The late afternoon sun hung high above their heads as Team 8 finished another hard training session. Hikaru wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. His breathing was heavy but more controlled than a week ago. The weight training seal under his clothes was working exactly as he'd hoped—his stamina during morning runs had gotten much better, and he didn't stumble as much during the tough exercises.
"Not bad today," Hideaki-sensei said, watching his three students pack their gear. "You all stayed hidden much longer than your first tries."
Nobue nodded and fixed his jacket. His pale Byakugan eyes had been the key in their latest stealth exercise. He spotted Kōzaru's position while helping the team move without being seen. The summoning monkey made the exercise really hard, even with their better teamwork.
"That stealth exercise was exhausting," Hana said. One of the Haimaru brothers panted beside her. "Having to coordinate our movements while avoiding Kōzaru's detection was much harder than I expected."
"At least we finished it without being spotted," Hikaru agreed. He remembered their latest challenge. After successfully getting the red ball from Kōzaru on their third try earlier in the week, Hideaki-sensei had moved them to harder scenarios. Today's exercise required them to move through the forest to reach the flag their sensei had placed, all while avoiding detection by Kōzaru.
Their sensei had a talent for creating scenarios that pushed them just beyond what they could handle easily. Each new challenge seemed designed to show a different weakness in their teamwork. It forced them to adapt and grow stronger as a unit.
"Your individual skills are getting better too," Hideaki added. He looked at each of them. "Nobue-kun and Hana-chan, you've both mastered tree climbing and are ready to move on to water surface walking for chakra control training. And Hikaru-kun, your kunai work has improved a lot since we started working on your Academy gaps."
Nobue kept his calm expression, but his posture became slightly more confident. Hana grinned widely. Hikaru's chest swelled with pride at the specific mention of his weapons training.
The personal instruction from his sensei had been really helpful—proper grip techniques, throwing angles, and combat applications that the Academy's basic curriculum never covered. His movements with the weapons felt more natural now. Less like copying textbook diagrams and more like real muscle memory.
"Thank you, Hideaki-sensei," Hikaru replied with a small bow.
As they prepared to leave the training ground, Hikaru took a moment to check his progress. His chakra reserves had grown a lot over the past week of hard genin training. The constant demand for energy during exercises was slowly expanding his capacity. It brought him closer to what a normal genin should have. The gap was still there, but it didn't feel as wide as before.
He looked at his hand and clenched it into a fist. He felt the slight tremor of exhaustion in his muscles. Hopefully I still have more time to prepare myself, he thought. This is real life, not anime or manga.
"See you all tomorrow," Hideaki called as he prepared to use the Body Flicker Technique. "Enjoy your day off tomorrow—we'll resume training on Monday morning with more team exercises. Oh, and don't forget the small gathering at Hikaru-kun's home tomorrow evening."
Team 8 had been training six days a week. Team exercises in the mornings and individual skill development in the afternoons. Tomorrow's dinner party would be a welcome break from their hard schedule.
The three genin waved as their sensei disappeared. They walked back toward the village together.
"My legs are sore," Hana complained good-naturedly as they walked through the forest path. "How do you manage to keep up now, Hikaru-kun? A week ago you were practically collapsing after our runs."
"Just persistent training," Hikaru replied. "Small improvements add up over time."
"See you tomorrow!" Hana called as they reached the village gates. While Nobue only nodded as he continued to walk.
"Tomorrow," Hikaru agreed, though he felt completely drained as they separated. His teammates headed toward their way to respective clan compounds while he trudged toward home.
"Training with the team left me drained," Hikaru murmured with a sigh as continued walking toward the familiar street.
I should find time to work more on my reflexes, he thought as he walked slowly through the evening streets. Maybe using shadow clones as helpers. Also my second step of learning Rasengan using a rubber ball.
The individual training that had consumed his pre-genin days felt like a distant memory now. Team responsibilities demanded so much focus and energy that his personal projects had been completely pushed aside.
When Hikaru arrived home, he found Ayako preparing their simple evening meal. Steam rose from a pot of rice while she grilled fish over the small cooking fire.
"Welcome home, Hikaru-kun," she called without looking up from the cooking. "How was training today?"
"Exhausting but productive," he replied, setting his equipment bag by the door. "Something smells good."
"Tonight's dinner," she said, then paused with a thoughtful expression. "Though I've been planning tomorrow's menu all day. Your teammates and sensei are coming over, and I want everything to be perfect. Plus, we have that special surprise planned."
