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As he contemplated the achievements he had built up over many years being gradually altered and dismantled bit by bit, the Third Hokage's heart twitched inexplicably.
Even though Kazuki had also offered benefits to the Sarutobi clan, he still couldn't accept this reality.
"Sir, are you alright?"
Noticing the Third Hokage's complexion wasn't great, his eyes even carrying a hint of disappointment and gloom, the members of the several families who had gathered together exchanged uneasy glances.
What's wrong with the Third Hokage?
For everyone present, today should have been a great day. Why did he look so upset?
"I'm fine, just feeling a bit unwell. I'm getting old, alas..."
The Third Hokage forced a strained smile, shook his head, and sighed:
"This matter will be left to you all to discuss and handle. This old man will go and rest now."
"This....."
No one understood why the Third Hokage's mood had shifted so abruptly.
When he first heard the news, the Third Hokage had seemed quite happy. How did his expression change so suddenly?
After the Third Hokage left, the small group began murmuring amongst themselves.
"hey, what's going on with the Third Hokage?"
"I don't know either. Perhaps he's genuinely not feeling well."
But this reason clearly didn't convince everyone, and they all wore expressions of skepticism.
Do you really think we'd believe such a lame excuse?
Unfortunately, disbelief didn't change anything, as the Third Hokage wouldn't share his troubles with others.
Not even with his own clansmen.
Some matters could only be buried deep within one's heart, never to be spoken of to anyone.
Whether the Third Hokage was deeply distressed or not, Kazuki didn't know.
He only knew that his reforms were for the sake of the village's next generation and would significantly reduce the mortality rate of new-generation ninja.
*****
"Children, I have a very important announcement today. You will be graduating early. Your graduation exams are in less than ten days. I hope you all prepare well and face the exams with your best condition. I don't want to see your familiar faces still here at the academy next year, understand?"
No teacher wanted to see their students held back, forced to return to the Ninja Academy for further training.
Even less did they want to see their students sent back by their team leaders.
"What? Early graduation?"
"Graduation exams in less than ten days?"
These words immediately caused an uproar. Why would they be required to graduate early all of a sudden?
Were they being sent to the battlefield?
"Are we going straight to the battlefield? That's terrifying! Could I die?"
"I don't want to go to the battlefield."
"Hahaha! Finally, we can graduate! Finally, we can leave the academy and end this damned school life!"
Humans are complex creatures. Faced with the same situation, everyone reacts differently.
Thus, upon learning they were to graduate early, with exams imminent, some students were worried, some were scared, while others were excited, even happy.
"Silence!!"
Listening to the students chattering noisily, some even venturing into conspiracy theories, the teacher on the podium trembled with anger. He slammed the desk hard and scolded:
"What do you kids know? Having you graduate early is Lord Advisor's decision. It's for your own good! The knowledge you can gain at the Ninja Academy is limited. Many things require you to experience, learn, and accumulate personally after you graduate."
"Who said anything about you going to the battlefield?"
"To ensure your batch of students can transition and grow properly, Lord Advisor went so far as to reassign numerous patrol squads to other duties, all to buy you time to develop. It's the Sand Village and the Mist Village who are at war, not Konoha! Who said anything about sending you to the battlefield?"
After being sternly rebuked by the teacher, the students finally quieted down completely, none daring to speak further.
Especially those who had shouted about not wanting to go to the battlefield; they hung their heads low, afraid even to look up, fearful of being called out by the teacher.
Having vented his anger and scolded the students, the teacher gradually calmed down. He raised his hand:
"In short, the decision regarding your early graduation has been made. Please prepare yourselves for the exams. You must trust the village, trust the Hokage, and trust our Lord Advisor."
"Lord Advisor has stated that Konoha has not fallen to the point where we need children like you on the battlefield. In fact, for a long time after you graduate, you might rarely even encounter combat. This is Lord Advisor's special consideration for you. Kids, the prioritized education and training you receive now are thanks to Lord Advisor's efforts and support. Adjust your attitudes accordingly, and carry a sense of gratitude. I don't want to hear such talk from you again. Of course, speaking or not is your freedom—just don't be afraid of being labeled as spies."
That serious?
The students who had spouted various conspiracy theories were now frightened, their faces pale and breaking out in cold sweat.
They hadn't imagined that their mere complaints could lead to such severe consequences.
"Here, I must warn some students: within the academy, what you say can still be dismissed as childish nonsense. But once you graduate and become full-fledged ninja, you must learn to control your tongues. Otherwise, your mouths will bring you great trouble. If you can't control your own mouth and bring harm upon yourself, that's one thing. But even your family and friends could land in trouble because of your words. Your teacher isn't trying to scare you unnecessarily. Whether it's true or not, you'll find out after you graduate. Now, let's begin the lesson."
As the teacher started the lesson, the students perked up, sitting properly and listening attentively.
Meanwhile, in places unnoticed by the students, ANBU operatives gathered various reports and delivered them to Kazuki's office.
"Lord Advisor, the intelligence gathered regarding the Ninja Academy is all here."
"Mm, thank you for your hard work." Kazuki unrolled the scroll and began reading.
The Education Department was the sector Kazuki concerned himself with the most. If the atmosphere within a village's Education Department was already skewed, one could easily imagine what kind of students it would produce.
"Conspiracy theories?"
Reading these comments, Kazuki couldn't help but chuckle.
"The innocence of childhood."
Children saying such things aren't necessarily intentional. Sometimes, it's just due to nervousness or fear that they inadvertently speak out.
However, while children might speak carelessly, adults could not.
After reviewing the intelligence, Kazuki thought for a moment before addressing the respectfully waiting ANBU operative:
"Dispatch people to investigate the families and frequent contacts of these students. See if similar sentiments exist among them."
If such words were merely born of fear and tension, they could be understood as childish nonsense, and Kazuki wouldn't dwell on them.
Putting himself in their shoes—suddenly facing early graduation, especially at a time when war had broken out in the shinobi world—he could understand the panic.