C39 The Graduation Ceremony

Right from the start, Yang Ming had pierced through her facade and grasped her true intentions!

Had she approached him with genuine sincerity and respect for their shared history, Yang Ming might have been inclined to lend her a hand. But now, she was living in a fantasy!

With a dismissive, icy smile, Yang Ming turned on his heel and departed.

"Oh Gekka, you may think I'm trying to exploit you, but yes, I do harbor such intentions. You're a rare talent, and having missed the opportunity once, I cannot afford to miss it again. I didn't anticipate Lord Grass Kage placing such high value on you. But what does it matter if you see through my motives? I'm the one who raised you, after all. A five-year-old's pride is trivial; it's only a matter of time before you come around to my way of thinking."

As Yang Ming's figure receded, a cold smirk played across Gong Lizi's features.

Her intentions laid bare, she wasn't the least bit taken aback. Yang Ming was no ordinary individual, yet to her, he remained but a child of five, bound to be swayed eventually.

With Gong Lizi's presence, Yang Ming lost any desire to visit the construction site, deciding to postpone it for a few days.

Back at the hotel, he organized his belongings, donned a new outfit, and began preparations for the graduation ceremony set to take place in three days.

The ceremony was shrouded in secrecy, disguised as a school anniversary celebration. Outwardly, it was a festive occasion for the school, but beneath the surface, it was Yang Ming's graduation—a revelation too astonishing to reveal openly!

A five-year-old Junior Ninja was unheard of in the Ninja World, save for Konoha's Kakashi.

Kakashi had graduated later in the year, whereas Yang Ming's graduation came sooner, outpacing the famed ninja.

What did this signify? The emergence of a prodigy, a genius akin to Kakashi, with a boundless future, potentially even surpassing his predecessor.

Should this news spread to other nations, the Grass Ninja would face dire consequences.

As the Grass Kage, one must deliberate carefully and weigh all considerations. Yang Ming understood this and thus accepted the terms.

The promised reward from Chu Koichi to Master Huo Xuan had been delivered: a staggering three hundred thousand taels of silver—a fortune that would allow Yang Ming to live lavishly for some time.

Yet, it still wasn't enough. Without the Crystal Phoenix Fruit, Yang Ming would have to purchase it, and that required money. So once again, he found himself yearning for cash.

But first things first, he needed to depart from Grass Village.

Over the past few days, he had been diligently exploring the intricacies of the intermediate Immortal Body and Strange Strength. He had also been mastering the Wood Escape Ninja Techniques: Wood Barrier, Wood Pillar Prison, and the Piercing Fine Technique.

While these Wood Escape Ninja Techniques were classified as C-grade in terms of power, with Yang Ming's intermediate Immortal Body, they could unleash B-grade force. And with skillful application, the Piercing Fine Technique could become his ace in the hole!

Yang Ming dedicated these days to honing these skills, refining his Ninja Techniques until they were second nature.

Meanwhile, the Ninja School was buzzing with excitement. School celebrations were no small affair; they were reserved for momentous occasions like wartime victories, the emergence of a prodigious expert, or significant achievements, all to inspire the fledgling ninjas.

"I've heard that Lord Grass Kage and the magnate have struck a deal, promising us greater resources and privileges. Our village is on the brink of a transformation," Oka Seita declared, his face alight with enthusiasm.

"Truly worthy of Lord Grass Kage!" came the awed responses of those around him.

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