Chapter 86

Year 41 of the Leaf Village, April.

It has been almost a full year since the disbanding of the Genma Squad.

Baiseki has grown another year older.

There is not much to say about the organization's affairs; it has been steadily developing. As it is in the initial accumulation stage, everything is done with great caution.

The locations of operations are mostly small countries, and they rarely involve the territories of the Five Great Nations.

With Baiseki as the leader, setting an example, the members of the organization are well-versed in this approach. In terms of concealment, they can be said to surpass their teacher.

The resolution of the Caged Bird and the recruitment of a Jonin subordinate like Hyuga Masahiro have been a great help to the organization.

Although they cannot operate openly, the task of guarding the organization's headquarters is of utmost importance.

After all, Baiseki is very concerned about the peculiar white creatures, whose abilities are very similar to those of the Earth General, allowing them to move quickly within objects and evade detection by ordinary sensing jutsu.

With the assistance of the Byakugan, such problems can be avoided.

No matter how stealthy one is, blending into the earth still involves physical movement, and the Byakugan, a bloodline limit that can see through substances, far surpasses the observational abilities of sensing ninjas.

Baiseki also conducted a detailed comparison of the list of Hyuga branch family ninjas provided by Masahiro and the list provided by Ayame.

He found that the proportion of branch family ninjas dissatisfied with the main family was different from what he had expected.

Some have completely aligned with the main family, while others are观望态度, with wavering wills but generally leaning towards the main family's decisions.

The remaining branch family ninjas are those who are dissatisfied or hostile towards the main family. Such branch family ninjas are not few, but they are not many either.

Baiseki does not intend to contact these people for now.

Too many people increase the risk of exposure, and he does not want to be targeted by the Leaf Village.

Even if the possibility is low, it must be eliminated.

Besides, the Leaf Village is not lacking in potential talents, and he might discover some useful ones.

Research on senjutsu has also progressed well. After several months of effort, the success rate has increased by a few percentage points.

At other times, Baiseki continues to live as a qualified Leaf ninja, conducting research at home and working as an assistant at the ninja school.

As a Leaf ninja, he is still a model of propriety.

However, the frequency of his visits to the Security Division to meet Ryuri has increased.

Of course, these are very pure dates.

◎

In mid-April, Baiseki walked briskly along the streets of the Leaf Village.

It was clear that he was in a good mood.

Not only because today was Saturday, and he did not have to work as an assistant at the ninja school, giving him free time.

"Hey, Kakashi, it's been a while."

Baiseki saw a familiar figure on the street.

A boy with silver-white hair.

Wearing a mask, carrying a short sword identical to the one used by Genma.

This kid still admires his father so much.

"Isn't this Senior Genin Baiseki? What can I do for you?"

Kakashi turned around, responding in a flat tone, without much inflection.

"When did you start talking like Ryuri?"

Baiseki placed his hand on Kakashi's head and roughly messed up his silver-white hair, only stopping when it was completely disheveled.

"What are you doing?"

"Revenge for your earlier comment. You're really annoying, nothing like Teacher Genma."

Baiseki said frankly.

"So, what do you want? I don't believe this is just a coincidence."

Kakashi, acting like an adult, held a popular book, having been reading it while walking.

He put the book in his ninja tool bag and fixed his hair, which Baiseki had messed up.

"How's life as a genin?"

Instead of explaining his purpose, Baiseki asked about Kakashi's experience as a genin.

"It's the same, the missions are all simple, nothing to worry about."

Kakashi thought for a moment and expressed his thoughts straightforwardly.

"You're not very modest."

Baiseki patted Kakashi's shoulder.

"Senior, you should explain your purpose."

"Is Teacher Genma at home?"

"No, he's on a mission and won't be back for a few days."

"What a pity."

Baiseki sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Today is a special day for me."

Kakashi looked at Baiseki, puzzled.

"Are you getting married? Who's the lucky one, Senior Ryuri or Senior Ayame?"

"..."

"Not?"

"Of course not, why would you think that?"

"Your words were misleading."

Kakashi said helplessly.

Baiseki had no choice but to take out a paper from his ninja tool bag, a letter of appointment signed by the Hokage himself.