"What should we do to prepare?" Hikaru asked, washing his hands at the sink.
"I'll need to go to the market early tomorrow morning for fresh ingredients," she replied, stirring tonight's simple dinner. "Traditional dishes that will impress your sensei—grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and several side dishes."
"I can help with the shopping," Hikaru offered as they sat down to eat their own modest meal.
"That would be perfect," Ayako said with a grateful smile. "We'll also need to clean the house thoroughly and arrange the dining area properly. Your sensei deserves our best hospitality."
Her careful planning reminded him why her restaurant business with Kenji-san would likely succeed—she understood how proper preparation made all the difference.
The next morning, Hikaru woke early to help Ayako shop for fresh ingredients at the village market. They selected the finest fish available, picked vegetables that would complement the meal, and prepare ingredient for special dumpling. The afternoon was spent cleaning their modest home until it sparkled and arranging the dining area with careful attention to detail.
"Everything looks perfect, Ayako-chan," Hikaru said, adjusting the final cushion around their low dining table. The carefully arranged dining area looked more formal than their home had ever been.
"I hope so," she replied, checking the grilled fish one last time. "Your sensei deserves the best we can offer."
Team 8 began arriving just as the sun started to set. Nobue came first, carrying himself with the formal posture expected of his clan but looking slightly uncomfortable in the casual setting. He'd brought a small wrapped package and bowed respectfully when Ayako greeted him at the door.
"Thank you for inviting me to your home, Ayako-san," he said with perfect politeness. His posture remained stiff. "It's an honor to share a meal with Hikaru-kun's family." He glanced around the modest interior with barely hidden uncertainty, clearly uncomfortable in the informal setting.
"The honor is ours, Nobue-kun," Ayako replied warmly. She accepted his gift with both hands. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Hana arrived moments later with both Haimaru brothers in tow. Their energy filled the small entrance area immediately. She carried a larger package and seemed much more relaxed than Nobue. She grinned widely as she looked around the modest home.
"This place feels so cozy!" she announced cheerfully. "And something smells incredible—what are we having, Ayako-san?"
"A traditional meal with our specialty as a side dish," Ayako replied with obvious pride. "Grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and our famous barbecue meat. I wanted to prepare something that would honor your sensei properly."
When Hideaki arrived exactly on time, he paused in the doorway with clear surprise at the care that had gone into the evening's preparations. His usual casual behavior shifted to something more formal as he realized the significance of being invited into his student's family home.
"Ayako-san, this is incredibly kind of you," Hideki said with a smile. "I hope we're not bothering too much at your house."
"Not at all, Hideaki-san," Ayako assured him. She gestured for everyone to move toward the dining area.
The meal began with traditional formality. Everyone sat properly around the low table while Ayako served each course with happily smile. Hikaru watched his teammates' faces as they tasted the carefully prepared dishes. He noted their expressions of genuine appreciation.
"This barbecue meat tasted really good," Nobue observed carefully. He maintained his formal posture despite the casual setting. "The seasoning reminds me of meals prepared for formal clan gatherings."
"Everything is delicious, Ayako-san," Hana added between enthusiastic bites. "You could open a restaurant with cooking this good!"
"Funny you should mention that," Hikaru said with a small smile. "She's actually planning to do exactly that next month."
As the evening progressed, Nobue's stiff posture gradually relaxed by small degrees. His responses remained formal, but the edge of discomfort slowly faded. Ayako's genuine hospitality and his teammates' easy conversation created an atmosphere even his clan training couldn't entirely resist. Hana entertained everyone with tales of the Haimaru brothers' puppyhood antics. Her animated gestures made even Nobue crack a smile.
Hideaki seemed to relax completely as the meal continued. He shared gentle guidance about their training progress while asking thoughtful questions about their goals and interests. Hikaru observed how different everyone acted outside the formal schedule training time—more human, more connected.
"You three have made remarkable progress this week," Hideaki said, setting down his chopsticks. "Not just in individual skills, but in learning to function as a team. That's much harder to develop than most people realize."
"We still argue sometimes during the exercises," Hana admitted with a slight blush.
"Good teams argue," Hideaki replied with a chuckle. "They care enough about the outcome to debate the best approach. Bad teams just follow orders without thinking."
As Ayako began clearing the dinner dishes, she caught Hikaru's eye with a meaningful look. He nodded slightly, understanding that the moment had arrived.
