Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

"Hey, this is the most outstanding elite academy in our Thundercloud Ninja Kingdom, where the best children from the entire country's one billion population gather."

Leading his group of young heroes to the gates of the Elite Academy, Tamura Hao introduced the academy to them.

The entire academy area has been expanded multiple times, and its area is larger than the entire Cloud Hidden Village before. Even the elite academy is very large, with tens of thousands of students.

The young men were very excited. This was the best academy in the Thundercloud Ninja Kingdom, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was the best academy in the ninja world. They were fortunate enough to be able to study here.

"Has the population of the Thundercloud Ninja Kingdom reached 300 million?"

Nara Shikamaru was even more shocked by the country's population. He had read some historical records and found that when Konoha was still the Land of Fire, the country's population was not large. However, by the time it came to Kumogakure, the population had reached one billion.

This is absolutely amazing.

"This is mainly thanks to the various agricultural machines and organic fertilizers developed by our Hidden Cloud Village, which have continuously increased grain production. With enough grain, people can have children with peace of mind."

Tamura Hao explained with a smile that if the population were to explode, it would be quite astonishing.

Just like many people had seven aunts and eight cousins ​​in their past lives, that's not just a figure of speech, it's a fact.

The world is the same. Agriculture used to be all done by manpower, with virtually no machinery, mainly due to the influence of ninjas.

It's simply a terrible idea to make a group of mercenaries, whom anyone can hire, the country's armed forces.

Only after the four wars did peace begin to prevail, and science and technology began to develop rapidly, but the status of researchers remained very low.

"Neji, take them to complete the enrollment procedures and set up their files."

Tamura Hao gestured to Hyuga Neji, then started chatting with the old gatekeeper.

Hyuga Neji nodded and led everyone to the guardhouse. He took out a stack of blank files and quickly wrote on them, even creating a bunch of shadow clones to record one-on-one, making it much faster.

"Is Neji a teacher here?"

Hyuga Kawaichi couldn't help but ask a question when he saw Hyuga Neji wearing a teacher's uniform today.

"Yes, I graduated from here. Here, you graduate permanently at eighteen and can then apply to stay on as a teacher. But I'm only doing it part-time now; I'm a student at the Advanced Ninja Academy."

Hyuga Neji quickly took notes while responding.

"Permanent graduation?"

This word caught the attention of Nara Shikamaru, who was standing nearby, and he had always felt something was off about this academy.

Especially when I was first brought here, the students and teachers in the outer academy area gave me strange looks.

This made him feel somewhat uneasy.

"There is an assessment every year at the Elite Academy. After passing the assessment, you can graduate and leave, or you can apply to continue studying at the school until you turn eighteen."

Before the age of eighteen, children in our Hidden Cloud Village receive compulsory education; this is a mandatory learning period.

Hyuga Neji is very patient. He will maintain his cool and aloof demeanor in front of outsiders, but he is very gentle in front of his own people.

"What a beautiful older sister."

Just then, Tian Tian suddenly looked in a certain direction, where a stunningly beautiful woman was walking with alluring steps. Her figure was incredibly alluring, and her clothes were extremely revealing. In particular, her ample bosom filled several girls with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Then there's her long, wavy, reddish-brown hair that reaches all the way down to her calves—it's so stylish.

However, this older sister quickly lost her composure. Suddenly, she used a teleportation technique to rush forward, grabbed someone tightly, and bit down on their chin.

Tamura Hiroshi, who was chatting with the old gatekeeper, was caught off guard by the bite. He had actually sensed Terumi Mei's arrival, but he hadn't taken it seriously. Who would have thought that this crazy woman would dare to attack directly... no, to attack the exit.

"Little Mingming, let's talk this out. Don't do this. It's not a good look. There are so many people watching."

Tamura Hao glanced at the stunned young men and women, and could only try to persuade them with words first.

This girl had already picked a fight with me before, and I had given her a good beating every time. She had finally been well-behaved for two years, but who would have thought she would relapse?

"I'll bite you to death!"

Mei Terumi mumbled incoherently, "I'm going to bite this big bastard to death today."

I was really screwed over back then. Do you know how I survived that year?

Even after her father's death, that bastard only gave her a seven-day break, after which she was sent back to school.

