If instructors were assigned based strictly on student performance, Uchiha Aozora guessed his own would likely be a mere Chūnin.
It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to score well. But after being the class dead-last for six years, suddenly shooting to the top in every category would raise too many eyebrows. What would the Third Hokage think? What about Danzō?
So to avoid drawing unnecessary suspicion, Aozora only showcased his inherent strengths and focused solely on displaying talent in ninjutsu. Since he had never previously refined chakra, it was perfectly natural he hadn't shown any ninjutsu ability until now.
Just as he was lost in thought, another figure walked in through the door.
The newcomer wore a high-collared cloak in white and gray tones, green-tinted sunglasses, and carried a massive gourd strapped to his back.
"Uchiha Aozora, Hayate Gekkō, Inuzuka Aya, Training Ground 6. Now."
With that, he vanished with a whoosh.
Aozora immediately recognized who he was.
Though the members of the Aburame clan often dressed alike, the gourd on his back gave him away.
There was no doubt. This man was the strongest of the current Aburame clan, the most versatile shinobi in Konoha's history—Aburame Shige. Whether it was reconnaissance, defense, offense, or assassination, he excelled in them all. His mere presence on the battlefield was enough to boost the effectiveness of any Konoha unit severalfold.
Knowing such a legendary figure would be his instructor, Aozora couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
The only concern was that most of Shige's abilities were bug-based. Aozora worried that he might not be able to learn much from him personally.
Aya and Hayate clearly recognized him as well. The three exchanged smiles and quickly left the classroom together.
Unfortunately, the moment of camaraderie didn't last long.
They hadn't taken more than a few steps when Aozora heard his future teammate grumbling.
"Why did they have to lump in a dead-last like him?"
"It could've just been me and Hayate, but now we've got Uchiha Aozora. Great, now we'll have to babysit him. How unlucky."
She muttered as she ran, her white puppy barking in agreement beside her. Neither of them seemed to realize how loud they were.
Hayate looked a little embarrassed and gave Aozora a sympathetic smile.
But Aozora didn't mind.
He was just curious, how would Aya react when she eventually realized she was actually the weakest of the three?
Training Ground 6 was located far from the academy, nearly halfway across the village. Even at a brisk pace, it took them close to twenty minutes to arrive.
There, in the branches of a large tree at the center of the field, sat Aburame Shige.
"You're a little slow," Shige commented flatly, then added, "but understandable."
"Today, you are still academy students. But from tomorrow on, I expect you to move faster."
"If not, I won't hesitate to dissolve Team Three."
The three immediately responded with a chorus of "Yes, sir," even Aya refrained from mouthing off.
Nodding slightly, Shige continued in his usual impassive tone. "I am your instructor—Aburame Shige."
"Now then, let's begin by getting to know each other."
Just as Aya excitedly stepped forward, Shige suddenly burst into a cloud of insects with a loud puff and scattered into the woods.
"Find me," his emotionless voice echoed from all directions, "and come at me with the intent to kill."
Training Ground 6 was the smallest of Konoha's training fields, roughly the size of a soccer field. The trees were sparse, leaving little room to hide.
Yet despite the simplicity of the terrain, the three of them couldn't spot any trace of Shige.
"So this is his idea of introductions?" Aozora chuckled, already gripping a kunai in one hand. "Looks like if we don't show some real skill, we won't even be allowed to give our names."
Aya crouched, gently pressing a hand to her dog's head. Her eyes sparkled with battle lust.
Hayate drew his katana and began circling cautiously, his eyes scanning the surroundings without pause.
Suddenly, Aya's expression lit up. Her delicate nose twitched, and she shouted, "Got you!"
She quickly formed hand seals.
In the blink of an eye, her fingernails elongated into sharp claws, chakra surging through her limbs.
Using all fours, Aya dashed through the trees with feline grace, her movements fluid and agile.
Neither Hayate nor Aozora questioned the tracking ability of the Inuzuka clan.
The two split left and right, flanking Aya as they charged forward.
But she was far too fast after activating her Beast Mimicry Technique. Neither of them could keep up.
She leapt between branches with explosive speed. Then, in a single bound, she launched herself forward, her claws glowing with gathered chakra as she slashed through a massive tree trunk in front of her.
Unfortunately, what emerged behind the tree wasn't Aburame Shige, but a white-and-gray cloak, attached to a paper bomb.
Boom!
The moment she saw the cloak, Aya leapt backward, but still couldn't avoid the blast. Shrapnel grazed her arms and face, leaving shallow cuts.
Before she could regain her footing, a kunai came flying from a tree in the distance.
A sharp whoosh cut through the air. Her scalp tingled as the threat of death surged through her body.
Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal rang beside her ear.
The deflected kunai brushed past her painted face. She didn't care about her appearance, only the relief of escaping death.
Watching his kunai get deflected midair, even the normally impassive Aburame Shige raised an eyebrow behind his sunglasses. He remained perched on the tree branch one second too long.
And that was all the opportunity Hayate Gekkō needed.
Chakra exploded from his feet as he shot forward, instantly appearing in front of Shige.
Slash!
Hayate's blade left its sheath in a flash.
The angle was perfect, the speed razor-sharp. Even Shige, a seasoned Jonin, didn't dare take it lightly.
Clang!
The katana clashed against a kunai, sending a piercing ring through the trees.
Hayate, aware of his physical limitations, didn't force a power struggle. Instead, he disengaged immediately and slashed again. The sword in his hands moved as if it were an extension of his body, striking from all angles—relentless and swift.
His swordsmanship talent was undeniable. The Konoha-ryū Kenjutsu flowed from him like wind—sharp, fast, and never-ending.
An average Chūnin wouldn't last long under such pressure.
But Shige remained calm. He parried each strike with minimal effort.
Hayate's technique was sharp, but his body was frail. Though he could burst with strength for short periods, his endurance was limited.
Aozora sensed Hayate's momentum slipping, but instead of rushing in, he calmly pulled out a kunai and adjusted his stance, eyes locked on Shige.
The moment Aozora lifted the kunai, Shige felt a chill run down his spine.
He sensed danger at once and cast a quick glance toward Aozora and the weapon in his hand.
It was just a standard kunai.
But Aozora's gaze sharp, precise, carried a force that made Shige instinctively wary.
It was strange. The kunai looked ordinary, yet something about it… felt genuinely dangerous.
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!