"Hideaki-sensei," Hikaru began. His voice carried a note of nervous formality. "We discovered something interesting while checking schedules this week."
"Oh?" Hideaki raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Today is your birthday," Hikaru announced. He glanced at his equally surprised teammates.
"Your birthday, Hideaki-sensei?" Nobue repeated. His carefully maintained composure faltered for just a moment before reasserting itself. "I... was not aware of this occasion."
"Really?" Hana added, her eyes widening. "We had no idea!"
Hideaki's mouth fell open slightly. Genuine surprise replaced his usual composed expression. "How did you—"
"Ayako-chan knew from when Otou-san and Hideaki-sensei were teammates," Hikaru explained quickly. "They've been contact one another for many years, so she suggested we prepare some dinner to thank you for training everyone. We thought... well, we thought making some dinner together at my home would be an ideal to celebrate your birthday."
Ayako returned from the kitchen with a warm smile "Happy birthday, Hideaki-sensei," she said warmly, setting the special dumpling before their stunned instructor.
For a moment, Hideaki seemed genuinely speechless. His hands rested flat on the table as he stared at the variety of dumpling on the table, then looked around at the four faces watching him expectantly.
"I... this is..." he began, then stopped, swallowing hard. "It's been many years since anyone made such a thoughtful celebration for my birthday."
"We don't have gifts prepared since we just found out," Hana said, looking embarrassed. "But we promise to get you something special later, Hideaki-sensei!"
"That's right," Nobue agreed. His formal composure returned. "Please allow us to properly honor your birthday with appropriate gifts once we've had time to select them thoughtfully."
Hikaru stepped forward with his wrapped package. "I do have something though," he said, offering it to their sensei. "Ayako-chan helped me pick it out when she was planning this."
Hideaki opened the present with careful attention. It was a small tin of premium tea leaves with elegant packaging.
"Ayako-chan remembered that you always enjoyed tea when you visited with Otou-san," Hikaru explained. "This came from Kenji-san—he's a merchant who specializes in importing fine teas from the Land of Tea."
"This is wonderful," Hideaki said. His voice was thick with emotion as he examined the tea tin. "But having a team and family that cares enough to remember is the greatest gift of all."
He looked around the table at each of them in turn. "You know, when I was assigned Team 8, I wondered if three early graduates could really form the bonds necessary for effective teamwork. Tonight, you've shown me that those bonds are already forming."
The rest of the evening passed in comfortable conversation. The formal boundaries between sensei and students softened without disappearing entirely. Hideaki shared a few carefully chosen stories from his own genin days. The team members asked questions about advanced techniques and future training possibilities.
As the night grew later, the team began preparing to leave. Nobue bowed formally to both Ayako and Hideaki. He thanked them for the evening with courtesy. Hana hugged Ayako enthusiastically, promising to visit again soon, while the Haimaru brothers received gentle scratches behind their ears.
"Thank you for tonight," Hideaki said to Ayako as he prepared to depart. "Your hospitality and kindness mean more than you know. Hikaru-kun is fortunate to have such a caring sister."
"He's fortunate to have such a dedicated sensei," Ayako replied with a bow. "Please continue looking after him."
After everyone had left, Hikaru sat alone in the quiet living room. He helped Ayako with the final cleanup while thinking about the evening's events. The formal distance that had existed between team members seemed to have shortened considerably. It was replaced by something that felt more like genuine friendship.
"Your team seems nice," Ayako observed, drying the last of the dishes. "That Hideaki-sensei especially—he clearly cares about all of you."
"Yeah," Hikaru agreed, stacking the cleaned plates carefully. "I think we're really starting to work as a unit now."
"Good," she said with satisfaction. "Strong bonds will serve you well in whatever challenges lie ahead."
Later, sitting alone in his room, Hikaru thought about the week's progress. His individual skills were improving steadily under Hideaki's guidance, but challenges remained.
His personal training projects—reflex improvement, jutsu improvement, and Rasengan progression—had been completely pushed aside by team responsibilities. Finding time to advance his individual capabilities while maintaining team commitments would require careful planning.
I need to find a balance, he thought, clenching his fist thoughtfully. Team strength matters, but individual capability determines what the team can accomplish.
Hikaru settled into bed with a sense of optimism. The foundation was solid, his skills were improving, and his team was becoming something special.
Whatever comes next, he thought as sleep began to claim him, at least I won't be facing it alone.