The day prior, within the Hokage Building, Hokage Hiruzen was accompanied by 15 skilled Jonin ninja and three academic teachers. In this gathering, Hiruzen addressed them, "This year, we have seen 45 students successfully pass the graduation test, which is a slightly higher number than last year. Out of these, 2 are from the 4th year, 15 from the 5th year, and 28 from the current year. I have grouped them according to their respective years, as they tend to be more at ease with familiar faces. If anyone has any adjustments to suggest, please voice them now."
Upon reviewing the student assignments, no one raised any objections, as the arrangement seemed to be fitting. Gradually, everyone left the meeting.
Looking at the list, Takao thought to himself, 'Well, now I'll be responsible for teaching some young ones. It might actually be a nice break – it's been a while since I had one. We've been working non-stop on missions due to the shortage of shinobis. I should also take the opportunity to visit and check in on how Kakashi is doing.'
When only Takao remained in the room, Hokage Hiruzen inquired, "Takao, do you have any objections to the arrangements?"
Upon hearing this, Takao snapped back to reality and responded, "Oh, no, Lord Hokage. I was just lost in thought, considering it's been a considerable while since I transitioned from being a student to becoming an instructor. Additionally, I've been meaning to visit Kakashi. It's been quite some time since his father's passing, and I regret not being there for him during that period."
Hiruzen reassured him, saying, "Well, it would be a good idea to check up on Kakashi. He's been constantly involved in missions after Minato's demise. And remember, you were on an extended mission, so there's no need to blame yourself."
After Takao left, Hiruzen contemplated, 'Everyone faces challenges in their lives. Now, let's see how the village is faring and what Naruto is up to.'
On the same day after the graduation exam, a young ninja named Yuto decided to go shopping for new clothes specifically designed for ninjas. He entered a shop that specialized in outfits for ninja missions and selected a sleek black attire. What caught his attention was the fabric's durability, which seemed ideal for his needs.
After making the purchase, Yuto tried on the black outfit. He examined himself in the mirror, noticing that the attire, including boots, trousers, and shirt, was entirely black. This color scheme complemented his fair complexion, red eyes, and spiky black hair very well. In his thoughts, he mused, 'Maybe I should also get a black mask to further blend in, especially during nighttime operations.'
As he evaluated his appearance once more, he realized that although he wasn't bulky, his muscles were well-defined and toned, with hardly any excess fat on his body. Standing at a height of about 4 feet and 9 inches, he considered, 'Well, the outfit fits just right, and it certainly looks good.'
Yuto made the decision to purchase three sets of the same attire, ensuring he had options for different occasions. Additionally, he acquired a pair of gloves featuring metal plates on the backhand, likely for added protection.
His shopping journey continued as he proceeded to buy a variety of essential ninja tools, such as shurikens, kunais, a very thin steel wire, ropes, and more.
The following day arrived, and the scene shifted to a training ground. As the young genin ninjas gathered, their attention turned to their sensei, a figure standing tall at 6 feet and 1 inch. He possessed a lean physique, with visible scars adorning his hands. His distinctive feature was his long silver hair, elegantly tied up in a short ponytail.
In the midst of a seemingly intense staring contest, Yuto discreetly employed his Observation Haki, a unique skill, to study his sensei's reaction. He noted that the sensei remained unaware of this observation. Yuto contemplated, 'Well, this works in my favor. They won't know someone checked on them. Besides, he's undeniably powerful—stronger even than Takashi, though I haven't tested the other Jonin yet. Perhaps I should further assess using chakra sensing.'
Yuto decided to employ his chakra sensing ability on Takao, which didn't escape Takao's attention. The two locked eyes, a brief moment of tension that ended with Yuto offering a smile. Inwardly, Yuto reflected, "My chakra sensing might need more refinement, or perhaps he is able to sense it instictly because he does not seem like a sensor. And his chakra presence is astounding, akin to having the chakra of six Takashis in one body."
On the other side, Takao's thoughts were equally active. 'So, this is the Rookie of the Year. Quite impressive for his age. I should evaluate his and Kosuke's kenjutsu skills as well. But first, I should defuse this awkward atmosphere.'
With a composed demeanor, Takao introduced himself, "I am Takao Hatake, and I'll be serving as your Jonin sensei. Let's start by getting to know one another."