"See this? From today, I'm also a chunin in the village."

Looking at Baiseki, who seemed quite pleased, Kakashi understood the source of his joy.

Is this something to be happy about?

Shouldn't it be a cause for sorrow?

Your teammate is already a jonin. Kakashi refrained from saying this hurtful comment.

"From today, I'm your superior."

Baiseki said.

Kakashi sighed helplessly and took out a similar letter of appointment from his ninja tool bag.

"Sorry, Senior, I don't mean to discourage you, but I also became a chunin this morning."

"..."

Baiseki's smile froze on his face.

Then, he noticed something and looked at Kakashi in surprise.

"Wait, Kakashi, you're only six years old, right? You're already a chunin?"

This must be a mistake.

Only six years old.

At six, Baiseki was just starting the ninja academy.

Although Kakashi entered at four, which was early education, graduating from the academy at five was unprecedented in the Leaf Village.

Now, after another year, he's already a chunin?

Baiseki knew Kakashi's abilities surpassed his peers, but becoming a chunin isn't just about strength. It's a leadership position in a team.

Qualified psychological resilience and outstanding leadership skills are essential.

"This is signed by the Hokage himself. If Senior Baiseki thinks it's fake, I have nothing to say."

"Ah, I was planning to show off."

Thinking about how he became a chunin at seventeen, while Kakashi did it at six...

Well, he felt a bit sorry for himself.

"True to your father's legacy, I can't treat you like a kid anymore."

Baiseki sighed.

Kakashi felt a bit proud upon hearing Baiseki's praise, especially since he had not let his father down.

"So, why did you come to see me?"

"To celebrate my promotion to chunin, but now we should also celebrate your promotion, Kakashi."

"..."

I knew it.

But, just becoming a chunin, what's there to celebrate?

But since the other party is a former teammate of his father and they get along well, Kakashi nodded in agreement.

Following Baiseki to a familiar barbecue restaurant.

Ryuri and Tsunade were already waiting there, and next to Tsunade sat a cute girl with short black hair, a bit older than Kakashi.

"Where's Senior Ayame?"

Kakashi didn't see Ayame and was puzzled.

"She has something to do today, but the gift is here."

"That's a shame, missing such an exciting battle."

Kakashi said.

Baiseki forced a smile, regretting bringing this kid along.

Just like when he was a kid, not at all cute.

"Chunin Tsunade, hello."

Kakashi greeted Tsunade respectfully before sitting down.

"We were just waiting for you. But where's Genma?"

Tsunade, not seeing Genma, asked.

"He's on a mission." Kakashi replied.

Then, he looked at the girl next to Tsunade.

"Who is this?"

"This is Shizune, a relative of mine."

Tsunade introduced her with a smile.

Since today was Baiseki's special day, bringing friends and family might not have been appropriate, but she didn't want to leave Shizune at home, so she brought her along for a free meal.

Kakashi nodded to Shizune, who smiled back.

"By the way, today isn't just my promotion to chunin, it's also Kakashi's promotion day."

Baiseki said with a smile after sitting down.

Everyone looked at Kakashi in surprise, especially Shizune, who had just graduated from the academy. This boy, a few years younger than her, was already a chunin.

"Really annoying."

Kakashi, not wanting attention, looked away when everyone's gaze focused on him.

Fortunately, everyone knew Kakashi was a genius, and his father was the famous White Fang of the Leaf. Becoming a chunin at six was indeed remarkable, but with the Hokage's approval, it meant Kakashi was a qualified chunin, with no unfair treatment.

"Young people these days are getting more and more impressive."

Tsunade glanced at Ryuri, who was sitting next to Baiseki, feeling the pressure.

Looking at Kakashi, though still young and immature, he already had the demeanor of his father, the White Fang, and was even more outstanding...

What a talented generation. Tsunade was happy for the village's future, but thinking about her current situation, she felt a bit down.

"Teacher Tsunade, is something wrong?"

Seeing Tsunade's mood, Baiseki was puzzled.

"Ah, no, just a bit reflective."

Realizing her lapse, Tsunade quickly adjusted her mood.

