"Congratulations, child."
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a kind and gentle smile as he personally placed the forehead protector, the symbol of a Konoha ninja, onto Shinichi's forehead.
"Starting today, you are a true Konoha ninja. Remember the way of the ninja: protect the village and cherish your comrades."
"Yes! Lord Third Hokage!"
After the simple ceremony concluded, Shinichi turned and walked out of the classroom that served as the temporary examination hall. As soon as he stepped outside, a wave of familiar noise rushed over him.
"Shinichi! Congratulations on graduating!"
"That's great! Now you're a real ninja!"
"It's just as expected of you, Shinichi!"
Led by Ishizuka Takashi with his booming voice, a group of classmates he knew well eagerly surrounded him, offering congratulations in a flurry of voices. The atmosphere was warm and sincere.
Shinichi naturally smiled and nodded in acknowledgment to the classmates gathered around him.
"Wait for me, Shinichi!" Takashi clenched his fist tightly, his eyes blazing, his voice full of determination: "I will catch up to you soon and become a true ninja!"
"Shinichi, congratulations on your graduation." Shizune walked up from the side and back of the crowd, a smile on her face.
She handed him a small, practical-looking medical kit: "These are some basic medical supplies and emergency medicine I made myself. They might be useful when you go on missions."
"Thank you, Shizune." Shinichi took the medical kit and thanked her.
However, even as he thanked her, a faint sense of regret flashed through his heart.
Over the years, using Takashi as a connection, he had successfully met Instructor Chen and received guidance, which opened a door for him in taijutsu training.
But with Shizune, the expected progress had not materialized—he had consistently failed to use Shizune to gain access to Princess Tsunade, one of the Sannin.
His relationship with Shizune was undoubtedly very good, and Shizune often complained to him about the "unreliable Lady Tsunade." But Shizune had never shown any intention of introducing them.
And given the persona Shinichi had carefully cultivated—"diligent, dependable, and never actively seeking favors"—it was naturally difficult for him to take the initiative, so no substantial progress had been made.
As for Tsunade herself... Shinichi knew very well that the legendary female ninja who had consecutively lost her younger brother and her lover had long since closed off her heart, immersed in her own world of pain and indifferent to most external matters.
Shizune, as the niece of Kato Dan, was kept by her side more as a sense of responsibility and a mutual solace for shared suffering.
It was entirely understandable that Tsunade, in her current state, would not take extra interest in a "genius child from someone else's family," nor bother to "stop by" for a look, unlike Instructor Chen.
However, Shinichi was not overly disappointed. Managing interpersonal relationships, especially intersecting with figures of this stature, requires both opportunity and patience.
Maintaining a good relationship with Shizune was, in itself, a valuable long-term wedge that had been quietly driven in.
One day in the future, when the time was right, this wedge might take root and sprout, becoming the bridge connecting him to that treasure trove.
---
"Everyone!" Shinichi raised his voice so that all the surrounding classmates could hear clearly: "To thank the teachers for their guidance over the years, and to thank all of you for your company, I plan to hold another small gathering tomorrow afternoon at the Aji no Takumi Restaurant. All teachers, classmates, and senpai who have looked after me are welcome to come if you are free."
He spoke lightly, but those familiar with his style knew this would likely be another sizable feast.
Just like the thank-you banquet he held for his swordsmanship teacher two years ago, this had become his unique way of expressing gratitude and maintaining connections.
As for the cost, Shinichi truly no longer needed to worry about it. That day in the Hokage Office, when the Third Hokage proposed officially adopting the Rasengan as a Konoha ninjutsu, he had asked Shinichi what kind of reward he wanted.
Shinichi did not ask for ninjutsu or special privileges. Instead, he openly requested a generous monetary reward, citing the reason that he "hoped to pay off the school's student loans and ensure he could focus on training without being disturbed by mundane affairs for a period of time."
This practical and reasonable request was quickly approved.
At this moment, he was quite financially comfortable.