Is there anyone in the world more of a bastard than this?

"Sigh! Why force me like this!"

Tamura Hao sighed, then injected the power of lightning into the girl's body. Her long, curly hair, like a pine tree, instantly stood on end, and her body trembled continuously. It took her a while before her limbs finally trembled and she was able to break free.

However, he kept his mouth tightly clenched, refusing to let go, as if he wanted to bite off that piece of meat.

In the end, Tamura Hiroshi could only free himself from those two rows of teeth by dissolving the piece of flesh.

Ignoring the trembling, madwoman sprawled on the ground, Tamura Hiroshi put on his signature gentle smile and explained to everyone, "I have a personal grudge against her."

Everyone looked at Mei Terumi, whose body was still crackling with electricity, and couldn't understand what kind of personal grudge could make someone hate you so much that you wouldn't open your mouth even after being electrocuted like that.

"The file is complete!"

A short while later, Hyuga Neji spoke up, saying that the enrollment procedures had been completed and the next step was the assignment of dormitories.

"Come with me, I'll take you to your dorm assignments."

Suddenly, Mei Terumi, who was lying on the ground, flipped over and jumped up as if nothing had happened. While pressing down her frizzy hair, she gestured for everyone to follow.

She had just sensed some jerk and came over to check things out, and also to get some revenge.

If it weren't for the vast difference in strength, she would have preferred an even more brutal revenge.

"Then these children are in your care."

Tamura Hiroshi thought there was no problem and was about to leave when someone grabbed his arm.

"Why are you leaving so quickly after coming all this way? Are you afraid I'll eat you up?"

At this moment, Mei Terumi transformed into a charming goddess, completely unrecognizable from her previous vengeful and insane state.

After saying that, he grabbed Tamura Hao and pulled him into the school before he could even speak.

Although Tamura Hao was helpless, he could only be dragged along, as he was aware of the crazy woman's condition.

She was born with a neurotic temperament, and after being educated at an elite academy, she evolved into a true psychopath. This kind of woman is the epitome of moody and unpredictable.

"Is that older sister the older brother's girlfriend?"

Sensing a threat, Yamanaka Ino whispered to Hyuga Neji what was happening.

"I guess so."

Recalling the grudges and grievances between him and Senior Hao, Hyuga Neji's expression became somewhat strange. Then, glancing at the young men and women around him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

These children, like the previous generation of Ming, were all tricked into coming here, and the first year was the most difficult.

They'll definitely resent Senior Hao afterwards.

"Neji-senpai, why does this school have those graduation rules?"

Nara Shikamaru leaned closer to ask, increasingly sensing that something was off about the academy.

"That's because our elite academy has a very strict teaching method. Those who are not mentally strong enough will be eliminated. Only those who can stay on their own initiative are the elite of the elite."

Hyuga Neji explained that these poor kids had already completed their enrollment procedures, so there was no harm in talking about it now.

"harsh?"

People didn't understand this word; just how harsh must it be for someone to give up?

Then they soon witnessed what rigorous teaching really meant.

In a huge artificial lake, a group of teenagers were frantically paddling forward, while many triangular dorsal fins were swimming rapidly behind them. Then, with a splash, a large shark suddenly raised its head, bit one of the teenagers' legs, and then violently flung him to the shore, where blood splattered everywhere.

That wasn't the end of it. A pack of vicious dogs on the shore saw prey come ashore and rushed over immediately. One of the dogs even targeted the boy's vitals and opened its mouth to bite him.

Ignoring the pain, the boy quickly rolled back into the lake and continued paddling and swimming frantically. He only took a spray bottle from his waist belt and sprayed it around the wound to stop the bleeding.

Similar scenes kept playing out, with poor kids being torn apart and thrown ashore by sharks, all missing limbs, and then being chased back into the lake by a pack of vicious dogs to continue frantically paddling.

Those trainees who were seriously injured and unconscious were carried to the open-air classroom on the side, where a group of medical students were taught by a dedicated medical teacher. It was truly a waste of time.

Even those students who hadn't yet been assigned a test subject were staring longingly at the swimming competition in the lake, hoping to be given one as soon as possible.

"Is this a teaching activity?"

Everyone stared in disbelief, and then their legs began to tremble.