Yuki, a bit puzzled, shot a curious glance at Takao, inquiring, "What do you want us to share?"
Takao responded with a friendly tone, "How about we begin with your hobbies, things you like and dislike, your aspirations for the future, and similar details? Let's start with you, the one with red eyes and black hair."
Yuto responded to Takao's request, saying, "I'm Yuto Kazuya. I like Swords and playing with Ninjutsu. My hobby is cooking and training. I dislike loud environment. My dream is to become strongest kenjutsu user."
Takao couldn't help but think, 'Looks like we might just have the strongest kenjutsu user in the making. If Yuto succeeds, it could save us from potential conflicts. Well, it's a win-win situation. I'll gladly support you, Yuto. That would certainly mean less work for me. Hehehe.'
Turning his attention to the next genin, Takao gestured towards Kosuke Hatake and prompted, "Now, it's your turn the with those black eyes and silver hair."
Kosuke shared, "I'm Kosuke Hatake. I like swords also. My hobby is training. I dislike studying. My dream is to become like 'Konoha White Fang'."
In Takao's mind, the realization dawned, 'Ah, it seems we have yet another formidable ninja on our hands. With two enthusiastic sword enthusiasts, our future looks promising indeed.'
Takao's attention shifted to the final student, and he remarked, "And lastly, you with white eyes and black hair."
Somewhat visibly irritated, Yuki introduced herself, "I'm Yuki Hyuga. I like practicing Gentle fist. My hobbies are training and gardening. I dislike irritating people. My dream is to be strongest Taijutsu user.
Takao's expression remained impassive, masking his thoughts, "Another formidable ninja in our midst. With this lineup, the prospect of attaining peace seems more feasible. We now have three training enthusiasts masochists, two deeply invested in swordsmanship, and a trio of strong individuals. A rather good start."
After a few moments of contemplation, Takao's words broke the silence, "Congratulations on successfully passing your graduation exam and stepping into the role of cannon fodder. To elevate your status to Genin, we'll embark on three months of rigorous training. Given your shared enthusiasm for training, it looks like we'll have a productive and enriching time together."
Upon hearing Takao's statement, the three Genin displayed a range of expressions. Yuto's thoughts reflected his realization, 'So, they're skipping the Genin test. I was expecting that part. It seems like they're still in the recovery phase, which is why we have this probation period. It makes sense—they want to ensure our skills are up to an acceptable level.'
On the other hand, the other two Genin posed simultaneous questions, their curiosity evident, "And what about missions? Are we going to start those?"
Takao's response was clear, "No, we won't be engaging in missions until I deem it appropriate. The graduation exam serves as the basic threshold for attaining the Genin rank. However, attributes like your attitude, courage, reactions, and actions hold more significance. I will be the judge of those qualities."
Upon receiving the news, both Yuki and Kosuke couldn't hide their disappointment, though they understood that there was little they could do to change the situation. In response, Takao made an announcement, "Meet me at training ground 13 tomorrow at 6 am. I will begin by assessing your abilities and then provide further instructions. Ensure you're punctual." And just like that, he vanished from their sight.
Yuki voiced her bewilderment, "Did he just introduce himself and disappear like that?"
Kosuke, with a sigh, responded, "Unfortunately, there's not much we can do about it. Let's just head home."
However, Yuto interjected with a sudden idea, "Hold on, before we leave, we should discuss our strategy for tomorrow. He's going to evaluate our skills, which means we should familiarize ourselves with each other's strengths and weaknesses. Solo efforts won't suffice; we need to work as a team to stand a chance." Kosuke readily agreed, and Yuki nodded in acknowledgment. She was well aware, from her own experiences, of the formidable challenge that came with facing opponents at the Chunin level. Her unique position as a descendant of the main branch and her grandfather's interactions with influential members of the clan had provided her with a relatively smoother path for growth and development.
Breaking the silence, Yuto took the initiative, "Let's begin by sharing our individual abilities and strengths. I'll kick things off. I possess sensory abilities, enabling me to detect objects and people within a radius of up to 1 kilometer. My proficiency with swords allows me to execute rapid and precise attacks. Additionally, I have a grasp of lightning-style jutsus, offering long-range options. Oh, and I'm adept at performing the Body Flicker technique for quick movements."
