C35 The Grass Kage Patrol

"Assassination, strategy, and teamwork are all crucial. Gekka Ming may have some skills, but he's a loner. Even if Lord Grass Kage admires his abilities, can someone like him really fit into the Dark Department? Missions are carried out by squads, and no matter how skilled Gekka Ming is, he can't outmatch the collective strength of a team."

Fujishima Zyun nodded in agreement and glanced at Katsura Atsuhiro.

"Exactly. To be a true ninja, you can't just barrel through on your own. That's a surefire way to fail a mission. Gekka Ming is too solitary. No matter his skill level, if he's lacking in other areas, he'll just hold us back. Lord Grass Kage wouldn't be interested in someone like that."

Just then, the usually quiet Chang Jiaye chimed in.

"Do you really think so?"

The others, Katsura Atsuhiro included, were taken aback to hear Chang Jiaye speak up.

It was like seeing the sun rise in the west!

Currently, Gekka Ming and Chang Jiaye sat at the back of the classroom, both of them aloof and lost in their own worlds, earning them the reputation of being the class's two eccentrics.

But now, it seemed there was only one eccentric left, as Chang Jiaye appeared to be the more reasonable of the two.

"I believe the four of us could form a squad. When Lord Grass Kage arrives, we'll demonstrate our capabilities and surely impress him!"

Chang Jiaye continued, undeterred by their astonished looks. With the Grass Kage's impending visit, she was ready to seize the opportunity.

"Let's do it!"

The others exchanged looks and quickly concurred.

Katsura Atsuhiro nodded, with no objections.

...

"Grass Kage is coming for an inspection?"

Yang Ming pondered this as he left the library and checked in with his class. During a rare moment of attending a lecture, he caught wind of the news.

It piqued his interest.

"So, the Grass Kage is visiting. That explains the excitement. But it's none of my concern. I'll focus on finding the Crystal Phoenix Fruit and collecting it. Once I have the Advanced Immortal Body, the Advanced Strange Strength, and master those three Wood Escape Ninja Techniques, I'll be unstoppable in the Ninja World. I could even take on a Shadow Level adversary!"

Yang Ming shook his head, dismissing the matter with indifference.

After sitting through part of the class, Yang Ming found it unengaging and slipped out to make his way to the library.

Hino Le, witnessing his departure, felt powerless to intervene. In the Ninja World, strength commands respect, and Yang Ming had already proven his prowess. Besides, she had forewarned this.

The others watched him leave with sneers, yet none challenged him.

With the teacher unconcerned, they had little ground for complaint.

Still, many bristled at Yang Ming's nonconformity, finding it increasingly irksome.

That afternoon, the school buzzed with excitement as Grass Kage Maosheng Falcon, accompanied by Mizushiro Tsubasa and others, arrived at the Ninja School. Students swarmed to welcome the esteemed visitors.

To gauge everyone's prowess, Hino Le set up a team showdown.

Teams formed swiftly as each ninja sought to showcase their skills for the Grass Kage's appraisal.

The air crackled with anticipation as everyone eagerly teamed up.

"First team..."

Off to the side, Hino Le orchestrated the teams and laid out the rules before the clashes commenced.

The competition was fierce. Young ninjas, wise beyond their years, demonstrated their mastery of the Body Replacement and other techniques in a series of exchanges.

Yet among them, four shone brightest.

Their dominance was undeniable, as they dispatched team after team with overwhelming force.