This is not just harsh teaching; even "cruel" doesn't do it justice.

"Neji-senpai, is it too late to drop out of school now?"

Nara Shikamaru wore a long face, realizing he had definitely been tricked.

Everyone looked at Hyuga Neji with pleading and hope, wanting to go back to their mothers immediately; this elite academy was definitely not a place for humans.

"Dropping out is impossible, but skipping class is possible. It's a course in our college, as long as you can skip it."

Neji Hyuga didn't rule out the possibility of skipping school, indicating that it was possible, provided one could actually escape.

Every student who comes here tries to skip school, and some even skip school as a group. Unfortunately, those eighteen guys who have no sense of tact are not easy to fool. Not only are they physically strong, but they have also mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode to the extreme and have evolved three special Lightning Release techniques. They are all double S-level powerhouses.

Add to that the combined attack mode of the eighteen people who are of one mind and their uncompromising fighting style, and even if I were to face them now, I would have a real headache.

"It would be great if I could skip school."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but Nara Shikamaru felt that the problem was even bigger.

"Neji, is this a new recruit lured in from Konoha?"

At that moment, a burly young man leaped out of the lake and landed next to Hyuga Neji, sizing up Nara Shikamaru and the others.

"Yes, Kisame-senpai, they are outstanding students that Lord Hao brought from Konoha, and they all have great potential."

Neji Hyuga nodded, indicating that these newcomers all had great potential.

To Kisame, however, these words meant that these newcomers were all tough and resilient, and he could give them a good beating.

"You are welcome to attend my courses in the future."

Showing his sharp teeth, Kisame Hoshigaki had high hopes for these little guys; he was sure they'd be fun to play with for a long time.

"I still need to take them to arrange their dormitories so as not to disturb Kisame-senpai's teaching."

After glancing at the two who had already walked away, Hyuga Neji said something and led the group forward quickly.

"Can we choose our own courses at the college?"

Nara Shikamaru, remaining calm, asked again, gleaning a key point from the man's words.

The person said "participate" when talking about the course, meaning that participation was an option.

Is it an option that can be chosen independently?

"In addition to some basic courses that must be taken in the elite academy, students can also choose some elective courses to improve themselves based on their own foundation and strengths."

These courses also offer academic credits, which are very important in the school. These credits can be used to exchange for ninjutsu or secret techniques that you want to learn, or for the transplantation of bloodline limits.

During your time at the academy, try to earn as many credits as possible to exchange for what you want. Otherwise, after graduation, you'll only be able to exchange them for merit points in the village, which is much more difficult.

Although our elite academy's educational methods are somewhat harsh, the resources it possesses are top-notch, and the consumable resources are free.

Furthermore, since the academy's inception, no one has died while teaching; you have nothing to worry about.

In the end, Hyuga Neji offered a word of comfort, but as soon as he finished speaking, a pig-like scream came from the forest shrouded in thick fog not far away, causing everyone to shudder and instinctively turn their heads to look.

"That was Zabuza-senpai's class. He was proficient in the art of concealing the mist and the art of silent killing, and was the most outstanding assassin in the academy."

Hyuga Neji added that he was very familiar with this, having attended many classes there before.

Zabuza's water style was very strong. He not only transformed his water attribute training but also fused it with natural energy, making it difficult for even the Byakugan to see through. I was only able to see through it after awakening the Tenseigan.

In addition, Zabuza is the only one in Kumogakure who inherited the secret technique of the Muten Buddha statue of Lord Hao, making him very powerful.

Leaving aside the boys and girls behind them who were on the verge of collapse, Tamura Hiroshi, who was being dragged along by Terumi Mei, was quite helpless.

"Little Mingming, just say what you want to say. We've known each other for so many years, what can't we talk about?"

He could tell that this crazy girl must have something on her mind, and she was behaving somewhat unusually today.

"I want you to marry me."

Mei Terumi hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, a blush creeping onto her fair face.

Tsunade had talked to her before, and she felt that what she said made a lot of sense. If she wanted to get revenge on this bastard, marrying him was the best option.

Then I can pin it down and then rightfully beat your child.

Besides, she's almost thirty and doesn't want to be called a "leftover woman." And after counting her options, this big jerk is the only one she can actually look at.

At least he's handsome enough!

