Shawn quickly finished reviewing all the files in his hands.
Aside from Yakushi Nono, there were no other familiar names.
All the students listed were between eight and twelve years old.
Yakushi Nono was ten.
At this point in time, Minato Namikaze should be around eight—along with Kushina Uzumaki.
Since Shawn hadn't seen Minato's file, it was safe to assume Shimura Daichi didn't have it either.
Shawn began reviewing the files again—this time more carefully—selecting the candidates he found promising.
A third pass.
When he finally stopped, only fifteen files remained in his hand.
By then, Shimura Daichi had already submitted his own fifteen to Danzo Shimura, who was reading through them.
Once Danzo finished, Shawn handed over his selected files.
Danzo accepted them—and almost immediately pulled out Yakushi Nono's file.
He had noticed Shawn's movements earlier.
After skimming the file, Danzo looked up.
"Why did you choose her, A?"
Shawn answered without hesitation.
"This child has clear talent as a medical ninja. Her personality is gentle, and she maintains excellent relationships with her classmates."
"But her teachers also describe her as resilient and mentally strong."
"A medical ninja, with this temperament and inner strength—combined together—I believe she would make an excellent spy."
A medical ninja… as an intelligence asset?
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
That was an extravagant use of resources.
But he couldn't deny—
It was a highly effective approach.
Danzo nodded and set Yakushi Nono's file aside, then continued reviewing the others.
About half an hour later, ten files were selected—including Yakushi Nono's.
Among them were both civilian children and clan-born students.
However, neither the Uchiha nor Hyūga clans were included.
Even though some of their students were clearly outstanding.
Whether Shimura Daichi had selected any from those clans, Shawn didn't know.
But he himself had skipped them deliberately.
Once the list was finalized, Shimura Daichi was tasked with delivering the files to the Ninja Academy administration.
The Academy would arrange early graduation, after which these ten would enter Root's special training program.
Shawn followed Danzo out of the Academy—
And then to an orphanage.
Selecting candidates there was far simpler.
Danzo chose fifty children in one go.
There was no careful screening—nor was it possible.
As Shawn looked at the bewildered faces of the selected children, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He knew—
If even half of them survived the training, it would already be considered luck.
And yet, selecting from orphanages had been his suggestion.
A sense of guilt crept into his heart.
But he hardened himself almost immediately.
Was he really any different from these orphans now?
To become someone above others…
Shawn swept his gaze over the children.
The only thing I can do… is make them stronger.
That's all.
Training and a New Status
After returning to the Root base, Shawn cleared his mind and resumed training.
Whether Wind Release or Wood Release—he still had vast room to improve.
He reserved Wood Release for nighttime practice.
For now, he focused on Wind Release.
In the forest, Shawn drew his blade, channeling Wind chakra into it, pushing its nature transformation further.
Thinner.
Sharper.
Training was monotonous.
Time flew.
At 8 p.m., Shawn ended his Wind Release practice. After dinner, he moved to a more secluded location and trained Wood Release until midnight.
Then—
The status bar refreshed.
Current Status: Blade Specialist
Description: When it comes to blades, you are a professional—highly specialized.
Under this status, your swordsmanship is fully specialized, with corresponding talent.
Refresh Countdown: 167:59:58
"Excellent."
Shawn was genuinely delighted.
He could feel the difference instantly.
Drawing the sword from his back, an indescribable sensation washed over him—
As if the blade itself were breathing.
Everything he had practiced before suddenly made sense on a deeper level.
Insights flowed naturally.
"Professional… specialized…"
"This should be solidly at jōnin level."
Shawn evaluated calmly.
Previously, his swordsmanship had been strong—but not at jōnin standard.
Shimura Daichi, for example, was clearly superior.
Now?
Shawn felt confident he could match Daichi head-on.
"It's a pity this only lasts seven days…"
Shawn sighed—then paused.
A thought struck him.
If my swordsmanship is at jōnin-level mastery during these seven days…
Can I convert that into permanent gains?
If he learned new sword techniques during this window—
Even if the status expired, the skills he truly mastered would remain.
Seven days of top-tier talent.
If he pushed hard enough—
It might actually be possible to retain specialist-level swordsmanship even after the refresh.
Decision made.
Tomorrow, he would apply to learn Crescent Moon Dance.
Crescent Moon Dance
The next day, Shawn received the Crescent Moon Dance scroll from Danzo.
Leaving the Root base, he opened it at the training grounds and skimmed through.
He smiled.
"Doesn't look that difficult."
After reading it several times and memorizing every key point, Shawn drew his blade and began training.
This technique hinged on two core elements:
Shadow Clones
Coordinated Assault — the main body and two clones attacking simultaneously, mixing real strikes with feints to confuse the enemy's vision and timing.
The opening Shadow Clone seal alone was already extremely useful.
Shawn spent the entire day on sword training.
With the status refreshing every seven days, he had to seize every moment.
After all—missions could interrupt him at any time.
New Mission
The next day—Konoha Year 36, September 22—
Shawn was dispatched again, this time leading his squad.
Outside the village, Inuzuka Ryo couldn't help asking:
"Captain… Tsunade-sama's team is a jōnin squad. Do they really need our protection?"
Despite his confidence, Ryo knew his limits.
He was still just an elite chūnin.
Yes—
This mission involved Tsunade and her team.
They were heading to the Land of Hot Water to meet representatives of the Sky Ninja Village.
Officially, the goal was to take custody of the individual who had planned the theft of Konoha's secret techniques.
This was the result of the Third Hokage's formal censure.
But everyone understood—
The so-called "mastermind" was likely just a scapegoat.
In Danzo's eyes, such insincerity was dangerous.
And sending Shawn's squad served another hidden purpose as well…
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