"Suddenly, I feel a bit embarrassed celebrating your promotion to chunin. Kakashi became a chunin at six."

Ryuri said.

"But when you were six, weren't you also a student at the academy like me?"

Baiseki said.

Then, Baiseki's face turned green.

"Senior Baiseki, are you okay?"

Kakashi, seeing Baiseki's green face, asked with concern.

"Adult matters, kids shouldn't meddle."

Baiseki knew Kakashi was intentionally asking.

This kid is too much.

I'll give him a taste of his own medicine when I leave the village.

◎

Two days passed, and Baiseki's promotion to chunin went largely unnoticed, except by his close friends.

On the other hand, Kakashi's promotion to chunin at six became widely known in the village, with many parents using him as an example of a prodigy.

After that, Baiseki gave up on competing with Kakashi. Without showing his true strength, he couldn't possibly match Kakashi's rapid promotion.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Kakashi was one of the most talented ninjas he had ever seen.

After all, he was an adult and couldn't compete with a child.

—A few days of calm passed, and then it happened on Baiseki's way to the Security Division.

"Have you heard? It seems a mission failed..."

"Yeah, a ninja like him giving up a mission is disgraceful..."

"So, he's just that level..."

"A person like that doesn't deserve to be a ninja..."

The people talking included civilians and ninjas, whispering cautiously.

Baiseki glanced at them but paid no attention.

Just a few steps later, he saw Uchiha ninjas from the Security Division hurrying down another street.

Seeing the Security Division members, the civilians and ninjas immediately stopped talking, looking nervously at the Uchiha ninjas.

The Security Division members only gave them a cold stare, saying nothing.

The Security Division is mobilized? Baiseki, who initially thought it was nothing serious, immediately sensed something was wrong.

Rumors don't usually cause the Security Division to act unless it's a major event.

Curious, he quickly headed towards the Security Division building.

Upon arrival, he saw a crowd of civilians and ninjas gathered in the hall, with Ryuri standing coldly, making them silent.

Her Uchiha teammates also looked unfriendly.

Seeing Baiseki, Ryuri had her team members watch the crowd and took Baiseki to a corner.

"What happened? There are strange rumors on the streets, and the Security Division has arrested many people. What's going on in the village?"

Baiseki asked, puzzled.

"Don't you know?"

"I've been in the lab for the past two days and just came out today. What's going on?"

Baiseki looked at Ryuri, hoping for an explanation.

Ryuri took a deep breath and said with a rare tone of helplessness and frustration, "Teacher Genma is in trouble."

"What?"

Baiseki frowned.

Genma in trouble?

Then, recalling the rumors he heard earlier, he had a bad feeling.

"We don't know where the rumors started, but they spread throughout the village this morning at an alarming rate, and we can't trace the source."

Ryuri felt helpless for the first time.

"What's the reason?"

"Teacher Genma's mission failed. It's said he abandoned the mission to save his comrades."

Baiseki was stunned.

Just that?

Although it was unusual for Genma to abandon a mission, given his strength, it was not something that would cause rumors to spread throughout the village.

"What about the higher-ups? Have they given any explanation?"

Such a big event couldn't be hidden from the higher-ups.

The Security Division's large-scale mobilization meant the higher-ups must know.

"Nothing. The higher-ups have given no orders. We can only follow the Security Division's rules and control those severely disrupting public order."

"But that won't solve the root problem."

"True. If the higher-ups explained what mission Teacher Genma was on and what the village lost by abandoning it, the situation might improve. But now, with no official statement, the villagers are left to their own imagination."

"..."

Baiseki's face turned grim.

Imagination?

Baiseki didn't want to assume the worst, but allowing these rumors to continue would divert attention from the real issue, ultimately becoming a weapon in the hands of those spreading the rumors.

That would be truly disastrous.

"Regardless, we should see Teacher Genma. He's not the type to be easily discouraged."

Baiseki thought for a moment and decided to meet Genma to understand the situation and look for a solution.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

Ryuri nodded, planning to go with Baiseki to see Genma.

Since the higher-ups are indifferent, they would have to find a way to resolve the issue themselves.