Yuki chimed in next, "As a Hyuga clan member, my expertise lies in the Gentle Fist technique, which targets the tenketsu points to disrupt chakra flow. My Byakugan grants me vision up to 800 meters, and I've honed my skills in three body techniques, and I also possess skill in accurately throwing weapons."
Kosuke added his own abilities to the discussion, stating, "My specialization centers around the tanto, a compact blade. Additionally, I've acquired proficiency in specific lightning-style jutsus. My advantage lies in my quick execution of body techniques; with just a single hand seal, I can also use boy flicker technique. Moreover, I possess a sharp aim, enabling precise targeting when throwing kunai and shuriken."
Taking charge of the conversation, Yuto proposed, "Now that we're familiar with each other's strengths, we should also assess our sensei's capabilities."
Kosuke inquired skeptically, "How do you suggest we do that? We haven't battled him yet, and we don't personally know anyone who has fought against him."
Yuki, nodding in agreement with Kosuke's query, added, "Yes, that's a valid point. How do we proceed in assessing his capabilities?"
Yuto's response came with a knowing smile, "Ah, well, there's a way. We can refer to the Bingo book, a record of famous ninja. If he's renowned, his information should be in there."
Yuki joined in, posing a thoughtful question, "But what if he's not listed in the Bingo book? And how do we even access this book?"
Yuto explained, still smiling, "In that case, we'll just have to face him, assuming he excels in all aspects. As for the Bingo book, we can find copies of it at the mission hall."
Hearing Yuto's explanation, both Yuki and Kosuke let out sighs, realizing the challenge that lay ahead.
Upon arriving at the mission hall, Yuto, Kosuke, and Yuki approached the counter where a lady was seated. Yuto initiated the inquiry, asking politely, "Excuse me, could we take a look at the Bingo book?"
The lady responded with a friendly smile, "Of course, give me a moment... Here you go."
As the three genin opened the book, their astonishment was palpable at the sheer size and thickness of its pages. Yuto and his companions began their search and soon found the section dedicated to Takao Hatake. The page contained the following details:
NAME: Takao Hatake
RANK: A Rank - Elite Jonin
BOUNTY: 35 Million Ryo
AFFILIATION: Village Hidden in the Leaf
NICKNAME: Lightning Sword
ABOUT: Takao Hatake is highly skilled in the art of swordsmanship and lightning-style jutsus. His combat style merges the two, resulting in lethal and precise strikes, making close-range combat a risky proposition. His mastery extends to earth-style jutsus as well. It's advised that only those of Jonin rank or higher consider engaging him.
After perusing the detailed information, the trio relocated to a nearby park, gathering to discuss their strategy.
Yuto initiated the conversation, considering the new insights, "Given his high threat in close combat, it's best to avoid engaging him in that manner. However, we should remember that he can bridge the distance if we try to stay far away. So, Yuki, perhaps you could take the lead in close combat..."
Yuki interjected, her confidence apparent, "Exactly, leave the close-range engagement to me. I'll target his tenketsu points, disrupting his chakra control and hampering his ability to perform jutsus."
Kosuke offered an alternative perspective, "Why not collaborate and face him together?"
Yuto responded, explaining the rationale, "While that might seem like a good idea, fighting as a group in close quarters could be problematic. We're not accustomed to defending each other's backs. Instead, Kosuke and I can provide long-range assistance by utilizing throwing weapons. Speaking of which, both of you should take these." He handed over a paper tag.
Curious, Yuki examined the tag and questioned, "What's this? Explosive tags? I already have some, so you don't need to give me more."
Yuto clarified, "It's not an explosive tag; it's akin to throwing kunais and shurikens. You infuse chakra into it, and it straight goes towards and targets the enemy without requiring any activation time. However, I don't have many of these; they're a bit costly to create."
Upon hearing this, Kosuke returned the paper tag to Yuto, stating, "In that case, I'll stick with the weapons I already have."
"No, go ahead and take it. I have one for myself as well. With the plan in place, let's reconvene tomorrow and show him what we're made of," Yuto proclaimed.
Kosuke and Yuki shared smiles, with Yuki expressing her determination, "I'll make sure to be the first to take him down."
Kosuke chimed in, adding, "Absolutely, let's make him aware of our capabilities."
With their resolve strong, the two departed for their respective homes. In her thoughts, Yuki mused, 'Tomorrow marks the beginning of my journey as a ninja. Time to ensure that my equipment and weapons are in order.'