Ninja School Rooftop.
A man wearing a Jonin uniform, about twenty-six or seven years old, had long silver hair and a red triangular armband on his left shoulder, with a short standard Chakra Short Knife on his back.
He sat on the edge of the rooftop railing, his hands naturally and gracefully outstretched, with a bright and confident smile on his face that exuded a contagious warmth.
Looking at him this way, he seemed like an ordinary person, without a hint of the sharpness of a Jonin.
He introduced himself like this,
"I'm Hatake Sakumo. From today on, I'll be your Instructor Jonin. I specialize in using the Chakra Short Knife. That's about it. Since we'll be forming a four-person squad, I think it's best if we get to know each other."
After Sakumo introduced himself, Hakushi took the lead and set an example,
"Um, I'm Chiba Hakushi. I'm not very good at Taijutsu or Illusion Techniques. The only Ninja Technique I'm somewhat good at is Medical Ninjutsu. Well, that's it."
"I'm Hyuga Ayane, and I can use the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, along with the Gentle Fist that pairs with it."
"Uchiha Ruri, I specialize in using the Sharingan and Fire Style."
They briefly explained their specialties, and since Byakugan and Sharingan are the most important bloodline legacies of Konoha, Sakumo nodded with satisfaction.
Although leading a Genin team was an experience he'd had before, this team was different.
A Medical Ninja, Byakugan, Sharingan—you could say it was a perfect team formation.
Sakumo felt the heavy responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.
Just as Sakumo was about to continue speaking, Ruri suddenly launched herself from her spot, charging toward Sakumo with a Kunai, aiming to stab him mercilessly.
"Ruri!"
Hakushi and Ayane shouted from behind.
But Ruri showed no sign of stopping.
However, the next moment, a scene that left everyone dumbfounded occurred.
Unknowingly, Sakumo had positioned himself behind Ruri, placing his broad palm on her head, twisting the hand holding the Kunai behind her back, rendering her immobile.
Not just Hakushi and Ayane were in utter shock, but even Ruri was momentarily stunned, not realizing her failure.
At this moment, her Double-Tomoe Sharingan was fully activated, yet she didn't expect Sakumo to not only deftly avoid her Illusion Technique but also stealthily subdue her from behind.
Sakumo's Instantaneous Body Jutsu was so swift, it was beyond the capture of her Sharingan.
"So, can I finish what I was saying now?"
Sakumo released Ruri, his smile gentle and not at all angered by Ruri's outburst.
Ruri put away her Kunai, retracting her aura, and said seriously,
"As expected of the ninja known as 'White Fang.' If you're our captain, I have no objections."
A simple exchange made Ruri aware of the gap between herself and Sakumo.
She acknowledged Sakumo's strength.
"Looks like our team will get along very well in the future."
Upon hearing Ruri's words, Sakumo made that judgment.
Ruri returned to her seat, allowing Hakushi and Ayane to breathe a sigh of relief.
They couldn't help but worry.
The man before them, named Hatake Sakumo, was the Konoha Jonin renowned throughout the Ninja Realm as the 'White Fang.'
Even the mighty Sannin paled in comparison to him.
Calling him the strongest Konoha Jonin wasn't an exaggeration.
And his effortless subduing of Ruri only made Hakushi and Ayane realize his unfathomable depth.
"Um, Sakumo-sensei, I heard Instructor Jonins usually test newly graduated Genins with a survival drill…"
Hakushi, sensing the silence, brought up the survival drill.
"No need. I'm very satisfied with the abilities of you three. There's hardly any need for improvement, so you all pass."
Sakumo announced in a relaxed tone.
Do you have to be so casual? You're the White Fang! Hakushi internally complained.
Originally thinking they'd go through a tough and serious survival drill, they were surprised at Sakumo's easy declaration of their competence.
"So what do we do now?" Hakushi asked.
"Well…" Sakumo rubbed his chin, looked up at the sky, and suddenly smiled, "It's almost noon. How about we go have some barbecue? It's on me."
Ayane's eyes suddenly lit up.
Hakushi and Ruri seemed to recall distant memories.
"Sakumo-sensei, I think it's better if we each pay our own way…"
"What, worried I don't have enough money? Don't worry, eat as much as you want. No need to worry about my wallet."
Seeing Sakumo determined to treat them, Hakushi sighed.
"Sakumo-sensei, I warned you. Whatever happens afterward, please stay calm. Don't get too excited."
After Hakushi said this, Sakumo looked at him, puzzled.
…
An hour and a half later, at the barbecue restaurant, the owner smiled while extending a hand to Sakumo for the bill.
"Thank you for your patronage. After rounding off the total, it's three hundred thousand."
A price that left Sakumo somewhat heartbroken.
"…"
Sakumo looked back at Ayane, who wore a serene smile, and then at the hundreds of plates piled behind her, mostly consumed by her alone.
He finally understood what Hakushi meant earlier.
"Um, Ayane, is it possible that someone mistook you at the hospital when you were born? Are you actually from the Akimichi Clan?"
"Sakumo-sensei loves to joke. One look at my eyes, and you should know I'm a pure-blood Hyuga Clan ninja."
Ayane blinked her pure white eyes.
And because of that, it felt all the more bizarre.
Sakumo didn't recall Hyuga Clan ninjas having a stomach comparable to that of the Akimichi Clan.
No, given her age, even Akimichi ninja her age might not eat that much.
Sakumo shook his head, resigning himself to pulling out his wallet to pay.
Then, he was stunned, awkwardly standing there.
"What's wrong, Sakumo-sensei?"
"Ah, well, could you wait here for a bit? I seem to be short on cash, so I'll have to go home to get more. Don't worry, I'll be quick."
Hakushi, Ruri, and Ayane, "…"
Ruri sighed gently. Before Sakumo could head home, she took a wallet from her pocket and slapped thirty fresh ten-thousand ryo bills on the counter.
"Looks like the so-called Konoha White Fang isn't much after all."
Ruri held a grudge after being subdued earlier by Sakumo and now seized the chance to turn the tables.
"Isn't much indeed."
"Definitely not much."
Hakushi and Ayane chimed in.
"You three…"
Sakumo chuckled wryly, "Was it necessary to give me such a hard time over a little money mishap?"