"Congratulations, child."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wore a gentle smile as he personally tied the forehead protector symbolizing a Konohagakure shinobi onto Shinichi's forehead.
"From today onward, you are a true Konohagakure shinobi! Remember the way of the shinobi, protect the village, and cherish your comrades."
"Yes! Third-sama!"
After the simple ceremony concluded, Shinichi turned and walked out of the classroom serving as the temporary examination hall. The moment he stepped outside, a wave of familiar noise surged toward him.
"Shinichi! Congratulations on graduating!"
"That's great! You're a real shinobi now!"
"As expected of you, Shinichi!"
Led by Ryū's booming voice, a group of familiar classmates rushed forward impatiently, talking over one another as they offered congratulations. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.
A natural smile appeared on Shinichi's face as he nodded in greeting to the classmates who had gathered around him.
"Wait for me, Shinichi!" Ryū clenched his fist tightly, his eyes burning with determination, his voice full of certainty. "I'll catch up to your pace very soon and become a true shinobi!"
"Shinichi, congratulations on graduating." Shizune stepped forward from the rear side of the crowd, a smile on her face.
She handed him a small medical pouch that looked quite practical. "These are some basic medical supplies and emergency medicines I made myself. When you're carrying out missions, they might come in handy."
"Thank you, Shizune." Shinichi accepted the medical pouch and expressed his gratitude.
However, as he thanked her, a faint trace of regret also passed through his heart.
Over the years, through Ryū's connection, he had successfully made contact with and received guidance from Old Master Chen, which had opened a door for him in taijutsu training.
But on Shizune's side, the expected progress had failed to materialize—he had never managed, through Shizune, to gain contact with Tsunade-hime, one of the Sannin.
His relationship with Shizune was undoubtedly good, and she would often complain to him about that "unreliable Tsunade-sama," yet Shizune had never shown any intention of introducing them.
And the persona he had long maintained—diligent, steady, and not one to actively cling to others—naturally made it inappropriate for him to take the initiative to do anything. As a result, there had been no substantive progress.
As for Tsunade herself, Shinichi understood clearly: that legendary kunoichi who had successively lost her younger brother and her lover had long since closed off her heart, immersing herself in her own world and pain, indifferent to most matters of the outside world.
Shizune, as Katō Dan's niece, being kept by her side, was more like a responsibility and a form of solace born of shared suffering.
With Tsunade in this state, it was entirely understandable that she would not take any additional interest in someone like him—"a genius child from someone else's family"—nor bother, as Old Master Chen had, to "drop by" and take a look.
However, Shinichi was not particularly disappointed. Managing interpersonal relationships—especially forming ties with figures of this caliber—had always depended on timing and patience.
Maintaining a good relationship with Shizune in itself was a precious long-term wedge, quietly planted.
Someday in the future, when the timing was right, that wedge might take root and sprout, becoming a bridge that connected to that treasure trove.
"Everyone!" Shinichi raised his voice so the classmates around him could hear clearly. "To thank the teachers for their guidance over these years, and to thank all of you for your company, tomorrow afternoon I plan to hold another small gathering at Ajino Takumi Restaurant. Any teachers, classmates I know, and elders who have looked after me before—if you're free, you're all welcome to come by and sit for a while."
He said it lightly, but those familiar with his way of doing things understood that this would probably be another fairly large-scale banquet.
Just like the gratitude banquet he had held for his swordsmanship teacher two years ago, this had already become his distinctive way of expressing thanks and maintaining connections.
As for the cost, the current Shinichi truly no longer needed to worry about it. That day in the Hokage's office, when the Third Hokage brought up wanting to officially record the Rasengan as a Konohagakure ninjutsu, he had once asked what kind of reward Shinichi wanted.
Shinichi did not ask for a ninjutsu or special privileges. Instead, citing "hoping to repay the school's student loan and ensure that for the next period of time I can train with peace of mind, undisturbed by worldly affairs," he frankly requested a generous monetary reward.
This practical request, and one that was not excessive, was quickly approved.
At this moment, he could be said to be quite well-off financially.
