As time ticked by, the classroom door was pushed open repeatedly as one instructor after another appeared, called out names, and led their students away.
The noisy classroom gradually became empty and quiet.
In the end, only the three members of Team Ten remained, still sitting in their original seats.
Their Jōnin Instructor had yet to show up.
"What's going on?" Shizune finally couldn't hold it in any longer and complained in a low voice, "All the other classes are gone! Our teacher didn't forget about us, did they? This is way too unreliable!"
Kurenai Yuhi also furrowed her delicate brows slightly, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze frequently darting toward the door. "Maybe... it's a teacher who likes to test their students' patience?"
She tried to think on the bright side, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her tone.
Shinichi, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression and did not join in the complaining.
He was also curious at this moment about what kind of Jōnin Instructor the Third Hokage would arrange for him and this seemingly special Team Ten, composed of himself, Shizune, and Kurenai Yuhi.
This teacher needed to be strong enough to guide him as he was now, and reliable enough to be entrusted with talented prospects like Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi.
At the same time, their philosophy had to align with the Third Hokage's... or rather, they had to be someone the Third Hokage deeply trusted.
Just as Shizune's patience was about to run out and Kurenai Yuhi began to look toward the classroom door with some unease—
"Creak."
The classroom door was finally pushed open once again.
A figure that deeply surprised all three of them walked in with a slightly lazy yet inherently imposing stride.
A blonde ponytail, an exquisite face, the iconic pale blue diamond mark on her forehead, wearing a loose sleeveless top inside and a tea-green long coat with black borders outside.
Tsunade!
All three of them were stunned.
"How could it be her?"
The same thought popped into their minds simultaneously.
For Kurenai Yuhi, it was pure shock and disbelief—one of the legendary Sannin, the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, the Disciple of the Third Hokage, and Konoha's top medical Ninja and combatant, Princess Tsunade, was actually going to be their Jōnin Instructor?!
It felt as unreal as a dream!
Shizune's feelings were even more complex.
She was first astonished, then remembered that Tsunade had indeed told her a few days ago, "I'll give you a surprise when the time comes."
At the time, she thought it was something else... so the surprise—or rather, the shock—was right here!
This woman was actually coming to lead a team personally? To serve as her Jōnin Instructor!
Beyond the disbelief, it gave her a subtle sense of warmth from being specially looked after, mixed with nervousness.
Shinichi was surprised at first, but then it clicked. Perhaps their previous two interactions and his "Talk no Jutsu" had touched this Sannin, who was mired in pain and avoidance, to some extent, even curing or suppressing her hemophobia.
She couldn't forcibly change Shizune's determination to become a Ninja, just as she couldn't reverse the tragedies of the past, but she could even less bear to see Shizune—the girl she regarded as family and who carried her memories of Kato Dan and Senju Nawaki—follow in their footsteps and vanish silently during some mission.
So, she chose the most direct and overbearing method: becoming the Jōnin Instructor herself.
To place Shizune under her own wing, to personally teach, temper, and protect her.
As for Shinichi himself, a special young Chunin valued by the Third Hokage, being placed in this class was undoubtedly the Third Hokage going along with the flow.
With Tsunade serving as the instructor—a top combatant of Konoha, a master of medicine, and a Personal Disciple of the Third Hokage—it signified the highest level of protection and a tilt in instructional resources.
Additionally, the Third might be hoping that contact between the two would produce some kind of positive change.
Regardless, from this moment on, Shinichi had truly entered the Hokage Faction, becoming an absolute "insider" in the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, perhaps even a "successor"!
As for Kurenai Yuhi, her inclusion might have been to fill a gap in Genjutsu or other areas, forming a more balanced triangle, or it could have been purely to make up the numbers.
But no matter what, being able to become Tsunade's student was undoubtedly a massive opportunity for her.
"What, surprised to see me?" Tsunade huffed, crossing her arms as her gaze swept across their faces, where the shock had yet to fade.
"H-hello, Sensei!" Kurenai Yuhi stood up hurriedly, her movements carrying a rare touch of haste that revealed her inner turmoil. She quickly adjusted her breathing and said in a tone slightly faster than usual but still clear, "Tsunade-sensei!"
Her red eyes shimmered with irrepressible excitement and respect; after all, the legendary female Ninja Tsunade was an idol to many girls.
Tsunade gave a noncommittal grunt in response and then turned her gaze toward Shizune.
