Time slowly ticked by. The classroom door was continuously pushed open as Jonin instructors appeared, calling out names and leading their students away.
The noisy classroom gradually grew empty and quiet.
Finally, only the three members of Squad 10 remained, still sitting in their original seats.
Their instructor still hadn't shown up.
"What is taking so long?" Shizune finally couldn't hold back, whispering her complaint. "Everyone else is gone! Did our instructor forget about us? This is way too unreliable!"
Kurenai Yuhi also slightly furrowed her delicate brows. Resting her chin on her hand, she frequently glanced toward the door. "Maybe... it's a teacher who likes to test their students' patience?"
She tried to look on the bright side, but her tone betrayed a hint of uncertainty.
Shinichi, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression and didn't join the complaining.
He was currently curious about what kind of Jonin instructor the Third Hokage would assign to him—and to this seemingly unique Squad 10, composed of him, Shizune, and Kurenai.
This instructor needed to be strong enough to guide someone at his current level. They needed to be reliable enough to be entrusted with promising talents like Shizune and Kurenai.
At the same time, their philosophy had to align with the Third Hokage's... or rather, they had to be deeply trusted by him.
Just as Shizune's patience was about to run out and Kurenai began looking at the door with growing anxiety...
Creak.
The classroom door was finally pushed open once again.
A figure that deeply shocked all three of them walked in. Her steps were slightly lazy, yet carried an undeniable, commanding presence.
Blonde hair tied in a ponytail, a delicate face, the signature pale blue diamond mark on her forehead, a loose sleeveless top, and a tea-green haori with black edging.
Tsunade!
The three of them froze.
Why is it her?
The thought popped into all three of 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, Konoha's ultimate medical ninja and top-tier combatant—Princess Tsunade—was going to be their Jonin instructor?!
It felt as unreal as a dream!
Shizune's feelings were much more complicated.
Her initial shock was quickly followed by the memory of what Tsunade had told her a few days ago: "I'll give you a surprise when the time comes."
At the time, she had thought it meant something else... So this was the surprise—or rather, the scare!
This woman is personally leading a squad? And she's my Jonin instructor?!
Alongside her disbelief, a subtle sense of warmth and nervousness bloomed in her chest at being so specially looked after.
As for Shinichi, his initial surprise quickly gave way to understanding. Perhaps it was because of their previous two conversations. His "Talk no Jutsu" must have somehow touched this Sannin who had been trapped in pain and avoidance, possibly even curing or suppressing her hemophobia.
She couldn't forcefully change Shizune's determination to become a ninja, just as she couldn't reverse the tragedies of the past. But she also couldn't bear to let Shizune—this girl she viewed as family, the girl who carried her memories of Dan and Nawaki—repeat the same mistakes and silently disappear on some mission.
So, she chose the most direct and overbearing method: becoming the Jonin instructor herself.
She was bringing Shizune under her own wing, personally teaching, polishing, and protecting her.
And Shinichi being placed in this squad—a young Chunin with exceptional strength highly valued by the Third Hokage—was undoubtedly the Third going with the flow.
As Konoha's top combatant, its greatest medical saint, and the Third Hokage's direct disciple, Tsunade serving as an instructor inherently meant the highest level of protection and the most concentrated allocation of guidance resources.
Furthermore, the Third might be hoping that interactions between the two of them would spark some kind of positive change.
Regardless of the specifics, from this moment on, Shinichi had truly entered the core Hokage faction. He had become an absolute "insider" in the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, perhaps even a "successor" in the making!
As for Kurenai Yuhi, her inclusion might be to cover the squad's weakness in genjutsu or other areas, forming a more balanced triad. Or maybe she was just there to make up the numbers.
But either way, becoming Tsunade's student was an undeniably massive opportunity for her.
"What? Surprised to see me?" Tsunade snorted, crossing her arms and sweeping her gaze over their still-shocked faces.
"H-Hello, Sensei!" Kurenai hastily stood up, her movements carrying a rare urgency that betrayed her inner turmoil. She quickly adjusted her breathing and spoke in a tone that was slightly faster than usual but still clear, "Tsunade-sensei!"
Her red eyes practically sparkled with irrepressible excitement and reverence. After all, the legendary kunoichi Tsunade was an idol to many girls.
Tsunade gave a noncommittal "Mhm" in response, then shifted her gaze to Shizune.
