The exam at the Ninja Academy was naturally nothing difficult for Kiyosuke. Under Orochimaru's guidance, he easily passed the not - particularly - difficult exam and obtained the ninja forehead protector, which made him extremely happy.
He had become a Konoha genin!
Genins in Konoha were all quite remarkable. Even their fights could be earth - shattering. Thinking of jonins... cough, cough. Thinking of Kakashi and Guy's fight, it's better not to mention it!
In the Hokage's office
Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking as usual. Opposite him was Orochimaru. He asked, "Are you really not willing to lead subordinates just once? The student Jiraiya led last time, Minato Namikaze, has become an outstanding jonin. He has learned and can skillfully use the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique."
Orochimaru said, "Jiraiya's disciple is ultimately his disciple. It has nothing to do with me. Mr. Kiyosuke has decent talent. If he can fully develop his Kekkei Genkai, becoming an elite jonin won't be a problem, provided he doesn't die on a mission."
"If he really does die, there's nothing we can do about it. It's normal for a ninja to die on a mission. This is our fate." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. One who wanders in the martial world is bound to get hurt. Even he would die someday.
"How does he understand the Will of Fire?"
"He's already prepared to sacrifice himself." Orochimaru told his teacher about Kiyosuke's thoughts, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi fall silent for a moment. It was a bit extreme, similar to his own disciple in a way.
However, thinking that Kiyosuke was only nine years old, he decided to pick two suitable team members for him.
And a responsible jonin instructor to guide them, hoping that through getting along, Kiyosuke could change.
At least, become more positive. Don't be as gloomy as Orochimaru. He was now a bit regretful for letting Kiyosuke stay with his disciple. One takes on the color of one's company. It seemed that this child's personality had been influenced.
"Don't you really want to be the jonin instructor?"
He hoped his disciple could change, but unfortunately, Orochimaru refused again. "Teacher Hiruzen, I'm very busy. I'm not interested in taking care of brats. Mr. Kiyosuke doesn't need to be taken care of either. Mentally, he's already an adult."
The door closed. Hiruzen Sarutobi took a few puffs of his cigarette. "These brats are so difficult to deal with one by one..."
On the rooftop of the school
A middle - aged man with a long face and red eyes, carrying a sword on his back, stood there with his arms folded, looking serious.
"I'm Yuuhi Mahiro. From today on, I'll be your jonin instructor. Introduce yourselves. You can talk about what you like, what you dislike, your hobbies, etc. Of course, you don't have to. Also, it doesn't matter how you address me privately, but for now, you all have to call me Teacher Mahiro."
He seemed strict and imposing, but Kiyosuke, who was used to Orochimaru, didn't feel any pressure.
Among the three, Yuuhi Kurenai was the most familiar with her father. She was the first to speak. "My name is Yuuhi Kurenai. My favorite food is octopus with mustard, and I dislike cake. My dream is to become an excellent female ninja, and my hobby is arranging flowers with my mother."
Well, 不愧是我家的小可爱!（This part seems to be in a wrong language or an inside joke. If it should be in English, you can correct me.）
Yuuhi Mahiro nodded.
Asuma on the side said, "I'm Sarutobi Asuma. My favorite food is sausage, and I dislike asparagus. I like playing shogi. As for my dream... I don't have one for now."
Is he still confused about his future? That's normal.
Today, Kiyosuke was wearing a short - sleeved, wide - sleeved shirt on top, a pair of cropped pants on the bottom, with leg - wrappings. He had grown much taller compared to a year ago. His face still carried a childish look, but one could faintly see that Konoha would have a handsome young man in the future.
His face showed no joy or sorrow. He stood up and said in a calm tone, "My name is Asakawa Kiyosuke. I'm nine years old. I live at No. 16, Konoha Hot Spring Street. I'm unmarried. I've just become a ninja. I usually like to train. I usually get home at six. I don't smoke or drink. I go to bed at ten o'clock every night. Before going to bed, I refine chakra for twenty minutes and drink a glass of warm milk to promote growth. I sleep for eight hours every day and never carry fatigue into the next day. Uncle Snake said I'm normal!"
Asuma: Although I didn't quite understand, it seems amazing!
Kurenai: Since when did Asakawa become so strange?
Yuuhi Mahiro: This kid is probably going to be a handful.
And is the Uncle Snake you mentioned Orochimaru?
Although it was known that Kiyosuke trained under Orochimaru, Orochimaru hadn't officially admitted to taking him as a disciple, even though many people tacitly assumed Kiyosuke was his disciple.
"I've basically understood your situations. Alright, your first task is to go to the Konoha Training Ground."
"Yes."×3
The three little ones followed Yuuhi Mahiro to the bank of a small river in the Konoha Training Ground.
With his back to the river, Yuuhi Mahiro took out two bells.
Kiyosuke: "..."
Is there no other way for Konoha jonins to assess genins?
"Show your true abilities. Those who can't grab the bells won't have lunch." Yuuhi Mahiro said, "The time limit is one hour. You can use ninja tools."
He took out a clock and placed it aside.
The timing began.
Asuma and Yuuhi Kurenai reacted the fastest. They ran to other places to set traps and wait for the right moment. Kiyosuke, without saying a word, charged straight at Yuuhi Mahiro.
"..." Yuuhi Mahiro. Why don't you look at Asuma and Kurenai? Is charging like this really a ninja's fighting style?
But the next moment, Kiyosuke was already close. His moving speed was extremely fast.
Yuuhi Mahiro put away his contempt. Then, he saw Kiyosuke open his mouth and spit out. Blazing flames filled his entire field of vision.
"Ember!"
With the flames in his face, Yuuhi Mahiro immediately stepped back and formed hand - seals. "Water Release: Water Turbulence!"
He spat out a stream of water, which collided with the flames. White mist filled the air, and shurikens and kunais flew out.
Yuuhi Mahiro nimbly dodged. Suddenly, he felt the temperature around him gradually rising.
"Ember!"
Sure enough, another pillar of fire shot out. The continuous attacks forced him to keep retreating.
Are kids this powerful now?
Asuma: I'm not!
Kurenai: I didn't!
"Where'd he go?"
Kiyosuke found that Yuuhi Mahiro had disappeared and was puzzled. From his sleeve, the little white snake stuck out its head and flicked its tongue in one direction.
"Over there? Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Several venomous snakes shot out from his wide sleeves and rushed in the direction the little white snake indicated.
The snakes dived into the grass, and then there was a cry. Kiyosuke pulled with his hand, and a figure flew towards him.
Reacting instinctively, he reached out and caught the figure.
Taking a closer look, he was holding Asuma in a princess - carry.
"..." Kiyosuke.
"..." Asuma.
This was a bit awkward.
They stared at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.