Hosting this banquet was not only an act of sincere thanks but also a carefully planned declaration of status and a refresh of perception, aimed at quickly upgrading his [Ninja Academy Student] entry to [Genin].
At the same time, it reinforced his image as someone "loyal, righteous, and grateful for favors," which was beneficial.
---
[Auspicious Omen (Green): Your luck is newly involved in the mysterious; you occasionally sense minor signs of good fortune and favorable developmental trends.]
[Omen of Disaster (Green): Your luck has begun to touch upon misfortune, and you occasionally sense minor sinister omens and potential signs of danger.]
The time required for [Ninja Academy Student] to upgrade to [Genin] was much shorter than when [Apprentice Swordsmanship] was promoted to [Swordsman].
This was reasonable—he was now a promising talent highly focused on by Konoha's high-ranking officials, and having graduated under the personal witness of the Third Hokage, the relevant recognition and confirmation naturally came faster and more intensely.
When the drawing opportunity accompanying the class promotion arrived, Shinichi followed the old routine: bathing, changing clothes, and performing a set of seemingly devout but actually useless prayer before performing the draw.
The result was this green entry named [Omen of Disaster], which, like the previously drawn [Auspicious Omen], belonged to the realm of mysterious luck.
Based on the entry description, if [Auspicious Omen] relates to the fortunate and beneficial side of luck, allowing one to occasionally sense good signs and opportunities, then [Omen of Disaster] corresponds to the ominous and sinister side of luck.
Of course, this doesn't mean the entry has a negative effect. Based on his personal experiments over the years, Shinichi was certain that all talent entries generated by the panel were essentially positive enhancements, differing only in their domain of effect and form of manifestation.
The [Auspicious Omen] entry had been tested by him intentionally and unintentionally many times over the past two years.
For example, on the slot machines outside the village casino or in games of chance during village festivals, his probability of winning was indeed slightly higher than average, indicating that [Auspicious Omen] subtly boosted his luck stat.
More importantly, it occasionally brought a vague feeling of intuition, hinting that certain opportunities or favorable turning points related to him might be imminent.
By analogy, the mechanism of [Omen of Disaster] should be opposite but still within the category of enhancement. It likely doesn't bring misfortune, but rather makes him more sensitive to potential disaster? Or perhaps makes his enemies less fortunate?
Similarly, when a disaster or major crisis concerning him is brewing, [Omen of Disaster] should occasionally provide a warning similar to intuition—like the change in air pressure before dark clouds arrive—not specific, but enough to prompt vigilance.
---
After waiting at home for about three days, Shinichi finally received the specific notification regarding his team assignment:
His teammates would meet him at Training Ground Six tomorrow morning at seven o'clock.
"A training ground?" Shinichi put down the notification letter, deep in thought.
It seemed that this teammate, whom he hadn't yet met, intended to test his strength first.
'Who would they be?'
Carrying this curiosity, he passed the night peacefully.
The next morning, Shinichi, equipped with his standard gear, arrived at Training Ground Six on time.
To his surprise, there was only one figure waiting for him in the field.
It was a middle-aged ninja of average build, dressed in simple brown clothing, conspicuously carrying a large iron pot on his back.
His attire was somewhat peculiar, even possessing a rustic humor.
At first glance, Shinichi found the person somewhat familiar but couldn't be sure immediately. He steadily walked forward, bowing and greeting him proactively: "Senpai, hello. I am Higashino Shinichi, reporting today. Please guide me."
The middle-aged man turned around, revealing an extremely kind, almost overly simple smile. His tone was gentle, unlike that of a ninja: "Oh, Higashino Shinichi, I know about you. Everyone in the village is talking about the incredible genius who appeared."
He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed: "I didn't expect you'd end up being assigned to a team with an unproductive old guy like me. I'm sorry to put you out. My name is Maruboshi Kosuke."
'It is him!'
'Maruboshi Kosuke!'