Shizune was currently experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Meeting Tsunade's gaze, she subconsciously pouted and mumbled something under her breath.
"Shizune," Tsunade's ears were evidently quite sharp. She frowned slightly. "What are you mumbling over there? Didn't I teach you how to greet people properly at home?"
You definitely never taught me that.
Shizune couldn't help but complain internally, but she quickly schooled her expression, stood up, and dragged out her words: "Tsunade~ Sensei."
"Mhm." Tsunade nodded, completely unfazed by her reaction. Finally, her gaze landed on Shinichi.
Shinichi stood up, his demeanor perfectly calm. He wasn't slightly flustered from excitement like Kurenai, nor was he displaying the subtle, private awkwardness of Shizune. He simply maintained the respect due to a teacher and spoke clearly, "Tsunade-sensei."
Tsunade looked into those calm eyes, seemingly trying to read something from them, but ultimately just gave a barely perceptible tilt of her chin.
"Alright, don't just stand there like idiots." She finally turned and walked out the classroom door, the hem of her tea-green haori tracing a sharp arc. Her unquestionable voice drifted back:
"Squad 10! Follow me."
---
On the roof of the Ninja Academy, a spring breeze blew past, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms.
Tsunade clapped her hands, drawing their attention, and began her casual introduction. "Alright, as the instructor for Squad 10, I'll introduce myself first. My name is Tsunade. Things I like and things I hate... well, I don't feel like telling you. As for hobbies... that's a secret for now."
You just like drinking and gambling, and you hate sweet food.
Shizune remained expressionless, but internally, she was expertly firing off precision roasts.
"Dreams for the future, whatever..." Tsunade waved a hand, looking annoyed by the whole concept. "I don't have any of that stuff little kids obsess over."
"Doesn't that basically mean she only told us her name..." Kurenai couldn't help but whisper. Realizing she had spoken aloud, she slightly pursed her lips.
"Yeah, that's about it." Tsunade completely ignored Kurenai's comment and swept her gaze over the three of them. "Now it's your turn to introduce yourselves. Who's first?"
"I'll go first, Tsunade-sensei." Kurenai stepped forward. Her voice had returned to its usual clear and steady tone, carrying her unique, quiet elegance. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. Things I like are wasabi octopus."
"Things I hate are cake; it's too sweet and rich," Kurenai continued naturally. "My hobby is practicing the sword."
You like practicing the sword too? Shouldn't it be genjutsu?
Shinichi was slightly taken aback and cast a surprised glance at Kurenai.
"My dream is..." She paused slightly, her red eyes shining with determination. "My dream is to master both genjutsu and swordsmanship, and become a reliable shinobi who can protect those important to me."
"Mhm, not bad. Very spirited." Tsunade nodded, offering a concise evaluation. "Next."
"My name is Shizune!" Shizune stepped forward, her voice crisp. "Things I like are brown rice and dango. Things I hate are fatty pork, and..."
She paused here, glancing at Tsunade, and sped up her delivery slightly. "...getting drunk, throwing a fit, trashing the house, and making other people clean it up."
Tsunade looked back at her calmly, not showing a shred of embarrassment. Instead, she nodded. "Mhm. Continue."
Shizune pursed her lips and continued, "My hobbies are studying medical ninjutsu and traditional arts and culture. My dream is to become a great medical ninja like Tsunade-sensei."
She paused, then added quietly but clearly, "I mean strictly in terms of medical ninjutsu."
This little brat is taking shots at me again.
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. She then turned her gaze to the final person, her tone taking on a teasing edge. "Your turn, Great Genius."
Shinichi stepped forward, his tone as calm as ever. "My name is Shinichi Higashino. I don't have any particular obsessions regarding things I like or hate. As for hobbies, I have too many to list right now. And my dreams are equally varied."
What a half-hearted answer...
The thought crossed both Kurenai and Shizune's minds simultaneously.
"Alright." Tsunade clapped her hands, summarizing in a tone that bordered on dismissive. "You three have very rich personalities. Very interesting."
"Listen up. Starting tomorrow, Squad 10 will officially begin taking missions. But before that." Her tone shifted, her eyes growing sharper as she swept them over the trio. "You have to pass my test first. If you fail, you can obediently head back to the academy for a few more years."
Her gaze finally settled squarely on Shinichi. A playful, dangerous smile stretched across her face as she added, enunciating every word:
"And of course, that includes you, Mr. Chunin. Great Genius."