News of Sunagakure producing its first-ever Special Jōnin spread rapidly across the shinobi world.
Once again, Shiraishi's name appeared on the desks of the various Kage.
In truth, aside from Konoha, only Iwagakure maintained a formal Special Jōnin system. Their sheer number of shinobi made standard Jōnin management inefficient, necessitating this unique rank.
Shiraishi was only sixteen years old.
At that age, becoming a Special Jōnin was not unheard of. Compared to Konoha's prodigy Kakashi, who had already been promoted to full Jōnin, Shiraishi's advancement was remarkable—but not unprecedented.
Black Mist Shiraishi.
That was the new title circulating through the villages.
During the battle at Kikyō Mountain, Shiraishi had released a special interference-type black mist that dealt a serious blow to Konoha's pride—its sensory ninja system.
After that battle, every major village began researching and analyzing the Black Mist Technique.
Its underlying principle was not particularly complex. Even Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Villages with deep experience in mist-based techniques, had already begun developing similar jutsu. The exact progress was unknown, but Shiraishi's reputation as a genius was firmly cemented by the Kikyō Mountain battle.
Removing his former Chūnin insignia and donning the forehead protector and attire of a Jōnin, Shiraishi stared at his reflection in the mirror and took a deep breath.
His new duties had already been jointly issued by the Kazekage's Office and the Council of Elders.
Shiraishi was granted full authority over two matters:
The graduation assessment for ninja academy students,
And participation-related matters concerning the Chūnin Exams.
He did not strongly resist this assignment.
As a shinobi of civilian origin himself, he instinctively felt concern and empathy for these juniors.
The upcoming Iwagakure-led Chūnin Exams were like a butcher's blade hanging over Sunagakure's neck. Iwagakure was using the exams to probe Sunagakure's foundations—while also searching for a pretext to ignite war.
Yet for these students—many of whom struggled just to graduate—this was also a rare chance to change their fate.
"Have you heard? Senior Shiraishi is in charge of this year's Genin graduation assessment. He'll also oversee the Chūnin Exam evaluations."
From Genin to Chūnin?
The academy erupted.
Without this joint exam with Iwagakure, Sunagakure would never dare send its carefully trained Genin out, fearing they would be secretly eliminated. That fear was precisely why the graduation rate had surged this year.
Becoming a ninja—even a Genin—could completely transform a family's life. And with the Chūnin Exams coming just a month later, it was effectively a two-rank leap.
How could these children not be excited?
Inside the principal's office, several academy instructors watched Shiraishi reading documents at the desk, their expressions complicated.
Just over a year ago, this boy hadn't even graduated.
Now, he was the Council's favored rising star, the strongest figure of Sunagakure's new generation.
The change was so drastic it left them dazed.
A gentle breeze brushed against the window as Shiraishi reviewed files on over five hundred students. Compared to his own time at the academy, the student intake had increased dramatically.
The reason was obvious—Sunagakure's standard manpower reserves were insufficient.
Although the Daimyō of the Land of Wind had always advocated elite-focused governance to avoid the expense of supporting large ninja forces, Rasa was still forcefully absorbing massive numbers of students under the pressure of the ongoing shinobi war.
Even Shiraishi had to admire that resolve.
Of course, aside from this quasi-public ninja academy, Sunagakure had also established a separate elite academy due to wartime tensions. Most clan children had already been transferred there.
With public and private institutions divided, Rasa handed full operational control of this academy to the Council of Elders. His true core forces had already been relocated to the elite academy, which was managed by shinobi from the Three Sand-Release Lineages.
This separation actually made things easier for Shiraishi.
He didn't know what fate awaited this academy in the future, but at least for now, these children still had a chance to become shinobi—and break free from the chains of destiny.
According to chakra affinity tests, over four hundred students possessed a single Wind attribute. Fire, Water, Earth, and Lightning existed as well, but all were singular affinities.
No composite elements.
If any existed, they had likely already been fast-tracked and removed.
By traditional shinobi standards, these students were considered mediocre, with weak chakra extraction capacity.
Shiraishi disagreed.
He needed a more practical and accurate assessment.
"Begin with one-on-one basic evaluations."
The basic tests included:
Ninja tool deployment,
Use of the Three Basic Techniques,
And fundamental theoretical knowledge.
To avoid missing anything, Shiraishi decided to personally observe every assessment.
At the vast training grounds, he carried a thick record book, checking students one by one by name and number. Several academy instructors assisted in organizing the candidates.
"First candidate—Nagase Bizen."
Nagase Bizen was a descendant of a fallen samurai family.
Wind affinity.
Extremely poor performance with the Three Basic Techniques.
But outstanding taijutsu—and exceptionally fast iaijutsu.
After reviewing the brief profile, Shiraishi raised his head.
A clean-cut boy in white samurai robes stepped forward, a long sword hanging at his waist. The blade remained sheathed, yet Shiraishi could sense its unusual nature.
As expected, the results matched the records.
Aside from the Substitution Technique, Nagase failed to perform either the Clone or Transformation Techniques properly.
After a moment of silence, Shiraishi spoke.
"Show me your iaijutsu."
"Iaijutsu is a killing art," Nagase replied stiffly. "I don't wish to offend the instructor."
His first sentence caused snickers among the students.
This rigid fellow was like a relic from forty or fifty years ago—still clinging stubbornly to outdated martial ideals.
"That's fine," Shiraishi said calmly.
"Come."
At the same time, within Sunagakure's Oasis Ring District, preparations officially began for the elite ninja academy personally established by Kazekage Rasa.
All major clan leaders—including the Yamaji Clan and the Arakawa Clan—received formal invitations to the opening ceremony.
Many of them were delighted.
From now on, their children would no longer need to mingle with those mud-footed civilians. They would have their own private academy.
The Arakawa Clan even prepared National Library access passes for every student—resources that Shiraishi once couldn't obtain, even in exchange for a single jutsu.
Here, it was basic equipment.
Yamaji Jushin and Arakawa Akita were appointed principal and vice-principal, respectively, while Yamaji Ryōko and Arakawa Maru were placed in charge of day-to-day operations…
Black Mist Shiraishi.
A new title.
A new rank.
And a new storm is quietly gathering beneath the sands of Sunagakure.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones