r18novel Chapter 459 White Robe
Chapter 459 White Robe
Chapter 459 White Robe
Inside the glass enclosure, the chest of the pale, deformed humanoid creature rose and fell with the nutrient solution.
"Even if death is determined from the level of consciousness, as long as the body structure and nutrition are replenished, the functions will recover on their own—after so much research, we still cannot fully understand its life logic."
Kabuto Yakushi observed the White Zetsu's body through the glass.
If it weren't for ensuring the quality of the offerings needed to resurrect the Fourth Hokage using the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he wouldn't have been willing to use these remaining, relatively intact original samples.
"The White Zetsu in its complete form is essentially closer to a subordinate unit of the Divine Tree."
Tobirama Senju's voice came from the control panel.
"Considering the symbiotic and control mechanisms of the Divine Tree itself, using the original White Zetsu's body directly as a human implant material is too risky."
"With the optimized cultivation of Leukemia cells based on the original cells, the strategic value of these original samples has been greatly reduced."
I understand this point, but as a researcher, once you reach a certain point, the desire to get to the bottom of things will inevitably rise up.
Tsunade then stepped down and walked towards where Shuji was.
Tobirama Senju said, "Tsunade, the mental synchronization simulation on Inoichi's side is nearing completion."
"What remains to be confirmed are the specific details of the coordination of the medical plans."
Tsunade nodded knowingly, her gaze falling on Shuuji: "What are you still doing here?"
Shuji was standing in front of another instrument, holding a recording tablet: "Studying?"
"Don't I know your talent in this area?" Tsunade bluntly exposed her. "Instead of pretending here, you should do something practical and useful."
"There's a lecture at the Ninja Academy this afternoon, which I was originally supposed to attend. But I can't be distracted by the preparations here, so you'll go instead."
Upon hearing this, Tobirama Senju turned his head as well.
"Guiding the younger generation is indeed a serious matter. If no one can take over the future, everything we build now will ultimately be nothing but emptiness."
"Go ahead, we don't need you here for now."
Kabuto pretended not to hear anything and continued to look at White Zetsu.
Sometimes, when faced with the overwhelming dominance of geniuses, remaining silent is the most appropriate choice.
Shuji put down the notepad he was holding.
Tsunade then reminded him, "Go to the Hokage's office first."
"understood."
It's mostly just about getting some speech drafts or something like that.
Shuji had traveled this road from the western suburbs to the middle of the village countless times. When he arrived at the Hokage Building, Shizune was not at the hospital today, but waiting at the office door.
"Is Shizune-san going to the Ninja Academy too?"
"Yes, yes—" Shizune's smile seemed a little hesitant.
Shuji stopped in front of the office door.
"What's wrong, Shuuji?" Shizune asked.
"Miss Shizune, have you ever carried out a spy mission?"
"?" Shizune paused for a moment, then shook her head. "No—why are you suddenly asking this?"
Shuji looked at the half-closed office door.
"They didn't even properly disguise the fact that it was 'suspicious'."
He made this comment and then pushed open the door.
The office was well-lit, spacious, and filled with piles of documents; everything seemed quite ordinary.
Except for the garment hanging on the hanger.
It wasn't the Hokage's robe, and there was no indication of which generation it belonged to on the back.
It was a simply tailored white outer robe, made of a rather thick material, with dark red trim on the lapels and cuffs.
The red lines were not straight, but meandered upwards along the hem of the garment, forming a smooth and flowing pattern, like a burning flame or the outstretched branches of a tree.
The robe hung there quietly, its white color almost dazzling in the sunlight streaming in from the window.
Shuji stood there, looking at the clothes.
The office door closed softly behind her. Jingyin walked in, still wearing that slightly awkward smile.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu rose from the sofa in the reception area. The two advisors looked unusually solemn today, even their usual seriousness had become more formal.
"Shuji," Mitokado Homura spoke first, "come here."
Xiu Si walked over and stopped in front of the white robe.
"This is----"
"A piece of clothing," said Xiaochun, who was switching dorm rooms.
Mitomon Yan walked to the clothes rack, his aged fingers tracing the shoulder seam of the white robe.
"You don't want to become Hokage, but this is just a piece of clothing."
"This is recognition that those who have made contributions deserve."
Koharu Utatane also came over. This consultant, who was known for her strictness, now had her gaze fixed on the patterns on the white robe.
"This afternoon you will be facing children who are about to graduate from the Ninja Academy. Many of them will become the cornerstones of the village, and those of you standing before them should show the respect due to them."
Shuji remained silent. His gaze shifted from the faces of the two advisors and returned to the white robe.
Shizune spoke softly, "That robe was personally chosen by Lady Tsunade in terms of style and pattern."
Xiu Si reached out, took off the white robe, and draped it over his shoulders.
The size was surprisingly good, the shoulder line was cut just right, and the hem length was perfect.
"That's overly serious."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu didn't respond; they just watched him quietly.
Jingyin picked up a bound manuscript from the table and handed it over.
"This is an outline of the afternoon lectures, along with the schedule —"
Xiuji took it and glanced through it briefly.
"Well then, I'll head over now."
"Shuji." Koharu Utatane suddenly called out to him.
He turned around.
The old advisor stared at him, and a faint hint of gentleness appeared on his usually stern face.
"The clothes suit you very well," she said.
Xiu Si paused for a moment, nodded slightly, and pushed open the door to walk out.
The corridor was dimly lit, and the hem of his white robe swayed slightly with each step. As he descended the stairs and reached the main entrance of the Hokage Building, a figure leaned against a pillar by the door.
"Yo."
Kakashi raised his hand in greeting.
"Who is this? They look like they've forgotten something important. I'll go get it right away—"
'
He made a move to set off.
Shuji didn't say anything, but as he took a step forward, he raised his hand.
Almost simultaneously, Kakashi drifted backward, his distance perfectly controlled: "The same move won't work on me a second time."
Shuji didn't stop. The next second, several thin, resilient vines suddenly sprouted from the ground beneath Kakashi's feet, wrapping around his ankles and tightening rapidly.
Kakashi's expression changed slightly: "Oh no—"
—
Before he could finish speaking, Xiu Si had already patted him on the shoulder.
Kakashi looked down at the vines wrapped around his ankles, then looked up at Shuuji: "Wearing such formal clothes and still getting handsy, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Even so, he was already ready for takeoff.
But Xiu Si let go, and the vines retracted.
"Where are you going?" Shuuji asked, continuing to walk towards the Ninja Academy.
"Work." Kakashi followed.
They walked onto the main road.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and the streets were bustling with people. At first, only a few people noticed Xiu Si's white robe and stopped in their tracks. Then more and more people joined in.
The vegetable vendor stopped weighing the vegetables, the ninjas chatting idly at the shop entrance turned their heads, and the mother taking a walk with her child pulled her child back.
No one cheered, and no one stepped forward.
They simply stopped what they were doing and quietly looked this way.
Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi turned from another street and stopped when they saw this scene. Asuma forgot to smoke the cigarette he was holding, and Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened slightly.
"This is—" Asuma said in a low voice.
"It seems that day hasn't come yet." Kurenai noticed that Shuji wasn't wearing a straw hat. "But that outfit—"
Kakashi felt the gazes coming from all directions, and his body tensed for a moment.
He wanted to slip away.
"You can't escape." Shuji's voice came calmly. "I've already marked it; there's absolutely no way to dodge it at this distance."
Kakashi sighed.
The crowds on both sides of the road spontaneously stepped back, making way for the middle passage. No one spoke, only the occasional chirping of birds could be heard.
Shuji walked ahead, with Kakashi half a step behind him, his silver hair gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
And so they walked all the way to the entrance of the Ninja Academy.
Ebisu and the teachers from the Ninja Academy were already waiting. Upon seeing Shuji, the teacher, who was known for his seriousness, bowed very respectfully.
"Lord Shuji."
The teachers behind him also bowed.
Ebisu straightened up and adjusted his sunglasses: "The students have all assembled on the playground."
Shuji nodded, his gaze passing over Ebisu and looking into the interior of the Ninja Academy.
