Naruto: From Novice to Grave

Early in the morning, in the training grounds of Konoha, Higashino Makoto sat quietly cross-legged on a tree trunk, practicing the second stage of chakra manipulation.

Now he is nine years old and much taller than before, even taller than most of his peers. His face is more mature, and he still has short, choppy hair, but his dark brown hair looks a little darker than before.

What reassured him was that his appearance still resembled his mother, Higashino Megumi, with striking features. He believed that in the future, he would definitely be a handsome man who would make young girls agape and young women swoon.

After a long while, Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and sighed slightly. He was not very satisfied with his progress in cultivation.

The second stage of chakra manipulation training involves adjusting the ratio of physical energy and spiritual energy when they merge into chakra, pushing it towards the yin and yang extremes.

Through my experience helping out at the hospital over the past few years, I've learned that a ninja can become a good medical ninja if they push their physical energy ratio to 60%. Conversely, if their mental energy ratio is 60%, they can be very adept at practicing genjutsu or certain yin-attribute secret techniques.

When Makoto Higashino was just over 5 years old, he had already pushed the yin-yang ratio to 70%.

He didn't know about the Senju and Uchiha clans, but for ordinary ninjas, this might be the pinnacle of their lifetime of training. Without the blessing of bloodline, ordinary people simply cannot take another step forward; this is something that cannot be achieved through hard work alone.

Kurenai Yuhi, who had cultivated genjutsu for decades, collapsed after being glared at by Itachi Uchiha.

Karin could cure severe injuries that ordinary medical ninjas couldn't save by letting the other party bite her.

In the ninja world, bloodline advantages are just that unreasonable. The end of your lifetime of cultivation is merely the starting point of a powerful bloodline.

If it weren't for the continuous transformation of his body by the white natural energy, Higashino Makoto would never have had the opportunity to break through the ceiling of an ordinary ninja.

However, now that four years have passed and the ratio of Yin to Yang has been pushed to 85% each, the progress has been incredibly slow.

Just like his cultivation of natural energy, he was stuck at the second stage. Moreover, he had a premonition that if he went any further, his physical body would not be able to withstand it.

Perhaps, things will change when natural energy enters the third stage of normalized immortal mode. After all, his current progress is due not only to his daily efforts, but also to the white natural energy.

Now, he has temporarily completed the development of his offensive and defensive techniques, and even his medical ninjutsu has improved rapidly because he often goes to the hospital to help his mother.

However, neither of the two paths he was majoring in was something he could rush, so it was time for him to graduate.

After determining the direction, Higashino Shin leaped out of the forest, his body drifting like a wisp of smoke towards home. His way of traveling was completely different from that of an ordinary ninja.

Higashino Makoto's movements are graceful and agile, far surpassing the straightforward style of ninjas.

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At the breakfast table, Higashino Megumi seemed somewhat absent-minded.

After finishing his meal carefully, Higashino asked, "Mom, are you worried about me?"

"What else can I do? Son, I don't know whether to praise your sharp mind or scold you for being a jinx. That damned Kirigakure really did join."

"Don't worry, Mom. A fully-fledged Kirigakure might still have a significant impact on the overall situation, but this crippled village is only half-crippled right now. It won't affect the final outcome. Weren't the strongest Seven Ninja Swordsmen crippled by Dai-senpai?"

"Dai, I never imagined he could do something like that. Although he died in the line of duty, he saved his son. What a great father." Higashino Megumi sighed and continued, "What you said is true, but no matter how useless Kirigakure was, they still delayed the end of the war. And you, you're about to graduate."

"The timing is perfect. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I hope so. Do you need me to go to school with you?"

"No need, you go about your business." After saying that, Higashino waved and went out to school.

Keigo Higashino shook her head as she watched his retreating figure. Her child had grown up so quickly. She was probably the most worry-free mother in Konoha's history.

Perhaps having another child would allow her to experience the joy of raising a child, but she and Higashino Jiro have gradually lost that idea.

What if another war breaks out in a few years? Children from ninja families are destined to become ninjas if they have the talent, and she really doesn't want to worry about that again.

Konoha was more desolate than before, with a significant decrease in the number of people and families holding funerals changing every few days.

What were those ninjas who died in the line of duty thinking before they died? Has anyone ever wondered why they, who possessed extraordinary power, were consumed generation after generation in the meat grinder of war, while the powerless daimyo and nobles could live a carefree life, with prosperous descendants, holding power in their hands generation after generation, living a life of luxury and decadence?

I wonder when a ninja who has trampled the bones of nobles and high-ranking officials will be born.

Given the distorted education system and warped mindset of the ninja world, it would be very difficult.

Anyway, Higashino really wouldn't do it. After all, before his rebirth, he was already an adult with fixed values. In essence, apart from his family and a small group of friends, he had little cultural identification with this Japanese world.

He has never changed. He was reborn into this world to enjoy a different and wonderful life, not to be a savior.

Lost in thought and admiring the familiar scenery, Higashino Makoto soon met up with Uzuki Yugao and they went to the general classroom together.

Quite a few people have already arrived; all the remaining fourth-grade students are here.

In reality, everyone only attended school for three years, and they were just entering fourth grade this year, but they were already being required to graduate early. Compared to the complete six-year system during peacetime, the wartime education period was cut in half.

Among the crowd were some older students who had not yet graduated, and some very young students who were second or third-year students who were confident in their abilities and eager to become formal ninjas.

I wonder what Hashirama Senju, who is in the Pure Land, would think if he saw this scene.

"Hey, Shin-nii, what do you think this year's graduation topic will be?" Uzuki Yugao was about to test her external brain again.

"How would I know? Do you take me for a fortune teller? Besides, what difference does it make to you? There's not a single basic Three Body Technique you don't know; I can teach you right here and now."

"Haha, that's true."

The exam soon began as the two chatted.

After a 40-minute general knowledge written test, there was a one-hour break. The teachers quickly graded the papers, recorded the scores, and then proceeded to the ninjutsu assessment.

Surprisingly, this year's ninjutsu assessment did not involve any of the three body techniques, but rather allowed students to choose freely.

If you lack confidence, you can choose what you are best at; if you are confident enough, you can take turns showing off your skills.

In front of numerous teachers and the third generation of judges, the students were like products being inspected, excitedly showcasing their abilities on stage.

The Three Body Technique, as the most basic ninjutsu for beginners, is more important for testing than for actual combat.

He can help teachers assess a student's mastery of chakra and ninjutsu, their basic observation skills, instant memory, and the timing of their attacks.

Based on this, suitable ninjas can be assigned to lead them, and their future routes can be planned.

It's wartime now, and we're short-handed. The team leader might not be a Jonin, but a Special Jonin.

As for what students will learn from their supervising teachers, that depends entirely on how responsible the teachers are and how well the two get along.

However, ninjas who can serve as team leaders are either good-natured or have a special relationship with their students, and are specially selected by higher-ups.