Kurenai Yuhi stood beneath the training post of Ground 15, her crimson eyes watching the horizon.
She was young, for a jonin—calm, firm, and intuitive.
"Team 8… huh."
The squad approached in silence.
Kiba arrived first, Akamaru perched on his head.
Shino followed next, his sunglasses masking any emotion.
Hinata came last, flinching slightly as she caught sight of Noir walking just behind her.
He hadn't said much.
He rarely did.
Kurenai's gaze paused on him for a moment.
Long white hair, refined posture, and amethyst eyes that felt far too ancient for a boy his age.
"Welcome," she said softly. "You're all officially Genin. But we're not a team yet."
---
They sat beneath the trees as Kurenai gave them time to speak.
Kiba went first, full of bravado. "I'm gonna be the best tracker in the village! Akamaru and I are unbeatable."
Shino followed with little flair. "My goal is mastery over the kikaichū. Strength in silence."
Hinata hesitated. "I… I just want to become stronger. To be someone… worthy."
When it was Noir's turn, he simply said, "I'm here to improve. Nothing more."
Kiba leaned over and muttered to Hinata, "Does this guy ever smile?"
---
As they dispersed, Kurenai watched them carefully.
She'd been briefed about Noir by the Hokage himself.
A boy of mysterious origin.
Too calm. Too skilled. Too unknown.
She wasn't told everything—but she'd seen enough to know there was something off about him.
---
Later… under the fading sun…
Noir sat on the roof of an old tea house, legs folded beneath him.
A scroll rested in his lap—basic elemental theory.
He'd begun practicing hand seals in secret, slowly refining his chakra control.
Not perfect… but he was getting better.
His Kuraseigan flickered briefly, revealing a brief image—Kiba and Akamaru sparring somewhere in the distance, slowed in perception, but still visible.
Time dilation.
One of the earliest tricks he could pull off.
He released it with a breath.
Less strain now.
Better than before.
---
Then his thoughts drifted.
To Naruto.
He remembered days ago—how Naruto only passed because he stole a scroll.
The Forbidden Scroll…the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Noir frowned.
That technique… it's high-level. Beyond anything a Genin should handle.
And yet… Naruto did it. With raw instinct.
"No one gives him enough credit," Noir murmured aloud.
A rare admission.
The boy was brash, loud, and impulsive… but there was something strange there.
Like fate had taken an interest in him.
Just like it had in Noir.
---
Far below, in the deeper rooms of Root Headquarters, Danzo unfurled a dossier.
Noir's name was written in bold kanji.
"Keep eyes on him," Danzo said to the agent kneeling before him. "But don't approach."
The agent nodded.
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed.
"This boy… could either be our salvation—or our ruin."
---
[End of Chapter 14]