I'll cover the retreat!
Of course, the captain must provide the cover.
(Of course, the Hokage must serve as the decoy.)
Kakashi, from now on, you are the captain.
(Monkey, from now on, you are the Hokage.)
I leave the intelligence to you to protect.
(I leave the Village to you to protect.)
In the Hokage Office, the clear and resolute voice of the youth speaking those familiar words echoed from the Crystal Ball.
A scene vividly and violently etched deep within the Third Hokage's soul suddenly surged forth.
For that instant, the calm and determined profile of the black-haired youth in the rain surprisingly overlapped with the face of his teacher who had looked back for the last time.
A massive sense of disorientation overwhelmed the Third Hokage; the barrier of time seemed to be pierced through at that moment.
After a long time, he slowly, extremely slowly, took a breath, closed his eyes, and calmed the turbulent waves surging within him.
He was sensible from a young age, grew up in an Orphanage, and proactively helped with chores and looked after younger children.
He was friendly, cared for his companions, ran errands for the elderly nearby, helped neighbors, and got along well with classmates.
He was grateful and repaid kindness, not forgetting to donate his meager working income back to the Orphanage that raised him, and hosting a Gratitude Banquet for the teacher who taught him Swordsmanship... Various pieces of information about the child flashed through the Third Hokage's mind like fragments.
A moment later, the Third Hokage reopened his eyes, his gaze having returned to its usual depth and clarity.
His gaze fell upon the desk, where an application report that had just arrived this afternoon lay—a formal document from a Ninja Academy Student requesting to learn the Shadow Clone Technique.
He picked up his pen and smoothly wrote two large characters:
[Approved]
The pen tip paused, and he felt that this was not quite enough.
Thus, below "Approved," he added another line of instruction:
"Appropriate practical B-rank and C-rank Ninjutsu, beyond the regular Ninjutsu Library access, may be made available for him to select and study as encouragement. The specific list shall be discussed and drafted by the Academic Affairs Office and his supervising teacher."
After writing this sentence, he pondered for a few seconds, still feeling something was lacking.
"Furthermore: If the student encounters difficulties during his studies, his supervising teacher may apply for suitable personnel to provide regular or specialized guidance, which I will personally oversee."
Finishing the last stroke, the Third Hokage gently placed the report aside, and his gaze once again turned toward the subsiding rain outside the window... Some time passed, and it was the weekend.
Konoha Fourth Training Ground, dawn was breaking.
Shinichi was performing basic physical training—Push-ups.
His movements were standard and steady; every descent and push-up carried a clear rhythm of exertion. Sweat continuously dripped from his chin and neck, soaking into the ground beneath him, creating dark stains.
At this moment, he was not carrying a giant stone as before. Instead, he wore a close-fitting dark Weighted Suit, with several metal blocks bearing subtle Runes strapped to his limbs and abdomen.
This was professional weighted gear he had carefully selected from a Ninja Tool Shop, similar to Little Lee's later style.
Realizing the strict conditions for generating a blue-rank descriptor—it needed to affect the entire Konoha and achieve a shocking impact, likely requiring recognition from high-influence core figures—he adjusted his strategy.
Exaggerated attention-seeking behavior was no longer the priority; at this stage, efficiency was key.
This gear, which applied load more evenly and scientifically, was better for his current physical conditioning.
Scattered around him were seven or eight figures identical to him in appearance and clothing—Shadow Clones.
These Shadow Clones were either practicing Chakra control through Water Walking, practicing Swordsmanship with long swords, or picking up a scroll for specialized study.
For Shinichi, who now possessed [Genius] granting an all-around leap in learning efficiency, [Quick-witted] increasing thought processing speed, and the Ninja Academy Student class providing a slight boost to Ninja talent.
After obtaining the scroll, he learned it just by reading it once.
Chakra originates from the fusion of Physical Energy and Spiritual Energy. Shinichi's body and spirit, especially his body, were already excellent under the augmentation of various descriptors, so if he went all out, he could create just over ten Shadow Clones, slightly more than half the maximum limit for the Shadow Clone Ninjutsu. (Note:)
However, the burden of doing so was too great. To pursue a more sustained and efficient supplementary training effect, he currently maintained only seven or eight clones.
Everything was progressing according to plan, and some aspects even exceeded expectations.
Not long ago, he received formal notification from the school that his application to learn the Shadow Clone Technique had been approved.
When he received the distributed Ninjutsu scroll, he found that it contained more than just the Shadow Clone Technique. The scroll also included several practical Konoha-style Taijutsu and Swordsmanship techniques, as well as one B-rank and several C-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu.
This made Shinichi realize that his actions that day in the Cemetery must have been observed by the Third Hokage, especially the words he spoke at the end, which perfectly matched the core message of the Second Hokage's Dying Words, likely deeply moving the Hokage.
Therefore, his application was not only smoothly approved but he also received extra benefits.
Over the years, Shinichi, through various actions, had indeed carefully crafted an image—besides generating descriptors: mature and sensible, kind-hearted, diligent, and grateful.
Such an orphaned Genius—with a clean background, pure lineage, displayed talent, and seemingly virtuous and ambitious character—was undoubtedly appealing to the Konoha high-level officials.
Even someone like Danzo Shimura might inwardly mock such naivety, but he would absolutely not reject subordinates or friends who were reliable, controllable, and possessed pure convictions.
Because even bad people hope that those around them are good people.
It now appeared that this long-term image cultivation was undoubtedly successful, leading the Third Hokage to decide to list him as a key person for cultivation.
Just as they had discovered and nurtured Minato Namikaze back then, the Konoha high-level officials were happy to see and support such loyal, upright, and talented individuals, incorporating them into their inner circle.
"The focus for the next descriptor upgrade will be on Toughness."
While doing Push-ups, he focused his mind on the Toughness descriptor on his Personal Panel.
[Toughness (White): Your physical endurance and recovery ability surpass ordinary people. You recover faster from striking damage and possess a higher tolerance for pain.]
In the future, the weighted stone running exercise in the mornings at the school will be replaced by his Shadow Clones performing public, high-intensity anti-striking training on his main body, ensuring that every student arriving at the school in the morning can see him gritting his teeth, enduring attacks, yet standing firm again and again.
At the same time, the [Foodie] descriptor, which allows for rapid replenishment of consumption through food, also has a high upgrade value. Perhaps he could intentionally consume large amounts of food during lunch breaks or training intervals.
He should also pay attention to occasional Big Eater competitions held in the Village and participate if possible, releasing the label of having an astonishing appetite and being an exceptional eater.
With his thoughts clear, he completed the last set of Push-ups, slowly stood up, and glanced over the Shadow Clones still busy with their respective tasks on the training ground...