After one hour of intensive weapon training, Hideaki called for the end of their training.
"That's enough for today," he announced, wiping sweat from his own forehead. "You've all made good progress on your individual skills. Nobue-kun, Hana-chan, continue practicing tree climbing tomorrow. Hikaru-kun, work on the grip and stance fundamentals we covered."
He clasped his hands behind his back. "Report back here tomorrow at eight o'clock sharp. We'll continued with team coordination exercises in the morning after a same run we did today, then move to individual training in the afternoon."
As Nobue and Hana began walking toward their respective routes home, Hikaru's jaw tightened as he wrestled with his decision, his shoulders tensing slightly.
"Hideaki-sensei," Hikaru interrupted, swallowing hard as his teammates continued walking. "Could I ask you something? Privately?"
Hana and Nobue glanced back curiously, but Hideaki gestured for them to continue.
"Go ahead, you two. Get some rest—tomorrow will be challenging. Hikaru-kun and I will catch up in a moment."
After his teammates disappeared around the corner, Hikaru found himself alone with his instructor under the soft glow of the street lamps. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides as he prepared to voice concerns he'd been carrying for weeks.
"What's on your mind?" Hideaki asked gently, his expression patient and encouraging.
Hikaru hesitated before speaking, his hands clenching at his sides as he struggled with how to begin. "Over the past week, I've felt like... like someone was watching me. It happened several times while I was training alone after the academy competition. The feeling was different from normal instructor observation."
"Go on," Hideaki said, his tone remaining neutral but attentive.
"A few days ago during my training, I sensed a chakra signature nearby. When I looked toward the trees..." Hikaru paused, his throat tightening as he swallowed hard. "I spotted a cloaked figure with a blank mask retreating swiftly."
"I was wondering if the delay in forming our team had anything to do with surveillance of my abilities," Hikaru continued, forcing himself to meet his sensei's eyes. "And if you knew anything about whether I'm still being monitored."
Hideaki was quiet for a moment, considering the question carefully before responding.
"The team delay wasn't about you, Hikaru-kun," he said finally, his voice carrying conviction. "That was on me—the Sandaime called me back for duty but it took me awhile to finish my business, but that's beside the point. The important thing is that any delay had nothing to do with concerns about your capabilities."
"As for being monitored," Hideaki continued, his expression growing more serious, "especially someone in a mask operating without my knowledge—I don't think that's coming from the Hokage's office. If it were official surveillance, I would have been informed as your instructor."
"So you don't think it's normal procedure?" Hikaru asked, though his stomach tightened at the implications.
"Not at all," Hideaki replied firmly. "But I'll look into it quietly. See if I can determine whether your concerns have any foundation."
Hikaru's shoulders dropped as he released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His hands unclenched, and for the first time in weeks, the knot in his chest loosened completely.
"Thank you, Hideaki-sensei," he said, bowing deeply. "I can't tell you how much that means to me."
"No need for thanks," Hideaki replied with a warm smile. "Looking out for my students is part of my job. Besides, you've got more important things to focus on than worrying about shadows."
"Listen," Hideaki said, placing a reassuring hand on Hikaru's shoulder, "you're part of my team now. That means I've got your back, understand? If someone is watching you without authorization, I'll figure out who and why."
"Thank you, Hideaki-sensei," Hikaru said, bowing deeply as gratitude filled his voice. "I wasn't sure if I should mention it, but it's been bothering me for a while."
"You did the right thing by telling me," Hideaki assured him. "Trust is essential between teammates, and that includes trusting your instructor with concerns like this."
As they parted ways, Hikaru's steps were lighter than they had been in weeks. His shoulders remained relaxed as he walked, no longer slumped with the tension that he had.
At least my career during Genin period should be safe under Jōnin sensei, Hikaru thought. As for the future, I'll worry about that later.
The walk home took him through familiar streets that seemed more peaceful now, his eyes no longer darting to shadows and rooftops. Evening activity continued around him—late shoppers, restaurant patrons, and night-shift workers going about their routines in the village he was learning to protect.
As he walked through the market district, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Hikaru-kun! What a surprise!"
He turned to see Yuki approaching from the market district, a bag filled with borrowed books slung over her shoulder. Her face brightened as she approached.
"Yuki-chan," Hikaru replied, returning her smile. "Evening study?"
"Just some reading," she explained, adjusting her book bag. "I've been trying to understand the economic development of the village. Are you heading to help Ayako-san with the stall?"
"Just heading home," Hikaru answered. "Had team training today with my new sensei."
"That sounds wonderful!" Yuki said, her eyes lighting up with interest. "How is your new team working out? It must be quite different from academy life."
"It's going really well," Hikaru replied honestly, though he noticed the way her smile wavered slightly. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something. My training schedule is going to be really intense for a while. I might not be able to help with the group as much as I used to."
Yuki's smile faltered before she caught herself, her hand tightening on her book bag strap. "Oh. I understand—genin duties must be much more demanding than academy learning."
"But I promise I'll come help whenever I have time available," Hikaru added quickly, stepping closer. "Maybe not every week like before, but I don't want to completely disappear from everyone."
"We'd appreciate any help you can give," Yuki said, her smile returning with genuine warmth as her shoulders relaxed. "Kenta and I have both improved a lot thanks to your explanations, so even occasional time would be valuable."
