Escape from Konoha.

The lowest level is a B-level mission, the regular level is an A-level mission, and occasionally there are S-level missions where they follow behind Shuo Mao and do nothing to gain military merit.

With Ruri and Ayane already Chunin in his team, and him being the only Genin in Sakumo's squad, Shiraishi was considering when it would be best to become a Chunin.

After all, a genin feels a bit out of place in Sakumo's team, which is full of elites.

After chatting for a while, the three parted ways and went home.

"Speaking of which, will your uncle and aunt be coming back for the Chinese New Year this year?"

"I'll send some things back."

"Really? Don't you feel lonely?"

Bai Shi asked.

"It doesn't matter."

"Looks like it'll be the two of us keeping watch together again this year."

Shiraishi put his hands behind his head and said casually.

"Yes, it's another year without any expectations."

Liuli said this, then glanced at the gray sky, lost in thought.

◎

December passed quickly, and since Konoha and Sunagakure signed the ceasefire agreement, nothing major had happened in the ninja world.

During this period, the Sakumo Squad only carried out two missions, both of which were relatively simple C-level missions: eliminating a bandit stronghold in the Land of Fire and escorting a caravan to the neighboring Land of Waves.

Compared to the peaceful ninja world, some minor incidents occurred in Konoha Village.

That is, Tsunade resigned from her position at Konoha Hospital and devoted herself to training medical ninjas at the Ninja Academy.

This left many people puzzled.

Among those who felt puzzled was Shiraishi.

Because of her unparalleled medical ninjutsu, Tsunade is unmatched in the current ninja world.

The strongest among ninjas are naturally the 'Five Kage'.

However, in the world of medical ninjas, the strongest person today is undoubtedly Tsunade.

In the eyes of medical ninjas, Tsunade is the pinnacle they strive to surpass.

With Tsunade's abilities, she could easily work at Konoha Hospital while simultaneously training medical ninjas for Konoha at the Ninja Academy; the two roles would not conflict with each other.

After all, she was working at Konoha Hospital, so she was only occasionally asked to perform some difficult surgeries. Most injuries could be handled by other medical ninjas.

The higher-ups offered no explanation, only stating that they respected Tsunade's own wishes.

Although she gave up her position at Konoha Hospital, Konoha's medical ninjas can still consult Tsunade about some difficult medical issues.

Tsunade didn't say anything about it.

It can be said that she is the greatest authority in the field of medical ninja.

She herself is probably very enthusiastic about training more excellent medical ninjas for the village.

Compared to the other two of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade's prestige is undoubtedly much stronger, and she has an extremely large following.

She developed various medicines for Konoha, and during the war, she deciphered all of the poisons used by Sunagakure elder Chiyo, single-handedly greatly reducing the poison attack capabilities of Sunagakure's puppet troops.

Not to mention, during the war, she saved countless Konoha ninjas through surgery, making many Konoha ninjas grateful to her. In this way, she accumulated a large number of connections and a strong base of support.

If we're talking about who among the Legendary Sannin is most likely to become the future Hokage, Shiraishi believes Tsunade has a greater chance than the other two.

She inherited the excellent bloodline of her grandfather, the First Hokage, has a solid foundation of support among the people, has saved countless patients through her surgeries, and is exceptionally strong among Jonin... If she herself had the desire to become Hokage, it's estimated that few people in Konoha would object.

However, this is just Shiraishi's opinion, because Konoha's political environment is very... well, how should I put it, quite special.

Shiraishi couldn't find a suitable word to describe it, so he could only use "special" to describe Konoha's political environment.

The power structure of the Anbu, the Hokage's most trusted direct subordinate force, is divided into the Anbu and the Root.

While the Hokage does not control the Root organization, it possesses a level of freedom of action comparable to that of the Anbu.

The Uchiha clan controls Konoha's security forces, and in some respects, their power surpasses that of the Hokage's direct ANBU.

For example, the Anbu needs a Hokage's order to arrest someone, while the police force can detain suspects before the Hokage's order is issued.

As a ninja clan, the Uchiha wielded immense power.

However, despite the immense power of the Uchiha clan, their security force headquarters was not located in the center of Konoha, but rather in a relatively secluded part of the village, which hindered the effective functioning of the security force.

There are also many fundamental issues that, in Baishi's view, need to be changed.

Although the First Hokage established Konoha and the Second Hokage pioneered the development pattern of ninja villages, many of the rules they left behind were no longer compatible with the times.

