Shinji chuckled. "Of course not!"
Ryuzetsu, far calmer than Chino, had experience as a shinobi from a village. She quickly asked, "Leader, do you have a mission for us?"
"Not exactly a mission," Shinji paused, then explained. "Your training here is complete. The next step is to take on missions and gain real combat experience. So, I'm sending you both to Hidden Grass Village."
"Back to Hidden Grass Village?" Ryuzetsu's eyes lit up.
Chino's face also brightened with joy. "We've graduated?"
"Let's go!"
Without further explanation, Shinji led the two back to the hideout.
There wasn't much to pack in the hideout—just daily clothes, food, and some medical ninjutsu books and materials Shinji had brought. In no time, the two had their belongings ready.
As for the hideout itself, Shinji didn't abandon it. Instead, he sealed it temporarily, knowing it might come in handy later.
Looking back at the hideout, Chino seemed reluctant to leave.
Seeing this, Ryuzetsu comforted her. "Don't worry! Once we're back in Hidden Grass Village, you can stay at my place!"
Curious, Chino asked, "What's Hidden Grass Village like?"
"You'll see when we get there!" Ryuzetsu replied with a grin.
Chatting as they went, the two approached Shinji.
Gazing at Ryuzetsu and Chino, each carrying a small pack, Shinji activated Jikibi, placing a Mark on both of them.
Including Ryuzetsu and Chino, the number of people Shinji had marked with Jikibi now reached ten: Haku, Karin, Deidara, Yakumo, Sasuke, Neji, Kimimaro, Shion, Ryuzetsu, and Chino.
This was roughly the limit his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan could handle for Jikibi marks. To increase that number, he'd likely need to awaken the Rinnegan and further enhance his dojutsu power.
Initially, Shinji hadn't planned to mark Ryuzetsu or Chino. But their exceptional progress in just a few months, coupled with their untapped potential, convinced him otherwise. After careful consideration, he decided to grant them Jikibi marks.
After completing the marking, Shinji gave his final instructions. "Remember, information about the serum and the Twelve Palaces is absolutely confidential. You must not mention it to anyone—not even family!"
"Yes!" Seeing their leader's serious tone, Ryuzetsu and Chino's expressions grew solemn.
Shinji continued, "Once you're in Hidden Grass Village, act as shinobi of the village. Don't do anything that might arouse suspicion."
Ryuzetsu nodded and asked, "Understood. Should Chino keep her Bloodline Limit a secret?"
Shinji shook his head. "No need. The Blood Pool Clan has been absent from the shinobi world for a long time and has no ties to any major powers. There's no need to hide it deliberately, but don't flaunt it either. Blend in like any normal shinobi would."
Any shinobi with a Bloodline Limit would naturally conceal their abilities, just as all shinobi strive to hide their intel. So, Shinji didn't forbid Chino from using her Ketsuryugan—he only asked her to disguise it appropriately.
Chino hesitated, then asked, "Leader, when will we see you again?"
Caught off guard by the question, Shinji paused before replying, "When I need you, I'll contact you."
Chino looked disappointed but mustered her courage to ask, "Leader… are we officially your members now?"
Ryuzetsu also looked at Shinji, her face full of eager anticipation.
Heh
Shinji smiled. Having given them Jikibi marks, he already considered them part of his organization.
Chino mumbled, "Are we still not good enough?"
"You're more than good enough!" Shinji nodded, no longer teasing her.
Ryuzetsu and Chino beamed with joy. "Really?"
Shinji's expression turned serious. "It's true. From now on, you're both members of Dawn!"
Ryuzetsu quickly asked, "Leader, what are our codenames? I heard Akatsuki members all have codenames!"
"Codenames, huh?" Shinji pondered.
If he counted the 'bio-exoskeleton' granted sentience by the Giant Tenseigan as a member, the codenames had already gone from 'A' to 'H.'
"Next would be 'I' and 'J'…" he mused, then thought, "Why stick strictly to alphabetical order? That just makes it easier for enemies to guess our organization's size and recruitment order."
With that in mind, Shinji said to Ryuzetsu and Chino, "Your codenames are 'J' and 'K.'"
"'J' and 'K'?" The two exchanged a glance.
Shinji continued, "Decide between yourselves who's 'J' and who's 'K.' From now on, you'll operate as a pair. As for uniforms and masks, I'll provide them later."
Ryuzetsu and Chino quickly discussed and settled it: Ryuzetsu took 'J,' and Chino took 'K.'
"Go on, then," Shinji said with a wave.
"Leader, we're off!"
After giving Shinji a respectful bow, Ryuzetsu and Chino turned and headed toward Hidden Grass Village.
Thrilled to return to Hidden Grass Village and receive codenames from Shinji, the two chatted excitedly the whole way, barely pausing after bidding him farewell.
Shinji quietly followed them for a while.
Their conversation was filled with Ryuzetsu sharing stories about Hidden Grass Village, explaining shinobi world rules she knew, and discussing mission-taking once they arrived.
Chino occasionally asked questions, soaking it all in.
After trailing them for a bit, Shinji smiled and silently slipped away.
Clearly, Ryuzetsu hadn't yet realized how strong she and Chino had become. She was still guiding Chino as if she were just a newly promoted Chunin from Hidden Grass Village.
And Chino, with even less experience than Ryuzetsu and not technically a shinobi, naturally assumed Ryuzetsu's advice was correct, listening earnestly.
This led to the two of them—whose raw strength rivaled Jonin of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and whose potential neared Kage-level—chatting about topics fit for Genin.
Shinji had no intention of pointing this out. He wanted Ryuzetsu and Chino to discover the true power of the 'Blue Spider Lily No. 1' and the Twelve Palaces through real combat experience.