Chapter 64: The Graduates
After listening to the Nara Clan Head's explanation, the frown on Hashirama's forehead gradually smoothed out. He sighed, revealing an expression that was somewhere between laughter and tears.
"So, you're saying that the clans are nearly going to war just to fight over becoming the guiding Jonin for a few graduates?"
It turned out that among the group of students who entered the Ninja Academy last September, there were twenty or so with excellent foundations who had applied for graduation after only one year. To become their guiding Jonin, the various clans were practically at each other's throats.
"Brother, we must handle this matter with caution!" Tobirama spoke up from the side. "Konoha has only just been established. The clans haven't gotten used to days without war yet. Fighting over students now is likely a habitual attempt to rope in allies, or perhaps to strengthen their own clan's power."
Hearing Tobirama say this, Hashirama realized the gravity of the situation and fell silent for a moment. "It seems everyone hasn't completely let go of their hatred yet..."
Masahiko smiled from the sidelines. "Then just let the graduates return to their own clans and let their own elders guide them."
The Nara Clan Head slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't work. For some small clans, there is only one graduate this year; they can't form a Genin squad." He glanced at Masahiko. "Also, there are the civilian ninja..."
"There are civilian ninja applying for graduation after only one year?" Masahiko interrupted, looking surprised.
"There are two. Their placement is the most difficult issue..." the Nara Clan Head replied.
"Which clans are involved in this?" Hashirama snapped back to reality and asked.
The Nara Clan Head smiled bitterly. "Aside from the Senju and Uzumaki, who didn't participate because you weren't here, every other clan is involved."
"The Uchiha are involved too? If Madara agreed, how can the other clans compete? Er, I mean, Madara didn't attack the other clans, did he...?" Masahiko knew Madara's personality well.
"Shortly after you left, the Uchiha Clan Head left the village alone. His whereabouts are still unknown..." the Nara Clan Head explained.
Masahiko frowned. He wanted to ask for details, but Hashirama nodded slightly. "Let's go. Let's take a look at the Ninja Academy first."
The group arrived at the Ninja Academy, and the Nara Clan Head introduced the situation of the students who had applied for graduation one by one.
The main conflict currently centered around four individuals, none of whom were strangers to Masahiko.
The heir of the Sarutobi clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the heir of the Shimura clan, Shimura Danzo. These two were also the top two graduates.
With their talent, they were practically guaranteed to be the next heads of their respective clans. Now, the Uchiha Elder, Uchiha Izuya, wanted to take both of them as disciples. Every other clan opposed this, especially the Hyuga, who were almost in direct conflict with the Uchiha.
The remaining two were the civilian ninjas, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Although they were commoners, their talent was high enough that even more people were fighting over them.
The clans hadn't originally paid much attention to civilian ninja, but after the Ninja Academy was founded, some civilians gradually began to show their brilliance.
Especially these two. It took them less than a year to go from having a weak foundation to possessing the level of an ordinary Genin.
After hearing the Nara Clan Head's explanation, Masahiko stopped caring as much. He knew in his heart that these people would eventually be taken as disciples by Hashirama and Tobirama, so he wasn't particularly concerned.
Instead, he was worried about Madara's whereabouts. Calculating the time, Madara should have been led by Black Zetsu to see the Uchiha Stone Tablet by now...
"Is it really unavoidable? The Valley of the End..." Masahiko muttered.
"What's unavoidable?" Hashirama asked confusedly from the side. "Great-Uncle, this matter shouldn't be too hard to solve..."
Masahiko scratched his head, realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud again.
"Right, it's easy to solve. I'll just watch..."
He originally thought this dispute would end quickly with Hashirama and Tobirama taking apprentices, but something Masahiko hadn't anticipated happened.
Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Ken found him. They wanted him to be the teacher for Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.
"Why come to me?" Masahiko rolled his eyes. "Although I taught you two the Rasengan back in the day, that doesn't mean I'm suitable to take apprentices..."
Sarutobi Sasuke smiled. "I heard that you also possess all five chakra natures, Sensei. You are perfect to guide Hiruzen-kun."
Shimura Ken also said sheepishly, "I haven't been able to develop the advanced forms of the Rasengan after all these years. It would set my mind at ease if you taught Danzo-kun."
Masahiko curled his lip, not believing a word these two said. They probably couldn't handle the pressure from the Uchiha and Hyuga and wanted to use him as a shield.
"I'm already 69 years old. I just want to plant flowers and tend to the grass. I have no desire to take disciples. You don't need to worry too much about the Uchiha and Hyuga; after all, the Hokage of Konoha is Hashirama. He will resolve this."
In fact, Masahiko had considered taking these two as disciples, but he felt it was too troublesome. Having Kento-kun was headache enough. Danzo would be even more trouble in the future; if Masahiko became his teacher, he'd have to watch him constantly.
Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Ken looked at each other with disappointment before taking their leave.
The development of events that followed was completely within Masahiko's expectations.
First were the two civilian graduates. Hashirama had Tobirama take them as disciples, pacifying the emotions of many clans. Now... no one had to fight over them.
The placement of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo was relatively more difficult. Hashirama summoned all the clan heads to discuss it together.
After negotiation, Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken as a disciple by Hashirama. Shimura Danzo was taken by Tobirama. As compensation/balance, Tobirama also had to take Akimichi Torifu, the grandson of the Akimichi Clan Head, and Uchiha Kagami, the son of Uchiha Izuya, as disciples.
Of course, Tobirama looked miserable about this. After all, he didn't have a shred of goodwill toward the Uchiha, and at this time, he didn't know Uchiha Kagami at all.
As for the other twenty graduates, none had particularly outstanding talents. After negotiation, the clans distributed them evenly, and the disturbance subsided.
This apprenticeship event brought Masahiko 4 Witness Points, but he wasn't happy.
"A bigger storm is probably brewing..." Masahiko sighed.
Uchiha Madara had returned to Konoha not long ago. Compared to the past, where he would call Masahiko "old man" at every turn, this time he basically treated Masahiko like air. He even gave the cold shoulder to his best friend, Hashirama.
"Madara probably saw the Uchiha Stone Tablet and is now hesitating about where he should go from here..." Masahiko muttered.
"My Mind's Eye of the Kagura can't find any trace of Black Zetsu either. It's really troublesome. The Battle of the Valley of the End is probably already brewing..."
"Does it really have to come to that?"
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