It was understandable that Akatsuki's refusal happened, and Hakushi didn't feel any regret about it.
There were simply too many people to recruit. After all, the lower limit for cultivating this Natural Energy was extremely low; even people with disabilities could use it for combat after getting prosthetics, it was just a matter of being strong or weak.
However, with the basics of a ninja, their strength would be greater than the average person when enhanced by Natural Energy.
The bigger issue was the unidentified corpse right in front of him.
"This texture, and Life Energy... what is this thing?"
Hakushi stared bizarrely at the corpse of this white creature and didn't refer to it as 'human' but rather used 'thing' as a substitute name.
Its internal structure was so simple that... Hakushi thought it was merely a shell with consciousness.
The texture was cold, like a corpse, yet it was somewhat different.
A living corpse?
"A weirdo keeping an eye on Akatsuki... Is that Akatsuki even of such rare value to be watched by someone?"
Hakushi had understood some things about Akatsuki, an organization whose members were just teenagers living in those harsh conditions, fostering a tough will and courage to fight.
They tried to save the entire country in the clumsiest way.
Akatsuki was founded about two years ago, and at that time, it was still just a startup without even a specific name, with only three members in the organization.
After more than a year of development, it turned into an organization of eight or nine people, and the name Akatsuki only began circulating in the last few months.
But it couldn't change anything.
Ultimately, why would such an utterly impoverished organization, having issues with basic living needs, become the target of someone's attention?
Internal strife within the Land of Rain?
Or did other countries not want an organization like Akatsuki to appear in the Land of Rain?
Hakushi merely thought about it and gave up; he had a mountain of things to handle and no need to waste time on this kind of matter.
One way or another, other people's matters had nothing to do with him.
What Akatsuki would become in the future, let the unknown future pass judgment on it.
According to Hakushi's prediction, Akatsuki's downfall would be quite tragic.
The Land of Rain... was not suitable for development.
At present, at least.
It was the territory where great nations competed. Unless the three major nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth were willing to jointly establish a stable order, only then would the Land of Rain prosper and achieve peace alongside them.
But the three major nations had no intention of building such a stable order other than competing with each other.
The people of that country had lost most of the spirit to resist after years of oppression.
In this era, people died every day, and people fought.
Human survival lies in the law of the jungle.
The nations built by humanity are no different; the weak are bullied, and the strong possess everything.
The Land of Rain is merely one among many nations built by humans.
Besides that, in this chaotic era, this country had no further meaning.
◎
Early April.
A new batch of graduates walked out from the Ninja School to become true Genin, embarking on their own passionate ninja lives.
In the Konoha Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Sakumo's team celebrated here.
"Too slow, today's a big day, you know."
The raven-haired girl stood gracefully in front of the ramen shop, her voice cold.
She wore a jet-black off-shoulder tight-fitting top, with long black gloves reaching past her elbows. On the back of the gloves, there were exceptionally sturdy iron plates, specially made to fend off Kunai and Ninja Blades.
She had a short skirt on her lower body, along with black knee-high socks that accentuated her lovely legs. Her Ninja Tool Bag was tied to her thigh with a belt, the overall look fitting perfectly.
The Uchiha fan emblem was embroidered on the back of her black tight-fitting top.
This girl was none other than Ruri.
She had grown up quite a bit compared to three years ago, now being the steady second-in-command in Sakumo's team, and was spoken highly of in Konoha as a talented ninja.
She stood with her arms crossed, a cold expression on her face, seemingly displeased that Hakushi was arriving only now.
"What does it matter? Isn't the timing just right?"
Another black-haired girl smiled, coming to Hakushi's defense.
This girl was Ayane.
Compared to Ruri, she had actually undergone larger changes over the three years.
For instance, in figure.
Like in the bust.
She wore a custom white kimono with a hem that was not below the knees, ensuring her legs had flexibility for movement.
Her legs were clad in white knee-high socks similar to Ruri, and she didn't carry a Ninja Tool Bag on her thigh. If not for the Headband worn on her forehead, she wouldn't look like a ninja at all.
But who knows, her weapons might be tied somewhere else.
"Has Teacher Sakumo already arrived?"
Hakushi didn't pay attention to Ruri's dissatisfied attitude and asked about Sakumo.
He had a gift bag in his hand, containing several gift boxes.
Since today was a special day.
"He's been here for a while, waiting for you."
"Is that so? Well, it couldn't be helped. I had things to take care of earlier. It's good that I made it in time, and I didn't forget the gifts either."
As he spoke, Hakushi lifted the gift bag in his hand and said with a smile.
Ruri's face finally looked a bit better.
The three entered the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. Sakumo was sitting there, with a similarly white-haired boy sitting to his right, about five or six years old, wearing a mask on his face and a Ninja Headband on his forehead.
This proved that even at only five or six years of age, this boy had officially graduated from the Ninja School as a qualified Konoha Ninja.
"Long time no see, Kakashi."