"Thank you for understanding," Hikaru said, bowing slightly in appreciation. "I know it's not ideal, but I want to do my best in both my training and maintaining our friendship."
"Of course," Yuki replied, shifting her book bag to her other shoulder. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. Advanced training can be dangerous."
"I will," Hikaru assured her. "My sensei is very careful about safety, and my teammates are capable people."
They talked for a few more minutes about Yuki's daily life and Kenta's continued improvement in chakra control exercises. Then they parted ways with promises to meet again when Hikaru's have more available time.
As he continued toward home, Hikaru's steps carried him through streets that had witnessed so many changes in his young life. From an academy student to member of a genin team with an instructor who had promised to protect him—each day brought new challenges and new people to care about.
But for the first time since graduating, his chest felt lighter, his breathing came easier, and the constant worry that had plagued him for weeks had been replaced with something steadier and more hopeful.
As he reached his front door, Ayako looked up from her evening tea.
"You're home later than usual," she observed, studying his expression. "How was your day?"
"Really good," Hikaru replied, settling down across from her with a genuine smile. "And I talked to Hideaki-sensei about those concerns I've been having."
"What kind of concerns?" Ayako asked, setting down her cup.
"He said he'd look into it," Hikaru said, his voice carrying a lightness that had been absent for weeks. "He told me he's got my back."
Ayako smiled warmly. "That sounds like Hideaki-san. I'm glad he's taking good care of you."
"Have you eaten yet?" Ayako asked, rising from her chair. "I prepared extra rice tonight, and there's leftover fish from this morning's market trip."
Hikaru's stomach rumbled in response. "Actually, I'm starving. The training was more intense than usual."
As Ayako moved to the kitchen area, warming the food over their small cooking fire, the familiar sounds of preparation—dishes clinking, rice being stirred—filled the small space. Hikaru watched her movements, his shoulders relaxing further as he settled into his chair.
"So tell me about this new team of yours," Ayako said as she served the meal. "What are your teammates like?"
"Nobue-kun is from the Hyuga clan," Hikaru replied, accepting the warm bowl gratefully. "He's... very proud of his abilities, but he's skilled. Hana-chan is from the Inuzuka clan—she works with three nin-ken and has a lot of energy."
"And how is Hideaki-san as an sensei?"
"He's really good," Hikaru replied, pausing with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "Today he told me stories about how dedicated Otou-san (dad) was to protecting his teammates when they were on the same genin team."
Ayako's expression softened, her eyes growing distant for a moment. "That sounds like him. He always put others first."
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the warm food helping to settle Hikaru's stomach after the day's intensive training. His appetite had increased significantly since the weight training began, and he found himself accepting a second helping without hesitation.
"Oh, I've been thinking," Ayako said as they finished eating, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Hideaki-san's birthday is coming up next week. I was wondering if we should do something to acknowledge it."
Hikaru looked up from his bowl, his eyebrows rising. "His birthday? How do you know when it is?"
"We always exchange presents with him every year," Ayako explained, beginning to clear the dishes. "Your father and Hideaki-san stayed close even after their genin days. I think it's on the fifteenth."
"You want to celebrate Hideaki-sensei's birthday?" Hikaru asked, tilting his head curiously.
"Well, he's taking such good care of you, and he was important to Otou-san," Ayako said, her voice carrying a note of uncertainty as she avoided his gaze. "I thought maybe we could invite him for dinner? Nothing too grand, just a way to show our thanks."
Hikaru considered this, his chopsticks tapping against his bowl as he thought. The idea settled comfortably in his mind—acknowledging Hideaki-sensei not just as his instructor but as someone who had been connected to their family for years.
"I think he'd like that," Hikaru said slowly. "Though I'm not sure how to bring it up. 'Hey, sensei, want to come to dinner for your birthday' seems kind of awkward."
"We could keep it simple," Ayako suggested, her hands moving as she stacked the dishes. "Just mention that I'd like to properly thank him for training you, and see if he'd join us for a meal. The birthday part can be a pleasant surprise."
"That sounds better," Hikaru agreed, nodding. "I could ask him tomorrow after training."
"Also, you should invite your teammates," Ayako added thoughtfully. "If you're going to be working together as a team, it would be good for me to meet them properly. And I'm sure Hideaki-san would appreciate having his whole team there."
Hikaru nodded, his face brightening at the expanded idea. "Nobue-kun might be a bit difficult to invite, but I think he'd come. And Hana-chan would probably be excited—she loves meeting new people. Though I should warn you, she has three nin-ken that go everywhere with her."
"Three dogs?" Ayako's eyebrows shot up, then her lips curved into a smile. "Well, that will make things interesting. I'll make sure to prepare extra food."
"You don't mind?"
"Of course not. If they're your teammate, they're welcome here," Ayako said firmly, her voice carrying the same protective warmth she'd always shown. "Besides, it's been too quiet around here lately. A little chaos might be good for us."
As they finished the evening cleanup, Hikaru moved through the familiar motions with a lightness he hadn't felt in weeks. The day had brought revelations and new beginnings, but here in their small home, surrounded by the sounds of clinking dishes and his sister's gentle humming, everything felt grounded and real.
"Thank you, Onee-chan," he said softly, setting down the last bowl. "For everything."
Ayako smiled, reaching out to ruffle his hair gently. "That's what family is for, Hikaru-kun."