Time passed bit by bit. The classroom door was pushed open again and again as one instructor after another appeared, called out names, and led their students away.
The once noisy classroom gradually became empty and quiet.
In the end, only the three members of Team Ten remained seated in their original spots.
Their instructor had yet to appear.
"What's going on?" Shizune finally could not hold back and muttered in a low voice, "All the other classes have already left! Don't tell me our sensei forgot about us? That's way too unreliable!"
Kurenai also slightly knitted her delicate brows, resting her chin on her hand as her gaze repeatedly drifted toward the door. "Maybe… it's a sensei who likes to test their students' patience?"
She tried to think in a positive direction, but there was a trace of uncertainty in her tone.
Shinichi, on the other hand, kept a calm expression and did not join in the complaints.
He was also curious at this moment—what kind of instructor would the Third Hokage assign to him, to this seemingly somewhat special Team Ten formed by himself, Shizune, and Kurenai?
This teacher would need to be strong enough to guide him as he was now; reliable enough to be entrusted with promising talents like Shizune and Kurenai;
At the same time, their philosophy would also have to align with that of the Third Hokage… or rather, be someone deeply trusted by him.
Just as Shizune's patience was about to run out, and Kurenai had begun to look somewhat uneasily toward the classroom door—
Creak.
The classroom door was finally pushed open once more.
A figure that deeply surprised all three of them stepped in, walking with a slightly languid gait that nonetheless carried an undeniable presence.
A golden ponytail, delicate features, the signature pale-blue diamond-shaped mark on her forehead; a loose sleeveless top worn underneath, with a tea-green long coat trimmed in black draped over it—
Tsunade!
All three of them froze.
How could it be her?
The same thought arose in all three of their minds at once.
Kurenai was purely shocked and incredulous—one of the legendary Sannin, the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, the disciple of the Third Hokage, Konohagakure's top-tier medical-nin and combat powerhouse, Tsunade-hime, would actually become their jōnin instructor?!
It felt unreal, like a dream.
Shizune's feelings, however, were more complicated.
First came shock, and then she remembered that a few days ago Tsunade had indeed told her, "I'll give you a surprise when the time comes."
At the time, she had thought it was something else… so the "surprise"—or perhaps shock—was this!
This woman was actually coming to lead the team herself? To serve as her jōnin instructor!
Beyond her disbelief, there also arose a subtle warmth and tension at being specially looked after.
As for Shinichi, he was initially surprised, but soon understood in his heart. Perhaps it was their previous two conversations—perhaps that round of talk-no-jutsu of his had, to some extent, touched this Sannin who had long been mired in pain and avoidance, even curing or suppressing her hemophobia.
She could not forcibly change Shizune's resolve to become a ninja, just as she could not reverse the tragedies of the past. But she also could not bear the thought of Shizune—the girl she regarded as family, who carried her memories of Dan and Nawaki—repeating history and quietly disappearing during some mission.
So, she chose the most straightforward—and most domineering—approach: becoming their jōnin instructor herself.
She would place Shizune under her own wing, personally teaching her, honing her, and protecting her.
As for Shinichi himself—the young chūnin whom the Third Hokage valued and whose abilities were unusual—having him placed in this team was clearly the Third Hokage going along with the current.
Tsunade, as Konohagakure's top-tier combat power, a medical master, and the Third Hokage's direct disciple, taking the role of instructor in itself meant the highest level of protection and a tilt of guidance resources.
In addition, the Third Hokage might be hoping that contact between the two of them would produce some kind of positive change.
But no matter what, from this moment on, Shinichi could be said to have truly entered the Hokage line in a real sense—becoming an absolute "one of our own" in the eyes of Konoha's upper ranks, and it could even be said: a "successor"!
As for Kurenai, her inclusion was perhaps meant to fill the team's shortcomings in genjutsu or other areas, forming a more balanced triangle—or it might simply have been to make up the numbers.
But no matter what, being able to become Tsunade's student was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for her.
"What, are you surprised to see me?" Tsunade snorted, folding her arms across her chest as her gaze swept over the three faces that had not yet recovered from their shock.
"H-hello, Sensei!" Kurenai hurriedly stood up, her movements carrying a rare hint of haste that showed the turbulence in her heart. She quickly adjusted her breathing and, in a tone slightly faster than usual but still clear, said, "Tsunade-sensei!"
In her red eyes flickered excitement and respect she could not suppress—after all, Tsunade, this legendary kunoichi, was an idol to many girls.
Tsunade gave an ambiguous "Mm," counting as a response, then shifted her gaze toward Shizune.
