After informing his disciples that they could apply to be intern ninjas after the fourth year, Naruto and the others showed unprecedented enthusiasm.
"This is great!"
"As expected of sensei!"
Shinji shook his head.
These disciples had been holding back for a long time. Neji's early graduation made them yearn even more to become ninjas.
"At that time, Shikamaru, you, Choji, and Ino will be specifically guided by a veteran Jonin."
Shinji turned to Shikamaru and the others, wondering why they were so happy. Once they started their internship, their pleasant student days would be over.
"Sensei, which Jonin is it?" Ino asked with a curious expression.
It was a good idea to know about their future Jonin Instructor in advance.
Shinji said, "I can't say for now, but this person is very good, and his wallet is fatter than mine."
Shinji smiled, hoping Asuma's wallet could withstand Choji, who, after being nurtured by him for several years, could be called a big eater.
Hearing this, Choji's eyes lit up. Didn't a fat wallet mean he could eat meat?
Shikamaru gave a wry smile. With those words, Choji had already accepted this unseen Jonin.
"Sensei! What about us?" Naruto had a look of eagerness, hoping Shinji would be his Jonin Instructor.
"Also a secret."
Shinji didn't reveal that he would be Naruto's Jonin Instructor. For such things, it was better to keep some anticipation.
Naruto looked disappointed with this answer, while Hinata patted his shoulder to offer some encouragement.
Shinji clapped his hands and began giving instructions, "Alright, for the time being, your main focus will be on team cooperation training."
"Becoming a ninja is no longer about fighting alone, but about the mutual cooperation between squad members."
"Shikamaru, you guys can continue with your previous method."
"As for you, Naruto, you need to start training diligently. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me, or consult Shikamaru and the others."
With graduation approaching, they couldn't be too lax. They had to familiarize themselves with team cooperation first.
Although a sufficiently strong solo ninja wouldn't fear facing a squad, or even an entire ninja village, clearly, the current Naruto and his team didn't have that strength.
It was better to get some practice in now before the internship started, so that when they formed a squad, they wouldn't be unable to unleash their full potential due to cooperation issues.
"Don't worry, sensei!" Naruto confidently patted his chest.
Although he, Sasuke, and Hinata weren't as good as Shikamaru's team, they had cooperated before.
Sasuke and Hinata also responded to Shinji. They had practiced team cooperation several times in recent years.
Shinji smiled and nodded.
This was enough.
—
"Five-Tails has been dispatched on a mission."
White Zetsu, who Obito had sent to monitor all Tailed Beasts except Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, relayed the news of the Five-Tails Jinchuriki leaving the village.
Black Zetsu, upon receiving the message, immediately went to the basement to find Obito.
Hearing this, Obito's eyes flickered, scanning the names of the various Tailed Beasts on the paper.
The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki had not left Takigakure recently.
Three-Tails had not been revived yet due to the Fourth Mizukage.
Four-Tails was imprisoned by Konoha, making it temporarily impossible to target.
The One Tail Jinchuriki, after being re-sealed, was in an unstable state and confined to Sunagakure. The last attempt to have Sunagakure and Iwagakure attack Konoha had alerted Sunagakure's high command, making further action impossible in the short term.
Excluding Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, which could only be captured at the very end, only Five-Tails and Two-Tails remained.
These two Jinchuriki had always been active in the Ninja World, so there was a chance to capture them.
Black Zetsu, seeing Obito remain silent, pressed him. "Shinji of Konoha, and Itachi, who is currently in the Akatsuki, are already greatly affecting the plan. How should we deal with them?"
"Shinji cannot be touched for now. As for Itachi, there's no need to worry too much."
Obito rejected Black Zetsu's suggestion. If they moved against Shinji, setting aside whether they could succeed, the Akatsuki already had Itachi as a thorn. If they didn't resolve him, they might fall into a trap set by Konoha first.
The only opportunity was during the last transportation of Four-Tails, but Nagato didn't seize the chance then. Not only was Four-Tails brought back to Konoha, but two Akatsuki members were also lost.
This was also why Obito was wary of Shinji's strength. Moreover, the war ended too quickly. Otherwise, there might have been a chance.
As for Itachi, Obito did initially have the idea of eliminating him. However, as time went on, Itachi's talent startled Obito, and at the same time, an idea began to form in his mind.
Under his mask, Obito's eyes glanced at Black Zetsu, who was watching him.
The Eye of the Moon Plan was decided from the beginning, but the person for it was Madara.
Although he would try his best to implement the Eye of the Moon Plan, he had never thought of reviving Madara.
For Rin, he had to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan. While Madara was using him, he was also using Madara.
The cursed seal on his heart was troublesome. If Madara were to revive, he could manipulate him at any time.
It would be better to use Itachi. With a younger brother, Itachi was qualified to achieve the Eternal Mangekyo. He could also serve as a trump card against Madara later on.
As for how to operate, that would come slowly. At least for now, there was enough time.
"Inform Nagato. Five-Tails is theirs to capture."
Ignoring Black Zetsu, Obito stared intently at the words on the table, his finger slowly moving to Seven-Tails.
He would leak the operation to Itachi on the surface, drawing Konoha's attention to Five-Tails.
Meanwhile, he planned to go to Takigakure to see if he could capture Seven-Tails first.
"Understood."
Black Zetsu slowly sank into the ground, his gaze still fixed on Obito not far away.
—
"For this cell atrophy, conventional Medical Ninjutsu is powerless. There is one method, though it's very bold and inhumane but let's not talk about that." Shinji explained to Kabuto, with a helpless expression.
As for the method he mentioned, it was, of course, Orochimaru's so-called human experiments at the time.
It was a pity that Kabuto's face showed no abnormality upon hearing Shinji's response.
"I see. Thank you, Shinji-sama." Kabuto looked at Shinji with a surprised expression, quickly bowing in gratitude.
"No need for that. I'm just telling you what I know." Shinji waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face, but his mind couldn't help but wonder.
What exactly was this guy trying to do?
He hadn't made any moves to gather information, only occasionally seeking him for some medical knowledge. If this continued, Shinji would consider using mind reading.
However, for a talent like Kabuto, keeping him alive served a greater purpose than letting him die.
"Shinji-sama, let's stop here for today. Thank you."
After thanking Shinji again, Kabuto picked up his book and took his leave.
Feeling that the gaze from behind was finally no longer on him, Kabuto, who had been walking slowly, finally relaxed a little. The look in his eyes behind his glasses changed from its usual mildness to a calm and profound gaze for a fleeting moment.
Reaching up to adjust his glasses, Kabuto resumed his faint smile and quickly departed.