In Seiki's eyes, the Ninja Academy's curriculum was subtly diluting the influence of clan legacies.
However, for little kids, that didn't matter at all. What truly excited them was—
"Wah! I'm choosing First Hokage's Forest Creation from a Seed!"
"Idiot! Wood Release is a kekkei genkai! Even if you choose it, you won't be able to learn it!"
"Daring to call me an idiot? Watch me use Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Pfft, who can't spit? Watch my Water Release: Water Severing Slash!"
In this lively atmosphere, Asuma came running over and unceremoniously plopped himself down on the table right in front of Seiki.
"Have you guys decided what to choose as your graduation gift? I'll go first—I'm picking Fire Release: Hiding in Ashes!"
Kurenai's fingertip gently tapped her delicate chin, "I'm thinking about choosing Genjutsu Bringer-of-Darkness Technique."
Asuma enthusiastically continued asking, "Seiki, what about you?"
Crossing his arms behind his head, Seiki casually smiled, "Me… Probably Spirit Transformation Technique."
And at that moment, the girl sitting behind Seiki hesitantly spoke up, "S-Spirit Transformation Technique?"
Seiki turned around, tilting his head slightly, "Shizune-san? Is there something wrong?"
Avoiding direct eye contact with Seiki, Shizune shyly lowered her head, softly asking, "Seiki-kun, why do you want to learn this technique?"
Seiki replied sincerely, "If I could master this jutsu, I could help everyone even more in the future. Even on the battlefield, I'd be able to understand everyone's situation instantly."
Upon hearing that, Shizune couldn't help herself, "But the moment someone learns this technique, they become a target for enemy villages. And when using this jutsu, your original body becomes extremely vulnerable. Why would you still want to learn such a harmful technique?"
By the end, her gentle voice had grown sharp with emotion.
Smiling softly, Seiki said, "Shizune-san, do you think the one who created this technique ever thought about this question?"
Hearing Seiki's words, instinctively, Shizune recalled that man's gentle face. Although she had been very young back then, those feelings of care and protection were deeply engraved into her memory.
It was precisely because of these memories that she instinctively resisted answering, "I don't know."
With a slight smile, Seiki's eyes shone with admiration, "Isn't that exactly what ninjutsu is—created to carry forth the will of those who came before us? If no one inherits their spirit, wouldn't that be too great a pity?"
Looking lost, Shizune softly repeated Seiki's words, "Inheriting... their will..."
"Wait, wait a second!" Asuma waved his arms energetically, interrupting their conversation, "Spirit Transformation Technique is an S-class ultimate art! Even you, Seiki, trying to learn it seems nearly impossible!"
"Asuma, that doesn't sound like you!" Seiki turned around with a warm smile, "Even if it's an ultimate art, wasn't it created by people in the first place? If our seniors could accomplish it, are we really incapable of even following the same path they took? Without even that kind of courage, how can we claim the right to create a better future?"
Hearing this, Asuma shouted enthusiastically, "You're right! I'm going to choose an Ultimate Art as well!"
However, Ibiki's voice drifted over from the side, "There are no fire-style Ultimate Arts in the Kinjutsu Scroll."
"Ahhh~ Nooo~"
With a smile, Seiki turned his gaze back to Shizune. "As for that question just now, I've already found the answer."
"Whether it's attacks from Enemy Ninja Villages or weakness due to my physical condition, both can share one single solution—partners!"
"Asuma, Kurenai, if it was the two of you, you'd definitely be able to protect me, right?"
Still lamenting about the lack of fire-style Ultimate Arts in the Kinjutsu Scroll, Asuma suddenly snapped out of it and shouted with enthusiasm, "Of course! Anyone who wants to take on Nagare will have to go through my dead body first!"
Beside him, Kurenai gritted her teeth in frustration, "Dammit, why'd you blurt that out so fast!"
At that moment, Shizune also came back to her senses, her eyes sparkling like stars. "Nagare-kun, actually, the one who created the Spirit Transformation Technique was my uncle, Dan Kato!"
Seiki timely displayed a slight look of surprise, then pretended to realize everything, "That explains why you looked so surprised when you heard I planned to choose the Spirit Transformation Technique... Ah, that's why..."
Shizune bit her lip gently, "Although… although this technique officially belongs to the village now..."
This didn't surprise Seiki at all; after all, Konoha doesn't usually keep exclusive rights over techniques for long after the creator passes away.
"But, my uncle's personal notes on practicing the Spirit Transformation Technique still exist. If—if you need them, Seiki-kun, I can lend them to you!"
Pretending to be genuinely surprised, Seiki asked excitedly, "Really? You mean it?"
Shizune nodded her head fiercely. "Mmhm, if it's for you, Seiki-kun…"
Just then, Takaya Ryoji burst through the door like a gust of wind, running up to Seiki and saying smugly, "Ahaha, Seiki, guess what I saw while I went to the restroom just now?"
Asuma made a face nearby. "You didn't go into the girls' bathroom, did you?"
"What? Don't be ridiculous! How could such a mighty guy like me do something like that!" Ryoji flushed red. "I'll just say it straight: Mizuki got cornered by some third-years!"
As soon as he shouted, everyone in the classroom turned to look.
"Serves him right! Who told him to throw shade at the class president last time!"
"Exactly! If it weren't for Seiki, nobody would even care about him anyway!"
"Hearing you guys say that, I almost want to go check out how miserable that guy's situation is now."
Takaya Ryoji was about to chime in when suddenly he noticed Seiki's serious expression, letting out a startled cry, "Wait, Seiki… You're not thinking about going to save that bastard, are you?"
Seiki nodded solemnly.
Faced with this, Ryoji couldn't help but feel disheartened. "Is he really that important to you?"
"You all are equally important to me!"
Seiki's gentle gaze swept over every single person, his voice steady and full of conviction. "I know Mizuki isn't the most sociable guy, and some might even call him a bit of a loner. But regardless, he's still one of us. As long as he doesn't betray or endanger the class, he'll always be our brother! We're not about to let any third-year punk boss us around!"
Truthfully, Seiki's words weren't all that inspiring, but with his perfect image, it only took a spark to set everyone ablaze.
"First-years rule the school!"
"Darn right! Let those third-years know—we don't take crap from anyone!"
Like a rushing wave, everyone surged forward behind Seiki.
At that moment, the other upperclassmen on campus looked on in confusion and fear. Are these newbies seriously starting a club right on campus?!
Those first-years are terrifying!
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Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!