Holding this banquet was not only a sincere expression of thanks, but also a carefully planned declaration of status and a refresh of others' perception, in order to elevate his Ninja Academy Student Entry into Genin as soon as possible.
At the same time, it would once again reinforce the impression of "valuing loyalty and righteousness, and repaying kindness"—all benefit, no harm.
...
[Ominous Sign (Green): Your fortune has begun to brush against ill omen; from time to time, you will sense faint malicious signs and subtle hints of potential danger.]
The time required for [Ninja Academy Student] to upgrade to [Genin] was far shorter than when [Swordsmanship Apprentice] had advanced to [Swordsman].
That was also reasonable—now, he was already a promising talent under key attention from Konohagakure's upper leadership, and he had completed graduation under the Third Hokage's personal witness, so the relevant recognition and acknowledgment naturally came faster and more concentrated.
When the draw opportunity that accompanied professional advancement arrived, Shinichi followed the old routine: he carefully washed his hands, bathed, changed clothes, and after completing a set of prayers that looked devout but was in fact useless, he carried out the draw.
The result was this green Entry called [Ominous Sign]. Like the previously drawn [Auspicious Sign], it belonged to the same category of mysterious fortune.
Judging from the Entry description, if [Auspicious Sign] is associated with the auspicious and favorable side of fortune, allowing one to occasionally perceive good signs and opportunities; then [Ominous Sign] corresponds to the inauspicious and dangerous side of fortune.
Of course, this did not mean the Entry carried negative effects. Based on his personal testing over these years, Shinichi was certain that all talent Entries generated by the panel were, in essence, some form of positive enhancement—only the field of effect and mode of manifestation differed.
The [Auspicious Sign] Entry had already been deliberately and inadvertently tested by him many times over the past two years.
For example, at the slot machines outside the village casino or in luck-based games during village festivals, his winning probability was indeed somewhat higher than that of ordinary people. This indicated that [Auspicious Sign] was indeed subtly increasing his luck value.
More importantly, it would occasionally bring about a vague feeling of sudden intuition, hinting that certain opportunities or favorable turns related to him might soon appear.
By analogy, the mechanism of [Ominous Sign] should correspond to it, yet still belong to the category of enhancement. It was likely not about bringing misfortune, but rather making him more sensitive to potential disasters? Or perhaps causing his enemies to encounter more setbacks?
Likewise, when disasters or major crises concerning himself were brewing, [Ominous Sign] should occasionally provide a similar intuitive warning—like the change in air pressure before dark clouds arrive: not specific, yet sufficient to arouse vigilance.
After waiting at home for about three days, Shinichi finally received specific notice regarding his squad assignment:
His teammate would meet him at seven o'clock tomorrow morning at Training Ground Six.
"A training ground?" Shinichi set down the notice, deep in thought.
It seemed that this yet-unmet teammate intended to test his strength first.
Who would it be?
With this curiosity, he passed the night calmly.
Early the next morning, carrying his standard equipment, Shinichi arrived at Training Ground Six on time.
To his surprise, there was only one person waiting for him in the field.
He was a middle-aged shinobi of average build, dressed in plain brown clothing, with a large iron pot conspicuously strapped to his back.
The attire was somewhat peculiar, even carrying a rustic sense of humor.
At the first glance, Shinichi felt the man looked somewhat familiar, though he did not dare confirm it at once. He stepped forward steadily and took the initiative to bow in greeting. "Senpai, hello. I am Higashino Shinichi, reporting today. Please guide me."
The middle-aged man turned around, revealing an extremely kind, even somewhat overly simple smile. His tone was gentle to a degree unbefitting a shinobi. "Oh, oh, Higashino Shinichi, yes, I know you. Everyone in the village has been talking—an extraordinary genius has appeared." He scratched his head, appearing a bit embarrassed. "I didn't expect that in the end you'd be assigned to a group with an old fellow like me who hasn't achieved much. Sorry to disappoint you. My name is Maruboshi Kōsuke."
So it really was him.
Maruboshi Kōsuke!
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