The playground was already packed with people.
He went inside.
The sounds on the playground seemed to be muted the moment Shuji appeared.
Hundreds of eyes turned to look at them.
The sunlight was a bit too bright, so Xiu Si squinted as he walked towards the makeshift podium set up in front of the playground.
As he walked, his gaze swept over the crowd below.
The sixth-grade section was at the very front. Most of those children were twelve or thirteen years old, their faces still bearing the innocence of teenagers, but their eyes already revealed the sharpness of ninjas.
Fifth grade, fourth grade — his gaze continued to move backward.
Then, in the crowd of third-year students, he saw Naruto.
The blond boy stood in the line, his mouth half-open, but just as he was about to make a sound, a hand reached out from the side and covered his mouth.
Iruka appeared beside Naruto without anyone noticing. The young teacher pressed one hand tightly against Naruto's mouth, while the other hand rested on the blond boy's shoulder, his eyes fixed on Shuji as he walked onto the podium.
Sasuke stood on the other side of the third-year students' group. The black-haired boy stood with his hands at his sides, watching Shuuji walk step by step onto the podium, watching the white robe flutter slightly in the wind, watching the teachers stand respectfully on both sides with their heads bowed in greeting.
Something bumped into my chest.
He saw the concrete shape, the posture of being recognized, respected, and watched by countless people, the figure standing in front leading something.
That is--
Shuji walked to the center of the podium.
"Good afternoon, my companions."
"About the path you are about to embark on, about the identity of a ninja, and about the changes that are happening in this world."
"Starting this year, there will be some adjustments to the graduation system at the Ninja Academy. You will not be immediately assigned to a fixed squad on graduation day, nor will you immediately have a designated Jonin or Chunin instructor."
"For the next year, you will be serving as genin, carrying out D-rank missions under the guidance of senior ninjas."
He paused, seemingly waiting for his words to be processed.
"In this process, you will learn how to cooperate with different partners, how to leverage your strengths in missions, and how to compensate for each other's weaknesses. You will encounter all sorts of requests—finding lost pets, helping harvest crops, clearing waterways, assisting with relocation—"
"These tasks may sound trivial. But it is through these simple tasks that you will truly understand the meaning of the word 'task,' the expectations of the client when entrusting you with their trust, and the sense of accomplishment when you receive payment after completing the work."
"This year is also a time for you to find your own path. You can choose your future development direction: medicine, reconnaissance, scientific research, or combat. Even within the broad category of combat, there will be further subdivisions based on expertise: taijutsu, ninja tools, ninjutsu, genjutsu—everyone can find a place that suits them."
"Money is not something that comes out of nowhere; it is the reward you deserve for your labor."
"The world is changing, and you are all..."
Shuji raised his hand and pointed to the students below the stage.
"You will be the ones who build the future."
"So make good use of the coming year. Don't rush to prove yourself, and don't blindly chase after power."
It's okay to experience, to think, and to make mistakes. Find the path you truly want to take, and then walk it steadfastly.
That's all I have to say. The year to come, and many years to come—
'
He looked at the young faces below the stage, those still immature but already shining eyes.
"Please give me your guidance."
Kakashi had already left the playground area at some point.
He appeared in the faculty office, holding a list of graduates, his eyes scanning the names and academic comments.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor, followed by the sound of a door being pushed open.
"So, Sasuke-kun, is there anything you want to share with me?"
Sasuke stood at the door, remaining silent for a few seconds before walking in.
"They already have their own goals."
Kakashi's words sounded like a joke, but Sasuke still took them seriously. He didn't go to the graduating class because he wasn't familiar with them.
Instead, she looked at her classmates first, since it seemed that age wasn't a factor in getting an internship at the secret service.
But the result was not as expected.
"Is that so?" Kakashi said. "Let me think. The people you noticed, could they be Shino Aburame or Ino Yamanaka?"
"If that's the case, then isn't it obvious that their future is already planned out?"
"Let's look at something else, Sasuke. Don't just focus on those obvious talents."
"I'm not kidding about how boring the work in the village is."
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