Chapter 466: Ninja Way Origins Research Society’s Founding Ceremony (Part 11)

"However, please forgive me for being unable to agree to your request directly. This matter still requires the village’s approval."

After a brief pause, Shinichi invited him, "How about this? Once this conference has concluded, let us discuss the matter in greater detail. What do you think?"

"Excellent."

Genjo pressed his palms together once more.

Below the stage, Madara watched the two onstage harmonize so naturally, one asking and the other answering, watching the young monk Genjo and Shinichi Higashino chatting as though they had become old friends at first sight, and for some reason, an indescribable sense of irritation rose within him.

That feeling was even stronger than it had been a few days earlier in that dilapidated temple, when Genjo and the monk Ichisun had exchanged words back and forth while he had been unable to get a single word in.

He did not know where this feeling of displeasure came from. Perhaps it was because Genjo had seen through the path he had chosen, yet clearly did not think highly of it and had never voiced any support.

Yet today, at the conference, Genjo had repeatedly nodded in approval of Shinichi Higashino’s path, offering both his assistance and even volunteering to travel alongside him.

"Hmph!"

Madara glanced once more at the two men on the stage, who still seemed to be enjoying their conversation, snorted coldly, then turned and walked away.

’Junior brother Genjo, it seems you do not acknowledge my path, but it doesn’t matter.’

’In the end, the facts will prove that I am the one who is right!’

’I am the true inheritor of the Sage of Six Paths’ will!’

’Me! Only me! Only the Infinite Tsukuyomi!’

"Thank you, everyone, for coming today to witness the founding of the Ninja Way Origins Research Society..."

Behind him in the distance came Shinichi’s voice announcing the successful conclusion of the conference, followed once again by thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

But Madara never looked back. He continued walking toward the exit, and no one noticed the gray-robed monk quietly leaving alone amid the flow of people.

Just as he had walked alone through the darkness for decades in pursuit of that goal.

This time, too, he needed no companions.

Nor did he care how many more times this world misunderstood him.

One day, beneath the radiance of that eternal moon, everyone would understand him.

...

After the conference ended, the crowd in the square gradually dispersed, while Genjo, led by Shinichi, entered a conference room deep within the Hokage Building of Konoha.

All of Konoha’s senior leaders were present.

Not only were the Shadow Clones of the third Hokage, Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado in attendance, but the Shadow Clones of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were also seated there. Even Sosho, the chief butler of the Fire Daimyo’s court, sat to one side as the official representative of the Land of Fire.

Besides them was another monk in formal robes, with a gentle, benevolent face. He was none other than Monk Gyatso, the abbot of the Fire Temple, who had also attended today’s conference.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shinichi, acting as the intermediary, introduced both sides to one another before quietly stepping aside, leaving the conversation to the senior leaders present.

The entire discussion was neither aggressive nor deliberately probing. On the contrary, it was unexpectedly cordial. Even Danzō, who was usually gloomy and stern, rarely spoke, and when he did occasionally ask a question, he merely touched on the subject briefly before dropping it.

The third Hokage’s attitude was particularly enthusiastic. He first praised Genjo’s Wood Style and the Red Manji Society concept he had proposed at the conference, stating that he would consider allowing Genjo to accompany Shinichi. He then frankly declared that Konoha was willing to provide him with every possible convenience. Any temple within the village would be open to him should he wish to reside there for cultivation.

If none of the existing temples suited him, Konoha could even build an entirely new one, with the location and scale determined entirely according to the master’s wishes.

Upon learning that Monk Genjo had never formally affiliated himself with any temple and still lacked official monastic registration, the third Hokage further volunteered to handle the matter on Konoha’s behalf.

Although someone of Monk Genjo’s cultivation and spiritual attainment naturally cared little for such worldly formalities, if he intended to travel through the secular world, it would still be far more convenient to possess proper identification papers.

Moreover, if Monk Genjo were to accompany Shinichi to the Land of Iron for future conferences, it would be appropriate for him to have an official identity.

Finally, the third Hokage proposed that Monk Gyatso, the abbot of the Fire Temple, personally register Genjo’s monastic affiliation under the Fire Temple and formally appoint him as one of its elders.

Abbot Gyatso immediately nodded in agreement, pressed his palms together, and bowed to Genjo, saying that it would be the Fire Temple’s honor to have such an eminent monk reside there for cultivation.

Just as Shinichi had anticipated, with him serving as the intermediary, Konoha’s senior leaders chose a strategy of goodwill and recruitment toward this mysterious young monk, who possessed Wood Style yet carried himself with remarkable composure.

After all, Wood Style held extraordinary significance for both Konoha and the Land of Fire. Ever since the first Hokage’s death, Konoha had invested immeasurable effort into reproducing that power, yet all attempts had failed.

Now that a living wielder of Wood Style stood before them, they absolutely could not allow him to simply slip away. They had to establish a connection with him by every possible means.

Since Genjo was not a ninja, he naturally could not directly join Konoha. Therefore, the third Hokage offered the Fire Temple, a temple belonging to the Land of Fire and having maintained friendly relations with Konoha for generations over the past several decades, as an alternative.

By registering Genjo’s monastic affiliation under the Fire Temple, they would not only provide him with a legitimate identity but also give Konoha the greatest possible avenue for continued contact. Among all available options, it was the safest and most prudent choice.

Faced with the third Hokage’s proposals, Genjo merely smiled faintly and accepted them with a composed nod.

The two sides continued conversing in an enthusiastic and harmonious atmosphere, while Shinichi refrained from interrupting further. He simply sat quietly to one side and silently brought up his personal status panel.

[Name: Shinichi Higashino]

[Occupation: Jonin / Saint Swordsman / Novice Monk]

[Talents: Omitted...]

Compared to before, an additional occupation, Novice Monk, had appeared on the profession line.

[Novice Monk: You are a beginner who has just entered the Buddhist path and are systematically studying scriptures and the fundamental rituals of the monastic tradition. Under this identity, your efficiency in meditation, basic physical conditioning, and sensing external energy is slightly increased.]

[With the Monk Occupation now unlocked, from this point onward, other people’s recognition and impressions of your aptitude as a monk will form...]

[You have obtained a one-time draw opportunity: Random White talent ×1]

’As expected!’

The Monk Occupation really does satisfy the recognition conditions of the personal status panel!

Seeing this, Shinichi thought to himself. He had long suspected as much, and now it had finally been confirmed. Just like ninja and swordsman, the monk identity possessed its own independent profession progression system.