After losing Senju Tsunade, Konoha once again lost a Kage-level powerhouse, and this time it was the even more intimidating Konoha White Fang. His death made all the ninjas sigh in regret, and also made everyone wonder: when facing a mission, should a ninja abandon emotions and follow the rules, or choose their comrades...

Young David Smith personally witnessed his father die with resentment, becoming cold and emotionless. He firmly believed that as a ninja, one must not be entangled by emotions, and sometimes, in order to complete a mission, the sacrifice of comrades is unavoidable. To prove himself, and to wash away the shame attached to his father, David Smith, at only five years old, applied for early graduation, became a genin, and headed to the battlefield.

Upon hearing this news, Henry Carter sighed repeatedly. The Konoha higher-ups probably never expected that their suppression would drive White Fang to suicide! What a pity for David Smith, carrying so much on his shoulders—it will be very detrimental to his future growth!

“Henry Carter, did you know? David Smith actually passed the genin exam. I didn’t expect that guy to be so strong...” Matthew Morgan came over, refusing to admit defeat, and said, “He’s so much worse than me, yet he dared to graduate before I did.”

When it came to the BOSS, Henry Carter didn’t want to interact with him, but this guy was just too outgoing—like sticky taffy, once he stuck to you, you couldn’t shake him off. Over time, Henry Carter got used to his presence.

“He really is much worse! During the drill, you got a good beating!” James Harris curled his lips, thinking, Trying to show off in front of me? Watch me slap you down.

“As expected of David Smith, my youth is burning!” A certain bowl-cut enthusiast showed up uninvited.

This was Henry Carter’s little circle at the ninja academy: the braggart idiot Matthew, the inexplicably fired-up Brian, and James, who became known to the whole school at the opening ceremony. The reason for hanging out with these three goofballs was purely for peace and quiet—whenever the three of them gathered, they would unleash their secret technique: the Clearing Aura, making the rest of the class keep their distance.

“James, what nonsense are you spouting? Which eye of yours saw me get beaten by David Smith!” Exposed, Matthew flew into a rage, rolled his eyes, and said with a sly grin, “Maybe you just saw wrong. After all, you can’t even tell boys from girls!”

“Unforgivable, Matthew Morgan, you’re asking for it!” James’s face turned red as he lunged at Matthew, and the two started wrestling. He had once shouted in front of the whole school and all the parents that he wanted to marry a man, becoming the village laughingstock. Even now, his father Sarutobi Hiruzen still scowled at him—the Hokage couldn’t afford to lose face like that!

Brian watched from the side, blood boiling, let out a howl, and jumped into the fray.

“Monkey Steals the Peach—James, you’ve truly inherited the Sarutobi clan’s taijutsu! Matthew’s Sage Points the Way is also quite impressive! Oh, but Brian’s Childless Kick is even better—no wonder he’s a taijutsu master!” Henry Carter didn’t stop the three wild huskies, but instead started commentating and fanning the flames. The surrounding classmates watched from afar with looks of disdain, which was exactly the effect Henry Carter wanted. After all, his face was just too good at attracting attention—if he didn’t do this, he’d never be able to avoid the girls’ harassment.

He remembered the first day of class, when the teacher asked everyone to introduce themselves. When Henry Carter stated his gender, the classroom fell silent—even the instructor’s mouth dropped open in shock. From then on, Henry Carter knew that if he wanted to get through these three years quietly, just keeping a low profile wouldn’t be enough. Thus, the four-person group of three plus one was formed.

The ninja academy had a six-year system during peacetime, but a three-year system during wartime. Although the war in Konoha’s 38th year had ended, the higher-ups still decided to implement the three-year wartime system to make up for the severe personnel losses. In other words, the youngest students in this class, at just seven years old, would have to face the genin exam.

“Everyone quiet down, class is about to start.”

The four of them were still roughhousing until the break ended. The average-looking chunin, Instructor Aida, first glared fiercely at the four troublemakers, then waved his hand and announced that today’s lesson would be a practical exam: shuriken throwing.

At the academy’s training ground, a large group of students lined up in front of wooden stakes. After Instructor Aida reiterated the rules, he began roll call.

“We’ll start the exam now. Go in the order I call. First up, Morino Ibiki!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold-faced boy quickly stepped out, stood at the throwing line, and, after getting Instructor Aida’s signal, threw ten kunai in a row—all hitting the bullseye.

“Hmm, not bad!” Instructor Aida nodded in satisfaction. “Morino Ibiki, 10 bullseyes, 100% accuracy, time: 3 seconds. Grade: Excellent, B+ rating.”