Shizune's emotions were complicated at the moment. Facing Tsunade's look, she subconsciously pursed her lips and muttered something under her breath.
"Shizune." Tsunade's ears were clearly sharp; her brows knit slightly. "What are you muttering over there? Didn't I teach you at home how to greet people properly?"
'You really didn't teach that.'
Shizune could not help complaining inwardly, but she still quickly reined in her expression, stood up, and drew out her tone: "Tsunade~ Sensei."
"Mm." Tsunade nodded, not taking her reaction to heart. Finally, her gaze fell on Shinichi.
Shinichi stood up, calm in demeanor—neither like Kurenai, who looked slightly flustered from excitement, nor like Shizune, who carried that private, awkward little mood. He simply maintained the respect due to a teacher and said clearly, "Tsunade-sensei."
Tsunade looked at his quiet eyes, seeming to want to read something from them, but in the end she only lifted her chin almost imperceptibly.
"Alright, don't just stand there like idiots." She finally turned and walked out toward the classroom door. The hem of her tea-green coat traced a clean arc as her voice came through, leaving no room for doubt: "Team Ten! Come with me."
…
On the shinobi academy rooftop, a spring breeze brushed past, carrying a faint scent of cherry blossoms.
Tsunade clapped her hands, drawing the three of their attention, and casually began her self-introduction: "Alright then. As Team Ten's instructor, I'll introduce myself first. The name's Tsunade. The things I like and the things I don't like… mm, I don't feel like telling you. As for hobbies… for now, that's classified."
Isn't it just that she likes drinking and gambling, and hates eating sweets?
Shizune's face remained expressionless, but inwardly she had already begun her precise and well-practiced commentary.
"As for future dreams…" Tsunade waved her hand, looking as though she found it troublesome. "That kind of thing little kids get hung up on—I don't have one."
"Isn't that basically just saying your name…" Kurenai could not help murmuring softly, then immediately realized she had misspoken and lightly pressed her lips together.
"Mm, that's it." Tsunade completely ignored Kurenai's mutter, her gaze sweeping over the three of them. "You can introduce yourselves too. Who's first?"
"I'll go first, Tsunade-sensei." Kurenai stepped forward, her voice returning to its usual clarity and steadiness, carrying her characteristic gentle composure. "My name is Yūhi Kurenai. The thing I like is wasabi octopus."
"The thing I dislike is cake—it's too sweet and rich," she continued naturally. "My hobby is practicing swordsmanship."
You also like practicing swordsmanship?
Shouldn't it be genjutsu?
A flicker of surprise crossed Shinichi's mind as he cast Kurenai a slightly startled glance.
"My dream is…" She paused briefly, determination shining in her red eyes. "My dream is to master genjutsu and swordsmanship, and become a reliable ninja capable of protecting the people important to me."
"Mm, not bad. Good spirit." Tsunade nodded, her evaluation concise. "Next."
"My name is Shizune!" Shizune stepped forward, her voice clear. "I like brown rice and dumplings. I dislike greasy pork, and…"
At this point, she glanced at Tsunade, her speech speeding up slightly. "…getting drunk, throwing a tantrum, making a mess of the house, and leaving it for someone else to clean up."
Tsunade calmly returned her look, without the slightest embarrassment. Instead, she nodded. "Mm. Continue."
Shizune pressed her lips together and went on, "My hobby is studying medical ninjutsu and traditional cultural arts. My dream is to become a great kunoichi like Tsunade-sensei."
She paused, then added softly but clearly, "I mean in terms of medical ninjutsu."
This little girl is taking a jab at me again.
Tsunade's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. She then shifted her gaze to the last person, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Your turn, genius."
Shinichi stepped forward, his tone as calm as ever. "My name is Higashino Shinichi. There's nothing I'm especially attached to liking or disliking. As for hobbies, there are quite a few—I can't finish listing them for the moment. As for dreams, there are also many kinds."
What a perfunctory answer…
The same thought surfaced simultaneously in Kurenai and Shizune's minds.
"Alright." Tsunade clapped her hands, summing up in an almost perfunctory tone, "All three of you have very distinct personalities. Very interesting."
"Listen. Starting tomorrow, Team Ten will officially begin carrying out missions. But before that—" Her tone shifted, and her gaze sharpened slightly as it swept over the three of them. "You must first pass my test. If you fail, then go back to the academy and study for a few more years."
Her gaze finally settled deliberately on Shinichi. The corner of her mouth curved into a playful smile as she added, enunciating each word: "And that includes you too, our chūnin genius."
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