After hearing the report, the Third Hokage fell into silence.
Of course, he knew who Muyi was talking about.
A person who clearly failed every basic standard yesterday had undergone a massive transformation overnight. Not only did he pass the Genin assessment, but his proficiency in basic ninjutsu was also no lower than that of an ordinary Chunin.
This was indeed worth investigating!
"Could Tsunade have pulled some strings?"
Bang!
The office door was slapped open with a domineering force that almost shook the entire building. Both Muyi and the Third Hokage were startled.
"Teacher, did I hear you badmouthing me?"
Tsunade walked in angrily, giving the Third Hokage no face at all.
"Ahem..."
The Third Hokage's old face flushed red. He hadn't realized Tsunade was outside. He coughed dryly, then feigned dignity. "Tsunade, you fool around too much. Be a bit more serious in here."
However, Tsunade didn't buy it at all. She huffed, "Kenji passed the assessment based on his own strength. Don't be suspicious and cross his name off the list."
"You worry too much. Since Kenji has that ability, why would I deliberately make things difficult for him?" The Third Hokage said helplessly. "You really care about that kid. You aren't even this attentive to Nawaki, are you?"
"Nawaki and Kenji are the same; they are both my brothers. There is no difference!"
"Whether there is a difference or not, you know best," the Third Hokage asked. "So, did you come here just for this?"
"There is one more thing," Tsunade suddenly smiled mysteriously. "I want to be a Jonin Instructor."
"Huh?" The Third Hokage was stunned.
"What? Orochimaru can lead disciples, but I can't?"
"It's not that you can't. I just thought that with your lack of patience, you definitely wouldn't make such a request."
The Third Hokage was indeed surprised. If possible, he naturally hoped that all three of his disciples could become Jonin Instructors.
It was just that Jiraiya was used to being idle and free-spirited, and Tsunade had a violent temper and lacked patience. Only Orochimaru was relatively suitable.
So, Tsunade actively proposing to become a Jonin Instructor was beyond his expectations.
But after a second thought, he seemed to understand.
"Could it be..."
"That's right. Kenji must be one of my students!"
[Ding! Congratulations on completing the novice mission. Reward: 500 Points!]
[Ding! Congratulations on completing a system mission for the first time. Extra Reward: 300 Points!]
The extra reward of 300 points was unexpected for Kenji.
However, at this moment, the most exciting thing wasn't the 300 points, but the fact that after possessing over 500 points, he was qualified to perform a draw in the Ordinary Draw Area.
Although it was only the Ordinary Draw Area, it was still worth looking forward to.
"Ordinary Draw!"
Kenji issued the command to the system.
[Ding! Consuming 500 points. Drawing item for you. Source: Bleach Time-Space. Please wait...]
He waited for about half a minute.
[Ding! Congratulations, you obtained the Ice-Element Zanpakutō: 'Sode no Shirayuki' (Sleeved White Snow). Bind immediately?]
"Sode no Shirayuki?"
Kenji's eyes lit up. He thought he might draw a Zanpakutō, but he didn't expect to draw Sode no Shirayuki directly.
Sode no Shirayuki might not be the strongest ice-element Zanpakutō, but it is the most beautiful Zanpakutō in the entire Soul Society!
"Bind immediately!"
[Ding! Binding successful!]
The moment the system notification finished, Kenji felt a power merge into his mind.
Upon binding, Sode no Shirayuki became one with Kenji; Kenji became Sode no Shirayuki's sole master.
Kenji raised his hand, and responding to his soul, a blade exuding endless coldness appeared in his grasp.
The blade was cold and sharp, the body of the sword crystal clear, smooth, and bright as white snow.
At this moment, Kenji felt that even the most beautiful things in the world could not compare to this.
unable to put it down, he gently stroked the blade. Sode no Shirayuki seemed to sense him, responding with a fluctuation of its soul.
"Let's fight side by side from now on, Sode no Shirayuki!"
Instantly, frost spread out. Everything within the immediate radius was covered in a layer of silvery white.
Although it was desolate and cold, it was beautiful to the extreme!
When Kenji returned home, he found that Tsunade was back and waiting with Nawaki.
"You talked to the Hokage? That was fast."
"I..."
Tsunade hesitated, stopping herself from speaking. In the end, she decided not to tell Kenji for the time being. She gave a perfunctory reply and asked, "Where did you go just now?"
Before Kenji could answer, Nawaki, who was standing to the side, suddenly jumped up in excitement.
"Kenji-ge, did you really pass the graduation assessment?"
Kenji knew Tsunade must have told Nawaki. He smiled faintly. "You're allowed to graduate, but I'm not?"
"Of course not," Nawaki said hurriedly. "I'm just happy that I can graduate with you, Kenji-ge. This way, we can go on training missions together in the future!"
Kenji's expression shifted. "..."
"After graduation, every three people form a small squad led by a Jonin Instructor. I'll talk to Teacher Orochimaru and ask him to assign you to us."
"About that..."
Kenji hesitated.
Having read the original story, he knew exactly what kind of person Orochimaru was.
Although Orochimaru hadn't defected yet and his personality hadn't undergone a massive shift—still being the Third Hokage's most trusted disciple—he would step into the darkness sooner or later.
Kenji didn't dare take such a person as his teacher, lest things become difficult in the future.
Just as he was thinking of how to refuse, Tsunade suddenly shouted, "No! Kenji cannot go to Orochimaru's team."
This shout startled both Kenji and Nawaki.
The two looked at each other, confused.
Those who didn't know better would think Tsunade had some deep-seated hatred for Orochimaru.