Chapter 64 - Graduates

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After listening to the Nara clan head's explanation, Hashirama's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. He sighed, revealing a helpless, wry smile.

"So you're saying… the clans are practically on the verge of fighting just to compete for a few graduating students as their jonin instructors?"

It turned out that a group of students who had entered the Ninja Academy just last September—more than twenty of them with solid foundations—had already applied for graduation after only one year. And now, to become their jonin instructors, the various clans were almost at each other's throats again.

"Big brother, we really need to handle this matter with care," Tobirama added from the side. "Konoha is still newly established, and the clans haven't yet grown used to a life without war. This scramble for students might simply be a habitual way of recruiting allies, or perhaps an effort to increase their clan's strength."

Hearing that, Hashirama fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Seems like everyone still hasn't let go of the hatred…"

Akio chuckled beside them. "Then just let the graduates return to their clans and be trained by their elders. That should settle it."

The Nara clan head shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Some smaller clans only have a single graduate this year—they can't form a genin squad. And then… there are the civilian ninja." He gave Akio a meaningful glance.

"What? Civilian ninja applying for graduation after just one year?" Akio interrupted in surprise.

"There are two of them. And their placements are proving to be the most troublesome," the Nara head replied.

"Which clans have gotten involved?" Hashirama asked, returning to the matter at hand.

The Nara clan head gave a bitter smile. "Aside from the Senju and Uzumaki—since neither of you were around—all the other clans are involved."

"The Uchiha, too? And Madara agreed to this? Then how could the others possibly compete? Uh, I mean… Madara didn't start attacking the other clans, right?" Akio knew Madara's personality all too well.

"Shortly after you left, the Uchiha clan head left the village alone. His whereabouts are still unknown," the Nara head explained.

Akio furrowed his brow, just about to ask more when Hashirama nodded and said, "Let's go take a look at the Ninja Academy first."

When they arrived at the Academy, the Nara head introduced the students who had already applied for graduation.

The main point of contention now centered around four individuals—all of whom Akio was somewhat familiar with.

The young heirs of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans: Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo. These two were also the top two graduates.

With their talent, they were likely to become the next heads of their respective clans. Now, Uchiha elder was trying to take both of them as disciples, prompting widespread opposition—especially from the Hyuga clan, who were nearly at open conflict with the Uchiha over it.

The other two were the civilian ninja: Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane. Though not from any clan, their talent was exceptional, and they were even more hotly contested.

Originally, the clans didn't pay much attention to civilian ninja. But after the Academy was established, some civilian students began to stand out.

These two, in particular, had gone from barely qualified to the level of average genin in less than a year.

After listening to the Nara clan head, Akio actually felt indifferent about the situation. He already knew in his heart that these few would end up becoming disciples of Hashirama and Tobirama, so he wasn't too worried.

Instead, what concerned him more was Madara's whereabouts. Judging by the timeline, Madara should be close to being led by Black Zetsu to view the Uchiha Stone Tablet…

"Is it really unavoidable? The Valley of the End…" Akio murmured.

"What's unavoidable?" Hashirama asked in confusion. "Second Grandpa, this doesn't seem like something too hard to resolve."

Akio scratched his head, realizing he'd spoken his thoughts out loud.

"Yes, yes, easy to resolve… Just leave it to me," he replied casually.

Originally, he thought the dispute would quickly end once Hashirama and Tobirama took on disciples. But something unexpected happened.

Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Ken approached him, hoping he would become the teacher of Hiruzen and Danzo.

"Why me?" Akio rolled his eyes. "Sure, I taught you guys the Rasengan before, but that doesn't mean I'm suited to taking disciples…"

Sarutobi Sasuke smiled. "I heard you've mastered all five chakra natures. That makes you a perfect fit for training Hiruzen."

Shimura Ken added sheepishly, "The advanced Rasengan technique you taught—I've never managed to develop it all these years. I'd feel much more at ease if you trained Danzo."

Akio wasn't buying it. He figured they just couldn't handle the pressure from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, so they were looking for a scapegoat.

"I'm already sixty-nine. I'd rather be planting flowers and tending a garden than taking disciples. Don't worry about the Uchiha and Hyuga—after all, Hashirama is still the Hokage. He'll sort it out." In truth, Akio had considered taking on the two as students, but thought it too troublesome.

Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Ken exchanged disappointed glances and left.

From that point on, events unfolded exactly as Akio had expected. First, the two civilian graduates were taken in by Tobirama as his disciples—appeasing many clans and ending the competition over them.

The question of Hiruzen and Danzo's mentorship was trickier. Hashirama convened a meeting of all clan heads to discuss it.

After negotiations, Hiruzen was accepted as Hashirama's disciple. Danzo was taken in by Tobirama. As a concession, Tobirama also had to accept Akimichi Torifu, the grandson of the Akimichi clan head, and Uchiha Kagami.

Tobirama wasn't thrilled. He harbored no goodwill toward the Uchiha, and at that point, he knew nothing about Kagami.

As for the remaining twenty or so graduates with more average abilities, they were distributed fairly among the clans after further discussion, bringing the conflict to an end.

This entire student mentor incident earned Akio four Witness Points, but he didn't feel the least bit happy.

"A greater storm is probably brewing…" Akio sighed.

Uchiha Madara had recently returned to the village. Compared to the past—when he'd at least still call Akio "old geezer"—this time, he treated him like air. Even his old friend Hashirama received cold indifference.

"He must've seen the Uchiha Stone Tablet by now… and is still hesitating about what path to take," Akio murmured.

"Even the Kagura Mind's Eye can't detect Black Zetsu's presence. What a pain. Looks like the Battle of the Valley of the End is already brewing…"

"Are we really heading toward that ending…?"

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