Why?

Tamura Hiroshi knew this girl had no good intentions.

"What? Why? You've bullied me like that, don't you want to take responsibility? You want to start something and then abandon me?"

Instantly entering a dark state, Mei Terumi reached out and grabbed someone's neck, as if to strangle them to death.

"Don't be so ambiguous. I only shocked you a few times and gave you a few bumps on the head, and you were the one who started the trouble. Who can you blame for being outmatched?"

Tamura Hiroshi didn't think he was wrong, and he would teach anyone who dared to cause trouble a lesson.

Also, I can't just marry you because you say so. I, Tian, ​​am a hero of the Cloud Recesses, a respectable man, and I care about my reputation.

"I'll strangle you!"

Mei Terumi was truly enraged, pinching hard with her hand, but unfortunately, her strength was only enough to give Tamura Hiro a massage.

"What happened to them now?"

Seeing the two fighting in front of them, the people behind were a little confused, not understanding why they were fine before and suddenly started fighting.

"You'll get used to it."

Hyuga Neji was already used to it. That senior Mei was unpredictable and had no discernible pattern. One second he might be smiling at you, and the next he might become cold and cruel.

"Neji-senpai, with so many rigorous courses, can those trainees really withstand them? I mean, on a mental level, won't they break down?"

Looking at the two fighting in front of him, Nara Shikamaru suddenly remembered a serious problem.

That woman just now seemed very abnormal, mentally abnormal.

Given the teaching style here, I'm afraid quite a few people would go crazy.

Everyone's face turned even paler; this was indeed a big problem.

"Psychological trauma is also a kind of trauma. The academy has special illusion teachers who are responsible for treating this kind of trauma, and there are also corresponding academic courses. People who suffer psychological trauma will go there to receive treatment and can be healed."

Neji Hyuga spoke very seriously. The village had already conducted detailed research in this area, finding many mentally unstable people to cooperate with, and ultimately perfecting this discipline.

In essence, psychological trauma is not much different from physical trauma; both can be healed.

Those who have been healed will have an incredibly strong will.

Of course, their academy tries its best to avoid cases of mental breakdown, and after each training session, they provide psychological counseling and relaxation techniques.

After all, this is an academy, not some evil organization's base.

But this firm attitude made Nara Shikamaru feel even worse. The other party's meaning was very straightforward: he had experienced a mental breakdown, but it had been cured.

"How's the food at school?"

Choji Akimichi, who had been silent all along, asked a question. He had heard before that this was a closed academy, with only two days off per week to go home, and the rest of the time they had to stay here, where they could eat and live.

He didn't care much about anything else, but he absolutely had to ask about food.

"Our elite academy is top-notch in every aspect. The head chef in the cafeteria was hired from a food and entertainment company. He is the best in the entire ninja world, and he is proficient in all the food and dishes in the food and entertainment company. There are hundreds of food and dishes to choose from every day, and we guarantee that there will be no duplicates within a month."

Hyuga Neji still seemed very confident. Apart from the harsh teaching methods, their elite academy was impeccable in every other aspect.

Moreover, once you get used to the intensity of the teaching, you'll come to like it here; it's just that the beginning will be a bit tough.

"yeah!"

Choji Akimichi's eyes lit up; as long as the food was good, he wasn't afraid of any hardship or fatigue.

"Does one have to graduate at eighteen?"

Nara Shikamaru asked another question: Is there anything special about this setting?

"The period before the age of eighteen is a critical period for physical growth and development, and it is even more necessary to lay a solid foundation. This requires more resources. At the same time, the more resources are consumed, the more potential will be enhanced, and the higher the heights that can be reached in the future will be."

"Once you turn eighteen, it becomes difficult to enhance your potential with external aids, and staying in the academy to collect resources won't be effective either, so graduation is the only option."

Neji Hyuga was very patient and explained the intricacies clearly, which is something that must be understood.

"Enhance potential."

Nara Shikamaru had some understanding of this. Potential could indeed be enhanced through external means. For example, the Nara family had special secret medicines, as did the Akimichi and Yamanaka families.

However, it seems that the one in Hidden Cloud Village is more complete and advanced, so joining this elite academy is not a bad idea.

The prerequisite is that you can persevere.

(End of this chapter)