Chapter 461: Ninja Way Origins Research Society's Founding Ceremony (Part 6)

Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to represent the Village Hidden in the Rain?

The moment those words were spoken, the representative from Amegakure, who was also seated in the delegation area for foreign villages, immediately had a grim expression.

Throughout this conference, Yahiko had exchanged several rounds of questions and answers with the famous Shinichi Higashino, attracting all the attention and even earning him a personal promise from him.

If, in the future, the kind of crop Shinichi had described was truly developed, and the people of the Village Hidden in the Rain really did come to enjoy full stomachs because of it, then today's Yahiko and his Akatsuki organization would forever be inseparable from that achievement.

That alone was already enough to irritate him.

What he found even more intolerable was that Yahiko had actually dared to express gratitude to Konoha on behalf of the people of the Village Hidden in the Rain right in front of him.

What right did he have to represent them?

Only Hanzo-sama had the right to represent the Village Hidden in the Rain.

Although the Amegakure representative was filled with dissatisfaction, none of it showed on his face. He merely resolved in silence to report everything that had happened today to Hanzo-sama in full after returning to the village.

This Akatsuki organization, which had only emerged over the past few years, had indeed become somewhat unruly.

Naturally, Yahiko had no idea that everything he had done today had not only failed to earn the approval of Amegakure's representative, but had instead earned him another mark against his name.

As he sat back down, he felt that the journey had been well worth it. He finally understood what he and his companions truly needed to solve before realizing their dream of mutual understanding between people, and he now knew where to begin.

Jiraiya withdrew his gaze from where Yahiko and the others were seated with a look of satisfaction. Soon afterward, however, a trace of concern arose in his heart.

Looking toward the young man on the stage, he hesitated for a moment before standing up to ask, "Shinichi, this technique of yours... It must be extremely difficult to master, right?"

"It is indeed very difficult to master."

Shinichi nodded and admitted it openly.

"To be more precise, aside from myself, I don't believe there's anyone else in the Shinobi World today capable of learning it."

"Then how..." Jiraiya stopped halfway through his sentence.

Although Shinichi's words sounded rather arrogant, Jiraiya's own judgment told him that they were probably true. From the Growth Acceleration Technique Shinichi had just demonstrated, Jiraiya could only discern the involvement of Light Style, Earth Style, and Water Style. As for how it actually worked, he had not the slightest clue.

"The obvious answer is to find a way to simplify it."

Picking up where Jiraiya had left off, Shinichi calmly continued, "When the second Hokage first created the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it wasn't as manageable as it is today. Turning chakra into a tangible clone, ensuring that the clone possessed the original's consciousness and intelligence, and preventing confusion between who am I? And which one is the real me?"

"Every one of those steps seemed like an almost unsolvable problem at the time. Yet in the end, a Ninjutsu involving countless complex processes evolved into a B-rank Ninjutsu. Nowadays, most Chūnin and Jōnin can master it, and even quite a few Genin have learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

After a brief pause, he continued.

"The Growth Acceleration Technique is no different. Today, perhaps only I can perform it. But as our research progresses, it will inevitably become simpler, more modular, and easier to spread. Eventually, more and more ninjas will be able to master it, and perhaps..."

At that point, Shinichi paused because he noticed that the three talents, Basic Light Style, Basic Earth Style, and Basic Water Style, had quietly advanced from white rank to green rank on his status panel.

Clearly, the cognitive impact of publicly demonstrating the Growth Acceleration Technique had already completed its first round of conversion in just these few moments.

There were many powerful figures and influential leaders present, and their recognition and astonishment were enough to elevate public understanding of these three foundational attributes to an entirely new level in an extremely short time.

Shinichi gathered his thoughts in an instant, and without any change in expression, he continued, "Perhaps we can even go a step further. Even without possessing all three natures, Light, Earth, and Water, a ninja with just one of them could still play an indispensable role in a specific stage of the Growth Acceleration Technique."

"Those with Light Style could activate the vitality of the seeds, those with Earth Style could optimize the root environment, and those with Water Style could precisely deliver nutrients. With three people working together, they could complete a full cycle of accelerated cultivation."

"At that point, the Growth Acceleration Technique would no longer be my exclusive Hidden Jutsu, but a field that countless ninja could cultivate together."

"It seems I was worrying unnecessarily."

Jiraiya laughed at himself before sitting back down.

"Hybrid rice Hope No. 1 is merely one part of our effort to explore the diverse applications of chakra beyond combat."

Shinichi continued speaking.

"Food, clothing, housing, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural communication-within society, some of these fields have already produced preliminary results, while others have entered the stage of practical project implementation."

"In time, they will all be unveiled one after another. Wherever chakra can reach, wherever Ninjutsu can improve people's lives, we will continue to explore, practice, and promote these possibilities step by step. And not just chakra and Ninjutsu."

As he spoke, Shinichi's gaze swept across the crowd of more than ten thousand faces from different countries, different ninja villages, and different walks of life.

"We also welcome anyone who shares our aspirations. No matter which country you come from or which ninja village you belong to, we invite you to walk beside us. Whether from a great nation or a small one, whether ninja or civilians, as long as you are willing to reach out your hand for the same goal, the doors of our society will always remain open. Together, let us move toward a future filled not only with slaughter and hatred, but also with beauty and happiness."

Isn't that going a bit too far?

Elder Sosho thought to himself. After all, Shinichi Higashino was not yet the Hokage; he was merely a ninja of Konoha.

As a Konoha ninja, how could he presume to publicly invite people from other countries and other ninja villages to join under his own authority on an occasion like this?

However, when he glanced sideways at the third Hokage and the other senior officials of Konoha, he saw no trace of displeasure on their faces. On the contrary, they nodded lightly in approval, and even Danzo Shimura, who usually wore a perpetually gloomy expression, simply remained silent with an unreadable face.

In that instant, he understood the extent of Konoha's trust in Shinichi Higashino, or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it indulgence.

The young man on the stage continued speaking, though his voice suddenly paused before changing direction.

"I know that among today's guests are also friends from Village Hidden in the Mist, the Village Hidden in the Sand, Village Hidden in the Cloud, and the Village Hidden in the Stones. You're probably all here wondering what exactly Shinichi Higashino is plotting. Are you thinking I'm planning some earth-shattering conspiracy against you? I won't single anyone out by name. Since today marks the founding of our society, I also have an announcement to make to the entire Shinobi World."

At that, Shinichi's expression grew solemn, and his voice became noticeably heavier.