If no changes are made in the future, some regrettable tragedies will inevitably occur.

Upon closer reflection, Bai Shi realized he was being a bit of an unfounded worryer.

The organization's affairs have been officially put into a formal and standardized manner.

The five people he dispatched are currently following the business group established by Ruri's parents, and have already purchased a huge territory in the Land of Demons where they can establish a base.

Shiroishi only needs to wait for the next, more intense war to come before he can leave Konoha and go his own way.

His ideas and his way of thinking were completely out of step with this village.

◎

January, the beginning of the new year.

To avoid suspicion, he always attended the festival with Ruri during the Lunar New Year.

Now that Ayane has joined Sakumo's team, they can be together openly and honestly, without arousing unnecessary suspicion.

In a sense, a unit formed in the form of squads is also a connection of bonds, and every member of the squad is like a family member.

"Happy New Year."

Wearing a brand-new white kimono adorned with pink cherry blossom patterns, Ayane, who had been waiting on the street for a long time, bowed slightly to Shiraishi and Ruri as they approached her.

"Happy New Year."

The two bowed slightly, and Liuli didn't give her any attitude.

Unlike Ayane, Ruri wore a light blue kimono with a blue ribbon in her hair. There was some gap between her hair and the clothes around her neck, which allowed you to see her fair and slender neck from the side.

The three exchanged red envelopes as gifts for the year.

Because the war was still going on last month, even during the New Year.

Konoha's New Year's celebration this year is a bit quiet.

It wasn't time for the night festival to begin yet, but many festive decorations were already hanging along the streets.

For example, some people use straw ropes to make springs, while others place pine and bamboo in front of their houses.

On the streets, children were already running around with toys, and their laughter could be heard.

Hearing the children's laughter even helped to dispel much of the sadness brought on by the war.

"Ruri, your kimono is beautiful."

"Hmm, yours isn't bad either."

Ruri glanced at Ayane's kimono, which was white with pink cherry blossom patterns, and it did indeed suit Ayane's pure and gentle temperament.

"Yes, after all, this is the best gift I've received this year."

Ayane said this with a smile.

"By the way, where are you two planning to go for fun?"

After hearing Ayane say those words, fearing that she might say something unnecessary, Shiraishi quickly and skillfully changed the subject.

"I heard that a few new shops have opened in the village. Let's go check them out. After we've had enough fun, we'll go out for barbecue with Mr. Sakumo tonight."

The thought of a lavish feast tonight filled Ayane with anticipation for the festival.

Shiraishi and Ruri had no objection to this.

The highlight is the barbecue at night.

For this reason, the three of them, including Shiraishi, decided not to eat anything during the day.

To be honest, Shiraishi wasn't particularly interested in shopping, but he knew that Ruri and Ayane enjoyed the atmosphere of shopping rather than actually buying anything.

Putting aside Ruri, Ayane's family background is not bad either, and she is not very attached to material pursuits.

Otherwise, given Ayane's appetite, an ordinary family would have been bankrupted long ago.

All things considered, he was actually the poorest one.

Ruri and Ayane were there, evaluating and exchanging opinions on a certain product. Occasionally, Shiraishi would join in, offering his own suggestions. The atmosphere was very harmonious, like that of a family.

Time passed by unnoticed, and the sky began to darken.

More and more people are coming out onto the street.

Fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky, adding a touch of chill, but once more people arrived, the chill was completely gone.

The ninjas, who were usually busy with their work, also took off their ninja clothes, put on brand-new clothes, and participated in the night festival together.

Gradually, a lively atmosphere emerged.

There are open-air plays where the actors are dressed in strange costumes and wear ghost masks, performing bizarre supernatural stories that attract the attention of many children.

The children in the street were jumping and skipping, ignoring even the shouts of the adults.

"I'm not late, am I?"

After shopping in the afternoon, Shiraishi and his two companions waited at the agreed-upon place. Not long after, Sakumo, dressed in casual clothes, appeared in front of them.

He was also holding a two-year-old child in his arms, who was snuggled tightly in Sakumo's arms, trying to keep warm.

"No, there's still half an hour until the appointed time. Is this Mr. Sakumo's child? He's so cute."

Ayane looked at the child in Sakumo's arms; just like Sakumo, the child had a head of white hair.

He was looking at Ayane with curious eyes.

"Alright, you can get down now, Kakashi."