"...I've said it many times already. Only members from the clan head's bloodline can inherit the title 'Ino–Shika–Cho.'"
Kei Yamanaka glared at Kushina Uzumaki with obvious irritation.
Who came up with this ridiculous nickname "Pig Princess"?
He was a grown man, male by birth and interested in women. He wasn't from the Yamanaka main branch, nor was he some Sejuani charging into battle on a wild boar.
So why did he get stuck with such a name?
"Aww~ Who told you to be so cute when you were little? It's totally understandable that people mistook you for a girl back then!"
Kushina recalled those amusing memories and laughed even harder.
"Seems like only *you* would make that mistake."
Kei rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Back when Kushina transferred into the Ninja Academy as a new student, they were classmates. During her self-introduction, he had been one of the few who didn't laugh at her bright red hair.
Right after the first class ended, she approached him asking where the girls' restroom was, and whether he could go with her.
Of course, because of his delicate, feminine appearance back then, she completely misjudged his gender.
Seeing an eight-year-old girl standing there clearly embarrassed and anxious,
Kei, whose heart bore the weight of an adult's mind, naturally couldn't bear to leave her in an even more awkward situation, so he silently stood up and led the way.
Thinking back now, their very first meeting had definitely been karmic punishment!
"Hehe~ Kei, are you here at the Jonin Dispatch Office for something?"
Kushina stood with her hands clasped behind her back, a subtle look of hope lighting up her face.
"Cough... I've been transferred to the regular forces as a squad leader Jonin."
Kei took out a scroll containing his transfer orders from his ninja tool pouch.
Noticing that today's duty officer at the Jonin Dispatch Office, Nara Suzaku, was looking over, he raised his hand and tossed the scroll toward him.
"Eh? That's great! We'll be able to see each other often again!"
"Yeah, maybe we can talk later? My poor three subordinates have been waiting since morning."
"You just got here and you're already leaving, hmph~ Well, fine. This time I'll let you off, but you better report in early tomorrow~"
"Report in? Uh... See you tomorrow, see you tomorrow!"
Looking at what used to be the Jonin Dispatch Office—now a complete ruin—
and seeing Kushina hesitating, already starting to count on her fingers how much she'd probably owe for this incident, Kei quickly waved at Choza Akimichi and Tohito Akimichi, then vanished on the spot using [Shifting Body Technique].
——————
Konoha's Training Ground #4.
The autumn sun beat gently down on Might Guy and Genma Shiranami, both drenched in sweat.
They tirelessly drilled through basic taijutsu exercises and kunai throwing practice.
Ten-year-old Kurenai Yuhi sat idly atop a wooden stump used for kunai practice, absently swinging her legs.
As she listened to the shouts of her new teammates during training, and the occasional explosion of jutsu echoing from the live drills at the third training ground less than a kilometer away, she let out a long, weary sigh.
Originally, her first year after graduation had already been unlucky enough—
her teammate had given up becoming a ninja, forcing her to work in the logistics department doing menial tasks.
Now that the team had been reorganized, she was delighted to find her teammates were both familiar faces and strong ninja with unwavering dedication to their careers.
But then she encountered a jonin squad leader who had overslept through the entire morning of their very first meeting.
Although the assembly order simply stated they should meet at Training Ground #4 in the morning, without specifying an exact time.
It was already past noon—seriously!
Why was her ninja career always turning into a disaster?
While she was lost in thought, a faint orchid-like fragrance drifted on the autumn breeze, tickling her nostrils.
Before she could identify which flower's scent it was,
Suddenly, something shifted within the training ground.
The once-flat ground started to rise slowly.
Maito Gai and Genma Shiranami, mid-training, noticed the disturbance first and leapt back to safety.
Before she could jump off the wooden stump and escape,
A massive serpent with a three-meter-wide head erupted from the ground!
Faced with this colossal beast as large as a mountain, an unprecedented sense of crisis overwhelmed Kurenai Yuhi.
Her entire body trembled violently, every nerve shrieking in alarm, paralyzing her with fear, too terrified to so much as twitch, fearing it might draw the serpent's gaze.
Fate was not in her favor. The colossal snake raised its head slightly, its cold reptilian eyes locked onto her—and lunged forward to strike.
A life-threatening sense of doom nearly consumed whatever composure she had left.
"Move! Move your body! Hurry, MOVE!"
Kurenai Yuhi screamed inwardly. Her numb limbs surged with an unprecedented burst of strength.
Still, the serpent's attack speed far exceeded her ability to dodge.
The rotting stench pouring from its gaping jaws felt like the stink of death itself.
"Agh—hit it!"
At that critical moment, a powerful shout rang out as a blur of green shot from the serpent's flank.
With one mighty kick, he sent the beast's head lurching sideways, giving Kurenai Yuhi just enough space to dodge the deadly strike.
Boom!
Missing its prey, the beast slammed into the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust and hissing furiously.
Its tail swung violently, seemingly unharmed.
Genma Shiranami knew they had no chance against this monster. Snatching Kurenai Yuhi—who had barely dodged the serpent's charge—he bolted, hurling smoke bombs behind him and shouting over his shoulder.
"Gai! Run!"
Maito Gai, still riding the momentum of his successful strike, didn't hesitate and immediately joined the retreat.
Perhaps because she had stared death in the face, Kurenai Yuhi's mind had never felt so clear. As soon as Genma Shiranami shouted his command, she shouted immediately.
"Run toward Training Ground #3! There are jonin there supervising genin exams! Does anyone have a red signal flare? Hurry!"
"Got it!"
Maito Gai responded immediately, reaching for his ninja tool pouch.
But before he could pull it out, the world in front of them shattered like glass.
The three fleeing ninja stumbled forward due to inertia,
Nearly colliding headfirst with a tree trunk thicker than a meter.
After barely regaining their balance, the three stood in shock, staring at the vanished giant serpent and the training ground untouched by any sign of destruction.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Claps rang out from one side of the training ground.
Wearing a black combat suit with a Jonin flak vest over it, Kei Yamanaka stepped out from the shade of a tree beside the field.
"You displayed remarkable patience, exceptional courage, excellent teamwork, and made the right decisions under pressure. Congratulations—you've passed the test. I am your new squad leader Jonin, Kei Yamanaka. I'll be your guide from now on."
"Youth truly never betrays effort!" Maito Gai added enthusiastically. "Please also feel free to guide me, Instructor Kei!"
Still shaken by the earlier Genjutsu—a technique nearly indistinguishable from reality—Genma Shiranami still gave a thumbs-up and flashed his iconic gleaming white teeth.
"I'm Genma Shiranami. Nice to meet you."
Genma pushed himself up from the ground and bowed respectfully.
"I am Kurenai Yuhi. Please continue to guide us, Instructor."
Kurenai's pale complexion gradually regained its color as she bowed. Meanwhile, her thoughts raged against her new squad leader.
Not even greeting us before starting the exam like that—how utterly rude!
She honestly thought she was going to die back there!
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