Shizune's heart was a mess. Facing Tsunade's gaze, she subconsciously puckered her lips and muttered something under her breath.
"Shizune." Tsunade's ears were clearly very sharp, and her brows furrowed slightly. "What are you muttering over there? Did I not teach you how to greet people properly at home?"
"You really didn't teach me that."
Shizune couldn't help but retort in her head, but she quickly composed her expression, stood up, and drawled, "Tsunade~ sensei."
"Mm." Tsunade nodded, indifferent to her reaction. Finally, her gaze landed on Shinichi.
Shinichi stood up with a calm demeanor. He wasn't slightly out of sorts from excitement like Kurenai, nor did he have Shizune's private awkwardness. He simply maintained the respect due to a teacher and said clearly, "Tsunade-sensei."
Tsunade looked into his calm eyes, seemingly trying to read something from them, but in the end, she just gave a barely perceptible tilt of her chin.
"Alright, stop standing around like idiots." She finally turned and walked out of the classroom, the hem of her tea-green coat tracing a sharp arc as her voice drifted back commandingly:
"Team Ten! Follow me."
...On the Ninja Academy rooftop, a spring breeze blew past, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms.
Tsunade clapped her hands to draw their attention and began her self-introduction casually: "Now then, as the instructor of Team Ten, I'll introduce myself first. My name is Tsunade. Things I like and things I don't like... well, I don't feel like telling you. As for hobbies... they're a secret for now."
"Isn't it just that you like drinking and gambling and hate eating sweets?"
Shizune remained expressionless, but her mind was already expertly delivering a precise roast.
"As for dreams for the future..." Tsunade waved her hand as if it were a bother. "I don't have things like that, which only children obsess over."
"Isn't that the same as only telling us your name..." Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but whisper, then immediately realized her slip of the tongue and pursed her lips slightly.
"Mm, that's it." Tsunade completely ignored Kurenai's comment and scanned the three of them. "You guys introduce yourselves too. Who's first?"
"I'll go first, Tsunade-sensei." Kurenai Yuhi took a step forward, her voice returning to its usual clarity and stability, carrying her unique quiet temperament. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. The thing I like is wasabi octopus."
"The thing I hate is cake; it's too sweet and cloying," Kurenai continued naturally. "My hobby is practicing swordsmanship."
"You like practicing swordsmanship too?"
"Shouldn't it be Genjutsu?"
Shinichi's heart stirred, and he glanced at Kurenai Yuhi with a hint of surprise.
"My dream is..." She paused slightly, a firm light appearing in her red eyes. "My dream is to master Genjutsu and Kenjutsu, and become a reliable Ninja who can protect those important to me."
"Mm, not bad. You've got spirit," Tsunade nodded, her evaluation concise. "Next."
"My name is Shizune!" Shizune stepped forward, her voice clear. "Things I like are brown rice and dango. What I hate is fatty pork, and..."
She reached this point and glanced at Tsunade, her speaking speed increasing slightly: "...the behavior of getting drunk, acting like a maniac, and making a mess of the house for others to clean up."
Tsunade looked back at her calmly, without a hint of embarrassment. Instead, she nodded. "Mm, continue."
Shizune pursed her lips and continued, "My hobbies are studying Medical Ninjutsu and traditional arts. My dream is to become a great medical Ninja like Tsunade-sensei."
She paused and added in a small but clear voice: "I mean in terms of Medical Ninjutsu."
"This little brat is taking jabs at me again."
Tsunade's brow twitched imperceptibly, and she then turned her gaze to the last person, her tone carrying a bit of playfulness: "Your turn, Big Genius."
Shinichi took a step forward, his tone calm as usual. "My name is Higashino Shinichi. I don't have anything I particularly like or hate. As for hobbies, I have quite a few, too many to list at once. My dreams are also varied."
"What a perfunctory answer..." The same thought occurred to Kurenai Yuhi and Shizune.
"Alright." Tsunade clapped her hands, summarizing in an almost perfunctory tone, "All three of you have rich personalities. Very interesting."
"Listen up. Starting tomorrow, Team Ten will officially carry out missions. But before that," she changed the subject, her eyes sharpening as she scanned the three of them, "you must pass my test first. If you don't, then go back to the Ninja Academy and study for a few more years."
Her gaze finally landed specifically on Shinichi, her lips curling into a playful smile as she added, emphasizing each word:
"Of course, that includes you, the Chunin, Big Genius."