the Uchiha ninjas from the security team with anxious expressions.
The people from the security team just stared at these people with cold eyes and didn't say anything.
Have all the police officers been dispatched? Shiraishi, who didn't think it was a big deal at first, immediately realized something was wrong.
Ordinary rumors will not be handled by the police unless it is a very serious incident.
Thinking of this, he was a little confused and walked quickly towards the direction of the police building.
As soon as they arrived there, they saw a group of civilians and ninjas gathered in the lobby of the guard building. Liuli stood there with a cold face, keeping these people silent.
The Uchiha ninjas in her team also looked evil.
Liuli saw Baishi coming, so she asked the members of the team to look at these people, and she took Baishi to a corner.
"What happened? There are some unexplained rumors on the street for no reason. The police have arrested so many people here. Has something happened in the village?"
Shiraishi asked in confusion.
"do not you know?"
"I have been in the laboratory for the past two days, and I just came out today. What happened?"
Shiraishi looked at Liuli, hoping she could explain.
Liuli took a deep breath and said with a rare helpless and headache tone: "Sakumo-sensei is in trouble."
"how?"
Shiraishi frowned.
Could Sakumo be in trouble?
Then I thought of some rumors I had heard on the road before, and I had a bad feeling in my heart.
"We don't know where the rumor came from. But starting this morning, it spread throughout the village at a terrifying speed. The source has been unable to be found."
Liuli felt troubled by this kind of thing for the first time.
"What's the reason?"
"Teacher Sakumo failed in his mission this time. It is said that he gave up the mission in order to save his companions."
Shiraishi was stunned.
this one?
Although it is a bit unbelievable for Sakumo to interrupt the mission, because that person is so powerful that it cannot be judged by common sense, but because of this kind of thing, rumors can actually spread throughout the village?
"What about the senior management? What explanation did they give?"
It is impossible to hide such a big thing from the top management.
Ninjas from the security force were mobilized in large numbers. How could the higher-ups not know this?
"I don't know. There are no orders from the top. We can only act according to the rules of the police force and control those who seriously disturb the public order."
“But this is simply treating the symptoms rather than the root cause.”
"Yes, if the higher-ups are willing to explain what mission Teacher Sakumo is performing, and what the village has lost after interrupting the mission, the situation can still turn around. But now, the higher-ups have not stated anything to the outside world, and it is all up to the villagers' free imagination. ”
"..."
Shiraishi's face looked a little ugly.
Free imagination?
Shiraishi is unwilling to speculate on others with the greatest malice, but if such rumors continue to spread, the source of the matter will be ignored, and eventually become a murderous weapon in the hands of those who spread rumors.
That situation is truly terrible.
"No matter what, let's go see Mr. Sakumo first. He's not such a weak-willed person."
Shiraishi thought for a while and decided to go to Sakumo to find out the cause and effect of the matter and see if he could find any turning point.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Liuli nodded and planned to go to see Sakumo with Shiraishi.
Since the senior officials were indifferent, they had no choice but to find a solution on their own.
