Hyūga Shinichi didn't have much time to worry about his future after learning the list of his teammates. Just the next day, he received a summons from his Captain, Shibi Aburame.
It wasn't that the higher-ups had assigned an important mission; Shibi Aburame simply wanted the team members to meet and get to know each other now that the squad was formed.
Shibi Aburame was a man of action. When Minato assigned him as the team captain, Minato had briefly explained the kind of missions this squad would likely be sent on. It was unlikely they would be deployed to a frontal, large-scale battle.
Their most routine missions would be support and reconnaissance. Although this avoided army-level combat, reconnaissance missions often pitted them against the enemy's elites. These missions required a high standard for the squad's composition: high mobility, good reconnaissance ability, and excellent combat power.
Namikaze Minato had given careful thought to forming this squad. To some extent, he fully endorsed Hiashi's arrangements for Shinichi. As a genius himself, Minato understood that the "Genin" label was a constraint for a ninja like Shinichi. Now that Shinichi was a Special Jōnin, he needed to accumulate ninja experience as quickly as possible.
Shibi Aburame was one of Minato's closest comrades and did not carry a strong "Third Hokage faction" label. Furthermore, Shibi Aburame was a skilled insect user with a wide sensory range, and his type of Jōnin was difficult for enemies to handle. Minato believed that having him lead the team would minimize the chances of encountering unconquerable strong opponents.
Adding Uchiha Shisui to the team was also a result of Minato's careful consideration. He hoped the ninjas in this squad would become important main forces under him in the future. Shisui was an orphan with extraordinary talent; he was already a Chūnin at a young age. Minato had interacted with Shisui and had a very good impression of the young boy, who was only ten years old but already gentle and mature. Minato felt that a ninja like Shisui would surely get along well with Hyūga Shinichi, and since they were only five years apart, Shisui would be a positive influence on Shinichi.
As for Might Guy, Minato valued his powerful Taijutsu ability and his fiery, energetic spirit. As a young Jōnin in the Village who had recently increased his strength, Guy's personality should also positively influence the young Shinichi.
Namikaze Minato had taken considerable pains to provide a safe and effective path for the Hyūga Main Family heir.
...
Konoha Training Ground One.
Shibi Aburame, the captain, arrived at the rendezvous point early. The meticulous man was holding a file of his teammates' information and reading it carefully.
Shibi Aburame was only slightly familiar with one of the three teammates: Might Guy, the eternal rival of the genius Kakashi. Guy, the Taijutsu specialist known as the Blue Beast of Konoha, was quite famous in the Village. As for Uchiha Shisui, Shibi Aburame had only heard his name but never met him. Hyūga Shinichi was even more of an unknown; Shibi Aburame had also only heard of him.
"A genius Uchiha boy, the 'darling' of the Hyūga Main Family, and an eccentric Blue Beast..."
"Minato, that guy, is putting so much pressure on me..."
Shibi Aburame sensed someone approaching the area, muttered a quiet complaint, and tucked the file into his clothes. Just reading the files, Shibi Aburame already felt immense pressure. He didn't know what kind of missions they would be sent on, but leading these three subordinates felt like an S-rank mission difficulty to him...
"Captain Shibi Aburame?"
"Hello, I am Uchiha Shisui. It's a pleasure to meet you."
A clean, boyish voice spoke next to Shibi Aburame's ear. He looked up and saw a handsome young boy with short black hair and a short sword strapped to his back. Shisui was short and slender, showing no visible signs of being a ninja. The gentle and sincere smile on his face instantly gave Shibi Aburame a strong positive impression of the boy.
"Oh!"
"Shisui! I'll call you that from now on. We'll be comrades and teammates in the future, so let's keep things familiar."
"I am Shibi Aburame. You don't have to call me Captain; 'Brother Shibi' is fine."
Shibi Aburame, being one of Minato's closest friends, naturally did not have a difficult personality. Although it was his first meeting with Uchiha Shisui, a few words quickly closed the distance between them. Shisui, who was emotionally perceptive, understood immediately that his captain was easygoing. He smiled and replied:
"Brother Shibi, please guide me in the future."
After exchanging simple greetings, both sensed something and simultaneously looked toward the path leading out of the woods.
"Such immense chakra..."
Shisui murmured. Shibi Aburame, standing beside him, quietly nodded. The parasitic insects resting on his shoulder flew up nervously, circling rapidly around Shibi Aburame.
A moment later, the two saw a small boy in training clothes slowly emerging from the woods, walking toward their clearing. His clear pearl eyes met theirs, revealing a complex emotion in their depths.
Hyūga Shinichi looked at his two already-arrived teammates in the distance and pulled himself together, walking toward them.
The realization that Uchiha Shisui was his teammate had made Shinichi uneasy for a time, but he quickly came to terms with it. They were merely teammates; a shallow relationship was nothing to fear. Even stepping back further, if he and Shisui truly developed a deep friendship, given Shisui's character, he would never attack a close comrade to awaken his Mangekyō. That was enough.
If an external danger were to take his life, whether his teammate was Uchiha Shisui or not was irrelevant. From that perspective, having Uchiha Shisui as a teammate was actually a good thing because Shinichi knew Shisui was not a liability. Reforming the team with new members would introduce unknown variables. Ultimately, it came down to whether his own strength was great enough and whether his fate was hard enough. A person who looks back and forth constantly cannot grow into a true powerhouse.
"You must be Hyūga Shinichi?"
"You truly are as young as the rumors say."
"Hello, I am Shibi Aburame, and this is Uchiha Shisui."
"It's a pleasure to have you as our teammate."
Seeing Shinichi approach, Shibi Aburame warmly put an arm around Shinichi's shoulder, introducing them with a smile. He didn't treat Shinichi or Shisui as children, maintaining an equal tone.
"Hello, Captain."
"Shisui-nii (Brother Shisui), hello."
Shinichi slightly bowed to the two, a smile appearing on his face. He felt a good first impression from both of them; their friendliness made Shinichi feel comfortable.
Before Shinichi, Shisui, and Shibi Aburame could talk further, a strange cry suddenly came from above. The next moment, a gust of wind descended from the air, and a figure accompanied by the wind rapidly landed.
"Konoha's Blue Beast—Might Guy!"
"I have arrived!!!"
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
60+ advanced chapters available.
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 30 Power Stones.
Bonus chapter for every 10 reviews/comments
Daily chapter Updates